Environment

Q1. With reference to the Appendices under CITES, consider the following pairs:

Appendix	Status of trade
1. Appendix I	Trade is regulated through a permit system
2. Appendix II	Commercial trade is generally prohibited, subject to exceptional circumstances
3. Appendix III	Includes species protected in at least one country seeking cooperation of other Parties

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(d) None

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

Vantara has submitted voluntary commitments to strengthen CITES compliance, transparency and in-situ wildlife conservation, including withdrawing pending applications for importing live animals.
Appendix I covers species threatened with extinction, and commercial trade in such species is generally prohibited except in exceptional circumstances. Hence, Pair 1 is not correctly matched.
Appendix II covers species that are not necessarily threatened with extinction but may become so unless trade is strictly regulated through a permit system. Hence, Pair 2 is not correctly matched.
Appendix III includes species protected in at least one country that has sought the cooperation of other CITES Parties in controlling their trade. Hence, Pair 3 is correctly matched.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Polity

Q2. Consider the following statements:

Statement I:

The Census of India has evolved as a decennial exercise for the systematic collection and analysis of demographic and socio-economic data.

Statement II:

The first Census of India in 1872 was conducted non-synchronously in different parts, whereas the first synchronous Census was conducted in 1881.

Statement III:

The recent debate on caste enumeration in the recent Census of India 2027, has raised concerns that self-reported social categories and variations in caste names may affect the classification and interpretation of census data.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I.

(b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I.

(d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct.

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

There is an ongoing debate on caste enumeration and the methodology used for collecting and classifying caste-related data in the recent Census of India 2027.
Census is a systematic exercise for collecting, compiling and analysing demographic and other characteristics of the population.
The first Census in 1872 was non-synchronous, while 1881 marked the first synchronous Census, laying the foundation for India's regular decennial census tradition. Hence, Statement II is correct but does not explain Statement I.
A conceptual challenge in census methodology- how self-reported caste names and categories are standardised and interpreted. This directly explains the need for the Census to be a systematic exercise involving collection as well as classification and analysis. Hence, Statement III is correct and explains Statement I.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Economy

Q3. Consider the following description:

It refers to a practice in which an advertisement promotes a legally permissible product or service while using the brand name, logo, colour scheme or other distinctive identity associated with another product whose direct advertising is prohibited or restricted. The objective is often to retain or reinforce brand recall of the restricted product among consumers.

Which one of the following terms best describes the above practice?

(a) Comparative advertising

(b) Surrogate advertising

(d) Puffery

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

Surrogate advertising has come into focus in the context of advertisements for products that may indirectly promote tobacco, alcohol or other restricted products through another legally permissible product carrying the same or closely associated brand identity.
Surrogate advertising involves using a permitted product as a proxy to maintain or promote the identity and recall of a restricted product.
Comparative advertising involves comparing one's product with that of a competitor to highlight relative features or advantages.
Subliminal advertising refers to the use of stimuli intended to influence consumers below the threshold of conscious awareness,
Puffery involves exaggerated promotional claims that are generally understood as subjective rather than factual assertions.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Polity

Q4. Consider the following bodies:

National Commission for Minorities
National Commission for Women
National Human Rights Commission
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights
National Commission for Scheduled Castes
National Commission for Backward Classes

How many of the above are statutory bodies?

(a) Only two

(b) Only three

(d) All six

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) was recently reconstituted to work for the welfare and development of minority communities and to monitor the safeguards provided for protecting their interests.
The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) is a statutory body established under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992. It safeguards the interests of notified minority communities. Hence, 1 is correct.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) is a statutory body established under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990. It reviews constitutional and legal safeguards available to women and recommends remedial measures. Hence, 2 is correct.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is a statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. It is mandated to protect and promote human rights in India. Hence, 3 is correct.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is a statutory body established under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005. It examines and reviews safeguards provided for the protection of children's rights. Hence, Item 4 is correct.
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) is a constitutional body under Article 338, while the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) is a constitutional body under Article 338B of the Constitution of India. Hence, 5 and 6 are not correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Governance

Q5. With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM), consider the following statements:

It seeks to improve the livelihoods of tribal communities by promoting value addition and market linkages for Minor Forest Produce.
It provides for the procurement of notified Minor Forest Produce at a predetermined Minimum Support Price.
Van Dhan Vikas Kendras under the Mission are intended to organise tribal communities into community-based enterprises.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

The Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) aims to strengthen tribal livelihoods by supporting the collection, value addition, processing and marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP).
The Mission seeks to promote value addition and market linkages so that tribal communities can move beyond selling raw forest produce. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Under the Mission, the Government provides for procurement of notified Minor Forest Produce (MFP) at a predetermined Minimum Support Price (MSP). Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) organise tribal gatherers into community-based enterprises and support their processing, value addition and marketing activities. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (d) is correct.