Governance

Q1. Consider the following pairs regarding components of PM-AASHA :

List-I (Component)List-II (Description)
1. Price Support Scheme (PSS)A. Maintenance of buffer stocks to moderate consumer price volatility
2. Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS)B. Payment of the difference between MSP and the actual market price without physical procurement
3. Price Stabilization Fund (PSF)C. Physical procurement at MSP when market prices fall below MSP
4. Market Intervention Scheme (MIS)D. Procurement of perishable agricultural and horticultural commodities not generally covered under MSP

Which one of the following is the correctly matched sequence?

(a) 1-C, 2-B, 3-A, 4-D

(b) 1-A, 2-B, 3-C, 4-D

(c) 1-B, 2-C, 3-A, 4-D

(d) 1-C, 2-A, 3-D, 4-B

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

  1. PM-AASHA is an umbrella framework comprising mechanisms for MSP-based procurement, price stabilisation, price-deficiency payments and market intervention.
  2. Under Price Support Scheme (PSS), eligible crops are physically procured at MSP when market prices fall below MSP. Hence, Pair 1-C is correctly matched.
  3. Under Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), farmers receive the difference between the MSP and the actual market price without physical procurement. Hence, Pair 2-B is correctly matched.
  4.  Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) maintains buffer stocks of essential commodities to moderate price volatility and protect consumers. Hence, Pair 3-A is correctly matched.
  5. Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) provides intervention for perishable agricultural and horticultural commodities generally not covered under MSP. Hence, Pair 4-D is correctly matched.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2301814&reg=48&lang=1



Geography

Q2. With reference to the Ken–Betwa Link Project, consider the following statements:

  1. Both the Ken and Betwa rivers are tributaries of the Yamuna River.
  2. The project envisages the transfer of water from the Betwa basin to the Ken basin.
  3. The project is part of the Himalayan component of the National Perspective Plan for interlinking of rivers.
  4. The project has faced concerns and opposition from tribal and forest-dependent communities due to potential displacement and impacts on forests and livelihoods. 

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

  1. The Ken–Betwa Link Project has faced opposition from tribal and forest-dependent communities over concerns of displacement, loss of forest land and livelihoods, and ecological impacts associated with the project. 
  2. The Ken–Betwa Link Project, important for the water-deficit Bundelkhand region, involves the interlinking of two important river systems of the Yamuna basin.
  3. Both the Ken and the Betwa are tributaries of the Yamuna River. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  4. The proposed transfer is from the Ken basin to the Betwa basin, and not vice versa. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
  5. The Ken–Betwa Link Project is included under the Peninsular component of the National Perspective Plan, not the Himalayan component. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.
  6. The project has raised concerns among tribal and forest-dependent communities regarding displacement, loss of forest resources and possible impacts on their livelihoods. Hence, Statement 4 is correct. 

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2301975&reg=48&lang=1



Governance

Q3. The ‘NAMASTE’ Scheme is related to which one of the following?

(a) Promoting mechanised sanitation and ensuring the safety of sanitation workers engaged in hazardous cleaning

(b) Developing tourism circuits and improving infrastructure at important religious and heritage destinations

(c) Providing financial assistance for the construction of individual household toilets in rural areas

(d) Promoting scientific management and processing of municipal solid waste in urban areas

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

  1. The NAMASTE-Swachhta Udyami Yojana (SUY) is enabling sanitation workers to transition from hazardous manual work to safe, mechanised sanitation enterprises through financial assistance, machinery support and self-employment opportunities. 
  2. NAMASTE stands for National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem and is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
  3. It aims to promote mechanised cleaning of sewers and septic tanks and ensure the safety, dignity and welfare of sanitation workers.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2302011&reg=48&lang=1



Polity

Q4. With reference to ‘Political Clearance’ for foreign visits, consider the following statements:

  1. It is granted by the Ministry of External Affairs to assess the foreign-policy and diplomatic implications of a proposed visit abroad.
  2. Its grant may depend upon factors such as the nature of the engagement, the invitation extended and India's relations with the host country.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

  1. The recent denial of political clearance for a proposed foreign visit by a Chief Minister has brought the procedure into current affairs focus.
  2. Political clearance is a mechanism for examining whether a proposed foreign engagement by a public functionary is appropriate from the perspective of India's external relations and diplomatic interests.
  3. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) grants political clearance after assessing the possible foreign-policy implications of the proposed visit. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  4. Factors such as the nature of the event, level of participation, nature of invitation and India's relations with the host country may be considered while processing the request. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Read More: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/what-is-political-clearance-and-why-do-chief-ministers-need-it-for-foreign-trips-10843119/



Environment

Q5. With reference to the requirement of Environmental Clearance (EC) in India, consider the following statements:

  1. Prior Environmental Clearance is a mandatory requirement for projects covered under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006.
  2. An administrative Office Memorandum can override the requirement of prior Environmental Clearance and provide for post-facto regularisation of projects.
  3. The Central Government may exercise its statutory powers under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to frame a fresh mechanism for specified violation cases, if considered necessary.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

  1. In Vanashakti vs Union of India (July 2026), the Supreme Court reaffirmed the mandatory nature of prior Environmental Clearance (EC) while clarifying the limits of post-facto regularisation mechanisms.
  2. The judgment reiterated that obtaining prior Environmental Clearance is a mandatory legal requirement under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  3. The Court distinguished an administrative Office Memorandum from a statutory notification and held that an Office Memorandum (OM) cannot override the requirement of prior Environmental Clearance (EC) . Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
  4. The judgment recognised that the Central Government retains statutory power under Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to formulate a fresh framework, if necessary in the larger public interest. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Read More: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-vanashakti-verdict-is-balanced-and-pragmatic/article71370042.ece