Economy

Q1. Consider the following statements:

Statement I:

The Supreme Court’s 2026 judgment on the definition of “industry” has retained the relevance of the Triple Test for disputes governed by the earlier Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.

Statement II:

The Triple Test considers systematic activity, employer-employee cooperation and production or distribution of goods and services to satisfy human wants.

Statement III:

The Triple Test does not make the profit motive a necessary condition for determining whether an activity constitutes an industry.

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

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

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

(d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

The Triple Test, laid down in Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board v. A. Rajappa (1978), provides a broad judicial framework for determining what constitutes an “industry”.
The test examines whether an activity involves systematic activity, cooperation between employer and employee, and production or distribution of goods and services to satisfy human wants. Hence, Statement II is correct.
The Triple Test makes profit motive irrelevant. An activity may qualify as an industry even if it is not undertaken for profit, provided it satisfies the other elements of the test. Hence, Statement III is correct.
Both Statements II and III explain the basis and scope of the Triple Test, which is why the Court could retain its relevance for pending disputes under the repealed Industrial Disputes Act.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Miscellaneous

Q2. Consider the following pairs:

Operation	Purpose
1. Operation Black Hawk	Combating an inter-State heroin trafficking network
2. Operation Sindoor	Evacuation of Indian nationals from conflict-affected West Asia
3. Operation Sindhu	Counter-terror military operations against terror infrastructure
4. Operation Mahadev	Counter-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 4 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

The Central Bureau of Narcotics’ recent Operation Black Hawk has brought attention to India’s efforts to combat inter-State drug trafficking and disrupt narcotics networks operating from the North-East.
Recent Indian operations have covered diverse areas including counter-narcotics, counter-terrorism and evacuation of Indian nationals.
Operation Black Hawk was conducted by the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) against an inter-State heroin trafficking network. Hence, Pair 1 is correctly matched.
Operation Sindoor was a counter-terror military operation, not an evacuation operation. Hence, Pair 2 is not correctly matched.
Operation Sindhu was associated with the evacuation of Indian nationals from conflict-affected West Asia, not counter-terror operations. Hence, Pair 3 is not correctly matched.
Operation Mahadev was a counter-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir. Hence, Pair 4 is correctly matched.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Economy

Q3. Consider the following countries:

Bhutan
Cambodia
Greece
Maldives
Mauritius
Nepal

How many of the above countries are mentioned as being part of UPI's international footprint?

(a) Only three

(b) Only four

(d) All six

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

UPI has recently been in the news over the Government’s ₹2,000-crore incentive allocation for FY 2026–27 to support low-value UPI and RuPay transactions, amid wider discussions on the sustainability of the zero-MDR model.
The international expansion of UPI has extended across Asia, the Indian Ocean region and Europe.
Bhutan was the first cross-border deployment mentioned in the source.
Cambodia joined through the NPCI International–ACLEDA Bank partnership.
Greece became operational for cross-border remittances.
Maldives went live through integration with its instant payment system, Favara.
Mauritius and Nepal are also listed among countries where UPI is operational.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Science & Tech

Q4. With reference to the recently issued IN-SPACe guidelines on planned re-entry of space objects, consider the following statements:

Any Indian entity undertaking a planned re-entry, whether within or outside Indian territory, requires authorisation from IN-SPACe.
A non-Indian entity undertaking planned re-entry over Indian territory must route the activity through an Indian-incorporated entity.
Objects that naturally burn up, melt or fragment sufficiently during orbital decay are treated as planned re-entries under the guidelines.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

India's new planned re-entry guidelines seek to translate international principles of space sustainability into specific regulatory obligations for space operators.
Indian entities undertaking planned re-entry require IN-SPACe authorisation, irrespective of whether the re-entry occurs within or outside Indian territory. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
A non-Indian entity seeking planned re-entry over Indian territory must route the activity through an Indian-incorporated entity, such as a subsidiary, joint venture or partnership. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
Objects expected to burn up, melt or fragment sufficiently through natural orbital decay are not treated as planned re-entries. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Science & Tech

Q5. Which one of the following best describes polymorphic malware, recently highlighted in discussions on AI-enabled cyber threats?

(a) Malware that remains unchanged but spreads automatically across connected networks

(b) Malware that continuously modifies its code or structure to evade conventional detection mechanisms

(d) Malware that can operate only after receiving instructions from a human-controlled server

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

The discussion on AI and cybersecurity highlights that India's challenge involves not only protecting existing digital infrastructure but also developing stronger domestic AI capabilities.
Polymorphic malware represents an important evolution in cyber threats because its changing structure can make traditional signature-based cybersecurity tools less effective.
Unlike conventional malware that may have relatively predictable signatures, polymorphic malware can generate, modify or restructure its code according to the circumstances.
The use of AI can potentially increase the speed and sophistication with which such changes are made, making detection and response more challenging.

Hence, option (b) is correct.