#Geography

Q1. With reference to Lake Ontario, consider the following statements:

  1. Lake Ontario is the smallest in surface area among the five Great Lakes of North America and forms an international boundary between Canada and the United States.
  2. It is the easternmost and downstream-most of the five Great Lakes, and its waters flow into the Atlantic Ocean through the St. Lawrence River.
  3. Lake Ontario is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area and is mainly bordered by the US state of Michigan.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a) 

Explanation:

  1. Lake Ontario was in news after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 27, 2026, directing the US government to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America” amid rising trade tensions between the United States and Canada.
  2. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected the change, stating that the name Ontario has Indigenous origins and has existed for more than 400 years, predating both modern Canada and the United States. Canada continues to call it Lake Ontario.
  3. Lake Ontario is the smallest of the North American Great Lakes by surface area and forms an international boundary between Canada and the United States. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  4. It is the easternmost and downstream-most of the five Great Lakes; water from Lake Ontario flows into the St. Lawrence River and finally reaches the Atlantic Ocean. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
  5. Lake Ontario is not the largest freshwater lake by surface area. It is the smallest among the Great Lakes and is not bordered by Michigan; its boundaries include Ontario (Canada) and New York State (USA). Hence, Statement 3 is incorrect.
  6. Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes and the world’s largest freshwater lake by surface area. 
  7. The five Great Lakes of North America are Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario. 

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/trump-rename-lake-ontario-canada-tensions-10853441/



#Economics

Q2. With reference to the RBI’s Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) [FCNR(B)] swap facility, consider the following statements:

  1. Under the FCNR(B) swap facility, the RBI bears the exchange rate risk of foreign currency deposits mobilised by banks from Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).
  2. The facility was introduced to increase India’s foreign exchange reserves and provide support to the rupee amid external pressures.
  3. FCNR(B) deposits are rupee-denominated deposits maintained by NRIs with Indian banks.

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

Answer: (a) 

  1. The RBI’s concessional FCNR(B) swap window was recently in news after it helped India’s foreign exchange reserves reach a record high of $729.33 billion by attracting large foreign currency inflows from NRIs.
  2. The FCNR(B) swap facility is a targeted monetary and foreign exchange intervention tool through which the central bank conducts subsidised USD/INR Buy/Sell Forex Swaps with domestic commercial banks at a forward premium rate significantly below market levels.
  3. Its main objective is to attract stable foreign currency inflows through channels such as Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) [FCNR(B)] deposits and External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs), thereby strengthening foreign exchange reserves and reducing pressure on the rupee without directly using spot forex reserves.
  4. Under the FCNR(B) swap facility, the RBI bears the exchange rate risk of foreign currency deposits. The deposits remain in foreign currency rather than being converted into rupees, providing a cushion to banks. Hence, Statement 1 is correct. 
  5. The facility was introduced to strengthen India’s foreign exchange reserves, improve dollar liquidity, and provide greater ability to manage pressure on the rupee amid foreign fund outflows and global uncertainties. Hence, Statement 2 is correct. 
  6. FCNR(B) deposits are foreign currency-denominated deposits, not rupee-denominated deposits. NRIs can maintain these deposits in permitted foreign currencies with Indian banks. Hence, Statement 3 is incorrect. 

https://indianexpress.com/article/business/banking-and-finance/fcnrb-deposits-push-forex-reserves-to-all-time-high-of-729-billion-in-august-10853919/



#International Relations

Q3. With reference to India–Kuwait relations, consider the following statements:

  1. The inaugural meeting of the India–Kuwait Joint Defence Committee (JDC) was held in New Delhi to implement the objectives of the Defence Cooperation MoU signed in December 2024.
  2. Kuwait is a landlocked country located in the northwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula.
  3. Kuwait is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and is located on the northwestern coast of the Persian Gulf.

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

Answer: (b) 

  1. India and Kuwait were recently in the news after the first meeting of the India–Kuwait Joint Defence Committee (JDC) was held in New Delhi, focusing on strengthening cooperation in defence training, military exercises, defence industry, and research and development.
  2. The first India–Kuwait JDC meeting was held in New Delhi and aimed to operationalise the Defence Cooperation MoU signed during the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Kuwait in December 2024. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
  3. India and Kuwait established diplomatic relations in 1962. The two countries share long-standing historical, economic and cultural ties.
  4. Kuwait is not landlocked. It is located in the northwestern corner of the Persian Gulf and has a coastline along the Gulf. It shares land borders with Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect. 
  5. Kuwait is a GCC member located along the Persian Gulf, in the northwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula. It shares borders with Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
  6. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a regional political and economic organisation established in 1981, comprising six Arabian Peninsula countries — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
  7. The GCC’s headquarters (General Secretariat) is located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

https://theprint.in/india/india-kuwait-hold-inaugural-key-dialogue-in-delhi-to-bolster-defence-cooperation/3027837/



#Miscellaneous

Q4. It is India’s first fully indigenous assault rifle, manufactured at the Korwa facility in Amethi. It has been produced with 100% Indian components and input materials, completed firing tests, and is scheduled to undergo trials with the Indian Army.

Which of the following best fits the above description?

  1. AK-203 Sher
  2. SIG716 Assault Rifle
  3. INSAS Rifle
  4. Excalibur Rifle

Ans: A

  1. Recently, India achieved a major milestone in defence manufacturing with the successful test firing of the 100% indigenous AK-203 “Sher” assault rifle at the Korwa Ordnance Factory, Amethi. It is expected to replace the ageing INSAS rifles of the Indian Army. 
  2. AK-203 Sher is India’s first fully indigenous version of the AK-203 assault rifle, manufactured by Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) at the Korwa facility in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.
  3. The rifle represents end-to-end indigenisation, with every component and input material sourced from Indian industry.
  4. It has successfully completed firing evaluations and prototypes are being prepared for Indian Army trials.
  5. Hence, option A is correct.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/from-amethi-to-army-ak-203-sher-triggering-indias-rifle-revolution/articleshow/133619250.cms



#International Relations

Q5. With reference to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), consider the following statements:

  1. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was established in 2001 with six founding members, including China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
  2. The SCO’s activities are based on the principle of the “Shanghai Spirit”, which includes mutual respect for sovereignty, non-interference and peaceful cooperation.
  3. The SCO Secretariat is located in Tashkent, while the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is headquartered in Beijing.
  4. The 26th SCO Summit will be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 4 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (a) 

  1. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is in news as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic from 29 August to 1 September 2026. 
  2. After his bilateral visit to Tashkent, PM Modi will participate in the 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic. The summit marks the 25th anniversary of the SCO, and India, which became a full member of the organisation in 2017, will highlight its priorities of Security, Connectivity and Opportunity.
  3. The SCO was established on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai, China. The six founding members were China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  4. Newest member: Belarus (2024)
  5. Official languages: Russian and Chinese
  6. Nature of SCO: A regional cooperation organisation, not a military alliance.
  7. The SCO’s activities are guided by the “Shanghai Spirit,” which is based on mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality among states, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, and peaceful cooperation. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
  8. The SCO Secretariat is located in Beijing, China, while the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) Executive Committee is headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
  9. The 26th SCO Summit will be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, from 31 August to 1 September 2026. Hence, statement 4 is correct. 

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasepage.aspx?PRID=2304395&reg=48&lang=1