#S&T
Q1. Consider the following statements regarding India’s Strategic Fuel System and Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR):
- Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) refer to emergency stockpiles of crude oil maintained by a country to deal with severe supply disruptions.
- Phase-I of India’s SPR programme established underground rock caverns at Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru and Padur.
- India currently has operational underground storage facilities for both crude oil and natural gas as part of its strategic reserves.
- Phase-II of India’s SPR programme proposes additional storage capacity through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model supported by Viability Gap Funding (VGF).
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)
Explanation:
- Recent West Asia-related geopolitical disruptions have highlighted vulnerabilities in India’s energy security due to heavy dependence on imported crude oil, LNG and LPG, leading to renewed focus on strengthening strategic fuel infrastructure.
- Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) are emergency crude oil stockpiles maintained as an energy security buffer to tackle supply disruptions caused by geopolitical conflicts, supply chain disruptions, natural disasters and global price shocks. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
- India is moving beyond traditional SPRs towards a broader Strategic Fuel System, which includes crude oil storage, LNG and natural gas storage, alternative fuels such as ethanol blending and CBG, and diversified energy sourcing.
- India’s Phase-I SPR programme (2016–2018) established underground rock caverns with a total capacity of 5.33 MMT at Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), Mangaluru and Padur (Karnataka) to provide emergency crude oil reserves. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
- India’s SPR programme is implemented through Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL), a special purpose vehicle under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
- India currently has no operational underground strategic natural gas storage facility; existing strategic storage includes underground crude oil reserves and LPG caverns, while gas storage infrastructure is planned under the Strategic Fuel System. Hence, Statement 3 is incorrect.
- The upcoming Phase-II SPR expansion aims to add around 6.5 MMT of storage capacity through facilities at Chandikhol (Odisha) and Padur (Karnataka) under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model supported by Viability Gap Funding (VGF). Hence, Statement 4 is correct.
- With India importing over 85% of its crude oil requirements, strategic reserves help reduce vulnerability to global supply shocks, limit import bill pressures, manage inflation and improve overall energy resilience.
#Geography
Q2. Identify the type of flood phenomenon associated with the following characteristics:
- It occurs when a temporary lake formed due to landslide debris blocking a river channel suddenly releases stored water.
- It is commonly associated with unstable mountain regions having steep slopes and fragile geology.
- It can release large quantities of water along with sediments, rocks and debris, causing destructive downstream flooding.
- It is different from floods caused by the sudden drainage of lakes formed behind glaciers or moraines.
Which one of the following best describes the phenomenon?
(a) Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)
(b) Landslide Lake Outburst Flood (LLOF)
(c) Cloudburst-induced Flash Flood
(d) Riverine Flood
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
- A new barrier lake near the Nepal–Tibet border was formed after a suspected glacier collapse triggered a landslide, blocking river flow near the confluence of Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers. The event raised concerns about a possible Landslide Lake Outburst Flood (LLOF) in the Himalayan region.
- A Landslide Lake Outburst Flood (LLOF) occurs when debris from a landslide blocks a river channel, creating a temporary lake, and the unstable natural dam later breaches, releasing a large volume of water downstream. Hence, option (b) is correct.
- The formation process of an LLOF involves landslide occurrence → blockage of river flow by rocks, soil and debris → formation of a temporary barrier lake → sudden release of water, sediments, boulders and debris.
- LLOF differs from a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), where sudden flooding occurs due to failure of glacier-related barriers such as ice or moraine dams containing glacial meltwater.
- Unlike cloudburst-induced flash floods or riverine floods, LLOFs are specifically associated with the failure of landslide-created natural dams, making them highly destructive due to the sudden release of accumulated water and debris.
- The Himalayas are highly vulnerable to such events due to young fold mountain systems, active tectonics, unstable slopes, rapid glacier changes and increasing extreme weather events.
- Important examples include the Yigong Landslide Lake (2000), Tibet, formed on the Yigong Tsangpo River, and Tangjiashan Lake (2008), China, formed after the Wenchuan earthquake where controlled drainage was used to prevent catastrophic flooding.
- Barrier lakes are a major disaster-management challenge because their unstable natural dams can fail unpredictably, requiring early warning systems, monitoring, controlled drainage and regional cooperation among Himalayan countries.
#S&T
Q3. The FGM-148 Javelin, recently in news is associated with which one of the following?
(a) A long-range surface-to-air missile system designed for air defence
(b) A third-generation man-portable anti-tank guided missile system with fire-and-forget capability
(c) A cruise missile system designed for precision strikes against naval targets
(d) A loitering munition system used for autonomous surveillance and attack missions
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
- India is moving towards acquiring the US-made FGM-148 Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) system to strengthen defence cooperation with the United States and enhance the Indian Army’s anti-armour capabilities.
- The FGM-148 Javelin is a third-generation, man-portable, fire-and-forget Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) developed by the Raytheon–Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture, designed to destroy tanks, armoured vehicles and fortified positions. Hence, option (b) is correct.
- Its fire-and-forget capability is enabled by an imaging infrared seeker, allowing the operator to launch the missile and immediately reposition without manually guiding it towards the target.
- Javelin is different from surface-to-air missiles, cruise missiles and loitering munitions as it is specifically designed for anti-armour warfare and does not target aircraft, naval assets or operate as an autonomous surveillance weapon.
- The missile is launched using a Man-portable Command Launch Unit (CLU) and uses imaging infrared guidance, making it suitable for infantry operations in diverse terrains.
- India’s existing ATGM ecosystem includes indigenous DRDO MPATGM, Israeli Spike ATGM, and older systems such as Milan and Konkurs-M. The Javelin acquisition is expected through the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route, which includes equipment, training and maintenance support.
#S&T
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding Salmonella infections:
- Typhoidal Salmonella infections are mainly caused by Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi, which lead to enteric fever.
- Non-typhoidal Salmonella infections are generally associated with an animal-food-environment transmission cycle involving poultry, eggs and meat.
- Blood culture is the preferred diagnostic test for suspected typhoid and is ideally performed before antibiotic administration.
- Typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) is recommended by WHO only after five years of age.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
- A recent Lancet study estimated around 4.9 million typhoid cases in India in 2023, highlighting the continuing burden of Salmonella infections and the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The concern extends beyond typhoid to often underdiagnosed non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) infections.
- Typhoidal Salmonella infections are mainly caused by Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi, leading to typhoid and paratyphoid fever. These infections are primarily transmitted through faecally contaminated food and water. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
- Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) infections have a broader transmission pathway involving poultry, eggs, meat, contaminated food and animal reservoirs. They commonly cause gastroenteritis and may lead to severe bloodstream infections in vulnerable groups. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
- Blood culture is the main diagnostic test for suspected typhoid and is ideally performed before antibiotic administration, as prior antibiotic use can reduce bacterial detection. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
- The Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) is recommended by WHO from six months of age, not only after five years. It provides longer-lasting protection and is suitable for childhood immunisation programmes. Hence, Statement 4 is incorrect.
- A major concern is rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Salmonella Typhi, particularly resistance to fluoroquinolones and other commonly used antibiotics, making treatment more difficult.
- Effective Salmonella control requires a One Health approach integrating human health (diagnosis, treatment and vaccination), animal health (monitoring livestock and poultry infections) and environmental health (safe water, sanitation and food safety).
- The Salmonella burden in India requires a comprehensive strategy combining vaccination, improved sanitation, food safety measures, antimicrobial stewardship and surveillance to control both typhoidal and non-typhoidal infections.
#S&T
Q5. Consider the following description:
- It was recently delivered to the Indian Navy as the first vessel of its kind developed indigenously in India.
- It has been designed primarily to support evaluation and trials of advanced naval systems, including weapons and sensors.
- Apart from its testing role, it is capable of undertaking surveillance, patrolling and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
- The vessel reflects India’s efforts towards strengthening indigenous defence manufacturing.
Which one of the following vessels is being described?
(a) INS Imphal
(b) INS Samarthak
(c) INS Vikrant
(d) INS Arihant
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
- The topic was in news as the Indian Navy received ‘Samarthak’, its first indigenous Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV), marking a milestone in India’s naval self-reliance and defence indigenisation efforts.
- INS Samarthak is India’s first indigenous Multi-Purpose Vessel, built by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) at its Kattupalli shipyard near Chennai with more than 75% indigenous content. Hence, option (b) is correct.
- Unlike conventional combat vessels, Samarthak is primarily designed as a trial and evaluation platform for testing indigenous weapons, sensors and future naval technologies.
- The vessel has multiple operational roles, including maritime surveillance, reconnaissance, offshore patrolling, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), launch and recovery of surface and aerial targets, and unmanned system operations.
- INS Samarthak is different from frontline naval platforms such as INS Imphal (Project 15B destroyer), INS Vikrant (indigenous aircraft carrier) and INS Arihant (nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine), which are designed mainly for combat or strategic roles.
- The vessel strengthens India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative by promoting indigenous shipbuilding, domestic defence manufacturing and reducing dependence on foreign platforms for technology evaluation.
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2303919®=3&lang=1