International Relations

Q1. The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), recently in the news in the context of India, is associated with which one of the following?

(a) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

(b) International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination

(d) Convention on the Rights of the Child

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has raised serious concerns over discrimination and human-rights violations affecting marginalised communities in India.
CERD is a United Nations treaty body responsible for monitoring the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).
India ratified the Convention in 1968.
CERD periodically examines the implementation of the Convention by States Parties and issues its observations and recommendations.
The recent review of India raised concerns regarding discrimination and violence affecting minority ethnic and ethno-religious groups, Dalits and non-citizens, among other issues.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Science & Tech

Q2. Which one of the following best describes the phenomenon of vacuum birefringence?

(a) The splitting of a light beam into two rays when it passes through an ordinary transparent crystal.

(b) The phenomenon in which a strong magnetic field causes vacuum to behave like a birefringent medium, altering the propagation of different light polarizations.

(d) The conversion of electromagnetic waves into gravitational waves in the presence of an intense magnetic field.

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

Vacuum birefringence is a predicted quantum-electrodynamic effect in which strong electromagnetic fields modify the properties of the quantum vacuum, causing it to behave somewhat like a birefringent material.
Under extremely strong magnetic fields, the vacuum can effectively behave like a crystal, causing different polarization states of light to experience different propagation properties.
Unlike ordinary birefringence, which occurs when light passes through an anisotropic material such as calcite, vacuum birefringence can occur even in empty space because of quantum effects associated with virtual particles.
The phenomenon is particularly relevant in environments with extremely strong magnetic fields, such as those surrounding certain neutron stars called magnetars.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Geography

Q3. Consider the following statements with reference to India’s decision concerning the Indus Waters Treaty in 2025:

Statement I:

India announced that it would keep the Indus Waters Treaty in “abeyance” following the Pahalgam terror attack.

Statement II:

India linked the continuation of the “abeyance” to Pakistan credibly and irrevocably ending its support for cross-border terrorism.

Statement III:

The Court of Arbitration accepted terrorism as a sufficient legal ground under the Treaty for India to unilaterally terminate it.

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.

Answer: (c)

Explanation:

The Permanent Court of Arbitration has ruled that the Indus Waters Treaty remains fully in force, rejecting India’s unilateral “abeyance” of the Treaty.
The ruling also imposed temporary restrictions on construction at the Ratle Hydroelectric Project, even as India maintains that it does not recognise the Court’s jurisdiction.
India explicitly linked the continuation of the “abeyance” to Pakistan ending its support for cross-border terrorism. This provides the immediate basis and context for India's decision described in Statement I. Hence, Statement II is correct and explains Statement I.
The Court of Arbitration did not accept terrorism as a legal ground for India to unilaterally suspend or terminate the Treaty. It considered terrorism and other grounds cited by India, but held that these did not justify unilateral suspension or termination under the Treaty. Hence, Statement III is incorrect.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

International Relations

Q4. consider the following statements:

The recent meeting between the Prime Ministers of India and Armenia was held on the sidelines of the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.
Armenia and Azerbaijan are both located in the South Caucasus, between the Black Sea and the Red Sea.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

India-Armenia ties were in focus as PM Modi met Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of the 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek, with discussions covering bilateral cooperation and the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process.
The meeting between the Prime Ministers of India and Armenia was held on the sidelines of the 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Armenia and Azerbaijan are located in the South Caucasus, but the region lies between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, not the Red Sea. Hence, Statement 2 is incorrect.

Hence, only Statement 1 is correct.

Governance

Q5. With reference to the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), consider the following statements:

The National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems is implemented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
The Mission aims to promote the development of cyber-physical systems by integrating technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, Internet of Things and advanced communication systems.
The Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) established under the Mission are hosted by premier academic and research institutions.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

India is strengthening its indigenous Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) ecosystem through the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), linking research, industry and innovation for technology-driven development.
Launched: 2018, with a ₹3,660 crore outlay for nine years; its key role is to connect academia, industry, start-ups and government for research, innovation and technology translation in Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS).
The National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) is implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), not the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Hence, Statement 1 is not correct.
The Mission focuses on developing cyber-physical systems by bringing together advanced technologies and enabling applications across sectors. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
Under the Mission, 25 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) have been established and are hosted by premier academic and research institutions to undertake research, innovation, technology development and related activities. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (b) is correct.