Art & Cul

Q1. With reference to the history of the Saptakoteshwar Temple, consider the following statements:

  1. The temple site is associated with the Kadamba dynasty.
  2. The temple was rebuilt in the Vijayanagar period after an earlier phase of destruction.
  3. The temple's rock-cut tank was known as Koti-Tirth.
  4. The temple was destroyed during the Portuguese period beginning in the 16th century.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Answer: (d)

Explanation:

  1. The Saptakoteshwar Temple site in Divar, Goa, has emerged as an important archaeological site because recently discovered remains reveal multiple historical phases of temple construction.
  2. Historical records associate the temple site with the Kadamba dynasty. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  3. After an earlier destruction, the temple was rebuilt in 1391 during the Vijayanagar period. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
  4. The temple's rock-cut tank was known as Koti-Tirth. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
  5. The temple was later destroyed by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Hence, Statement 4 is correct.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Read More: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/temple-restoration-work-goa-island-relics-14th-16th-century-10862147/lite/



Science & Tech

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding India’s thorium-based nuclear energy programme:

  1. Thorium-232 is a fertile material that can be converted into fissile Uranium-233 through neutron irradiation.
  2. India’s three-stage nuclear programme envisages the use of Fast Breeder Reactors as an intermediate stage for developing the thorium fuel cycle.
  3. Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors use natural uranium as fuel in the first stage of India’s nuclear programme.
  4. Uranium-233 is intended to serve as a fuel in the third stage of India’s nuclear programme.
  5. Thorium-232 can directly sustain a fission chain reaction in a nuclear reactor without conversion into another fissile material.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only two

(b) Only three

(c) Only four

(d) All five

Answer: (c)

Explanation:

  1. Nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar has advocated earlier introduction of thorium-bearing fuel into India’s Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor fleet to accelerate thorium utilisation and reduce long-term dependence on uranium.
  2. Thorium-232 is fertile rather than fissile. Through neutron absorption and subsequent nuclear transformations, it can produce fissile Uranium-233. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  3. India’s three-stage programme uses Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) as the second stage to facilitate the production of Uranium-233 from Thorium-232. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
  4. The first stage is based on Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) using natural uranium as fuel. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
  5. The third stage envisages advanced reactors using Uranium-233 produced from thorium. Hence, Statement 4 is correct.
  6. Since Thorium-232 is fertile and not fissile, it cannot directly sustain a fission chain reaction in the manner of fissile materials such as Uranium-235 or Uranium-233. Hence, Statement 5 is not correct.

Hence, Option (c) is correct.

Read More: https://indianexpress.com/article/business/anil-kakodkar-thorium-fuel-phwr-nuclear-reactors-india-target-10861905/



Geography

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the Sone River:

  1. It originates near the Amarkantak region of Madhya Pradesh.
  2. It is a southern tributary of the Ganga.
  3. It flows through Bihar before joining the Ganga.
  4. Its basin extends across parts of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1, 2 and 4 only

(c) 2, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (d)

Explanation:

  1. The 25-year Bihar–Jharkhand dispute over sharing of Sone River water was recently resolved through an inter-state Memorandum of Understanding, paving the way for irrigation, reservoir and canal projects in both states.
  2. The Sone River originates in the Amarkantak region of Madhya Pradesh and is an important river of the Ganga drainage system. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  3. It is a major southern tributary of the Ganga, joining the Ganga in Bihar. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
  4. After flowing through the region of Bihar, the Sone joins the Ganga near Patna. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
  5. The Sone basin extends across parts of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar, making it relevant to inter-State water management. Hence, Statement 4 is correct.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Read More: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/bihar-jharkhand-sone-water-dispute-resolved-10859053/



Geography

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding El Niño:

  1. El Niño is associated with an abnormal warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
  2. It is generally accompanied by a weakening of the trade winds over the tropical Pacific.
  3. El Niño invariably causes increased rainfall over all parts of the world.

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)

Explanation:

  1. The World Meteorological Organization has warned that the ongoing El Niño could intensify further, highlighting its potential to alter rainfall and temperature patterns and increase the risk of extreme weather events.
  2. El Niño refers to the periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  3. The phenomenon is generally associated with a weakening of the easterly trade winds, allowing warm surface waters to shift eastward across the Pacific. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
  4. El Niño does not produce the same rainfall response everywhere. It can cause drought in some regions and excessive rainfall in others, depending on the location. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Read More: https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/el-nio-likely-strengthen-further-persist-into-2027-wmo-says-2026-09-03/



Geography

Q5. Arrange the following geothermal sites from north to south:

  1. Manikaran
  2. Puga
  3. Tattapani
  4. Manuguru

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1–2–3–4

(b) 2–1–3–4

(c) 2–3–1–4

(d) 3–2–1–4

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

  1. The Geological Survey of India has identified several geothermal energy sites across India, particularly in regions with significant geothermal manifestations such as hot springs and underground heat resources.
  2. Puga is located in Ladakh and is the northernmost among the four locations. Hence, it comes first.
  3. Manikaran is located in Himachal Pradesh, south of Puga. Hence, it comes second.
  4. Tattapani is located in Chhattisgarh, further south of Himachal Pradesh. Hence, it comes third.
  5. Manuguru is located in Telangana, which lies further south. Hence, it comes fourth.
  6. Thus, the correct north-to-south sequence is Puga → Manikaran → Tattapani → Manuguru, represented by 2–1–3–4.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2306688&reg=48&lang=1