Agriculture

Q1. A crop is predominantly cultivated in the eastern and northeastern parts of India and is particularly associated with the alluvial plains of the region. It grows well under hot and humid conditions and requires about 700–1,500 mm of rainfall during its growing period. The crop is generally sown during March–April and can be harvested within about 100–110 days. It is a natural bast fibre crop, popularly known for its golden colour and silky lustre.

Which one of the following crops is described above?

(a) Cotton

(b) Jute

(d) Hemp

Answer: (b)

Explanation

A recent PIB update highlights India’s leading position in raw jute production and the growing importance of jute as a sustainable natural fibre.
Production and cultivation: India is the world’s largest producer of raw jute, with West Bengal contributing the largest share, followed by Bihar, Assam, Odisha and Jharkhand.
Climate and sustainability: Jute thrives in hot and humid conditions with 700–1,500 mm rainfall, is predominantly rainfed, and its biodegradable nature makes it an important alternative to synthetic materials.
Jute is a major natural fibre crop of India and is popularly known as the “Golden Fibre” because of its characteristic golden colour and silky lustre.
It thrives under hot and humid conditions, with rainfall of about 700–1,500 mm during the crop-growing period.
It is mainly cultivated in eastern and northeastern India and is generally sown during March–April and harvested within 100–110 days.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

International Relations

Q2. With reference to places associated with India’s international borders, consider the following information:

Place	Location	Associated border
I. Pangong Tso	Arunachal Pradesh	India–China
II. Taksing	Ladakh	India–China
III. Wagah	Punjab	India–Pakistan
IV. Petrapole	West Bengal	India–Bangladesh

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(d) All four

Answer: (b)

Explanation

India and China held their first Corps Commander-level meeting in Arunachal Pradesh, expanding the military dialogue mechanism beyond the Ladakh sector amid continuing border tensions.
Military dialogue: The meeting at the Vacha-Damai Border Personnel Meeting Point marked the first Corps Commander-level engagement in the Eastern Sector, aimed at managing military tensions along the Line of Actual Control.
Confidence-building: Recent India–China engagements have included the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination and Special Representatives talks, with additional Border Personnel Meeting Points and hotlines proposed to strengthen communication.
Pangong Tso is located in eastern Ladakh, not Arunachal Pradesh. It is associated with the India–China border. Hence, Pair I is not correctly matched.
Taksing is located in Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, not Ladakh. It is associated with the India–China border. Hence, Pair II is not correctly matched.
Wagah is located in Punjab and is associated with the India–Pakistan border. Hence, Pair III is correctly matched.
Petrapole is located in West Bengal and is an important India–Bangladesh border crossing. Hence, Pair IV is correctly matched.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Economy

Q3. With reference to GIFT City International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), consider the following statements:

GIFT IFSC enables Indian investors to obtain exposure to international markets without directly investing overseas.
Funds operating in GIFT IFSC are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

Rising global market performance and domestic investment limits have driven greater retail participation in GIFT International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) funds for international diversification.
Retail participation: Retail investors accounted for over 52% of investors in international schemes in GIFT IFSC, supported by improved access and lower minimum investment requirements.
Global diversification: GIFT IFSC funds provide exposure to foreign markets and themes such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and data centres, but investors must balance returns against international market risks.
GIFT IFSC provides access to global markets and international products from within India. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
IFSC funds are regulated by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), rather than SEBI. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Science & Tech

Q4. Consider the following statements:

EOS-05 is India’s first dedicated imaging satellite designed to operate in geosynchronous orbit.
It was launched by the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
The satellite was initially placed in a sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (sub-GTO).
After separation, the satellite uses its own propulsion system to reach its final operational orbit.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1, 2 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (d)

Explanation:

ISRO’s launch of EOS-05, India’s first dedicated imaging satellite for geosynchronous orbit, has brought attention to different satellite orbits and their applications.
Types of orbits: Earth’s primary orbital classes include Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO), each serving different purposes such as observation, navigation and communication.
EOS-05 and geosynchronous orbit: EOS-05 was placed in a sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (sub-GTO) by the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and uses its own propulsion to reach its final orbit, enabling persistent observation of large regions.
Earth Observation Satellite- EOS-05 is India’s first dedicated imaging satellite designed to operate in geosynchronous orbit, approximately 36,000 km above Earth. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
It was launched using the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
The GSLV deposited EOS-05 into a sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (sub-GTO) rather than directly placing it in its final operational orbit. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
After separation from the launch vehicle, EOS-05 uses its own propulsion system to raise and circularise its orbit and reach the final geosynchronous orbit. Hence, Statement 4 is correct.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Science & Tech

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding artificial intelligence and consciousness:

The identification of internal representations in an artificial intelligence system is, by itself, sufficient to establish consciousness.
Anthropic has stated that its J-space experiments do not demonstrate that Claude can experience or feel things in the manner humans do.
The research suggests that J-space may be associated with functions related to conscious access without proving consciousness itself.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

Anthropic’s research on Claude Sonnet 4.5 has identified internal neural patterns called “J-space” that resemble an internal thought process, raising new questions about how artificial intelligence processes information and the nature of consciousness.
J-space (Jacobian space) and internal processing: J-space consists of internal neural patterns that can represent concepts and words without those words necessarily appearing in the model’s visible output, suggesting a form of internal processing or working memory.
Consciousness remains unproven: Although J-space may support functions associated with conscious access, Anthropic emphasises that the research provides no evidence that Claude has human-like experiences or consciousness.
The presence of internal representations does not by itself establish consciousness. The research raises questions about internal processing but does not prove subjective experience. Hence, Statement 1 is not correct.
Anthropic has explicitly clarified that the J-space experiments do not show that Claude can experience or feel things in the way humans do. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
J-space appears to support functions associated with conscious access, such as information that the model can report on or reason with, but this does not amount to proof of consciousness. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (b) is correct.