Geography

Q1. Consider the following statements with reference to map projections:

I. No flat map can represent the three-dimensional Earth without some form of distortion.

II. Different map projections are designed to preserve particular properties such as area, shape, distance or direction.

III. The choice of a map projection depends upon the purpose for which the map is intended to be used.

Which of the following relationships among the above statements is/are correct?

Statement II is an explanation of the limitation stated in Statement I.
Statement III provides the practical basis for the approach described in Statement II.
Statements I, II and III together establish that no single map projection is universally optimal.

Select the answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d)

Explanation:

The United Nations has adopted the Equal Earth projection to promote a more accurate representation of the relative size of global landmasses, particularly Africa.
Map Projections: Different projections involve trade-offs in preserving area, shape, distance and direction depending on their purpose.
Equal Earth: Developed in 2018, it is an equal-area projection that preserves relative areas while still producing some distortion in shape and distance.
Different projections involve trade-offs because a three-dimensional Earth cannot be perfectly represented on a flat surface. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Map projections may be designed to preserve particular properties, such as angles in conformal projections, areas in equal-area projections, or distances in equidistant projections. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
The appropriate projection depends on whether the purpose is navigation, statistical representation, thematic mapping or general reference. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Governance

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding PM SHRI:

It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education.
It seeks to develop more than 140,000 existing schools as exemplar institutions.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

The PM SHRI Scheme aims to transform existing schools into exemplar institutions aligned with the vision of NEP 2020.
Scheme: It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme targeting more than 14,500 existing schools across India.
Implementation: Schools are selected through a three-stage Challenge Mode using prescribed benchmarks, UDISE+ data and physical verification.
PM SHRI is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The scheme aims to qualitatively strengthen more than 14,500 existing schools and develop them as exemplar institutions demonstrating the effective implementation of NEP 2020 not more than 140,000 . Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Agriculture

Q3. Consider the following statements:

Soybean recorded the highest area coverage among the individual kharif crops .
Rice had a larger area coverage than cotton.
Maize had a larger area coverage than sugarcane.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d)

Explanation

The latest All India Kharif Area Coverage Report shows crop-wise sowing trends as of 4 September 2026, with pulses and jute & mesta recording higher coverage than the corresponding period of the previous year.
Crop coverage: Pulses increased to 117.13 lakh hectares, while rice declined to 421.82 lakh hectares compared with the corresponding period of the previous year.
Jute & Mesta: Area coverage increased to 6.34 lakh hectares, with major gains reported in Bihar and West Bengal.
Soybean recorded an area coverage of 128.71 lakh hectares, the highest among the individual kharif crops . Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Rice covered 421.82 lakh hectares, while cotton covered 109.17 lakh hectares. Therefore, rice had a larger area coverage than cotton. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
Maize recorded 91.09 lakh hectares, compared with 58.47 lakh hectares under sugarcane. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Polity

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the Gram Sabha:

Statement I:

The Gram Sabha represents an important mechanism of direct democracy at the grassroots level.

Statement II:

Unlike the elected Gram Panchayat, the Gram Sabha comprises all eligible voters registered in the concerned village.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I.

(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I.

(d) Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct.

Answer: (a)

Explanation

Recent debate over tribal land and forest diversion has highlighted the role of Gram Sabhas in protecting the rights, livelihoods and political autonomy of forest-dependent communities.
Sabha and tribal rights: In Scheduled Areas, Gram Sabhas have important powers concerning tribal traditions, community resources and local decision-making, including under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act.
Consent and land diversion: The ongoing debate concerns whether the consent of all affected Gram Sabhas should be required for projects involving tribal and forest land, with concerns that a lower consent threshold could weaken community safeguards.
The Gram Sabha provides a forum where members of the village electorate can participate directly in local deliberations and decision-making. Hence, Statement I is correct.
The Gram Sabha is composed of persons registered in the electoral rolls relating to the village, unlike the Gram Panchayat, whose members are elected representatives. Hence, Statement II is correct.
The participation of the village electorate directly in deliberations makes the Gram Sabha an important institution of grassroots direct democracy. Hence, Statement II explains Statement I.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Environment

Q5. Consider the following description:

It is a phenomenon observed in soft corals, which lack the rigid calcium carbonate skeleton characteristic of hard corals. These corals depend on internal fluid pressure to maintain their upright structure. Environmental changes can disrupt this internal pressure, causing the corals to bend or collapse. Repeated episodes may reduce their ability to recover and can eventually lead to coral deterioration and death.

Which one of the following phenomena is described above?

(a) Coral Bleaching

(b) Coral Slumping

(d) Coral Calcification

Answer: (b)

Explanation

South Korea’s Jeju Island is witnessing recurring soft-coral slumping, with rising temperatures and extreme weather threatening coral recovery and survival.
Soft-coral slumping: Soft corals depend on internal fluid pressure to remain upright; environmental changes can disrupt this pressure, causing them to slump or collapse.
Climate-related stress: Persistent high temperatures, typhoons, heavy rainfall and changes in salinity from Yangtze River water may trigger slumping and worsen coral deterioration.
Soft corals do not have the rigid calcium carbonate skeleton found in hard corals and instead depend on internal fluid pressure to remain upright.
Environmental changes, including rising temperatures and harsh weather conditions, can disrupt this internal pressure, causing soft corals to bend, slump or collapse.
Repeated slumping events can reduce the corals’ capacity to recover, leading to repeated breakage, deterioration and eventual death.

Hence, option (b) is correct.