Miscellaneous

Q1. With reference to the recently concluded U.S. Open 2026, consider the following statements:

Alexander Zverev won his second Major title at the U.S. Open.
Coco Gauff became the new World No. 1 after winning the women’s singles title.
Aryna Sabalenka had been the World No. 1 for 99 consecutive weeks before losing the top position.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

The 2026 U.S. Open brought a major shift in the women's rankings, with Elena Rybakina taking the World No. 1 position from Aryna Sabalenka.
Men’s Tennis: Alexander Zverev’s successive Grand Slam victories have strengthened the emergence of a new Big Three with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Women’s Tennis: Elena Rybakina won her third Major and became the new World No. 1, ending Aryna Sabalenka’s 99-week reign at the top.
Alexander Zverev won his second Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open after his French Open triumph. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Elena Rybakina, not Coco Gauff, became the new World No. 1 after the U.S. Open. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
Aryna Sabalenka had held the No. 1 ranking for 99 consecutive weeks before Rybakina took the top position. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Environment

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding orangutans:

Orangutans are native to the forests of Indonesia and Malaysia and are naturally distributed in parts of Borneo and Sumatra.
Orangutans are primarily arboreal and largely solitary, spending much of their time in trees and showing relatively less sociality than many other great apes.
All three species of orangutans are classified as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
All three species of orangutans are listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), permitting regulated commercial trade.
The three recognised orangutan species occur naturally across Africa and Southeast Asia, with their principal populations concentrated in equatorial forests.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only

(d) 2, 3 and 5 only

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

The rescue of five baby orangutans in Odisha has highlighted the conservation status, natural range and international trade regulations governing these great apes.
Distribution: Orangutans are native to the forests of Indonesia and Malaysia, with the three species occurring across Borneo and Sumatra.
CITES protection: All three orangutan species are listed under CITES Appendix I, which imposes the strictest trade restrictions.
Orangutans are native to Indonesia and Malaysia, and their natural distribution includes the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Orangutans are predominantly arboreal and are generally less social than many other great apes, with adults often displaying relatively solitary behaviour. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
The three orangutan species are classified as Critically Endangered under the IUCN Red List. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
All three species are listed under CITES Appendix I, rather than Appendix II. Appendix I provides the highest level of protection and generally restricts commercial international trade. Hence, Statement 4 is not correct.
This is not correct because orangutans are native to Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia and Malaysia, and not Africa. Hence, Statement 5 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Economy

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding government bond yields:

When the market price of an existing government bond rises, its yield generally falls, assuming its fixed coupon remains unchanged.
A rise in government bond yields implies that the government’s borrowing cost and interest burden on new borrowings generally increase.

Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (d)

Explanation:

Government bond yields have been rising globally, raising concerns about higher borrowing costs for governments and their wider effects on the economy.
Price–yield relationship: Bond prices and yields generally move in opposite directions because the coupon payment on an existing bond is fixed.
Borrowing cost: Higher government bond yields indicate higher interest rates demanded by lenders and can increase the government's interest burden.
When demand for a bond increases, its market price rises. Since its coupon remains fixed, the return relative to the higher purchase price—or yield—falls. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
A rise in government bond yields means governments have to offer higher returns to attract lenders, increasing borrowing costs, particularly on fresh borrowings. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Governance

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Urban 2.0 (PMAY-U 2.0):

PMAY-U 2.0 was launched in September 2024 and aims to provide financial assistance to 1 crore additional urban poor and middle-class families.
Under the Beneficiary-Led Construction (BLC) vertical, eligible Economically Weaker Section (EWS) families can construct new pucca houses on their own available land, with a maximum carpet area of 45 sq. m.
The Affordable Rental Housing (ARH) vertical is exclusively meant for beneficiaries who already own a pucca house but require temporary accommodation in urban areas.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Urban (PMAY-U) was launched in 2015 with the vision of Housing for All in urban areas and was revamped as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Urban 2.0 (PMAY-U 2.0) in 2024 to address continuing housing demand.
PMAY-U 2.0: The revamped scheme aims to support 1 crore additional urban poor and middle-class families and provides assistance of up to ₹2.50 lakh per unit.
Four verticals: Beneficiary-Led Construction (BLC), Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP), Affordable Rental Housing (ARH) and Interest Subsidy Scheme (ISS) address different urban housing needs.
PMAY-U 2.0 was launched in September 2024 and aims to provide assistance to 1 crore additional urban poor and middle-class families. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Under BLC, eligible EWS families can construct new pucca houses on their own available land, with a maximum carpet area of 45 sq. m. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
ARH is not exclusively for people who already own pucca houses. It provides affordable rental housing to EWS and LIG beneficiaries, including migrants, homeless persons, industrial workers, working women and other urban groups. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Governance

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding PM Vishwakarma:

It was launched on 17 September 2023 to provide end-to-end support to traditional artisans and craftspeople.
It is a Central Sector Scheme with an outlay of ₹13,000 crore for FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28.
The scheme covers 18 notified traditional trades practiced mainly in the organised sector.
Its support framework includes recognition, skill upgradation, toolkit incentives, credit support, digital transaction incentives and marketing support.

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: (b)

Explanation:

PM Vishwakarma was launched to provide integrated support to traditional artisans and craftspeople and strengthen their livelihoods and market access.
Three pillars: The scheme is built around Samman, Samarthya and Samriddhi, reflecting respect, capability and prosperity.
End-to-end support: It combines recognition, training, modern toolkits, concessional credit, digital incentives and marketing assistance.
PM Vishwakarma was launched on 17 September 2023 to provide end-to-end support to traditional artisans and craftspeople. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
It is a Central Sector Scheme with an outlay of ₹13,000 crore for FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
The scheme covers 18 notified family-based traditional trades, but beneficiaries work in the unorganised sector, not the organised sector. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.
Major components include recognition, skill upgradation, toolkit incentive, credit support, digital transaction incentives and marketing support. Hence, Statement 4 is correct.

Hence, option (b) is correct.