#Miscellaneous

Q1. Which one of the following best describes the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)?

(a) A WTO body that settles disputes relating to agricultural subsidies

(b) A joint body of FAO and WHO that develops international food safety and quality standards

(c) An international agency that certifies Geographical Indication (GI) products

(d) A committee under the World Customs Organization that standardizes customs procedures

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

  1. India recently achieved a significant milestone at the 49th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC49) held in Geneva (July 2026). 
  2. The Commission adopted three global Codex standards—for Large Cardamom, Coriander, and Vanilla—which were finalized by the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) hosted by India. 
  3. In addition, India was accepted as the Co-Chair of a newly constituted Electronic Working Group (EWG) on risk analysis for new food products. 
  4. The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is an international standard-setting body jointly established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1963.
  5. Its primary objectives are to:
  6. Develop science-based international food safety and quality standards.
  7. Protect consumer health by ensuring safe food.
  8. Ensure fair practices in international food trade by harmonizing food standards across countries.
  9. Although Codex standards are generally voluntary, they are widely accepted as international benchmarks and are recognized under the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) while resolving disputes related to food safety measures.
  10. Hence, option b is correct. 


S&T

Q2. Which one of the following best explains the role of the Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries in India's first hydrogen-powered train?

(a) They serve as the primary source of energy for running the train, replacing hydrogen fuel cells.

(b) They store electricity generated by the fuel cells and supply additional power during peak demand and operational variations.

(c) They are used exclusively to start the train's diesel backup engine during emergencies.

(d) They convert hydrogen directly into electricity through electrolysis.

Ans: (b)

Explanation: 

  1. India recently commissioned its first hydrogen-powered train on the Jind–Sonipat route in Haryana, marking a major step towards cleaner rail transport under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. 
  2. The train employs a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell as its primary power source. Along with the fuel cells, it also incorporates Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries, highlighting the growing importance of hybrid energy systems in sustainable transportation. 
  3. A hydrogen-powered train does not rely solely on the fuel cell. The onboard LFP batteries work together with the PEM fuel cell to ensure smooth and efficient operation.
  4. The LFP batteries:
  5. Store excess electricity generated by the fuel cell.
  6. Supply additional power during acceleration, steep gradients, or other periods of high power demand.
  7. Improve energy efficiency by absorbing regenerative braking energy (where applicable).
  8. Reduce sudden load fluctuations on the fuel cell, thereby improving its performance and lifespan.
  9. Thus, the fuel cell acts as the primary electricity generator, while the batteries function as an energy buffer.
  10. Hence, option b is correct.


S&T

Q3. Which one of the following best describes the purpose of the 'White Rabbit Technology'-based Indian Standard Time (IST) Distribution Network?

(a) To establish an indigenous high-precision time synchronisation system for critical digital infrastructure across India.

(b) To replace the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NavIC) with a terrestrial communication network.

(c) To provide satellite-based internet connectivity to rural areas using atomic clocks.

(d) To synchronize meteorological observations across South Asian countries under the World Meteorological Organization.

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

  1. The Government of India has launched the White Rabbit Technology-based Indian Standard Time (IST) Distribution Demonstration Network under the vision of "One Nation, One Time." 
  2. The initiative aims to disseminate high-precision, secure and indigenous Indian Standard Time (IST) across the country, thereby reducing dependence on foreign satellite-based timing systems such as GPS for critical infrastructure.
  3. White Rabbit is an Ethernet-based optical fibre technology capable of distributing time with sub-nanosecond accuracy, making it suitable for sectors requiring precise synchronisation, including banking, telecommunications, stock exchanges, power grids, defence and digital networks.
  4. The project is implemented by the Legal Metrology Division, Department of Consumer Affairs, in collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), ISRO, BSNL, and SEBI. 
  5. NPL maintains India's official time standard (IST = UTC +5:30), and the network disseminates this time nationwide with very high precision.

Hence, option (a) is correct.


#Governance

Q4. Which one of the following best describes the objective of the PARIVARTAN Scheme?

(a) To promote the replacement of old passenger cars across India with flex-fuel vehicles.

(b) To provide incentives for the domestic manufacturing of electric buses under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme.

(c) To facilitate the replacement of old, polluting trucks and buses in the National Capital Region (NCR) with Bharat Stage (BS)-VI compliant or electric vehicles.

(d) To mandate the scrapping of all commercial vehicles older than 15 years throughout India.

Answer: (c)

Explanation:

  1. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has approved the operational guidelines for the PARIVARTAN (Programme for Accelerated Renewal and Incentivization of Vehicle Assets for Reducing Transport Air Pollution and Network Emissions) Scheme. 
  2. The scheme aims to replace old, highly polluting trucks and buses operating in the National Capital Region (NCR) with cleaner BS-VI compliant or electric vehicles.
  3. It forms part of the Government's broader strategy to improve air quality in Delhi-NCR by reducing vehicular emissions.
  4. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) will be the implementing ministry under the scheme, which will be funded through the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB).
  5. The scheme provides a comprehensive package of incentives:
  6. motor vehicle tax concessions, 
  7. registration fee waivers, 
  8. a 5 % interest subvention on vehicle loans,
  9. a minimum 8% OEM discount on eligible new vehicles, 
  10. monthly fuel voucher support for eligible diesel and CNG replacement vehicles,
  11. and one-time financial assistance for electric replacement vehicles and Certificate of Deposit (CoD) trading.
  12. Hence, option c is correct. 


#Miscellaneous

Q5. Consider the following assertion:

The recently completed Sleemanabad Tunnel under the Bargi Diversion Project is a significant engineering and water resource management initiative in India.

Which of the following statements support/supports the above assertion?

  1. It is India's longest underground water conveyance tunnel and transfers water from the Narmada River to the Son River basin through gravity flow.
  2. The tunnel passes beneath the Vindhya Hills and is designed to provide irrigation to drought-prone areas without the use of pumping.
  3. The project diverts water from the Son River to the Narmada River to improve inland navigation.

Select the answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: b

Explanation:

  1. The Sleemanabad Tunnel in Madhya Pradesh recently achieved a major engineering milestone with the successful completion of excavation after nearly 18 years of construction. 
  2. At 11.9 km, it is India's longest underground water conveyance tunnel. Constructed under the Bargi Diversion Project, the tunnel will transfer water from the Bargi Reservoir on the Narmada River to the Son River basin through gravity flow, providing irrigation to nearly 2.45 lakh hectares of farmland across the drought-prone Vindhya region. 
  3. The Sleemanabad Tunnel operates entirely through gravity flow, eliminating the need for pumping. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  4. The tunnel passes 20–40 metres below the surface beneath the Vindhya Hills, was constructed to irrigate drought-prone districts of Madhya Pradesh, and relies on gravity, making it energy-efficient and reducing long-term operational costs. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  5. The direction of water transfer is from the Narmada River to the Son River basin, not the other way around. Moreover, the project is intended for irrigation and water resource management, not inland navigation. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.