History

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding E.V. Ramasamy ‘Periyar’:

Periyar launched the Self-Respect Movement after leaving the Indian National Congress in 1925.
The Self-Respect Movement was based on self-respect, socialism and rationalism, with major goals including equality, annihilation of caste and women’s liberation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

Periyar and the Self-Respect Movement were central to his campaign against caste hierarchy, social inequality and the subordination of women.
Political background: Periyar quit the Congress in late 1925 after becoming frustrated with its response to his demands for proportional representation.
Core principles: The Self-Respect Movement promoted self-respect, socialism and rationalism, and pursued equality, annihilation of caste and liberation of women.
Periyar quit the Congress in late 1925 and soon after launched the Self-Respect Movement. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The movement was rooted in self-respect, socialism and rationalism, with equality, annihilation of caste and women’s liberation among its major goals. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Science & Tech

Q2. This spacecraft was launched in 1977 as part of NASA’s programme to explore the outer planets. It conducted historic encounters with Jupiter and Saturn during its journey. Unlike its twin, it also flew past Uranus and Neptune. It later became one of humanity’s most distant operating spacecraft.

Which one of the following is best described above?

(a) Voyager 1

(b) Pioneer 10

(d) New Horizons

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

Voyager 2 is one of NASA’s two Voyager spacecraft launched in 1977.
Outer planets: It conducted flybys of Jupiter and Saturn.
Unique planetary encounters: It additionally visited Uranus and Neptune, unlike Voyager 1.
Voyager 2 matches the description because it visited all four outer planets mentioned in the article.
Voyager 1 visited Jupiter and Saturn but did not visit Uranus and Neptune.
Pioneer 10 is a different NASA spacecraft and is not the spacecraft described above.
New Horizons is associated with the exploration of Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, not the four-planet Voyager sequence described here.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

International Relations

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the proposed Canada–EU arrangement:

Canada’s geographical location outside Europe is one factor complicating its possible association with the EU.
The proposed “associate member” status can be granted immediately under an existing EU legal provision.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

Canada and the European Union are exploring a novel strategic partnership through a proposed “associate member” status, although no such category currently exists in EU law.
Why it matters: The proposal is driven by growing Canada–EU cooperation on trade, defence, critical minerals and supply-chain resilience amid changing transatlantic dynamics.
Key challenge: The EU has no legal provision for associate membership; creating such a status would require unanimous political agreement and a new institutional framework.
Canada is located in North America, while the EU is a European political and economic grouping. Thus Canada's location as one of complication. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The term “associate member” has no existing legal basis in the EU, meaning a new framework would have to be created. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Science & Tech

Q4. Consider the following statements:

Silicon is the most widely used semiconductor material.
Semiconductor manufacturing involves processes such as deposition, photolithography, etching and ion implantation.
Photolithography uses light to transfer patterns onto a semiconductor wafer.
A wafer is directly converted into a finished chip without undergoing multiple fabrication processes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 4 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

India is expanding its semiconductor ecosystem from chip design and fabrication to packaging, materials, research and talent development to strengthen technological self-reliance and supply-chain resilience.
Semicon 2.0: Approved in July 2026 with an outlay of ₹1,27,500 crore, it focuses on six pillars including design, machines and materials, new fabs, advanced packaging, research and talent.
Growing Semiconductor Ecosystem: Semicon 1.0 established the foundation with ₹76,000 crore, while India has approved 12 semiconductor manufacturing units, with five already in commercial production, alongside expanding chip-design capabilities.
Silicon is the most widely used semiconductor material and is obtained from silica. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Semiconductor wafers undergo processes including deposition, photolithography, etching and ion implantation. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
Photolithography transfers patterns onto the wafer using light, helping create transistors and other structures. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
Wafers undergo hundreds of carefully controlled processes before finished semiconductor devices are obtained. Hence, Statement 4 is not correct.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Governance

Q5. With reference to the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS), consider the following statements:

It was notified in April 2025 to promote domestic manufacturing of critical electronics components and materials.
The scheme supports components, sub-assemblies, supply-chain products and related capital goods.
Its primary objective is to promote assembly-based manufacturing by increasing dependence on imported components.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

The Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) seeks to deepen India’s electronics value chain by promoting domestic component manufacturing, increasing value addition and reducing import dependence.
ECMS Progress: Notified in April 2025 with an initial outlay of ₹22,919 crore, its outlay was raised to ₹40,000 crore in Budget 2026–27; 106 projects across 15 States had been approved by August 2026.
Future Ambition: India targets a $500 billion electronics manufacturing ecosystem and $150 billion electronics exports by 2030, supported by initiatives such as Semicon 2.0, PLI, SPECS and EMC 2.0.
ECMS was notified on 8 April 2025 and was initially launched with an outlay of ₹22,919 crore. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The scheme covers components, sub-assemblies, supply-chain products and related capital goods, thereby strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
ECMS seeks to reduce import dependence and increase domestic value addition, rather than promote greater reliance on imported components. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.