International Relations

Q1. In which one of the following groups are all the four countries members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)?

(a) India, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan

(b) China, Türkiye, Pakistan and Indonesia

(d) China, India, Iran and Belarus

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) currently has 10 member states, including China, India, Iran and Belarus. Belarus became a member in 2024.
SCO Membership: The organisation includes Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Other categories: Countries such as Mongolia have observer status, while Saudi Arabia and Türkiye are among the SCO dialogue partners.
China, India, Iran and Belarus are all full members of the SCO.
Mongolia is an observer and Saudi Arabia is a dialogue partner;
Türkiye is a dialogue partner and Indonesia is not an SCO member.
Malaysia and Egypt are not SCO member states; Egypt is a dialogue partner.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Economy

Q2. Consider the following statements:

Statement I:

A complex Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) structure on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions can increase the compliance burden on small merchants.

Statement II:

Different turnover thresholds, sector-specific rates and exemptions require merchants and banks to identify and monitor the applicable category for each transaction.

Statement III:

The exemption provided to small merchants completely eliminates the need for monitoring their transaction levels.

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

(a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I

(b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I

(d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

The differentiated MDR structure for UPI transactions uses thresholds, exemptions and sector-specific rates, which can create additional compliance and monitoring requirements.
Rate differentiation: Different merchant categories may face different MDR treatment depending on turnover and sector.
Monitoring challenge: Identifying eligibility for exemptions can require additional checking by merchants and banks.
Different turnover thresholds, exemptions and sector-specific rates require identification and monitoring of applicable transaction categories. Hence, Statement II is correct and explains Statement I.
Exempting small merchants does not remove the need to monitor their turnover to determine whether they remain eligible for the exemption. Hence, Statement III is not correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Geography

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the major tribal communities of Northeast India:

The Khasi, Garo and Jaintia are major tribal communities of Meghalaya.
The Apatani, Nyishi, Adi and Monpa are among the major tribal communities of Arunachal Pradesh.
The Angami, Ao, Konyak and Sumi are major tribal communities of Manipur.

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: (a)

Explanation:

The emergence of a new Naga–Kuki-Zo fault line in Manipur has created fresh security and humanitarian challenges even as efforts are underway to restore political and social normalcy after the 2023 conflict.
Renewed Conflict: Localised Naga–Kuki-Zo disputes since February 2026 have spread across the hill districts, causing deaths, displacement, destruction of houses, and disruption of essential supplies and healthcare.
Manipur: Major communities include Tangkhul Naga, Thadou, Hmar and other Naga and Kuki-Chin groups.
The Khasi, Garo and Jaintia are major tribal communities of Meghalaya. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The Apatani, Nyishi, Adi and Monpa are major tribal communities associated with Arunachal Pradesh. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
The Angami, Ao, Konyak and Sumi are major Naga tribes associated primarily with Nagaland, not Manipur. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

International Relations

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission:

The Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission has its origins in the 2013 Agreement on the Boundary Management System, which provided for its establishment.
The Commission was established directly under the 1963 China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement and is intended to implement that agreement.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

The Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission was recently operationalised to facilitate coordination on border management, joint surveys, trade flows and people-to-people connectivity, while India has rejected its legal basis.
Institutional background: The Commission has its origins in the 2013 Agreement on the Boundary Management System, which provided for its establishment.
Historical background: The 1963 China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement was a separate development concerning the boundary and the transfer of the Shaksgam Valley by Pakistan to China, which India has consistently rejected.
The Commission originated from the 2013 Agreement on the Boundary Management System, which provided for its establishment. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The Commission was not established directly under the 1963 China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement. The 1963 agreement dealt with a separate boundary arrangement involving the Shaksgam Valley. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Miscellaneous

Q5. Consider the following pairs regarding recent joint military exercises involving India:

Exercise	Associated Countries / Characteristic
1. IMBAX 2026	India – Myanmar bilateral Army exercise
2. LAMITIYE-2026	India – Sri Lanka joint military exercise
3. Sea Dragon 2026	U.S.-led multinational Anti-Submarine Warfare exercise involving India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand
4. MILAN 2026	India–France bilateral naval exercise

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(d) All four

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

India has participated in several bilateral and multilateral military exercises in 2026, covering land, maritime and tri-service cooperation.
IMBAX 2026 is a bilateral Army exercise between India and Myanmar, with its 5th edition conducted at Umroi, Meghalaya. Hence, Pair 1 is correctly matched.
LAMITIYE-2026 is a joint military exercise between India and Seychelles, not Sri Lanka. The 11th edition was the first tri-services edition. Hence, Pair 2 is not correctly matched.
Sea Dragon 2026 is a U.S. Navy-led multinational Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercise involving India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Hence, Pair 3 is correctly matched.
MILAN 2026 was a multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy, with participation from 75 countries. Hence, Pair 4 is not correctly matched.

Hence, option (b) is correct.