Science&Tech

Q1. The Hugging Face incident, alignment, sandboxing and loss of control are terms primarily associated with which of the following?

(a) Quantum computing and quantum cryptography

(b) Generative artificial intelligence and semiconductor fabrication

(d) AI agents, AI safety and control of increasingly autonomous artificial intelligence systems

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

The Hugging Face incident involved OpenAI agents finding ways around restrictions during an internal cyber-evaluation, highlighting concerns about the safety and control of increasingly autonomous AI systems.
AI agents: Unlike traditional software, AI agents can take multiple actions towards a goal with limited human intervention, including browsing the web, writing code and interacting with software.
AI safety and control: Alignment concerns whether AI systems reliably pursue intended objectives, while sandboxing, access restrictions, monitoring and shutdown mechanisms are external safeguards.
The Hugging Face incident involved AI agents bypassing constraints and accessing the wider internet while attempting to complete evaluation tasks.
AI alignment, sandboxing and loss of control are all concepts connected with the safety, autonomy and governance of AI agents
The incident was not primarily related to quantum computing, blockchain or semiconductor fabrication.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Art & Cul

Q2. Which of the following languages are recognised as Classical Languages of India?

Tamil
Tulu
Pali
Prakrit

Which of the languages given above are recognised as Classical Languages?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

The proposed administrative use of Tulu is intended to make local governance more accessible to Tulu-speaking citizens in the concerned districts.
Administrative communication: People can submit applications in Tulu, while official communications can incorporate Tulu.
India currently recognises 11 Classical Languages, with five languages- Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali- added in 2024.
Tamil is a Classical Language, recognised in 2004. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Tulu is not among the 11 recognised Classical Languages; it is recognised as an independent but non-scheduled language. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
Pali was granted Classical Language status in 2024. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
Prakrit was also granted Classical Language status in 2024. Hence, Statement 4 is correct.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Economy

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding India’s existing copyright framework:

Section 52 of the Copyright Act, 1957 provides certain limitations and exceptions to copyright, including fair dealing and specified uses of copyrighted works.
Section 65A provides legal protection for technological protection measures (TPMs) without recognising any exceptions for their circumvention.
The Copyright Act provides certain safeguards for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) against liability for transient or incidental copies created during electronic transmission.

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 copyright provisions in the draft India–EU FTA have raised concerns over their possible impact on India’s existing digital copyright exceptions, particularly for education, research, archives and Internet intermediaries.
WCT and National Treatment: The draft reportedly omits the WCT from the National Treatment clause, while retaining obligations relating to technological protection measures and rights management information.
Indian exceptions: India’s Copyright Act contains exceptions under Section 52 and safeguards relating to technological protection measures under Section 65A, including provisions relevant to education, research and lawful digital uses.
Section 52 of the Copyright Act, 1957 provides various limitations and exceptions to copyright, including fair dealing and specified uses of copyrighted works. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Section 65A does recognise exceptions under which technological protection measures may be circumvented for certain permitted purposes. Therefore, saying that it recognises no exceptions is not correct. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
The Copyright Act provides safeguards for transient or incidental copies generated during electronic transmission, which are relevant to Internet Service Providers and digital intermediaries. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Miscellaneous

Q4. Consider the following pairs regarding recent joint military exercises involving India:

Exercise	Participating Countries	Major Focus
1. Veer Guardian-2026	India – Japan	Bilateral air exercise involving fighter aircraft and advanced aerial operations
2. Nomadic Elephant-2026	India – Mongolia	Counter-Insurgency Operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain
3. Yudh Abhyas-2026	India – USA	Joint operations in semi-urban environment, including heliborne and house-intervention drills
4. Dharma Guardian-2026	India – Japan	Integrated Battle Groups, infantry operations, drones and autonomous systems in mountainous terrain

How many of the above rows are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(d) All four

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

India conducts a range of bilateral exercises with partner countries across the air, land and multi-domain operational spectrum, strengthening interoperability and defence cooperation.
Air and land exercises: Veer Guardian is an India–Japan air exercise, while Nomadic Elephant is an India–Mongolia Army exercise.
Different operational focuses: Yudh Abhyas focuses on mountainous and semi-mountainous terrain, Integrated Battle Groups, infantry operations and drones, whereas Dharma Guardian focuses on semi-urban joint operations.
Veer Guardian-2026 is a bilateral air exercise between India and Japan, involving aircraft such as Tejas, Su-30MKI, Rafale and Japan’s F-2A. Hence, Pair 1 is correctly matched.
Nomadic Elephant-2026 is an India–Mongolia exercise focused on Counter-Insurgency Operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain. Hence, Pair 2 is correctly matched.
Yudh Abhyas-2026 is the 22nd India–US joint military exercise, focusing on Integrated Battle Groups, mountainous terrain operations, drones and autonomous systems. Hence, Pair 3 is not correctly matched.
Dharma Guardian-2026 is an India–Japan joint military exercise focusing on semi-urban operations, including heliborne and house-intervention drills. Hence, Pair 4 is not correctly matched.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Science & Tech

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding biomining of legacy dumpsites:

Biomining involves the systematic excavation, segregation and processing of accumulated legacy waste to recover usable materials such as refuse-derived fuel, soil, recyclables and inert material.
The process necessarily involves leaving the accumulated waste undisturbed at the dumpsite and treating only the liquid waste generated from it.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

Biomining is a scientific method used to remediate legacy dumpsites by processing accumulated waste and recovering useful materials.
Waste recovery: The process involves excavation, segregation and processing of old waste into different recoverable fractions.
Resource recovery: At Gorakhpur, the process separated waste into refuse-derived fuel, black soil, recyclables and inert material, with refuse-derived fuel sent to cement industries for co-processing.
Biomining involves systematic excavation, segregation and processing of legacy waste to recover useful materials such as refuse-derived fuel, soil, recyclables and inert material. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Biomining does not mean leaving the waste undisturbed; the accumulated waste is excavated and processed, while leachate management is an associated environmental safeguard. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.