International Relations

Q1. Which of the following best describes the term ‘Enemy State’ in the United Nations (UN) Charter?

(a) A state that has committed an act of aggression against another UN member after 1945.

(b) A state placed under international sanctions for threatening global peace and security.

(d) A state that was an enemy of any signatory to the UN Charter during the Second World War.

Ans: (d)

Explanation

The expression “enemy state” was incorporated into the UN Charter in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War and was associated with the former Axis powers.
The Charter specifically defines an enemy state as a state that, during the Second World War, had been an enemy of any signatory to the Charter.
The term appears in provisions dealing with regional enforcement action, trusteeship and measures arising from the Second World War.
The term does not refer generally to any state that commits aggression after 1945; it has a specific Second World War historical basis.
Being under sanctions or being considered a threat to international peace does not by itself make a state an “enemy state” under the Charter.
A trust territory is a separate category concerning territories placed under the international trusteeship system and is distinct from the definition of enemy state.
The Charter defines an enemy state as any state which during the Second World War was an enemy of any signatory to the Charter.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Economy

Q2. Consider the following pairs relating to alternative payment systems to the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT):

System / Project	Country
1. Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS)	China
2. System for Transfer of Financial Messages (SPFS)	Russia
3. Project mBridge	India
4. SEPAM	Iran

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(d) All four

Ans: (c)

Explanation

Countries seeking to reduce dependence on SWIFT have developed or explored alternative financial messaging and cross-border payment mechanisms, including CIPS, SPFS, mBridge and SEPAM.
CIPS is China’s cross-border payment infrastructure for international yuan transactions, while SPFS was developed by Russia in 2014.
Project mBridge is a multi-country Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) project, while SEPAM is Iran’s local interbank telecommunications system.
CIPS was launched by China in 2015 to facilitate cross-border yuan transactions and support internationalisation of the renminbi. Hence, Pair 1 is correctly matched.
The System for Transfer of Financial Messages (SPFS) was developed by Russia in 2014 as an alternative to Western financial messaging infrastructure. Hence, Pair 2 is correctly matched.
mBridge is a multi-CBDC cross-border payment project involving the Bank of Thailand, Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, Digital Currency Institute of the People's Bank of China, Hong Kong Monetary Authority and Saudi Central Bank. Hence, Pair 3 is not correctly matched.
SEPAM is Iran’s local interbank telecommunications system and has been linked with Russia’s SPFS for cross-border financial connectivity. Hence, Pair 4 is correctly matched.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

International Relations

Q3. The following features are associated with a recently concluded security arrangement:

It seeks to strengthen security cooperation in the Arctic and High North amid growing strategic interest and military activity in the region. It provides for expanded military access and basing rights, including modernization of an existing strategic facility and establishment of additional defence areas. It also seeks to prevent military installations and sensitive strategic investments by non-NATO states in the concerned territory. The arrangement is intended to have a permanent nature, with its provisions continuing even in the event of a future change in the territory’s political status.

The above-mentioned arrangement has been concluded by the United States with which of the following?

(a) Greenland

(b) India

(d) Norway

Ans: (a)

Explanation

The United States, Denmark and Greenland signed a new Arctic security agreement on 22 September 2026, amending and supplementing the existing defence arrangements concerning Greenland.
The arrangement provides for U.S. modernization and expansion of activities at Pituffik Space Base and additional defence areas at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig.
It restricts non-NATO states from establishing military installations or maintaining a persistent military presence in Greenland, while also providing safeguards concerning sensitive foreign investment.
The United States signed the arrangement together with Denmark and the Government of Greenland on 22 September 2026. It amends and supplements the 1951 Defense Agreement and strengthens U.S. military access and defence arrangements in Greenland.
India is not a party to this Arctic security arrangement.
Iceland is a NATO member and an important Arctic and North Atlantic country, but it is not a party to this particular agreement.
Norway has an important strategic role in the Arctic and is a NATO member, but it is not a party to this particular arrangement.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Science & Tech

Q4. With reference to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), consider the following statements:

CSIR began its journey in 1942, before India became independent.
CSIR has a network of 37 laboratories and more than 10,000 personnel working across diverse scientific and technological domains.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (c)

Explanation

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) celebrated its 85th Foundation Day in September 2026, highlighting its role in India’s scientific and technological development.
CSIR began its journey in 1942, several years before India attained Independence, and has built a scientific legacy spanning more than eight decades.
CSIR currently has a network of 37 laboratories and more than 10,000 personnel, working across diverse areas of science and technology.
CSIR began its journey in 1942, which predates India’s Independence in 1947. The organisation has therefore played a role in both the pre-Independence and post-Independence scientific journey of India. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
According to the source, CSIR has a network of 37 laboratories and more than 10,000 personnel engaged in diverse scientific and technological domains. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Miscellaneous

Q5. With reference to the India International Water Week (IIWW) 2026, consider the following statements:

The theme of the 2026 edition is “Water for People and Planet”, with the event focusing primarily on groundwater management.
It is the 9th edition of the India International Water Week and is being held in New Delhi from 22–26 September 2026.
The Ministry of Jal Shakti organises the India International Water Week, which is a biennial platform for discussions on sustainable and climate-resilient water management.

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: (b)

Explanation

The 9th India International Water Week (IIWW) 2026 is being held in New Delhi with a focus on climate-resilient and sustainable water management.
IIWW was conceptualised in 2012 and has evolved into a biennial platform bringing together policymakers, researchers, industry and communities.
The 2026 edition features discussions on water governance, technology, climate-related risks, financing, groundwater conservation and community participation.
The theme of IIWW 2026 is “Climate Resilient Water Management”, not “Water for People and Planet”. The latter is one of the seven sub-themes of the event. Hence, Statement 1 is not correct.
The 9th edition of IIWW 2026 is being held from 22–26 September 2026 in New Delhi. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
The Ministry of Jal Shakti organises IIWW, and the event has evolved as a biennial platform for exchanging ideas and exploring solutions for sustainable and climate-resilient water management. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (b) is correct.