Geography

Q1. With reference to the east-flowing rivers of Peninsular and eastern India, consider the following statements:

The Brahmani, Baitarani and Mahanadi rivers ultimately drain into the Bay of Bengal.
The Brahmani River is formed by the confluence of the Sankh and South Koel rivers.
All east-flowing rivers of Peninsular India form deltas at their mouths before entering the sea.

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

There is flooding in the Brahmani, Baitarani and Mahanadi river systems of Odisha, bringing attention to the east-flowing drainage network of the region.
The Brahmani, Baitarani and Mahanadi are important river systems of eastern India and drain eastwards towards the Bay of Bengal.
East-flowing rivers generally have extensive drainage basins and may form deltas or estuaries, depending on local geomorphological conditions.
The Brahmani, Baitarani and Mahanadi are east-flowing rivers and ultimately discharge their waters into the Bay of Bengal. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The Brahmani is formed by the confluence of the Sankh and South Koel rivers in present-day Jharkhand and subsequently flows through Odisha towards the Bay of Bengal. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
It is not correct to state that all major east-flowing rivers necessarily form deltas. River-mouth morphology varies, and some rivers form estuaries instead. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Polity

Q2. ‘X’ and ‘Y’ were discussing the legal status of the right to vote in India. ‘X’ stated that the right to vote is a fundamental right flowing from the Constitution. ‘Y’ argued that the right to elect is a statutory right under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and is not a fundamental or constitutional right.

Based on the above, select the correct conclusion from the options given below:

(a) ‘X’ is correct, while ‘Y’ is not correct.

(b) ‘Y’ is correct, while ‘X’ is not correct.

(d) The view of neither ‘X’ nor ‘Y’ is correct.

Ans: (b)

Explanation

The legal status of the right to vote has been debated in India, with the Supreme Court’s larger Bench in Kuldip Nayar v. Union of India (2006) holding that the right to elect is a statutory right.
The Constitution provides for universal adult suffrage, with the voting age reduced from 21 to 18 years by the 61st Constitutional Amendment.
Despite its constitutional importance to democracy, the Supreme Court has recognised the right to elect as a statutory right, rather than a fundamental or constitutional right.
The statement that the right to vote is a fundamental right is not the prevailing legal position. In Kuldip Nayar, the Constitution Bench held that the right to elect is a statutory right. A dissenting view in Anoop Baranwal linked voting to fundamental rights, but this remains a minority opinion. Hence, the view of X is not correct.
The statement reflects the position laid down in Kuldip Nayar v. Union of India, where the Court held that the right to elect is a statutory right under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and not a fundamental or constitutional right. Hence, the view of Y is correct.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

International Relations

Q3. Consider the following Assertion and Reason:

Assertion (A): A low-lying island State may retain its statehood even if sea-level rise results in substantial loss of its land territory.

Reason (R): The United Nations Declaration on Sea Level Rise affirms a presumption of continued statehood for such States and recognises the continuity of their sovereignty, sovereign rights and United Nations membership.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

(d) A is false, but R is true.

Ans: (a)

Explanation

The first United Nations Declaration on Sea Level Rise addresses the legal challenges faced by low-lying island States due to loss of territory and habitability caused by rising seas.
The Declaration recognises that territorial loss due to sea-level rise does not automatically terminate statehood.
It also affirms continuity of sovereignty, sovereign rights, UN membership and maritime zones, subject to international law.
Under the emerging international legal approach described in the source, physical loss of territory caused by sea-level rise does not necessarily result in the loss of a State’s legal identity or statehood. Hence, Assertion(A) is correct.
The UN Declaration on Sea Level Rise specifically affirms a presumption of continued statehood despite sea-level rise and supports the continuity of sovereignty, sovereign rights and UN membership of affected States. Hence, Reason(R) is correct.
The Reason directly explains the Assertion because the presumption of continued statehood despite territorial changes provides the legal basis for maintaining the status of vulnerable island States. Hence, Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Economy

Q4. Consider the following features of an emerging semiconductor ecosystem in India:

The location is part of India’s semiconductor expansion, with six of the twelve semiconductor manufacturing projects approved under Semicon India 1.0 situated in the State. Dedicated investor accommodation, a completed fire station and other residential and commercial infrastructure are being developed to support the ecosystem. A 200-bed hospital is under construction to support the industrial workforce and is targeted for completion by the end of 2026. A school based on the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum is being developed alongside the industrial cluster. Dedicated investor accommodation, a completed fire station and other residential and commercial infrastructure are being developed to support the ecosystem.

The above-mentioned semiconductor ecosystem is being developed in which one of the following places?

(a) New Delhi

(b) Bengaluru

(d) Dholera

Ans: (d)

Explanation

India’s semiconductor strategy is increasingly moving beyond individual fabrication or packaging units towards creating integrated industrial ecosystems with supporting social and physical infrastructure.
Dholera, Gujarat, is being developed as an industrial township alongside India’s semiconductor manufacturing cluster.
The supporting ecosystem includes healthcare, education, accommodation, emergency services and commercial infrastructure, enabling the industrial hub to function as a long-term destination.
New Delhi is an important policy and institutional centre and hosted SEMICON India 2026 at Yashobhoomi, but the semiconductor township infrastructure described in the question is not located there.
Bengaluru is a major technology and electronics hub, but the specific combination of semiconductor-linked township facilities described above is associated with another location.
Hyderabad has important electronics, technology and semiconductor-related capabilities, but it is not the location described in the question.
Dholera in Gujarat is developing an integrated ecosystem around its semiconductor manufacturing cluster, including a 200-bed hospital, IB curriculum school, investor accommodation, fire station, Tent City and residential-commercial infrastructure.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Governance

Q5. With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY), consider the following statements:

PM-AJAY is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme.
It is launched through the merger of three erstwhile centrally sponsored schemes.
PM-AJAY is implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3 all

Ans: (a)

Explanation

The Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) is an integrated scheme aimed at improving the socio-economic and educational empowerment of Scheduled Caste communities through livelihood support, infrastructure and educational interventions.
PM-AJAY was launched in FY 2021–22 as a 100% centrally sponsored merger scheme of three erstwhile schemes.
The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and also provides digital platforms for improved implementation and monitoring.
PM-AJAY was launched in Financial Year 2021–22 and is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
It is formed by merging Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP), and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY). Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
PM-AJAY is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, not the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The scheme specifically targets the Scheduled Caste population. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.