Governance

Q1. Consider the following statements with reference to cybercrime and its redressal:

Cybercrime may involve the use of digital networks or systems to commit offences such as fraud, unauthorised access or theft of digital information.
The use of personal influence or payment to police, as highlighted in the Status of Policing in India Report (SPIR) 2026, constitutes a formal institutional mechanism for cybercrime redressal.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (a)

Explanation

The Status of Policing in India Report (SPIR) 2026 highlights that some victims resort to bribery or personal networks when seeking police action, indicating gaps in formal redressal mechanisms.
Cybercrime refers to criminal activity involving computers, digital systems or networks.
While its redressal requires effective institutional mechanisms involving the police and other relevant agencies.
Cybercrime can encompass offences committed through or targeting digital systems, including online fraud, unauthorised access and theft of digital information.Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Bribery and the use of personal networks are informal channels, not formal institutional mechanisms. The SPIR 2026 specifically examines these channels in the context of victims attempting to secure police action.Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Governance

Q2. Consider the following statements:

Statement I:

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 provides extraordinary powers to the armed forces in areas declared as “disturbed areas”.

Statement II:

The Act empowers armed forces personnel, subject to conditions specified under the Act, to arrest without a warrant and enter and search premises without a warrant.

Statement III:

Prosecution or other legal proceedings against personnel for acts done or purportedly done under the Act require the prior sanction of the Central Government.

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: (b)

Explanation:

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has extended AFSPA in parts of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for another six months from October 1, 2026. AFSPA was enacted in 1958 to enable the armed forces to operate with special powers in areas facing insurgency or serious internal security problems.
The Act confers powers such as use of force, arrest without warrant and search without warrant in disturbed areas.
It also provides legal protection to personnel, making prior Central Government sanction necessary for prosecution or other legal proceedings for acts done under the Act.
AFSPA provides special powers such as arrest without warrant and entry and search without warrant in disturbed areas. Statement II is correct, and it directly explains the extraordinary powers referred to in Statement I.
AFSPA provides legal protection to personnel by requiring prior sanction of the Central Government for prosecution or other legal proceedings. However, this is a provision concerning protection from prosecution, Statement III is correct but it does not explain Statement I.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Environment

Q3. With reference to the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE)-III norms, consider the following statements:

The compliance requirement under CAFE-III is determined at the level of a manufacturer's overall eligible passenger-vehicle fleet rather than separately for each vehicle model.
Under CAFE-III, a manufacturer can improve its fleet-level compliance by earning and carrying forward efficiency credits within a compliance block.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (c)

Explanation

CAFE-III introduces fleet-level fuel-efficiency standards for passenger vehicles, with compliance calculated across a manufacturer's eligible vehicle portfolio.
The framework links the permitted fuel consumption to the weighted average unladen mass of a manufacturer's eligible vehicles.
Manufacturers can use a credit-based compliance mechanism, allowing credits to be carried forward within a compliance block.
CAFE-III evaluates the average fuel consumption of the manufacturer's overall eligible passenger-vehicle fleet, rather than requiring every individual model to satisfy an identical target. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
A manufacturer whose fleet performs better than its target earns credits, while one performing below its target accumulates debits. Credits can be carried forward within a compliance block and traded between manufacturers. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Governance

Q4. Special Campaign 6, recently seen in the news, is related to:

(a) Administrative cleanliness and efficiency under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

(b) Strengthening border infrastructure and connectivity across the North-Eastern Region

(d) Promoting sustainable tourism and cultural heritage across the North-Eastern Region

Ans: (a)

Explanation

Special Campaign 6 is being undertaken by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) and its organisations in accordance with guidelines issued by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).
The campaign focuses on workplace cleanliness, space optimisation, reduction of pendency and systematic management of files, records and obsolete material.
It aims to make Swachhata a sustained component of day-to-day administrative functioning.
Special Campaign 6 seeks to improve cleanliness and administrative efficiency within Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) and its organisations through activities such as Clean Desk Campaigns, file weeding, e-waste disposal and reduction of pendency’
The campaign focuses on workplace cleanliness, space optimisation, reduction of pendency and systematic management of files, records and obsolete material.
It aims to make Swachhata a sustained component of day-to-day administrative functioning.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Polity

Q5. With reference to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), consider the following statements:

The Constitution provides for the establishment of Public Service Commissions for the Union and the States, including provision for a Joint Public Service Commission for two or more States.
The expenses of the Union Public Service Commission are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India, thereby providing an element of financial independence to the Commission.
The advice tendered by the UPSC on recruitment, promotions and disciplinary matters is binding on the Government.

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 UPSC is an independent constitutional body established within the framework of Part XIV of the Constitution (Articles 315–323), with safeguards intended to preserve impartiality in public recruitment.
Article 315 provides for Public Service Commissions for the Union and the States and permits a Joint Commission for two or more States.
Article 322 provides that the expenses of the UPSC are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India, strengthening its institutional independence.
Article 315 provides for a Union Public Service Commission and State Public Service Commissions, while also allowing a Joint Public Service Commission for two or more States. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Under Article 322, the expenses of the Commission are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India. This is an important constitutional safeguard for its financial independence. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
The UPSC performs an advisory role on matters such as recruitment, promotions and disciplinary cases. Its advice is not described in the source as binding on the Government. Article 323 provides for cases where the Commission's advice was not accepted, along with reasons, to be laid before Parliament. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.