Environment

Q1. Consider the following statements:

Statement I:

River interlinking can increase the risk of biological invasions in ecologically distinct river basins.

Statement II:

Connecting river basins can facilitate the movement of invasive alien species and aquatic pathogens into areas where they are not naturally found.

Statement III:

Endemic species are generally better adapted than invasive alien species to rapidly changing ecological conditions created by inter-basin water transfers.

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

River interlinking can alter the natural isolation of river basins and may create pathways for invasive species and aquatic pathogens to enter ecologically sensitive areas.
The Lower Ganga basin, for instance, hosts several invasive alien species and could become a source of invasives for other connected basins.
Endemic species may face greater risks because they may be unable to compete with newly introduced invasive species.
Connecting river basins can facilitate the movement of invasive alien species and aquatic pathogens into areas where they are not naturally found. Hence, Statement II is correct.
Endemic species are not necessarily better adapted to the altered ecological conditions created by inter-basin transfers. In fact, the article highlights their vulnerability to invasive species and ecological disruption. Hence, Statement III is not correct.
The movement of invasive alien species and pathogens through newly created water connections directly explains the increased risk of biological invasions. Hence, only Statement II explains Statement I.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Economy

Q2. With reference to the monetary policy transmission mechanism, consider the following statements:

A rise in the repo rate can increase borrowing costs for loans linked to external benchmarks, while also potentially increasing deposit rates.
A rise in the repo rate necessarily strengthens economic growth by encouraging consumption and investment through higher borrowing costs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (a)

Explanation

The repo rate is a key policy rate through which the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) influences borrowing costs, demand and inflation in the economy.
A higher repo rate generally raises lending and deposit rates, with loans linked to external benchmarks transmitting the change relatively quickly.
Higher borrowing costs can help contain demand and inflation, but if sustained, they may also weigh on consumption and investment.
A rise in the repo rate can increase interest rates on loans linked to external benchmarks, particularly those directly linked to the repo rate. Deposit rates may also rise as banks reassess funding and liquidity conditions. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Higher borrowing costs generally work to moderate consumption and investment, rather than necessarily strengthening them. A rate hike is primarily intended to contain demand and inflationary pressures. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Science & Tech

Q3. With reference to India’s National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), consider the following statements:

The mission aims to build indigenous high-performance computing capabilities and support advanced computing for research and societal applications.
The implementation of the NSM is undertaken by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the National Informatics Centre (NIC).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (a)

Explanation

India’s National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) was launched to build indigenous high-performance computing capabilities and expand access to advanced computing for research and societal applications.
The NSM is jointly steered by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
Its implementation is carried out by C-DAC Pune and IISc Bengaluru, with a focus on developing an indigenous supercomputing ecosystem.
The NSM aims to build indigenous high-performance computing capabilities and facilitate advanced computing applications for research and societal needs. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The NSM is implemented by C-DAC Pune and IISc Bengaluru, and not by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the National Informatics Centre (NIC). Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Governance

Q4. Consider the following statements with reference to PM-SETU:

It upgrades 100 Government ITIs through a Hub-and-Spoke model.
The Ministry of Education is the nodal Ministry responsible for implementing PM-SETU.
It provides majority ownership to Anchor Industry Partners in the SPVs for upgraded ITI clusters.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (c)

Explanation

PM-SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs) seeks to modernise Government ITIs through industry-aligned training, infrastructure and industry participation. Pasted text
The scheme is associated with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
It combines ITI upgradation, industry-led governance and new-age vocational training.
PM-SETU covers 1,000 Government ITIs, not 100 comprising 200 Hub ITIs and 800 Spoke ITIs, under the Hub-and-Spoke model. Hence, Statement 1 is not correct.
The scheme is associated with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, not the Ministry of Education. The Directorate General of Training (DGT) under MSDE is responsible for the development and coordination of vocational training at the national level. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
Under the proposed SPV structure, the Anchor Industry Partner holds 51% ownership, while the Centre and State Governments hold 24.5% each. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Environment

Q5. Consider the following statements with reference to the Great Indian Bustard (GIB):

The Great Indian Bustard is Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
The Great Indian Bustard is listed in Appendix II of CITES.
The Great Indian Bustard is the State bird of Gujarat.
Blanket restriction on overhead transmission lines has been replaced with a targeted, corridor-based protection framework for GIB Revised Priority Areas.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (b)

Explanation

The Great Indian Bustard (GIB) is a critically endangered grassland bird whose conservation programme has progressed from captive breeding towards rewilding. The species has strong ecological and cultural significance in the Thar landscape.
The current recovery programme involves the MoEFCC, Rajasthan Forest Department and Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
Conservation efforts include captive breeding, habitat restoration, threat mitigation and eventual release into the wild.
The Supreme Court replaced its earlier blanket restriction on overhead transmission lines with a targeted, corridor-based protection framework for GIB Revised Priority Areas, balancing conservation with renewable-energy development.
The Great Indian Bustard is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The Great Indian Bustard is listed under Appendix I of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and not Appendix II. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
The Great Indian Bustard is the State bird of Rajasthan, and not Gujarat. The state bird of Gujarat is the Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus). Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.
The Supreme Court replaced its earlier blanket restriction on overhead transmission lines with a targeted, corridor-based protection framework for GIB Revised Priority Areas, balancing conservation with renewable-energy development. Hence, Statement 4 is correct.

Hence, option (b) is correct.