Polity

Q1. Consider the following statements:

Assertion (A): Possession of a valid visa does not confer an absolute or legally enforceable right on a foreign national to enter India.

Reason (R): Under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, entry of a foreign national is subject to immigration requirements and may be restricted on grounds such as national security, sovereignty and integrity of India, relations with a foreign State and public health.

Which one of the following is correct?

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

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

(d) A is not correct, but R is correct.

Ans: (a)

Explanation

The Delhi High Court held that the grant of a visa and permission to enter India are distinct matters, and admission of a foreign national remains subject to the sovereign powers and statutory framework governing immigration.
The Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 requires a valid passport/travel document and visa but also permits restrictions on entry in specified circumstances.
The Court relied on the principle that a foreign national does not possess an inherent or legally enforceable right to enter India merely by holding a valid visa.
The Delhi High Court held that a foreign national does not have an inherent or legally enforceable right to enter India merely because they possess a valid visa. Hence, the Assertion(A) is correct.
The Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 provides a statutory framework under which entry may be restricted on grounds including national security, sovereignty and integrity, relations with a foreign State and public health. Hence, the Reason(R) is correct.
Since the statutory framework makes entry subject to immigration requirements and specified grounds for inadmissibility, possession of a visa does not create an absolute and unconditional right of admission. Hence, the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Polity

Q2. With reference to Form 6 and Form 7 often in news, which one of the following statements is correct?

(a) Form 6 is used by eligible persons to apply for inclusion of their names in the electoral roll, while Form 7 is used for seeking deletion of a name from the electoral roll.

(b) Form 6 is used for correction of entries in the electoral roll, while Form 7 is used for changing the address of an existing elector.

(c) Form 6 is used for registering political parties, while Form 7 is used for obtaining recognition as a national political party.

(d) Form 6 is used for claiming postal ballots, while Form 7 is used for requesting an electronic voting machine during an election.

Ans: (a)

Explanation

Electoral forms prescribed under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 facilitate different processes relating to electoral rolls, including enrolment, deletion and correction of entries.
Form 6 is associated with the application for inclusion of a person’s name in the electoral roll, particularly for newly eligible voters.
Form 7 is associated with objections to proposed inclusion and applications for deletion of names from the electoral roll.
Form 6 is used for inclusion of a name in the electoral roll, while Form 7 is used for deletion of a name or objection to inclusion.
Correction of entries and change of address are not the functions assigned to Form 6 and Form 7 in the manner stated.
Registration and recognition of political parties are separate electoral processes and are not the purposes of Forms 6 and 7.
Postal ballots and electronic voting machines are governed by separate electoral provisions and are not the purposes of Forms 6 and 7.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Science & Tech

Q3. With reference to optogenetics, consider the following statements:

Optogenetics enables scientists to control specific types of cells using light by making them sensitive to light through genetic modification.
Light-gated ion channels allow charged particles to flow through cell membranes when activated by an appropriate wavelength of light.
Optogenetics has enabled researchers to establish causal links between specific neural circuits and behaviours, emotions and cognition.

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: (d)

Explanation

The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine recognised Peter Hegemann, Georg Nagel and Karl Deisseroth for discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics.
Light-gated ion channels function as light-responsive channels in cell membranes, while optogenetics uses this principle to control specific cells with light.
The technique has transformed neuroscience by allowing researchers to experimentally investigate the causal role of specific neural circuits in behaviour, emotion and cognition.
Optogenetics allows scientists to control specific cells using light, typically by introducing genes that make the cells produce light-sensitive proteins. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Light-gated ion channels are proteins in cell membranes that open or close in response to light, allowing ions to flow through the channel and potentially generating electrical signals. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
Optogenetics has enabled researchers to move beyond merely observing brain activity and investigate the causal relationship between specific neural circuits and behaviour, emotion and cognition. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Environment

Q4. With reference to Project Cheetah in India, consider the following statements:

Kuno National Park is the first reintroduction site developed under Project Cheetah in India.
KJP21 is the first Indian-born female cheetah to give birth to cubs in India.
The cheetah is classified as Endangered in the IUCN Red List and is listed under Appendix II of CITES.
The recent birth of five cubs at Kuno National Park has taken India’s total cheetah population more than 50, majority being Indian-born cheetahs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 4 only

(d) 1, 3 and 4 only

Ans: (b)

Explanation

Project Cheetah aims to re-establish the cheetah in India, with Kuno National Park serving as a key site for the breeding and expansion of the reintroduced population.
KJP21 is the third Indian-born female cheetah to give birth, after Mukhi and KGP12.
The five cubs mark the beginning of the Botswana lineage in India and take the country’s total cheetah population to 60, including 41 Indian-born cheetahs.
Kuno National Park is the first reintroduction site developed under Project Cheetah in India. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
KJP21 is the third Indian-born female cheetah to give birth, after Mukhi and KGP12. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
The cheetah is classified as Vulnerable, not Endangered, in the IUCN Red List and is listed under Appendix I, not Appendix II, of CITES. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.
The birth of the five cubs has taken India’s total cheetah population to 60, including 41 Indian-born cheetahs. Hence, Statement 4 is correct.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Miscellaneous

Q5. With reference to major bridge projects in India, consider the following pairs:

Bridge	State	Associated Feature / Impact
I. Bhupen Hazarika Setu	Assam	Reduced travel time between Rupai and Meka/Roing from about 6 hours to 1 hour
II. Kosi Rail Mahasetu	Maharashtra	Reduced the rail journey between Nirmali and Saraigarh from about 8 hours to 30 minutes
III. Atal Setu	Bihar	Provides a direct connection between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, reducing journey time to about 20 minutes
IV. Sisseri River Bridge	Arunachal Pradesh	Reduced travel time between Pasighat and Roing by about five hours

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(d) All four

Ans: (b)

Explanation

India’s bridge infrastructure is reducing travel time by overcoming major geographical barriers such as rivers and difficult terrain.
Major bridges are improving regional connectivity and reducing both travel distance and journey time.
Projects across Assam, Bihar, Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh demonstrate the role of bridges in connecting previously difficult-to-access regions.
The Bhupen Hazarika Setu (Dhola–Sadiya Bridge) reduced travel time between Rupai in Assam and Meka/Roing in Arunachal Pradesh from about six hours to one hour. Hence, Pair I is correctly matched.
The Kosi Rail Mahasetu in Bihar, not Maharashtra, reduced the rail journey between Nirmali and Saraigarh from about eight hours to 30 minutes. Hence, Pair II is not correctly matched.
The Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link) in maharshtra, not Bihar, provides a direct connection between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, reducing the journey to about 20 minutes. Hence, Pair III is not correctly matched.
The Sisseri River Bridge in Arunachal Pradesh reduced travel time between Pasighat and Roing by about five hours, strengthening connectivity between Dibang Valley and Siang. Hence, Pair IV is correctly matched.

Hence, option (b) is correct.