#S&T

Q1. Consider the following statements:

I. India has large assessed wind potential at higher hub heights.

II. India has installed more than 900 wind-monitoring stations and developed wind potential maps at multiple hub heights.

Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above statements?

  1. Wind resource assessment is important for identifying suitable project sites.
  2. Higher hub-height assessment can reveal greater wind energy potential.
  3. Wind projects can be developed without considering location-specific resource data.

Select the answer using the code given below:

 (a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (b) 

Exp:

  1. Inference 1 is valid. Wind-monitoring stations and wind maps help identify high-potential sites. This is crucial because wind speed and consistency vary by geography and height.
  2. Inference 2 is valid. India’s assessed potential is higher at 150 metres than at 120 metres, showing that higher hub-height assessment can reveal greater potential.
  3. Inference 3 is invalid. Wind projects require location-specific resource data because project viability depends on wind speed, direction, seasonal variation, land availability and grid access.
  4. Option (b) is correct because only inferences 1 and 2 are valid.



#A&C

Q2. Which one of the following best describes The Great Tang Records on the Western Regions?

(a) A travel narrative of the Chinese Buddhist monk-scholar Xuanzang’s journey through medieval India

(b) A Persian translation of the Panchatantra composed in medieval Iran

(c) A Buddhist architectural manual prepared at Nalanda University

(d) A South African text associated with the philosophy of Satyagraha

Ans: (a)

Exp:

  1. The Great Tang Records on the Western Regions is associated with Xuanzang, also known as Hiuen Tsang, a Chinese Buddhist monk and scholar who travelled through medieval India in the 7th century. His accounts remain important for understanding early medieval India, including its political, social and religious practices.
  2. Option (b) is incorrect because Panchatantra is a separate literary tradition.
  3. The Panchatantra is an ancient collection of Sanskrit stories written over 2,000 years ago by the scholar Vishnu Sharma. It was composed to impart moral values and life lessons, and the term “Panchatantra” means “five principles” (Pancha = five, Tantra = principles/codes).
  4. Option (c) is incorrect because ‘The Great Tang Records on the Western Regions’ is a travel account, not an architectural manual.
  5. Option (d) is incorrect because Satyagraha is associated with a later modern political philosophy.



#Env

Q3. With reference to Project Great Indian Bustard, consider the following statements:

  1. It involves identification of priority areas and threats in Great Indian Bustard landscapes to optimise conservation resource allocation.
  2. It is being implemented through collaboration among State Governments, local non-governmental organisations and research organisations.
  3. It focuses only on ex-situ conservation and excludes in-situ conservation measures in natural habitats.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Exp:

  1. Project Great Indian Bustard was launched in 2013 by the Government of Rajasthan with the objective of conserving the remaining population of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps), locally known as Godawan, which is also the state bird of Rajasthan. 
  2. Project Great Indian Bustard involves identifying priority areas and threats in Great Indian Bustard landscapes so that limited conservation resources can be used more effectively. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
  3. The project activities are carried out in collaboration with State Governments, local non-governmental organisations and research organisations. This is important because Great Indian Bustard habitats extend across large human-use landscapes where conservation needs administrative support, local cooperation and scientific expertise. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
  4. The project is not limited only to ex-situ conservation, which means conservation outside the natural habitat, such as conservation breeding. It also includes in-situ conservation, which means conservation within the natural habitat, such as habitat protection, threat mitigation and landscape-level conservation. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.



#S&T

Q4. Consider the following assertion:

Existing Indian laws provide only partial protection against deepfakes.

Which of the following statements support/supports the above assertion?

  1. India does not have a dedicated law dealing exclusively with deepfakes.
  2. Provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000 may apply to impersonation, cheating, obscenity or sexually explicit content.
  3. Existing Indian laws comprehensively regulate every non-consensual use of a person’s voice, face and likeness in synthetic media.

Select the answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (b)

Exp:

  1. Statement 1 supports the assertion because the absence of a dedicated deepfake law means protection depends on scattered legal provisions.
  2. Statement 2 supports the assertion because the Information Technology Act, 2000 applies only to certain types of misuse, such as impersonation, cheating or obscene/sexually explicit material.
  3. Statement 3 does not support the assertion. It says the opposite: that existing laws are comprehensive. The given legal framework is partial rather than exhaustive.
  4. Option (b) is correct because statements 1 and 2 support the assertion.



#S&T

Q5. Which one of the following best describes antibody-dependent enhancement in dengue infection?

(a) A condition in which antibodies completely neutralise all dengue virus serotypes permanently

(b) A process in which cross-reactive antibodies at inadequate levels may enhance dengue infection and contribute to severe disease

(c) A method of producing dengue vaccines by combining four inactivated bacterial antigens

(d) A diagnostic method used to identify only DENV-4 infection

Ans: (b)

Exp:

  1. Antibody-dependent enhancement refers to a situation where antibodies, instead of protecting against infection, may help enhance viral infection. 
  2. In dengue, cross-reactive antibodies can recognise multiple serotypes. When present at adequate levels, they may block infection, but when levels decline, they may enhance infection and increase the risk of severe dengue. Hence, option (b) is correct.
  3. Option (a) is incorrect because antibody levels may fall and cross-reactive antibodies may become harmful under certain conditions.
  4. Option (c) is unrelated to antibody-dependent enhancement.
  5. Option (d) is incorrect because antibody-dependent enhancement is a disease-enhancement phenomenon, not a diagnostic method.



#S&T

Q6. Which one of the following best describes arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi?

(a) Parasitic fungi that feed exclusively on plant roots and kill host plants

(b) Aquatic fungi found only in marine ecosystems

(c) Symbiotic fungi associated with plant roots, exchanging nutrients for carbon

(d) Fungi that decompose only animal remains in tropical forests

Ans: (c)

Exp: 

  1. A new study published in Science has reported the first global map of the earth’s vast underground network of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi.
  2. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with plant roots. In this relationship, fungi help plants access nutrients, while plants provide carbon to the fungi. Such mutualistic relationships have sustained plant life for millions of years and are central to soil ecology. Hence, option c is correct.
  3. Option (a) is incorrect because arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are not primarily parasitic; they form mutually beneficial associations.
  4. Option (b) is incorrect because these fungi are part of terrestrial soil ecosystems, not only marine systems.
  5. Option (d) is incorrect because their key ecological role is nutrient exchange with plants, not merely decomposition of animal remains.



#History

Q7. Consider the following statements regarding the Bangkok Conference of 1942:

  1. It brought together representatives of Indian communities and freedom fighters from Southeast Asia.
  2. It adopted a 34-point resolution that provided the official blueprint for the Indian National Army.
  3. It placed the Indian National Army directly under British military supervision.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Exp: 

  1. The conference brought together more than a hundred representatives from regions such as Burma, Malaya and Singapore. Hence, Statement 1 is correct. 
  2. The 34-point resolution provided the blueprint for the Indian National Army. Hence, Statement 2 is correct. 
  3. The resolution stipulated that the Indian National Army would be supervised by the Indian Independence League, not by the British military. Hence, Statement 3 is incorrect.



#IR

Q8. Consider the following statements regarding the International Maritime Organization:

  1. It is a United Nations agency.
  2. It regulates the technical, commercial, environmental and safety aspects of global shipping.
  3. It has an overarching enforcement mechanism that can compel all national governments to act uniformly.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Exp:

  1. The International Maritime Organization is a United Nations agency. Hence, Statement 1 is correct. 
  2. Its regulatory domain includes technical, commercial, environmental and safety aspects of global shipping. Hence,Statement 2 is correct. 
  3. The institution often falls short in protecting ships and seafarers because there is no strong overarching enforcement system. National governments often act unilaterally. Hence, Statement 3 is incorrect. 
  4. Therefore, option (a) is correct.



#IR

Q9. Consider the following statements regarding the Hong Kong International Convention for Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships:

  1. It is a binding global treaty.
  2. It mandates environmentally sound recycling practices to minimise health risks for yard workers and prevent pollution.
  3. It applies only to ship recycling yards owned and operated by national governments.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (c) 

Exp: 

  1. The Hong Kong International Convention is a binding global treaty dealing with safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships. Hence, Statement 1 is correct. 
  2. It seeks to minimise health risks for shipyard workers and prevent pollution from ship recycling activities. Hence, Statement 2 is correct. 
  3. The compliance requirements apply to ship recycling facilities/yards meeting the Convention’s standards; they are not limited only to government-owned yards. Private certified yards can also come under the compliance framework. Hence, Statement 3 is incorrect. 



#IR

Q10. Which one of the following statements about dark fleets and grey fleets is correct?

(a) Dark fleets are lower-risk vessels, while grey fleets are official naval warships.

(b) Grey fleets are always fully sanctioned, while dark fleets are never involved in sanctions evasion.

(c) Both dark and grey fleets are unrelated to oil transportation.

(d) Dark fleets deliberately conceal activity, while grey fleets may appear compliant but show risk indicators.

Ans: (d)

Exp: 

  1. Dark fleets are the highest-risk category and deliberately hide activity through techniques such as Automatic Identification System-off behaviour, Global Navigation Satellite System spoofing and covert transfers. Grey fleets may not necessarily be sanctioned but show suspicious indicators such as irregular routes and rapid ownership changes. Hence, Option (d) is correct. 



#Mis

Q11. Consider the following statements regarding the Zojila Tunnel:

  1. It is expected to provide all-weather connectivity between Kashmir, Kargil and Ladakh.
  2. It is projected to be among the world’s longest single-tube, bi-directional road tunnels at high altitude.
  3. It connects the Brahmaputra Valley with the Tibetan Plateau.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Exp:

  1. The Zojila Tunnel is meant to provide all-weather connectivity between Kashmir, Kargil and Ladakh. Hence, Statement 1 is correct. 
  2. It is projected to be among the world’s longest single-tube, bi-directional road tunnels at an altitude of about 11,578 feet. Hence, Statement 2 is correct. 
  3. The tunnel is not in the Brahmaputra Valley region. It is located in the western Himalayas near Zojila Pass. Hence, Statement 3 is incorrect.
  4. Therefore, option (a) is correct.