DART 19-06-26 - Questlink IAS

#Miscellaneous

Q1. Viva Technology (VivaTech) is an annual global technology and startup conference that brings together innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and industry leaders to showcase emerging technologies and promote innovation. Founded in 2016, the event has become one of Europe's largest technology gatherings.

It is held every year in which one of the following cities?

(a) Berlin

(b) Paris

(d) Barcelona

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

Viva Technology (VivaTech) is one of Europe's largest technology and startup conferences. It serves as a global platform bringing together startups, investors, technology companies, policymakers and researchers to showcase innovations and promote collaboration in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), deep tech, climate tech and digital transformation.
VivaTech has been held annually in Paris, France, since its inception in 2016.
Organised by: Publicis Groupe and Les Échos–Le Parisien Group.
Focus areas include Artificial Intelligence (AI), Deep Tech, Quantum Technologies, Cybersecurity, Climate Tech, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Mobility and Startup Innovation.
India has increasingly participated in VivaTech through Startup India, showcasing innovations in AI, Digital Public Infrastructure, fintech and deep technology.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, accompanied by the President of France, H.E. Mr. Emmanual Macron, participated in VivaTech 2026.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

#International Relations

Q2. Consider the following statements:

India is a member of the G7.
India has been invited to participate in successive G7 Outreach Summits in recent years.
Participation in the G7 Outreach Session automatically grants membership of the G7.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 2 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

The G7 frequently invites selected countries and international organisations to participate in Outreach Sessions on issues of global significance.
Formed in 1976, the G7 is an informal intergovernmental forum of seven advanced economies- Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, while the European Union (EU) participates as a non-enumerated member to coordinate policies on global economic, security, trade, and climate issues.
India is not a member of the G7. Hence, Statement 1 is not correct.
India has been invited to successive G7 Outreach Summits, reflecting its growing economic and geopolitical importance. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
Participation in Outreach Sessions does not confer membership or voting rights in the G7. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.
Outreach invitees often include countries such as India, Australia, Brazil, South Africa and South Korea, depending on the host country's priorities.
International organisations such as the United Nations (UN), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, OECD and WTO may also be invited.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

#Art & Culture

Q3. Consider the following pairs related to Jain Philosophy:

Principle	Meaning
1. Ahimsa	Non-violence towards all living beings
2. Aparigraha	Non-possession or non-attachment
3. Anekantavada	Doctrine of absolute truth

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) One only

(b) Two only

(d) None

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

Jain philosophy is founded upon ethical principles that guide an individual towards spiritual liberation.
Ahimsa means non-violence towards all living beings. Hence, Pair 1 is correctly matched.
Aparigraha means non-possession or freedom from material attachment. Hence, Pair 2 is correctly matched.
Anekantavada is not the doctrine of absolute truth. It means the doctrine of manifold aspects or non-absolutism, according to which reality can be viewed from multiple perspectives. Hence, Pair 3 is not correctly matched.
Syadvada explains conditional predication ("from a certain perspective").
Jain philosophy promotes intellectual tolerance through Anekantavada.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

#Economy

Q4. With reference to the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), consider the following activities:

Promotion of beekeeping.
Distribution of electric pottery wheels to traditional artisans.
Development of coir-based industries.

Which of the above are undertaken by KVIC?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

KVIC promotes a wide range of village industries to generate rural employment and strengthen local entrepreneurship.
KVIC implements the Honey Mission, promoting beekeeping and honey production. Hence, 1 is correct.
Through programmes such as the Kumhar Sashaktikaran Programme under the Gramodyog Vikas Yojana, KVIC distributes electric pottery wheels and other modern tools to traditional potters. Hence, 2 is correct.
Coir-based industries are primarily promoted by the Coir Board under the Ministry of MSME, not by KVIC. Hence, 3 is not correct.
Coir Board is a statutory body established under the Coir Industry Act, 1953.
KVIC also supports:
Leather artisans
Carpenters
Beekeepers
Footwear artisans
Rural food-processing units

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

#Science &Tech

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries (AZIBs):

They use a water-based electrolyte instead of the flammable organic electrolytes commonly used in lithium-ion batteries.
Zinc dendrite formation and the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) are among the major challenges limiting their commercial deployment.
Electrolyte engineering is being explored as an approach to improve battery performance by reducing undesirable interfacial reactions and enhancing cycling stability.
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries generally possess higher energy density than lithium-ion batteries, making them the preferred choice for electric vehicles.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

As the demand for safe and affordable energy storage grows, Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries (AZIBs) have emerged as promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries for stationary and grid-scale applications. Recently, scientists from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), developed a novel electrolyte additive to improve the performance of AZIBs.
AZIBs use a water-based (aqueous) electrolyte, unlike lithium-ion batteries that generally employ flammable organic electrolytes. This enhances operational safety. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Zinc dendrite growth and the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) are major challenges that reduce battery life, efficiency and cycling stability. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
Electrolyte engineering aims to modify the electrode–electrolyte interface to suppress undesirable reactions such as dendrite formation, corrosion and hydrogen evolution, thereby improving battery performance and longevity. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
Although AZIBs are safer and cheaper, they generally have lower energy density than lithium-ion batteries. Therefore, lithium-ion batteries remain the preferred technology for most electric vehicles. Hence, Statement 4 is not correct.
Developed by: Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali.
Administrative Ministry: Department of Science and Technology (DST).
Potential applications: Grid-scale energy storage, renewable energy integration and backup power systems.
Major advantages: Improved safety, low cost, abundant zinc availability and environmentally friendly aqueous electrolytes.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

#Polity

Q6. With reference to the Government of India, consider the following information:

Organisation/Scheme	Primary Function	Administrative Ministry/Organisation
I. Adopt a Heritage 2.0	Development of visitor amenities at protected monuments through public-private participation	Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Ministry of Culture
II. HRIDAY Scheme	Heritage city development integrating urban infrastructure with heritage conservation	Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
III. National Film Heritage Mission	Preservation, digitisation and restoration of India's film heritage	Ministry of Information & Broadcasting

In how many of the above rows is the information correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(d) None

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

The Government has launched several initiatives to conserve India's cultural heritage through heritage conservation, urban renewal and digital preservation.
Adopt a Heritage 2.0 aims to improve visitor amenities at protected monuments. However, it is implemented through the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Ministry of Culture. Hence, Row I is correctly matched.
HRIDAY was implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for integrated heritage city development. Hence, Row II is correctly matched.
National Film Heritage Mission preserves, digitises and restores India's cinematic heritage under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Hence, Row III is correctly matched.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

#Economy

Q7. Consider the following statements with reference to recent upgrades in India's official statistical system:

Statement I: Updating the base year of major macroeconomic indicators makes them more representative of the current structure of the economy.

Statement II: Introduction of the Producer Price Index (PPI) is intended to eventually replace the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) in line with international statistical practices.

Statement III: Accurate measurement of inflation has little relevance for estimating real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.

Which of the following relationships among the above statements is/are correct?

Statement I is supported by Statement II.
Statement III contradicts the approach implicit in Statement I.
Statement I and Statement III together establish the need for updating the statistical base year.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

India has recently updated the base years of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Consumer Price Index (CPI), Wholesale Price Index (WPI) and Index of Industrial Production (IIP), while also introducing the Producer Price Index (PPI) to strengthen its statistical framework.

Statement I is correct. Updating the base year ensures that economic indicators better reflect the current structure of the economy. Hence, Statement I is correct.
Statement II is correct. The newly introduced Producer Price Index (PPI) is intended to gradually replace the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) over the coming years and aligns India's statistical system with international best practices. Hence, Statement II is correct.
Statement III is not correct. Inflation indices such as Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Wholesale Price Index (WPI)/Producer Price Index (PPI) are important in estimating real GDP through the GDP deflator. Hence, Statement III is not correct.
Since Statement II strengthens the rationale behind modernising statistical measures, it supports Statement I. Hence, Relationship 1 is correct.
Statement III contradicts the objective of improving statistical accuracy reflected in Statement I. Hence, Relationship 2 is correct.
Statement III is incorrect; therefore, it cannot together with Statement I establish the stated premise. Hence, Relationship 3 is not correct.
Base Year: GDP and IIP – 2022–23; CPI – 2024.
Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) (GDP, CPI, IIP); Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry (WPI and PPI).
The double-deflator method has been introduced in the new GDP series to improve estimation of real value added.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

#Science &Tech

Q8. Consider the following statements:

Statement I: Nipah virus is considered a zoonotic pathogen of public health concern.

Statement II: The virus is capable of causing outbreaks through both animal-to-human and human-to-human transmission.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I.

(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I.

(d) Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct.

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

Nipah virus is a highly pathogenic zoonotic virus with epidemic potential, making it a priority pathogen for global public health surveillance.
Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease capable of causing severe outbreaks. Hence, Statement I is correct.
It spreads from infected animals to humans and also through human-to-human transmission, explaining its epidemic potential. Hence, Statement II is correct and explains Statement I.
WHO lists Nipah under its R&D Blueprint Priority Pathogens.
Reservoir host: Pteropus fruit bats.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

#Art & Culture

Q9. The film "Boong", recently seen in the news, draws attention to India's linguistic diversity. With reference to the Manipuri (Meitei) language, consider the following statements:

Manipuri is included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution.
It was the first Tibeto-Burman language to be included in the Eighth Schedule.
Manipuri is written only in the Bengali script.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

The recent international recognition of the Manipuri film "Boong" has renewed attention on the Manipuri (Meitei) language, one of India's Scheduled Languages and an important part of the cultural heritage of Northeast India.
Manipuri (Meitei) is one of the 22 languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution. It was included through the 71st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Manipuri was the first language belonging to the Tibeto-Burman language family to be included in the Eighth Schedule. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
Manipuri is not written only in the Bengali script. It is traditionally written in the indigenous Meitei Mayek script, which has been officially revived, while the Bengali script was used for several centuries. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.
The 71st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 added Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali to the Eighth Schedule.
The Meitei Mayek script has been reintroduced in school education in Manipur.
Manipuri is the official language of Manipur.

Hence, Option (a) is correct.

#Science &Tech

Q10. It is a process in which highly enriched uranium is mixed with natural or depleted uranium so that the concentration of the fissile isotope is reduced to a level suitable only for peaceful purposes. The process is intended to increase the time required to produce weapons-grade material and is carried out under international verification.

The above description best refers to:

(a) Uranium enrichment

(b) Nuclear reprocessing

(d) Uranium conversion

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

The process Uranium Downblending has recently been in the news in the context of discussions on Iran's nuclear programme.
Downblending reduces the concentration of uranium-235 by mixing enriched uranium with natural or depleted uranium. Hence, option (c) is correct.
Uranium enrichment increases the concentration of uranium-235.
Nuclear reprocessing recovers usable fissile material from spent nuclear fuel.
Uranium conversion changes the chemical form of uranium during the nuclear fuel cycle but does not reduce its enrichment level.
Natural uranium contains about 0.7% uranium-235.
Commercial reactors generally use low-enriched uranium (below 5% U-235).
The IAEA verifies downblending under international safeguards.

Hence, option (c) is correct.