#110 His

Q1. Consider the following with reference to the Indus Valley Civilization:

SitePresent-day StateCharacteristic Feature
1. RakhigarhiHaryanaLargest known Harappan settlement
2. DholaviraGujaratUNESCO World Heritage Site (2021)
3. KalibanganRajasthanEvidence of ploughed agricultural field
4. LothalPunjabDockyard

How many rows given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

  1. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has transferred human skeletal remains excavated from Rakhigarhi (Haryana) to the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) for advanced multidisciplinary research on the Indus-Saraswati Civilization. 
  2. The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2600–1900 BCE) was characterised by well-planned urban centres, each known for distinctive archaeological features.
  3. Rakhigarhi is located in Haryana and is presently regarded as the largest known settlement of the Indus Valley Civilization. Hence, Row 1 is correct.
  4. Dholavira is located in Gujarat and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021 for its outstanding urban planning and water management system. Hence, Row 2 is correct.
  5. Kalibangan, located in Rajasthan, has yielded the earliest archaeological evidence of a ploughed agricultural field. Hence, Row 3 is correct.
  6. Lothal is famous for its dockyard, but it is located in Gujarat, not Punjab. Hence, Row 4 is not correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2276489&reg=3&lang=1



#210 Sci

Q2. Which one of the following best describes the primary objective of the ‘Kavach’ system?

(a) To provide high-speed internet connectivity to trains.

(b) To automatically protect train operations by preventing unsafe movements and collisions.

(c) To replace all existing railway signalling systems with satellite navigation.

(d) To enable driverless operation of all passenger trains.

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

  1. Indian Railways has approved the deployment of the indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, Kavach, on 631 Route Kilometres of the East Coast Railway to enhance train safety by preventing Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD), over-speeding, and collisions. 
  2. Kavach is a safety technology intended to reduce human error and improve operational safety in railway operations.
  3. Kavach continuously monitors train movement and automatically applies brakes whenever necessary to prevent unsafe situations such as SPAD and collisions. 
  4. Kavach uses secure Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio communication and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags for real-time communication between locomotives and trackside systems.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2276561&reg=3&lang=1



#120 Eco

Q3. With reference to ship recycling in India, consider the following statements:

  1. India enacted the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019 to align its ship recycling regime with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships.
  2. The Hong Kong Convention, adopted under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2009, aims to ensure safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships throughout their life cycle.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

  1. India became the world's largest ship recycling nation in 2025, achieving the Maritime India Vision 2030 target five years ahead of schedule with a 35.4% global share, according to UNCTAD. 
  2. The Hong Kong Convention seeks to ensure that ship recycling is carried out without posing unnecessary risks to human health, safety, or the environment.
  3. India enacted the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019 to establish a legal framework for safe and environmentally sound ship recycling and to implement the provisions of the Hong Kong Convention. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  4. The Hong Kong International Convention, adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2009, covers the design, operation, maintenance, and recycling of ships to ensure environmentally sound recycling practices. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Read more: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2276739&reg=3&lang=1



#210 Sci

Q4. With reference to the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), consider the following statements:

  1. The National Supercomputing Mission was launched in 2015 to strengthen India's capabilities in high-performance computing.
  2. Under the mission, India has developed the indigenous PARAM Rudra series of supercomputers.
  3. Supercomputers are primarily used for cryptocurrency mining and social media data management.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

  1. The National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) is in the news as India has deployed 38 supercomputers with a combined computing power of 47 petaflops, including the indigenous PARAM Rudra series. 
  2. The NSM was launched in 2015 with an outlay of ₹4,500 crore to build indigenous supercomputing capacity and strengthen India's research ecosystem.
  3. The mission was launched to enhance India's capabilities in high-performance computing for scientific research, weather forecasting, AI, defence, and strategic applications. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  4. PARAM Rudra is an indigenous series of supercomputers developed under NSM using Indian-designed hardware and software, promoting technological self-reliance. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
  5. Supercomputers are mainly used for weather and climate modelling, molecular simulations, AI, genomics, aerospace, and scientific research, not primarily for cryptocurrency mining or social media management. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2276447&reg=3&lang=1



#133 Gov

Q5. With reference to India's digital connectivity, consider the following statements:

  1. Optical fibre coverage in India has crossed 40 lakh route kilometres.
  2. Internet connections in India have crossed 100 crore.
  3. Broadband connections in India are still below 50 crore.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

  1. The Government recently highlighted India's rapid digital infrastructure expansion under the Digital India Programme, with internet connections crossing 100 crore and optical fibre coverage exceeding 42 lakh route kilometres. 
  2. The Digital India Programme has significantly expanded India's digital infrastructure.
  3. Optical fibre coverage has increased to over 42 lakh route kilometres. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  4. Internet connections have crossed 102 crore. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  5. Broadband connections have reached nearly 100 crore, not below 50 crore. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2276447&reg=3&lang=1



#110 His

Q6. Consider the following pairs:

FestivalState/UT
1. Kheer Bhawani FestivalJammu & Kashmir
2. Losar FestivalLadakh
3. Chapchar KutMizoram
4. Wangala FestivalArunachal Pradesh

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

  1. The Kheer Bhawani Festival was recently celebrated at the Kheer Bhawani Temple in Ganderbal, Jammu & Kashmir, witnessing a record participation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits amid an improved security situation.
  2. Kheer Bhawani Festival is celebrated by Kashmiri Pandits at Tulmulla in Jammu & Kashmir. Hence, 1 is correctly matched.
  3. Losar is the Tibetan New Year celebrated in Ladakh. Hence, 2 is correctly matched.
  4. Chapchar Kut is the spring festival of Mizoram. Hence, 3 is correctly matched.
  5. Wangala Festival is celebrated by the Garo tribe of Meghalaya, not Arunachal Pradesh. Hence, 4 is not correctly matched.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Read More: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jammu-and-kashmir/buoyed-by-improved-security-displaced-pandits-converge-on-kashmir-temple-in-their-thousands/article71134174.ece



#133 Gov

Q7. With reference to the One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) scheme, consider the following statements:

  1. It provides centralized access to scholarly journals for eligible government-funded academic and research institutions across India.
  2. The scheme addresses both access to research literature and publication costs by fully funding Article Processing Charges (APCs) for all researchers.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

  1. One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) is in the news amid global shifts towards open-access publishing and growing debates on knowledge sovereignty and scholarly publishing reforms. 
  2. ONOS became operational in January 2025 to improve access to scholarly literature for government-funded institutions.
  3. ONOS provides centralized access to thousands of scholarly journals for eligible government-funded academic and research institutions across India. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  4. Although ONOS includes a limited provision for APC support, its primary focus is on access (reading) and it does not fully address publication costs for all researchers. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Read More: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/the-world-is-moving-on-from-paying-publishers-india-should-too/article71131706.ece



#133 Gov

Q8. With reference to the recent ban on certain Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) drugs, consider the following statements:

  1. A Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) drug contains two or more active pharmaceutical ingredients combined in a fixed ratio.
  2. All Fixed Dose Combination drugs are considered irrational and unsafe for therapeutic use.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

  1. The Union Health Ministry recently banned 16 Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) drugs after expert review found them to be irrational, therapeutically unjustified, or potentially unsafe for public use. 
  2. FDC drugs are formulations containing multiple active ingredients in a single dosage form. While many are therapeutically useful, irrational combinations may pose health risks.
  3. FDCs combine two or more active pharmaceutical ingredients in fixed proportions. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  4. Only irrational FDCs lacking therapeutic justification are banned; many rational FDCs remain important in the treatment of diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Read More: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/stay-with-the-evidence-on-the-ban-on-fixed-dose-combination-drugs/article71133424.ece



#132 IR

Q9. With reference to international economic relations, consider the following:

It refers to coercive economic and financial measures imposed by one or more countries or international organisations to influence the behaviour of another country, government, entity or individual without resorting to military force. These measures may include restrictions on trade, financial transactions, investment, technology transfer, shipping, insurance, or access to international payment systems. Such measures may be comprehensive or targeted and are generally intended to achieve foreign policy, security, or human rights objectives.

The above description best refers to:

(a) Export Controls

(b) Economic Sanctions

(c) Quantitative Restrictions

(d) Tariff Escalation

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

  1. The U.S. has temporarily waived certain sanctions on Iranian crude oil and petroleum -related transactions for 60 days (until 21 August 2026) as part of efforts to support the ongoing peace process. 
  2. Economic sanctions are an important instrument of foreign policy used by countries and international organisations such as the United Nations to influence the behaviour of States or non-State actors without using armed force.
  3. Export Controls restrict the export of specific goods, technologies, or services, particularly those with strategic or dual-use applications. They represent only one category of trade regulation and do not encompass the wider range of coercive economic measures described above.
  4. Economic Sanctions are restrictive measures that may include trade embargoes, asset freezes, financial restrictions, investment bans, travel bans, and limits on access to international financial systems. They are imposed to alter the behaviour of a target country, organisation, or individual in pursuit of foreign policy or security objectives.
  5. Quantitative Restrictions are trade measures that limit the quantity or value of imports or exports to protect domestic industries or manage trade flows. They are not primarily intended as instruments of foreign policy.
  6. Tariff Escalation refers to the practice of imposing progressively higher import duties on processed goods than on raw materials to encourage domestic value addition. It is a trade policy tool rather than a coercive diplomatic measure.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Read More: https://www.thehindu.com/business/us-waives-sanctions-on-iranian-oil-ships/article71134513.ece




Q10. With reference to the Sahel region of Africa, consider the following countries:

  1. Burkina Faso
  2. Chad
  3. Zambia
  4. Angola
  5. Niger
  6. Mali

How many of the above countries form part of the Sahel region?

(a) Only two

(b) Only three

(c) Only four

(d) Only five

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

  1. Mali has declared 39 forests and protected areas as military zones after escalating attacks by the Al-Qaeda-linked Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), highlighting the growing security challenges across the Sahel region. 
  2. The Sahel is a semi-arid transitional belt lying between the Sahara Desert to the north and the Sudanian Savanna to the south. It extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Red Sea in the east.
  3. Burkina Faso is one of the core countries of the Sahel region. Hence, 1 is correctly mentioned.
  4. Chad forms the eastern part of the Sahel belt. Hence, 2 is correctly mentioned.
  5. Zambia is located in Southern Africa and is not part of the Sahel region. Hence, 3 is not correctly mentioned.
  6. Angola is situated in south-western Africa and does not form part of the Sahel region. Hence, 4 is not correctly mentioned.
  7. Niger is one of the principal Sahelian countries. Hence, 5 is correctly mentioned.
  8. Mali lies in the heart of the Sahel and is one of its major countries. Hence, 6 is correctly mentioned.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Read More: https://www.enca.com/opinion/not-just-hideout-sahel-forests-provide-base-jihadists