#133 Gov

Q1. With reference to the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, consider the following statements:

  1. The scheme aims to develop tourism infrastructure across thematic tourist circuits in the country.
  2. Swadesh Darshan 2.0 focuses on sustainable and experience-based destination development.
  3. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

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 has highlighted a decade of tourism reforms driven by flagship initiatives such as Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD, SASCI, Travel for LiFE, and enhanced connectivity, positioning tourism as a key driver of sustainable and inclusive economic growth in India. 
  2. Swadesh Darshan is the flagship tourism infrastructure scheme of the Ministry of Tourism aimed at developing world-class tourist destinations.
  3. The scheme develops tourism infrastructure under thematic tourist circuits across the country. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  4. Swadesh Darshan 2.0, launched in 2022, emphasizes sustainable, responsible and experience-based tourism. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
  5. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Tourism, not the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2277629&reg=3&lang=1 



#133 Gov

Q2. Consider the following statements:

Statement I: The PRASHAD Scheme aims to promote spiritual tourism through infrastructure development.

Statement II: Improved pilgrimage infrastructure can generate employment and strengthen local economies.

Statement III: The PRASHAD Scheme is implemented jointly by the Ministry of Culture and State Governments.

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

(a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both explain Statement I.

(b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one explains Statement I.

(c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I.

(d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct.

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

  1. The Government has highlighted a decade of tourism reforms driven by flagship initiatives such as Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD, SASCI, Travel for LiFE, and enhanced connectivity, positioning tourism as a key driver of sustainable and inclusive economic growth in India. 
  2. PRASHAD seeks to improve the overall pilgrimage experience while promoting sustainable regional development.
  3. Better pilgrimage infrastructure increases tourist footfall, creating employment and livelihood opportunities. Hence, Statement II is correct and explains Statement I.
  4. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Tourism, not the Ministry of Culture. Hence, Statement III is not correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2277629&reg=3&lang=1



#133 Gov

Q3. Which one of the following best describes the primary objective of the SHATAYU Dashboard?

(a) To provide financial assistance to senior citizens living below the poverty line.

(b) To create a digital platform connecting trained geriatric caregivers with elderly persons requiring care.

(c) To establish old-age homes in every district.

(d) To provide free health insurance to all citizens above 60 years.

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

  1. The SHATAYU (Senior Holistic Care Assistance and Training for Your Utility) Dashboard was recently launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to connect trained geriatric caregivers with senior citizens requiring care services across India. 
  2. SHATAYU aims to strengthen India's elderly care ecosystem through digital linkage between caregivers and senior citizens.
  3. SHATAYU provides a platform for trained caregivers to register and offer services to elderly citizens.
  4. It is neither a pension nor an insurance nor an old-age home scheme.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2277755&reg=3&lang=1



#132 IR

Q4. With reference to the 11th BRICS Energy Ministers' Meeting (2026), consider the following statements:

  1. The meeting adopted the BRICS Guiding Principles on Smart Grids and Energy Storage.
  2. It launched the BRICS Digital Centre of Excellence for Smart Grids and Energy Storage under the BRICS Energy Research Cooperation Platform (ERCP).
  3. The Centre of Excellence has been established as a treaty-based institution under the New Development Bank.

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. India hosts the 11th BRICS Energy Ministers' Meeting in Gurugram under BRICS Chairship 2026.
  2. India used its BRICS Chairship to strengthen cooperation in clean energy, smart grids and energy storage technologies.
  3. The BRICS Ministers adopted the Guiding Principles on Smart Grids and Energy Storage to support resilient and digitally enabled electricity systems. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  4. India launched the BRICS Digital Centre of Excellence for Smart Grids and Energy Storage under the BRICS Energy Research Cooperation Platform (ERCP) for voluntary cooperation and knowledge sharing. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
  5. The Centre is not a treaty-based institution under the New Development Bank; it functions as a collaborative platform under ERCP. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2277751&reg=3&lang=1



#110 His

Q5. With reference to Maharishi Sushruta, consider the following statements:

  1. He is traditionally regarded as the Father of Surgery.
  2. The Sushruta Samhita was originally composed in the Pali language.

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. A bronze statue of Maharishi Sushruta, crafted using the traditional Swamimalai lost-wax bronze casting technique, was recently unveiled at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, honouring India's ancient contributions to surgical science. 
  2. Maharishi Sushruta is regarded as one of the earliest pioneers of surgery in ancient India, and his work forms an important part of the Ayurvedic tradition.
  3. Sushruta is widely known as the Father of Surgery for his pioneering contributions to surgical science. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  4. The Sushruta Samhita was originally composed in Sanskrit, not Pali. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Read More: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/bronze-statue-of-maharishi-sushruta-made-in-swamimalai-unveiled-at-royal-college-of-surgeons-of-edinburgh/article71133608.ece



#230 Geo

Q6. Consider the following countries:

  1. Colombia
  2. Guyana
  3. Brazil
  4. Ecuador

Which of the above share a land boundary with Venezuela?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

  1. Venezuela was recently in the news following a series of powerful earthquakes, making its location and neighbouring countries important from a UPSC mapping perspective.
  2. Venezuela is located along the boundary of the Caribbean and South American Plates, making it a highly seismically active region where shallow strike-slip faulting frequently generates earthquakes.
  3. Colombia lies to the west of Venezuela and shares a long international land boundary with it. Hence, Statement 1 is correctly mentioned.
  4. Guyana lies to the east of Venezuela and shares a land boundary, including the disputed Essequibo region. Hence, Statement 2 is correctly mentioned.
  5. Brazil lies to the south of Venezuela and shares an extensive land boundary. Hence, Statement 3 is correctly mentioned.
  6. Ecuador does not share a border with Venezuela. It is separated from Venezuela by Colombia. Hence, Statement 4 is not correctly mentioned.

https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/coDmAFasIzWD0uQKc9Gq6P6nYoZLInlXLUP4tXzDPM_ixLy8AG53XbtFFv_67UF3Xfgu4QPRq1_dRu9-GrJt-vWpDKQCPNC0DqTdlSXSvADfYNIb5Rhs6gs6Ni8G6pLxE-4dUoi-lDMmOdyFH8nRBnS0X43ZxR8HrKH9181fRgsy0OaDqBwNTEnAqHXUt7d_?purpose=fullsize

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Read More: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/venezuela-earthquake-venezuelans-search-rubble-for-survivors-as-death-toll-climbs-to-188/article71148955.ece



#210 Sci

Q7. With reference to the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), consider the following statements:

  1. The Mission aims to create a network of supercomputers across academic and research institutions in India.
  2. The Mission is implemented solely by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

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. China's LineShine has topped the latest Top500 rankings as the world's fastest supercomputer, marking China's return to the top after 2017. The achievement has renewed attention on the global race in high-performance computing, including India's efforts under the National Supercomputing Mission.
  2. The National Supercomputing Mission aims to establish a nationwide network of supercomputers across academic and research institutions while promoting indigenous High-Performance Computing (HPC) capabilities. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  3. The Mission is jointly implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) through C-DAC and IISc, and not solely by MeitY. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Read More: https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/6/24/china-takes-us-crown-for-worlds-fastest-supercomputer



#131 Pol

Q8. With reference to the National Emergency under the Constitution of India, consider the following statements:

  1. A National Emergency can be proclaimed on the grounds of war, external aggression or armed rebellion.
  2. The expression "internal disturbance" was replaced by "armed rebellion" through the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978.
  3. The President can proclaim a National Emergency only on the written recommendation of the Union Cabinet.

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: (d)

Explanation:

  1. NCERT has, for the first time, introduced a section on the 1975–77 National Emergency in the Class IX Social Science textbook, describing it as a major challenge to Indian democracy and constitutional governance. 
  2. The experience of the 1975 Emergency led to significant constitutional safeguards through the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978.
  3. Article 352 provides that a National Emergency may be proclaimed on the grounds of war, external aggression or armed rebellion. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  4. The 44th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978 replaced the expression "internal disturbance" with "armed rebellion" to prevent misuse of Emergency provisions. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
  5. The President can proclaim a National Emergency only after receiving the written recommendation of the Union Cabinet, a safeguard introduced by the 44th Amendment. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Read More: https://www.thehindu.com/education/ncert-introduces-section-on-emergency-in-class-ix-textbook-for-first-time-flags-it-as-challenge-to-democracy/article71145076.ece



#230 Geo

Q9. Consider the following pairs:

RiverImportant Heritage Site
1. TungabhadraHampi
2. NarmadaNashik
3. KaveriTalakaveri
4. GodavariMaheshwar

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

  1. The Tungabhadra Dam was recently in the news as newly installed spillway (crest) gates were inaugurated, a move expected to improve dam safety, water management and irrigation in the Krishna River basin. 
  2. Hampi is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River in Karnataka. Hence, Pair 1 is correctly matched.
  3. Nashik is situated on the Godavari River, not the Narmada. Hence, Pair 2 is not correctly matched.
  4. Talakaveri is the source of the Kaveri River in the Brahmagiri Hills. Hence, Pair 3 is correctly matched.
  5. Maheshwar is situated on the Narmada River, not the Godavari. Hence, Pair 4 is not correctly matched.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Read More: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/new-tungabhadra-gates-will-help-address-decades-old-distress-in-basin-telangana-cm-a-revanth-reddy/article71145500.ece



#120 Eco

Q10. With reference to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, consider the following statements:

  1. The classification of MSMEs is based on both investment in plant and machinery/equipment and annual turnover.
  2. The same classification criteria apply to both manufacturing and service enterprises.

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.  MSME Day, observed annually on 27 June, is designated by the United Nations to recognize the vital contribution of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to economic growth, employment generation, innovation and sustainable development.  
  2. MSMEs are classified using both investment and turnover criteria. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  3. A uniform classification applies to both manufacturing and service enterprises. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.


Enterprise CategoryInvestment in Plant & Machinery / EquipmentAnnual Turnover
Micro EnterpriseUp to ₹2.5 croreUp to ₹10 crore
Small EnterpriseUp to ₹25 croreUp to ₹100 crore
Medium EnterpriseUp to ₹125 croreUp to ₹500 crore


Hence, option (c) is correct.

Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2277980&reg=48&lang=2