#133 Gov

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

  1. It was launched to promote innovation, rural industries and entrepreneurship, particularly in agro-based sectors.
  2. The scheme primarily operates through Livelihood Business Incubators (LBIs).
  3. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development.

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 Ministry of MSME recently showcased the success of the ASPIRE (A Scheme for Promotion of Innovation, Rural Industries and Entrepreneurship) Scheme in transforming rural job seekers into entrepreneurs through Livelihood Business Incubators (LBIs). 
  2. ASPIRE is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of MSME to promote entrepreneurship and employment generation in rural and agro-based sectors.
  3. The scheme was launched in 2015 to promote innovation, rural industries and entrepreneurship. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  4. The scheme operates primarily through Livelihood Business Incubators (LBIs) that provide incubation, training and mentoring support. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
  5. ASPIRE is implemented by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), not the Ministry of Rural Development. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2278172&reg=3&lang=1



#133 Gov

Q2. Consider the following pairs:

Portal/SchemePrimary Purpose
1. CHAMPIONS PortalGrievance redressal for MSMEs
2. MSME SamadhaanDelayed payment disputes
3. MSME SambandhMonitoring public procurement from MSEs

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

  1. The Ministry of MSME recently highlighted India's MSME transformation through expanded formalisation, improved access to finance, digital governance, and flagship schemes that are strengthening entrepreneurship, employment and inclusive economic growth. 
  2. The Ministry of MSME has created dedicated digital platforms to improve governance.
  3. CHAMPIONS Portal provides grievance redressal and handholding support. Hence, Pair 1 is correctly matched.
  4. MSME Samadhaan deals with delayed payment disputes. Hence, Pair 2 is correctly matched.
  5. MSME Sambandh monitors procurement by Central Public Sector Enterprises from MSEs. Hence, Pair 3 is correctly matched.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2278107&reg=3&lang=1

#110 His

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding Vande Mataram:

  1. It was first published in the novel Anandamath.
  2. The entire song was adopted by the Constituent Assembly as the National Song of India.
  3. It was originally composed in Bengali with substantial Sanskrit vocabulary.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

  1. The Prime Minister of India recently paid tribute to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay on his Jayanti, as India commemorates the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, the iconic patriotic song composed by him. 
  2. Vande Mataram became a powerful symbol of India's freedom struggle and inspired generations of nationalists.
  3. It first appeared in Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel Anandamath (1882). Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  4. The Constituent Assembly accorded official recognition only to the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram as the National Song, not the entire song. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
  5. The song was originally composed in highly Sanskritised Bengali. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2278128&reg=3&lang=1



#210 Sci

Q4. With reference to the National Quantum Mission (NQM), consider the following statements:

  1. It was approved in 2023 to develop India's capabilities in quantum technologies.
  2. The mission covers quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing & metrology, and quantum materials & devices.
  3. It is being implemented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

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 National Quantum Mission (NQM) was recently in the news after the government stated that it has achieved more than half of its targeted outcomes within three years of its launch in 2023. 
  2. The NQM aims to make India a global leader in quantum science and technology.
  3. The Mission was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2023. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  4. It focuses on Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing & Metrology, and Quantum Materials & Devices. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
  5. The Mission is implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Ministry of Science & Technology, not MeitY. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2278162&reg=3&lang=1



#132 IR

Q5. With reference to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), consider the following statements:

  1. India became a full member of the SCO in 2017.
  2. The SCO was established in 1996.
  3. The SCO Secretariat is located in Beijing, China.
  4. The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is headquartered in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 1 and 4 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 2 and 4 only

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

  1. India recently reaffirmed its commitment to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) at the SCO Women's Forum 2026 held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.
  2. India became a full member of the SCO in 2017 during the Astana Summit. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  3. The SCO was established in 2001, while the Shanghai Five grouping was formed in 1996. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
  4. The SCO Secretariat is located in Beijing, China. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
  5. The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, not Almaty, Kazakhstan. Hence, Statement 4 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2278103&reg=3&lang=1



#230 Geo

Q6. Consider the following statements regarding New Zealand:

  1. It lies in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia.
  2. The Tasman Sea separates New Zealand from Australia.

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. The proposed India–New Zealand FTA has renewed attention on New Zealand's geography and strategic location in the South Pacific.
  2. New Zealand is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  3. The Tasman Sea lies between Australia and New Zealand, separating the two countries. Hence, Statement 2 is correct. 

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Read More: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/india-new-zealand-fta-a-modern-trade-partnership/article71151605.ece



#131 Pol

Q7. Consider the following statements with reference to Article 21 of the Constitution of India:

I. Article 21 guarantees that no person shall be deprived of life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.

II. The expression "procedure established by law" under Article 21 has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to mean a procedure that is just, fair and reasonable, and not merely any procedure enacted by law.

III. The protection under Article 21 is available only to citizens of India.

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

  1. Statement II expands the scope of the guarantee contained in Statement I.
  2. Statement III contradicts the constitutional position reflected in Statement I.
  3. Statements I and III together establish that Article 21 applies only during a National Emergency.

Select the answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Explanation

  1. Following the Supreme Court's recognition of the Right to Walk as a fundamental right under Article 21, concerns have been raised over inadequate pedestrian infrastructure and encroached footpaths in cities such as Hyderabad. 
  2. Article 21 is regarded as the heart of Fundamental Rights and has been expansively interpreted by the Supreme Court to protect life and personal liberty.
  3. Article 21 states that "No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law." Hence, Statement I is correct.
  4. In Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978) judgment, the Supreme Court held that the procedure under Article 21 must be just, fair and reasonable, thereby significantly expanding the scope of Article 21. Hence, Statement II is correct.
  5. Article 21 is available to all persons, including foreigners, and is not confined to citizens. Hence, Statement III is not correct.

Now examine the relationships:

  1. Statement II judicially enlarges the guarantee contained in Statement I by reading fairness and reasonableness into the expression "procedure established by law." Hence, Relationship 1 is correct.
  2. Since Statement I uses the term "no person", Statement III directly contradicts the constitutional position by limiting the protection only to citizens. Hence, Relationship 2 is correct. 
  3. Neither Statement I nor Statement III establishes that Article 21 applies only during a National Emergency. In fact, Article 21 cannot be suspended even during a National Emergency (44th Constitutional Amendment). Hence, Relationship 3 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Read More: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/in-telangana-the-right-to-walk-derailed-by-design/article71147816.ece#:~:text=The%20Supreme%20Court%20declared%20the,making%20the%20right%20a%20reality



#230 Geo

Q8. Consider the following water bodies:

  1. Black Sea
  2. Sea of Azov
  3. Caspian Sea
  4. Mediterranean Sea

Which of the above are directly connected through the Kerch Strait?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 and 4 only

(d) 1 and 4 only

Ans: (a)

Explanation

  1. Russia-installed authorities in Crimea recently declared a state of emergency after intensified Ukrainian drone strikes disrupted fuel, electricity and logistics across the Black Sea peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014. 
  2. The Kerch Strait is one of the most strategically important waterways in Eastern Europe.
  3. It connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. Hence, 1 and 2 are correct.
  4. The Caspian Sea has no natural outlet to the world's oceans.
  5. The Mediterranean Sea is connected to the Black Sea via the Bosporus–Sea of Marmara–Dardanelles route, not through the Kerch Strait.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Read More: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/russia-annexed-crimea-declares-emergency-amid-ukraine-strikes/article71150851.ece

#210 Sci

Q9. Consider the following statements regarding the Copper–Chlorine (Cu–Cl) Thermochemical Cycle for hydrogen production:

  1. It uses nuclear process heat instead of electricity as the primary energy input for splitting water.
  2. Compared to most thermochemical hydrogen production cycles, the Cu–Cl cycle operates at relatively lower temperatures, improving its practical applicability with advanced nuclear reactors.

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. Department of Atomic Energy recently inaugurated the world's first Hydrogen Production Facility based on the Copper–Chlorine (Cu–Cl) Thermochemical Cycle utilizing nuclear process heat generated from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam. 
  2. The Cu–Cl cycle uses nuclear process heat to drive a series of thermochemical reactions for hydrogen production rather than relying primarily on electricity. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  3. One of the major advantages of the Cu–Cl cycle is its lower operating temperature (around 500°C) compared to other thermochemical cycles such as the Sulphur–Iodine cycle, making it well suited for advanced nuclear reactors. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2278309&reg=3&lang=1



#230 Geo

Q10. Consider the following pairs:

PlaceCountry
1. Litani RiverLebanon
2. Golan HeightsSyria
3. Bekaa ValleyLebanon
4. Sea of GalileeJordan

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1 and 4 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (a)

Explanation

  1. Israel, Lebanon and the United States recently signed a U.S.-brokered framework agreement to advance peace negotiations, strengthen Lebanese state control in southern Lebanon, and create a roadmap for Hezbollah's disarmament. 
  2. The Israel–Lebanon region contains several strategically important geographical features.
  3. The Litani River flows entirely within Lebanon. Hence, Pair 1 is correctly matched.
  4. The Golan Heights is internationally recognised as Syrian territory under Israeli occupation. Hence, Pair 2 is correctly matched.
  5. The Bekaa Valley lies in eastern Lebanon. Hence, Pair 3 is correctly matched.
  6. The Sea of Galilee (Lake Tiberias/Kinneret) lies in Israel, not Jordan. Hence, Pair 4 is not correctly matched.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Read More: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/what-is-israel-lebanon-framework-agreement-everything-to-know/article71153573.ece