DART 29-06-26 - Questlink IAS

#133 Gov

Q1. Consider the following pairs:

Digital Platform	Primary Purpose
1. DigiLocker	Secure digital document wallet
2. GeM	Unified platform for government services
3. ONDC	Open digital commerce network
4. UMANG	Government procurement platform

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 3 and 4 only

Ans: (b)

Explanation

The Digital India Programme completes 11 years on 1 July 2026, marking a decade of building one of the world's largest Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) ecosystems.
Digital India has developed several DPI platforms, each serving a distinct governance or commercial function.
DigiLocker provides secure storage, sharing and verification of digital documents. Hence, Pair 1 is correctly matched.
Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is not a unified citizen service portal; it is India's online public procurement platform. Hence, Pair 2 is not correctly matched.
ONDC is an interoperable Open Network for Digital Commerce, enabling buyers and sellers across platforms to transact seamlessly. Hence, Pair 3 is correctly matched.
UMANG is not a government procurement platform; it provides citizens access to thousands of government services through a single mobile application. Hence, Pair 4 is not correctly matched.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

#133 Gov

Q2. With reference to the Digital India Programme, consider the following statements:

The programme is built around nine pillars aimed at digital infrastructure, governance and digital empowerment.
e-Kranti is the pillar that focuses on the electronic delivery of government services.
Broadband Highways is one of the pillars of the Digital India Programme.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (d)

Explanation

The Digital India Programme completes 11 years on 1 July 2026, marking a decade of building one of the world's largest Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) ecosystems.
Digital India was launched in 2015 to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. It is structured around nine pillars.
The programme comprises nine pillars, providing the strategic framework for digital transformation. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
e-Kranti is the pillar responsible for electronic delivery of services such as e-Hospital, e-Courts and e-Sanjeevani. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
Broadband Highways is the first pillar and aims to strengthen digital connectivity through initiatives such as BharatNet. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

#132 IR

Q3. Consider the following statements:

Vision MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) is India's maritime initiative to strengthen cooperation with countries in the Indian Ocean Region and the Global South.
Seychelles is India's maritime neighbour in the Arabian Sea and a key partner under Vision MAHASAGAR.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (a)

Explanation

During the Prime Minister's State Visit to Seychelles, India reaffirmed Vision MAHASAGAR as its guiding framework for maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.
Vision MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) aims to strengthen maritime security, connectivity, sustainable development and cooperation with maritime neighbours and the Global South. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Seychelles is a key maritime partner of India, but it is located in the Western Indian Ocean, not in the Arabian Sea. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

#133 Gov

Q4. With reference to DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing), consider the following statements:

DIKSHA is an open-source digital learning platform spearheaded by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
It is a key component of the PM e-Vidya initiative of the Ministry of Education.
It provides digital learning resources only for secondary and senior secondary classes.

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

DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing), India's national digital platform for school education under PM e-Vidya, continues to expand multilingual and technology-enabled learning across the country.
DIKSHA is India's flagship digital platform for school education, providing curriculum -linked learning resources in multiple Indian languages.
DIKSHA is an open-source platform launched in 2017 and spearheaded by NCERT in collaboration with CIET. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
It is a major component of the PM e-Vidya initiative to ensure continuity of learning through digital means. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
DIKSHA covers the entire K–12 spectrum, from Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) to senior secondary education. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

#230 Geo

Q5. Match List-I with List-II and List-III.

List-I (Dam)	List-II (State)	List-III (River)
A. Tungabhadra Dam	1. Telangana	I. Tungabhadra
B. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam	2. Karnataka	II. Krishna
C. Hirakud Dam	3. Odisha	III. Mahanadi
D. Sardar Sarovar Dam	4. Gujarat	IV. Narmada

Select the correct answer using the code below:

(a) A–2–I, B–1–II, C–3–III, D–4–IV

(b) A–1–I, B–2–II, C–4–III, D–3–IV

(d) A–2–I, B–3–II, C–1–III, D–4–IV

Ans: (a)

Explanation

The inauguration of 33 new spillway gates at the Tungabhadra Dam has renewed attention on the dam as a successful model of inter-State water sharing and cooperative federalism among Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, even as issues such as the Upper Bhadra Project and reservoir siltation persist.
Tungabhadra Dam is in Karnataka on the Tungabhadra River. Hence, A–2–I is correct.
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is on the Krishna River in Telangana (shared with Andhra Pradesh). Hence, B–1–II is correct.
Hirakud Dam is in Odisha on the Mahanadi River. Hence, C–3–III is correct.
Sardar Sarovar Dam is in Gujarat on the Narmada River. Hence, D–4–IV is correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

#120 Eco

Q6. With reference to India - U.K. Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), consider the following statements:

Under the agreement, 99% of U.K. tariff lines will become duty-free for Indian products.
India has agreed to eliminate tariffs on all imports from the United Kingdom immediately.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

India - U.K. Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) comes into force on 15 July 2026, ushering in a new phase of bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
Nearly 99% of U.K. tariff lines will become duty-free for Indian exports under the agreement. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
India will remove or reduce tariffs on around 90% of its tariff lines, not eliminate tariffs on all imports from the U.K. immediately. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

#132 IR

Q7. Which one of the following best describes the doctrine of 'Diplomatic Protection' in international law?

(a) Protection granted to diplomats under the Vienna Convention.

(b) The right of a State to espouse claims on behalf of its nationals injured due to an internationally wrongful act.

(d) Protection provided by the United Nations Security Council to civilians.

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

Recent attacks on neutral merchant vessels carrying Indian seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz have brought renewed focus to the legal protection of neutral shipping under international maritime law and International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
Diplomatic protection is a recognised principle under customary international law.
Option (a) ‘Protection granted to diplomats under the Vienna Convention’ relates to diplomatic immunity, not diplomatic protection. Hence, Option (a) is not correct.
Option (b) ‘The right of a State to espouse claims on behalf of its nationals injured due to an internationally wrongful act.’ correctly describes diplomatic protection whereby a State may seek remedies for injuries suffered by its nationals due to internationally wrongful acts.
Option (c) ‘Immunity enjoyed by foreign merchant vessels during armed conflict’ concerns neutrality law, not diplomatic protection. Hence, Option (c) is not correct.
Option (d) is unrelated to the doctrine. Hence, Option (d) is not correct.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

#220 Env

Q8. Consider the following species:

Tiger
Lion
Leopard
Snow Leopard
Cheetah
Jaguar
Puma
Lynx

How many of the above species are covered under the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)?

(a) Five

(b) Six

(d) Eight

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

Bangladesh has become the 27th member of the India-led International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), strengthening global cooperation for the conservation of seven big cat species and their habitats.
The IBCA focuses on the conservation of seven globally significant big cat species.
Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma are covered under IBCA. Hence, Statements 1–7 are correct.
Lynx is not included under the IBCA. It belongs to the genus Lynx and is not one of the seven designated big cats. Hence, Statement 8 is not correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

#132 IR

Q9. Match List-I with List-II.

List-I (Protest / Revolution)	List-II (Country)
A. Flamingo Revolution	1. Serbia
B. Rose Revolution	2. Georgia
C. Bulldozer Revolution	3. Albania
D. Orange Revolution	4. Ukraine

Select the correct answer using the code below:

(a) A–3, B–2, C–1, D–4

(b) A–2, B–3, C–4, D–1

(d) A–1, B–2, C–3, D–4

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

The proposed Jared Kushner-backed luxury resort in Albania's ecologically sensitive Vjosa–Narta wetland has triggered the "Flamingo Revolution", a nationwide movement against environmental degradation and alleged government corruption.
Recent protest movements and historical "colour revolutions" are frequently asked by UPSC in international relations.
Flamingo Revolution refers to the recent environmental and anti-corruption protests in Albania. Hence, A–3 is correctly matched.
Rose Revolution (2003) took place in Georgia, leading to a peaceful change of government. Hence, B–2 is correctly matched.
Bulldozer Revolution (2000) occurred in Serbia, resulting in the fall of Slobodan Milošević. Hence, C–1 is correctly matched.
Orange Revolution (2004) occurred in Ukraine following disputed presidential elections. Hence, D–4 is correctly matched.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

#230 Geo

Q10. With reference to the Teesta River, consider the following statements:

The Teesta River originates from Tso Lhamu (Cholamu) Lake in Sikkim.
The river is a tributary of the Ganga.
It flows through both India and Bangladesh.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

Bangladesh's decision to advance the China-backed Teesta River project has renewed concerns over transboundary water sharing and China's growing strategic footprint near India's Siliguri Corridor ("Chicken's Neck").
The Teesta is an important transboundary river shared by India and Bangladesh.
It originates from Tso Lhamu (Cholamu) Lake in North Sikkim. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The Teesta is a tributary of the Brahmaputra (Jamuna in Bangladesh), not the Ganga. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
The river flows through Sikkim, West Bengal and Bangladesh. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.