DART 01-07-26 - Questlink IAS

#133 Gov

Q1. With reference to the APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry), consider the following statements:

APAAR is a unique 12-digit student identification number introduced under the "One Nation, One Student ID" initiative.
It is linked with the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and DigiLocker.
APAAR is regulated by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

The Government is strengthening India's lifelong learning ecosystem through the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry), enabling seamless academic mobility, digital credentials, and credit transfer under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
APAAR provides every learner with a unique lifelong academic identity, enabling seamless access to educational records across institutions.
APAAR is a 12-digit unique student identification number introduced under the "One Nation, One Student ID" initiative. It serves as a lifelong academic identity for learners. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
APAAR is linked to the ABC and is accessible through DigiLocker, enabling secure storage and retrieval of academic records. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
APAAR forms part of the ABC ecosystem under the Ministry of Education and is regulated by the University Grants Commission (UGC), not AICTE. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

#133 Gov

Q2. With reference to the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), consider the following statements:

The Academic Bank of Credits is regulated by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
The National Academic Depository (NAD) serves as the backbone of the Academic Bank of Credits by securely storing academic awards and records.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

The Government is strengthening India's lifelong learning ecosystem through the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry), enabling seamless academic mobility, digital credentials, and credit transfer under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The ABC forms an important component of India's Digital Public Infrastructure for education.
ABC is an initiative of the Ministry of Education and is regulated by the University Grants Commission (UGC). It supports the implementation of the NEP 2020. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The National Academic Depository (NAD) serves as the backbone of the ABC ecosystem, securely storing academic awards, certificates and records while enabling institutions to issue credentials digitally. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

#120 Eco

Q3. With reference to the GST 2.0 reforms approved by the GST Council, consider the following statements:

The GST rate structure has been primarily rationalised into two standard tax slabs of 5% and 18%.
A 40% GST rate has been introduced for luxury and sin goods such as tobacco, online gaming and high-end cars.
The earlier 12% and 28% GST slabs continue as standard tax slabs under GST 2.0.
Alcoholic liquor for human consumption has been brought under the GST framework as part of GST 2.0.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

The GST 2.0 reforms, effective from 22 September 2025, aim to simplify India's indirect tax structure while maintaining revenue neutrality.
The GST structure has been primarily streamlined into two standard slabs—5% and 18%, reducing complexity and classification disputes. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
A 40% GST rate has been introduced for luxury and sin goods, including lottery, online gaming, tobacco products, aerated drinks, high-end cars, yachts and private aircraft. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
The 12% and 28% slabs are no longer part of the standard GST rate structure under GST 2.0. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.
Alcoholic liquor for human consumption continues to remain outside the ambit of GST and is taxed separately by the States. Hence, Statement 4 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

#133 Gov

Q4. Consider the following pairs about Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) :

PMKSY Component	Core Focus Area
1. AIBP	Completion of major and medium irrigation projects
2. Har Khet Ko Pani	Expansion of assured irrigation through new water sources
3. Per Drop More Crop	Promotion of drip and sprinkler irrigation
4. Watershed Development	Construction of large multipurpose dams

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

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(d) All four

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) has completed a decade of promoting irrigation expansion, water-use efficiency and sustainable water management through its integrated components.
The four components of PMKSY address different aspects of irrigation and water management.
Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) accelerates the completion of major and medium irrigation projects. Hence, Pair 1 is correctly matched.
Har Khet Ko Pani expands assured irrigation by creating new water sources and improving water distribution. Hence, Pair 2 is correctly matched.
Per Drop More Crop promotes micro-irrigation technologies, especially drip and sprinkler irrigation, to improve water-use efficiency. Hence, Pair 3 is correctly matched.
Watershed Development is concerned with soil and water conservation, rainwater harvesting and treatment of rainfed/degraded lands, not the construction of large multipurpose dams. Hence, Pair 4 is not correctly matched.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

#133 Gov

Q5. With reference to the Ministry of Cooperation, consider the following statements:

The Ministry of Cooperation was established in 2021 to strengthen the cooperative movement in the country.
It works towards realizing the vision of "Sahakar Se Samriddhi".

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

The Ministry of Cooperation completed five years since its establishment, highlighting reforms aimed at strengthening the cooperative movement under the vision of "Sahakar Se Samriddhi".
The Ministry of Cooperation was established in July 2021 to strengthen, deepen and streamline the cooperative movement across the country. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The Ministry functions with the vision of "Sahakar Se Samriddhi" (Prosperity through Cooperation), aiming to promote a transparent, technology-driven and people-centric cooperative ecosystem. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

#120 Eco

Q6. Which of the following countries have adopted or operationalised India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) through official partnerships?

Greece
Brazil
Singapore
Germany
France

Select the correct answer using the code below:

(a) 1, 3 and 5 only

(b) 1, 2 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has expanded to Greece through a partnership between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Eurobank, marking another milestone in the global adoption of India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
India’s UPI is now accepted in ten countries namely Greece, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, Sri Lanka and Cambodia.
Greece has operationalised UPI services through the Eurobank–NIPL partnership, enabling eligible users to make seamless digital payments. Hence, 1 is correct.
Brazil has not adopted UPI. Instead, it operates its own instant payment system known as Pix. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
Singapore has operationalised the UPI–PayNow linkage, facilitating instant cross-border fund transfers between the two countries. Hence, 3 is correct.
Germany has not officially adopted or operationalised UPI through an NIPL partnership. Hence, 4 is not correct.
France became the first European country to accept UPI payments, beginning with the Eiffel Tower and later expanding acceptance. Hence, 5 is correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

#230 Geo

Q7. Which of the following countries share a land boundary with Lebanon?

Israel
Syria
Jordan
Iraq

Select the correct answer using the code below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

Israel's announcement of maintaining security zones in Lebanon has renewed attention on Lebanon's strategic location along the eastern Mediterranean and its borders with Israel and Syria.
Lebanon is a small country located in the Levant region of West Asia, with a strategic coastline along the Mediterranean Sea.
Israel lies to the south of Lebanon and shares a land boundary with it. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Syria borders Lebanon on its north and east, making it Lebanon's largest neighbouring country by land boundary. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
Jordan does not share a border with Lebanon. Syria lies between the two countries. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.
Iraq does not share a land border with Lebanon. Syria separates the two countries. Hence, Statement 4 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

#210 Sci

Q8. Consider the following statements:

Satellites in Low Earth Orbit gradually lose altitude due to atmospheric drag.
Increased solar activity can enhance atmospheric drag on Low Earth Orbit satellites.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

NASA has launched a robotic mission to raise the orbit of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, marking the first attempt to extend the life of an operational space telescope through on-orbit servicing.
Swift’s orbit has been decaying since early 2025 because of increased atmospheric drag linked to strong solar activity that began in 2024.
The Swift Observatory telescope was launched in 2004 to study gamma-ray bursts.
Low Earth Orbit satellites experience orbital decay because of Earth's upper atmosphere. Even at altitudes of several hundred kilometres, the thin upper atmosphere produces drag, causing satellites to gradually lose altitude. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
During periods of high solar activity, Earth's upper atmosphere expands, increasing atmospheric density at orbital altitudes and thereby increasing drag on satellites. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Q9. It is a dated Government security issued by State Governments to raise funds from the market for financing fiscal deficits and other budgetary requirements. These securities are issued through auctions conducted by the Reserve Bank of India and generally carry a slightly higher yield than comparable Central Government securities.

The above description best refers to:

(a) Treasury Bills (T-Bills)

(b) Ways and Means Advances (WMA)

(d) Government of India Securities (G-Secs)

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

State Development Loans (SDLs) are dated Government securities issued by State Governments to finance their fiscal deficits and developmental expenditure. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conducts their auctions and manages the borrowing programme on behalf of the States. SDLs generally offer a slightly higher yield than comparable Central Government securities (G-Secs) due to a small risk premium.
Treasury Bills (T-Bills) are short-term Government of India securities with maturities of 91, 182 or 364 days and are issued at a discount. They are not issued by State Governments.
Ways and Means Advances (WMA) are temporary advances provided by the RBI to the Central and State Governments to bridge temporary mismatches in cash flows. They are not marketable securities.
Government of India Securities (G-Secs) are dated securities issued by the Central Government, not by State Governments.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

#120 Eco

Q 10. Consider the following statements with reference to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010:

I. Registration under the FCRA, 2010 is mandatory for an organisation to receive foreign contributions in India.

II. The newly launched FCRA 2.0 Portal provides features such as Aadhaar-based authentication, e-Sign facility, OCR-based document analysis and an integrated dashboard for processing applications.

III. Registration under the FCRA automatically exempts an organisation from filing annual returns on foreign contributions.

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

Statement I is operationally strengthened by Statement II.
Statement III contradicts the regulatory framework implicit in Statement I.
Statement I and Statement III together establish the objective of greater transparency in foreign funding.

Select the answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2

(d) 3 only

Ans: (b)

Explanation

The Ministry of Home Affairs launched the FCRA 2.0 Portal and e-OCI Card to digitise foreign contribution regulation, enhance transparency through real-time monitoring, and provide paperless, citizen-centric services for Overseas Citizens of India.
The FCRA regulates the acceptance and utilisation of foreign contributions to ensure transparency and accountability.
FCRA registration (or prior permission) is mandatory for eligible organisations to receive foreign contributions. Hence, Statement I is correct.
The FCRA 2.0 Portal introduces Aadhaar authentication, e-Sign, OCR-based document analysis and an integrated dashboard, thereby strengthening the implementation and monitoring of the registration process. Hence, Statement II is correct.
Organisations registered under FCRA are required to file annual returns regarding the receipt and utilisation of foreign contributions. Registration does not exempt them from compliance. Hence, Statement III is not correct.

Relationship Analysis:

Statement II strengthens the implementation and administration of the requirement stated in Statement I. Hence, Relationship 1 is correct.
Statement III directly contradicts the compliance framework established under FCRA. Hence, Relationship 2 is correct.
Since Statement III is incorrect, it cannot jointly establish the objective of transparency. Hence, Relationship 3 is not correct.

Hence, option (b) is correct.