DART 02-07-26 - Questlink IAS

#133 Gov

Q 1. Consider the following statements regarding the SHE-LEAPS platform:

SHE-LEAPS captures real-time enterprise data of women-led Self-Help Group (SHG) enterprises, thereby supporting evidence-based policy making and monitoring of rural livelihoods.
Since SHE-LEAPS is implemented under the LokOS platform, it replaces the role of SHGs and other Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) in rural development.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (a)

Explanation

SHE-LEAPS was launched as a digital platform to empower Self-Help Group (SHG) women entrepreneurs by enabling enterprise creation, real-time performance tracking, and data-driven implementation of the Lakhpati Didi initiative across rural India.
SHE-LEAPS is launched to strengthen women-led rural enterprises by improving enterprise management and governance.
It captures real-time enterprise data and supports enterprise creation, performance tracking, monitoring, and data-driven policy decisions. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
SHE-LEAPS is implemented under the LokOS platform, which digitises the functioning of Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) such as SHGs, Village Organisations and Cluster Level Federations. It supports and strengthens these institutions rather than replacing them. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
The SHE-LEAPS mobile application has been developed by the Digital India Corporation.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

#133 Gov

Q2. With reference to eSARAS, consider the following statements:

It has been developed by the Ministry of Rural Development.
It supports branding, logistics and digital marketing for Self-Help Group enterprises.
It functions as a procurement portal for Government departments under the Government e-Marketplace (GeM).

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (b)

Explanation

eSARAS has expanded as the official digital marketplace under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), enabling women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to access national markets through digital platforms such as the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and UMANG.
eSARAS is developed by the Ministry of Rural Development under the DAY-NRLM. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The platform not only provides a digital storefront but also facilitates branding, packaging, logistics, digital marketing and integration with platforms such as the ONDC, thereby expanding market access for rural producers. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
eSARAS is not a government procurement portal. Procurement by Government departments is primarily carried out through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). eSARAS is a dedicated e-commerce marketplace for marketing products made by women SHGs. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

#210 Sci

Q3. Consider the following pairs:

Satellite-Based Augmentation System	Country/Region
1. Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)	United States
2. European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS)	European Union
3. Multi-functional Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS)	Russia
4. GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN)	India

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 4 only

(b) 1, 2 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (b)

Explanation

India's indigenous GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation), developed by ISRO and AAI, recently gained attention after enabling India's first satellite-based landing approach on a commercial aircraft, highlighting its role in precision aviation navigation and India's self-reliance in satellite navigation.
GAGAN is India's indigenous Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS).
SBAS improves the accuracy, integrity, availability, and reliability of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals, making them suitable for safety-critical applications such as aircraft navigation and precision approaches.
Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) is the SBAS developed by the United States and operated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It enhances GPS accuracy for aviation and other navigation applications. Hence, Pair 1 is correctly matched.
European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) is the SBAS of the European Union. Hence, Pair 2 is correctly matched.
Multi-functional Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS) is the SBAS developed by Japan, not Russia. Hence, Pair 3 is not correctly matched.
GAGAN is India's indigenous SBAS. Hence, Pair 4 is correctly matched.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

#131 Pol

Q4. Consider the following statements:

Statement I:

The Gram Sabha is envisaged as the foundation of participatory democracy under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.

Statement II:

The Gram Sabha consists only of the elected members of the Gram Panchayat.

Statement III:

The powers and functions of the Gram Sabha are determined by the State Legislature.

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

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

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

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

Ans: (c)

Explanation

A recent government survey has reignited the debate on grassroots democracy, highlighting declining participation in Gram Sabhas and raising concerns over the need to strengthen their decision-making powers and genuine local self-governance under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment and PESA Act.
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment recognizes the Gram Sabha as the basic institution of direct democracy in rural local governance.
The Constitution envisages the Gram Sabha as the foundation of participatory democracy at the village level. Hence, Statement I is correct.
The Gram Sabha comprises all persons registered in the electoral rolls of a village within the area of a Gram Panchayat, and not merely the elected representatives. Hence, Statement II is not correct.
Under Article 243A, the powers and functions of the Gram Sabha are determined by the State Legislature, thereby enabling it to function as an institution of local self-governance. Hence, Statement III is correct.

Since only Statement III is correct and it explains Statement I,

Hence, option (c) is correct.

#210 Sci

Q5. Consider the following statements:

Coal gasification converts coal into a gaseous mixture mainly containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen.
Dimethyl Ether (DME) can be produced from syngas and blended with Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
Coal gasification requires complete combustion of coal in excess oxygen.
A refinery designed to process multiple grades of crude oil enhances a country's energy security by increasing feedstock flexibility.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has approved blending up to 20% DME with LPG.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only

(b) 1, 3 and 5 only

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

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

The West Asia energy crisis has revived the debate on expanding coal gasification as a pathway to India's long-term energy security.
Coal gasification is an important clean coal technology that converts coal into valuable gaseous fuels and chemical feedstocks, improving resource utilization and energy security.
Coal gasification produces syngas, which mainly consists of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H₂). Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Dimethyl Ether (DME) can be synthesised from syngas and blended with LPG for domestic cooking applications. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
Gasification occurs in the presence of limited oxygen or steam, not complete combustion with excess oxygen. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.
Refineries capable of processing different crude grades provide feedstock flexibility, strengthening energy security during supply disruptions. Hence, Statement 4 is correct.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has approved blending up to 20% DME with LPG. Hence, Statement 5 is correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

#132 IR

Q6. Consider the following countries:

Australia
France
Indonesia
Brazil
South Africa
Canada

Which of the above countries have recently proposed or adopted measures to restrict or regulate social media access for children and teenagers?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 only

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

Ans: (c)

Explanation

Several countries have recently introduced or proposed measures to regulate children's access to social media in response to concerns over online safety, mental health, and digital well-being.
Australia has enacted legislation introducing age-based restrictions on social media access for children.
France has introduced measures requiring parental consent and age-related safeguards for minors using social media.
Indonesia has announced regulatory measures to strengthen child protection and regulate children's access to social media platforms.
Brazil has not recently adopted a comparable nationwide policy specifically restricting social media access for children.
South Africa has not recently proposed or adopted such nationwide age-based social media restrictions.
Canada has proposed legislative and regulatory measures aimed at improving online safety for children and teenagers. Hence 1, 2, 3 and 6 are right.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

#133 Gov

Q7. Consider the following statements:

Statement1: The Telecommunications Act, 2023 replaces the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and introduces an authorisation regime in place of the earlier licensing framework.

Statement 2: The Telecommunications Act, 2023 repeals the Information Technology Act, 2000 and transfers all digital communication regulation to the Department of Telecommunications.

Which one of the following is correct?

(a) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct, and Statement 2 is the correct explanation of Statement 1.

(b) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct, but Statement 2 is not the correct explanation of Statement 1.

(d) Statement 1 is not correct, but Statement 2 is correct.

Ans: (c)

Explanation

The Telecommunications Act, 2023 has become operational with the notification of key Telecommunications Rules, 2026, replacing the colonial licensing framework with an authorisation-based regime and modernising India's telecom regulation.
The Act replaces the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 (along with certain other legacy laws) and introduces an authorisation regime instead of the earlier licensing framework. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The Information Technology Act, 2000 continues to remain in force. The Telecommunications Act does not repeal it or transfer all digital communication regulation to the Department of Telecommunications. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

#230 Geo

Q8. Consider the following statements regarding the Gaza Strip:

It is bordered by Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea.
It shares its eastern boundary with Jordan.
The Rafah Crossing connects the Gaza Strip with Egypt.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Explanation

The Gaza Strip is a narrow coastal territory located on the eastern Mediterranean coast and is one of the two Palestinian territories.
Gaza is bordered by Israel to the north and east, Egypt to the southwest, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Gaza does not share a boundary with Jordan. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
The Rafah Crossing is the border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

#210 Sci

Q9. The terms "Mythos", "Fable", "Claude" and "Opus", recently seen in the news, are related to:

(a) Indigenous anti-drone defence systems developed by DRDO

(b) Frontier Artificial Intelligence (AI) large language models developed by Anthropic

(d) Cybersecurity malware identified by CERT-In

Ans: (b)

Explanation

Anthropic has restored access in India to its frontier AI models Fable and Mythos after the U.S. lifted export restrictions imposed over cybersecurity and national security concerns, highlighting the strategic importance of advanced AI models and AI sovereignty.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Large Language Models (LLMs) are advanced AI systems capable of understanding and generating human-like text for a wide range of applications.
Mythos is Anthropic's frontier AI model with advanced capabilities, including cybersecurity applications.
Fable is another advanced AI model developed by Anthropic with enhanced safety guardrails.
Claude is Anthropic's flagship family of AI assistants.
Opus is a high-performance model within the Claude family.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

#120 Eco

Q10. Consider the following statements regarding Sovereign Credit Ratings:

Sovereign credit ratings assess the ability and willingness of a country to repay its debt obligations.
A higher sovereign credit rating generally enables a country to borrow at lower interest rates in international markets.
Sovereign credit ratings are assigned only to national governments and not to sub-national governments or corporations.

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

India's long-standing concerns over sovereign credit rating methodologies, arguing that global rating agencies undervalue India's strong macroeconomic fundamentals and repayment record by placing excessive weight on subjective qualitative factors.
Sovereign credit ratings indicate the creditworthiness of a country's government and influence its borrowing costs in international financial markets.
Sovereign credit ratings assess both the ability and willingness of a government to repay its debt. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Countries with higher ratings generally borrow at lower interest rates because lenders perceive lower default risk. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
Credit rating agencies also rate corporations, financial institutions, municipal bodies and State governments, apart from sovereign governments. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.