#100 Misc.

Q1. With reference to the Durand Cup, consider the following statements:

  1. It is the oldest football tournament in Asia.
  2. It was instituted during the British colonial period in India.
  3. The tournament is organized under the aegis of the Indian Armed Forces.

Which of the statements given above is/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. The President of India recently unveiled the trophies of the Durand Cup Tournament 2026 at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
  2. The Durand Cup, established in 1888, is the oldest football tournament in Asia and one of the oldest existing football tournaments in the world. Hence, Statement 1 is correct. 
  3. It was instituted in 1888 by Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, then Foreign Secretary of British India, during the colonial period. Hence, Statement 2 is correct. 
  4. The tournament is currently organized by the Durand Football Tournament Society (DFTS) under the Indian Armed Forces, with support from the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2281949&reg=3&lang=1



#230 Geo

Q2. Consider the following statements:

Statement I

El Niño can influence the intensity and distribution of the Indian summer monsoon.

Statement II

During El Niño, the weakening of the Walker Circulation alters global atmospheric circulation patterns.

Statement III

El Niño develops due to enhanced upwelling of cold water along the west coast of South America.

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 Prime Minister's Office recently held a high-level review meeting to assess the possible impact of El Niño on the ongoing kharif season and other sectors of the economy. 
  2. El Niño is the warm phase of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), characterised by the abnormal warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. 
  3. It is generally associated with the weakening of the easterly trade winds and the Walker Circulation, influencing weather patterns across the globe, including the Indian summer monsoon.
  4. El Niño influences the intensity and spatial distribution of the Indian summer monsoon by altering large-scale atmospheric circulation. Hence, Statement I is correct. 
  5. During El Niño, the Walker Circulation weakens, leading to changes in convection and rainfall patterns across the tropical Pacific and adjoining regions, including South Asia. Hence, Statement II is correct.
  6. El Niño is associated with the suppression of cold-water upwelling along the west coast of South America due to weakened trade winds. Enhanced upwelling is a characteristic of La Niña, not El Niño. Hence, Statement III is not correct.
  7. Statement II correctly explains Statement I, as the weakening of the Walker Circulation is the primary mechanism through which El Niño affects the Indian monsoon.
  8. Statement III is incorrect and therefore cannot explain Statement I.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2282256&reg=3&lang=1



#110 His

Q3. Consider the following pairs:

ToyState
1. Channapatna ToysKarnataka
2. Thanjavur DollTamil Nadu
3. Leather ToysMadhya Pradesh
4. Kondapalli ToysTelangana

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

  1. Traditional Indian toys have been highlighted as part of efforts to strengthen India's toy ecosystem through GI tagging, One District One Product (ODOP), and export promotion.
  2. Channapatna Toys are wooden lacquered toys from Karnataka and have a GI tag. Hence, Pair 1 is correct.
  3. Thanjavur (Tanjore) Dolls are GI-tagged handicrafts from Tamil Nadu. Hence, Pair 2 is correct. 
  4. Leather Toys are associated with Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and have received GI recognition. Hence, Pair 3 is correct. 
  5. Kondapalli Toys belong to Andhra Pradesh (NTR District near Vijayawada), not Telangana. Hence, Pair 4 is not correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Read More: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2282116&reg=3&lang=1



#210 Sci

Q4. Which one of the following best explains the term "Quantum Superposition"?

(a) The ability of a particle to travel faster than light.

(b) The ability of a quantum system to exist in multiple states simultaneously until measured.

(c) The interaction between two distant particles through gravitational waves.

(d) The complete absence of uncertainty in quantum systems.

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

  1. Quantum superposition is one of the fundamental principles underlying quantum computing. It has recently been in the news due to advances in quantum processors and India's National Quantum Mission, which aims to develop indigenous quantum technologies.
  2. Quantum superposition is a fundamental principle of quantum mechanics according to which a quantum particle (or qubit) can exist in a combination of multiple possible states simultaneously until it is observed or measured. 
  3. Unlike a classical bit, which can only be 0 or 1, a qubit can exist as 0, 1, or any quantum combination (superposition) of both states. 
  4. This property enables quantum computers to process many possible solutions simultaneously, giving them a potential advantage in solving highly complex computational problems such as optimization, cryptography, and molecular simulations.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Read More: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/the-quantum-computing-age-will-only-begin-when-we-silence-the-noise/article71197754.ece



#133 Gov

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding caste enumeration in India:

  1. The proposed caste enumeration in Census 2027 will be conducted as part of the statutory Population Census under the Census Act, 1948.
  2. The Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC), 2011 was also conducted under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948.

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. The Government has initiated the pre-test for Census 2027, which includes caste enumeration as part of the statutory Population Census.
  2. The Population Census is conducted under the Census Act, 1948 by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 
  3. Caste enumeration in Census 2027 forms part of the statutory Population Census conducted under the Census Act, 1948. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  4. The SECC, 2011 was conducted separately from the Population Census and did not have statutory backing under the Census Act, 1948.  
  5. SECC, 2011 was conducted by the Ministry of Rural Development (for rural areas) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (for urban areas), with technical support from the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (ORGI). Hence, Statement 2 is not correct. 

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Read More: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/checkbox-caste-on-the-counting-of-caste-census-2027/article71198212.ece