#120 Eco
Q1. Which one of the following best describes 'Beneficial Ownership' in the context of India's FDI policy?
(a) The country where the investment proposal is first registered
(b) The person or entity that ultimately owns or exercises effective control over the investment
(c) The institution that provides financial assistance for the investment
(d) The government agency approving foreign investment proposals
Ans: (b)
Explanation:
- Amid efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing and integrate with global supply chains, India has begun cautiously easing restrictions on Chinese investments introduced under Press Note 3 (2020) while balancing economic priorities with national security concerns.
- Beneficial ownership refers to the natural person or entity that ultimately owns, controls, or derives the economic benefit from an investment, irrespective of the immediate investing company.
- The country where the investment proposal is first registered refers to the immediate investing jurisdiction.
- The institution that provides financial assistance for the investment refers to financiers, not owners.
- The government agency approving foreign investment proposals refers to regulators.
Hence, option (b) is correct.
#132 IR
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF):
- New Zealand and Australia are founding members of the PIF.
- India is a dialogue partner of the PIF.
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:
- India and New Zealand elevated their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2026 visit, signing multiple agreements on trade, defence logistics, maritime security, and Indo-Pacific cooperation.
- The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF): Established in 1971, the Pacific Islands Forum is the premier political and economic organisation of the Pacific region. It comprises 18 members, including Australia, New Zealand, and 16 Pacific Island countries and territories. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
- Other important members of the PIF include Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Nauru, Tuvalu, Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia.
- India is one of the Dialogue Partners of the PIF and also engages Pacific nations through the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC). Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
Hence, option (c) is correct.
#132 IR
Q3. Consider the following pairs:
| Operation | Purpose |
| 1. Operation Amistad | Humanitarian assistance after earthquake in Venezuela |
| 2. Operation Dost | Earthquake relief assistance to Türkiye and Syria |
| 3. Operation Kaveri | Evacuation of Indian nationals from Sudan |
| 4. Operation Devi Shakti | Evacuation of Indian nationals from Ukraine |
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
- Recently, India concluded Operation Amistad (2026), a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mission launched to provide medical assistance and relief to earthquake-affected Venezuela through the deployment of the Indian Army's 60 Para Field Hospital, BHISHM Cubes, medicines, and other relief material, reflecting India's commitment to the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Hence, Pair 1 is correctly matched.
- Operation Dost (2023) was India's humanitarian relief mission to Türkiye and Syria after the devastating earthquakes. India deployed NDRF teams, Army Field Hospitals, medical personnel, search-and-rescue teams and relief material. Hence, Pair 2 is correctly matched.
- Operation Kaveri (2023) was launched to evacuate Indian nationals from conflict-hit Sudan amid fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Hence, Pair 3 is correctly matched.
- Operation Devi Shakti (2021) was undertaken for the evacuation of Indian nationals and Afghan partners from Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover. The evacuation from Ukraine was conducted under Operation Ganga (2022). Hence, Pair 4 is not correctly matched.
Hence, option (a) is correct.
#230 Geo
Q4. Consider the following rivers:
- Ken
- Betwa
- Sind
- Son
- Chambal
Which of the above are tributaries of the Yamuna River?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
Ans: (d)
Explanation
- Protests have resumed over the Ken–Betwa River Link Project, India's first river interlinking project under the National Perspective Plan (NPP), drawing attention to the drainage system of the Yamuna basin.
- The Ken originates near Ahirgawan (Katni district, Madhya Pradesh) and is a right-bank tributary of the Yamuna, joining it near Chilla in Uttar Pradesh. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
- The Betwa originates near Jhiri village (Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh) and is a right-bank tributary of the Yamuna, joining it near Hamirpur (Uttar Pradesh). Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
- The Sind (Sindh) River originates in Madhya Pradesh and is a direct right-bank tributary of the Yamuna, joining it near Pachnada/Etawah region. It should not be confused with the Kali Sindh River, which is a tributary of the Chambal. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
- The Son originates near Amarkantak and is a major right-bank tributary of the Ganga, not the Yamuna. Hence, Statement 4 is not correct.
- The Chambal originates near Mhow (Madhya Pradesh) and is the largest right-bank tributary of the Yamuna. It is also famous for the National Chambal Sanctuary. Hence, Statement 5 is correct.
Hence, option (d) is correct.
#210 Sci
Q5. It is an essential branched-chain amino acid that cannot be synthesized by the human body. It plays a key role in muscle protein synthesis, tissue repair, regulation of cellular metabolism, and maintenance of mitochondrial function. Recent studies have also highlighted its role in protecting the outer mitochondrial membrane and supporting cellular energy production.
The above description best refers to:
(a) Glycine
(b) Leucine
(c) Glutamine
(d) Alanine
Ans: (b)
Explanation:
- A recent study published in Nature Cell Biology (2025) reported that leucine helps protect mitochondrial membrane proteins, thereby improving cellular energy production and reducing premature mitochondrial degradation.
- Leucine is one of the three Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs), along with isoleucine and valine. It is an essential amino acid, meaning it must be obtained from the diet. It stimulates muscle protein synthesis via the mTOR pathway, supports tissue repair, and recent research shows it helps maintain mitochondrial integrity by interacting with the SEL1L protein, thereby enhancing ATP production. Hence, Option (b) is correct.
- Glycine is a non-essential amino acid involved in collagen synthesis, neurotransmission, and haemoglobin production. It is not a BCAA and is not primarily associated with mitochondrial membrane protection.
- Glutamine is a conditionally essential amino acid that serves as a major fuel source for rapidly dividing cells and supports immune and intestinal function. It is not a branched-chain amino acid.
- Alanine is a non-essential amino acid involved in the glucose-alanine cycle and energy metabolism but does not perform the specialized functions attributed to leucine.
Hence, option (b) is correct.