S&T

Q1. With reference to the Gaganyaan programme, consider the following:

  1. Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT)
  2. Pad Abort Test (PAT)
  3. Test Vehicle (TV) flights

The above-mentioned activities are intended to

(a) validate technologies and demonstrate system reliability before undertaking a crewed mission.

(b) test India's capability to dock spacecraft in orbit.

(c) evaluate propulsion systems for interplanetary missions.

(d) demonstrate reusable launch vehicle technologies.

Answer: (a)

Exp: 

  1. The Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT), Pad Abort Test (PAT) and Test Vehicle (TV) flights are precursor (uncrewed) missions planned under the Gaganyaan programme to demonstrate the Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) of critical systems before India's first human spaceflight.
  2. IADT: Validates the Crew Module's parachute-based recovery system, splashdown characteristics and recovery operations.
  3. PAT: Demonstrates the Crew Escape System (CES), ensuring that the crew can be safely separated from the launch vehicle during an emergency at the launch pad.
  4. Test Vehicle (TV) flights (e.g., TV-D1): Validate the performance of the Crew Escape System and Crew Module under flight conditions, including abort scenarios during ascent.
  5. These tests are conducted to establish the safety, reliability and readiness of all critical systems through uncrewed missions before carrying astronauts.
  6. Hence, option (a) correct.



S&T

Q2. Consider the following statements:

  1. The International Space Station orbits within Low Earth Orbit.
  2. It requires periodic orbital-boost manoeuvres because atmospheric drag gradually lowers its orbit.
  3. Astronauts aboard the station experience microgravity because the gravitational pull of Earth is absent at that altitude.

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

Answer: (a)

Exp:

  1. Recently, NASA astronaut Anil Menon and two Russian cosmonauts were launched aboard the Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for an eight-month mission to the International Space Station. 
  2. During the mission, Menon will conduct experiments on the effects of long-duration microgravity on the human body, in-space production of intravenous fluids, semiconductor crystal growth, and AI-assisted medical diagnostics—technologies relevant to future deep-space missions. 
  3. The International Space Station (ISS) orbits Earth at an altitude of about 370–460 km, placing it in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) region (generally considered to extend up to about 2,000 km above Earth's surface). Hence, Statement 1 is correct. 
  4. Although the ISS is in orbit, it encounters residual atmospheric particles present in LEO. This causes atmospheric drag, which gradually reduces its orbital altitude. Therefore, the ISS periodically performs orbital reboost manoeuvres using docked spacecraft or its propulsion systems to maintain its operational orbit. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
  5. The ISS is not beyond Earth's gravitational influence. At an altitude of around 400 km, Earth's gravity is still nearly 90% as strong as it is at the surface. Astronauts experience microgravity because the ISS and everything inside it are in continuous free fall around Earth, resulting in an apparent state of weightlessness. Hence, Statement 3 is incorrect. 
  6. Hence, option (a) correct.



S&T

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the use of nanomaterials in protein biosensors:

  1. Their high surface area can provide a greater number of binding sites for target proteins.
  2. Their electrical properties can improve signal strength and enhance detection sensitivity.
  3. Their principal function is to prevent all non-target proteins from entering the blood sample.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b) 

Exp:

  1. Recently, researchers highlighted the potential of protein biosensors to rapidly detect disease-specific proteins in real time, enabling faster diagnosis of life-threatening conditions such as sepsis, early-stage cancers and infectious diseases. 
  2. Advances in aptamer technology, nanomaterials, CRISPR-based diagnostics and artificial intelligence are making these biosensors more sensitive, portable and suitable for point-of-care testing, with applications extending to healthcare, environmental monitoring and food safety. 
  3. Nanomaterials such as gold nanoparticles, graphene, carbon nanotubes and MXenes possess a high surface-area-to-volume ratio, allowing a larger number of recognition elements (such as aptamers or antibodies) to be immobilized on the sensor surface.
  4. This increases the number of available binding sites for target proteins, thereby improving the sensor's efficiency. Hence, Statement 1 is correct. 
  5. Many nanomaterials exhibit excellent electrical, optical and electrochemical properties. 
  6. These properties amplify the signal generated when a target protein binds to the sensor, enabling the detection of proteins even at very low concentrations, which is crucial for the early diagnosis of diseases. Hence, Statement 2 is correct. 
  7. The primary role of nanomaterials is not to filter or prevent non-target proteins from entering the blood sample. 
  8. Instead, specificity (selective detection) is achieved by the biological recognition element, such as an aptamer or antibody, which selectively binds to the target protein. 
  9. Nanomaterials mainly serve to enhance the sensitivity and signal transduction of the biosensor. Hence, Statement 3 is incorrect. 
  10. Hence, option (b) correct.


 

#Agriculture

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding paraquat dichloride:

  1. It is a herbicide used for controlling weeds in agricultural fields.
  2. It has been associated with a high fatality rate in poisoning cases because no specific antidote is available.
  3. Its regulation in India is governed under the Insecticides Act, 1968.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d)

Exp:

  1. Recently, the Central government initiated the process to prohibit paraquat dichloride, a highly toxic herbicide associated with occupational exposure, accidental poisoning and self-harm deaths. 
  2. Paraquat dichloride is a herbicide or weedicide used to control unwanted vegetation in agricultural fields. It is also used after harvest to clear land for the next crop. Hence, Statement 1 is correct. 
  3. Paraquat poisoning is associated with a high fatality rate. A major reason for concern is that no specific antidote is available, which makes treatment difficult after significant exposure or ingestion. Hence, Statement 2 is correct. 
  4. The manufacture, import, transport, distribution, sale and use of pesticides such as paraquat dichloride are regulated in India under the Insecticides Act, 1968. The Registration Committee functioning under this law recommended its complete prohibition. Hence, Statement 3 is correct. 
  5. Hence, option (d) is correct.



#Economy

Q5. Consider the following assertion:

A separate high-frequency indicator for the services sector improves macroeconomic monitoring in India.

Which of the following statements support the above assertion?

  1. Services constitute the largest share of India’s Gross Value Added.
  2. The Index of Industrial Production does not capture short-term changes in services-sector output.
  3. Monthly services data can improve national accounts estimation and support timely policy decisions.

Select the answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d)

Exp:

  1. Recently, the Government released the first trial Index of Services Production (ISP) for 19 service sub-sectors with 2024–25 as the base year. 
  2. The ISP is India's first high-frequency indicator dedicated to measuring short-term changes in the output of the formal services sector, strengthening economic monitoring and policymaking. 
  3. The services sector is the largest contributor to India's Gross Value Added (GVA), accounting for more than 50% of GVA (about 52.9% in 2024–25). Hence, monitoring its short-term performance is crucial for assessing the overall economy. Hence, Statement 1 is correct. 
  4. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) tracks short-term changes only in the industrial sector (mining, manufacturing and electricity). It does not measure the performance of the services sector, creating a gap in high-frequency economic indicators. The ISP has been introduced to bridge this gap. Hence, Statement 2 is correct. 
  5. The ISP provides monthly estimates of changes in the volume of services output. It is expected to improve national accounts estimation, strengthen macroeconomic monitoring, and support timely evidence-based policy decisions by providing high-frequency information on India's largest economic sector. Hence, Statement 3 is correct. 
  6. Hence, option d is correct.