Science & Tech

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding leprosy in India:

India achieved interruption of leprosy transmission as a public health problem in 2005.
The National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2023–2027 focuses on interrupting leprosy transmission.
Single-dose rifampicin is used as post-exposure prophylaxis for leprosy.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b)

Explanation

India achieved a major reduction in leprosy prevalence, but continued transmission remains a challenge, particularly in high-burden regions and among children.
India’s prevalence fell below 1 case per 10,000 population by 2005, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare leprosy eliminated as a public health problem.
However, elimination as a public health problem did not mean interruption of transmission; the current strategy therefore focuses on identifying cases early and breaking transmission.
India achieved the elimination of leprosy as a public health problem in 2005, when prevalence fell below one case per 10,000 population. It had not achieved interruption of transmission at that time. Hence, Statement 1 is not correct.
The National Strategic Plan (NSP) and Roadmap for Leprosy 2023–2027 rightly focuses on interrupting transmission, rather than relying merely on declining prevalence as the indicator of progress. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
In 2025–26, single-dose rifampicin was administered as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to 91.1% of the 16.9 lakh people identified as likely contacts. This is intended to reduce the risk of developing leprosy following exposure. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Polity

Q2. Consider the following statements:

Statement I:

The distinction between arrest and detention is significant because every restriction on a person's movement or liberty by the police does not necessarily amount to a formal arrest.

Statement II:

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) provides certain preventive powers to police, including the power to detain or remove a person who resists, refuses, ignores or disregards a lawful direction.

Statement III:

A person temporarily held by the police during a protest is necessarily considered to have been formally arrested, even when no offence has been registered against that person.

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

The distinction between arrest and detention is important because the BNSS provides preventive police powers that may temporarily restrict a person's liberty without necessarily constituting a formal arrest.
Section 170 of the BNSS permits preventive arrest in specified circumstances where a cognizable offence is being planned and its commission cannot otherwise be prevented.
Section 172 allows police to detain or remove a person who resists, refuses, ignores or disregards a lawful direction, making the distinction particularly relevant during public-order situations.
Section 172 of the BNSS empowers a police officer to detain or remove a person who resists, refuses, ignores or disregards a lawful direction. Hence, Statement II is correct.
Temporary custody of a person during a protest does not necessarily amount to formal arrest. There is distinction between short-term detention from arrest, including situations where a person is released without a case being registered. Hence, Statement III is not correct.
The preventive power to detain or remove a person without necessarily making a formal arrest demonstrates why every restriction of movement by police cannot automatically be treated as an arrest. Hence, Statement II correctly explains Statement I.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Science & Tech

Q3. With reference to chiral molecules and asymmetric synthesis, consider the following statements:

Chiral molecules can exist as enantiomers, which have the same chemical composition but different three-dimensional arrangements as mirror images of each other.
Autocatalysis refers to a reaction in which the product of the reaction acts as a catalyst for the same reaction, thereby potentially amplifying an initial molecular imbalance.
Kagan’s work on non-linear effects and Soai’s reaction contributed to understanding how a small initial asymmetry can be amplified to produce a greater excess of one enantiomer.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (d)

Explanation

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026 recognised Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai for discoveries concerning non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis, providing important insights into how chemical asymmetry can be amplified.
Kagan’s work demonstrated non-linear effects in asymmetric reactions, showing that the relationship between the handedness of a catalyst and the final product need not be proportional.
Soai’s reaction demonstrated self-reinforcing asymmetric synthesis, where an initial excess of one enantiomer could be amplified substantially through autocatalysis.
Chiral molecules may occur as enantiomers, which possess the same chemical composition but have different three-dimensional arrangements that are mirror images of one another. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Autocatalysis occurs when a reaction produces the catalyst that promotes the same reaction. This can create a self-reinforcing process in which an initial molecular imbalance becomes progressively amplified. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
Kagan identified non-linear effects that could amplify an initial asymmetry, while Soai subsequently demonstrated a self-reinforcing reaction in which an enantiomer helped produce more of itself. These findings contributed to understanding asymmetric amplification. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Environment

Q4. With reference to the Strategy for Environmental Economic Accounts in India: 2026–2030, consider the following statements:

The strategy seeks to expand environmental-economic accounting by addressing data gaps and enhancing the coverage of areas such as forests, minerals, soil resources, land, water and biodiversity.
The strategy is intended only for the Central Government and does not envisage its use as a guiding framework for States and Union Territories.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (a)

Explanation

The Strategy for Environmental Economic Accounts in India: 2026–2030 provides a forward-looking roadmap for strengthening environmental accounting, addressing data gaps and expanding the coverage of environmental-economic accounts.
The strategy builds upon India’s earlier work under the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) and the previous 2022–2026 strategy.
It is also intended to serve as a reference and guiding framework for States and Union Territories seeking to initiate or strengthen environmental accounting.
The strategy aims to address data gaps and expand or enhance coverage of subjects such as forests, minerals, soil resources, land, water, carbon stock, biodiversity and environmental statistics. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The document is not restricted to the Central Government. It is envisaged as a useful reference and guiding framework for individual States and Union Territories that may wish to initiate or strengthen environmental accounting. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Science & Tech

Q5. With reference to Additive Manufacturing (AM), consider the following statements:

Additive Manufacturing builds objects by depositing successive layers of material based on a digital design, unlike conventional manufacturing processes that primarily remove material from a larger piece.
In Additive Manufacturing, slicing software converts a three-dimensional digital model into a series of horizontal layers that guide the printing process.
The National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing (NSAM) was released by the Ministry of Science & Technology in 2022 to develop India’s additive manufacturing ecosystem.
Additive Manufacturing is restricted to polymer-based materials, as metals and ceramics are generally unsuitable for layer-by-layer fabrication.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (b)

Explanation

Additive Manufacturing is a digital manufacturing technology in which a digital design controls the layer-by-layer deposition of material to create a three-dimensional object, with applications ranging from aerospace and defence to healthcare and electronics.
The technology integrates computing, design software and materials science, with the manufacturing process beginning from a digital model and progressing through slicing and layer-wise printing.
India’s National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing (NSAM), released in 2022 by MeitY, seeks to build a domestic AM ecosystem encompassing materials, machines, processes, software, skilling and start-ups.
Additive Manufacturing follows an additive process, in which successive layers of material are deposited to build an object. This differs from conventional subtractive manufacturing, where material is removed from a larger workpiece. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Slicing software divides the three-dimensional digital model into hundreds or thousands of horizontal layers and provides instructions for layer-by-layer printing. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) released the National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing in February 2022 as India’s guiding policy framework for 3D printing and additive manufacturing. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.
Additive Manufacturing is not limited to polymers. The technology uses metals, metal alloys, ceramics and biomaterials, in addition to thermoplastics. Hence, Statement 4 is not correct.

Hence, option (b) is correct.