What mattered in the last day or two — from PIB, The Hindu and The Indian Express, written in our own words — then 21 questions in UPSC's formats. +2 for a right answer, −0.67 for a wrong one, 0 for a blank.
1. US-India Trade Deal Stalled by Tariffs and Sovereignty Concerns
Negotiations for a US-India trade deal are in the final phase but delayed due to unresolved tariff rates, new Russia sanctions laws, and contentious demands on digital trade and economic security.
USTR Jamieson Greer stated talks are in the final phase but signing is 'not imminent' due to sticking points.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 imposes up to 100% tariffs on buyers of Russian energy, bypassing judicial review.
India committed to purchasing $500 billion worth of US products (energy, tech, aircraft) over five years under the framework agreement.
A Section 301 investigation into India's industrial capacity has already led to initial 10% tariffs, causing US buyers to diversify away from bulk Indian orders.
The US State Department criticized India's FEMA regulations and higher effective tax rates for foreign banks as barriers to investment.
Key terms
Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974
— A US legal mechanism allowing the government to investigate and impose tariffs on countries engaging in unfair trade practices or excess industrial capacity.
Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026
— New US legislation imposing up to 100% tariffs on key buyers of Russian energy, designed to be immune from judicial challenge unlike previous emergency powers acts.
Economic Security Alignment
— Provisions in trade deals requiring partners to coordinate on supply chain resilience, export controls, and investment reviews, often aligning their policies with the lead country's strategic interests.
2. India's WTO-Compliant Stance at G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting
At the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting in Milwaukee, India advocated for a rules-based approach to trade distortions, emphasizing the preservation of developing nations' policy space and the integrity of the Most-Favoured-Nation principle.
The meeting was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, under the United States G20 Presidency.
India denied having structural excess capacity in sectors identified by the G20, attributing its growth to domestic demand for 1.4 billion people.
India supported the use of anti-dumping and countervailing duties as evidence-based, judicially reviewed tools against predatory pricing.
In July 2026, India amended its Foreign Trade Policy to prohibit the import of goods produced using forced labour.
India called for the restoration of the two-tier dispute settlement system within the WTO framework.
Key terms
Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) Principle
— A core WTO rule ensuring that any advantage granted to one trading partner is extended to all other members, guaranteeing non-discriminatory treatment.
Structural Excess Capacity
— A situation where an economy produces significantly more than it can consume domestically, often leading to dumping and market distortions in global trade.
Countervailing Duties
— Tariffs imposed on imported goods to offset subsidies provided by foreign governments, preventing unfair price advantages in the domestic market.
A tigress was translocated from Valmiki TR to Buxa TR to initiate a phased reintroduction programme aimed at restoring a self-sustaining tiger population in the North Bengal landscape.
Tigress T138 was moved from Valmiki Tiger Reserve (Bihar) to Buxa Tiger Reserve (West Bengal).
The release marked the beginning of Wildlife Week 2026 and the first phase of the Tiger Reintroduction Programme.
Buxa TR was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1983 but lost its resident tiger population due to habitat fragmentation and prey decline.
Over 800 chital (deer) have been released in Buxa to augment the prey base, and 380 hectares of grassland have been restored since 2018.
Camera traps recorded tiger movement in Buxa in 2021, 2023, and 2026, with one individual linked to Manas TR in Assam.
Key terms
Tiger Reintroduction Programme
— A phased, science-based initiative to restore a viable and self-sustaining tiger population in a specific landscape where it has declined or disappeared.
Prey-base augmentation
— The process of increasing the population of herbivores (like chital) to ensure sufficient food availability for apex predators like tigers.
Eco-Development Committees
— Community-based groups involved in conservation efforts, focusing on livelihood opportunities and mitigating human-wildlife conflict.
4. National PNG Drive 3.0 targets 50 lakh new connections
Launched by PNGRB to accelerate domestic piped natural gas adoption, the drive aims to add 50 lakh connections and convert 40 lakh existing users into active consumers by FY 2027.
5. India Defends Against US Forced Labour and Excess Capacity Tariffs
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal rebutted US claims of structural excess capacity and forced labour violations at the G20, asserting compliance with WTO rules.
6. Centre resumes post-facto environmental clearance processing
Following a Supreme Court ruling, the Environment Ministry has ordered the resumption of processing for pending retrospective environmental clearance applications, while maintaining the mandatory requirement for prior approvals.
A senior Indian official attended the SCO national coordinators' meeting in Islamabad, marking a pragmatic diplomatic engagement to maintain situational awareness amid frozen bilateral ties.
The visit was led by Alok Dimri, an Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs and a 1998-batch IFS officer.
Pakistan assumed the SCO presidency following the Bishkek summit held on August 31-September 1, necessitating the meeting in Islamabad.
This was the first Indian delegation visit to Pakistan since Operation Sindoor and the first such trip since S Jaishankar's October 2024 attendance.
The move is driven by the strategic logic that India must remain present in multilateral forums to monitor Pakistan's activities and prevent being marginalized.
India will closely monitor whether Pakistan hosts SCO meetings in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir or uses maps depicting Indian territories as part of Pakistan or China.
Key terms
SCO Council of National Coordinators
— A body within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation that meets under a rotational annual chair to coordinate member states' activities.
Operation Sindoor
— A military operation referenced in the text that preceded this diplomatic engagement and contributed to the freeze in bilateral ties.
8. Ukraine calls India's peace proposal most comprehensive
Ukraine's Foreign Minister stated that India has put forward the broadest proposal to end the Russia-Ukraine war, marking a shift in India's diplomatic engagement.
9. RELIEF Scheme Timelines Extended for West Asia Exporters
The Department of Commerce extended the operational period of the RELIEF scheme to help Indian exporters manage increased insurance costs and logistics risks caused by geopolitical instability in West Asia.
The Government of India, in consultation with the UT of Ladakh, has officially named 28 geographical features on the Survey of India map to enhance public awareness and accurate recognition.
12. PMEGP: Empowering Micro-Entrepreneurs for Inclusive Growth
The Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) has assisted over 8 lakh micro-entrepreneurs since 2014, generating significant employment and fostering inclusive economic growth through subsidized credit.
13. J&K UT's First Mineral Auctions: Two Limestone Blocks Sold
The Ministry of Mines successfully auctioned two limestone blocks in Jammu & Kashmir, marking the first organized mineral development in the Union Territory post-2019.
Two limestone blocks in Anantnag district were auctioned via the Central Government's transparent process.
The Koot-Kapran block covers 22.43 hectares with an estimated 4.75 million tonnes of resources.
The Wantrag block spans 5.36 hectares and holds an estimated 10.853 million tonnes of limestone.
Exploration for these blocks has reached G-4 and G-3 stages respectively, indicating readiness for detailed development.
Key terms
Mineral Auction Process
— A transparent, competitive bidding mechanism used by the government to allocate mining rights for specific mineral blocks.
G-3/G-4 Exploration Stage
— Levels of geological investigation where resource estimates are refined through drilling and mapping, providing confidence for commercial development.
14. NITI Aayog National Workshop on SDG Budgeting in Kolkata
NITI Aayog, with UNDP and West Bengal, held a workshop to institutionalize SDG budget tagging across states, aiming to link financial allocations directly to development targets.
The workshop was organized under NITI Aayog's State Support Mission (SSM) initiative.
Participants included officials from 32 States and Union Territories, CAG, MoSPI, and various private sector bodies.
West Bengal reported mapping its state budget to the goal level of SDGs for the first time.
A joint 'Guide on Mapping State Budgets to the SDGs' by NITI Aayog, CAG, and UNDP was discussed as a practical framework.
The event emphasized integrating SDG priorities into the annual budget cycle and establishing institutional arrangements for mission-mode implementation.
Key terms
SDG Budget Tagging
— The process of mapping government expenditure to specific Sustainable Development Goals and targets to ensure alignment and accountability.
State Support Mission (SSM)
— An initiative by NITI Aayog aimed at supporting states in implementing national policies and achieving development goals.
Integrated Financial Management System
— A system used by states to manage financial resources, which has been integrated with SDG budget mapping in West Bengal.
15. USTR Greer: India-US trade deal not imminent despite progress
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that while negotiations with India are in the final stages, a deal is not imminent due to unresolved tariff and trade policy roadblocks.
A tigress was translocated from Bihar to Buxa to initiate a phased reintroduction program aimed at establishing a self-sustaining tiger population in the reserve.
Satleo Labs' TAPAS-1, India's first commercial private thermal-imaging payload, was deployed to LEO via SpaceX's Transporter-18 mission, marking a significant milestone in the country's private space sector.
18. Animal Diplomacy: From Pandas to Project Cheetah
The article traces the millennia-old practice of using animals as diplomatic tools, highlighting recent US-China panda exchanges and India's role in gifting and receiving fauna to foster international relations.
China leased two giant pandas to the Atlanta Zoo as part of a trade truce extension with the US, echoing the 1972 Nixon-Zhou Enlai gesture.
In 1414, envoys from Malindi gifted a giraffe to Chinese Admiral Zheng He in Bengal, one of the earliest documented instances of animal diplomacy involving India.
Sultan Muzaffar II of Gujarat gifted a rhinoceros to King Manuel I of Portugal, which inspired Albrecht Dürer's famous 1515 woodcut.
India's 'Project Cheetah' (2022) involved the reintroduction of African cheetahs, following the extinction of the Asian cheetah in India in the 1950s.
In August 2026, India gifted five peacocks to the UN headquarters in Geneva, described as a modern twist on panda diplomacy.
Key terms
Animal Diplomacy
— The strategic use of fauna as gifts, loans, or symbols in international relations to foster goodwill, demonstrate status, or support conservation.
Project Cheetah
— An India-Namibia collaboration initiated in 2022 to reintroduce cheetahs in India, following the extinction of the Asian cheetah in the 1950s.
Panda Diplomacy
— China's practice of gifting or leasing giant pandas to other countries as a gesture of goodwill and to strengthen diplomatic ties.
Mass protests in Mumbai and Delhi, led by CJP and opposition parties, demanded the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar citing concerns over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
20. Allahabad HC Takes Suo Motu Cognizance of Noise Pollution
The Allahabad High Court initiated suo motu proceedings on noise pollution following a child's death linked to loud music, questioning enforcement mechanisms.
In the context of the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which of the following statements is correct regarding India's position on labour standards and trade measures?
1. India stated that Article 23 of the Constitution prohibits forced labour as a fundamental right, enforceable by the Supreme Court.
2. India opposed the elimination of forced labour in global supply chains, arguing it violates national sovereignty.
3. India asserted that the International Labour Organization (ILO) is the competent, universal, and tripartite body for labour standards.
Answer: (b)
Statement 1 is correct: The release quotes Mr. Goyal noting that Article 23 of the Constitution prohibits forced labour as a fundamental right.
Statement 3 is correct: The text explicitly states Mr. Goyal added that the ILO remains the competent, universal, and tripartite body for labour standards.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The text states India’s commitment to the elimination of forced labour is 'absolute and unconditional' and that India supports the objective of eliminating it.
a Statement 2 is incorrect; India supports the elimination of forced labour.
c Statement 2 is incorrect; India supports the elimination of forced labour.
d Statement 2 is incorrect; India supports the elimination of forced labour.
With reference to the Tiger Augmentation and Recovery Project in Buxa Tiger Reserve, consider the following statements:
1. The project was initiated by the Government of West Bengal with support from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
2. Buxa Tiger Reserve has maintained a stable resident tiger population since its declaration as a reserve in 1983.
3. The reintroduction of tigress T138 is part of a phased programme aimed at establishing a viable, self-sustaining population in the reserve.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (c)
Statement 1 is correct: The text explicitly states the project was initiated by the Govt of West Bengal with support from NTCA and WII.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The text notes that over the past few years there have been no reports of tiger presence due to habitat degradation and fragmentation, leading to a prolonged absence of a stable resident population.
Statement 3 is correct: The release of T138 marks the beginning of a phased programme to reintroduce tigers and establish a viable, self-sustaining population.
a Statement 2 is factually incorrect.
b Statement 2 is factually incorrect as the reserve witnessed a prolonged absence of a stable resident tiger population.
d Statement 2 is factually incorrect; the reserve did not maintain a stable population since 1983.
Consider the following statements regarding tiger conservation traditions in India:
Statement I: Since 1973, India followed preventive conservation practices focusing on protecting source populations, habitats, prey bases, and corridors.
Statement II: Reintroduction programmes like those in Sariska, Panna, and Buxa are characterized as reactive interventions that occur only after tiger populations have crashed.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Answer: (b)
Statement I is correct: The text explicitly states that from 1973, India followed preventive conservation practices including protecting source populations and maintaining prey bases/corridors.
Statement II is correct: The text describes Buxa, Sariska, and Panna as belonging to a 'more recent, more reactive tradition' where authorities intervened only after populations crashed.
Statement II does not explain Statement I: They describe two different approaches (preventive vs. reactive). Statement II defines the nature of reintroduction programmes, which contrasts with the preventive approach in Statement I, rather than explaining why the preventive approach was adopted.
a Statement II does not explain Statement I; they are contrasting methodologies described in the text.
Consider the following statements regarding the timeline and conditions of the India-U.S. trade talks:
1. The larger Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) was originally targeted for conclusion by Fall 2025.
2. In February 2026, both leaders committed to finalizing an interim agreement, which was subsequently concluded successfully.
3. India maintains that it will not sign a deal unless it receives a comparative advantage over its competitors.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Answer: (b)
Statement 1 is correct: The text states the BTA was supposed to have been concluded by 'Fall 2025' (October-November 2025).
Statement 2 is incorrect: While the February 2026 joint statement committed to an interim agreement, the text explicitly says neither the interim deal nor the BTA have so far been finalized.
Statement 3 is correct: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stated India will not sign until it is clear it will receive a comparative advantage over competitors.
a Statements 1 and 3 are correct, so 'Only one' is wrong.
c Statement 2 is incorrect because the interim agreement was not finalized.
d Statements 1 and 3 are factually supported by the text.
With reference to the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), consider the following statements:
1. It is implemented by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) under the aegis of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
2. The scheme provides financial assistance in the form of a Margin Money (MM) subsidy on bank-sanctioned loans to promote self-employment in the non-farm sector.
3. The primary objective of the scheme is to provide direct wage employment to first-generation entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is correct: The text identifies PMEGP as a flagship initiative of the MSME Ministry implemented by KVIC.
Statement 2 is correct: The scheme provides Margin Money (MM) subsidy on bank loans to establish micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The scheme promotes self-employment (job creation) in the non-farm sector, not direct wage employment in the agricultural sector.
b Statement 3 is incorrect as the scheme targets non-farm self-employment, not agricultural wage employment.
c Statement 3 is incorrect as the scheme targets non-farm self-employment, not agricultural wage employment.
d Statement 3 is incorrect as the scheme targets non-farm self-employment, not agricultural wage employment.
With reference to the Koot–Kapran and Wantrag limestone blocks auctioned in Anantnag district, Jammu & Kashmir, consider the following statements:
1. The Koot–Kapran block has been explored up to the G-4 stage, while the Wantrag block has been explored up to the G-3 stage.
2. The Wantrag block has estimated limestone resources significantly higher than the Koot–Kapran block.
3. The auction of these blocks is expected to generate only direct employment opportunities, with no impact on indirect employment or allied industries.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Answer: (b)
Statement 1 is correct: The text specifies Koot–Kapran is explored up to G-4 stage and Wantrag up to G-3 stage.
Statement 2 is correct: Wantrag has 10.853 million tonnes of resources, which is higher than Koot–Kapran's 4.75 million tonnes.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The text states the development is expected to generate a large number of direct AND indirect employment opportunities and create avenues for local businesses and allied industries.
a Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct, so 'Only one' is incorrect.
c Statement 3 is incorrect because the release explicitly mentions indirect employment and allied industries.
d Statements 1 and 2 are correct, so 'None' is incorrect.
Statement-I: The National Workshop on SDG Budgeting brought together participants from 32 States and Union Territories.
Statement-II: The workshop was organized by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Government of West Bengal and with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Answer: (a)
Statement-I is correct: The text explicitly mentions that the workshop brought together participants from 32 States and Union Territories.
Statement-II is correct: The text confirms the workshop was organized by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Government of West Bengal and with technical support from UNDP.
b Statement-I is correct as per the release text.
c Both statements are correct as per the release text.
d Statement-II is correct as per the release text.
With reference to India's stance on the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) principle at the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting, consider the following statements:
1. India emphasised that the MFN principle ensures that the same terms of trade apply to both the smallest and the largest traders.
2. India argued that the principle of consensus is no longer central to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and should be replaced by majority voting to ensure efficiency.
3. India called for the restoration of the two-tier dispute settlement system and the preservation of special and differential treatment for developing countries.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is correct: The text states MFN treatment ensures the same terms apply to the smallest and largest traders.
Statement 3 is correct: The text explicitly mentions the call for restoring the two-tier dispute settlement system and preserving special and differential treatment.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The text states that "consensus remains central to the WTO," contradicting the claim that it is no longer central or should be replaced by majority voting.
b Statement 2 is incorrect as India reaffirmed the centrality of consensus in the WTO.
c Statement 2 is incorrect as India reaffirmed the centrality of consensus in the WTO.
d Statement 2 is incorrect as India reaffirmed the centrality of consensus in the WTO.
In the context of the National PNG Drive 3.0, consider the following statements:
1. The drive seeks to accelerate adoption in newly connected, semi-urban, and rural areas, as well as in residential complexes and government colonies.
2. To incentivize city-gas distributors, the Petroleum Ministry announced an allocation of an additional 200 standard cubic metres (SCM) of Administered Price Mechanism natural gas for every incremental billed D-PNG connection beyond a specific threshold.
3. The drive primarily focuses on expanding the laid pipeline infrastructure to 1.3 crore inch-kms to cater to new connections.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Answer: (b)
Statement 1 is correct: The text confirms the drive focuses on newly connected, semi-urban, rural areas, and prioritizes residential complexes and government colonies.
Statement 2 is correct: The Petroleum Ministry announced an additional 200 SCM of lower-priced gas for incremental billed connections beyond the threshold.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The 1.3 crore figure refers to the capacity of the existing 6.9 lakh inch-kms of laid pipeline, not a target to expand the pipeline length to 1.3 crore inch-kms.
a Statements 1 and 2 are correct, so 'Only one' is wrong.
c Statement 3 is factually incorrect regarding the pipeline expansion target.
d Statements 1 and 2 are correct, so 'None' is wrong.
With reference to the US-India trade negotiations and the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, consider the following statements:
1. The tariffs proposed under the Lindsey O. Graham Act are subject to judicial review and can be challenged in the US Supreme Court, similar to the previous tariff architecture under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
2. The US agreed in February to remove an additional 25% tariff on imports from India in recognition of India's commitment to stop purchasing Russian oil.
3. The framework agreement signed by India and the US includes a binding commitment by the US to purchase Indian products worth $500 billion over the next five years.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (d)
Statement 1 is incorrect: The text states that unlike the previous IEEPA tariffs (which were struck down), the new tariffs under the Lindsey O. Graham Act 'cannot be challenged in court'.
Statement 2 is correct: The text confirms the US agreed to remove the additional 25% tariff in February in recognition of India's commitment to stop purchasing Russian oil.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The text notes that India intends to purchase US products worth $500 billion, but experts point out there is 'no commitment on the part of the US to purchase Indian products', making the deal lopsided.
a Statement 3 is wrong because the $500 billion commitment is from India to buy US goods, not the other way around.
b Statement 1 is wrong because the new tariffs are not subject to judicial review.
c Statements 1 and 3 are wrong; the tariffs are not challengeable, and the US has no binding purchase commitment.
With reference to the Tiger Augmentation and Recovery Project in Buxa Tiger Reserve, consider the following statements:
1. The project was initiated by the Government of West Bengal with support from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
2. The primary objective of the project is to immediately establish a self-sustaining tiger population by releasing a large number of tigers in a single phase.
3. The project involves habitat improvement, prey-base augmentation, and strengthening protection and monitoring.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is correct: The text states the project was initiated by the Government of West Bengal with support from NTCA and WII since 2018.
Statement 3 is correct: The text lists habitat improvement, prey-base augmentation, and strengthening protection/monitoring as key focuses.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The text explicitly states the programme is "phased" and "adaptive," and that further augmentation will be undertaken based on scientific justification, not by releasing a large number in a single phase.
b Statement 2 is incorrect because the programme is phased, not a single large-scale release.
c Statement 2 is incorrect because the programme is phased, not a single large-scale release.
d Statement 2 is incorrect because the programme is phased, not a single large-scale release.
With reference to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and India's participation in its meetings, consider the following statements:
1. The SCO Council of National Coordinators meets under a rotational annual chair, and Pakistan assumed this presidency following the Bishkek summit.
2. India’s delegation to the recent SCO national coordinators' meeting in Islamabad was led by Alok Dimri, who is currently serving as the Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs.
3. This was the first visit by an Indian official delegation to Pakistan for an SCO event since the SCO heads of government meeting held in October 2024.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (d)
Statement 1 is correct: The text states the SCO Council of National Coordinators meets under a rotational annual chair and Pakistan assumed the presidency after the Bishkek summit.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The text identifies Alok Dimri as an 'Additional Secretary' in the Ministry of External Affairs, not the 'Secretary'.
Statement 3 is correct: The text explicitly mentions that the visit was the first such visit since External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar travelled to Pakistan for the SCO heads of government meeting in October 2024.
a Statement 3 is also correct, so '1 only' is incomplete.
b Statement 2 is incorrect regarding the rank of the official.
c Statement 2 is incorrect because Alok Dimri is an Additional Secretary, not a Secretary; Statement 1 is correct.
How many of the following entities are eligible to avail the benefits of the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme?
1. Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) Units
2. Advance Authorisation (AA) Holders
3. Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Units
4. Export Oriented Units (EOUs)
Answer: (c)
The release text explicitly lists Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) Units, Advance Authorisation (AA) Holders, Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Units, and Export Oriented Units (EOUs) as the beneficiaries.
Therefore, all four listed entities are eligible.
a All four entities are eligible, not just two.
b All four entities are eligible, not just three.
d The scheme is available to all four listed entities.
In the context of the recent mapping activities in the Union Territory of Ladakh, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. The Survey of India has officially mapped a total of twenty-eight (28) new places/features in the UT of Ladakh.
2. The feature named 'Guru Rinpoche' is classified as a peak in the Survey of India's records.
3. The updated map of Ladakh featuring these additional places can be accessed through the official Survey of India website.
Answer: (d)
Statement 1 is correct: The release confirms the identification of 'twenty-eight (28) places/features'.
Statement 2 is incorrect: According to the table, 'Guru Rinpoche' is classified as a 'Lake', not a peak.
Statement 3 is correct: The release provides a link to surveyofindia.gov.in where the map can be viewed.
a Statement 2 is incorrect; Guru Rinpoche is a Lake, not a Peak.
b Statement 2 is incorrect; Guru Rinpoche is a Lake, not a Peak.
c Statement 2 is incorrect; Guru Rinpoche is a Lake, not a Peak.
With reference to the history of animal diplomacy involving India, consider the following statements:
1. In 1414, envoys from Malindi gifted a giraffe to Admiral Zheng He in Bengal as a tribute to the Ming emperor Yongle.
2. Sultan Muzaffar II of Gujarat gifted a rhinoceros to King Manuel I of Portugal, which was later immortalised by Albrecht Dürer in his painting 'The Rhinoceros'.
3. Under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first diplomatic gift of an elephant named Indira was sent to Japan following requests from Japanese children.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is correct: The text confirms that in 1414, envoys from Malindi met Admiral Zheng He in Bengal and gave him a giraffe (referred to as a 'cameleopard' in other contexts but identified here as a giraffe) as a tribute to Emperor Yongle.
Statement 2 is correct: The text states that Sultan Muzaffar II of Gujarat gifted a rhinoceros to King Manuel I of Portugal, and this animal inspired Albrecht Dürer's 1515 woodcut/painting 'The Rhinoceros'.
Statement 3 is correct: The text notes that PM Nehru gifted a baby elephant named Indira to Japan after receiving letters from Japanese children asking to see one.
With reference to the TAPAS-1 satellite and the Indian Space Policy, consider the following statements:
1. TAPAS-1 is India’s first commercial private thermal-imaging payload, developed by Satleo Labs, an Ahmedabad-based startup.
2. The Indian Space Policy-2023 was formulated as an overarching framework to implement the reform vision of opening the space domain to non-government entities for end-to-end activities.
3. The Gujarat Spacetech Policy (2025-30) was the first state-level dedicated policy for the spacetech sector in India, notified by the Gujarat government.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (b)
Statement 1 is correct: The text identifies TAPAS-1 as India’s first commercial private thermal-imaging payload developed by Satleo Labs in Ahmedabad.
Statement 2 is correct: The text states that the Indian Space Policy-2023 was formulated as an overarching framework to implement the reform vision of increased participation by non-government entities.
Statement 3 is correct: The text notes that the Gujarat government notified the Gujarat Spacetech Policy (2025-30), becoming the first state to announce a dedicated policy for the sector.
a Statement 2 is also correct; the Indian Space Policy-2023 serves as the overarching framework for private sector participation.
c Statement 1 is also correct; TAPAS-1 is indeed India's first commercial private thermal-imaging payload.
d Statement 3 is also correct; Gujarat was the first state to announce a dedicated spacetech policy.
With reference to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the recent protests in India, consider the following statements:
1. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) led a protest in Mumbai's Shivaji Park demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
2. The Delhi Police detained approximately 700 protesters who were attempting to gather at Jantar Mantar despite the imposition of prohibitory orders in the area.
3. The Central government ordered the immediate closure of all 12 stations in central Delhi Metro for five hours to prevent the gathering of protesters at Jantar Mantar.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (d)
Statement 1 is correct: The text explicitly states that the CJP led the protests in Mumbai’s Shivaji Park targeting the CEC.
Statement 2 is correct: The text mentions that police detained hundreds of protesters, around 700 according to police, after refusing permission to gather at Jantar Mantar and imposing prohibitory orders.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The text states that Delhi Metro temporarily closed entry and exit at 12 stations, not that the Central government ordered the closure of all 12 stations for five hours.
a Statement 3 is incorrect as the Metro closure was temporary and limited to entry/exit, not an order by the Central government to close all stations for five hours.
b Statement 3 is incorrect regarding the nature and authority behind the Metro station closures.
With reference to the legal framework governing noise pollution in India, as highlighted by the Allahabad High Court in its suo motu proceedings, consider the following statements:
1. The legislative acknowledgment of noise pollution as a menace is primarily found under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
2. The specific regulatory mechanism for controlling noise levels is provided under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.
3. Penalties for violations of these rules can be imposed in terms of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is incorrect: The text explicitly states that the legislature acknowledged the menace under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, not the Water Act.
Statement 2 is correct: The court cited the rule-making authority under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.
Statement 3 is correct: The bench observed that the Rules provide for a penalty which could be imposed in terms of the Act, 1986.
b Statement 1 is factually wrong; the primary legislation mentioned is the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
c Statement 1 is factually wrong; the primary legislation mentioned is the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
d Statement 1 is factually wrong; the primary legislation mentioned is the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
In the context of Component II of the RELIEF scheme, which of the following statements is correct regarding the eligibility of policies and types of cargo covered?
Answer: (c)
The text specifies that Component II is available for Stand Alone Policies or Whole Turnover Policies obtained on or after 16 March 2026.
The types of cargo covered include Full Container Load (FCL), Less than Container Load (LCL), and Reefer containers, explicitly excluding energy shipments.
Option A accurately reflects both the policy type/date criteria and the cargo inclusion/exclusion rules.
a It incorrectly limits the policy type to Whole Turnover only, uses the wrong date (19 March is the launch date, not the policy eligibility date), and excludes Reefer containers.
b It incorrectly includes energy shipments, which are explicitly excluded from the benefits.
d It incorrectly limits the policy type to Stand Alone only, uses the wrong date (before 16 March), and includes energy shipments.
Consider the following statements regarding the conditions proposed by Ukraine for a potential ceasefire:
Statement-I: Ukraine is prepared to agree to an unconditional ceasefire along the line of contact.
Statement-II: Ukraine insists that any ceasefire must cover not only combat operations but also attacks on energy and port infrastructure, as well as the situation in the Black Sea.
In the context of the above statements, which one of the following is correct?
Answer: (d)
Statement-I is false: The text states Ukraine is 'considering' an unconditional ceasefire along the line of contact, but explicitly says they are ready for an energy and Black Sea ceasefire 'only in this combination' (meaning conditional on broader coverage). They have not agreed to an unconditional frontline ceasefire yet.
Statement-II is true: Sybiha clearly outlined that Kyiv will agree to a ceasefire only if it covers combat operations, energy/port infrastructure attacks, and the Black Sea situation.
a Statement-I is false because the ceasefire is conditional on covering infrastructure and the Black Sea, not unconditional.
How many of the following statements regarding the legal history of the post-facto environmental clearance mechanism in India are correct?
1. In May 2025, the Supreme Court of India quashed the entire post-facto clearance mechanism, terming it illegal.
2. The Supreme Court's final ruling in July 2026 was delivered after it recalled its earlier May 2025 order upon hearing a review petition filed by CREDAI.
3. The 2017 notification introducing the post-facto clearance window was struck down by the Supreme Court in its July 2026 judgment as it violated the mandatory prior clearance regime.
Answer: (b)
Statement 1 is correct: The text mentions that in May 2025, the Supreme Court quashed the entire mechanism, terming it illegal.
Statement 2 is correct: The text states the Court decided on a review petition by CREDAI, recalled its May 2025 order, and gave its final ruling in July 2026.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The text explicitly states that the Supreme Court upheld the 2017 notification as it was a narrowly tailored, time-bound legislation.
a Statements 1 and 2 are both correct, so 'Only one' is incorrect.
c Statement 3 is incorrect because the 2017 notification was upheld, not struck down.
d Statements 1 and 2 are correct, so 'None' is incorrect.
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