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. Cabinet Approves Five-Year Continuation of NSAP with Key Reforms
The Union Cabinet extended the National Social Assistance Programme through 2030-31, rebranding its component schemes and significantly easing eligibility norms for disability assistance.
Approved financial allocation of Rs 53,428 crore for the 2026-27 to 2030-31 period covering 3.20 crore beneficiaries across all States and UTs.
NSAP rebranded as Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, alongside the renaming of all its pension and family benefit sub-schemes.
Disability pension eligibility threshold lowered from 80% to 40% benchmark disability, with coverage extending from birth rather than a higher age bar.
Disability monthly assistance revised to Rs 375 for beneficiaries aged 0–79 years and Rs 625 for those aged 80 and above.
Key terms
Directive Principles of State Policy
— Non-justiciable constitutional guidelines directing the state to secure socio-economic justice and public assistance.
Benchmark Disability
— A certified condition where an individual has not less than 40% of a specified disability as legally recognized under Indian law.
2. Government Approves India's Accession to Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement
India has approved accession to the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement, securing full voting and harvesting rights in international waters to advance its Blue Economy and maritime security.
India transitions from a Cooperating Non-Contracting Party (status held since 2022) to a full Contracting Party of SIOFA.
Regulates non-migratory fishery resources—such as toothfish, alfonsino, and squids—excluding highly migratory tuna-like species covered by the IOTC.
Grants Indian vessels authorised access to high seas beyond India's typical 60–80 nautical mile operational range.
Empowers India to take part in the High Seas Boarding and Inspection (HSBI) Scheme to curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Key terms
Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA)
— A regional fisheries management agreement governing the conservation and sustainable exploitation of non-migratory fishery resources in the high seas of the southern Indian Ocean.
Cooperating Non-Contracting Party (CNCP)
— A participant status in an international body that permits restricted involvement and adherence to standards without full voting rights in decision-making organs.
High Seas Boarding and Inspection (HSBI)
— An enforcement scheme authorizing member states to board and monitor fishing vessels on international waters to detect and deter illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
3. Government Constitutes Ramesh Chand Committee on Sugarcane and Sugar Sector Issues
The Centre has formed a high-level committee led by Prof. Ramesh Chand to resolve challenges faced by sugarcane growers and millers, including pricing, weighing, and harvesting deductions.
Panel is chaired by agricultural economist and former NITI Aayog Member Prof. Ramesh Chand.
Formed after consultations with sugarcane growers from key producing states Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Mandated to evaluate hikes in sugarcane remuneration and the ex-mill Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar.
Includes senior officials from Agriculture, Food and Public Distribution, and Legal Metrology departments.
Tasked with auditing sugar recovery reporting, calibration of weighbridges, and deductions on mechanically harvested cane.
Key terms
Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar
— The regulatory base price below which sugar mills are legally prohibited from selling white sugar in the domestic wholesale market to safeguard mill viability.
Sugar recovery
— The percentage proportion of refined sugar extracted from the total weight of crushed sugarcane, serving as a primary determinant of farmer payouts.
Legal Metrology
— The regulatory framework and enforcement branch governing statutory standards, calibrations, and verification of commercial weighing and measuring instruments.
4. Indian Navy Concludes Maiden Command of Combined Task Force 154
India completed its first tenure commanding the multinational training formation Combined Task Force 154 in Bahrain, cementing its role as a regional maritime security provider.
CTF 154 is the Combined Maritime Forces' dedicated multinational training task force, created in May 2023.
The Indian Navy led CTF 154 for an eight-month command period starting from 11 February 2026.
Conducted Operation Southern Readiness 26-2 at Kochi, marking the first major CMF exercise hosted on Indian soil.
India joined CMF as an Associate Partner in 2022 before transitioning to a full member in 2023.
Command relinquished at a ceremony in Manama, Bahrain, to CMF Headquarters representatives.
Key terms
Combined Task Force 154
— A dedicated multinational training arm under the Combined Maritime Forces focused on building interoperability and operational competency among partner navies.
Combined Maritime Forces
— A multinational maritime coalition based in Bahrain dedicated to maritime security, counter-piracy, and capacity building in regional sea lanes.
Maritime Domain Awareness
— The effective comprehension of any activity, threat, or security development associated with the global maritime environment.
A proposed open-cast bauxite mining initiative in Odisha's Balda hills threatens the fragile habitat of the endemic and endangered Jeypore ground gecko while triggering local tribal protests.
The Jeypore ground gecko was originally identified in 1878 by Richard Henry Beddome and presumed extinct until rediscovered in 2010.
It is an endangered, nocturnal reptile restricted to high-elevation forest habitats (900–1,400 metres) in the northern Eastern Ghats of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
The proposed 147-hectare opencast bauxite extraction project is sited within Odisha’s Balda hills in the Nageswari reserve forest.
Local Adivasi groups, notably the Bondo and Porja communities, oppose the project citing indigenous claims and unrecognised forest rights.
Key terms
Jeypore ground gecko
— A rare, nocturnal, ground-dwelling reptile endemic to high-altitude montane forests of the northern Eastern Ghats.
Bauxite mining
— Open-cast extraction of aluminium-bearing ore that frequently strips biodiverse topsoil and destroys montane cap ecosystems.
Flagship species
— An iconic or ecologically significant species chosen to represent conservation awareness and broader habitat preservation.
7. Keralam Senior Citizens Bill: Living Wills, Ageing at Home and Caregiver Oversight
Keralam has tabled a dedicated legislation regulating elderly-care facilities and recognizing living wills to navigate its swift demographic transition toward an ageing society.
Elderly share in Keralam rose from 12.7% in 2011 to 15% in 2021, and is projected to hit 30% by 2051.
Formally codifies 'ageing in place' to prioritise home and community-based living over institutionalisation.
Recognises living wills executed before district protection authorities detailing medical choices on life support.
Mandates registration for elder-care centres under the Department of Senior Citizens and introduces graded caregiver certification.
Key terms
Ageing in place
— The principle enabling elderly individuals to live safely and independently in their own homes or communities instead of institutional care facilities.
Living will
— An advance directive wherein a person formally states medical treatment choices, like life-support interventions, for times when they become unable to communicate.
8. Centre Renames NSAP and Revises Disability Pension Guidelines
The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme with revised norms for disability pensions and rebranded its component schemes under the Pradhan Mantri banner.
Programme extended for five years (2026-27 to 2030-31) with a financial allocation of Rs 53,428 crore under the Department of Rural Development.
NSAP rebranded as Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, removing Indira Gandhi's name from three pension schemes.
Benchmark disability threshold lowered from 80% to 40%, with coverage extended starting from birth.
Disability pension assistance raised to Rs 375 for beneficiaries aged 0–79 years and Rs 625 for those aged 80 years and older.
Key terms
National Social Assistance Programme
— A centrally sponsored welfare initiative providing non-contributory financial assistance to vulnerable groups like the elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities.
Benchmark disability
— A legally defined threshold of certified impairment that qualifies an individual for targeted welfare benefits and reservations.
9. Government Approves Strategic Restructuring and Sale of IDBI Bank
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the strategic divestment of a 60.72% joint equity stake in IDBI Bank to a Canadian strategic investor for over Rs. 52,878 crore.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) cleared the sale of a combined 60.72% stake (30.48% from GoI and 30.24% from LIC) in IDBI Bank Ltd.
Winning strategic buyer is M/s 10955230 Canada Inc., an entity backed by Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd., with an approved transaction value of Rs. 52,878.08 crore.
Post-transaction, the residual shareholding of the Government of India will stand at 15% and LIC will retain 19%.
Winning offer was accepted at Rs. 81 per share, outperforming the dual-method average fair valuation benchmark of Rs. 75.99 per share.
Key terms
Prompt Corrective Action Framework
— A supervisory mechanism used by the Reserve Bank of India to impose operating curbs on banks breaching specified thresholds of asset quality, capital, or profitability.
Alternative Mechanism
— An empowered group of Union Cabinet Ministers established to make timely executive decisions on disinvestment and asset monetisation proposals.
Market Multiple Method
— A relative valuation technique that values an enterprise by comparing its financial metrics to multiples of similar peer companies.
Asset Valuation Method
— A method to calculate an entity's worth by tallying the net fair value of all tangible and intangible assets minus its outstanding liabilities.
10. Ministry of Cooperation Mandates New Audit Reporting Framework for Multi-State Cooperatives
The Union Ministry of Cooperation has notified the Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Auditor’s Report) Order, 2026 to enforce standardized auditing, risk-based supervision, and robust governance across large cooperatives.
— A statutory audit reporting template mandating standardized disclosures on financial, operational, and governance parameters for interstate cooperatives.
Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies (CRCS)
— The statutory authority responsible for the registration, regulation, and supervision of multi-state cooperative bodies in India.
Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)
— An Indian legal framework enacted to prevent financial crimes, mandate customer identification, and trace illicit fund flows.
11. Centre Forms Ramesh Chand Committee to Examine Sugarcane Sector Issues
The Union government has established a four-member committee under Ramesh Chand to address sugarcane farmers' pricing concerns and review sugar mill operations.
12. India Calls for Deeper Defence and Technology Ties with ASEAN
India advocated for co-production of military hardware, maritime domain awareness, and joint innovation during the inaugural ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum.
The Supreme Court directed Indian Railways to extend travel insurance benefits, currently limited to online bookings, to all counter-purchased tickets by October 2026.
14. Lancet Study Highlights Life Years Saved by Capping Global Warming
A Lancet Commission report shows that restricting global temperature rise to 1.8°C can avert 1.89 billion years of healthy life lost to environmental and climatic hazards.
15. WHO Announces Ebola Vaccine Clinical Trials in DR Congo
The WHO has confirmed clinical trials in the Democratic Republic of Congo under the Tumaini framework to test candidate vaccines, including Ervebo, against the deadly Bundibugyo Ebola strain.
16. Government to Launch National Electricity Data Sharing Framework
The Ministry of Power is introducing a voluntary framework and a national governance panel to facilitate safe, structured data exchange across India's electricity ecosystem.
17. Why the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement Faces Prolonged Hurdles
India-US negotiations for an interim bilateral trade pact remain deadlocked over geopolitical frictions, tariff unpredictability, and India's continuing energy imports from Russia.
India joined 14 partner nations in acknowledging global structural overcapacity concerns at the Milwaukee G20 trade meeting.
Proposed US tariffs on Indian goods were eased from 12.5% to 10% following New Delhi's ban on forced-labour imports.
The US Section 301 inquiry reviews trade practices and excess production across major economies including China, the EU, and India.
US legislative measures authorise punitive tariffs up to 100% targeting nations importing Russian crude oil and natural gas.
Key terms
Section 301 investigation
— A statutory trade enforcement provision under US law allowing unilateral tariffs against foreign countries deemed to engage in unfair trade practices.
Structural excess capacity
— An economic condition where domestic production capacity heavily outstrips domestic consumption, prompting aggressive export dumping abroad.
19. Jaishankar Warns of Global Chokepoints and Strategic Weaponisation
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the rising weaponisation of global finance and critical resources, while rejecting the 'middle power' label for India.
Discussion took place at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi.
Highlighted the strategic weaponisation of the US dollar, financial sanctions, and rare earth element monopolies.
Rejected the label 'middle power' for India, citing its roughly $4 trillion GDP, largest global population, and high growth trajectory.
Described India as a 'natural option' for Russia to diversify its Asian partnerships away from exclusive reliance on China.
Reiterated that border stability remains a non-negotiable prerequisite for normalising diplomatic ties with China.
Key terms
Chokepoints
— Strategic vulnerabilities or bottlenecks in trade, finance, or resources that can be manipulated to restrict flow or exert leverage.
Middle Power
— A geopolitical classification describing a sovereign state that holds moderate global influence, insufficient to dictate international terms on its own.
Rare Earth Elements
— A set of critical metallic elements essential for high-tech industries, whose supply and refining chains are heavily concentrated geographically.
20. India Calibrates China Ties While Advancing Bilateral Trade Negotiations With US
India is balancing delicate diplomatic engagement with China amid trade deficits while actively resolving tariff negotiations to finalize a trade pact with the United States.
Statements delivered at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum held in New Delhi.
India highlighted market access barriers and a heavily skewed trade imbalance favouring China.
India and the US Trade Representative (USTR) are progressing toward a landing point for a bilateral trade deal.
Line of Actual Control (LAC) tensions have strained Sino-Indian relations for over six years.
Bilateral ties with Washington are officially designated as a strategic partnership rather than a formal treaty alliance.
Key terms
Trade Balance
— The net difference between the monetary value of a country's exports and imports over a given duration.
Strategic Partnership
— A collaborative bilateral relationship prioritizing mutual security and economic objectives without the binding legal obligations of a formal military alliance.
Tariff
— A customs duty or tax levied by a government on imported commodities to protect local manufacturing or adjust market access.
21. Nord Stream Sabotage: Ukrainian Suspect Faces Historic Trial in Germany
A former Ukrainian military officer faces trial in Germany over the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline blasts, testing European geopolitical unity and diplomatic ties with Kyiv.
Nord Stream 1 and 2 are twin subsea gas pipelines spanning approximately 1,200 km through the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany.
Explosions struck near Denmark's Bornholm Island on September 26, 2022, damaging three of the four concrete-reinforced steel pipes.
The sabotage caused vast leaks of methane into the Baltic Sea, creating surface bubbling up to a kilometre in diameter.
The defendant, Serhii Kuznietsov, was detained in Italy and extradited to Germany to face charges including causing explosions and complicity in war crimes.
Key terms
Nord Stream
— An undersea natural gas pipeline network traversing the Baltic Sea directly from Russia to Germany, bypassing traditional transit countries.
Methane Plume
— A large atmospheric release of methane gas that bubbled up after the subsea pipeline explosions, posing severe greenhouse warming impacts.
Consider the following statements regarding the Ramesh Chand Committee constituted for the sugarcane sector:
1. The committee was set up to address demands regarding remunerative returns raised by sugarcane farmers.
2. The panel's terms of reference exclude the examination of sugarcane weighment practices and sugar recovery testing mechanisms at mills.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (c)
Statement 1 is correct: The committee was formed to examine issues raised by sugarcane farmers demanding increased remunerative returns taking into account cultivation costs.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Key areas of examination explicitly include existing mechanisms for testing and reporting sugar recovery, as well as prevailing weighment practices and inspection mechanisms at sugar mills.
a Statement 1 is correct.
b Statement 2 is incorrect because sugar recovery testing and weighment mechanisms are explicitly included in its scope.
d Statement 1 is correct, and Statement 2 is incorrect.
In the context of regional maritime vision and security architecture, the acronym 'MAHASAGAR', associated with India's regional engagement, stands for which of the following?
Answer: (c)
India's regional outlook combines the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and MAHASAGAR visions.
MAHASAGAR expands to 'Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions'.
a This is an incorrect phrasing altered to sound plausible.
b This is an incorrect expansion substituting maritime awareness and sustainable growth.
d This is an incorrect expansion; 'M' stands for Mutual, not Maritime, and 'Across Regions' is the correct term.
Consider the following statements regarding the United States' trade relations and global overcapacity deliberations:
1. A joint declaration following the G20 trade ministers' meeting acknowledged that structural excess capacity poses challenges to trading partners.
2. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) was established as a multilateral framework under the auspices of the World Trade Organization.
Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is correct: India and other nations acknowledged in a joint statement released after the G20 trade ministers' meeting in Milwaukee that structural excess capacity poses significant challenges for trading partners.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The USMCA is a trilateral regional free trade agreement signed between the US, Mexico, and Canada (replacing NAFTA), not a multilateral agreement under the WTO.
b Statement 1 is correct while Statement 2 is incorrect.
c Statement 1 is factually correct.
d Statement 2 is incorrect because USMCA is a trilateral agreement between Canada, the US, and Mexico, not a WTO framework.
Consider the following statements regarding the Supreme Court's directives on passenger safety and railway ticketing:
1. The directive requiring insurance coverage for counter tickets arose from a writ petition originally filed in the aftermath of the 2023 Odisha train accident.
2. The original petition specifically sought an independent probe into the accident and the implementation of the Kavach safety system.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (c)
The direction was issued based on a writ petition filed following the June 2023 Odisha train accident.
The petition initially focused on an independent probe into the collision and the rollout of safety systems such as Kavach, after which the Supreme Court widened its scope to cover passenger safety, amenities, and insurance.
a Both statements 1 and 2 are correct based on the judicial proceedings.
b Statement 2 is also correct as the original petition explicitly focused on an independent probe and Kavach implementation.
d Statement 1 is also correct as the directive originated from the post-Odisha accident writ petition.
Consider the following pairs of candidate vaccines under development for the Bundibugyo Ebola virus and their respective platform technologies:
1. University of Oxford candidate : ChAdOx1 adenoviral vector
2. Moderna candidate : Inactivated whole-virus
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Answer: (a)
The candidate vaccine developed by the University of Oxford utilizes the ChAdOx1 adenoviral vector platform.
The candidate vaccine developed by Moderna utilizes mRNA technology, not an inactivated whole-virus platform.
b Pair 2 is incorrect because the Moderna candidate uses mRNA technology.
c Pair 1 is correctly matched, while pair 2 is incorrectly matched.
Consider the following statements regarding the governance of the National Electricity Data Sharing Framework:
Statement-I: A national-level data governance committee comprising government officials and industry representatives is to oversee coordinated data sharing in the power sector.
Statement-II: The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) directly chairs the national-level data governance committee.
Answer: (c)
Statement-I is correct: The committee includes government officials and industry representatives to ensure a coordinated approach to power sector data sharing.
Statement-II is incorrect: The committee will be chaired by the Chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), which functions under the Ministry of Power, not directly by MeitY.
a Statement-II is incorrect because the committee is chaired by the CEA Chairperson.
b Statement-II is incorrect because the chair is the Central Electricity Authority Chairperson.
d Statement-I is correct while Statement-II is false.
With reference to the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), consider the following statements:
1. It was launched to fulfil the Directive Principles of State Policy enshrined in Article 41 of the Constitution of India.
2. The programme is implemented with 100 per cent central assistance to ensure uniform availability of benefits across the country.
3. Under the reformed Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana, eligibility requires a minimum benchmark disability of 80%.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (a)
NSAP was launched on 15th August, 1995 to fulfil the responsibility of the Central Government under Article 41 of the Constitution.
NSAP provides 100 per cent central assistance to ensure uniform availability of assistance nationwide.
Statement 3 is incorrect because the benchmark disability criterion under the reformed scheme has been revised down to 40% (aligned with the RPwD Act 2016) from the earlier 80%.
b Statement 1 is correct (Article 41 of the Constitution), whereas Statement 3 is incorrect.
c Statement 3 is incorrect as the revised benchmark disability is 40%, not 80%.
d Statement 2 is correct (100% central assistance) and Statement 3 is incorrect.
With reference to the Jeypore ground gecko (Cyrtodactylus jeyporensis), consider the following statements:
1. It is a nocturnal reptile endemic to the high-elevation forests of the Western Ghats.
2. The species was considered extinct for over a century before being rediscovered in Odisha.
3. Habitat degradation due to activities like bauxite mining and coffee plantations poses a major threat to its survival.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (c)
The Jeypore ground gecko is native to the northern Eastern Ghats (Odisha and Andhra Pradesh) in high-elevation forests (900–1,400 metres), not the Western Ghats.
Originally described in 1878, it was presumed extinct for about 130 years until being rediscovered in 2010 in Odisha.
Major threats identified include habitat loss and fragmentation caused by bauxite mining, hydropower projects, and conversion of land to coffee plantations.
a Statement 1 is incorrect, so not all three statements are correct.
b Statement 1 is incorrect because the gecko is endemic to the Eastern Ghats, not the Western Ghats.
d Statement 1 is incorrect, making option c incorrect; statement 2 is factually correct.
With reference to the Keralam Senior Citizens (Care and Protection of Rights) Bill, 2026, consider the following statements:
1. Under the concept of 'ageing in place', institutional care is envisaged as the primary default mode of elderly support.
2. It provides statutory recognition to living wills, allowing senior citizens to specify preferences regarding life-sustaining medical interventions.
3. It creates independent penal offences and separate investigative procedures that override the Information Technology Act, 2000, for cyber fraud against senior citizens.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (b)
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Bill seeks to enable senior citizens to remain in their own homes ('ageing in place'), treating institutional care as a last resort, not the default mode.
Statement 2 is correct: The Bill recognises living wills, enabling senior citizens to state advance preferences regarding medical care, invasive tubes, and life-sustaining interventions.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The provision regarding cyber fraud is meant to facilitate coordination and support; it does not create any new offence or procedure inconsistent with the IT Act, 2000, or the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
a Statements 1 and 3 are incorrect.
c Statement 1 is incorrect because institutional care is explicitly envisaged as a last resort, with family care and staying at home prioritized.
d Statement 3 is incorrect because the Bill does not create new penal offences or procedural powers inconsistent with existing central statutes like the IT Act.
With reference to the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA), consider the following statements:
1. It covers fishery resources including fish, molluscs, and crustaceans, but excludes highly migratory species listed under Annex I of UNCLOS.
2. India has been a full Contracting Party to SIOFA since 1996.
3. The agreement includes a High Seas Boarding and Inspection (HSBI) Scheme to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (c)
Statement 1 is correct: SIOFA covers fishery resources including fish, molluscs, and crustaceans, but excludes highly migratory species (Annex I of UNCLOS) and sedentary species under coastal state jurisdiction.
Statement 2 is incorrect: India has been a Contracting Party to the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) since 1996; with SIOFA, India had been a Cooperating Non-Contracting Party (CNCP) since 2022 before approving accession.
Statement 3 is correct: Under SIOFA, a High Seas Boarding and Inspection (HSBI) Scheme has been adopted to curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
a Statement 2 is incorrect.
b Statement 2 is incorrect, while Statement 1 is factually accurate.
d Statement 2 is incorrect; India joined IOTC in 1996, not SIOFA.
With reference to the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), consider the following statements:
1. It was initially launched in 1995 to provide pensions and social assistance to vulnerable groups.
2. The programme is administered under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
3. The scheme has been renamed as the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is correct: NSAP was launched in 1995 to cater to vulnerable groups including the elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The proposal was approved for the Department of Rural Development (under the Ministry of Rural Development), not the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Statement 3 is correct: The Union Cabinet approved renaming the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) as the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.
b Statement 2 is incorrect, making option d invalid.
c Statement 2 is incorrect because the programme falls under the Department of Rural Development.
d Statement 2 is incorrect because NSAP is administered by the Department of Rural Development, whereas Statement 1 is correct.
With reference to the Ramesh Chand Committee on the sugarcane and sugar sector, consider the following statements:
1. It was constituted to examine demands for increasing remunerative returns to sugarcane farmers and revising the ex-mill Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar.
2. Its mandate includes examining weighment practices and testing mechanisms for sugar recovery at sugar mills.
3. The Committee is headed by the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (b)
The Ramesh Chand Committee was constituted to examine issues raised by sugarcane farmers, including demands for remunerative returns and revision of the ex-mill Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar considering mill viability and production costs.
The mandate covers testing and reporting mechanisms for sugar recovery, verification transparency, and sugarcane weighment practices at mills.
The committee is chaired by Prof. Ramesh Chand, former Member of NITI Aayog, not the Union Minister.
a Statement 3 is incorrect, making option d wrong.
c Statement 1 is correct, but statement 3 is incorrect because the committee is chaired by Prof. Ramesh Chand.
d Statement 3 is incorrect because the committee is chaired by agricultural economist Prof. Ramesh Chand, not the Union Minister.
With reference to Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154), consider the following statements:
1. It is a dedicated multinational maritime training Task Force under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
2. Operation Southern Readiness 26-2 was the first major CMF training exercise hosted by India.
3. India has been a full member of the Combined Maritime Forces since its inception.
Answer: (c)
Statement 1 is correct: CTF 154 is CMF's dedicated multinational maritime training Task Force mandated to enhance professional competencies, interoperability, and capacity development among Partner Nations.
Statement 2 is correct: Operation Southern Readiness 26-2, conducted at the Southern Naval Command, Kochi, was the first major CMF training exercise hosted by India.
Statement 3 is incorrect: India joined the CMF as an Associate Partner in 2022 and became a full member only in 2023, not since inception.
a Statement 3 is incorrect.
b Statement 1 is correct, but Statement 3 is incorrect because India joined as an Associate Partner in 2022 and became a full member in 2023.
d Statement 2 is correct, but Statement 3 is incorrect regarding India's membership timeline.
Consider the following statements regarding the geopolitical and trade dynamics involving India, China, and the United States:
1. The current shift in the United States' tariff policy is closely linked to its broader objectives of domestic re-industrialisation and resetting terms of access to its economy.
2. Bilateral trade negotiations between India and the United States are officially led on the US side by the Department of the Treasury.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (b)
Statement 1 is correct: The United States' approach to tariffs is connected to its determination to re-industrialise and reset the terms of access to its domestic market.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Trade pact negotiations are conducted between India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), not the US Department of the Treasury.
a Statement 2 is incorrect because the negotiating agency is the US Trade Representative (USTR), while Statement 1 is correct.
c Statement 2 is incorrect, so both cannot be correct.
d Statement 1 is correct, making option d invalid.
With reference to the initiative launched by the Ministry of Law and Justice to tackle judicial case backlog in India, consider the following statements:
1. It envisions a nationwide, research-based mission specifically targeting the top 100 judicial districts with high litigation pendency.
2. National Law Universities (NLUs) have been roped in to carry out ground-level analysis and suggest strategies using their pro bono clubs and researchers.
3. The initiative is executed under the administrative aegis of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (b)
The Ministry of Law and Justice has initiated a research-based mission targeting the top 100 judicial districts having high litigation pendency.
NLUs have been engaged to utilize their pro bono clubs, researchers, and students to diagnose district-specific causes of delay and suggest feasible mechanisms.
Statement 3 is incorrect because the initiative is guided and driven by the Ministry of Law and Justice (Department of Justice), not the Ministry of Home Affairs.
a Statement 3 is incorrect because the initiative is steered by the Ministry of Law and Justice, not the Ministry of Home Affairs.
c Statement 2 is correct, but Statement 3 is incorrect as the initiative is under the Ministry of Law and Justice.
d Statement 1 is correct, but Statement 3 is incorrect as the initiative belongs to the Ministry of Law and Justice.
With reference to Padma Shri awardee Cheruvayal Raman, consider the following statements:
1. He belonged to the Kurichiya tribal community from Wayanad, Kerala.
2. He was a recipient of the National Plant Genome Saviour Award instituted by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority.
3. He established a commercial seed enterprise that sold indigenous hybrid seeds to agricultural institutions.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (c)
Cheruvayal Raman was an indigenous seed conservationist belonging to the Kurichiya tribe in Wayanad, Kerala.
He received the National Plant Genome Saviour Award instituted by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority for conserving traditional paddy varieties.
Statement 3 is incorrect because Raman did not sell his seeds commercially; instead, he conserved indigenous (non-hybrid) varieties and distributed them freely on the condition that farmers return a portion of the harvested seeds.
a Statement 1 is correct, and Statement 3 is incorrect because he did not operate a commercial seed-selling enterprise.
b Statement 3 is incorrect because he refused to sell seeds commercially and focused on indigenous non-hybrid varieties.
d Statement 2 is also correct as he received the National Plant Genome Saviour Award.
With reference to the strategic disinvestment and restructuring of IDBI Bank Ltd., consider the following statements:
1. The strategic buyer acquired a majority stake consisting of equity shares held jointly by the Government of India and the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).
2. Participation of bidders in the final bidding stage required 'Fit and Proper' clearance from the Reserve Bank of India as well as security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
3. Following the disinvestment, the Government of India completely exited its shareholding in the bank.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (a)
Statements 1 and 2 are correct: The strategic buyer acquired a 60.72% stake (comprising 30.48% from GoI and 30.24% from LIC). Bidders had to be found 'Fit and Proper' by the RBI and obtain security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) before participating in the Request for Proposal stage.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The Government of India did not completely exit; it retained a residual shareholding of 15% (while LIC retained 19%).
b Statement 3 is incorrect because neither GoI nor LIC completely exited the bank.
c Statement 1 is correct and Statement 3 is incorrect because the GoI retains a 15% residual stake.
d Statement 3 is incorrect; the GoI retains a 15% residual shareholding in IDBI Bank.
With reference to contemporary geopolitical and strategic developments, consider the following statements:
1. The United States enacted the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which provides mechanisms to impose sanctions on countries engaging in trade with Russia.
2. China maintains dominant control and a near-monopoly over the refining and processing of rare earth elements and critical minerals.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (c)
Statement 1 is correct: The United States recently passed the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which allows for sanctions on countries trading with Russia.
Statement 2 is correct: In the context of global chokepoints and resource weaponisation, China maintains a near-monopoly and dominant control over the refining and processing of rare earth elements and critical minerals.
a Statement 2 is also correct as China exercises dominant control over rare earth refining and processing.
b Both statements 1 and 2 are accurate based on international strategic developments.
d Statement 1 is also correct as the legislation specifically enables sanctions on third countries trading with Russia.
With reference to the Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Auditor’s Report) Order, 2026 (MSCARO, 2026), consider the following statements:
1. It has been formulated under statutory powers conferred by the Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023.
2. It requires auditors to provide standardized Yes/No responses along with remarks across specified compliance parameters.
3. It mandates immediate, single-phase applicability across all multi-state cooperative societies regardless of their asset size or financial thresholds.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is correct: The framework is formulated in pursuance of Section 73(6) of the Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023.
Statement 2 is correct: MSCARO requires statutory auditors to report through a standardized format providing for clear Yes/No responses along with relevant remarks.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The framework is mandated for phased implementation, covering larger societies (over ₹1,000 crore threshold) in the initial phase before eventually extending to societies crossing the ₹50 crore threshold.
b Statement 3 is incorrect because MSCARO follows a phased rollout starting with societies crossing ₹1,000 crore.
c Statement 1 is correct, and Statement 3 is incorrect as implementation is phased, not immediate across all societies.
d Statement 2 is correct and Statement 3 is incorrect.
With reference to the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline system, consider the following statements:
1. It connects Russia directly to Germany via an underwater route through the Baltic Sea.
2. Both Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 were operational and actively transporting gas to Europe immediately prior to the September 2022 underwater explosions.
3. The Russian energy firm Gazprom holds the majority ownership in the pipelines.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (b)
Statement 1 is correct: Nord Stream is an underwater gas pipeline network linking Russia directly to northeastern Germany through the Baltic Sea.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Russia had already switched off Nord Stream 1 in August 2022, while Nord Stream 2 never entered commercial operations because Germany suspended its certification process prior to the invasion of Ukraine.
Statement 3 is correct: Nord Stream is a pair of underwater pipelines majority-owned by the Russian state-controlled energy corporation Gazprom.
a Statement 1 is correct, and Statement 2 is incorrect because neither pipeline was actively transporting gas at the time of the blast.
c Statement 3 is also correct, as Gazprom holds majority ownership of the pipeline system.
d Statement 2 is incorrect because Nord Stream 1 had been switched off in August 2022 and Nord Stream 2 never started commercial operations.
Consider the following statements regarding findings on global warming and health burdens assessed by the Lancet Commission:
Statement-I: Limiting global temperature rise to around 1.8°C instead of 4.4°C can prevent the loss of nearly two billion years of healthy life.
Statement-II: Unmitigated warming compounds health losses beyond 2100 and exacerbates other indirect systemic threats such as migration.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Answer: (b)
Statement-I is correct: The study found that limiting warming to ~1.8°C instead of 4.4°C could avert the loss of 1.89 billion years of healthy life caused by factors like extreme heat and air pollution.
Statement-II is correct: Researchers observed that without sharp emissions cuts, health losses will compound past 2100 and intensify indirect threats like migration.
Statement-II does not explain why limiting warming to 1.8°C saves 1.89 billion years by 2100; rather, it highlights compounding long-term and indirect consequences that lie even beyond those quantified headline metrics.
a Statement-II does not serve as the causal explanation for Statement-I; it describes post-2100 compounding impacts and indirect threats not yet reflected in the quantified headline numbers of Statement-I.
c Statement-II is factually correct as stated in the commission's findings.
d Statement-I is factually correct as stated in the commission's findings.
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