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. India Adds Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel as Ramsar Sites
India's tally of internationally recognised Ramsar wetlands expanded to 103 following the designation of Sukhna Wetland in Chandigarh and Sauj Jheel in Uttar Pradesh.
2. Kigali Amendment at 10: India’s Cooling Choices and Climate Implications
Ten years after adopting the Kigali Amendment to phase down potent greenhouse gas HFCs, synchronizing refrigerant transitions with enhanced appliance energy efficiency is critical for India's swelling cooling demand.
Adopted on October 15, 2016, in Kigali, Rwanda, and entered into force in January 2019.
Aims to avert up to 0.5°C of global temperature rise by 2100 by phasing down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
India ratified the amendment in 2021, targeting an HFC freeze by 2028, a 10% reduction by 2032, and an 85% cut by 2047.
Supported by the Montreal Protocol's Multilateral Fund, operational since 1991 to finance compliance costs for developing nations.
Key terms
Kigali Amendment
— An international legally binding pact under the Montreal Protocol aiming to phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons.
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
— Non-ozone-depleting chemical refrigerants that possess exceptionally high global warming potentials relative to carbon dioxide.
Multilateral Fund
— A financial mechanism established under the Montreal Protocol to help developing nations meet the incremental costs of phasing out controlled chemicals.
3. Government Approves Centres of Excellence for Five Classical Languages
The Union government has sanctioned five dedicated Centres of Excellence across universities to advance research, preservation, and digitisation for newly designated classical languages.
Centres target five classical languages: Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali, and Prakrit.
Hosted across designated institutes: Tezpur University (Assamese), Visva-Bharati (Bengali), Deccan College Pune (Marathi), Central University of Odisha (Pali), and Central University of Gujarat (Prakrit).
India currently recognises a total of 11 classical languages.
Key focus areas include digitisation, manuscript documentation, advanced linguistic research, and regional scholarship expansion.
4. MoD Signs Deals for GSAT-7C Satellite and Varunastra Torpedoes
The Defence Ministry approved contracts worth ₹4,106 crore for indigenous military space and anti-submarine assets to enhance air and naval warfare capabilities.
5. PLFS Monthly Bulletin Highlights Labour Trends for September 2026
The National Statistical Office published the September 2026 Monthly Bulletin of the Periodic Labour Force Survey, reporting an overall jobless rate of 5.0% alongside rising female labour engagement.
6. Regulating AI-Driven Medical Technology in India
India's drug regulator has issued guidance on clinical software, highlighting the pressing need for a comprehensive statutory law to govern AI in healthcare.
7. IMF Warns Advanced Economies Over Surging Sovereign Debt and Global Spillovers
The International Monetary Fund warned that escalating public debt in advanced economies drives up global borrowing costs, disproportionately squeezing fiscal space in developing nations like India.
Global public debt is on track to cross 100% of global GDP prior to 2030.
US sovereign interest obligations are projected to hit 5.3% of GDP by 2031, nearly double the pre-pandemic rate of 2.8%.
Debt servicing currently drains over 15% of total tax receipts across low-income countries.
IMF revised India's FY2026–27 economic growth projection upward to 7% from an earlier 6.4%.
Key terms
Rent-based profit taxes
— A corporate taxation method allowing full upfront write-offs of investment expenses while taxing only supernormal profits exceeding standard returns.
Bond yields
— The effective rate of return an investor receives on a debt security, which benchmarks broader commercial and public borrowing costs.
8. SC: Conversion to Islam Does Not Automatically Confer BC Reservation Status
The Supreme Court confirmed that religious conversion alone cannot grant Backward Class (Muslim) quota benefits without proven assimilation into a specifically notified backward community.
Supreme Court affirmed a Madras High Court judgment invalidating a 2024 Tamil Nadu government order.
Tamil Nadu identifies seven specific backward Muslim communities, such as Labbais, Deccanis, and Mapillas.
The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, strictly confines Scheduled Caste eligibility to individuals practicing Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism.
Articles 341 and 366(24) govern the presidential listing and definition of Scheduled Castes.
Key terms
Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950
— A presidential decree specifying that only persons professing Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism can be recognized as members of Scheduled Castes.
Backward Class (Muslim)
— A state-level reservation category designated for specifically notified, socially and educationally backward sub-groups within the Muslim population.
9. NITI Aayog Framework Proposes Resource Audits for Approving Data Centres
NITI Aayog has drafted a framework requiring states to vet data centre projects on power, water sustainability, and net economic value before granting approvals and incentives.
Prepared by NITI Aayog's Frontier Tech Hub as India drafts a dedicated national data centre policy.
Mandates a joint 'Power Readiness and Ramp-up Plan' with DISCOMs and transmission utilities prior to approval.
Requires facilities demanding over 20 MW to feature automated demand-response and integrate with State Load Dispatch Centres.
Calls for a 20-30 year water availability assessment to ensure supplies for agriculture and homes remain unaffected.
Proposes the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) act as the nodal ministry for centralised compliance audits.
Key terms
State Load Dispatch Centres
— Apex state-level operational bodies responsible for monitoring, coordinating, and ensuring the stable real-time integrated operation of the regional electricity grid.
Automated demand-response
— Technological mechanisms that automatically adjust a facility's power consumption based on real-time electricity grid stress or pricing signals.
Colocation facilities
— Data centres that rent out physical space, power, and cooling to third-party clients rather than hosting managed cloud or processing services.
10. Ladakh Autonomy Talks Stall Over Proposed Legislative Powers
Negotiations between the Centre and Ladakh leaders remain inconclusive as disagreements persist regarding the legislative powers and governance structure of a proposed constitutional provision under Article 371(K).
Talks are being conducted between the Ministry of Home Affairs and two primary representative bodies: Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
The Centre has put forward an alternative draft proposal suggesting a special constitutional safeguard under Article 371(K).
Ladakh delegates continue to press for full statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
A follow-up meeting has been scheduled for October 22 in New Delhi to bridge differences.
Key terms
Article 371(K)
— A proposed constitutional provision aimed at granting special administrative safeguards and legislative autonomy to the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Sixth Schedule
— A constitutional framework providing for autonomous district councils with legislative, judicial, and executive powers to protect tribal land, culture, and governance.
11. India Advances Tri-Service Integrated Military Logistics System
The Department of Military Affairs is overhauling armed forces supply networks into a unified tri-service architecture to enable future theatre commands.
12. Commerce Ministry Launches National Strategic Trade Command Centre for Data-Driven Governance
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry inaugurated the National Strategic Trade Command Centre to leverage integrated data analytics for proactive trade policy and streamlined regulatory oversight.
13. Digital India BHASHINI Division and Manipur Partner for Multilingual AI
MeitY's BHASHINI division signed an MoU with Manipur to deploy multilingual AI and bridge digital governance language barriers for indigenous communities.
14. TDB Funds Indigenous 32-Slice CT Scanner Development by Panacea Medical
The Technology Development Board has partnered with Panacea Medical Technologies to commercialise an indigenous 32-slice CT scanner, curbing import reliance under Make in India.
15. Ministry of Tribal Affairs Convenes Working Group on Tribal Languages
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched the Working Group on Tribal Languages to advance the preservation, digital archiving, and educational integration of indigenous mother tongues.
16. Land Shortage and Siting Disputes Stall Agriculture Ministry Weather Network
Implementation of the nationwide WINDS weather sensor initiative has stalled drastically due to land constraints and strict IMD standards mandating ground-level over rooftop installations.
17. DoT Mandates KYC-Linked Caller Name Presentation for Telecom Operators
The Department of Telecommunications has mandated that telecom providers display the official KYC-verified name of incoming callers to curb fraudulent identity use and spam calls.
Department of Telecommunications (DoT) directive enforces Caller Name Presentation (CNAP) starting November 1.
Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) must display the Know Your Customer (KYC)-linked legal name of callers without degrading call quality.
First proposed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) via a consultation paper in 2022.
Exemptions are granted only to specific entities qualified under Caller Line Identity Restriction (CLIR), including high constitutional offices and intelligence bodies.
Key terms
Caller Name Presentation (CNAP)
— A telecommunications feature that displays the official KYC-registered legal name of a caller on the receiver's phone screen.
Caller Line Identity Restriction (CLIR)
— A protective telecom protocol that withholds a caller's identity and number, typically granted to top constitutional officials and security agencies.
18. Narcotrafficking and Targeted Killings in Punjab
Recent assassinations in Punjab highlight a deteriorating public safety landscape driven by organized drug cartels, vigilante responses, and cross-border nexus.
AIIMS 2017-18 survey pegged opioid dependence in Punjab at 1.28% against the national average of 0.26%
NCRB registered 106 drug overdose fatalities in Punjab in 2024, up from 89 in 2023
Under the 2025 'Yugh Nashian Virudh' drive, authorities made 68,850 arrests and attached properties worth ₹319 crore
A Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime report highlighted the diversion of precursors from India's chemical and pharmaceutical sectors
Key terms
Magnitude of Substance Use in India survey
— A nationwide study conducted by AIIMS assessing the prevalence and patterns of drug and substance abuse across demographics.
Asset forfeiture
— The permanent legal deprivation of ownership of illicitly acquired assets, distinct from preliminary attachment.
Consider the following statements regarding the designation of Ramsar Sites in India:
1. Sukhna Wetland is designated as a Ramsar Site located in the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
2. Sauj Jheel, designated as a Ramsar Site, is situated in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
3. With the addition of Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel, India's total tally of Ramsar sites has reached 103.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (a)
Sukhna Wetland is located in Chandigarh and has been designated as a Ramsar site.
Sauj Jheel is situated in Uttar Pradesh and is among the latest additions to India's Ramsar sites.
With the inclusion of these two wetlands, India's total tally of Ramsar sites stands at 103.
b Statement 1 is also correct as Sukhna Wetland is situated in Chandigarh.
c Statement 3 is also correct as India's Ramsar site tally reached 103 with these additions.
d Statement 2 is also correct as Sauj Jheel is located in Uttar Pradesh.
Consider the following statements regarding the core dimensions of the National Strategic Trade Command Centre (NSTCC):
1. It facilitates monitoring and benchmarking of Regional Authorities and export promotion schemes against defined performance indicators.
2. It enables product-wise and market-wise analysis to assess trade agreement utilisation and identify export opportunities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (c)
Statement 1 is correct: One of the three key dimensions of NSTCC is Performance Assessment, which facilitates monitoring and benchmarking of schemes, processes, and Regional Authorities against defined performance indicators.
Statement 2 is correct: The platform seeks to enhance trade intelligence capabilities by enabling product-wise and market-wise analysis, evaluating trade agreement utilisation, and identifying export opportunities.
a Statement 1 is also correct as NSTCC benchmarks schemes and Regional Authorities against defined indicators.
b Statement 2 is also correct as NSTCC explicitly supports product-wise and market-wise intelligence and trade agreement utilisation analysis.
d Both statements 1 and 2 are accurate reflections of NSTCC's mandate.
Consider the following statements regarding initiatives under India's Language-First Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI):
1. BHASHINI Shilpi serves as an interactive platform for developers, students, and innovators to experiment and build solutions using Language AI APIs.
2. Digital India BHASHINI Division is established under the Union Ministry of Science and Technology.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is correct: BHASHINI Shilpi provides an interactive platform for developers, innovators, and students to experiment, solve real-world problems, and develop applications using BHASHINI’s language technologies and APIs.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD) operates under the Digital India Corporation within the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), not the Ministry of Science and Technology.
b Statement 1 is correct, making this option incorrect.
c Statement 2 is incorrect because DIBD is under MeitY, not the Ministry of Science and Technology.
d Statement 2 is incorrect, so both cannot be correct.
With reference to Computed Tomography (CT) Scanners, consider the following statements:
1. They utilise rotating X-ray systems and digital detectors to capture cross-sectional images.
2. Medical devices have been identified as a priority sector under the Make in India initiative.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (b)
Statement 1 is correct: CT scanners function using rotating X-ray systems and digital detectors to capture cross-sectional images, which computer algorithms reconstruct to generate detailed views of internal body structures.
Statement 2 is correct: Medical devices have been identified as a priority sector under the Government of India's Make in India initiative to boost indigenous manufacturing.
a Statement 2 is also correct as medical devices are a designated priority sector under Make in India.
c Statement 1 is also correct as it accurately describes the operating principle of CT scanners.
In the context of international trade and U.S. trade policies, 'Section 301', often mentioned in the news, relates to:
Answer: (a)
Section 301 refers to a key statutory provision under the U.S. Trade Act that authorises the United States to investigate foreign trade practices—such as forced labour or excess capacity—and impose retaliatory duties or tariffs.
The context highlights investigations and tariff levies by the U.S. under Section 301 affecting Indian goods.
b It is not a United Nations convention governing maritime corridors.
c Section 301 is a domestic U.S. statutory tool under its Trade Act, not a WTO dispute settlement mechanism.
d It has no relation to the International Monetary Fund or sovereign debt restructuring.
Consider the following statements regarding the integration of defence infrastructure and logistics in India:
Statement-I: The PM Gati Shakti Defence Portal is being developed to align with the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) and provide a defence-equivalent joint logistics interface.
Statement-II: The portal aims to eliminate the existing unified theatre commands and restore independent, service-specific logistics supply chains for the armed forces.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Answer: (c)
Statement-I is correct: The Department of Military Affairs is developing the PM Gati Shakti Defence Portal to align with the National Logistics Policy and ULIP, creating a joint logistics interface across Services and theatre boundaries.
Statement-II is incorrect: The portal and related logistics reforms are designed to support and enable the planned unified theatre commands by moving away from service-specific silos, rather than eliminating theatre commands or restoring separate supply chains.
a Statement-II is incorrect because the initiative is meant to enable theatre commands and integrate logistics, not restore isolated service-specific chains.
b Statement-II is factually incorrect.
d Statement-I is correct as described in the official communications regarding the PM Gati Shakti Defence Portal.
Consider the following statements regarding the Working Group on Tribal Languages constituted by the Government of India:
1. It was constituted under the aegis of the Ministry of Education to oversee the implementation of the National Education Policy.
2. It was established to guide efforts towards the documentation, preservation, research, and promotion of tribal languages across the country.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (a)
The Working Group on Tribal Languages was constituted by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, not the Ministry of Education.
Its mandate is to guide initiatives focused on the documentation, preservation, research, and promotion of tribal languages across India.
b Statement 2 is correct, so neither is not the answer.
c Statement 1 is incorrect because the Working Group was constituted by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
d Statement 1 is incorrect, so both cannot be correct.
In traditional macroeconomic theory, which of the following measures are typically advocated to stimulate aggregate consumer demand when it declines?
1. Lowering interest rates
2. Increasing government handouts and doles
3. Restricting public spending
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Answer: (c)
Mechanical macroeconomic approaches advocate lowering interest rates and raising government doles when aggregate consumer demand falls.
Restricting public spending or cutting back on handouts is instead recommended when demand outstrips supply, not when demand is depressed.
a Statement 3 is incorrect because public spending is expanded, not restricted, during low demand phases.
b Statement 1 is correct while Statement 3 is incorrect as cutting spending dampens demand rather than stimulating it.
d Statement 3 is incorrect because restricting public expenditure contracts consumer demand.
With reference to the Centres of Excellence approved for classical languages, consider the following statements:
1. The initiative aims to provide dedicated institutional support for advanced research, preservation, and digitisation of literary heritage.
2. The initiative covers five classical languages: Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali, and Prakrit.
3. The Centre of Excellence for classical Pali will be established at the Central University of Gujarat.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (b)
The Centres of Excellence are established under the Ministry of Education to support academic research, preservation, and digitisation of literary heritage.
The five approved languages are Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali, and Prakrit.
The Centre of Excellence for classical Pali will be housed at the Central University of Odisha, while the Central University of Gujarat will host the centre for Prakrit.
a Statement 2 is correct, and statement 3 is incorrect because Pali's centre is in Odisha.
c Statement 1 is correct, but statement 3 is incorrect because Pali will be hosted by the Central University of Odisha, not Gujarat.
d Statement 3 is incorrect as the Central University of Gujarat will host the centre for Prakrit, not Pali.
With reference to the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, consider the following statements:
1. It mandates a complete phase-out of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) across all signatory countries.
2. Although HFCs do not deplete the stratospheric ozone layer, they possess global warming potentials significantly higher than carbon dioxide.
3. Under its agreed schedule, India is required to freeze its HFC production and consumption by 2028.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Kigali Amendment calls for a "phase-down" rather than a complete "phase-out", permitting limited continued use after targeted reductions.
Statement 2 is correct: HFCs became substitutes for CFCs specifically because they do not deplete ozone, but weight for weight, many have hundreds to thousands of times the warming impact of carbon dioxide.
Statement 3 is correct: Under its Kigali commitments, India ratified the amendment in 2021 and must freeze HFC production and consumption in 2028.
b Statement 1 is incorrect because the treaty mandates a phase-down, not an absolute phase-out.
c Statement 1 is incorrect because Kigali calls for a phase-down (allowing limited use to continue), not a total phase-out; Statement 3 is correct.
d Statement 1 is incorrect because the amendment sets a phase-down target, not a complete phase-out; Statement 2 is correct.
With reference to the 'Varunastra' torpedo system, consider the following statements:
1. It is an indigenous ship-launched heavy-weight anti-submarine torpedo.
2. It has been developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory.
3. The manufacturing contract for its procurement was signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Answer: (c)
Varunastra is an indigenous ship-launched heavy-weight anti-submarine torpedo equipped with advanced maneuvering capabilities to engage enemy submarines.
It was developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL).
The procurement contract worth Rs 1,543 crore was signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Hyderabad.
a All three statements are factually correct, not just one.
b All three statements are factually correct, not just two.
With reference to the regulation of Medical Devices under the Medical Devices Rules, 2017 in India, consider the following statements:
1. Medical devices are classified into four risk categories ranging from Class A (low risk) to Class D (high risk).
2. State licensing authorities regulate the manufacture of devices under Classes A and B, whereas the central licensing authority regulates the manufacture of Classes C and D.
3. The import of all classes of medical devices is governed exclusively by the State licensing authorities.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (a)
The Medical Devices Rules, 2017 classify medical devices into four risk-based categories: Class A (low risk), Class B (low-to-moderate risk), Class C (moderate-to-high risk), and Class D (high risk).
The manufacture of Class A and B devices is handled by State licensing authorities, while the central authority regulates the manufacture of Class C and D devices.
Statement 3 is incorrect because the central authority (not State licensing authorities) regulates the import of all classes of medical devices.
b Statement 3 is incorrect as import licensing across all risk categories rests with the central regulatory authority.
c Statement 2 is correct and Statement 3 is incorrect; State licensing authorities do not regulate the import of medical devices.
d Statement 1 is correct and Statement 3 is incorrect; the central authority regulates the import of all classes.
With reference to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), consider the following statements:
1. It is conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
2. The monthly estimates of key labour market indicators are presented following the Current Weekly Status (CWS) approach.
3. The survey methodology provides estimates of key labour market indicators only for persons aged 18 years and above.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (d)
The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) is conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
The monthly bulletins present estimates of indicators such as LFPR, WPR, and UR using the Current Weekly Status (CWS) approach.
The headline estimates for labour market indicators in the survey cover persons aged 15 years and above, not 18 years and above.
a Statement 1 is correct, and Statement 3 is incorrect because the indicator estimates are evaluated for persons aged 15 years and above.
b Statement 2 is correct and Statement 3 is incorrect.
c Statement 3 is incorrect as the age threshold measured is 15+ years.
With reference to the prevalence of substance abuse and related trends in India, consider the following statements:
1. According to the AIIMS 'Magnitude of Substance Use in India' survey (2017–18), the prevalence rate of opioid dependence in Punjab was significantly higher than the national average.
2. In India, official drug overdose mortality records maintain exhaustive figures as they account for long-term complications and indirect health hazards related to unhygienic drug use.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (c)
Statement 1 is correct: The AIIMS Magnitude of Substance Use in India survey estimated that 1.28% of Punjab's population aged 10–75 years had an opioid dependence, compared to 0.26% nationally.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Official overdose death data (such as NCRB data) is considered an undercount because attribution relies strictly on medical certification and excludes long-term health complications and unhygienic habits associated with drug use.
a Statement 1 is factually correct according to the survey findings.
b Statement 2 is incorrect because official records rely strictly on medical certification and exclude long-term complications or secondary risks.
d Statement 1 is correct because the AIIMS survey found Punjab's opioid dependence rate (1.28%) to be nearly five times the national rate (0.26%).
With reference to the constitutional provisions and legal framework governing Scheduled Caste (SC) status in India, consider the following statements:
1. Under Paragraph 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, only persons professing Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism can be deemed members of a Scheduled Caste.
2. Article 366(24) of the Constitution defines Scheduled Castes as groups notified by the Governor of the respective State.
3. The legal protections available under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act rely on the definitions tied to the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (d)
Statement 1 is correct: Paragraph 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 explicitly stipulates that no person who professes a religion different from the Hindu, Sikh, or Buddhist religion shall be deemed to be a member of a Scheduled Caste.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Article 366(24) of the Constitution defines Scheduled Castes as those castes, races, or tribes deemed under Article 341 to be Scheduled Castes, which are notified by the President, not the Governor.
Statement 3 is correct: The SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act adopts the definition of Scheduled Castes provided under the Constitution via Article 341 and the 1950 Presidential Order.
a Statement 2 is incorrect, so all three cannot be correct.
b Statement 2 is incorrect, and Statement 1 is correct.
c Statement 2 is incorrect because the President, not the Governor, notifies Scheduled Castes under Article 341 as referenced by Article 366(24).
With reference to the Weather Information Network and Data System (WINDS), consider the following statements:
1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences to replace all traditional meteorological observatories.
2. Its hyper-local weather data is primarily aimed at aiding insurance estimates and payouts under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
3. It is executed through the Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC).
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (b)
Statement 1 is incorrect: WINDS is run by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, not the Ministry of Earth Sciences, and aims to establish a nationwide network of weather sensors rather than replace existing observatories.
Statement 2 is correct: A primary objective of WINDS is to supply hyper-local weather data to aid in computing insurance estimates and payouts under the PMFBY.
Statement 3 is correct: The project is executed through the Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC).
a Statement 1 is incorrect because the initiative is run by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
c Statement 1 is incorrect; Statement 2 is correct.
d Statement 1 is incorrect regarding the responsible ministry.
With reference to the framework proposed by NITI Aayog's Frontier Tech Hub for regulating and incentivising data centres, consider the following statements:
1. It recommends that data-centre projects be evaluated by states on their net economic contribution and resource availability rather than investment commitments alone.
2. For data centres with electricity capacity above 20 megawatts (MW), it proposes mandatory integration with State Load Dispatch Centres and automated demand-response readiness.
3. The framework recommends that the Ministry of Power act as the nodal ministry for the centralised audit mechanism to verify compliance.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (b)
Statement 1 is correct: The framework advises states to assess projects on electricity/water availability, safeguards, and net economic contribution, rather than solely on headline investment commitments.
Statement 2 is correct: Mandatory automated demand-response readiness and integration with State Load Dispatch Centres is specifically proposed for facilities with power requirements exceeding 20 MW.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The framework proposes that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), not the Ministry of Power, serve as the nodal ministry for the centralised audit mechanism.
a Statement 2 is correct and Statement 3 is incorrect.
c Statement 1 is correct; Statement 3 is incorrect as MeitY is proposed as the nodal ministry.
d Statement 3 is incorrect because the framework specifies MeitY, not the Ministry of Power.
With reference to the Caller Name Presentation (CNAP) service mandated for telecom operators, consider the following statements:
1. It displays the Know Your Customer-linked (KYC) name of incoming callers to the call receiver.
2. Telecom operators are permitted to retain the names displayed to end users to maintain an identity log for grievance redressal.
3. Individuals who qualify for the Calling Line Identity Restriction (CLIR) facility are exempted from CNAP.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is correct: CNAP requires telecom operators to display the KYC-registered name of incoming callers to the receiver.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Telecom operators have been instructed not to compromise user privacy by retaining names displayed to end users in any way whatsoever.
Statement 3 is correct: Those who qualify for Caller Line Identity Restriction (CLIR), such as senior officials and intelligence agencies, are exempt from CNAP.
b Statement 1 is correct, and Statement 2 is incorrect.
c Statement 2 is incorrect as privacy safeguards explicitly forbid storing or retaining the displayed names.
d Statement 2 is incorrect because telecom operators are strictly prohibited from retaining the displayed names in any manner.
With reference to the demands and constitutional safeguards discussed for the Union Territory of Ladakh, consider the following statements:
1. The Apex Body Leh (ABL) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have jointly demanded statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
2. The Ministry of Home Affairs has proposed a constitutional framework under Article 371(K) as an alternative mechanism to extend protections to Ladakh.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (b)
The Apex Body Leh (ABL) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) are jointly spearheading the demand for statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh.
The Centre proposed a constitutional safeguard under Article 371(K) to provide an alternative governance framework and special protections.
a Statement 2 is also correct as the Union Home Ministry proposed Article 371(K) to extend safeguards.
c Statement 1 is also correct as ABL and KDA are jointly demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status.
d Both statements 1 and 2 are factual and supported by the text.
With reference to the travel insurance facility offered for Indian Railways passengers, consider the following statements:
1. It is provided on an optional basis and is currently available exclusively for tickets booked online.
2. Foreign nationals traveling on Indian Railways are eligible to avail of the insurance coverage.
3. The travel insurance compensation is provided over and above the compensation liability of the railways under the Railways Act, 1989.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (b)
Statement 1 is correct: Currently, the travel insurance facility is optional and available only for tickets booked online (e-tickets).
Statement 2 is incorrect: The scheme applies strictly to Indian citizens; foreign nationals are ineligible for the travel insurance coverage.
Statement 3 is correct: The insurance payout is over and above the statutory compensation liability of the railways for death or injury under the Railways Act of 1989.
a Statement 1 is correct, and Statement 2 is incorrect.
c Statement 2 is incorrect because foreign nationals are ineligible for this travel insurance scheme.
d Statement 2 is incorrect because the scheme is restricted to Indian citizens only.
With reference to the fiscal policy and taxation recommendations proposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), consider the following statements:
Statement-I: The IMF recommends the implementation of rent-based profit taxes to encourage capital formation without compromising overall government revenues.
Statement-II: Rent-based profit taxes allow businesses to immediately deduct investment costs while restricting taxation only to profits above the normal return on investment.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Answer: (a)
Statement-I is correct: The IMF proposes rent-based profit taxes as a reform to increase long-term capital stock and investment while maintaining revenue neutrality.
Statement-II is correct: Under rent-based profit taxes, firms are permitted to deduct full investment costs immediately while taxing only "super-normal" profits (profits above normal returns), directly explaining why it boosts capital formation.
b Statement-II provides the exact operational definition and mechanism of how rent-based profit taxes encourage capital formation, thus correctly explaining Statement-I.
c Statement-II is correct as per the IMF's recommended design of rent-based profit taxes.
d Statement-I is correct as recommended by the IMF.
Items are summarised in our own words from PIB, The Hindu and The Indian Express; nothing is reproduced from the articles, and each item links to the original. Questions are generated from those releases and re-checked against the source text by a second model before publishing. If one looks wrong, use Feedback — every report is read.
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