Q1. With reference to the Talwar-class frigates of the Indian Navy, consider the following statements:
- INS Tamal is the last Talwar-class frigate to be built abroad under Project 1135.6.
- Both Triput and Tavasya are being constructed in India with Russian design assistance under transfer of technology.
- Triput will be the first indigenously designed frigate of the Talwar class.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: INS Tamal, built at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, is described as the likely last foreign-built warship for the Indian Navy, completing the foreign component of Project 1135.6.
- Statement 2 is correct: Triput and Tavasya are being built in India at Goa Shipyard Limited with design assistance and transfer of technology from Russia.
- Statement 3 is incorrect: While Triput is the first indigenously built Talwar-class frigate, it is not indigenously designed. The design is still Russian (Krivak III-class derivative). Hence, this statement falsely implies indigenous design, making it incorrect.
Thus, only two statements are correct → Option (b).
Correct Answer: (b)
Q2. In the context of freshwater availability in India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- A country is classified as water-stressed if its annual per capita freshwater availability falls below 1,700 cubic meters.
- As per recent data, India’s per capita water availability has already crossed into the water scarcity category.
- India hosts nearly one-fifth of the global population, but has access to less than one-tenth of global freshwater and uses more than half of it for industrial purposes.
Select the correct answer using the code below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct. The UN and many hydrological studies classify countries as water-stressed if their per capita water availability is below 1,700 m³/year. India’s figure (1,486 m³ in 2021) confirms that it is already in the stressed zone.
- Statement 2: Incorrect. Water scarcity is a more severe condition, defined by the 1,000 m³/year threshold. India, at 1,486 m³ (2021) and projected 1,367 m³ (2031), is not yet in the scarcity category.
- Statement 3: Incorrect.
- India hosts ~18% of the global population and has only ~4% of global freshwater, not "less than one-tenth."
- Over 80% of India’s water use is agricultural, not industrial. The industrial share is below 10%.
Hence, only Statement 1 is correct → Option (a).
Correct Answer: (a)
Q3. Consider the following statements:
Statement I:
The Composite Water Management Index (CWMI), developed by NITI Aayog, ranks Indian states based on indicators such as groundwater restoration, irrigation practices, and urban water supply management.
Statement II:
The CWMI assigns higher scores to states with per capita water availability above 1,700 cubic meters, in alignment with global water stress benchmarks.
Statement III:
CWMI uses international scarcity frameworks like the Falkenmark Index to classify states as water-stressed or water-scarce.
The Composite Water Management Index (CWMI), developed by NITI Aayog, ranks Indian states based on indicators such as groundwater restoration, irrigation practices, and urban water supply management.
Statement II:
The CWMI assigns higher scores to states with per capita water availability above 1,700 cubic meters, in alignment with global water stress benchmarks.
Statement III:
CWMI uses international scarcity frameworks like the Falkenmark Index to classify states as water-stressed or water-scarce.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
(b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
(c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
(d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
Explanation:
- Statement I: Correct and informative.
CWMI does assess Indian states based on a broad set of sectoral indicators including groundwater, irrigation, watershed development, and urban/rural water supply, making it the correct contextual base. - Statement II: Incorrect.
- CWMI does not use per capita availability thresholds (like 1,700 m³ or 1,000 m³) as part of its scoring criteria.
- It evaluates performance and efficiency, not absolute availability.
- A high-performing state can still be water-stressed in per capita terms.
- Statement III: Incorrect.
- CWMI is an Indian policy tool, and does not adopt international indices (like the Falkenmark) to label states.
- It uses a composite scoring system, not threshold-based scarcity classification.
Hence, both Statement II and III are incorrect, and the correct answer is: (d).
Correct Answer: (d)
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding springs in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR):
Statement I:
Spring discharge in the IHR is governed by fractured rock aquifers and fault-line structures, which cannot be adequately captured by conventional watershed-based approaches.
Statement II:
Until 2018, no official Indian water policy or institutional report had explicitly acknowledged the hydrogeological basis or degradation of Himalayan springs.
Statement III:
Traditional structures such as naulas are designed to harvest monsoon runoff and have no functional relationship with groundwater-fed springs.
Spring discharge in the IHR is governed by fractured rock aquifers and fault-line structures, which cannot be adequately captured by conventional watershed-based approaches.
Statement II:
Until 2018, no official Indian water policy or institutional report had explicitly acknowledged the hydrogeological basis or degradation of Himalayan springs.
Statement III:
Traditional structures such as naulas are designed to harvest monsoon runoff and have no functional relationship with groundwater-fed springs.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and both of them explain the limitations of past institutional approaches to spring management
(b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains the decline of spring discharge
(c) Only one of the Statements I and III is correct and that explains the traditional misunderstanding of spring dynamics
(d) Neither Statement I nor Statement III is correct
Explanation:
- Statement I: Correct.
- The hydrogeology of springs in the Himalayas is shaped by fractured rock aquifers, fault lines, and deep subsurface flows.
- Watershed approaches, which focus on surface runoff and slope-driven flow, fail to address this — making the current institutional frameworks inadequate for spring revival.
- Statement II: Correct.
- The 1987 and 2012 National Water Policies made no mention of springs, nor of hydrogeological mapping or spring degradation.
- NITI Aayog’s 2018 report was the first formal acknowledgment of springs' importance and decline, based on scientific and hydrogeological evidence.
- Statement III: Incorrect.
- Naulas are groundwater-fed and their porous floors are specifically designed to allow seepage from shallow aquifers.
- They are not built for runoff harvesting like check dams or tanks.
- Hence, the statement misrepresents their function.
Thus, only Statement I and II are correct, and both directly relate to the institutional neglect and technical mismatch in managing springs.
Correct Answer: (a)
Protecting Himalayan Springs: A Forgotten Lifeline
India is home to around 5 million springs, and remarkably, nearly 3 million of these are located in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). These springs play a vital role in feeding the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and other perennial rivers that provide freshwater to millions.
Why Springs Matter
Springs are not just sources of drinking water — they are critical to the natural flow of rivers in the Himalayas. If these springs dry up, the water levels of major rivers will decline, affecting both ecosystems and human settlements downstream.
Surface Water vs Groundwater: A Policy Gap
Traditionally, water policies have focused on watersheds, which are easier to map and manage. However, this approach considers only surface water movement over slopes. Spring water, on the other hand, is groundwater, whose movement depends on the underground geology — the type, structure, and slope of the rocks beneath the surface.
Because of this difference, springs have often been neglected in national policies. Neither the 1987 nor the 2012 National Water Policy mentioned springs, despite being the most comprehensive water frameworks in India. This reflects a long-standing institutional oversight.
Recent Recognition
Only in 2018 did NITI Aayog formally acknowledge the importance of springs through its report, Inventory and Revival of Springs in the Himalayas for Water Security. Following this, the Ministry of Jal Shakti issued guidelines in 2019 highlighting the need for spring rejuvenation.
Springs in Local Culture
Springs hold deep cultural and spiritual significance in Himalayan communities. They are known by various names:
- Hittis in Darjeeling
- Other names include naula, dhara, khal, gul, simar, and dhan.
A naula is a traditional stone structure, resembling a small hut, that shelters a spring. Its porous floor allows water to naturally seep in. These structures are often considered sacred and are treated like temples by villagers.
A gul is a man-made channel that carries water from a spring or surface source to the fields or homes. It may tap into underground or surface flows.
Q5. With reference to the Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- It curtailed the power of judicial review by amending Article 32 and Article 226.
- It added a provision stating that laws made to implement Directive Principles could not be declared void merely because they violated Fundamental Rights.
- It introduced provisions to reduce the powers of High Courts in matters related to constitutional validity of central laws.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) II only
(b) I and II only
(c) II and III only
(d) I, II and III
Explanation:
- Statement I: Incorrect
- The 42nd Amendment did not amend Articles 32 or 226, which are the key constitutional articles conferring judicial review powers on the Supreme Court and High Courts.
- Hence, it did not directly curtail judicial review through these articles.
- Statement II: Correct
- The Amendment expanded Article 31C to protect any law made to implement any Directive Principle from being declared void even if it violated Articles 14, 19, or 31.
- This gave Directive Principles primacy over key Fundamental Rights.
- Statement III: Incorrect
- While the 42nd Amendment attempted to centralize power, it did not include any specific provision reducing the High Courts’ power to assess the constitutional validity of central laws.
- High Courts retain their power under Article 226 — no such curtailment was enacted.
→ Thus, only Statement II is correct.
Correct Answer: (a)
Q6. With reference to recent global trends in international finance, consider the following statements:
- The BRICS proposal for a gold-backed currency aims to establish a cross-border unit of account that is shielded from both monetary inflation and external sanctions.
- CIPS, developed by China, facilitates cross-border financial transactions and aims to reduce reliance on the US-led SWIFT network.
- The strategic use of sanctions by the US has accelerated efforts by several countries to diversify away from dollar reserves.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I and II only
(b) II and III only
(c) I and III only
(d) I, II and III
Explanation:
- Statement I: Incorrect
- While the BRICS currency proposal aims to bypass dollar-based financial systems, the term “unit of account” backed by gold is speculative and not part of any finalized framework.
- Moreover, shielding from monetary inflation is not the stated focus of BRICS — the emphasis is on de-dollarization and sanctions-proofing.
- Statement II: Correct
- CIPS is a Chinese-developed system intended to process international yuan payments, and serves as an alternative to SWIFT, especially among countries seeking to bypass dollar-based systems.
- Statement III: Correct
- The weaponisation of the dollar through sanctions has directly led to increased gold purchases and alternative settlement mechanisms by several countries.
Correct Answer: (b)
Q7. Consider the following statements regarding recent shifts in global reserve and payment systems:
- Unlike dollar reserves, gold reserves can be stored domestically and are less vulnerable to foreign sanctions.
- CIPS is jointly operated by BRICS and the People’s Bank of China for all inter-BRICS currency exchange.
- In response to financial weaponization, several central banks have accelerated bilateral trade settlements in national currencies instead of the US dollar.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I and III only
(b) II only
(c) I, II and III
(d) I and II only
Explanation:
- Statement I: Correct
- Gold is sanction-resistant and can be stored domestically, unlike foreign-held dollar reserves which are vulnerable to freezing or seizure.
- Statement II: Incorrect
- CIPS is entirely developed and run by China, not co-managed by BRICS.
- It is not exclusive to BRICS, nor is it the default for inter-BRICS transactions.
- Statement III: Correct
- In the wake of US-led sanctions, many countries (e.g. India-Russia, China-Brazil) have begun settling trade in local currencies, a key aspect of de-dollarization.
Correct Answer: (a)
Q8. With reference to recent literacy and human development trends in India, consider the following statements:
- As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey, Mizoram has achieved a literacy rate of over 98% among citizens aged seven and above.
- Mizoram's rural and urban literacy rates differ by more than 10 percentage points.
- Mizoram has one of the highest school attendance rates in India at both primary and secondary levels.
- Kerala continues to have the highest literacy rate in India according to the latest data.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: Mizoram has a literacy rate of 98.2% among people aged 7 and above.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: The urban-rural literacy gap is minimal (only 0.2%).
- Statement 3 is correct: Mizoram has one of the highest school attendance rates at both primary and secondary levels.
- Statement 4 is incorrect: Mizoram has surpassed Kerala in terms of literacy rate.
Correct Answer: (d)
Mizoram: India’s First Fully Literate State
Literacy Milestone
- Mizoram has become the first state in India to achieve full literacy under the Centre’s ULLAS – New India Literacy Programme.
- As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS):
- 98.2% of Mizo citizens aged 7 and above are literate.
- This is well above the national average of 80.9%.
- Mizoram has now surpassed even Kerala, long known for its educational achievements.
Rural-Urban Literacy Equality
- Rural literacy: 98.1%
- Urban literacy: 98.3%
- This reflects almost no urban-rural divide, unlike most Indian states where the gap exceeds 15 percentage points.
Strong Social Indicators
- Female workforce participation: Mizoram ranks third-highest in India.
- Sex ratio at birth: 975 females per 1,000 males (national average: 929).
- Infant mortality rate: Lowest in the Northeast region.
- School attendance: Among the highest in India at both primary and secondary levels.
Q9. Consider the following technologies in the context of solar energy applications:
- Parabolic troughs
- Fresnel lenses
- Absorption refrigeration systems
- Quantum dot solar cells
Which of the above technologies primarily rely on the principle of concentrating solar radiation, rather than photovoltaic conversion?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Explanation:
- Parabolic troughs and Fresnel lenses are used to focus solar radiation for heating or power generation via thermal routes.
- Absorption refrigeration is used in solar cooling and works on thermal absorption principles, not photovoltaics.
- Quantum dot solar cells (Statement 4) are third-generation PV cells designed to convert light into electricity, not concentrate it.
Thus, 1, 2 and 3 rely on concentrated solar thermal applications, not photovoltaic conversion.
Correct Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 3 only
Q10. In the context of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- PV cells work on the principle of the photoelectric effect, which requires photons with energy at least equal to the material's band gap.
- Silicon becomes a better conductor as temperature increases, unlike typical metallic conductors.
- Anti-reflective coatings are applied on solar cells mainly to prevent overheating.
Select the correct answer using the code below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct. PV cells operate using the photoelectric effect, where a photon must have energy ≥ band gap to excite an electron into the conduction band.
- Statement 2: Correct. Unlike metals, silicon’s conductivity improves with temperature, making it a non-Ohmic material.
- Statement 3: Incorrect. Anti-reflective coatings are used to reduce reflection and improve light absorption, not specifically to prevent overheating.
Correct Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only