1. It aims to interconnect national payment platforms such as India’s UPI, China’s CIPS, Russia’s SPFS and Brazil’s Pix.
2. It plans to create a common single currency for all BRICS member countries in the near term.
3. It proposes a decentralised messaging system to mitigate the risk of single-point failures and sanction vulnerability.
Select the correct answer using the code below:
Statement 1 – Correct: The BRICS Pay initiative seeks to enable interoperability among national payment systems such as India’s UPI, China’s CIPS, Russia’s SPFS, and Brazil’s Pix.
Statement 2 – Incorrect: Although BRICS countries have discussed deeper financial integration, a common single currency is not part of the near-term plan; it remains a long-term aspiration.
Statement 3 – Correct: The platform aims to create a decentralised messaging and settlement structure to avoid single-point failures and reduce sanction vulnerabilities.
Option (c) – Correct: The Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development (1995) was adopted at the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen. It outlined global commitments to eradicate poverty, achieve full employment, and promote social integration — the three pillars of social development — supported by seven additional commitments including gender equality, education, and health. It remains a key global framework for social justice and inclusive development.
Option (a) – Incorrect: The UN Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) held in Istanbul (1996) focused on sustainable urbanisation, not the Copenhagen Declaration.
Option (b) – Incorrect: The Copenhagen Accord (2009) under the UNFCCC was a climate agreement, not related to social development goals.
Option (d) – Incorrect: The 2009 Copenhagen Accord aimed to limit global temperature rise below 2°C, which concerns climate change, not poverty eradication or social policy.
Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya represented India at the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD-2) held in Doha, Qatar, from 4–6 November 2025.
The World Summit for Social Development (WSSD-2) is a United Nations-led global forum that brings together world leaders, international organisations, civil society groups, and experts to reaffirm global commitments to social justice, poverty eradication, and inclusive growth. It aligns with the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Organisations Involved:
The summit is held under the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in partnership with various UN agencies.
The 2025 edition was hosted by Qatar, with participation from over 150 countries worldwide.
Background:
The first World Summit for Social Development took place in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1995, where world leaders adopted the Copenhagen Declaration and the Programme of Action on social development.
Option (c) – Correct: The Umngot River, also known as the Dawki River, originates near the Eastern Shillong Peak in the Khasi Hills. It flows south through the West Jaintia Hills, reaching Dawki, where it forms a stretch of the India–Bangladesh boundary before entering Bangladesh as the Shari Goyain River, which later joins the Surma–Meghna system. Its extraordinary transparency makes it one of India’s cleanest rivers.
Option (a) – Incorrect: The river flows southward, not northward, and does not join the Brahmaputra.
Option (b) – Incorrect: The Umngot originates from the Khasi Hills, not the Jaintia Hills, and drains into the Surma–Meghna system, not the Barak.
Option (d) – Incorrect: There is no natural lake at its origin; it arises from highland springs near Shillong Peak.
1. The project is being located in both Araku Valley and Visakhapatnam.
2. It will apply high-enthalpy geothermal electricity generation technologies such as steam turbines in volcanic zones.
3. One of the technologies to be used is ground-source heat pumps or earth-air-tunnel systems to provide heating/cooling rather than large-scale electricity generation.
4. The project expects to reduce energy consumption by around 50 % in the targeted infrastructure.
Select the correct answer using the code below:
Statement 1 – Correct: The project will be implemented at two tourism hubs in Andhra Pradesh: Araku Valley and Visakhapatnam.
Statement 3 – Correct: The pilot will use low- to medium-enthalpy geothermal methods such as earth-air-tunnel systems and ground-source heat pumps for heating and cooling, rather than electricity generation.
Statement 4 – Correct: The initiative is expected to reduce energy consumption by more than 50% in the targeted infrastructure as reported.
Statement 2 – Incorrect: The project does not involve high-enthalpy geothermal power generation (like steam turbines in volcanic zones). India’s geothermal potential is largely low- to medium-enthalpy and the pilot focuses on tourism and hospitality heating/cooling, not major electricity generation.
1. The UJALA programme implemented by EESL was launched to promote solar-powered household lighting systems.
2. Under the National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP), EESL promotes induction-based cookstoves to reduce energy costs and indoor emissions.
3. The Smart Meter National Programme of EESL primarily targets installation of smart meters in private commercial establishments only.
4. The Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP) aims at replacing conventional fans with solar-powered DC fans in rural households.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Statement 1 – Incorrect: The UJALA scheme (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All) focuses on large-scale distribution of LED bulbs and other efficient appliances. It does not involve solar-powered systems; instead, it replaced incandescent bulbs to cut electricity demand.
Statement 2 – Correct: The National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) promotes induction-based electric cookstoves to reduce cooking costs and improve indoor air quality. It is a new initiative under EESL.
Statement 3 – Incorrect: The Smart Meter National Programme (SMNP) covers domestic, agricultural, and distribution utility consumers, not just private commercial establishments.
Statement 4 – Incorrect: The Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP) deploys BLDC (Brushless DC) fans that consume less electricity but are not solar-powered.