Q1. Which of the following tribes is correctly matched with its distinctive cultural feature in Arunachal Pradesh?
| Tribe | Cultural Feature |
|---|---|
| 1. Apatani: | Wet-rice cultivation with unique facial tattoos (men) |
| 2. Nocte: | Craftsmanship in bamboo, especially in basket weaving with specific motifs called “Terak” |
| 3. Monpa: | Buddhist monasteries and preservation of Torma offerings during Losar festival |
| 4. Galo: | Festival Solung, involving animal sacrifice and community feast in September |
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Apatani: While they are known for wet-rice cultivation and their unique culture (especially for no tattoos nowadays for men; that was in earlier times and is discontinued). The phrasing “unique facial tattoos (men)” is not a current feature. So A is incorrectly matched.
Nocte: This tribe is known more for shifting cultivation, facial decorations, woodwork, etc., but “Terak motifs” in baskets is not a well-documented distinctive feature. So B is likely wrong.
Monpa: Correct. They are Buddhist, have monasteries, and observe Losar festival with Torma offerings etc.
Galo: Festival Solung is of the Adi group, not Galo. Galo celebrate Mopin. So D is wrong.
Answer: (c). 3 and 4 only
Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh – Quick Notes
Total: ~26 major tribes, 100+ sub-tribes
Diversity: Distinct traditions, languages, festivals, and agricultural practices
Major Tribes & Key Features
- Nyishi – Largest tribe; Central & Western Arunachal; Nyokum Yullo festival
- Adi – Siang districts; Solung festival, bamboo craft
- Apatani – Ziro Valley; wet rice cultivation; Apatani valley – proposed UNESCO site
- Galo – West & Lower Siang; related to Adi
- Monpa – Tawang & West Kameng; Tibetan Buddhism influence; monasteries
- Tagin – Upper Subansiri; unique agriculture
- Mishmi – Subgroups: Idu, Digaru, Miju; NE hills
- Nocte, Wancho, Tangsa – Tirap & Changlang (SE); agriculture & woodcraft
- Singpho – Related to Myanmar & Assam tribes
Other Notable Groups
- Aka (Hruso)
- Sherdukpen
- Bugun (Khowa)
- Khampti
- Puroik (Sulung)
- Tutsa
Q2. With reference to the State Emblem of India, consider the following statements:
1. It is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath, officially adopted on 26 January 1950.
2. The original Lion Capital includes a bell-shaped lotus base, which is retained in the official emblem.
3. In the adopted emblem, only three lions are visible, with a horse on the left and a bull on the right of the abacus.
4. The words “Satyameva Jayate”, taken from the Mundaka Upanishad, are inscribed below in Devanagari script.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1: Correct. The State Emblem of India is indeed an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath, adopted on 26 January 1950.
Statement 2: Incorrect. The original Lion Capital has a bell-shaped lotus base, but this was not included in the official emblem.
Statement 3: Correct. In the adopted emblem only three lions are visible, with a horse on the left and a bull on the right of the abacus.
Statement 4: Correct. The motto “Satyameva Jayate” from the Mundaka Upanishad is inscribed below in Devanagari script.
Answer: (b) 1, 3 and 4 only
Q3. Consider the following statements regarding recently granted Geographical Indication (GI) tags in India:
1. Majuli Masks (Assam) are recognised as a handicraft, and this was the first GI tag for any cultural product from Assam.
2. Warangal Chapata Chilli (Telangana) is classified as an agricultural product; it became the first chilli variety from Telangana to receive GI status.
3. Kannadippaya (Kerala) is a tribal handicraft, and it is reported as the first tribal product from Kerala to obtain GI registration.
4. Coorg Orange (Karnataka) is an agricultural product; it received GI in 2006.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1: Incorrect. Majuli Masks are indeed a handicraft (true), but not the first GI cultural product from Assam. Assam already had GIs like “Muga Silk” (2007), “Boka Chaul” (2018), “Assam Karbi Anglong Ginger” (2015), etc. So the “first” part is wrong.
Statement 2: Correct. Warangal Chapata Chilli is classified as an agricultural product. It received GI registration in 2025, and reports confirm it as Telangana’s first chilli variety to get GI recognition.
Statement 3: Correct. Kannadippaya is a tribal handicraft and was indeed the first tribal handicraft from Kerala to receive a GI tag, in March 2025.
Statement 4: Correct. Coorg Orange is an agricultural product. It received the GI status in 2006.
Answer: (d) — (2), (3) and (4) only
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the Gulf of Aqaba:
1. It has coastlines with Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.
2. It connects to the Red Sea through the Strait of Tiran.
3. Its deepest point exceeds 1,800 metres.
4. It lies entirely within the Asian continent.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 – Correct: The Gulf of Aqaba is bordered by four countries – Egypt (Sinai), Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.
Statement 2 – Correct: It opens into the Red Sea via the Strait of Tiran, not directly into the Mediterranean.
Statement 3 – Correct: The gulf reaches a maximum depth of about 1,850 m, making it one of the deepest gulfs of this size.
Statement 4 – Incorrect: Its western shore lies on the Sinai Peninsula (Egypt, Africa), so the gulf is not entirely Asian.
Correct Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 3 only
Q5. Zapad-2025, recently in news, refers to:
Explanation
Zapad 2025 is a major joint Russian-Belarusian strategic military exercise held from September 12–16, 2025, with significant implications for regional security, particularly amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Answer: (b) A joint Russian-Belarusian strategic military exercise
Zapad 2025 Military Exercise
Tests the defensive preparedness of Russia and Belarus under the Union State framework.
Focus: repelling external attacks, recapturing lost territory, and enhancing interoperability of their armed forces.
- Primarily hosted by Russia.
- Belarus as co-participant (Union State partner).
- Participation from India and several other partner nations.
- Zapad (Russian for “West”) is one of Russia’s largest strategic military exercises.
- Originated during the Soviet era; the modern series began in 2009 and is held quadrennially.
- India took part in Zapad 2021.
Q6. Consider the following statements:
1. AdFalciVax is India’s first indigenous multi-stage malaria vaccine.
2. India has developed its first recombinant chimeric multi-stage malaria vaccine.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1: Correct. AdFalciVax, developed by ICMR-RMRC Bhubaneswar, is described as India’s first indigenous multi-stage malaria vaccine.
Statement 2: Correct. It is specifically described as a recombinant chimeric multi-stage vaccine candidate against Plasmodium falciparum.
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Q7. Which of the following statements are correct about the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)?
1. It is constructed on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia, near the Sudan border.
2. It is Africa’s largest hydroelectric project in terms of installed capacity.
3. The Blue Nile is one of the two major headstreams of the Nile River and is known as the Abay River in Ethiopia.
Select the answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Statement 1 — True. The GERD is built on the Blue Nile in Ethiopia’s Benishangul-Gumuz region; the site lies upstream and relatively close to the Ethiopia–Sudan border.
Statement 2 — True. With an installed capacity of just over 5,000 MW (≈5,150 MW), GERD is currently the largest hydroelectric power project in Africa by generation capacity.
Statement 3 — True. The Blue Nile (locally called the Abay in Ethiopia) rises from Lake Tana and, together with the White Nile, forms the Nile; it is regarded as one of the two major headstreams.
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Q8. With reference to Lankhong Puja, consider the following statements:
1. Lankhong Puja is primarily a spring festival celebrated by the Dimasa community of Assam to mark the onset of their new year.
2. The rituals of Lankhong Puja focus on worshipping river deities to ensure abundance of fish resources.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 — Incorrect. Lankhong Puja is not a spring festival of the Dimasa community. It is a socio-religious harvest festival of the Tiwa community in Assam. It is performed to mark agricultural prosperity, not the new year.
Statement 2 — Incorrect. The rituals of Lankhong Puja do not involve worshipping river deities for fish abundance. Instead, the focus is on seeking divine blessings for crops and agricultural success, with offerings made to ancestral and agrarian deities.
Thus, both statements are wrong, and the correct answer is Neither 1 nor 2.
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2