- A: True. Under UNCLOS, the EEZ stretches up to 200 nautical miles (≈370 km) from the coast.
- R: False. India’s EEZ is indeed about 2.3 million km², but it does not grant full sovereignty—only sovereign rights over resource exploration, exploitation, and environmental management. The waters remain international for navigation.
- Correct Answer: (c) A is true, but R is false.
1. No country has sovereign jurisdiction over the high seas.
2. The high seas cover more than half of Earth’s surface.
3. More than 10% of the high seas are currently designated as protected areas.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Statement 1: Correct. The high seas are regions beyond national jurisdiction (outside EEZ of 200 nautical miles). No state can claim sovereignty over them.
- Statement 2: Correct. High seas cover about 64% of the oceans and around 50% of Earth’s surface, which means more than half of Earth’s surface.
- Statement 3: Incorrect. Only about 1% of the high seas are under formal protection, not more than 10%.
Thus, only two statements are correct.
Correct Answer: (b) Only two
1. They can be obtained from biomass sources such as agricultural residues, algae, and fungi.
2. All bioproducts are biodegradable and completely environment-friendly.
3. Fermentation and enzymatic conversion are among the processes used for their production.
4. They include biofuels, bioplastics, and plant-derived medicines.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- Statement 1: Correct. Bioproducts are derived from renewable biomass including agri-residues (sugarcane bagasse, sunflower residue), algae, fungi (mycelium), and even forestry waste.
- Statement 2: Incorrect. While many bioproducts are eco-friendly, not all are biodegradable. For instance, bio-based paints and certain bio-based plastics are not biodegradable.
- Statement 3: Correct. Bioproducts are produced through various methods such as fermentation (ethanol), enzymatic conversion (biofuel enzymes), pyrolysis (bio-oil), and chemical synthesis.
- Statement 4: Correct. Bioproducts are wide-ranging—biofuels (ethanol, biogas), bioplastics, bio-based cosmetics, and medicines derived from plants.
Hence, the correct answer is 1, 3 and 4 only.
Answer: (b) 1, 3 and 4 only
Statement I: India’s status as a leading exporter of generic medicines is constrained by its reliance on imported APIs.
Statement II: A major share of India’s API imports comes from a single country, creating a supply-chain vulnerability.
Statement III: API dependence is primarily due to the lack of indigenous fermentation technology and limited cost competitiveness in domestic production.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- Statement I: Correct. India is the world’s largest supplier of generic medicines, but its dependence on imported APIs limits resilience and autonomy.
- Statement II: Correct. A dominant share of API imports is from China, which creates a geopolitical and supply-chain risk for India.
- Statement III: Correct. The dependence arises because India’s domestic production is not cost-competitive, and technologies like large-scale fermentation for certain antibiotics were not adequately scaled up, making imports cheaper.
Both II and III directly explain why Statement I holds true.
Answer: (a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
I. The Narasimham Committee (1991) recommended that lending to the redefined Priority Sector should be limited to around 10% of aggregate bank credit.
II. The Narasimham Committee II (1998) recommended reducing the Government of India’s equity in public sector banks to 33%, but this recommendation has not been fully implemented.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Statement I is correct: Narasimham I (1991) suggested phasing out directed credit and limiting credit to a redefined Priority Sector at about 10% of bank credit.
- Statement II is correct: Narasimham II (1998) proposed reducing the government’s shareholding in PSBs to 33%, but this has remained unimplemented in full; the government still holds majority stakes in most PSBs.
Correct Answer: (c) Both I and II
I. The Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles lists 155 named islands.
II. The inner islands (the “Granitic Seychelles”) are continental fragments separated from the Indian plate during the breakup of Gondwana and are the only mid-oceanic granitic islands in the world.
III. Aldabra Atoll is the largest coral atoll in the world.
IV. The Seychelles islands are located on the Mascarene Plateau, a submarine plateau that extends from the Seychelles to Réunion.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Statement I — Correct.
The Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles lists 155 named islands (the frequently-quoted figure of “115 islands” appears in older/tourist sources, but the constitutional listing uses 155).
Statement II — Correct.
The inner islands — often called the Granitic Seychelles — are composed of granite and are fragments of continental crust separated from the Indian plate in the breakup of Gondwana. These granitic islands are unusual (indeed described in geological and conservation sources as the only mid-oceanic granitic islands), which explains their distinctive boulder/rock topography and high levels of endemism.
Statement III — Incorrect.
Aldabra Atoll is one of the largest coral atolls in the world, but it is normally cited as the second-largest coral atoll globally; Kiritimati (Christmas Island, in the Pacific) is larger as a coral atoll. Aldabra is notable for being the largest raised coral atoll and for its unique ecology (giant tortoises, huge lagoon, UNESCO World Heritage status), which is why a careless read can make it seem “the largest.” That nuance is the trap.
Statement IV — Correct.
The Mascarene Plateau is a broad submarine plateau in the western Indian Ocean whose northern part includes the Seychelles; the plateau extends roughly from the Seychelles in the north down toward Réunion in the south. Saying the Seychelles lie on/over the Mascarene Plateau is therefore accurate.
Answer: (c) I, II and IV only
Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron in Seychelles
The Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron—comprising INS Tir, INS Shardul, and ICGS Sarathi—has reached Port Victoria, Seychelles as part of a long-range training mission in the South-West Indian Ocean Region.
This deployment is aligned with India’s MAHASAGAR vision (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), reflecting New Delhi’s commitment to regional security and cooperative growth.