1.With reference to The Competition Commission of India, Consider the following statements:
Statement -I: The Commission shall consist of a Chairperson than ten other Members to be appointed by the Central Government.
Statement -II: It is the duty of the Commission to eliminate practices having adverse effect on competition, promote and sustain competition, protect the interests of consumers and ensure freedom of trade in the markets of India.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement – I and Statement – II are correct and Statement – II is the correct explanation for Statement – I
(b) Both Statement – I and Statement – II are correct and Statement – II is not the correct explanation for Statement – I
(c) Statement – I is correct but Statement – II is incorrect
(d) Statement – I is incorrect but Statement – II is correct
Answer: (d) Statement – I is incorrect but Statement – II is correct
In News: CCI approves proposed acquisition of The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. by Omnicom Group Inc.
Explanation:
- The Competition Act, 2002, as amended by the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2007, follows the philosophy of modern competition laws.
- The Act prohibits anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position by enterprises and regulates combinations (acquisition, acquiring of control and M&A), which causes or likely to cause an appreciable adverse effect on competition within India.
- The objectives of the Act are sought to be achieved through the Competition Commission of India, which has been established by the Central Government with effect from 14th October 2003.
- The Commission shall consists of a Chairperson and not less than two and not more than six other Members to be appointed by the Central Government.Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
- It is the duty of the Commission to eliminate practices having adverse effect on competition, promote and sustain competition, protect the interests of consumers and ensure freedom of trade in the markets of India.Hence statement 2 is correct.
- The Commission is also required to give opinion on competition issues on a reference received from a statutory authority established under any law and to undertake competition advocacy, create public awareness and impart training on competition issues.
Source:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2133621
2. Etna’s peak is the highest in the south of the Alps, and it is the largest of Europe’s active volcanoes situated in which of the following countries?
(a) France
(b) Germany
(c) Italy
(d) Spain
Answer: (c) Italy
In News: What caused the massive eruption of Italy’s Mount Etna
Explanation:
- Italy’s Mount Etna, the largest volcano in Europe, produced an explosive eruption, sending a huge cloud of ash, smoke and rock fragments several kilometres into the sky.
- Although the eruption created a spectacular sight, it resulted in no reported injuries or damage and barely even disrupted flights in the region.
- Mount Etna, sometimes referred to simply as Etna, is an active volcano on the east coast of Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, lying just off the toe of the Italian “boot”.
- Etna’s peak is the highest in Italy south of the Alps, and it is the largest of Europe’s active volcanoes. Hence option(c) is correct.
- Etna’s summit has five craters, which are responsible for most of the volcano’s eruptions. “Flank” eruptions also occur at the 300-odd vents of varying sizes along the slopes of the mountain.
- The volcano is in near-constant activity. Since 1600, at least 60 flank eruptions and many more summit eruptions have happened. In recent years, summit eruptions have occurred in 2006, 2007-08, on two occasions in 2012, in 2018, and 2021; flank eruptions have taken place in 2001, 2002-03, 2004-05, and 2008-09.
- Etna has been a World Heritage Site since 2013, and according to UNESCO, the volcano’s eruptive history can be traced back 500,000 years. At least 2,700 years of this activity have been documented
Source:
3.The Constitution allows the President to make regulations for UTs without the legislature under which of the following articles?
(a) Article 240
(b) Article 241
(c) Article 244
(d) Article 245
Answer: (a) Article 240
In News: Centre’s new regulations for jobs and domicile in Ladakh, where they fall short
Explanation:
- The Centre has notified a series of regulations for Ladakh’s land, jobs, and cultural preservation, aimed at addressing concerns raised by the civil society in Ladakh over the past five years.
- The new legal framework introduces a domicile-based job reservation system, recognition of local languages, and procedural clarity in civil service recruitment.
- All new rules and regulations have been made under Article 240 of the Constitution, which allows the President to make regulations for UTs without the legislature. Hence option(a) is correct.
- These are executive decisions that can be amended or withdrawn by the Centre at any time, unlike the Sixth Schedule, which is part of the Constitution and offers guaranteed protections.
- Since the abrogation of Article 370 and the enactment of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, the political and legal status of Ladakh has been a deeply contentious subject. With the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir being bifurcated into two UTs — Jammu & Kashmir with a legislature, and Ladakh without one — the people of Ladakh found themselves under direct central administration.
Source:
4.With reference to WTO Ministerial Conference, Consider the following statements:
1. The Ministerial Conference is the highest decision-making body of the WTO and usually meets every two years
2. The WTO’s first Ministerial Conference was held in Singapore.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
In News: Tariff Tracker, June 3: What next for India? US dismisses WTO challenge, EU trade deal ahead
Explanation:
- In its latest Economic Outlook, the OECD estimates that the global economy will slow down from 3.3% in 2024 to 2.9% in both 2025 and 2026.
- It had previously forecast growth of 3.1% for 2025 and 3% for 2026.
- The organisation also cautioned against rising protectionist tendencies globally, which it said would add to inflationary pressures, as well as the overall uncertainty of future trade barriers, which could further dampen global economic growth.
- The US has dismissed India’s notice at the World Trade Organization (WTO) proposing retaliatory action against the US for the Section 232 tariffs on imported steel and aluminium
- The Ministerial Conference is the highest decision-making body of the WTO and usually meets every two years.
- The WTO’s first Ministerial Conference was held in Singapore in December 1996.Hence option(c) is correct.
- Its most recent, the 13th was held in Abu Dhabi in February 2024.
Source:
5.With reference to PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana,Consider the following statements:
1. It is the world’s largest domestic rooftop solar initiative, is transforming India’s energy landscape with a bold vision to supply solar power to one crore households by March 2027
2. The scheme offers a subsidy of up to 40 percent to households, making renewable energy more affordable and accessible
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
In News: Targeting 1 Crore Solar Installations by 2027
Explanation:
- The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, the world’s largest domestic rooftop solar initiative, is transforming India’s energy landscape with a bold vision to supply solar power to one crore households by March 2027.
- By March 2025, installations under the scheme are expected to exceed 10 lakh, with the numbers doubling to 20 lakh by October 2025, reaching 40 lakh by March 2026, and ultimately achieving the target of one crore by March 2027.
- Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 13 February 2024, this groundbreaking initiative aims to provide free electricity to households by facilitating the installation of rooftop solar panels.
- The scheme offers a subsidy of up to 40 percent to households, making renewable energy more affordable and accessible.Hence option(c) is correct.
- In just nine months, 6.3 lakh installations have been completed, resulting in an impressive monthly installation rate of 70,000, ten times higher than the pre-scheme average.
- With a goal to benefit one crore households, the program is also expected to save the government ₹75,000 crores annually in electricity costs.
- This transformative initiative empowers millions to adopt clean energy, reinforcing India’s commitment to sustainable development and energy innovation
6.Which of the following commitee recommended a three-tier examination comprising a preliminary exam, a descriptive main examination and an interview in civil service examination?
(a) Kothari Committee
(b) S. K. Khanna Committee
(c) Arun Nigverkar Committee
(d) Baswan committee
Answer: (a) Kothari Committee
In News: Does the civil services examination need reform?
Explanation:
- The foundations of the present format of the civil services examination can be traced to the Macaulay Report of 1854 which introduced selection by merit and designed an examination on the principle of ‘transferability of academic talent to administration’.
- After Independence, the Kothari Committee (1975) recommended athree-tier examination comprising a preliminary exam, a descriptive main examination and an interview. Hence option(a) is correct.
- In 2005, with the passing of the Right to Information Act, aspirants flooded the UPSC with queries regarding the rationale of the exams and the UPSC had to disclose its methods which were raised for judicial scrutiny.
- To resolve this issue, the government appointed S. K. Khanna Committee in 2010.
- In 2012, the Government appointed the Arun Nigverkar Committee to suggest a new model. The Committee made many recommendations with the aim of making the exams a less cumbersome process.
7.With reference to Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Consider the following statements:
1. It is the primary legal instrument for regulating nuclear weapons
2. The treaty prohibits nuclear-weapon states) from transferring nuclear weapons or control over them
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)Both 1 and 2
In News: What would a French nuclear umbrella mean for Europe?
Explanation:
- French President Emmanuel Macron stated that France is “open to dialogue” on potentially stationing its nuclear weapons in other European countries. This development occurred amid security concerns in Europe due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
- France’s consideration of a broader European role for its nuclear deterrent aligns with its “European strategic autonomy” policy, which aims to enhance the EU’s capacity to act independently in security and defence matters.
- President Macron’s Sorbonne University speech emphasised Europe’s need to bolster its defence capabilities, in order to be a more “sovereign Europe.
- The 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is the primary legal instrument for regulating nuclear weapons.
- Article I of the treaty prohibits nuclear-weapon states (like France) from transferring nuclear weapons or control over them. Hence option(c) is correct.
- Existing NATO nuclear sharing is justified by participants as being NPT-compliant because no “transfer” of legal ownership or control occurs in peacetime; the U.S. maintains custody.
- Non-proliferation advocates and various research institutions have consistently challenged this legality.
Source:
TH- Chennai 03-06.pdf
8.With reference to SATAT scheme, Consider the following statements:
Statement -I: It was launched with the aim of establishing an ecosystem for production of Compressed Bio Gas from various waste biomass sources by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Statement -II: It aims to promote the production and utilization of CBG as an alternative to traditional fossil fuels.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement – I and Statement – II are correct and Statement – II is the correct explanation for Statement – I
(b) Both Statement – I and Statement – II are correct and Statement – II is not the correct explanation for Statement – I
(c) Statement – I is correct but Statement – II is incorrect
(d) Statement – I is incorrect but Statement – II is correct
Answer: (d) Statement – I is incorrect but Statement – II is correct
In News: A strategy fuelled by vision, powered by energy
Explanation:
- India is now the third largest energy and oil consumer, fourth-largest refiner, and fourth-largest LNG importer globally.
- With energy demand expected to grow two and a half times by 2047 and 25% of incremental global demand set to come from India, the road map is clear: energy security is development security.
- SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation), scheme was launched on 1st October 2018, with the aim of establishing an ecosystem for production of Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) from various waste/ biomass sources and for promoting its use along with Natural Gas. by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG). Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
- It aims to promote the production and utilization of CBG as an alternative to traditional fossil fuel Hence statement 2 is correct.
- CBG is a biofuel produced using feedstock such as paddy straw, municipal solid waste, press mud from the sugar industry and cattle dung or poultry litter.
- It is chemically similar to natural gas and can be used for automotive and industrial applications.
9. Consider the following statements with reference to Building Integrated Photovoltics (BIPV)
1. PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana covers BIPVs as part of the coverage.
2. BIPV installations in a residential segment qualify for a subsidy akin to that available for RTS systems up to ₹78,000 for a 3-KW solar system.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
In News: Building-Integrated Photovoltaics: converting buildings into solar assets
Explanation:
- BIPV can turn entire buildings into power generators by integrating solar elements directly into architectural elements.
- It has two purposes: generating electricity and working as a structural part of a building.
- Unlike RTS systems, which are added to rooftops, BIPV systems are embedded into the building’s architectural fabric, like in façades (the front exterior of a building), roofs, windows, and railings.
- They replace conventional construction materials such as glass, tiles, and cladding with solar alternatives.
- In 2024, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy issued operational guidelines for the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, a scheme to install RTS systems in one crore households.
- The guidelines included BIPV in the scheme, allowing consumers to opt for it in case of limited rooftop space. BIPV installations in a residential segment qualify for a subsidy akin to that available for RTS systems: up to ₹78,000 for a 3-KW solar system. Similar schemes are required for commercial and industrial segments. Hence option(c) is correct.
- Financial arrangements such as the Renewable Energy Service Company model and long-term power purchase agreements can help enhance project reliability and enable large-scale BIPV deployment.
Source:
Building-Integrated Photovoltaics: converting buildings into solar assets – The Hindu
10.Consider the following statements:(2025)
1. No virus can survive in ocean water.
2. No virus can infect bacteria.
3. No virus can change the cellular transcriptional activity in host cells.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All the three
(d) None
Answer: (d) None
Explanation:
- A number of studies have investigated the ability of viruses to survive in marine systems and be transported from their sources to marine beaches or shellfish waters. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
- Viruses can infect a variety of living organisms, including bacteria (Bacteriophage), plants, and animals. Hence, statement 2 is not correct
- Viruses may also change cellular transcriptional activity, and protein-protein interactions, promoting efficient production of progeny virus. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
- For some viruses, specific cellular biochemical functions may be stimulated in order to enhance virus replication. Hence, option (d) is correct.