1. Which of the following are the objectives of the PM-SETU scheme?
1. To improve the quality of training delivery in ITIs and NSTIs
2. To provide direct financial support to startups and entrepreneurs
3. To modernize infrastructure and equipment as per industry standards
4. To introduce industry-aligned long-term and short-term courses in emerging sectors
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (c) 1, 3 and 4 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: OBJECTIVES OF PM-SETU SCHEME
PM-SETU SCHEME:
- The PM-SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs) is a landmark centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2024, to overhaul India’s vocational training landscape.
- The scheme aims at the transformation of 1,000 Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and 5 National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) into modern, industry-aligned centres of excellence.
Objective of the Scheme
The PM-SETU scheme aims to enhance the quality and relevance of vocational training in India by modernizing ITIs and NSTIs and strengthening industry linkages. Key objectives include:
- Improve training delivery in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs).
- Modernize infrastructure and equipment according to industry standards.
- Introduce industry-aligned courses, both long-term and short-term, especially in emerging sectors.
- Strengthen industry linkages to enable demand-driven skilling and better employment outcomes.
- Enhance training capacity of NSTIs, including training of trainers, with a focus on global standards.
Hence 1, 3 and 4 are correct and 2 is incorrect.
Scheme Components:
- Component I – Upgradation of ITIs (Hub & Spoke Model):
- Scope: 1,000 Government ITIs (200 Hubs + 800 Spokes).
- Upgradation includes: Smart classrooms, modern labs, digital content, and new courses aligned to industry needs.
- Component II – Capacity Augmentation of NSTIs:
- Location: Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, Ludhiana.
- Focus: Establish sector-specific National Centres of Excellence, advanced training of trainers, global partnerships.
Key Features:
- Industry-led governance: Enhances employability outcomes and ensures courses meet industry demand.
- Support for learners: Career guidance, placement support, exposure to real work environments, and self-employment support.
- State-led selection: States/UTs identify ITIs for upgradation in consultation with industry.
- National & State Steering Committees:
- National Steering Committee (NSC): Chaired by Secretary, MSDE, oversees policy, operations, and monitoring.
- State Steering Committees (SSC): Chaired by Chief Secretary, guide and oversee scheme implementation at State level.
Source: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2222121®=3&lang=1
2. Consider the following statements:
Statement I: El Niño events generally lead to below-average southwest monsoon rainfall over India.
Statement II: El Niño refers to the abnormal cooling of the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
Statement III: ENSO-neutral conditions indicate a strong La Niña event.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both 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
Answer: (d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
Explanation:
In NEWS: El Nino on the horizon during monsoon months
El Niño & Indian Monsoon:
- El Niño is the abnormal warming of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, part of the ENSO (El Niño–Southern Oscillation) cycle. Hence statement II is incorrect.
- La Niña is the cooling phase of ENSO, while ENSO-neutral indicates neither El Niño nor La Niña is active. Hence statement III is incorrect.
- According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), ENSO-neutral conditions are likely to persist until July 2026.
- IMD reports a probability of El Niño developing after July 2026, with final clarity expected in April 2026.
- El Niño events generally weaken the Indian southwest monsoon, increasing the risk of below-average rainfall and drought conditions.
- La Niña events typically strengthen the Indian southwest monsoon.
- ENSO-neutral conditions generally result in normal or average monsoon rainfall over India.
- El Niño affects agriculture, water resources, and hydroelectric power generation due to reduced rainfall.
| PYQ REFERENCE: Q. La Nina is suspected to have caused recent floods in Australia. How is La Nina different from EI Nino? 1. La Nina is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperature in equatorial Indian ocean whereas EI Nino is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperature in the equatorial pacific ocean. 2. EI Nino has adverse effect on southwest monsoon of India, but La Nina has no effect on monsoon climate. 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 |
3. Which one of the following is the correct description of ‘Bharat-VISTAAR’?
(a) It is a multilingual artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital platform to modernize agriculture, improve farmer decision-making, and boost farm productivity.
(b) It is a platform for accelerating the transition towards food and water systems that are net-zero (carbon), nature-positive and that aims to increase farmer resilience.
(c) It is an international alliance and a network of individuals and farming organisations interested in supporting and strengthening the development of the organic animal husbandry.
(d) It is a digital platform fully integrated with service providers and built on blockchain that lets buyers, sellers and third parties trade fertilizers quickly and securely.
Answer: (a) It is a multilingual artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital platform to modernize agriculture, improve farmer decision-making, and boost farm productivity.
Explanation:
In NEWS: ‘Bharat-VISTAAR’ proposed in the Union Budget 2026-27
Bharat-VISTAAR:
- Bharat-VISTAAR stands for Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources.
- It is a multilingual artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital platform proposed in the Union Budget 2026-27 by the Finance Minister to modernize agriculture, improve farmer decision-making, and boost farm productivity. Hence option (a) is correct.
- Bharat-VISTAAR will integrate:
- AgriStack portals (a national digital ecosystem of farmer and farm data), and
- ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) recommended best practices.
- This helps tailor advisories based on scientific research and actual farmer conditions.
Key Objectives of Bharat-VISTAAR:
- Enhance Farm Productivity: By using AI to deliver scientific, data-driven guidance tailored to crops, soil, weather and farm conditions, farmers can adopt better practices and increase yields.
- Improve Farmer Decision-Making: The tool contextualizes vast agricultural data including climate and soil information into easy-to-understand advisories that help farmers make informed on-field decisions.
- Reduce Farming Risks: By offering customized advisory support, including risk forecasts (like pests, weather hazards, market signals), farmers can proactively manage threats to crops and income.
| PYQ REFERENCE: (2024) Q. Which one of the following is the correct description of 100 million Farmers? (a) It is a platform for accelerating the transition towards food and water systems that are net-zero (carbon), nature-positive and that aims to increase farmer resilience. (b) It is an international alliance and a network of individuals and farming organisations interested in supporting and strengthening the development of the organic animal husbandry. (c) It is a digital platform fully integrated with service providers and built on blockchain that lets buyers, sellers and third parties trade fertilizers quickly and securely. (d) It is a platform with the mission of encouraging the farmers to form Framer Product Organisations or Agribusiness Consortiums, thus facilitating the access to global open markets to sell their products. |
Source: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2221432®=3&lang=1
4. Which of the following wetlands are designated Ramsar sites in India?
1. Chhari-Dhand
2. Patna Bird Sanctuary
3. Kolleru Lake
4. Bhitarkanika Mangroves
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation:
In NEWS: Prime Minister welcomes new Ramsar sites at Patna Bird Sanctuary and Chhari-Dhand
Ramsar Sites in India:
- Total Ramsar sites: 98 wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention (1971).
- India ranks among the top countries globally by number of Ramsar sites.
- Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Ramsar sites in India.
New Ramsar Sites (January 2026)
- Patna Bird Sanctuary, located in Etah district of Uttar Pradesh, has been designated as a Ramsar site.
- Chhari-Dhand, situated in the Kutch region of Gujarat, has also been recognised as a Ramsar site.
- The Ramsar designation is given to wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention (1971).
- The recognition of these two wetlands reaffirms India’s commitment to biodiversity conservation and protection of vital ecosystems.
- Both Patna Bird Sanctuary and Chhari-Dhand serve as important habitats for migratory as well as native bird species.
- Chhari-Dhand is a seasonal saline wetland located in an arid/semi-arid ecological region.
- Patna Bird Sanctuary is a freshwater wetland that supports avifauna associated with riverine and floodplain ecosystems.
- The Ramsar status encourages sustainable (wise) use of wetlands while involving local communities in conservation efforts.
- India is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention, having joined it in 1982.
- Ramsar sites are designated to ensure the long-term ecological character of wetlands is maintained.
Ramsar sites by state
As of January 2026,
Hence all are correct.
| PYQ REFERENCE: (2019) Q. Consider the following statements: 1. Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India. 2. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of Ramsar Convention. 3. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
Source: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2221126®=3&lang=1
5. Chabahar Port, which India has been developing for strategic connectivity, is located on the coast of which country?
(a) Oman
(b) Iran
(c) Pakistan
(d) Afghanistan
Answer: (b) Iran
Explanation:
In NEWS: Budget 2026-27: India cuts outlay for Iran’s Chabahar port to zero, halves Bangladesh aid amid strained ties
No Budget Allocation for Chabahar Port (2026–27)
- In the Union Budget 2026–27, the Government of India did not allocate any funding for the Chabahar port project in Iran — bringing its budgetary outlay to zero.
- Previously, India had earmarked funds annually (e.g., ₹100–₹400 crore in recent years) to support the development of the port.
- The withdrawal of funding is widely linked to renewed U.S. sanctions on Iran, which increase risks for Indian involvement in the project and have influenced India to pause direct financial support.
Strategic Importance of Chabahar Port
- Chabahar Port, located in Iran’s Sistan-Balochistan province, has been a key strategic connectivity project for India, offering a trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia that bypasses Pakistan. Hence option (b) is correct.
- India signed a long-term agreement (10 years) to operate the Shahid Beheshti terminal at Chabahar as part of its regional connectivity strategy.
- Despite the zero allocation in the Budget, India still engages diplomatically to safeguard its interests, including managing operational aspects under international sanctions exemptions (e.g., a temporary U.S. waiver until April).
Broader Foreign Aid Shifts
- Alongside dropping Chabahar funds, India halved its development assistance to Bangladesh in 2026–27 — reducing the allocation from ₹120 crore to ₹60 crore — a move seen in the context of strained diplomatic relations.
- The Ministry of External Affairs’ allocation overall still increased modestly, with countries like Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius and Maldives receiving larger shares of India’s external assistance in the Budget.
| PYQ REFERENCE: (2017) Q. What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India? (a) India’s trade with African countries will enormously increase. (b) India’s relations with oil-producing Arab countries will be strengthened. (c) India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. (d) Pakistan will facilitate and protect the installation of a gas pipeline between Iraq and India. |
6. With reference to Pench Tiger Reserve, consider the following statements:
1. It is a transboundary tiger reserve located in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
2. The Pench River flowing through the reserve is a tributary of the Narmada River.
3. It is brought under Project Tiger to conserve the Bengal tiger and associated biodiversity.
4. Pench Tiger Reserve is designated as a Ramsar site.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: Pench Tiger Reserve
Pench Tiger Reserve:
- Pench Tiger Reserve is a transboundary tiger reserve spread across Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- The reserve is named after the Pench River, which flows through it.
- The Pench River is a tributary of the Kanhan River, which ultimately forms part of the Godavari river basin. Hence statement 2 is correct.
- Pench Tiger Reserve lies in the Central Indian biogeographic zone.
- The dominant forest type in the reserve is tropical moist and dry deciduous forest, with teak as a major species.
- The reserve was brought under Project Tiger to conserve the Bengal tiger and associated biodiversity. Hence statement 3 is correct.
- Pench Tiger Reserve is associated with Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, as the region inspired its forest setting.
- Apart from tigers, the reserve supports species such as leopard, gaur, dhole, chital and sambar.
- Pench Tiger Reserve plays an important role in maintaining ecological connectivity within the Central Indian tiger landscape.
- Pench Tiger Reserve is not designated as a Ramsar site. Hence statement 4 is incorrect.
| PYQ REFERENCE: (2020) Q. Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”? (a) Corbett (b) Ranthambore (c) Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam (d) Sundarbans |
7. Consider the following:
1. Stationary Energy Storage Systems
2. Electric Vehicles
3. Warehouse robotics
4. Smartphones
Which of the above are considered the applications of Advanced Chemistry Cells?
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation:
In NEWS: What’s ailing India’s battery scheme for EVs? | Explained
Advanced Chemistry Cells:
- Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACCs) are next-generation energy storage technologies, such as advanced lithium-ion, that store electric energy chemically for EVs and renewable storage, offering higher density, faster charging, and longer lifecycles than traditional batteries.
- India is investing ₹18,100 crore in a PLI scheme to establish 50 GWh of domestic manufacturing capacity by 2026 to reduce import dependency.
Common ACC chemistries include:
- Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC)
- Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP)
- Solid-state batteries (emerging technology)
Applications:
- Electric Mobility (EVs): This is the largest driver of ACC demand. They power electric cars, buses, and two-wheelers, where high energy density is critical for longer driving ranges and shorter charging times.
- Stationary Energy Storage Systems (ESS): ACCs store intermittent renewable energy from solar and wind farms to stabilize the electrical grid.
- Grid Stabilization: They are used for load balancing, frequency regulation, and peak shaving. In India, 10 GWh of manufacturing capacity is specifically earmarked for Grid Scale Stationary Storage (GSSS).
- Consumer Electronics: High-density ACCs power smartphones, laptops, and tablets where compact size and light weight are essential.
- Aerospace & Defense: Used in spacecraft, satellites, and potentially electric aircraft.
- Railways: Employed for modern propulsion and auxiliary power systems.
- Material Handling: Used in automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and warehouse robotics.
Hence all are correct.
Significance:
- High energy density: More energy stored per unit weight, essential for EV range.
- Fast charging capability: Supports rapid charging of EVs.
- Long cycle life: Can undergo multiple charge–discharge cycles without significant degradation.
- Safety and stability: Advanced chemistries reduce risks of overheating or fire.
| PYQ REFERENCE: (2024) Q. Consider the following: 1. Battery storage 2. Biomass generators 3. Fuel cells 4. Rooftop solar photovoltaic units How many of the above are considered “Distributed Energy Resources”? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four |
8. Consider the following pairs:
| S.No | Waste-to-Energy technologies | Description |
| 1 | Incineration | Direct combustion of municipal solid waste in the presence of oxygen to generate steam |
| 2 | Gasification | Partial oxidation of waste in the presence of a controlled amount of oxygen to produce synthetic gas |
| 3 | Pyrolysis | Thermal degradation of waste in the absence of oxygen to produce liquid fuel |
| 4 | Anaerobic digestion | Biodegradation of organic waste by microorganisms in the absence of oxygen producing biogas |
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All the four
Answer: (d) All the four
Explanation:
In NEWS: What is waste-to-energy?
Waste-to-Energy (WtE) technology:
- Waste-to-Energy (WtE) technology refers to a set of processes that convert waste materials into usable energy such as electricity, heat, or fuels instead of simply dumping them in landfills.
- The aim is to recover energy from waste while reducing the amount of waste that ends up polluting the environment.
WtE technologies involve several methods to convert waste into energy:
- Incineration: Direct combustion of municipal solid waste (MSW) and/or refuse-derived fuel between 750 and 1100ºC in the presence of oxygen that produces steam for electricity and/or heat generation in a boiler or steam turbine. It can generate heat or electricity, or combined heat and power.
- Gasification: Partial oxidation of waste (e.g. wood waste, agricultural residues, sewage sludge, and plastic waste) between 800 and 1200ºC in the presence of a controlled amount of oxygen that produces synthetic gas for further combustion or conversion to chemical feedstock.
- Pyrolysis: Thermal degradation of waste (e.g. wood waste, agricultural residues, sewage sludge, and plastic waste) between 300 and 1300ºC in the absence of oxygen that produces liquid fuel for further combustion or conversion to chemical feedstock.
- Anaerobic digestion: Biodegradation of (readily degradable) organic wastes in the absence of oxygen by anaerobic microorganisms. Waste input can be separated into organic fraction of MSW, food waste, animal/human excreta, or liquids and sludges. The digestion produces biogas and digestate. Biogas can be used as fuel for power generator. Digestate can be composted for use as a soil conditioner or dewatered and used as a low calorific value refuse-derived fuel.
Hence all are correct.
Benefits & Applications
- Waste Reduction: Significantly decreases landfill volume.
- Energy Recovery: Generates electricity, heat, or vehicle fuel (BioCNG).
- Resource Recovery: Produces fertilizers (from anaerobic digestion) and chemicals (from pyrolysis).
- Reduces Fossil Fuels: Displaces traditional energy sources, lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
| PYQ REFERENCE: (2019) Q. In the context of which one of the following are the terms ‘pyrolysis and plasma gasification’ mentioned? (a) Extraction of rare earth elements (b) Natural gas extraction technologies (c) Hydrogen fuel-based automobiles (d) Waste-to-energy technologies |
https://unfccc.int/technology/waste-to-energy-technologies
9. Consider the following statements about Guru Ravidas:
I. His teachings emphasize that sincere devotion and inner purity matter more than ritual observances or birth identity.
II. He envisioned an ideal society free from sorrow, caste, poverty and hierarchy.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) Both 1 and II
(d) Neither I nor II
Answer: (c) Both 1 and II
Explanation:
In NEWS: The President of India Smt Droupadi Murmu greets fellow-citizens on the eve of birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas Ji.
Guru Ravidas:
- Ravidas (also spelled Raidas or Guru Ravidas) was an Indian mystic poet-saint of the Bhakti movement during roughly the 15th–16th century CE.
- He is widely revered across northern and central India, especially in regions such as Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh for his devotional poetry and teachings on equality, social justice, and devotion to a formless divine.
- He was born in Varanasi (Banaras) in present-day Uttar Pradesh.
- Ravidas belonged to a leather-working community and faced social discrimination under the caste system.
- Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, is traditionally regarded as a contemporary of Ravidas, and their teachings share deep resonances on equality and devotion.
- The Ravidassia tradition eventually developed into a distinct religious community that venerates Ravidas as its spiritual guide and continues to follow his teachings.
- His birth anniversary, Guru Ravidas Jayanti, is celebrated widely across India with devotional singing, processions, and reflections on his message of dignity and human unity.
Teachings:
- God is for all: He emphasized that the divine is accessible to every person, regardless of caste or social status.
- Critique of social inequality: Ravidas openly challenged caste-based discrimination and promoted dignity and self-respect for marginalized communities.
- Begampura Vision: He envisioned an ideal society (Begampura) free from sorrow, caste, poverty, and hierarchy, a symbolic metaphor for equality and social justice rooted in his poems. Hence statement II is correct.
- Bhakti over ritual: He taught that sincere devotion and inner purity matter more than ritual observances or birth identity. Hence statement I is correct.
| PYQ REFERENCE: Q. Consider the following statements about Raja Ram Mohan Roy: I. He possessed great love and respect for the traditional philosophical systems of the East. II. He desired his countrymen to accept the rational and scientific approach and the principle of human dignity and social equality of all men and women. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) I only (b) II only (c) Both 1 and II (d) Neither I nor II |
Source:https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2221247®=3&lang=1
10. Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles ‘Mattavilasa’, Vichitrachitta’ and ‘Gunabhara?
(a) Mahendravarman I
(b) Simhavishnu
(c) Narasimhavarman I
(d) Simhavarman
Answer: (a) Mahendravarman I
Explanation:
- Mahendravarman I (c. 600–630 CE) – Pallava ruler of Kanchipuram.
- Known for being a poet, playwright, and patron of arts.
- Titles he assumed: ‘Mattavilasa’ (the madly playful), ‘Vichitrachitta’ (curious-minded), ‘Gunabhara’ (possessor of virtues).
- Famous for his Sanskrit plays and early rock-cut temples.
- Hence option (a) is correct.
- Simhavishnu – Predecessor of Mahendravarman I, known mainly for military expansion, not literary pursuits.
- Narasimhavarman I (c. 630–668 CE) – Famous for defeating the Pallava’s rival, the Chalukyas, and building monuments like Mahabalipuram; literary titles not emphasized like Mahendravarman I.
- Simhavarman – Ancient Pallava ruler, not known for these titles.