1. Consider the following statements:
1. MERCOSUR is a trading bloc in Latin America comprising Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.
2. It is the third largest integrated market after the European Union (EU), North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
3. India signed the preferential trade agreement with MERCOSUR in 2003.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c) All three
Explanation:
News: India, Paraguay can strengthen trade ties: PM
- India and Paraguay have decided to further strengthen their ties in sectors like clean energy, green hydrogen and biofuels.
- India’s relations with Paraguay dates back to 1961 when bilateral diplomatic ties were established. India opened its embassy in Paraguay’s capital Asuncion in 2022.
- Southern Common Market (Mercosur), a trade bloc including Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, was formed in 1991 and Venezuela joined in 2012 but was suspended in 2016 over its human rights record.
- MERCOSUR was formed with the objective of facilitating the free movement of goods, services, capital and people among the four member countries. It is the third largest integrated market after the European Union (EU), North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
- Suriname, Guyana, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Bolivia all have associate status. In 2021, the combined GDP of the Mercosur nations was almost $2.2 trillion, according to World Bank figures, making it the world’s fifth-largest economy.
- A framework agreement was signed between India and MERCOSUR on June 17, 2003.
- This agreement was followed by the MERCOSUR-India Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) signed in New Delhi in 2004.
- India – MERCOSUR PTA came into effect from 1st June, 2009.
- The major products covered in Indian offer list are meat and meat products, organic & inorganic chemicals, dyes & pigments, raw hides and skins, leather articles, wool, cotton yarn, glass and glassware, articles of iron and steel, machinery items, electrical machinery and equipments, optical, photographic & cinematographic apparatus
- The major product groups covered in the offer list of MERCOSUR are food preparations, organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, essential oils, plastics & articles, rubber and rubber products, tools and implements, machinery items, electrical machinery and equipment.
Source:
2. Regarding Calotes zolaiking, consider the following statements:
I. It is a type of terrestrial reptile.
II. It is endemic to India.
III. In its natural habitat, it is an arboreal species.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I only
(b) I and III
(c) II only
(d) I II and III
Answer: (d) I, II and III
Explanation:
News: Rare lizard in Meghalaya fuels grassroots conservation efforts
- Calotes zolaiking, a species of garden lizard first described in 2019 from Mizoram, has now been recorded in Mawmluh, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya.
- Conservation Catalyst: The finding has triggered a community-led conservation initiative in areas affected by limestone mining and a non-functional cement plant.
- Mawmluh and surrounding areas, while known for sacred groves, have seen environmental degradation, making the discovery especially significant.
- Calotes is a genus with 30 species globally; India has 14, of which 9 are in the Northeast.
The study highlights the need for ongoing herpetofaunal surveys in the Khasi Hills, given historical examples like Stoliczkia khasiensis, a snake never seen again since 1870. - The lizard’s inclusion in an international scientific journal has boosted local pride and conservation enthusiasm.
Source:
3. Daojali Hading, an important archaeological site, is known for which of the following features?
(a) Megalithic burial structures and iron tools
(b) Harappan-style urban planning and script
(c) Double-shouldered celts and cord-marked pottery
(d) Buddhist stupas and Ashokan edicts
Answer: (c) Double-shouldered celts and cord-marked pottery
Explanation:
In News: Neolithic habitation found in Assam’s Dima Hasao
- Furnace and iron slag found at Daojali Hading point to early metallurgical practices more than 2,700 years ago
- The discovery of a furnace and iron slag, indicating metallurgical activities, has provided “substantial support” for earlier hypotheses that Daojali Hading was a major prehistoric settlement in the northeastern part of India.
Daojali Hading – Neolithic Site (Assam)
- Location: Dima Hasao district, Assam (near Brahmaputra valley)
- Cultural Phase: Neolithic
Significance:
- First site in India to provide evidence of an Eastern Asiatic Neolithic complex.
- Indicates cultural contact with Southeast Asia.
Key Findings:
- Cord-marked pottery – similar to Chinese Neolithic ware.
- Double-shouldered celts – typical of East and Southeast Asian Neolithic tools.
- Furnaces and iron slag – indicate early metallurgical activity, which is rare in Indian Neolithic context.
- Use of microliths, quartzite tools, and polished stone tools.
Importance in Indian Prehistory:
- Demonstrates Neolithic expansion in Northeast India.
- Shows early sedentary life, possibly with shifting cultivation.
- Highlights a distinct developmental trajectory in the Northeast compared to other Neolithic regions like the Deccan or Ganga valley.
Source:
4.Which of the following statements regarding Satellite Communication (SATCOM) is/are correct?
1. It facilitates wireless communication through satellites acting as relay stations.
2. SATCOM systems operate also in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
3. SATCOM enables communication in remote and inaccessible areas.
Select the correct answer using the code below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
In News: ‘Unjustifiably low’ satcom spectrum price, says COAI
- India’s leading telecom operators have strongly criticised the telecom regulator’s satcom recommendations, deeming the spectrum pricing as unfairly low and based on flawed assumptions.
- They argue that the proposals lack transparency, create an uneven playing field, and threaten the sustainability of terrestrial services.
About Satellite Communication (SATCOM)
- SATCOM refers to any communication system that uses artificial satellites to relay signals. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- It enables wireless communication over long distances by acting as a relay station in space.
Key Features:
- Long-distance communication across continents and oceans.
- Works on radio frequencies (typically in microwave bands).
- Provides global coverage, including remote, mountainous, and oceanic regions.
- Essential for telecommunications, broadcasting, internet, disaster management, and military communication. Hence statement 3 is correct.
Types of Orbits Used:
1. Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
- Altitude: ~500 to 2,000 km
- Lower latency, closer to Earth, used in satellite constellations (e.g., Starlink). Hence statement 2 is correct.
2. Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)
- Altitude: ~2,000 to 35,786 km
- Used for navigation systems like GPS.
3. Geostationary Satellite Orbit (GSO)
- Altitude: ~35,786 km
- Satellite remains fixed over one point on the equator
- Ideal for TV broadcasting and weather monitoring.
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5.With reference to the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE), consider the following statements:
1. It is one of the missions under the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change.
2. It aims to study the impact of climate change on glacial and forest ecosystems in the Himalayan region.
3. The mission is implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation:
In News: India reaffirms Commitment to Glacier Preservation at the High-Level International Conference in Dushanbe
- India is undertaking strategic actions under the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) – a key component of India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) – as well as the establishment of a Centre for Cryosphere and Climate Change Studies, designed to advance research and monitoring of glaciers and glacial lakes in the Indian Himalayan Region.
National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE)
Part of:
- One of the eight missions under India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
- Nodal Agency:Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology.
Objectives:
- Understand climate impacts on the Himalayan ecosystem.
- Conserve biodiversity, forest cover, and other ecological values.
- Assess and build capacities of local communities to adapt to climate change.
- Study glacial systems, hydrology, and changes in the cryosphere.
- Develop policy and planning tools to sustain the Himalayan ecosystem.
Key Features:
- Focuses on sustainable development while preserving the fragile Himalayan ecology.
- Covers Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) — spanning 11 states/UTs.
- Promotes interdisciplinary research and traditional knowledge systems.
Source:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2132964
6.With reference to The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Consider the following statements:
Statement -I: It is the apex anti-smuggling agency of India, working under Ministry of Home affairs, Government of India
Statement -II: It is tasked with detecting and curbing smuggling of contraband, including drug trafficking as well as combating commercial frauds related to international trade and evasion of Customs duty.
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: DRI seizes 7 kg Methamphetamine tablets worth Rs. 7 crore in Tripura; two persons arrested
Explanation:
- In their relentless endeavour to curb the smuggling and trafficking of contraband drugs in the North East Region (NER), the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) foiled the smuggling of a big consignment of methamphetamine tablets in Tripura.
- The DRI officers of Agartala Regional Unit, in assistance from the 28 Bn Assam Rifles, intercepted a Maruti Wagon-R car during late night of 31.05.2025, on suspicion of carrying substantial quantities of methamphetamine tablets.
- The car was intercepted at the outskirts of Teliamura, while coming from Dharmanagar area of North Tripura and proceeding towards Agartala, West Tripura.
- The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence is the apex anti-smuggling agency of India, working under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India.Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
- It is tasked with detecting and curbing smuggling of contraband, including drug trafficking and illicit international trade in wildlife and environmentally sensitive items, as well as combating commercial frauds related to international trade and evasion of Customs duty.Hence statement 2 is correct.
Source:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2133339
7. Murmansk region recently seen in news situated in which of the following countries?
(a) Russia
(b) Ukraine
(c) Turkey
(d) Israel
Answer: (a) Russia
In News: Russia’s Trojan horse moment and why Ukraine’s ‘Operation Spider’s Web’ upends scope of drone warfare
Explanation:
- In an audacious aerial attack that was planned for more than a year and a half, Ukraine carried out large scale drone strikes on multiple Russian air bases, including one in Siberia some 4,000 km from the frontlines.
- Under Operation Spider Web, a swarm of Ukrainian drones struck at least five military airbases deep inside Russia’s borders on June 1, and left some 41 bomber aircraft in flames.
- Specialised first-person view (FPV) drones were smuggled into Russia, along with mobile wooden cabins. The cabins were carried by trucks with the drones hidden inside. The cabin roofs opened remotely — and then the drones took off, zoned in on the nearby bases to precisely mount the attacks.
Hence option(a) is correct.
Source:
8.Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve recently seen in news situated in which of the following states?
(a) Sikkim
(b) Arunachal Pradesh
(c) Uttarkhand
(d) Ladakh
Answer: (c)Uttarkhand
In News: Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand open to tourists from June 1: All you need to know
Explanation:
- The Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand opened to tourists for this year on June 1. The valley usually stays open for four months — June, July, August, and September — and closes sometime in October, as winter and snow make it dangerous for tourists at other times of the year.
- The Valley of Flowers is located within the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, spread over an area of 87 sqkm.
- Nanda Devi, the second highest mountain in India (after Kangchenjunga), also holds religious significance, as Nanda is considered the patron goddess of Garhwal and Kumaon.Hence option(c) is correct.
- Flower species such as orchids, poppies, primulas, marigold, daisies and anemones can be found here.
- The valley also abounds in medicinal plants and herbs, and flowers with religious significance, such as the brahmakamal, offered to Nanda Devi.
- The valley has a variety of habitats, from foothills to alpine zones, from waterfalls and streams to forests, and is thus very rich in biodiversity
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9.With reference to The National Human Rights Commission,Consider the following statements:
1. It was established under the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993.
2. The Commission consists of a Chair person, five full-time Members and seven deemed Members
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: NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of a minor victim of rape and brutal physical assault due to alleged delayed treatment at PMCH, Bihar
Explanation:
- The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India was established on 12 October, 1993. The statute under which it is established is the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993 as amended by the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2006.Hence statement 1 is correct.
- It is in conformity with the Paris Principles, adopted at the first international workshop on national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights held in Paris in October 1991, and endorsed by the General Assembly of the United Nations by its Regulations 48/134 of 20 December, 1993.
- The NHRC is an embodiment of India’s concern for the promotion and protection of human rights.
- Section 2(1)(d) of the PHRA defines Human Rights as the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in the International Covenants and enforceable by courts in India.
- The Commission consists of a Chairperson, five full-time Members and seven deemed Members. Hence statement 2 is correct.
- The statute lays down qualifications for the appointment of the Chairperson and Members of the Commission.
Source:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2133327
10.Under which of the following Articles of the Constitution of India, has the Supreme Court of India placed the Right to Privacy?(2021)
(a) Article 15
(b) Article 19
(c) Article 20
(d) Article 21
Answer: (d)Article 21
Explanation:
- The Supreme Court described privacy and its importance in the landmark decision of K.S. Puttaswamy vs Union of India in 2017 that the right to Privacy is fundamental and inalienable and attaches to the person covering all information about that person and the choices that he/she makes.
- The right to privacy is protected as an intrinsic part of the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21. Hence, Option (d) is correct