1. With reference to National Green Hydrogen Mission, consider the following statements:
I. The mission provides financial incentives for domestic manufacturing of electrolyzers and green hydrogen production under the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme
II. The Deendayal Port Authority, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, and Paradip Port Authority have been declared as Green Hydrogen Hubs under the mission.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II
Answer: (c) Both I and II
Explanation:
In NEWS: Three Major Ports Recognised as Green Hydrogen Hubs under National Green Hydrogen Mission.
National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM):
- Launched By Union Cabinet of India, approved on January 4, 2023
- Objective: To make India a global hub for the production, use, and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives.
- Green Hydrogen is hydrogen produced using renewable energy (like solar or wind) and electrolysis of water, with zero carbon emissions.
- It is considered a clean fuel that can help decarbonize sectors like industry, mobility, and power.
- The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has formally recognised three major ports Deendayal Port Authority (Gujarat), V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (Tamil Nadu), and Paradip Port Authority (Odisha) as Green Hydrogen Hubs under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM). Hence statement II is correct.
Key Components of the Mission:
- Provides financial incentives for domestic manufacturing of electrolyzers and green hydrogen production under the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme. Hence statement I is correct.
- Pilot Projects in sectors like steel, mobility, shipping, and aviation to test green hydrogen applications.
- To improve the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and scalability of green hydrogen technologies.
- Skill Development and Awareness – Training programs to build human resource capacity.
| PYQ REFERENCE: (2023) Q. With reference to green hydrogen, consider the following statements: 1. It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion. 2. It can be blended with natural gas and used as fuel for heat or power generation. 3. It can be used in the hydrogen fuel cell to run vehicles. How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None |
Source: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2177591
2. With reference to Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), consider the following statements:
1. It is a statutory organization established under the Wildlife Protection Act in 1998.
2. It works to conserve wildlife and natural habitats across India through science-based interventions.
3. It plays a key role in mitigating human-wildlife conflict through innovative solutions.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: WTI report highlights crucial role played by India’s forest protectors
WTI Report on India’s Forest Protectors
- Local communities lead forest protection using sustainable practices and traditional knowledge.
- Forest protectors face challenges like lack of recognition, limited resources, and threats from illegal activities.
- WTI recommends legal recognition, capacity building, and formal integration of community protectors.
- Empowering local communities supports effective forest management and aligns with national and global goals.
Wildlife Trust of India (WTI):
- The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) is a non-profit conservation organization established in 1998. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
- WTI works to conserve wildlife and natural habitats across India through science-based interventions. Hence statement 2 is correct.
- The organization focuses on rescuing and rehabilitating injured and distressed wildlife.
- WTI collaborates with government agencies, local communities, and other NGOs for effective conservation.
- It engages in research, capacity building, and awareness programs to promote wildlife protection.
- WTI plays a key role in mitigating human-wildlife conflict through innovative solutions. Hence statement 3 is correct.
- The organization supports conservation of endangered species and their ecosystems.
- WTI is actively involved in policy advocacy and creating legal frameworks for wildlife protection.
| PYQ REFERENCE: (2022) Q. With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When a wild animal is declared protected, such animal is entitled for equal protection whether it is found in protected areas or outside. 3. Apprehension of a protected wild animal becoming a danger to human life is sufficient ground for its capture or killing. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 (d) 3 only |
3. What is ‘Saksham’, recently inducted in the Indian Army?
(a) An indigenous anti-tank missile system
(b) A counter-unmanned aerial system designed to detect, track, and neutralize hostile drones
(c) A satellite communication system for secure military communications
(d) A new type of armored personnel carrier
Answer: (b) A counter-unmanned aerial system designed to detect, track, and neutralize hostile drones
Explanation:
In NEWS: Army inducts ‘Saksham’ to neutralise aerial threats
Saksham:
- Saksham is an indigenously developed Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (CUAS) by India. Hence option (b) is correct.
- It is designed to detect, track, identify, and neutralize hostile drones and unmanned aerial threats.
- The system operates in real time to provide comprehensive airspace security.
- Saksham covers the Tactical Battlefield Space (TBS), including the Air Littoral up to 3,000 meters altitude.
- The Indian Army has initiated procurement of the Saksham CUAS to strengthen operational readiness.
- It plays a critical role in countering emerging aerial threats on the modern battlefield.
- Saksham enhances India’s defense capabilities against drone incursions and unmanned attacks.
| PYQ REFERENCE: (2025) Q. With reference to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), consider the following statements: I. All types of UAVs can do vertical landing. II. All types of UAVs can do automated hovering. III.All types of UAVs can use battery only as a source of power supply. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All the three (d) None |
4. With reference to the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, consider the following statements:
1. The Act allows only altruistic surrogacy and prohibits commercial surrogacy.
2. Single parents and live-in partners are eligible to commission surrogacy under this Act.
3. The surrogate mother can act as a surrogate only once in her lifetime.
4. The Act provides for the establishment of National and State Surrogacy Boards for regulation.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b) 1, 3 and 4 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: Retrospective age limits under surrogacy law violate reproductive autonomy: SC
Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021:
Objective:
To regulate surrogacy services and prohibit commercial surrogacy in India, allowing only altruistic surrogacy. Hence statement 1 is correct.
Eligibility:
- Only Indian married couples (married for at least 5 years) with infertility issues are eligible.
- The woman must be aged 25–35 years, and the man 26–40 years.
- Single parents, live-in partners, and same-sex couples are excluded. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
Altruistic Surrogacy:
Surrogacy is allowed only if no monetary compensation is given to the surrogate mother except for medical expenses and insurance coverage.
Surrogate Mother Criteria:
- Must be a close relative of the intending couple.
- Age between 25 and 35 years.
- Can act as a surrogate only once in her lifetime. Hence statement 3 is correct.
Regulatory Authorities:
The Act provides for the establishment of the National Surrogacy Board and State Surrogacy Boards to oversee and regulate surrogacy clinics and procedures. Hence statement 4 is correct.
Prohibition:
- Commercial surrogacy is banned.
- Surrogacy for foreign nationals and single parents is not allowed.
- Surrogacy done for any purpose other than to fulfill the desire of a couple to have a child is prohibited.
Legal Parenthood:The intending couple is considered the legal parents of the child born through surrogacy.
Recent Supreme Court Ruling:The Supreme Court ruled that the age limits in the Act will not apply retrospectively to couples who had already begun surrogacy procedures before the Act came into force.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/sc-age-limit-surrogacy-law-10298933/
5. Which of the following tribal communities in India is believed to have migrated from East Africa and is currently listed under the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India?
(a) Irula
(b) Siddi
(c) Chenchu
(d) Birhor
Answer: (b) Siddi
Explanation:
In NEWS: President Droupadi Murmu Urges Tribal Community To Pursue Education As A Means Of Empowerment & Progress
Siddi Community:
- The Siddi community in India traces its ancestry to East African people who arrived in the Indian subcontinent centuries ago through trade, slavery, and as mercenaries.
- Despite their African roots, the Siddis have assimilated into Indian society, adopting local languages, religions, and customs.
- The Siddi population is primarily found in Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and a few parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
- In Gujarat, the Siddis are largely concentrated in districts like Junagadh and Gir Somnath.
- The Siddis have a rich cultural blend, combining African traditions with Indian customs, especially visible in their music, dance, and folklore.
- They are known for traditional dances like the Dhamal, which has African influences and is performed during festivals and special occasions.
- Traditionally, the Siddi community has been involved in agriculture, manual labor, and forest-based livelihoods.
- Many Siddis live in remote or rural areas, often facing economic and educational challenges.
- Despite social and economic barriers, literacy and awareness among Siddis are gradually improving, with growing access to education and government schemes.
- The Siddi community in Gujarat has achieved a literacy rate of over 72%, a sign of notable progress.
- The Siddi community is recognized as a Scheduled Tribe (ST) in India and is listed among the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
- They are entitled to reservations, welfare schemes, and other benefits provided by the Indian government for tribal upliftment.
Hence option (b) is correct.
| PYQ REFERENCE: (2014) Q. A community of people called Manganiyars is well-known for their (a) martial arts in North-East India (b) musical tradition in North-West India (c) classical vocal music in South India (d) pietra dura tradition in Central India |
6. The ‘Sawalkote project’ is a hydroelectric project planned on which among of the following rivers?
(a) Chenab
(b) Ravi
(c) Jhelum
(d) Indus
Answer: (a) Chenab
Explanation:
In NEWS: Environmental clearance to the Sawalkote hydroelectric project on Chenab river
Sawalkote hydroelectric project:
- The Sawalkote project is an upcoming hydroelectric power project in India.
- It is planned to be constructed on the Chenab River. Hence option (a) is correct.
- The project aims to harness the hydropower potential of the Chenab basin.
- It will contribute to the region’s electricity supply and support sustainable energy goals.
- The Sawalkote project is part of broader efforts to develop renewable energy infrastructure in Jammu & Kashmir.
- It is expected to boost local economy and create employment opportunities during construction and operation.
- The project includes building a dam and associated power generation facilities.
Hydroelectric projects on the Chenab River:
- Dulhasti Hydroelectric Project
- Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project
- Baglihar Hydroelectric Project
- Salal Hydroelectric Project
- Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Project
- Kiru Hydroelectric Project
- Ratle Hydroelectric Project
7. With reference to the Green sea turtles, Consider the following statements:
1. It is the largest hard-shelled sea turtle.
2. It is primarily an omnivorous species.
3. It is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (a) Only one
Explanation:
In NEWS: Green Sea Turtle Status Upgraded to Least Concern
Green Sea Turtle:
- The Green Sea Turtle is a large, primarily herbivorous sea turtle found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
- It gets its name not from its shell, but from the greenish color of its body fat, which results from its diet of seagrasses and algae.
- The Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) is the largest hard-shelled sea turtle in the world. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- Green Sea Turtles are found in coastal areas of over 140 countries, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, and sandy beaches.
- They are known to migrate long distances between feeding grounds and nesting beaches—sometimes over 2,000 kilometers.
- Juvenile Green Sea Turtles are omnivorous, eating invertebrates like jellyfish and sponges, but adults primarily feed on seagrass and algae.
- Their grazing helps maintain healthy seagrass beds, which are crucial ecosystems for other marine life.
- Female Green Sea Turtles return to the same beach where they were born to lay their eggs, a phenomenon known as natal homing.
- A female can lay up to 200 eggs per nest and may nest multiple times in a single season.
- Green Sea Turtles are classified as Least Concern by the IUCN due to threats like habitat loss, poaching, bycatch, and climate change. Hence statement 3 is incorrect.
- Many countries protect them through nesting beach conservation, turtle excluder devices (TEDs) in fishing gear, and international treaties like CITES.
| PYQ REFERENCE: (2019) Q. Consider the following statements: 1. Some species of turtles are herbivores. 2. Some species of fish are herbivores. 3. Some species of marine mammals are herbivores. 4. Some species of snakes are viviparous. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 |
8. With reference to ‘Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. The scheme aims to release the sex workers from their practice and provide them with alternative sources of livelihood.
2. The campaign introduced a structured approach, focusing on making public buildings, transport networks like buses and trains, and digital platforms accessible to Divyangjans.
Select the correct answer using the code given below
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: Revamped Sugamya Bharat App Empowers Disabled Users
The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan:
- The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, also known as the Accessible India Campaign, embarked on a mission to reshape India into a truly inclusive society.
- Launched on 3rd December 2015 by the Honourable Prime Minister, this flagship initiative was a direct response to the long-overlooked challenges faced by persons with disabilities. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
- Rooted in the vision of “Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas,” the campaign aimed to ensure universal accessibility across three vital domains: built infrastructure, transport systems, and the information and communication technology (ICT) ecosystem.
- The campaign introduced a structured approach, focusing on making public buildings, transport networks like buses and trains, and digital platforms accessible to Divyangjans. Hence statement 2 is correct.
- It also sought to create awareness and set enforceable standards for accessibility compliance.
- Although initially planned to conclude by March 2024, the campaign’s objectives have been absorbed into the Creation of Barrier-Free Environment Scheme under the broader umbrella of the Scheme for Implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (SIPDA).
- This transition reinforces the idea that accessibility is a continuous endeavour, requiring sustained efforts to meet evolving challenges.
- As the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan marks its ninth year, it stands as a milestone in India’s journey towards fulfilling its commitment to an inclusive and equitable society, where every individual can thrive without barriers.
| PYQ REFERENCE: Q. ‘Rashtriya Garima Abhiyaan’ is a national campaign to (a) rehabilitate the homeless and destitute persons and provide them with suitable sources of livelihood (b) release the sex workers from their practice and provide them with alternative sources of livelihood (c) eradicate the practice of manual scavenging and rehabilitate the manual scavengers (d) release the bonded labourers from their bondage and rehabilitate them |
9. With reference to the Unified Markets Interface (UMI), recently introduced by the Reserve Bank of India, consider the following statements:
1. It enables tokenization of financial assets.
2. It allows settlement using wholesale Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).
3. It is designed exclusively for use by retail investors.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only
Answer: (a) 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: RBI Launches Unified Interface to Tokenize Assets
The Unified Markets Interface (UMI):
- The Unified Markets Interface (UMI) is a next-generation financial market infrastructure being developed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
- It aims to enable tokenization of financial assets such as government securities, corporate bonds, and other market instruments. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- The UMI will facilitate the use of wholesale Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) for settlement of transactions. Hence statement 2 is correct.
- It leverages technologies like blockchain and smart contracts to improve efficiency, transparency, and security in financial markets.
- UMI is designed to support real-time settlement and reduce transaction costs in the financial ecosystem.
- The system allows for fractional ownership of tokenized assets, making it easier for retail and institutional investors to access high-value securities. Hence statement 3 is incorrect.
- By integrating tokenization and CBDC-based settlement, UMI aims to modernize India’s financial market infrastructure.
- UMI is part of RBI’s broader initiative to digitally transform financial markets and enhance the use of Digital Public Infrastructure.
- The initial pilot results of UMI showed promising improvements in settlement speed, operational efficiency, and risk reduction.
- The development of UMI aligns with global trends where central banks and financial regulators are exploring tokenized markets and digital currencies.
| PYQ REFERENCE: (2022) Q. In India, which one of the following is responsible for maintaining price stability by controlling inflation? (a) Department of Consumer Affairs (b) Expenditure Management Commission (c) Financial Stability and Development Council (d) Reserve Bank of India |
10. Which of the following are detritivores?
1. Earthworms
2. Jellyfish
3. Millipedes
4. Seahorses
5. Woodlice
Select the correct answer using the code given below
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
(c) 1, 3 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: (c) 1, 3 and 5 only
Explanation:
- Detritivores are organisms that feed on dead organic matter (detritus).
- Earthworms are classic detritivores; they consume decomposing organic material in soil.
- Millipedes feed on decaying leaves and plant matter, making them detritivores.
- Woodlice also feed on dead plant material and are detritivores.
- Jellyfish are carnivorous predators, not detritivores.
- Seahorses feed mainly on small crustaceans and plankton, so they are not detritivores.
Hence option (c) is correct.