{"id":2845,"date":"2026-01-30T08:45:40","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T08:45:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/?p=2845"},"modified":"2026-01-30T08:45:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T08:45:40","slug":"daily-current-affairs-28-01-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/daily-current-affairs-28-01-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS \u2013 28.01.2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Which of the following statements is\/are correct regarding the Budget Session of Parliament?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2 wp-block-paragraph\">1. As per the constitution of India, the Union Finance minister causes to be laid before Parliament an annual statement of estimated receipts and expenditure of the government<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3 wp-block-paragraph\">2. The President\u2019s recommendation is required before a money bill is introduced in Parliament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Rajya Sabha can discuss and vote on the Demands for Grants<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5 wp-block-paragraph\">4. Rajya Sabha can suggest amendments to money bills within 14 days of receipt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6 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-7 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-8 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-9 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 2 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\">(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-11 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (c) 2 and 4 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-12 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-13 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS:<\/strong> Budget Session of Parliament to begin today<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-14 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Article 112 \u2013 Annual Financial Statement (Union Budget)<\/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>The President causes to be laid before Parliament an annual statement of estimated receipts and expenditure of the government (Union Budget). <strong>Hence statement 1 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/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>Article 113 \u2013 Supplementary, Additional and Excess Grants<\/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>Empowers Parliament to authorize supplementary expenditure over the original Budget.<\/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>Article 114 \u2013 Appropriation from Consolidated Fund of India<\/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>No money can be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India without Parliament\u2019s approval through the Appropriation Bill.<\/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>Budget Session of Parliament:<\/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 Budget Session is one of the <strong>three annual sessions of the Indian Parliament<\/strong>, along with the Monsoon and Winter sessions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its <strong>primary purpose<\/strong> is the presentation, discussion, and approval of the <strong>Union Budget<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Budget Session usually occurs between <strong>February and May<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The session typically lasts for about <strong>three months<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-22 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key Components<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-23\">\n<li>The <strong>Union Budget<\/strong> is presented by the <strong>Finance Minister<\/strong> in the <strong>Lok Sabha<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Finance Bill<\/strong> gives effect to the government\u2019s financial proposals, including <strong>taxation and revenue measures<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Appropriation Bill<\/strong> authorizes withdrawal of funds from the <strong>Consolidated Fund of India<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Demands for Grants<\/strong> are presented by individual ministries and voted upon in the <strong>Lok Sabha<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-24 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Procedure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-25\">\n<li>The Budget is first <strong>presented in the Lok Sabha<\/strong>, usually on the <strong>last day of February<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>General discussion<\/strong> on the Budget is held in both <strong>Houses of Parliament<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Demands for Grants<\/strong> are debated and voted only in <strong>Lok Sabha<\/strong>, not in Rajya Sabha. <strong>Hence statement 3 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Finance Bill and Appropriation Bill<\/strong> are introduced after the presentation of the Budget.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>President\u2019s recommendation<\/strong> is required before a money bill can be introduced in Parliament. <strong>Hence statement 2 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rajya Sabha can <strong>suggest amendments<\/strong> to money bills within <strong>14 days<\/strong>, but Lok Sabha is not bound to accept them. <strong>Hence statement 4 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-26 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Significance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-27\">\n<li>The Budget Session ensures <strong>Parliamentary control over government finances<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It provides a platform for <strong>allocation of resources for government schemes and development projects<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It promotes <strong>transparency, accountability, and debate on fiscal priorities<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Failure to pass the <strong>Appropriation Bill<\/strong> can halt government expenditure.<\/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: (2024)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. With reference to Union Budget, consider the following statements:<\/strong> <br><br>1. The Union Finance Minister on behalf of the Prime Minister lays the Annual Financial Statement before both the Houses of Parliament <br>2. At the Union level, no demand for a grant can be on the recommendation of the President of India. <br><br><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) 1 only <br>(b) 2 only <br><strong>(c) Both 1 and 2<\/strong> <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-28 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#011ef4\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/budget-session-of-parliament-to-begin-today-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/budget-session-of-parliament-to-begin-today-2\/<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-29 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. With reference to India\u2013Canada energy cooperation, consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-30 wp-block-paragraph\">I. India and Canada launched the renewed Ministerial Energy Dialogue during India Energy Week 2026 in Goa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-31 wp-block-paragraph\">II. India is the world\u2019s third-largest consumer of both oil and LPG<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-32 wp-block-paragraph\">III. India is an active participant, while Canada is an observer in the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-33 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above are correct?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-34 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) I and II only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-35 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) II and III only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-36 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) I and III only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-37 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) I, II and III<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-38 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (d) I, II and III<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-39 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-40 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>India Energy Week 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-41 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>India\u2013Canada Energy Cooperation &amp; Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-42\">\n<li>India and Canada launched the <strong>renewed India\u2013Canada Ministerial Energy Dialogue<\/strong> during <strong>India Energy Week 2026<\/strong> in Goa. <strong>Hence statement I is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This was the <strong>first high-level participation of a Canadian Cabinet Minister at India Energy Week<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The dialogue follows directions given by <strong>India and Canada Prime Ministers at G7 2025 in Kananaskis, Canada<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Canada is aiming to become an <strong>energy superpower in clean and conventional energy<\/strong>, with <strong>export diversification as a priority<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India is the <strong>world\u2019s<\/strong><ul><li><strong>third-largest oil consumer<\/strong>,<\/li><\/ul><ul><li><strong>fourth-largest LNG importer<\/strong>,<\/li><\/ul><ul><li><strong>third-largest LPG consumer<\/strong>, and<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>fourth-largest refining capacity<\/strong> globally. <strong>Hence statement II is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India is projected to account for <strong>over one-third of global energy demand growth over the next two decades<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Both countries agreed to <strong>deepen bilateral energy trade<\/strong>, including:<ul><li><strong>Canadian LNG, LPG, and crude oil to India<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Refined petroleum products from India to Canada<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-43 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Climate, Clean Energy &amp; Technologies<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-44\">\n<li>Both nations committed to <strong>reducing emissions in conventional energy value chains<\/strong> via <strong>carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cooperation will include <strong>renewable energy, hydrogen, biofuels, and sustainable aviation fuel<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Other focus areas: <strong>battery storage, critical minerals, electricity systems, clean technologies, AI in energy sector<\/strong>, and <strong>energy supply chain resilience<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-45 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-46\">\n<li>India and Canada collaborate on the <strong>Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA)<\/strong> to advance biofuels globally.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Canada is currently an <strong>observer in the GBA<\/strong>, while India is actively involved. <strong>Hence statement III is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>GBA aims to <strong>promote the global development and deployment of biofuels<\/strong>, supporting climate objectives.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-47 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Strategic Significance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-48\">\n<li>The partnership enhances <strong>energy security and diversification of supply chains<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India acts as a <strong>major consumer and growth driver<\/strong>, while Canada is a <strong>secure and reliable supplier<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bilateral cooperation also supports <strong>climate objectives and sustainable energy transition<\/strong> globally.<\/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:#c5cfd8\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2017)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. With reference to \u2018Global Climate Change Alliance\u2019, which of the following statements is\/are correct?<\/strong> <br><br>1. It is an initiative of the European Union. <br>2. It provides technical and financial support to targeted developing countries to integrate climate change into their development policies and budgets. <br>3. It is coordinated by World Resources Institute (WRI) and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). <br><br><strong>Select the correct answer using the code given below:<\/strong> <br><br><strong>(a) 1 and 2 only<\/strong> <br>(b) 3 only <br>(c) 2 and 3 only <br>(d) 1, 2 and<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-49 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0015f7\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2219328&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2219328&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-50 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Consider the following statements regarding currency devaluation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-51 wp-block-paragraph\">1. Devaluation is more effective when domestic inflation is significantly lower than global inflation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-52 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) adjusts nominal exchange rates for inflation differentials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-53 wp-block-paragraph\">3. High import content of exports can dilute the benefits of currency depreciation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-54 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-55 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-56 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-57 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-58 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-59 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-60 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-61 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>The solution to the falling rupee lies in diplomacy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-62 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Currency Devaluation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-63\">\n<li><strong>Currency devaluation<\/strong> refers to a deliberate reduction in the value of a country\u2019s currency relative to other currencies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Devaluation is typically used to <strong>boost exports by making them cheaper<\/strong> in foreign markets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Devaluation is <strong>more effective when domestic inflation is higher than foreign inflation<\/strong>, creating a real price advantage. <strong>Hence statement 1 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If domestic inflation is low or comparable to global inflation, devaluation <strong>may not improve competitiveness<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-64 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-65\">\n<li><strong>REER<\/strong> is the nominal exchange rate <strong>adjusted for relative inflation<\/strong> between a country and its major trading partners. <strong>Hence statement 2 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>REER reflects <strong>competitiveness of goods and services internationally<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A <strong>rise in REER<\/strong> implies <strong>loss of competitiveness<\/strong>, while a fall implies gains.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-66 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Limitations &amp; Trade-offs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-67\">\n<li>Devaluation can <strong>raise the cost of imports<\/strong>, leading to imported inflation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If exports have <strong>high import content<\/strong>, devaluation benefits are diluted as input costs rise. <strong>Hence statement 3 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Devaluation may be <strong>counterproductive<\/strong> if capital outflows or speculative pressures dominate currency movements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Overuse of devaluation can <strong>erode investor confidence<\/strong> and affect financial stability.<\/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:#a7d8f7\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2021)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Consider the following statements:<\/strong> <strong>The effect of devaluation of a currency is that it necessarily<\/strong> <br><br>1. Improves the competitiveness of the domestic exports in the foreign markets <br>2. Increases the foreign value of domestic currency <br>3. Improves the trade balance <br><br><strong>Which of the above statements is\/are correct?<\/strong> <br><br><strong>(a) 1 only<\/strong> <br>(b) 1 and 2 only <br>(c) 3 only <br>(d) 2 and 3 only<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-68 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0026ff\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/lead\/the-solution-to-the-falling-rupee-lies-in-diplomacy\/article70556822.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/lead\/the-solution-to-the-falling-rupee-lies-in-diplomacy\/article70556822.ece<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-69 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. With reference to the India\u2013EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-70 wp-block-paragraph\">1. The EU will eliminate tariffs on more than 99% of Indian exports by trade value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-71 wp-block-paragraph\">2. India has provided full market access to its dairy and sensitive agricultural sectors under the agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-72 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Under the EU\u2019s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), India has secured Most-Favoured Nation (MFN)-based flexibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-73 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-74 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-75 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 1 and 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-76 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-77 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-78 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-79 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-80 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS:<\/strong> \u2018India\u2013EU Free Trade Agreement Concluded: A Strategic Breakthrough in India\u2019s Global Trade Engagement. Mother of all deals\u2019: India and the EU finalise FTA<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-81 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>India\u2013EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-82\">\n<li>The India\u2013EU Free Trade Agreement was concluded in <strong>January 2026<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Negotiations for the India\u2013EU FTA were originally launched in <strong>2007<\/strong> and re-launched in <strong>2022<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The agreement was announced at the <strong>16th India\u2013EU Summit<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India and the European Union are the <strong>4th and 2nd largest economies<\/strong> respectively.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Together, India and the EU account for <strong>about 25% of global GDP<\/strong> and <strong>nearly one-third of global trade<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The European Union consists of <strong>27 member countries<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The India\u2013EU FTA is <strong>India\u2019s largest and most comprehensive FTA<\/strong> to date.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The EU becomes <strong>India\u2019s 22nd FTA partner<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-83 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Trade &amp; Market Access<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-84\">\n<li>The EU will eliminate tariffs on <strong>over 99% (\u224899.5%) of Indian exports by trade value<\/strong>. <strong>Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>More than <strong>90% of Indian exports<\/strong> will become <strong>duty-free from the date of entry into force<\/strong> of the FTA.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India has offered tariff elimination or reduction on <strong>about 97.5% of EU exports by trade value<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tariff elimination for certain products will be <strong>phased over 3, 5, 7 or 10 years<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Labour-intensive exports worth about <strong>USD 33 billion<\/strong> will benefit from zero-duty access.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Key beneficiary sectors include <strong>textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, marine products, gems and jewellery, handicrafts and engineering goods<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-85 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Agriculture &amp; Sensitive Sectors<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-86\">\n<li>India has <strong>excluded dairy<\/strong> from tariff liberalisation under the FTA.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sensitive agricultural products such as <strong>cereals, poultry, soymeal and certain fruits and vegetables<\/strong> are safeguarded by India. These sectors have <strong>not<\/strong> been granted full market access. <strong>Hence statement 2 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The FTA provides <strong>enhanced market access<\/strong> for Indian <strong>tea, coffee, spices, processed foods, fruits and vegetables<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The EU has retained protection for its sensitive sectors such as <strong>beef, sugar, rice, milk powder and honey<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-87 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Services Trade &amp; Mobility<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-88\">\n<li>The EU has provided market access commitments in <strong>144 services sub-sectors<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India has offered market access in <strong>102 services sub-sectors<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Key services covered include <strong>IT\/ITeS, professional services, education, financial services, tourism and construction<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The FTA includes a <strong>structured mobility framework<\/strong> for professionals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mobility provisions cover <strong>Intra-Corporate Transferees (ICTs)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mobility provisions also cover <strong>Contractual Service Suppliers (CSS)<\/strong> and <strong>Independent Professionals (IP)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The FTA provides <strong>entry and working rights for dependents<\/strong> of certain categories of professionals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provisions also support <strong>student mobility and post-study work opportunities<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-89 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Automobiles &amp; Manufacturing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-90\">\n<li>The FTA includes a <strong>calibrated and quota-based liberalisation<\/strong> for automobiles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>European cars above a certain price threshold will be allowed at <strong>lower customs duties<\/strong>, subject to quotas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The agreement promotes <strong>Make in India<\/strong> by enabling future manufacturing and export opportunities from India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Indian consumers are expected to benefit from <strong>greater competition and access to high-technology products<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-91 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>CBAM &amp; Sustainability<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-92\">\n<li>The FTA includes <strong>specific provisions related to the EU\u2019s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India has secured <strong>Most-Favoured Nation (MFN)-based flexibilities<\/strong> under CBAM. <strong>Hence statement 3 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The agreement provides for <strong>recognition of Indian carbon verifiers<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It includes <strong>technical and financial cooperation<\/strong> to help Indian exporters comply with carbon regulations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-93 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Intellectual Property &amp; Emerging Areas<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-94\">\n<li>The FTA reaffirms commitments under the <strong>TRIPS Agreement<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It recognises the importance of India\u2019s <strong>Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cooperation is envisaged in <strong>Artificial Intelligence, clean technologies and semiconductors<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The agreement includes provisions on <strong>digital trade and MSMEs<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-95 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Strategic Significance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-96\">\n<li>The India\u2013EU FTA reduces India\u2019s dependence on <strong>any single export market<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It strengthens <strong>rules-based, predictable and transparent trade<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Along with FTAs with the <strong>UK and EFTA<\/strong>, the agreement opens up the <strong>entire European market<\/strong> for India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The FTA supports India\u2019s long-term vision of <strong>Viksit Bharat 2047<\/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:#9fe6ca\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2017)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. \u2018Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)\u2019 is sometimes seen in the news in the context of negotiations held between India and<\/strong> <br><br><strong>(a) European Union<\/strong> <br>(b) Gulf Cooperation Council <br>(c) Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development <br>(d) Shanghai Cooperation Organization<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-97 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0428f8\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/business\/Economy\/india-and-eu-conclude-talks-on-mother-of-all-deals-ending-negotiations-that-started-in-2007\/article70556539.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/business\/Economy\/india-and-eu-conclude-talks-on-mother-of-all-deals-ending-negotiations-that-started-in-2007\/article70556539.ece<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-98 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0026fb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2219065&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2219065&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-99 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. Consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-100 wp-block-paragraph\">1. Ajanta Caves are situated on the Waghur river valley, whereas Ellora Caves are situated along Indra &#8211; Godavari river region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-101 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Ajanta and Ellora were together designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-102 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Ajanta Caves include Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain caves, whereas Ellora Caves are primarily Buddhist, with viharas and chaityas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-103 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How many 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-104 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Only one<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-105 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Only two<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-106 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) All three<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-107 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) None<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-108 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b) Only two<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-109 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-110 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>11th Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival to begin today<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-111 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ajanta and Ellora Caves:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-112 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Location<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-113\">\n<li><strong>Ajanta Caves<\/strong> \u2013 Maharashtra, near <strong>Aurangabad<\/strong>; on the <strong>Waghur river valley<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ellora Caves<\/strong> \u2013 Maharashtra, near <strong>Aurangabad<\/strong>; 29 km from Ajanta; along <strong>Indra\/Godavari river region<\/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-114 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Period &amp; Cultural Significance<\/strong><\/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:#f2dfb1bd\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Caves<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Religion<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Period<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Key Features<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ajanta<\/td><td>Buddhist<\/td><td>2nd century BCE \u2013 480 CE<\/td><td>30 rock-cut caves; mainly monasteries (viharas) and prayer halls (chaityas); famous <strong>Buddhist murals &amp; frescoes<\/strong> depicting Jataka tales.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ellora<\/td><td>Hindu, Buddhist, Jain<\/td><td>6th \u2013 10th century CE<\/td><td>34 rock-cut caves; 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu, 5 Jain; <strong>Kailasa Temple (Cave 16)<\/strong> \u2013 largest monolithic rock-cut temple in the world.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-115 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hence statement 3 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-116 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Architecture &amp; Art<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-117 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ajanta<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-118\">\n<li><strong>Chaitya halls<\/strong>: Prayer halls with stupa at center.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Viharas<\/strong>: Monastic residences.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Murals<\/strong>: Frescoes in natural pigments; depict <strong>Buddha\u2019s life, Jataka tales<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rock-cut <strong>monastic architecture<\/strong>, influenced by Hinayana &amp; Mahayana Buddhism.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-119 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ellora<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-120\">\n<li><strong>Kailasa Temple<\/strong>: Carved <strong>top-down from a single rock<\/strong>; represents <strong>Mount Kailash<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hindu caves<\/strong>: Temples dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Jain caves<\/strong>: Symmetrical, detailed sculptures; religious coexistence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Buddhist caves<\/strong>: Early viharas, chaityas, stupas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-121 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-122\">\n<li><strong>Ajanta and Ellora together were designated<\/strong> in <strong>1983<\/strong>.<strong>Hence statement 2 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recognized for <strong>outstanding universal value<\/strong>, art, and rock-cut architecture.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-123 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Geographical Importance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-124\">\n<li><strong>Ajanta<\/strong>: cliff over <strong>Waghur river<\/strong>, horseshoe-shaped valley \u2013 natural protection for monks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ellora<\/strong>: basalt hills; <strong>rock-cut temples<\/strong> carved from volcanic basalt.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-125 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Historical Context<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-126\">\n<li><strong>Ajanta<\/strong>: Patronized by <strong>Satavahanas, Vakatakas<\/strong>; reflects Buddhist devotional culture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ellora<\/strong>: Patronized by <strong>Rashtrakutas<\/strong>; shows <strong>religious tolerance and integration<\/strong> in medieval India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-127 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Conservation &amp; Tourism<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-128\">\n<li>Both caves are <strong>protected monuments under ASI<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Famous for attracting <strong>archaeologists, historians, and tourists<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vulnerable to <strong>water seepage, humidity, and vandalism<\/strong>, Ajanta murals are especially delicate.<\/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:#b1e1d0\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2021)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Which one of the following statements is correct?<\/strong> <br><br><strong>(a) Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of Waghora River.<\/strong> <br>(b) Sanchi Stupa lies in the gorge of Chambal River. <br>(c) Pandu-lena Cave Shrines lie in the gorge of Narmada River. <br>(d) Amaravati Stupa lies in the gorge of Godavari River.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-129 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0532fd\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/11th-ajanta-ellora-international-film-festival-to-begin-today\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/11th-ajanta-ellora-international-film-festival-to-begin-today\/<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-130 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6. With reference to Bactrian camels, consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-131 wp-block-paragraph\">I. They are double-humped camels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-132 wp-block-paragraph\">II. They thrive in extreme hot weather, surviving temperatures as high as 40\u00b0C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-133 wp-block-paragraph\">III. The humps humps predominantly store water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-134 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-135 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) I only\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-136 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) I and III\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-137 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) II only\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-138 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) II and III<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-139 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b) I and III<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-140 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-141 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>Republic Day 2026: Bactrian camels are found only at this location in India and have a 6,000-year link to Mongolia and China<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-142 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Bactrian camels<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-143\">\n<li>Bactrian camels in India are a rare and unique population of<strong> double-humped camels<\/strong> found exclusively in the Nubra Valley of Ladakh. <strong>Hence statement I is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Locally known as Mundri camels, they are living relics of the ancient Silk Route.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There are only about 365 to 400 of these camels remaining in India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unlike the single-humped dromedaries of Rajasthan, <strong>Bactrian camels thrive in extreme cold, surviving temperatures as low as -40\u00b0C. Hence statement II is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Two Humps humps <strong>store fat, not water<\/strong>, which the camels metabolise for energy during sparse winters. <strong>Hence statement III is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They can consume saline water and even snow to meet their hydration needs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are <strong>diurnal <\/strong>(active by day) and rest at night.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They have <strong>double rows of long eyelashes and sealable nostrils to block sand and snow, plus broad feet that act like natural snowshoes.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"918\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-7-918x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2848\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-7-918x1024.png 918w, https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-7-269x300.png 269w, https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-7-768x857.png 768w, https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-7.png 949w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 918px) 100vw, 918px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-144 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Military and Cultural Significance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-145 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Republic Day Debut: <\/strong>In January 2026, two Bactrian camels named &#8216;Galwan&#8217; and &#8216;Nubra&#8217; made history by marching in the Republic Day Parade as part of the Army&#8217;s animal contingent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-146 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Strategic Assets: <\/strong>The Indian Army uses them for patrolling the Line of Actual Control (LAC). They can carry up to 170\u2013250 kg at altitudes of 17,000 feet, outperforming traditional mules in high-altitude logistics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-147 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tourism: <\/strong>In Hunder, Nubra Valley, camel safaris have become a major tourist attraction, which has helped revive the population from near extinction.<\/p>\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:<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. What is\/are unique about &#8216;Kharai camel&#8217; a breed found in India? (2016)<\/strong> <br><br>1. It is capable of swimming up to three kilometres in seawater. <br>2. It survives by grazing on mangroves. <br>3. It lives in the wild and cannot be domesticated. <br><br><strong>Select the correct answer using the code given below.<\/strong> <br><br><strong>(a) 1 and 2 only<\/strong> <br>(b) 3 only <br>(c) 1 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-148 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0015ff\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/economictimes.indiatimes.com\/news\/new-updates\/republic-day-2026-bactrian-camels-are-found-only-at-this-location-in-india-and-have-a-6000-year-link-to-mongolia-and-china\/articleshow\/127537442.cms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/economictimes.indiatimes.com\/news\/new-updates\/republic-day-2026-bactrian-camels-are-found-only-at-this-location-in-india-and-have-a-6000-year-link-to-mongolia-and-china\/articleshow\/127537442.cms<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-149 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>7. With reference to fishing cats, which one of the following statements is not correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-150 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) They have Water-resistant fur which keeps the body dry when swimming or stalking prey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-151 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) The males are larger than females.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-152 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) In India, it occurs only along river basins of Mahanadi, Godavari and Krishna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-153 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) It is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-154 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (c) In India, it occurs only along river basins of Mahanadi, Godavari and Krishna.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-155 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-156 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>The odd feline &#8211; The fishing cat\u2019s decline is not an isolated conservation woe. It is a symptom<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-157 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Fishing cat:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-158\">\n<li>The fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) is a medium-sized wild cat found in<strong> South and Southeast Asia.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It has deep yellowish-grey fur with black lines and spots, and its body length ranges from about 57 cm to 78 cm with a 20\u201330 cm tail.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Males are larger than females<\/strong>, weighing approximately 8\u201317 kg, while females weigh about 5\u20139 kg.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The fishing cat lives mainly in and around <strong>wetlands, including rivers, streams, oxbow lakes, swamps, and mangrove forests<\/strong>, where it hunts primarily for fish.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It also feeds on other animals such as birds, insects, small rodents, molluscs, reptiles (including snakes), amphibians, and carrion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The species is thought to be <strong>primarily nocturnal <\/strong>and is a good swimmer capable of swimming long distances and even underwater.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is listed as <strong>vulnerable on the IUCN Red List <\/strong>due to significant declines in population, largely from wetland destruction and human persecution.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its geographic distribution is broad but discontinuous, with records from Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka in South Asia and scattered populations in Southeast Asia.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"785\" height=\"443\" src=\"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-8.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2849\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-8.png 785w, https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-8-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-8-768x433.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 785px) 100vw, 785px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-159 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Special Adaptations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-160\">\n<li><strong>Semi-webbed feet <\/strong>\u2013 help with wading through wetlands.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water-resistant fur <\/strong>\u2013 keeps the body dry when swimming or stalking prey.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Thick tail as a rudder <\/strong>\u2013 aids in swimming.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ear adaptations <\/strong>\u2013 inner lobules can close when diving to keep water out.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These traits allow it to hunt fish and other prey in rivers, marshes, and swamps.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-161 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Distribution in India<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-162\">\n<li>In India, the fishing cat\u2019s range extends from the <strong>Indus basin eastward along the Ganga\u2013Brahmaputra floodplains and delta<\/strong> into parts of Bangladesh.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It also occurs south along other <strong>river basins like the Mahanadi, Godavari and Krishna<\/strong>, marking its southern distribution limit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-163 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hence option (c) is correct.<\/strong><\/p>\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. Which one of the following makes a tool with a stick to scrape insects from a hole in a tree or a log of wood?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) Fishing cat <br><strong>(b) Orangutan<\/strong> <br>(c) Otter <br>(d) Sloth bear<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-164 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#011ffe\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/wildlife-biodiversity\/the-odd-feline\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/wildlife-biodiversity\/the-odd-feline<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-165 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>8. Consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-166 wp-block-paragraph\">1. All the Char Dham temples are located in Uttarakhand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-167 wp-block-paragraph\">2. All the Char Dham temples have Lord Shiva as its primary deity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-168 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-169 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-170 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-171 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-172 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-173 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) 1 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-174 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-175 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>Char Dham temples seek to prohibit entry of non-Hindus<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-176 wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>Char Dham<\/strong> refers to <strong>four sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites in India<\/strong>. Visiting them is considered highly auspicious and spiritually cleansing. All the Char Dham temples are situated in the Himalayas of <strong>Uttarakhand<\/strong>. <strong>Hence statement 1 is correct. <\/strong>They are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"782\" height=\"469\" src=\"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-9.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2850\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-9.png 782w, https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-9-300x180.png 300w, https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-9-768x461.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 782px) 100vw, 782px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-177 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Badrinath (Lord Vishnu)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-178\">\n<li><strong>Deity:<\/strong> Lord <strong>Vishnu <\/strong>in the form of <strong>Badrinarayan<\/strong>. <strong>Hence statement 2 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Location:<\/strong> Situated at <strong>3,133 meters (10,279 ft) in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand<\/strong>, between the Nar and Narayan mountain ranges, along the <strong>Alaknanda River<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Religious Significance:<\/strong><ul><li>One of the <strong>Divya Desams<\/strong>, sacred shrines of Vishnu mentioned in Tamil Vaishnavite texts.<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pilgrims believe visiting Badrinath <strong>helps attain moksha (liberation from the cycle of life and death)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Historical Note:<\/strong> The present temple was <strong>reconstructed by Adi Shankaracharya in the 9th century CE<\/strong>, although the site has been revered for thousands of years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Unique Feature:<\/strong> The <strong>sacred hot spring Tapt Kund<\/strong> near the temple is believed to have <strong>healing properties<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-179 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Kedarnath (Lord Shiva)<\/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><strong>Deity:<\/strong> Lord <strong>Shiva<\/strong>, in the form of <strong>Kedarnath Jyotirlinga<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Location:<\/strong> Located near the <strong>Mandakini River at an altitude of 3,583 meters (11,755 ft)<\/strong> in the Himalayas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Religious Significance:<\/strong><ul><li>One of the <strong>12 Jyotirlingas<\/strong>, which are the holiest shrines of Shiva in India.<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pilgrims seek <strong>spiritual purification and liberation<\/strong> by offering prayers to Kedarnath.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Historical Note:<\/strong> The temple is believed to have been originally built by the <strong>Pandavas<\/strong> from the Mahabharata, with its current structure attributed to <strong>Adi Shankaracharya<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Unique Feature:<\/strong> <strong>Snow\u2011capped peaks<\/strong> surround the temple, giving it a serene and mystical environment. The area is accessible only for <strong>6 months<\/strong>, due to heavy snowfall.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-181 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Gangotri (Goddess Ganga)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-182\">\n<li><strong>Deity:<\/strong> Goddess <strong>Ganga<\/strong>, personified as the sacred river Ganges. <strong>Hence statement 2 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Location:<\/strong> Situated at <strong>3,041 meters (9,977 ft) in Uttarkashi district<\/strong>, along the Bhagirathi River, which originates from the <strong>Gangotri Glacier<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Religious Significance:<\/strong><ul><li>The temple commemorates the <strong>descent of the Ganges from heaven to earth<\/strong>, as per Hindu mythology.<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pilgrims perform <strong>ritual ablutions in the Bhagirathi River<\/strong>, believing it <strong>cleanses sins and purifies the soul<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Historical Note:<\/strong> The original temple was built in the <strong>18th century by Gorkhas<\/strong>, and later reconstructed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Unique Feature:<\/strong> Gangotri is a <strong>source pilgrimage site<\/strong>, with the glacier nearby being considered the <strong>physical origin of the holy Ganges<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-183 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Yamunotri (Goddess Yamuna)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-184\">\n<li><strong>Deity:<\/strong> Goddess <strong>Yamuna<\/strong>, the personification of the Yamuna River. <strong>Hence statement 2 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Location:<\/strong> Situated at <strong>3,293 meters (10,810 ft) in the western Garhwal region of Uttarakhand<\/strong>, near the <strong>bandarpunch range of the Himalayas<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Religious Significance:<\/strong><ul><li>The temple marks the <strong>source of the Yamuna River<\/strong>, which flows through <strong>important pilgrimage cities<\/strong> like Mathura and Vrindavan.<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pilgrims bathe in the <strong>hot water springs of Yamunotri<\/strong>, which are believed to have <strong>healing and purifying properties<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Historical Note:<\/strong> The temple is believed to have been <strong>established in the 19th century<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Unique Feature:<\/strong> <strong>Surrounded by rugged mountains and glaciers<\/strong>, Yamunotri is both <strong>spiritually and scenically significant<\/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:#d3dce6\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (1996)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Which one of the following temples figured in the news regarding the institution of the Devadasi?<\/strong> <br><br><strong>(a) Jagannath temple, Puri<\/strong> <br>(b) Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu <br>(c) Kandariya Mahadev temple, Khajuraho <br>(d) Chausath Yogini temple, Bhedaghat<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-185 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#1900f9\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/uttarakhand\/debate-rages-over-entry-of-non-hindus-into-badrinath-kedarnath\/article70552680.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/uttarakhand\/debate-rages-over-entry-of-non-hindus-into-badrinath-kedarnath\/article70552680.ece<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-186 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>9. With reference to Lala Lajpat Rai, which of the following statements is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-187 wp-block-paragraph\">1. He wrote the book \u2018Young India&#8217; in 1916.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-188 wp-block-paragraph\">2. He founded the Servants of the People Society in 1921.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-189 wp-block-paragraph\">3. He led a peaceful protest march in Lahore against the Simon Commission in 1928.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-190 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-191 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-192 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-193 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-194 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-195 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-196 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-197 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>Prime Minister pays homage to Punjab Kesari Lala Lajpat Rai<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-198 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Lala Lajpat Rai:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"627\" height=\"352\" src=\"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-10.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2851\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-10.png 627w, https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-10-300x168.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 627px) 100vw, 627px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-199\">\n<li><strong>Lala Lajpat Rai<\/strong> (28\u202fJanuary\u202f1865\u202f\u2013\u202f17\u202fNovember\u202f1928) was a prominent <strong>Indian nationalist leader, politician, author, and freedom fighter<\/strong> during the struggle against British colonial rule.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He is popularly known as <strong>\u201cPunjab Kesari\u201d<\/strong> (the <em>Lion of Punjab<\/em>) for his fierce patriotism and leadership.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rai initially studied law at <strong>Government College, Lahore<\/strong>, where he became influenced by the <strong>Arya Samaj reform movement<\/strong> and began his involvement in nationalist politics.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rai was one of the leading members of the <strong>Indian National Congress<\/strong> and part of the famous <strong>\u201cLal\u2011Bal\u2011Pal\u201d trio<\/strong> (with Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal), a group known for promoting <strong>militant nationalism<\/strong> and opposition to British rule.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He strongly advocated for <strong>Swaraj (self\u2011rule), the Swadeshi movement (use of Indian goods),<\/strong> and social reforms, believing that Indians should take pride in their own culture and capacities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rai also founded the <strong>Servants of the People Society in 1921<\/strong> to promote public service and social welfare work. <strong>Hence statement 2 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He was a <strong>prolific writer and speaker<\/strong>, contributing to newspapers and writing books like <strong><em>The Story of My Deportation (1908)<\/em> and <em>Young India (1916)<\/em>.<\/strong> His works critiqued British policies and inspired patriotic sentiment among Indians. <strong>Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In <strong>1928<\/strong>, when the British government set up the <strong>Simon Commission<\/strong>, a body with no Indian members to review constitutional reforms. Rai led a <strong>peaceful protest march<\/strong> in <strong>Lahore<\/strong> demanding \u201c<strong>Simon Go Back!<\/strong>\u201d <strong>Hence statement 3 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>During this protest, he was <strong>brutally assaulted by police (lathi charge)<\/strong> under the British police superintendent <strong>James A. Scott<\/strong>. Rai suffered severe injuries but continued to address supporters with the famous line, <em>\u201cEvery blow aimed at me is a nail in the coffin of British rule in India.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rai did not fully recover from those injuries and <strong>died on 17\u202fNovember\u202f1928<\/strong>. His death sparked widespread outrage and intensified the Indian struggle for independence.<\/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: (2018)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. He wrote biographies of Mazzini, Garibaldi, Shivaji and Shrikrishna ; stayed in America for some time; and was also elected to the Central Assembly. He was<\/strong> <br><br>(a) Aurobindo Ghosh <br>(b) Bipin Chandra Pal <br><strong>(c) Lala Lajpat Rai<\/strong> <br>(d) Motilal Nehru<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-200 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#1500ff\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2219418&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2219418&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-201 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>10. The Narmada river flows to the west, while most other large peninsular rivers flow to the east. Why?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-202 wp-block-paragraph\">1. It occupies a linear rift valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-203 wp-block-paragraph\">2. It flows between the Vindhyas and the Satpuras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-204 wp-block-paragraph\">3. The land slopes to the west from Central India<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-205 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-206 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-207 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2 and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-208 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 1 and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-209 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) None<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-210 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) 1 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-211 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-212\">\n<li>The Narmada flows west because it occupies a linear rift valley (graben) formed by tectonic faulting, giving it a westward gradient. The valley\u2019s slope dictates the river\u2019s direction, overriding the general eastward slope of the Peninsular plateau. <strong>Hence 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It flows between the Vindhyas and the Satpuras is true geographically, but the location alone doesn\u2019t determine flow; the slope of the rift valley does. <strong>Hence 2 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Peninsular plateau generally slopes eastward, so the Narmada\u2019s westward flow is a local feature due to tectonics, not regional slope. <strong>Hence 3 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Which of the following statements is\/are correct regarding the Budget Session of Parliament? 1. As per the constitution of [&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-2845","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\/2845","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=2845"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2845\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2852,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2845\/revisions\/2852"}],"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=2845"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2845"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2845"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}