{"id":2856,"date":"2026-01-30T12:04:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T12:04:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/?p=2856"},"modified":"2026-01-30T12:04:19","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T12:04:19","slug":"daily-current-affairs-29-01-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/daily-current-affairs-29-01-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS \u2013 29.01.2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. According to the Economic Survey 2026, Which of the following factors were the drivers of private consumption growth in India?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2 wp-block-paragraph\">1. Low inflation<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Stable employment conditions<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Improved agricultural performance<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5 wp-block-paragraph\">4. Tax reforms and rationalisation<\/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 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 and 2 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, 2 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-10 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 2, 3 and 4 only<\/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) 1, 2, 3 and 4<\/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> Economic Survey 2026: Consumption growth to slow down \u2018slightly\u2019 despite rise in domestic demand<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-14 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Economic Survey 2026: Consumption Growth in India<\/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>India\u2019s growth is <strong>strongly driven by private spending<\/strong> rather than investment or exports.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rural and urban households at the lower end of income distribution<\/strong> are seeing improved consumption.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The slight slowdown is <strong>temporary<\/strong>, with consumption expected to remain <strong>resilient<\/strong> due to supportive macroeconomic conditions.<\/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>Consumption Share &amp; Growth<\/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>In FY 2025-26, <strong>private final consumption expenditure (PFCE)<\/strong> accounted for <strong>61.5% of GDP<\/strong>, the highest since FY 2011-12.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>PFCE growth is estimated at <strong>7.0% for FY 2025-26<\/strong> (first advance estimate), slightly lower than <strong>7.2% in FY 2024-25<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Indian economy is currently in its <strong>most consumption-driven phase since 2012<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Domestic demand<\/strong> remains a strong driver of economic growth in FY 2026.<\/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>Drivers of Consumption<\/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><strong>Low inflation<\/strong>, <strong>stable employment<\/strong>, and <strong>higher real incomes<\/strong> are supporting consumption.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Improved agricultural performance<\/strong> has increased rural spending.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tax reforms and rationalisation<\/strong> have improved urban consumption.<\/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>Hence all are correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-21 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Half-Yearly Trends<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-22\">\n<li>PFCE growth was <strong>7.3% in H1 FY 2025-26<\/strong> and increased to <strong>7.5% in H1 FY 2026-27<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Second-half projections<\/strong> indicate a <strong>slight moderation<\/strong> in consumption growth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-23 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Inequality and Inclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-24\">\n<li><strong>Consumption-based inequality has declined<\/strong> according to the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023-24.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>bottom 5\u201310% of the population<\/strong> in rural and urban areas saw the <strong>highest increase in per capita monthly consumption<\/strong> between 2022-23 and 2023-24.<\/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:#d4dce3\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2015)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. A decrease in tax to GDP ratio of a country indicates which of the following?<\/strong> <br><br>1. Slowing economic growth rate <br>2. Less equitable distribution of national income <br><br><strong>Select the correct answer using the code given below.<\/strong> <br><br><strong>(a) 1 only<\/strong> <br>(b) 2 only <br>(c) Both 1 and 2 <br>(d) Neither1 nor 2<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-25 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0a05f7\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/economy\/economic-survey-2026-consumption-growth-to-slow-down-slightly-despite-rise-in-domestic-demand\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/economy\/economic-survey-2026-consumption-growth-to-slow-down-slightly-despite-rise-in-domestic-demand<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-26 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Consider the following statements about the Designs Act, 2000:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-27 wp-block-paragraph\">I. The Act was introduced to comply with the TRIPS Agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-28 wp-block-paragraph\">II. It governs both industrial designs and trademarks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-29 wp-block-paragraph\">III. Functional features of a product can be registered under the Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-30 wp-block-paragraph\">IV. The initial term of protection for a registered design is 10 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-31 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-32 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) I and IV only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-33 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) I and III only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-34 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) II and IV only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-35 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) I, II and IV<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-36 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) I and IV only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-37 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-38 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade Proposes Amendments to Designs Act to Align with Global Best Practices<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-39 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Designs Act:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-40\">\n<li>The Designs Act, 2000 is the primary legislation in India governing the <strong>protection of industrial designs<\/strong>, having repealed the earlier 1911 Act to align with international standards like the TRIPS Agreement. <strong>Hence statement I is correct and statement II is incorrect..<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Managed by the <strong>Ministry of Commerce and Industry<\/strong>, it protects the aesthetic &#8220;look and feel&#8221; of a product, such as its shape, configuration, or pattern rather than its functional utility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Functional features cannot be registered; only aesthetic features are protected. <strong>Hence statement III is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-41 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Core Provisions and Concepts<\/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><strong>Definition of &#8220;Design&#8221;: <\/strong>Under <a href=\"https:\/\/indiankanoon.org\/doc\/931654\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Section 2(d)<\/a>, design refers to features of shape, configuration, or ornament applied to an article by any industrial process that appeal solely to the eye.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Absolute Novelty:<\/strong> A design must be new or original and not previously published anywhere in the world to qualify for registration.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Exclusions: <\/strong>Registration is prohibited for designs that lack novelty, contain scandalous or obscene matter, or are purely functional.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Locarno Classification: <\/strong>The Act uses this <a href=\"https:\/\/iptse.com\/design-act-origin-importance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">international classification system<\/a> to categorize goods based on their subject matter rather than the material used.<\/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>Registration and Duration<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-44 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Application: <\/strong>Filed at the <a href=\"https:\/\/lawbhoomi.com\/design-registration-in-india\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Patent Office<\/a> (headquartered in Kolkata) by the creator or proprietor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-45 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Protection Period: <\/strong>Initial protection lasts for 10 years, extendable for an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maheshwariandco.com\/blog\/design-protection-under-the-designs-act-2000\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">additional 5 years<\/a> (total 15 years) upon payment of renewal fees. <strong>Hence statement IV is correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-46 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Restoration:<\/strong> Lapsed designs can be restored within one year if the failure to pay fees was unintentional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-47 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Infringement and Remedies<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-48 wp-block-paragraph\">Infringement (often called piracy) occurs when a third party applies a registered design or a &#8220;fraudulent or obvious imitation&#8221; to a product without consent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-49\">\n<li><strong>Civil Remedies:<\/strong> Proprietors can seek injunctions to stop the imitation and claim damages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Statutory Penalty:<\/strong> A registered owner can recover up to \u20b925,000 for each contravention, with a total cap of \u20b950,000 per design as a contract debt.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Judicial Jurisdiction: <\/strong>Cases must be filed in a <a href=\"https:\/\/ssrana.in\/litigation\/ip-litigation\/designs-litigation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">District Court<\/a> or higher; if the design&#8217;s validity is challenged, the case is transferred to the High Court.<\/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:#9ef2d3\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2017)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. With reference to the \u2018National Intellectual Property Rights Policy\u2019, consider the following statements:<\/strong> <br><br>1. It reiterates India\u2019s commitment to the Doha Development Agenda and the TRIPS Agreement. <br>2. Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion is the nodal agency for regulating intellectual property rights in India. <br><br><strong>Which of the above statements 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-50 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0a05f7\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2219951&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2219951&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-51 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-52 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Statement-I: <\/strong>Coking coal is a Critical and Strategic Mineral in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-53 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Statement-II: <\/strong>Coking coal is notified under Part D of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-54 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-55 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-56 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-57 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-58 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-59 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I<\/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>Government Notifies Coking Coal as Critical &amp; Strategic Mineral under MMDR Act, 1957<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-62 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Recent Amendment:<\/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>Under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act), 1957, Section 11C empowers the Central Government to notify critical and strategic minerals; accordingly, the First Schedule has been amended by updating Part A to read \u201cCoal, including Coking Coal\u201d and by including \u201cCoking Coal\u201d in Part D as a Critical and Strategic Mineral. <strong>Hence both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I<\/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>Coking coal:<\/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>Coking coal, also known as metallurgical coal, is a <strong>specific grade of bituminous coal essential for the production of steel.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unlike thermal coal used for power generation, coking coal has unique properties that allow it to soften and liquefy when heated in an oxygen-free environment, eventually resolidifying into a hard, porous substance called coke.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>China is the world&#8217;s largest producer <\/strong>(62%), followed by Australia (15%), Russia (9%), and the USA (5%).<\/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>Coking coal in India:<\/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><strong>India currently imports nearly 95% of its high-grade coking coal requirements<\/strong> for steelmaking, creating a massive foreign exchange outgo.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India has 37.37 billion tonnes of coking coal resources.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Major reserves:<\/strong> Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-68 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key Applications of Coking Coal:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-69\">\n<li><strong>Steel Production (Primary Use):<\/strong> Approx. 70% of global steel is produced via the Blast Furnace-Basic Oxygen Furnace (BF-BOF) route, relying on coke for chemical reduction of iron ore.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Foundry Coke: <\/strong>Used in smaller furnaces to melt iron and steel scrap for casting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pulverized Coal Injection (PCI):<\/strong> High-grade metallurgical coal can be injected directly into blast furnaces to reduce the overall coke requirement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>By-product Utilization: <\/strong>The coking process produces coal tar and coke oven gas, which are used to manufacture chemicals, plastics (e.g., Bakelite), and, in some cases, as a source for medicinal products.<\/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:#a4d9ff\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2015)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. In India, the steel production industry requires the import of<\/strong> <br><br>(a) Saltpetre <br>(b) Rock phosphate <br><strong>(c) Coking coal<\/strong> <br>(d) All of the above<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-70 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0a05f7\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2219947&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2219947&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-71 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-72 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Statement I:<\/strong> A weakened polar vortex can lead to extreme winter cold in the south Arctic region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-73 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Statement II:<\/strong> When the polar vortex is strong, the jet stream remains relatively circular, keeping Arctic air confined to Polar Regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-74 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Statement III:<\/strong> Uneven faster warming of the earth in Polar Regions compared to the tropics, can destabilize the polar vortex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-75 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-76 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both explain Statement I<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-77 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one explains Statement I<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-78 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Only Statement II is correct and it explains Statement I<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-79 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Only Statement III is correct and it explains Statement I<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-80 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both explain Statement I<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-81 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-82 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS:<\/strong> Polar vortex: What\u2019s behind the lethal winter storm in the United States?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-83 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Polar Vortex:<\/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>A <strong>polar vortex<\/strong> is a <strong>large area of low-pressure and cold air<\/strong> swirling around the Arctic (North Pole) and Antarctic (South Pole).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It exists in the <strong>troposphere (0\u201315 km)<\/strong> and <strong>stratosphere (15\u201350 km)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Normally, it confines the <strong>cold Arctic air to the Polar Regions<\/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>Role of Jet Stream<\/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>The <strong>jet stream<\/strong> is a narrow band of strong winds in the upper atmosphere.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strong <\/strong><strong>polar vortex<\/strong> \u2192 circular jet stream \u2192 Arctic air confined \u2192 normal winter conditions in mid-latitudes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Weak po<\/strong><strong>lar vortex \u2192 wavier jet stream \u2192 Arctic air spills south \u2192 extreme cold waves<\/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>Impact of Climate Change:<\/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 <strong>Polar Regions are warming faster than the tropics<\/strong> (Arctic amplification).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This <strong>reduces the temperature gradient<\/strong> between the poles and mid-latitudes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As a result, the <strong>polar vortex weakens<\/strong>, becomes unstable, and can <strong>displace cold air southwards<\/strong>, causing winter storms in mid-latitudes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A <strong>weakened polar vortex<\/strong> allows Arctic air to migrate south, resulting in <strong>extreme winter cold far from the poles<\/strong>, including the US, Europe, and Asia.<\/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>Hence, Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both explain Statement I<\/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:#dae3ec\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2025)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Consider the following statements:<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Statement I:<\/strong>\u00a0 The amount of dust particles in the atmosphere is more in subtropical and temperate areas than in equatorial and polar regions.\u00a0\u00a0<br><strong>Statement II:<\/strong> Subtropical and temperate areas have less dry winds.\u00a0\u00a0 <br><br><strong>Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> <br><br>(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I\u00a0\u00a0 <br>(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I <br><strong>(c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> <br>(d) Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-90 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0a05f7\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-climate\/polar-vortex-winter-storm-united-states-10495773\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-climate\/polar-vortex-winter-storm-united-states-10495773\/<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-91 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-92 wp-block-paragraph\">1. Brazil and the USA together account for 70% of the global soybean exports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-93 wp-block-paragraph\">2. China is the largest soybean importer in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-94 wp-block-paragraph\">3. In India, Madhya Pradesh has the largest soybean production, accounting for almost 50% of the nation&#8217;s output.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-95 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-96 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Only one<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-97 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Only two<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-98 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) All three<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-99 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) None<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-100 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-101 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-102 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>China to Boost Brazilian Soybean Imports in Early 2026 Amid Price Advantage<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-103 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Soybean:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-104\">\n<li>Soybean (Glycine max) is a <strong>legume crop<\/strong> rich in protein and oil.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is used for <strong>edible oil, soymeal (animal feed), and industrial products<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Major soybean-producing countries: <strong>USA, Brazil, Argentina, China, and India<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Soybean is a <strong>short-day, warm-season crop<\/strong>, sensitive to frost.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-105 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Global Production &amp; Trade<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-106\">\n<li><strong>Brazil and the USA<\/strong> are the top two global soybean exporters, accounting for over 70% of world trade.<strong> Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>China is the <strong>largest soybean importer<\/strong>, primarily to meet domestic feed demand for its livestock sector. <strong>&nbsp;Hence statement 2 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Global soybean trade is influenced by:<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Weather and crop yields (e.g., Brazil\u2019s record harvest)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>International tariffs and trade agreements<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Global livestock feed demand<\/strong>, particularly from China<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>US-China trade tensions<\/strong> and <strong>tariffs<\/strong> significantly affect global soybean flows.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Brazil often gains export share when <strong>US soybeans are relatively expensive or tariffed<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Soybean prices are <strong>highly sensitive to global currency fluctuations<\/strong>, especially USD\/BRL and USD\/CNY.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-107 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>India &amp; Soybean<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-108\">\n<li>India is a <strong>soybean-producing and consuming country<\/strong>, mainly for <strong>edible oil and soymeal<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Major soybean-growing states in India: <strong>Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Karnataka<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Madhya Pradesh <\/strong>has the largest soybean production in India, accounting for <strong>almost 50% <\/strong>of the nation&#8217;s output. <strong>&nbsp;Hence statement 3 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India exports <strong>soymeal<\/strong> but imports <strong>soy oil and occasionally soybeans<\/strong> to meet domestic consumption.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India\u2019s soybean production has grown due to <strong>expansion of oilseed cultivation and improved seed varieties<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India is affected by <strong>global soybean prices<\/strong>, since soymeal is a key input for <strong>poultry, dairy, and livestock industries<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-109 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Recent Market Trends<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-110\">\n<li><strong>China\u2019s soybean imports<\/strong> dominate global trade, often impacting prices worldwide.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Seasonal dynamics: <strong>Brazilian soybean harvest (Jan\u2013Mar)<\/strong> affects early-year supply, US harvest (Sep\u2013Nov) affects late-year supply.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Trade flows are influenced by: <strong>price competitiveness, supply availability, and logistics costs<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Geopolitical or trade policy decisions (e.g., <strong>US-China trade deals<\/strong>) can <strong>shift sourcing between Brazil and USA<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Global soybean demand is <strong>projected to increase<\/strong> with rising meat consumption in Asia.<\/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:#edaf638f\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2014)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Consider the following pairs<\/strong> <br><strong>Region\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Well-known for the production of<\/strong> <br>1. Kinnaur\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 :\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Areca nut <br>2. Mewat\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mango <br>3. Coromandel\u00a0 :\u00a0\u00a0 Soya bean <br><br><strong>Which of the above pairs is\/are correctly matched?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) 1 and 2 only <br>(b) 3 only <br>(c) 1, 2 and 3 <br><strong>(d) None<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-111 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0a05f7\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.econotimes.com\/China-to-Boost-Brazilian-Soybean-Imports-in-Early-2026-Amid-Price-Advantage-1732066\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.econotimes.com\/China-to-Boost-Brazilian-Soybean-Imports-in-Early-2026-Amid-Price-Advantage-1732066<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-112 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6. Which one of the following best describes the aim of Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-113 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) To reduce maternal and neonatal mortality among poor pregnant women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-114 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) To achieve 100% literacy by promoting collaboration between voluntary organizations and the government&#8217;s education system and local communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-115 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) To achieve 100% saturation of selected development indicators in Aspirational Districts and Blocks through convergence and monitoring<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-116 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) To provide additional financial assistance to States for social sector development<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-117 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (c) To achieve 100% saturation of selected development indicators in Aspirational Districts and Blocks through convergence and monitoring<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-118 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-119 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>Launch of Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0 by NITI Aayog<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-120 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-121\">\n<li><strong>Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0<\/strong> is a <strong>time-bound national campaign<\/strong> launched by <strong>NITI Aayog<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The campaign aims at achieving <strong>100% saturation of key development indicators<\/strong> in lagging regions. <strong>Hence option (c) is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It covers <strong>Aspirational Districts as well as Aspirational Blocks<\/strong> across India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0 is implemented for a <strong>three-month duration<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The campaign is aligned with the goals of the <strong>Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP)<\/strong> and <strong>Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Key focus sectors under the campaign include <strong>health, nutrition, education, sanitation, and animal welfare<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At the district level, indicators such as <strong>birth weight recording, TB case notification, and school toilet facilities<\/strong> are monitored.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At the block level, emphasis is placed on <strong>Anganwadi services, supplementary nutrition, drinking water, sanitation, and vaccination of cattle<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The campaign follows a <strong>saturation-based approach<\/strong>, rather than incremental improvement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Implementation involves <strong>district and block-level action plans<\/strong>, supported by <strong>monthly monitoring and data-driven review mechanisms<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0 promotes <strong>convergence of Central schemes, State initiatives, and local administration efforts<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It strengthens <strong>last-mile service delivery<\/strong> through intensive field-level monitoring.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The campaign reflects the principles of <strong>cooperative federalism and competitive federalism<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NITI Aayog acts as a <strong>facilitator and performance monitor<\/strong>, not an implementing agency.<\/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:#d9e0e6\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2017)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. What is the aim of the programme &#8216;Unnat Bharat Abhiyan&#8217;?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) Achieving 100% literacy by promoting collaboration between voluntary organizations and government&#8217;s education system and local communities. <br><strong>(b) Connecting institutions of higher education with local communities to address development challenges through appropriate technologies.<\/strong> <br>(c) Strengthening India&#8217;s scientific research institutions in order to make India a scientific and technological power. <br>(d) Developing human capital by allocating special funds for health care and education of rural and urban poor, and organizing skill development programmes and vocational training for them.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-122 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#1500fa\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2219753&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2219753&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-123 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#1500fa\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/niti-aayog-launches-sampoornata-abhiyan-2-0-to-accelerate-development-across-aspirational-districts-blocks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/niti-aayog-launches-sampoornata-abhiyan-2-0-to-accelerate-development-across-aspirational-districts-blocks\/<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-124 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>7. Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary is primarily associated with which type of ecosystem?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-125 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Alpine forest<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-126 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Mangrove<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-127 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Grassland<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-128 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Desert<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-129 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b) Mangrove<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-130 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-131 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>Greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) are sighted on Hope Island in Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary in the Kakinada Bay of Andhra Pradesh for the first time this season on Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-132 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary:<\/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>Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary is an estuarine wildlife sanctuary located near Kakinada in <strong>Andhra Pradesh<\/strong>, India, covering about 235.7\u202fkm\u00b2 and governed by the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It was established on 5\u202fJuly\u202f1978 to protect the unique<strong> mangrove\u2011estuary ecosystem. Hence option (b) is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The sanctuary is part of the <strong>Godavari estuary and represents the third largest stretch of mangrove forests in India<\/strong>, with 24 mangrove tree species and more than 120 bird species recorded.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its intricate mangrove root systems help stabilise the coastline, reduce erosion, and provide habitat and nursery grounds for fish and other aquatic life.<\/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>Flora:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-135\">\n<li>Dominated by rich <strong>mangrove vegetation<\/strong>, including species such as Avicennia officinalis, Avicennia marina, Rhizophora mucronata, and Sonneratia apetala.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-136 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Fauna:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-137\">\n<li>Birds: Includes critically endangered species like the <strong>white\u2011backed vulture and long\u2011billed vulture<\/strong>, and diverse waterbirds such as <strong>herons, egrets, flamingo<\/strong>s, and more.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Other wildlife includes<strong> golden jackal, sea turtles, fishing cats<\/strong>, and a healthy population of smooth\u2011coated otters. Notably, the sanctuary has an 18\u2011km sand pit where <strong>Olive Ridley sea turtles nest from January to March each year.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-138 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Geography &amp; Habitat:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-139\">\n<li>The sanctuary lies on the deltaic branches of the Godavari and Gouthami Rivers at Kakinada Bay, with extensive backwaters and marsh vegetation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-140 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Threats:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-141\">\n<li>Mangrove exploitation for fuelwood, poaching, habitat destruction, and pressures from industrialisation and aquaculture are among the key conservation challenges. Efforts are ongoing to protect and restore the mangrove ecosystem.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-11-683x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2857\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-11-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-11-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-11-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-11.png 940w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\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:#9bcdee\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2004)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Match List I (National Park\/Sanctuary) with List II (State) and select the correct answer using the codes given below:<\/strong> <br><br><strong>List-I \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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 List-II<\/strong> <br>A. Kanger Ghati National Park\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0  1. Chhattisgarh <br>B. Nagerhole National Park \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0         2. Haryana <br>C. Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0          3. Himachal Pradesh <br>D. Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary \u00a0           4. Karnataka <br><br><strong>Codes :<\/strong> <br><br>(a) A-3; B-2; C-1; D-4 <br>(b) A-1; B-4; C-3; D-2 <br>(c) A-3; B-4; C-1; D-2 <br>(d) A-1; B-2; C-3; D-4<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-142 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#3c01ff\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/andhra-pradesh\/70-greater-flamingos-arrive-at-hope-island-largest-sighting-in-the-estuary\/article70557134.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/andhra-pradesh\/70-greater-flamingos-arrive-at-hope-island-largest-sighting-in-the-estuary\/article70557134.ece<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-143 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>8. Consider the following statements about Tulu Language:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-144 wp-block-paragraph\">1. It belongs to the Dravidian language family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-145 wp-block-paragraph\">2. It is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-146 wp-block-paragraph\">3. It is one among the classical languages in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-147 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How many of the above statements is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-148 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Only one\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-149 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Only two\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-150 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) All the three\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-151 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) None<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-152 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) Only one<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-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>Karnataka govt. in favour of declaring Tulu 2nd official language: Minister<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-155\">\n<li>Tulu is a <strong>Dravidian language<\/strong> spoken primarily in Tulu Nadu, a region comprising the coastal districts of<strong> Dakshina Kannada and Udupi in Karnataka, and the Kasaragod district in Kerala. Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is one of the oldest South Indian languages, with a history spanning approximately 2,000 to 3,000 years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>While it is a highly developed language with a rich oral heritage, it is <strong>not currently one of the 22 scheduled languages of India. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As of January 2026, the Karnataka government is actively considering declaring it the state&#8217;s second official language.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Historically, Tulu was written using the<strong> Tigalari script<\/strong> (also known as the Tulu-Tigalari script), which evolved from the Grantha script. Today, it is most commonly written using the <strong>Kannada script.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There are several dialects categorized geographically (Northwest, Southwest, etc.) and socially (such as Brahmin and Common Tulu).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tulu is famous for its folk literature, including Paddanas (sung narratives) and traditional arts like Yakshagana and Bhuta Kola.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tulu language is <strong>not one among the classical languages in India. Hence statement 3 is incorrect.<\/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:#93dec0\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2024)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. The Constitution (71st Amendment) Act, 1992 amends the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution to include which of the following languages?<\/strong> <br><br>1. Konkani <br>2. Manipuri <br>3. Nepali <br>4. Maithilis <br><br><strong>Select the correct answer using the code given below:<\/strong> <br><br><strong>(a) 1, 2 and 3<\/strong> <br>(b) 1, 2 and 4 <br>(c) 1,3 and 4 <br>(d) 2.3 and 4<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-156 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0026ff\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/karnataka\/karnataka-govt-favourable-to-declaring-tulu-as-official-language-minister\/article70561076.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/karnataka\/karnataka-govt-favourable-to-declaring-tulu-as-official-language-minister\/article70561076.ece<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-157 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>9. Consider the following pairs:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Buddhist Sites<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>State<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1. Ratnagiri<\/td><td>Rajastan<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2. Udayagiri<\/td><td>Gujarat<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3. Lalitgiri<\/td><td>Odisha<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-158 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the pairs given above is\/are correctly matched?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-159 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-160 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-161 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-162 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-163 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (d) 3 only<\/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>State\u2019s 3 Buddhist sites in tentative list for Unesco \u2018World Heritage\u2019 tag<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-166 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Buddhist Sites in UNESCO Tentative List:<\/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>UNESCO has added the <strong>\u2018Diamond Triangle\u2019 of Ratnagiri, Udayagiri, and Lalitgiri<\/strong> in <strong>Odisha <\/strong>to India\u2019s <strong>tentative list<\/strong> for World Heritage status. <strong>Hence pair 3 is correctly matched.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These sites are located in <strong>Jajpur and Cuttack districts<\/strong> of Odisha.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)<\/strong> compiled and submitted the nomination to UNESCO through India\u2019s permanent representative.<\/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>Historical and Cultural Significance<\/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>The three sites witnessed propagation of all <strong>three major schools of Buddhism<\/strong>: <strong>Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ratnagiri<\/strong>: Largest site, spread over <strong>18 acres<\/strong>, located on <strong>Assia hill range<\/strong>, banks of <strong>Kelua river<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Udayagiri<\/strong>: Traditionally called <strong>\u2018hill of rising sun\u2019<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lalitgiri<\/strong>: Traditionally called <strong>\u2018red hill\u2019<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All three sites have <strong>stupas, monasteries, relics, and statues<\/strong> of Lord Buddha and other Buddhist deities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-170 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>UNESCO Tentative List Details<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-171\">\n<li>Entry into the <strong>tentative list<\/strong> is mandatory before a site can be <strong>nominated for World Heritage inscription<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India currently has <strong>70 sites on the tentative list<\/strong>, classified as <strong>cultural, natural, and mixed<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Other Odisha sites on the tentative list include: <strong>Ekamra Kshetra (Bhubaneswar)<\/strong>, <strong>Chilika Lake (Ganjam district)<\/strong>, and <strong>Chausathi Yogini temples<\/strong> in Bhubaneswar and Balangir.<\/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:#baccdf\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2022)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Consider the following pairs:<\/strong> <br><strong>Site of Ashoka\u2019s major rock edicts\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Location in the State of<\/strong> <br>1. Dhauli\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                            \u2014\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Odisha <br>2. Erragudi\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0                             \u2014\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Andhra Pradesh <br>3. Jaugada\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0                            \u2014\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Madhya Pradesh <br>4. Kalsi\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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0                        \u2014\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Karnataka <br><br><strong>How many pairs given above are correctly matched?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) Only one pair <br><strong>(b) Only two pairs<\/strong> <br>(c) Only three pairs <br>(d) All four pairs<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-172 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0c00f8\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/city\/bhubaneswar\/states-3-buddhist-sites-in-tentative-list-for-unesco-world-heritage-tag\/articleshowprint\/127320750.cms?val=3728\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/city\/bhubaneswar\/states-3-buddhist-sites-in-tentative-list-for-unesco-world-heritage-tag\/articleshowprint\/127320750.cms?val=3728<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-173 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>10. The Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy and Mekong rivers originate in Tibet narrow and parallel mountain ranges in their upper reaches. Of these rivers, Brahmaputra makes a \u201cU\u201d turn in its course to flow into India. This \u201cU\u201d turn is due to?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-174 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Uplift of folded Himalayan series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-175 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Syntaxial bending of geologically young Himalayas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-176 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Geo\u00adtectonic disturbance in the tertiary folded mountain chains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-177 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Both (a) and (b) above<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-178 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b) Syntaxial bending of geologically young Himalayas.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-179 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-180\">\n<li>The Brahmaputra originates in Tibet, flowing eastwards initially.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Near the Namcha Barwa syntaxis, the river makes a sharp \u201cU\u201d-turn to enter India (Arunachal Pradesh).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This \u201cU-turn\u201d occurs due to the syntaxial bending of the Himalayan ranges, where the Himalayan arc bends sharply in the eastern sector.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hence option (b) is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>According to the Economic Survey 2026, Which of the following factors were the drivers of private consumption growth in 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