1. Consider the following statements:
1. National Security Advisory Board is a statutory body under National security Act 1980.
2. National Security Council is the apex advisory body on all internal and external security-related matters and headed by the Prime Minister.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation: (b) 2 Only
News: Ex-RAW chief appointed head of reconstituted NSAB
- The government has reconstituted the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) and appointed former R&AW chief Alok Joshi as its new chairman.
- National Security Advisory Board with Alok Joshi made Chairman and seven new members inducted into the 16-member body
- The NSAB was constituted in December 1998, as an advisory body of eminent persons outside the government to render advice on national security issues referred to it by the NSC.
- It draws people of diverse domains including industry, media and civil society, among others.
- The reconstitution is a standard practice of bringing in new members once the tenure is complete.
- Not all members of the Board are changed at the same time to ensure continuity.
- The principal function of the NSAB is to undertake long-term analysis and provide perspectives on national security issues to the National Security Council (NSC) and to recommend measures/solutions and policy options on the issues referred to it by the National Security Council, as per a written reply given by the government in Parliament.
- It is an advisory and non-binding body; its recommendations are not enforceable.
- National Security Council is the apex advisory body on all internal and external security-related matters and headed by the Prime Minister.
- It operates under the framework of the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS).
2. The term ‘Agent Orange’ recently seen in news related to
(a) Militant group of Yemen
(b) Counter Operation of insurgency
(c) Smoky chemical
(d) Herbicide used in war
Explanation: (d) Herbicide used in war
News: How Agent Orange, used by the US during war, haunts Vietnam’s present
- Fifty years after the Vietnam War (1955-75), millions of Vietnamese continue to suffer from the devastating effects of Agent Orange.
- Agent Orange is a toxic herbicide sprayed by US forces to destroy forests and food crops that provided cover and sustenance to North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops.
- Although Agent Orange remained toxic for only days or weeks and then degraded, dioxin could survive up to three years in soil that was exposed to sunlight.
- Usage of this led to major health hazards like cancer and diabetes, as well as birth defects such as spina bifida, oral clefts, and cardiovascular abnormalities.
Source:https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/agent-orange-vietnam-9975027/
3. Consider the following statements with respect to Lokpal:
1. It is a statutory body established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013.
2. Lokpal jurisdiction covers Group A, B, C and D officers, ministers including Prime Minister.
3. It comprises of 8 members whose partly from judicial members and partly from SCs, STs OBCs, Women and Minorities
4. Members of Lokpal hold the office during pleasure of the president.
Select the correct code:
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All the four
Explanation: (c) Only three
News: SC shifts case on Lokpal order to another Bench
- Dr. L. M. Singhvi coined the term Lokpal and Lokayukta in 1963.
- It is a statutory body established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013.
- Chairperson with a maximum of 8 members includes 50% judicial members. A minimum of 50% of members shall be from SCs, STs, OBCs, Minorities and Women.
- Over Prime Minister, Ministers, Members of Parliament and Groups A, B, C and D officers and officials of the Central Government.
- Institutions which are financed fully or partly by Govt. are under the jurisdiction of Lokpal, but institutions aided by Govt. are excluded.
- It also covers any society or trust or body that receives foreign contribution above ₹10 lakh
- They hold office for a term of five years from the date on which they enter upon the office or until they attain the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
4. Cholistan Desert is located in which of the following countries?
(a) China
(b) Pakistan
(c) India
(d) Tajikistan
Explanation: (b) Pakistan
News: Why Pakistan has put its ambitious canals project on hold
- Pakistan has paused its Green Pakistan Initiative, which includes six strategic canals, most notably the Cholistan Canal, aimed at irrigating the Cholistan Desert.
- Located in southern Punjab, Pakistan, the Cholistan Desert is also referred to locally as Rohi.
- It is adjacent to the Thar Desert in India and covers an area of about 26,000 square kilometres.
- Known for its arid and semi-arid tropical desert climate, the desert features sandy terrain interspersed with alluvial flats and small sandy dunes.
- As a hub for caravan trade, Cholistan saw the establishment of many forts during the medieval era to safeguard trade routes. The Derawar Fort stands out as the most well-preserved example.
- Derawar fort was built in the 9th century by Rai Jajja Bhatti.
5. Madhubani painting is a traditional Indian art form of which of the following region?
(a) Bihar
(b) Madhya Pradesh
(c) Rajastan
(d) Gujarat
Explanation: (a) Bihar
- Bihar has set two Guinness World Records for the largest painting (201.17sqft) and singing bowl ensemble 375 Buddhist monks of Bodh Gaya ahead of Khelo India Youth Games 2025.
- Madhubani painting, which is also referred to as Mithila Painting, is a traditional art form from the Mithila region of Bihar in eastern India.
- It is recognized for its complex designs, bright shades, and deep symbolism. This style has been inherited across generations and is practiced by men and women alike in rural villages.
- These paintings are popular because of their tribal motifs and use of bright earthy colours.
- The colours used in paintings comprise natural extracts from plants and other natural sources. Example: Black colour is obtained by mixing soot with cow dung; blue from indigo; white from rice powder; orange from palasha flowers, etc.
6. Consider the following statements:
1. The Cabinet Secretariat functions directly under the Cabinet secretary.
2. The administrative head of the Secretariat is the Cabinet Secretary who is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
In News:The caste census
Explanation:
- The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the enumeration of castes in the upcoming Census, bowing to a several decades-old demand and reversing the position that it formally articulated in Parliament four years ago.
- The Cabinet Secretariat functions directly under the Prime Minister.Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
- The administrative head of the Secretariat is the Cabinet Secretary who is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board.Hence statement 2 is correct.
- The business allocated to Cabinet Secretariat under Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 includes (i) Secretarial assistance to the Cabinet and Cabinet Committees; and (ii) Rules of Business.
- The Cabinet Secretariat is responsible for the administration of the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961 and Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 facilitating smooth transaction of business in Ministries/ Departments.
- The Secretariat assists in decision-making in Government by ensuring Inter-Ministerial coordination, ironing out differences amongst Ministries/Departments and evolving consensus through the instrumentality of the standing/adhoc Committees of Secretaries
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-politics/the-caste-census-9975706/
7. who was conferred with the title of Sena Saheb Subah
(a) Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj
(b) Raghuji Raje Bhonsle
(c) Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath
(d) Peshwa Baji Rao
Answer: (b) Raghuji Raje Bhonsle
In News:A sword returns, a legacy revived: Why Raghuji Bhonsle’s weapon matters?
Explanation:
- The Maharashtra government reclaimed the iconic sword of Maratha warrior Raje Raghuji Bhonsle I at an auction in London for Rs 47.15 lakh.
- The basket-hilt sword has a European-style single-edged blade, which is slightly curved, and two fullers — grooves or channels that run the length of the sword. The spine of the sword is inlaid in gold with an inscription in Devanagari script.
- The inscription reads Shrimant Raghuji Bhosale Sena Saheb Subah Firang, suggesting that the sword could be ceremonial.
- Sena Saheb Subah was a title of high military rank that was associated with the Maratha Empire, and would be usually conferred by the Chhatrapatis of Satara. The person receiving the title would also get a sword and robe.
- This particular sword is likely a gift from Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj to Raghuji Raje Bhonsle who was conferred with the title of Sena Saheb Subah.Hence option(b) is correct.
- Like the Peshwe, Holkar, Gaikwad, and Scindia families, the Nagpur Bhonsle family also played a significant role in expanding the Maratha Empire. The family was one of the royal or Kshatriya clans of the Marathas, and considered itself as the descendant of Udaipur’s Sisodia Rajputs.
- The Bhonsles of Nagpur were known as Hinganikar as one of their ancestors — who was probably a contemporary of Maloji, the grandfather of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj — rehabilitated the village Beradi near Hingani in the present district of Pune.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-history/raghuji-bhonsle-sword-9975236/
8. Battle of Sitabuldi 1817 won by an East India company related to which of the following Empires?
(a) Maratha Empire
(b) Nizam of Hyderabad
(c) Mysore Sultans
(d) Carnatic Nawab
Answer: (a)Maratha Empire
In News:Why does Raghuji Bhonsle’s weapon matter?
Explanation:
- Raghuji Bhonsle I expanded the Maratha empire to Orissa, Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
- He led pivotal military campaigns in Bengal from 1745 and 1755.
- The approximate area under the rule of Nagpurkar Bhonsles was 2.17 lakh sq km. It was initially Raghuji Bhonsle I who raided Odisha and Bengal and reclaimed the temples.
- Following the 1817 battle of Sitabuldi, where the East India Company defeated the Nagpur Bhonsles, the British looted the Bhonsle treasury, seizing priceless treasures, ornaments, and weapons.Hence option(a) is correct.
- Experts believe that this sword may have been a part of that war loot or a gift presented to the British in the aftermath of the battle. During the Battle of Sitabuldi in 1817, the British East India Company, under the leadership of General Sir Alexander Campbell, set fire to the Bhonsle Palace in Nagpur – said to be bigger than Shaniwar Wada of the Peshwas of Pune – and it remained ablaze for six months.
- It was the same time when the Holkars were defeated in the battle of Mahidpur.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-history/raghuji-bhonsle-sword-9975236/
9. Consider the following statements with reference to “Tokamak” recently seen in the news.
1. It is the largest, most powerful pulsed superconducting electromagnet system, which will function as the heart of ITER’s donut-shaped reactor.
2. It is a magnetic fusion device to prove the feasibility of nuclear fusion as a large-scale and carbon-free source of energy.
3. It is developed as a joint venture project by NTPC and CEA, France.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 2 and 3 only
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
In News: The world’s powerful device being built in France reaches an important milestone for nuclear fusion.
Explanation:
- The International Thermo-nuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) Project is currently under construction in a 180-hectare site in Southern France. Over 30 countries, including India, are collaborating to build the world’s largest tokamak, Hence statement 3 is incorrect
- It is a magnetic fusion device to prove the feasibility of nuclear fusion as a large-scale and carbon-free source of energy. Hence statement 2 is correct
- In 2025, ITER announced that it had completed all components for the world’s largest, most powerful pulsed superconducting electromagnet system, which will function as the heart of ITER’s donut-shaped reactor, called a Tokamak. After assembling the different components of the fully assembled pulsed magnet system, it will weigh nearly 3,000 tonnes. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- Finally, the experiment will allow scientists to inject a few grams of hydrogen fuel—deuterium and tritium gas—into ITER’s gigantic Tokamak chamber. Deuterium and tritium are two hydrogen isotopes (variants), which have been identified as the most efficient way of achieving fusion.
Source: ITER Milestone: World’s Largest Nuclear Fusion Device Advances in France
10. With reference to law to Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM),consider the following statements:
1. HAM is a blend of the EPC (Engineering-Procurement-Construction) and BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) model contracts.
2. Under conditions of HAM, the Government bears 40% of the project cost in its initial stage, and the private developer undertakes the remaining 60% of the cost.
3. Project cost shall be inflation indexed (through a Price Index multiple, which is a weighted average of the WPI and CPI in 70:30 ratio.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c) All three
In News: Cabinet approves development of Greenfield High-Speed Corridor of 166.80 km (NH-6) from Mawlyngkhung (near Shillong) in Meghalaya to Panchgram (near Silchar) in Assam on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM)
Explanation:
- HAM, or Hybrid Annuity Model projects are gaining traction in India. HAM is a blend of the EPC (Engineering-Procurement-Construction) and BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) model contracts. Hence statement 1 is correct
- The HAM model is a variation of PPP, or Public-Private Partnership. In India, Govt. introduced it in 2016 to expedite the construction of the National Highways for further expansion in a rapid pace.
- Under conditions of HAM, the Government bears 40% of the project cost in its initial stage, and the private developer undertakes the remaining 60% of the cost. Hence statement 2 is correct
- The Government pays the developer a predetermined annuity amount over the concession period, which is typically 15 to 20 years.
- Project cost shall be inflation indexed (through a Price Index multiple, which is a weighted average of the WPI and CPI in 70:30 ratio. Hence statement 3 is correct
- Concessionaire will be responsible for the maintenance of the project till the end of the concession period.
- Toll collection shall be the responsibility of the authority.
Source: Press Release: Press Information Bureau