1. Consider the following statements:
- India hosts Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX) 2025.
- Jointly organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Astronautical Society of India (ASI).
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: Option C
- India is set to host the 12th edition of the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2025). Hence statement 1 is correct.
- Jointly organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as the host, and the Astronautical Society of India (ASI) as the co-host, GLEX 2025 marks a milestone in India’s expanding leadership in the global space community. Hence statement 2 is correct.
- GLEX 2025’s theme is “Reaching New Worlds: A Space Exploration Renaissance”.
- IAF was founded in 1951, the IAF has over 500 members from 78 countries.
- Its motto “Connecting @ll Space People” and vision “A space-faring world cooperating for the benefit of humanity” guide its efforts to promote global space cooperation.
- The GLEX series, organised by IAF, serves as a platform to share programmatic, technical, and policy insights and facilitate collaborative space missions across nations.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2127419
2. Consider the following pairs:
Mount – Region
- Mount Makalu – Nepal & Tibet
- Mount Lhotse – Nepal & Tibet
- Mount Annapurna – Bhutan
- Mount Kanchenjunga – India & Nepal
How many of the above pair(s) is/are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
News: ITBP team scales Mt. Makalu, fifth highest peak in the world
- ITBP successfully summited Mt. Makalu, as part of its first twin-summit attempt with Mt. Annapurna as part of the ‘Clean Himalaya – Save Glacier’ initiative to collect non-biodegradable waste.
- ITBP has now summited 6 of the world’s 14 “eight-thousanders”, including Everest, Kanchenjunga, Dhaulagiri, Lhotse, Manaslu, and Makalu.
- Makalu I, or Mt. Makalu (the main summit), is the fifth-highest mountain in the world, rising to a height of 8,485 meters (27,838 feet) above sea level.
- Located in the Mahalangur Himalaya range, on the border between Nepal and Tibet (China) and lies about 19 km southeast of Mount Everest. Hence pair 1 is Correct.
- The mountain is known for its distinct pyramid-shaped peak with four sharp ridges. It has two notable subsidiary peaks nearby, such as Makalu II or Kangchungtse (7,678 m) and Chomo Lonzo (7,804 m).
- The Barun Valley, at Makalu’s base, is known for rich biodiversity and stunning natural beauty.
- Lhotse is the 4th highest mountain in the world above sea level measuring at 8,516 meters and 27940 ft.
- Lhoste is located in China on the border of Nepal and Tibet and is part of the same mountain range as the infamous Mt. Everest. Lhotse means “South Peak” in Tibetan. Hence pair 2 is Correct.
- Mount Annapura is a mountain situated in the Annapurna mountain range of Gandaki Province, north-central Nepal. Hence, pair 3 is incorrect.
- It is the 10th highest mountain in the world at 8,091 metres above sea level and is well known for the difficulty and danger involved in its ascent.
- Kanchenjunga, world’s third highest mountain in Sikkim (India) and Nepal. Hence, pair 4 is correct.
3. Consider the statements with respect to FATF country listing:
- Grey list identifies countries or jurisdictions with serious strategic deficiencies to counter money laundering, terrorist financing, and financing of proliferation.
- Black list identifies countries that are actively working with the FATF to address strategic deficiencies in their regimes to counter money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing.
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: Option D
- The Paris-based intergovernmental organisation FATF (Financial Action Task Force) is the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog.
- It was formed in 1989 as a G7 initiative to examine and develop measures to combat money laundering. It originally included the G7 countries, the European Commission and eight other countries.
- It works to ensure that countries have the legal, regulatory, and operational measures in place to effectively address these threats.
- The FATF also monitors the progress of its members in implementing these measures and assesses whether countries are taking effective action.
- In April 1990, less than a year after its creation, the FATF issued a report containing a set of ‘Forty Recommendations’.
- The 40 Recommendations are divided intoseven distinct areas:
- AML/CFT (Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism) Policies and coordination,
- Money laundering and confiscation,
- Terrorist financing and financing of proliferation,
- Preventive measures,
- Transparency and beneficial ownership of legal persons and arrangements,
- Powers and responsibilities of competent authorities and other institutional measures, International cooperation.
- Black List identifies countries or jurisdictions with serious strategic deficiencies to counter money laundering, terrorist financing, and financing of proliferation.Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
- For all countries identified as high-risk, the FATF calls on all members and urges all jurisdictions to apply enhanced due diligence, and in the most serious cases, countries are called upon to apply counter-measures to protect the international financial system from the ongoing money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing risks emanating from the country.
- Grey List identifies countries that are actively working with the FATF to address strategic deficiencies in their regimes to counter money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
- When the FATF places a jurisdiction under increased monitoring, it means the country has committed to resolve swiftly the identified strategic deficiencies within agreed timeframes and is subject to increased monitoring.
4. Consider the following statements:
- Angola is an African country which is bordered by the Indian Ocean in the east of the continent.
- The location of Angola where the Tropic of Capricorn passes through it.
- Angola is one of the members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) grouping.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Explanation: Option C
News: President of India hosts the President of Angola.
- Angola, located in southwestern Africa, is the 7th largest country in Africa.
- Angola was a Portuguese colony since the 16th century. It became independent in 1975.
- The official language is Portuguese, and several Bantu languages are also widely spoken.
- In terms of size, Angola is slightly larger than South Africa and roughly twice as large as Texas.
- It shares borders with several countries: Namibia to the south, Zambia to the east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north-east, and the Republic of Congo to the north.
- The Atlantic Ocean, providing a 1,600 kilometers (994 miles) coastline, shapes the country’s western edge. The province of Cabinda, located to the north of the main country, is separated from the rest of Angola by a strip of land belonging to the Democratic Republic of Congo.Hence statement 1 is Incorrect.
- Luanda, the capital and largest city; The River Kwanza (Cuanza) is the most notable water body in Angola.
- Oil accounts for over 90% of Angola’s exports and around 50% of GDP. Angola is the 2nd largest oil producer in Sub-Saharan Africa, following Nigeria.
- Angola withdrew its membership from OPEC which is effective 1 January 2024. Hence statement 3 is Incorrect.
- Tropic of Capricorn passes through Australia, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, and Madagascar. Hence statement 2 is Incorrect.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2126648®=3&lang=1
5. Consider the following:
- Domeli
- Salal
- Aalal
- Baglihar
- Dul
Which of the following is/are the large Dams situated in the Chenab river
(a) Only two
(b) Only three
(c) Only four
(d) All five
Answer: (c) Only four
In News: India’s large dams on the Chenab
Explanation:
- The National Register of Large (Specified) Dams lists 15 large (specified) dams in Jammu and Kashmir as of September 2023.
- The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) defines a large (specified) dam as (i) one that is higher than 15 metres, measured from the lowest part of the general foundation area to the top; or (ii) one that is 10-15 metres in height, and satisfies at least one of five specified criteria relating to the length of the crest, capacity of reservoir, maximum flood discharge, foundation, and design.
- Four of the 15 large (specified) dams in J&K are on the Chenab — Salal (rockfill dam), Aalal (concrete dam), Baglihar, and Dul.
- The river, which enters J&K after flowing for 122 km in Himachal Pradesh, drains the eastern section of the southern slopes of the Pir Panjal, the Jammu hills, and the foothills.
Source:
6. The place is widely identified as ancient Kapilavastu”, the capital of the Shakya “Republic” of the 5th-6th centuries BCE where Prince Siddhartha lived before leaving home in his search for the truth.
Which of the following location is described here?
(a) Piprahwa Stupa
(b) Dhamek Stupa
(c) Mahabodhi Stupa
(d) Kesaria Stupa
Answer: (a) Piprahwa Stupa
In News: What are the Piprahwa relics, and why is India trying to stop their auction?
Explanation:
- Piprahwa relics “found buried together in reliquaries with the corporeal relics of the Historical Buddha”
- The collection includes “bone fragments, soapstone and crystal caskets, a sandstone coffer, and offerings such as gold ornaments and gemstones”, which were “excavated.
- Piprahwa Stupa – widely identified as ancient Kapilavastu”, the capital of the Shakya “republic” of the 5th-6th centuries BCE where Prince Siddhartha lived before leaving home in his search for the truth. Hence option 1 is correct.
Source:
What are the Piprahwa relics, and why is India trying to stop their auction?
7. SHAKTI Policy recently seen in news is with respect to?
(a) IT procurement policy of the Government
(b) Policy for Coal Allocation to Power Sector
(c) Health infrastructure development policy
(d) Women and child development policy
Answer: (b) Policy for Coal Allocation to Power Sector
In News: Cabinet approves Revised SHAKTI (Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala Transparently in India) Policy for Coal Allocation to Power Sector
Explanation:
- With the introduction of SHAKTI Policy, 2017, there was a paradigm shift of coal allocation mechanism from a nomination-based regime to a more transparent way of allocation of coal linkages through an auction / tariff-based bidding.
- With the introduction of Revised SHAKTI Policy, existing eight Paras of the SHAKTI Policy, for coal allocation, have been mapped to only two Windows, in the spirit of ease of doing Business.
- Thermal Power Plants, Railways, Coal India Limited / Singareni Collieries Company Limited, End Consumers and State Governments would be benefitted.
- Following two windows have been proposed under the Revised SHAKTI policy:
- Coal Linkage to Central Gencos/States at Notified price: Window–I
- Coal Linkage to all Gencos at a Premium above Notified price: Window–II
Source:
Press Release: Press Information Bureau
8. Consider the following statements wrt Entropy?
- It measures the number of ways a system can be arranged at the microscopic level while looking the same on the macroscopic level.
- Spilled milk, Aging and making engines and fridges are ways through which one experiences Entropy.
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: (c) Both 1 and 2
In News: Why time goes only forward: Science of entropy and irreversibility
Explanation:
- At the heart of this “arrow of time” is entropy, a measure of how many ways the tiny parts of a system – molecules, atoms, or bits of information can be arranged while looking the same to us. Hence statement 1 is correct
- Low-entropy states, like a young face or an unbroken glass, are highly specific and few. High-entropy states, like wrinkles or broken shards, are vastly more numerous.
- When a system evolves, it almost certainly moves toward the high-entropy configurations because there are simply far more of them. That statistical tendency underlies every one-way process we observe: ice melting, perfume spreading, memories forming.
- More Everyday Examples
- Spilled Milk –Once milk mixes with cereal, individual milk molecules have scattered in so many possible ways that they never all return to their original spots in the bowl.
- Aging: Our cells and proteins gradually accumulate tiny random changes. Reversing those exact changes — making us younger — would require every molecule in our body to retrace its steps perfectly, a statistical impossibility.
- Engines and Refrigerators: Every real engine spits out waste heat. That “lost” heat represents energy spread into countless random molecular motions. Trying to capture and reuse it all would demand reorganizing those trillions of motions into a single, precise pattern another statistical miracle that never happens. Hence statement 2 is correct
Source:
Why time goes only forward: Science of entropy and irreversibility
9. Consider the following statements wrt SVAMITVA?
- It provides property owners in village Abadi areas with a “Record of Rights.” Utilizing advanced drone and GIS technology for land demarcation.
- The scheme has reached the saturation limit.
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: (a) 1 Only
In News: India Showcases SVAMITVA as Country Champion at the Ongoing World Bank Land Conference 2025 in Washington DC
Explanation:
- Launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on National Panchayati Raj Day, April 24, 2020, the SVAMITVA Scheme aims to drive the economic transformation of rural India by providing property owners in village Abadi areas with a “Record of Rights.” Utilizing advanced drone and GIS technology for land demarcation.
- The scheme fosters property monetization, facilitates access to bank loans, minimizes property disputes, and promotes comprehensive village-level planning. As a step towards achieving true Gram Swaraj, the initiative is instrumental in empowering rural India and making it Atmanirbhar!
- As a testament to this vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, on 27th December 2024, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will grace the e-distribution of 57 lakh SVAMITVA property cards across 46,351 villages in 10 states and 2 Union Territories, address the nation and interact with beneficiaries during a ceremony joined virtually by dignitaries nationwide.
- IMPACT
Source:
Press Release:Press Information Bureau
10. In essence, what does ‘Due Process of Law’ mean? (2023)
(a) The principle of natural justice
(b) The procedure established by law
(c) Fair application of law
(d) Equality before law
Explanation: Option A
- Natural Justice implies fairness, reasonableness, equity and equality. Natural Justice is a concept of Common Law, and it is the Common Law world counterpart of the American concept of ‘procedural due process’.
- Natural Justice represents higher procedural principles developed by judges which every administrative agency must follow in taking any decision adversely affecting the rights of a private individual.
The principles of natural justice are firmly grounded under various Article of the Constitution. With the introduction of the concept of substantive and procedural due process in Article 21 of the Constitution all that fairness which is included in the principles of natural justice can be read into Article 21 when a person is deprived of his life and personal liberty.