UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026: Analysis (Questions 61–80)
61. Consider the following statements about river bridges connecting India with neighbouring countries:
1. 'Maitri Setu', built over Feni river, connects Ramgarh in India with Sabroom in Bangladesh.
2. Jhulaghat suspension bridge connects India with Myanmar.
3. Mechi bridge and its approaches connect Panitanki Bypass in India with Kakarvitta in Nepal.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 only (d) 3 only
Answer: (d) 3 only
Statement 1 is incorrect: Maitri Setu (over the Feni River) connects Sabroom (Tripura, India) with Ramgarh (Bangladesh). The statement reverses the Indian and Bangladeshi endpoints.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Jhulaghat suspension bridge spans the Kali/Mahakali River and connects Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand, India) with Nepal, not Myanmar.
Statement 3 is correct: The Mechi Bridge (and its approaches) links the Panitanki Bypass (West Bengal, India) with Kakarvitta/Kakarbhitta (Nepal) over the Mechi River.
Proper nouns and source appearances
Maitri Setu / Feni River / Sabroom / Ramgarh
Heavily covered in official sources: PIB releases on the March 2021 inauguration by PM Modi and then-PM Sheikh Hasina, NHIDCL project details, and government statements on Northeast connectivity and access to Chittagong Port.
The Hindu: Multiple reports (e.g., inauguration coverage in 2021; later updates on passenger/goods movement timelines).
Indian Express / ThePrint / Assam Tribune and other English outlets: Extensive 2021 inauguration stories plus follow-ups on operational status and strategic importance for the Northeast.
Continues to appear in recent years in connectivity and bilateral India–Bangladesh coverage.
Mechi Bridge / Panitanki Bypass / Kakarvitta (Kakarbhitta)
Official sources: PIB/Cabinet approvals of the MoU with Nepal, NHIDCL project pages (ADB-funded), and statements on Asian Highway AH-02 connectivity.
The Hindu and other English newspapers: Coverage of construction, inauguration/operationalisation (around 2019–2023), and Indo-Nepal trade facilitation.
Regularly cited in government and media reports on cross-border infrastructure with Nepal.
62. Which of the following statements about a Zero First Information Report (Zero FIR) under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 is/are correct?
1. A Zero FIR can be lodged at a police station, even though the place of commission of a cognizable/non-cognizable offence is outside the territorial jurisdiction of that police station.
2. The Officer-in-Charge of the police station where a Zero FIR has been lodged may, with the permission of the competent authority, initiate a preliminary enquiry.
3. Under Zero FIR, it is obligatory for the informant to furnish information electronically.
Select the answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 only (d) 2 only
Answer: (d) 2 only
Statement 1 is incorrect because Zero FIR under Section 173 of the BNSS applies only to cognizable offences (not non-cognizable). Statement 3 is incorrect because information may be given orally or by electronic communication—it is not obligatory to furnish it electronically. Statement 2 is correct: for certain cognizable offences (punishable with 3 years or more but less than 7 years), the officer-in-charge may conduct a preliminary enquiry with prior permission of a competent authority (not below DSP rank), within 14 days.
Proper nouns and their appearances
Zero First Information Report (Zero FIR) and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023:
Government / official sources (including PIB): BNSS was enacted in December 2023 and came into force on 1 July 2024, replacing the CrPC. Section 173 of BNSS provides statutory recognition to registration of information on cognizable offences “irrespective of the area where the offence is committed” (the basis of Zero FIR). Ministry of Home Affairs / BPRD SOPs detail the procedure for Zero FIR and e-FIR. PIB has covered related initiatives, such as the e-Zero FIR pilot for cyber financial crimes (via I4C / NCRP), referencing BNSS Section 173 provisions.
The Hindu, Indian Express, and other English newspapers: Extensive coverage since the 2023 criminal law reforms (BNS, BNSS, BSA). Articles explain Zero FIR as a key reform allowing registration at any police station for cognizable offences regardless of jurisdiction, the optional electronic mode (with signature within 3 days), and the limited preliminary enquiry provision under Section 173(3). Discussions appear in legal/explainer pieces, post-implementation reports (2024–2026), and coverage of cybercrime e-FIR/e-Zero FIR pilots. The concept itself predates BNSS (Justice Verma Committee recommendation after the 2012 Nirbhaya case; MHA advisories; Supreme Court rulings such as Lalita Kumari), but BNSS gave it clear statutory force—this transition is frequently noted in newspaper analyses.
63. With reference to the organizations under the Government of India, consider the following details:SI. No. Organisation -- Function -- Controlling Union Ministry1.Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB) -- To coordinate between various law enforcement agencies -- Ministry of Home Affairs2.Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) -- To investigate complex corporate frauds -- Ministry of finance3.Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) -- To preserve values in public life and ensure the health of the national economy -- Ministry of personnel, Public Grievances and Pension
In how many of the above rows are the given details correctly matched?
(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) None
Answer: (a) 1
Only the third row is correctly matched.
CEIB: Coordinates economic intelligence among agencies (function broadly correct), but it comes under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, not the Ministry of Home Affairs.
SFIO: Investigates complex corporate frauds (function correct), but it is under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, not the Ministry of Finance.
CBI: The stated function matches its official description, and it functions under the Department of Personnel and Training in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
64. Which of the following international conventions have not been ratified by India?
1. Employment Policy Convention
2. Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
3. International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
4. Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War
5. Convention on Reduction of Statelessness
Select the answer using the code given below:
(a) 2 and 4 (b) 1 and 2 (c) 3 and 4 only (d) 3, 4 and 5
Answer (brief): Factually, India has not ratified 3 (International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, 1990) and 5 (Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, 1961). India has ratified 1 (ILO Employment Policy Convention No. 122, 1964 — on 17 November 1998), 2 (ILO Abolition of Forced Labour Convention No. 105, 1957 — on 18 May 2000), and 4 (Geneva Convention IV relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, 1949 — ratified 1950; implemented domestically via the Geneva Conventions Act, 1960). No given option matches “3 and 5 only.”
Evaluation of proper nouns and sources of appearance
Employment Policy Convention (ILO C122, 1964): Official ILO NORMLEX database and India ratification lists. Appears in PIB releases on ILO conventions and labour policy, Ministry of Labour & Employment reports, and occasional coverage in The Hindu/business dailies on employment and labour standards.
Abolition of Forced Labour Convention (ILO C105, 1957): Confirmed on ILO site (ratified 2000). Frequently referenced in PIB (e.g., statements on core ILO conventions and bonded labour), Ministry of Labour documents, The Hindu (bonded labour, forced labour abolition articles), and Indian Express reports on labour rights and modern slavery.
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (1990): UN treaty; India has neither signed nor ratified it. Discussed in The Hindu, Indian Express, and civil-society reports (e.g., SabrangIndia, migrant rights coverage) especially around International Migrants Day, emigration policy, and domestic worker protections. Also noted in academic/ILO-related analyses of India’s migration stance.
Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (Fourth Geneva Convention, 1949): India is a party (ratification ~1950). Covered in official ICRC/UN treaty databases, Geneva Conventions Act 1960 references, PIB/defence ministry notes on international humanitarian law, and The Hindu/Economic Times features on IHL, armed conflict, and India’s position on Additional Protocols (which it has not ratified).
Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness (1961): UN treaty; India is not a party (nor to the related 1954 Statelessness Convention or 1951 Refugee Convention). Appears in UNHCR reports, legal analyses of statelessness in India, and occasional The Hindu/Indian Express pieces on citizenship, refugees, and nationality issues.
65. Consider the following statements with respect to the AI Impact Summit, 2026 held in New Delhi:
1. The Summit's intellectual framework was based on three foundational Sutras: People, Planning, and Progress.
2 The Preamble of the Summit stresses Democratising AI Resources, which acknowledges the Charter for Democratic Diffusion of AI as a binding framework to support locally relevant innovation and strengthen resilient AI ecosystems while respecting national laws.
3. The New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact was structured around seven Chakras (Pillars), which included Access for Social Empowerment, AI for Science, and Secure and Trusted AI.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 3 only
Answer: (d) 3 only
Statement 1 is incorrect: the three foundational Sutras were People, Planet, and Progress (not People, Planning, and Progress).
Statement 2 is incorrect: the Charter for Democratic Diffusion of AI is described as a voluntary and non-binding framework (not binding).
Statement 3 is correct: the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact was structured around seven Chakras (pillars), which explicitly include Access for Social Empowerment, AI for Science, and Secure and Trusted AI.
Proper nouns and their appearances
AI Impact Summit 2026 / India AI Impact Summit 2026 (New Delhi, primarily 16–20/21 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam): Official coverage on PIB (MeitY press releases), extensively reported in The Hindu / The Hindu BusinessLine, Indian Express, Times of India, Outlook Business, ThePrint, and other English outlets during and after the event (Feb 2026).
New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact: Announced/adopted at the summit’s conclusion; detailed in PIB releases, official declaration text (Council of the EU document and MeitY annexures), The Hindu BusinessLine, Times of India, Outlook Business, ThePrint, and Indian Express.
Seven Chakras (pillars): Explicitly listed in the Declaration and PIB summaries (Democratizing AI Resources; Economic Growth & Social Good; Secure & Trusted AI; AI for Science; Access for Social Empowerment; Human Capital Development; Resilient, Efficient & Innovative AI Systems); covered in The Hindu BusinessLine, Times of India, ThePrint, and official documents.
Charter for Democratic Diffusion of AI (or Democratic Diffusion of AI): Mentioned in the Declaration’s preamble/section on Democratizing AI Resources as a voluntary/non-binding framework; reported in The Hindu BusinessLine, Times of India, and PIB-linked summaries.
66. Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries?
1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project
2. IMT Trilateral Highway
3. Agartala-Akhaura Rail Line
Select the answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 3 (d) 2 only
Answer: (a) 1 and 2
Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (India–Myanmar) and the IMT (India–Myanmar–Thailand) Trilateral Highway involve ASEAN members (Myanmar and Thailand). The Agartala–Akhaura Rail Line is an India–Bangladesh project; Bangladesh is not an ASEAN member.
Proper nouns and their appearances
Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport ProjectIndia–Myanmar multi-modal corridor (Kolkata–Sittwe port by sea, Kaladan River to Paletwa, then road to Zorinpui/Mizoram). Flagship Act East connectivity project; Sittwe port operational since 2023, full project targeted for ~2027 amid delays.
PIB: Frequent updates on progress, funding, and Act East context (e.g., 2026 releases listing it alongside IMT as a key Northeast–ASEAN link).
The Hindu / Indian Express / others: Regular coverage of delays, Sittwe inauguration (2023), operational timelines (2025–2027 statements by ministers), and strategic importance as an alternative to Bangladesh routes (e.g., Indian Express explainers in 2025; The Hindu reports on status).
IMT Trilateral Highway (India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway)~1,360 km road from Moreh (Manipur) via Myanmar to Mae Sot (Thailand); core Act East/ASEAN land connectivity project, with planned extensions. Partially complete; delays due to Myanmar instability; target around 2027.
PIB: Official status updates and inclusion in Act East/Northeast connectivity briefings (e.g., 2026 releases).
The Hindu / Indian Express / others: Extensive reporting on construction progress, strategic value for ASEAN trade, delays, and links to broader Indo-Pacific connectivity (Moneycontrol, The Print, East Asia Forum, Financial Express, and major dailies across 2024–2026).
Agartala–Akhaura Rail Line~12–15 km cross-border rail link between Agartala (Tripura, India) and Akhaura (Bangladesh); inaugurated November 2023 by the Indian and Bangladeshi PMs; aimed at cutting Agartala–Kolkata travel time/distance. India–Bangladesh project (not ASEAN).
PIB: Detailed project notes (funding via DoNER/MEA, inauguration, national importance for Northeast–Bangladesh links; e.g., December 2023 release).
The Hindu / Indian Express / others: Coverage of inauguration (2023), trial runs, operational delays due to infrastructure/political issues in Bangladesh, and bilateral significance (The Hindu explainers 2023–2024; Indian Express reports; later updates on stalled progress amid Bangladesh turmoil).
67. Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists :
List I (Project Supported by India) | List II (Country) |
A. Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project | 1. Maldives |
B. Restoration of Stor Palace | 2. Afghanistan |
C. District Hospital at Dickoya | 3. Bhutan |
D. Institute of Security and Law Enforcement Studies | 4. Sri Lanka |
Code: A B C D (a) 1 4 2 3 (b) 3 2 4 1 (c) 3 4 2 1 (d) 1 2 4 3
Answer: (b) 3 2 4 1
Matching:A. Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project → 3. BhutanB. Restoration of Stor Palace → 2. AfghanistanC. District Hospital at Dickoya → 4. Sri LankaD. Institute of Security and Law Enforcement Studies → 1. Maldives
Brief evaluation of proper nouns and sources
Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project (720 MW): Major India-supported hydropower project in Bhutan (commissioned 2019, handed over 2022). Covered extensively in PIB, Ministry of External Affairs/Power statements, The Hindu, Indian Express, and other outlets around inauguration, power purchase agreements, and bilateral energy ties.
Restoration of Stor Palace (Kabul): Historic palace restored with Indian assistance (via Aga Khan Trust for Culture; inaugurated 2016 by PM Modi and Afghan President). Reported in Indian Express, Firstpost, PIB-related coverage of India-Afghanistan development projects, and heritage/foreign-policy stories.
District Hospital at Dickoya (150-bed, near Hatton): India-funded hospital for the plantation community in Sri Lanka’s Central Province (inaugurated by PM Modi in 2017; earlier foundation coverage from 2011). Appeared in The Hindu, Indian High Commission/Sri Lanka reports, PIB, and bilateral development partnership stories.
Institute of Security and Law Enforcement Studies (ISLES; later evolved into National College of Policing and Law Enforcement – NCPLE): India-supported capacity-building institution for Maldives Police Service (major grant project; NCPLE inaugurated 2022). Covered in MEA/PIB statements, High Commission reports, and India-Maldives security cooperation news in Indian Express and other English dailies.
68. Which of the following items of defence hardware is/are manufactured in India?
1. Su-30 MKI Fighter Jets
2. T-90 MK-III Tanks
3. Akula Class Submarine
Select the answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 1 and 3 (c) 1 only (d) 2 only
Answer: (a) 1 and 2
Su-30 MKI fighter jets are manufactured under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in India (primarily at Nashik, with high and rising indigenous content). T-90 tanks (including the Bhishma and T-90 Mk-III/upgraded variants) are manufactured under licence at the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Avadi (under AVNL). Akula-class nuclear attack submarines are Russian-built platforms that India has only leased (e.g., as INS Chakra); they are not manufactured in India.
Proper nouns and where they appear
Su-30 MKI (Sukhoi Su-30MKI): Regularly covered in PIB releases, Ministry of Defence statements, The Hindu, Indian Express, India Today, and other English defence reporting. Frequent mentions include licence production by HAL, engine contracts (e.g., AL-31FP at Koraput), indigenous content increases, and new orders (including recent revival of production lines and additional aircraft contracts in 2024–2026).
T-90 / T-90 MK-III (also referred to as T-90 Bhishma, T-90S, T-90IM, or Bhishma Mk-III): Extensively reported in PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Times of India, and specialised defence outlets. Coverage focuses on licensed production at HVF Avadi, delivery milestones (e.g., the 1,000th indigenously manufactured tank in 2026), contracts for additional/upgraded Mk-III variants, and rising indigenous content (engines, sights, etc.).
Akula Class Submarine (Project 971; Indian service as INS Chakra variants): Appears in PIB/MoD updates, The Hindu, Indian Express, and defence analyses mainly in the context of leasing agreements with Russia (earlier and ongoing/delayed Chakra leases), training value for the Indian Navy, and comparisons with indigenous SSN programmes. There is no coverage of Indian manufacture, as construction remains Russian.
69. Consider the following statements about platforms for multilateral co-operation:
1. The 'Colombo Process' is a regional consultative process in which member states take binding decisions by consensus.
2. The 'Abu Dhabi Dialogue' is a voluntary non-binding consultative process among Asian countries of labour origin and destination to facilitate regional cooperation on contractual labour mobility.
3. The 'Global Forum for Migration and Development', created upon the proposal of a former UN Secretary General, is a voluntary forum whose decisions are non-binding in nature.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 2 only
Answer: (c) 2 and 3 only
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Colombo Process is a non-binding regional consultative process; decisions are reached by consensus but are not binding.
Statement 2 is correct: The Abu Dhabi Dialogue is a voluntary, non-binding consultative process between Asian countries of labour origin and destination focused on contractual labour mobility.
Statement 3 is correct: The Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) was proposed by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and is a voluntary, informal, non-binding forum.
Proper nouns and sources
Colombo Process
Regional Consultative Process (established 2003) of Asian labour-origin countries on overseas employment and contractual labour. Non-binding; consensus-based but non-binding outcomes. India assumed the Chair for the first time in 2024 (2024–2026 term).
Appearances: Official MEA website (multilateral co-operation page) describes it as non-binding with consensus decision-making. Covered in government briefings and news when India took the Chair.
Abu Dhabi Dialogue (ADD)
Voluntary, non-binding, state-led regional consultative process (established 2008) linking Asian labour-origin countries (largely Colombo Process members) with Gulf destination countries (plus Malaysia) on temporary contractual labour mobility, skills, protection, and best practices. UAE provides the permanent secretariat; chairmanship rotates.
Appearances: Recent coverage of ministerial meetings (e.g., 2024 Dubai, 2026 Abu Dhabi sessions) appears in government releases and specialised reports; occasional mentions in Indian English media on labour migration/Gulf issues.
Global Forum for Migration and Development (GFMD)
Voluntary, informal, non-binding, state-led global process open to UN members/observers. Proposed by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the 2006 UN High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development; first summit in 2007. Focuses on migration–development linkages without formal decision-making power.
Appearances: Referenced in Indian MEA multilateral pages alongside the other two processes. Appears in broader migration-governance coverage in The Hindu or Indian Express.
70. Consider the following UN organisations/agencies:
1. World Food Programme
2. United Nations Children's Fund
3. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
4. International Labour Organisation
How many of the above has/have been awarded the Nobel Prize twice?
(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 4
Answer: (a) 1
Only the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize twice (1954 and 1981).
World Food Programme (WFP): once (2020)
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF): once (1965)
International Labour Organisation (ILO): once (1969)
Proper nouns / organisations and their appearances
World Food Programme (WFP): UN food-aid agency. Heavily covered in Indian English newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express) and international media when it won the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize for combating hunger and preventing its use as a weapon of war. Also appears regularly in reports on global hunger, emergencies, and India’s PDS/food-security collaboration.
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF): Standard reference in development, child-rights, and humanitarian reporting; its 1965 Nobel is noted in official lists and educational/UPSC material. Frequent mentions in The Hindu, Indian Express, and PIB-linked coverage of child nutrition, education, and health programmes.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR / Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees): The only one among the four to have won the Nobel twice. Indian newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express) and global outlets reference its dual awards in refugee-crisis coverage and Nobel retrospectives.
International Labour Organisation (ILO): UN specialised agency on labour standards. Its 1969 Nobel is recorded on official Nobel and UN sites and appears in labour-rights, decent-work, and international-organisation reporting in The Hindu, Indian Express, and government/PIB releases.
These organisations feature routinely in PIB releases (India’s engagement with UN bodies), The Hindu and Indian Express (international affairs, Nobel announcements, humanitarian crises), and other English dailies.
71. Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists:
List I (UN Peacekeeping Operation) List II (Period of Operation)
A. UNMIL 1. 2007-2010
B. MINURCAT 2. 2002-2005
C. MINUSTAН 3. 2003 – 2018
D. UNMISET 4. 2004-2017
Code: A B C D
(a) 3 4 1 2 (b) 3 1 4 2 (c) 2 1 4 3 (d) 2 4 1 3
Correct matching and answer: (b) 3 1 4 2
A. UNMIL (United Nations Mission in Liberia) → 3. 2003–2018
B. MINURCAT (United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad) → 1. 2007–2010
C. MINUSTAH (United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti; listed as MINUSTAН) → 4. 2004–2017
D. UNMISET (United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor) → 2. 2002–2005
Evaluation of the proper nouns
PIB / Government of India: References occur in broader statements on India’s UN peacekeeping record, contributions of troops/police (including the first all-women Formed Police Unit to UNMIL in Liberia in 2007), and related MEA/PIB releases on peacekeeping legacy and training.
The Hindu: Coverage includes Indian peacekeepers’ service and awards in various missions; specific mentions of Indian Formed Police Units in MINUSTAH/Haiti (e.g., 2019 reports on departure after years of presence) and references to the pioneering all-women contingent in UNMIL/Liberia.
Indian Express and other English newspapers: Similar pattern—stories on Indian contingents, women peacekeepers in Liberia (UNMIL), police units in Haiti (MINUSTAH), and general India–UN peacekeeping features.
72. Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists:
List 1 (BIMSTEC Centre/ Establishment) List 2 (Location)A. BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory 1. NOIDAB. BIMSTEC Energy Centre 2. BengaluruC. BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate 3. ColomboD. BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility 4. ThimphuCode: A B C D
(a) 3 2 1 4 (b) 3 1 2 4 (c) 4 2 1 3 (d) 4 1 2 3
Answer: (c) 4 2 1 3
Matching:
A. BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory → 4. Thimphu (Bhutan)
B. BIMSTEC Energy Centre → 2. Bengaluru (India; at CPRI campus)
C. BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate → 1. NOIDA (India; at NCMRWF)
D. BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility → 3. Colombo (Sri Lanka)
Evaluation of proper nouns and sources
BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation): Regional grouping of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Regularly covered in PIB releases, MEA statements, The Hindu, Indian Express, and other English newspapers during summits, ministerial meetings, and connectivity/energy initiatives (especially since the 2010s, with heightened focus around the 5th Summit 2022 and later meetings).
BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory (BCIO): Proposed under the 2006 Paro Initiative (Bhutan); MoU signed at the 3rd BIMSTEC Summit (2014). To be established/housed in Thimphu. Appears on the official BIMSTEC website and in summit documents; limited mainstream newspaper coverage beyond specialised IR reporting.
BIMSTEC Energy Centre (BEC): Located in Bengaluru (CPRI campus). Host Country Agreement and Governing Board meetings noted in PIB (e.g., first Governing Board meeting in Bengaluru, 2023) and MEA updates. Covered in Business Standard and other outlets when agreements were signed.
BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate (BCWC): Located in NOIDA (at the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting). MoA signed 2014; Host Country Agreement 2023. Documented on the official BIMSTEC site and Ministry of Earth Sciences-related materials; occasional mentions in weather/climate cooperation contexts.
BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility (TTF): To be established in Colombo. MoA signed at the 5th BIMSTEC Summit (Colombo, 2022); Cabinet approval for India’s participation reported via PIB/PM India site. Covered in official releases and Indian Express/other papers around the 2022 summit and subsequent operationalisation steps.
73. Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?
(Indian Army Corps) (Headquarters)
(a) 3 Corps : Dimapur
(b) 4 Corps : Tezpur
(c) 14 Corps : Leh
(d) 33 Corps : Srinagar
Answer: (d) 33 Corps : Srinagar
The pair that is not correctly matched is (d).
3 Corps (Spear Corps) HQ: Dimapur (Rangapahar), Nagaland.
4 Corps (Gajraj Corps) HQ: Tezpur, Assam.
14 Corps (Fire and Fury Corps) HQ: Leh, Ladakh.
33 Corps (Trishakti Corps) HQ: Sukna (near Siliguri), West Bengal — not Srinagar. (Srinagar is the HQ of 15 Corps / Chinar Corps.)
Proper nouns and sources
Key proper nouns: Indian Army Corps (3/III Corps, 4/IV Corps, 14/XIV Corps, 33/XXXIII Corps); headquarters locations Dimapur, Tezpur, Leh, Srinagar (and the actual Sukna/Siliguri for 33 Corps); nicknames Spear, Gajraj, Fire and Fury, Trishakti.These appear regularly in official and media coverage of military appointments, visits by the Army Chief or Defence Minister, operational reviews along the LAC/LoC, and ceremonial events:
PIB / official government sources: Multiple Press Information Bureau releases mention corps headquarters in the context of command changes, visits, and exercises (e.g., references to 33 Corps HQ activities and other corps locations).
The Hindu, Indian Express, and other English newspapers: Coverage of Army Chief visits to Dimapur (3 Corps) and Tezpur (4 Corps), command changes at Leh (14 Corps), and activities of the Trishakti Corps at Sukna/Siliguri (including Siliguri Corridor / Chicken’s Neck security and Sikkim sector). Examples include reports on high-level visits, Diwali celebrations with troops, GOC assumptions of command, and strategic assessments. Similar mentions appear in Times of India, Business Standard, The Tribune, India Today, and regional defence reporting.
74. Which of the following statements with respect to the Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) is/are correct?
1. The period of its implementation is 1st April, 2021 to 31st March, 2026.
2. The key objective of the Revamped RGSA is to develop the governance capabilities of the Panchayati Raj Institutions to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals.
3. The share of the Central funding for the Revamped RGSA is 100% for all States and Union Territories.
Select the answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 (d) 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 2 only
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Revamped RGSA runs from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2026 (co-terminus with the 15th Finance Commission period), not from 2021.
Statement 2 is correct: A core objective is to develop the governance capabilities of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) so they can deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with emphasis on localisation of SDGs.
Statement 3 is incorrect: It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. Central components are fully funded by the Centre; for State components the ratio is generally 60:40 (Centre:State), 90:10 for North-Eastern/Hilly States and J&K, and 100% Central for other UTs. It is not 100% Central funding for all States and UTs.
Thus only statement 2 is correct.
Proper nouns and their appearances
Key terms: Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA); Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs); Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Primary official sources (PIB and government)
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approval (13 April 2022) of the revamped Centrally Sponsored Scheme for 01.04.2022–31.03.2026, total outlay ₹5,911 crore (Central share ₹3,700 crore), explicit objective of developing PRI governance capabilities for SDGs, and the funding pattern (60:40 / 90:10 / 100% for certain UTs) — detailed in multiple PIB releases (e.g., PRID 1816362 and subsequent Ministry of Panchayati Raj updates in 2025–2026).
Ongoing parliamentary replies and Ministry documents reiterate the same period, objectives (capacity-building of elected representatives, Gram Sabhas, e-governance, devolution, SDG localisation), and cost-sharing formula.
English newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express, others)
The specific scheme parameters (exact period starting 2022, funding ratios, SDG-focused objective of the revamped version) appear primarily via PIB pick-ups or government statements rather than independent investigative stories. Coverage is limited and mostly routine when Cabinet approvals or capacity-building figures are announced.
Broader references to “Gram Swaraj,” Panchayati Raj strengthening, or related rural governance themes occur periodically in The Indian Express and The Hindu (especially in the context of rural development, devolution, or Budget discussions), but the precise nomenclature and details of the Revamped RGSA (2022–2026) are far more prominent on PIB and Ministry sites than in sustained newspaper features. Recent (2025–2026) newspaper mentions of “Gram Swaraj” more often relate to other initiatives or philosophical discussions of Gandhi’s ideal rather than the operational details of this scheme.
75. Which of the following countries are members of the European Union?
1. Belarus 2. Poland 3. Germany 4. Switzerland
Select the answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 4 (b) 1 and 4 only (c) 2 and 3 (d) 2 and 4 only
Answer: (c) 2 and 3
Poland and Germany are members of the European Union. Belarus and Switzerland are not.
Poland: Joined in 2004 (Eastern enlargement).
Germany: Founding member (via the EEC/Treaty of Rome, 1957).
Belarus: Never a member or candidate; closely aligned with Russia and under EU sanctions.
Switzerland: Not a member; maintains bilateral agreements, participates in Schengen and EFTA, but has rejected EU membership in referendums.
Proper nouns and sources
The Hindu, Indian Express, and other English newspapers: Appear constantly in international/Europe pages.
Poland and Germany: Regular coverage on EU politics, economy, NATO, Ukraine war support, migration, energy, and Indo-European relations.
Belarus: Frequent since 2020 (election crisis, repression, role in Russia’s war on Ukraine, sanctions, and occasional diplomatic overtures).
Switzerland: Covered for neutrality, banking, bilateral EU deals, Schengen, and economic ties.
Recent examples include reporting on EU sanctions alignment involving non-EU countries (including references to Belarus policy) and ongoing Europe-focused diplomacy.
76. Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists:List I (INTERPOL Notice) List II (Description)A. Silver Notice 1. To seek information on unidentified bodiesB. Blue Notice 2. To collect additional information about a person’s identity, location, or activities in relation to a criminal investigationC. Black Notice 3. To provide warning about a person’s criminal activities, where the person is considered to be possible threat public safetyD. Green Notice 4. To identify and trace criminal assetsCode: A B C D
(a) 3 1 2 4 (b) 3 2 1 4 (c) 4 2 1 3 (d) 4 1 2 3
Answer: (c) 4 2 1 3
Matching:
A. Silver Notice → 4 (To identify and trace criminal assets)
B. Blue Notice → 2 (To collect additional information about a person’s identity, location, or activities in relation to a criminal investigation)
C. Black Notice → 1 (To seek information on unidentified bodies)
D. Green Notice → 3 (To provide warning about a person’s criminal activities, where the person is considered to be a possible threat to public safety)
Proper nouns and sources
Key proper nouns: INTERPOL (International Criminal Police Organization), Silver Notice, Blue Notice, Black Notice, Green Notice.
PIB (Press Information Bureau): Occasional references appear when India (via its National Central Bureau, CBI) issues or responds to INTERPOL notices, especially Red Notices in high-profile cases. Specific mentions of Blue, Black, Green, or the newer Silver Notice are less frequent but occur in updates on international police cooperation or asset recovery efforts.
The Hindu, Indian Express, and other English newspapers: Regular coverage of INTERPOL notices occurs in crime, legal, and international pages—most often Red Notices in extradition or fugitive stories. Blue, Green, and Black Notices are mentioned less often (usually in explainers or specific investigations). The Silver Notice gained visibility after its pilot launch (around early 2025), with reports in outlets such as India Today and similar English media explaining the new asset-tracing tool. Broader “types of INTERPOL notices” explainers appear periodically in these papers when major cases or policy updates arise.
77. Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience), a platform of institutions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is/are correct?
1. Ecosystem Survey and Analysis is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata.
2. Research and Management of Ecosystem Service is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi.
3. Capacity Development Support is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal.
Select the answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 2 only (d) 3 only
Answer: (b) 1 and 3 onlyNIRANTAR is a coordination platform (not a new institute) of MoEFCC institutions, organised into thematic verticals.
Statement 1 is correct: Ecosystem Survey and Analysis is a vertical; its lead institute is the Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Research and Management of Ecosystem Service is a vertical, but its lead is the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun (Central Zoo Authority is only a member institute under it).
Statement 3 is correct: Capacity Development Support is a vertical; its lead institute is the Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal.
78. The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are not correct in terms of outcomes of this visit?
1. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and the University of Hamburg
2. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Youth Hockey Development between Hockey India and the German Hockey Federation
3. Establishment of a bilateral dialogue mechanism on the Indo-Pacific
4. Opening of an Honorary Consul of Germany in Lucknow
Select the answer using the code given below:
(a) 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 4 (c) 3 and 4 (d) 1 only
Answer: (b) 1 and 4
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited India on 12–13 January 2026. Official outcomes (MEA/PMO list) include an MoU on Youth Hockey Development between Hockey India and the German Hockey Federation (statement 2 is correct) and the establishment of a bilateral dialogue mechanism on the Indo-Pacific (statement 3 is correct). Statement 1 is incorrect: the traditional-medicine MoU was between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and Charité University (Germany), not the University of Hamburg.Statement 4 is incorrect: there was no announcement of an Honorary Consul of Germany in Lucknow.
Proper nouns and sources
Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany / Friedrich Merz: Official visit coverage on PIB, The Hindu (arrival and meetings reports, 12 Jan 2026), Business Standard, and other English dailies.
All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA): MoU listed in the official outcomes document (with Charité University); appears in MEA/PMO lists and related AYUSH Ministry references.
Hockey India and German Hockey Federation (Deutscher Hockey-Bund): Explicitly named in the official list of outcomes (MoU on Youth Hockey Development); covered in MEA releases, Business Standard, and German hockey federation notes.
Indo-Pacific (bilateral dialogue mechanism): Announced in the Joint Statement and outcomes list; reported by MEA, PIB, The Hindu, Business Standard, and strategic-affairs coverage.
Honorary Consul of Germany in Lucknow: Not part of the January 2026 outcomes; no mention in official lists or major newspaper reports of the visit.
79. Which of the following statements about DHRUV64 is/are correct?
1. It is the third chip fabricated under the DIR-V Programme with an overall aim to enable the creation of microprocessors for India.
2. It is India's first homegrown 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor.
Select the answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct.
DHRUV64 is the third chip fabricated under the Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) Programme (after THEJAS32 and THEJAS64), aimed at building indigenous microprocessors. It is also India’s first homegrown 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor (RISC-V based, developed by C-DAC under MeitY’s Microprocessor Development Programme). It was announced around mid-December 2025.
Proper nouns and sources
DHRUV64 (also referred to as VEGA AS2161): India’s indigenous 1 GHz dual-core 64-bit RISC-V microprocessor / SoC.
DIR-V Programme (Digital India RISC-V): MeitY initiative to develop open-architecture RISC-V processors for self-reliance in chip design.
Related: C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing), THEJAS32 / THEJAS64 (earlier chips in the sequence), MeitY / Microprocessor Development Programme.
Appearances
PIB: Official announcements and key takeaways in December 2025 explicitly call it “India’s first homegrown 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor” and note its place in the DIR-V pipeline (third fabricated chip).
The Hindu: Covered in detail (e.g., “Making sense of DHRUV64 indigenous microprocessor | Explained,” mid-to-late December 2025), confirming the specs, C-DAC development, DIR-V context, and sequence after THEJAS32/THEJAS64.
80. The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) recently introduced a national standard to test and assess bomb disposal system. Which of the following statements with regard to this system is/are correct?
1. The new standard is known as IS 19445: 2025.
2. It will improve interoperability of equipment across agencies.
3. It was developed by TBRL, DRDO in collaboration with the 30th Central Scientific Research Institute, Russia.
Select the answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 1 only
Answer: (c) 1 and 2 only
Statement 1 is correct: BIS notified/issued IS 19445:2025 (Bomb Disposal Systems — Performance Evaluation and Requirements) on/around 24 December 2025 (released publicly on National Consumer Day 2025).Statement 2 is correct: The standard aims to bring uniformity in testing/evaluation, enhance reliability, and improve interoperability of equipment across security agencies.Statement 3 is incorrect: It was developed by BIS (under the Arms and Ammunition for Civilian Use Sectional Committee) at the request of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory (TBRL), DRDO, with TBRL as convenor of the technical panel. It involved Indian stakeholders only (NSG, CAPFs, state police, etc.) and adapted international best practices to Indian conditions. There is no collaboration with the 30th Central Scientific Research Institute, Russia, or any foreign body.
Proper nouns and their appearances
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) / IS 19445:2025: Core subject of the standard. Appeared extensively in official PIB releases (e.g., 24–28 Dec 2025 on National Consumer Day release by the Consumer Affairs Minister; March 2026 Rajya Sabha reply by MoS Home Affairs).
Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory (TBRL), DRDO: Cited as the principal technical contributor/convenor and co-requester (with MHA). Prominently featured in the same PIB releases.
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