Q1. Consider the following countries
1. Saudi Arabia
2. USA
3. Egypt
4. Italy
How many of the countries mentioned above are/are a part of the India-Middle East- Europe Economic Corridor?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. Only three
D. All four
Solution: option C.)
Ans. 1 Option C is correct Explanation
• The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor project includes India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, France, Italy, Germany and the US. Hence, Option C is correct.
• The project will aim to enable greater trade among the involved countries, including energy products.
• It will include a railway and ship-rail transit network and road transport routes.
• The corridor will include a rail link as well as an electricity cable, a hydrogen pipeline, and a high-speed data cable.
• In the coming times, it will be a major medium of economic integration between India, West Asia, and Europe.
Q2. Consider the following statements
1. A corruption allegation against an MP can be sent to the Ethics Committee only.
2. In the case of the Privileges Committee, only an MP can be examined for misconduct.
Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?
A. Only 1
B. Only 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Solution: option B.)
Ans. 2 Option C is the correct Explanation
• The work of the Ethics Committee and the Privileges Committee often overlap.
• A corruption allegation against an MP can be sent to either body since it involves an accusation of serious breach of privilege and contempt of the House. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• In the case of the Ethics Committee, only an MP can be examined for misconduct. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• The mandate of the Committee of Privileges is to safeguard the freedom, authority, and dignity of Parliament.
• Thus, a person who is not an MP can also be accused of breach of privilege for actions that attack the authority and dignity of the House.
Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the Anti-Defection Law in India
1. If any independently elected member joins any political party, he will not be disqualified from his position.
2. It is applicable only to members of the Lok Sabha and does not apply to members of the Rajya Sabha or state legislative assemblies.
3. Any question regarding disqualification arising out of defection is to be decided by the President Of India.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
Solution: option D.)
Ans.3 Option D is correct Explanation
• The Anti-Defection Law was passed in 1985 through the 52nd Amendment to the Constitution to combat “the evil of political defections”.
• Any question regarding disqualification arising out of defection is to be decided by the presiding officer of the House. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
• According to it, a member of a House belonging to any political party becomes disqualified, if
o he voluntarily gives up his membership in such a political party
o he votes or abstains from voting in such House contrary to directions issued by his political party and such an act has not been condoned by the party
o If any independently elected member joins any political party. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
o If any nominated member joins any political party after the expiry of six months.
• The Anti-Defection Law is applicable to both members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, as well as state legislative assemblies. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund
1. It is used for the railway infrastructure as well as social infrastructure works.
2. It is managed by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.
3. It is financed through a cess levied along with excise duty on petrol and diesel.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
Solution: option B.)
Ans. 4 Option B is correct Explanation
• The Central Road and Infrastructure Fund was established in 2000 under the Central Road Fund Act, 2000.
• It falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• The fund is financed through a cess levied along with excise duty on petrol and diesel. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• 2018 Amendment: To use proceeds of the road cess under CRIF to finance other infrastructure projects like waterways, some portion of the railway infrastructure, and even social infrastructure. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
Q5. With reference to the International Space Station (ISS), consider the following statements
1. The ISS was taken into space piece-by-piece and gradually built into orbit.
2. NASA has announced plans to retire and decommission the International Space Station (ISS) by 2031.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. Only 1
B. Only 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Solution: option C.)
Ans. 5 Option C is the correct Explanation
• The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest artificial object in space and the largest satellite in low Earth orbit.
• This high-flying satellite is a laboratory for new technologies and an observation platform for astronomical, environmental, and geological research.
• Five different space agencies representing 15 countries built the USD 100-billion International Space Station and continue to operate it today.
• The International Space Station was taken into space piece-by-piece and gradually built in orbit. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• It consists of modules and connecting nodes that contain living quarters and laboratories, as well as exterior trusses that provide structural support, and solar panels that provide power.
• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced plans to retire and decommission the International Space Station (ISS) by 2031. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Q6. The “Dhanauri Wetland” seen in the news recently is located in which of the following states?
A. West Bengal
B. Assam
C. Himachal Pradesh
D. Uttar Pradesh
Solution: option D.)
Ans. 6 Option D is the correct Explanation
• Dhanauri Wetland is a bird-watching area located in Dhanauri village in Uttar Pradesh. Hence, option D is correct.
• It is a natural wetland that hosts more than 217 bird species, including over 150 Sarus cranes and serves as a vital birding and nesting site.
• It has received recognition as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International and has been documented by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).
• It plays a crucial role in supporting the vulnerable Sarus crane population (State Bird of UP).
Q7. Consider the following statements with reference to the Amazon River
1. It is the world’s largest river by water volume and width.
2. It empties into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Peru.
3. It accounts for one-fifth of the total volume of freshwater entering the oceans globally.
How many of the statements given above is/are not correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
Solution: option A.)
Ans. 7 Option A is correct Explanation
• The Amazon River is the world’s largest river by water volume and width. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• It is the second-longest river in the world after the Nile.
• It accounts for one-fifth of the total volume of freshwater entering the oceans globally. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• It is sometimes referred to as the “lungs of the Earth” due to its role in regulating the planet’s oxygen and carbon cycles.
• Its journey begins high in the Andes Mountains and it empties into the Atlantic Ocean on the northeastern coast of Brazil.
• It has the largest drainage area of any river system.
• Its watershed spans the countries of Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and Bolivia. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• Tributaries: The Rio Negro, the Madeira River, the Xingu River, etc.
Q8. Consider the following statements regarding the Buff-breasted Sandpiper
1. Similar to most shorebirds, they too forage in wetlands.
2. The male Buff-breasted Sandpipers gather in groups on display territories called leks.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. Only 1
B. Only 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Solution: option B.)
Ans. 8 Option B is correct Explanation
• Buff-breasted Sandpiper is one of the most delicately beautiful of the shorebirds.
• Unlike most shorebirds, they forage in dry, grassy habitats, not wetlands. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• It breeds in the open arctic tundra of North America
• It is a very long-distance migrant, spending the non-breeding season mainly in South America, especially Argentina.
• It migrates mainly through central North America and is uncommon on the coasts.
• The male Buff-breasted Sandpipers gather in groups on display territories called “leks” where they flash their eye-catching underwings to compete for females’ attention. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Q9. The famous ‘Navtej Singh Johar vs Union of India’s case is associated with
A. Declaration of freedom of trade and commerce through the medium of the internet as a fundamental right.
B. Allowing women entry in Sabarimala temple
C. Concept of ‘ex post facto’ Environmental Clearance (EC)
D. Decriminalisation of homosexuality
Solution: option D.)
Ans. 9 Option D is correct Explanation
• Navtej Singh Johar vs. Union Of India (2018) case decriminalized homosexuality. Hence, option D is correct.
• It dismissed the position taken by SC in the Suresh Kumar Koushal case (2013) that the LGBTQ community constitutes a minuscule minority and so there was no need to decriminalize homosexual sex.
Q10. Arrange the following water bodies from North to South
1. Gulf of Mannar
2. Palk Bay
3. Palk Strait
Select the correct code
A. 1-2-3
B. 2-3-1
C. 3-2-1
D. 2-1-3
Solution: option C.)
Ans. 10 Option C is correct Explanation
• Palk Strait is a narrow stretch of water that separates the Indian state of Tamil Nadu from the northern part of Sri Lanka.
• Palk Bay, located to the south of Palk Strait, is a shallow bay that lies between the southeastern coast of India (Tamil Nadu) and the northern coast of Sri Lanka.
• It is larger and extends further south than the Palk Strait.
• The Gulf of Mannar is situated to the south of both Palk Strait and Palk Bay.
• It is a large bay in the Indian Ocean that lies between the southeastern tip of India (Tamil Nadu) and the western coast of Sri Lanka. Hence, option C is correct.