Q1. With reference to protected monuments/sites under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), consider the following statements
1. Both the conservation and maintenance of the site will be done by ASI.
2. In India, to be declared an ancient monument the site has to exist for at least 100 years. 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
Ans.1 Option C is correct Explanation
• According to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, an “Ancient Monument means any structure, erection or monument, or any tumulus or place of interment, or any cave, rock- sculpture, inscription or monolith which is of historical, archaeological or artistic interest and which has been in existence for not less
than 100 years.” Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• Once declared as a protected monument/site, both the conservation and maintenance of the site will be done by ASI. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• Uttar Pradesh (745 monuments/sites), Karnataka (506) and Tamil Nadu (413) have the highest number of ASI-maintained sites.
Q2. Consider the following statements about the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
1. The Convention was adopted in 1961 by the United Nations Conference on Diplomatic Intercourse and Immunities held in Austria.
2. India has ratified the convention.
3. The convention is nearly universally ratified, with Palau and South Sudan being the exceptions.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
Ans. 2 Option C is the correct Explanation
• The Convention was adopted on 14th April 1961 by the United Nations Conference on Diplomatic Intercourse and Immunities held in Vienna, Austria. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• India has ratified the convention. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• It entered into force on April 24, 1964, and is nearly universally ratified, with Palau and South Sudan being the exceptions. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
Q3. Consider the following statements
1. The process to include tribes in the ST list begins with a recommendation from the respective State governments
2. This recommendation is then sent to the Tribal Affairs Ministry, which reviews and sends it to the Registrar General of India for approval.
3. After the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes’ approval the list is sent to the Cabinet for a final decision.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
Ans. 3 Option C is the correct Explanation
• The process to include tribes in the ST list begins with a recommendation from the respective State governments. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• These are then sent to the Tribal Affairs Ministry, which reviews and sends them to the Registrar General of India for approval. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• This is followed by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes’ approval before the list is sent to the Cabinet for a final decision. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
Q4. Consider the following statements about Anticyclones
1. It has an outward-spiraling air circulation around a high-pressure center.
2. An anticyclone’s winds rotate anti-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere around a center of high pressure.
3. In anticyclones, air comes in from above and sinks to the ground.
4. High-pressure centers generally have fair weather.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. Only three
D. All four
Ans. 4 Option C is the correct Explanation
• An anticyclone is the opposite of a cyclone i.e. it has an outward-spiralling air circulation around a high pressure centre. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• An anticyclone’s winds rotate clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere around a center of high pressure. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• In anticyclones, air comes in from above and sinks to the ground. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• High-pressure centers generally have fair weather. Hence, statement 4 is correct.
Q5. Consider the following statements about the Gaganyaan System Module
1. It is also called the Orbital Module and will have three Indian astronauts, including a woman.
2. The most successful PSLV will be used to launch Gaganyaan
3. Russian government-owned Glavkosmos will support the selection, medical examination, and space training.
How many of the statements given above is/are incorrect?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
Ans. 5 Option A is correct Explanation
• The Gaganyaan system module, called the Orbital Module will have three Indian astronauts, including a woman. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• GSLV Mk III, also called the LVM-3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3,) the three-stage heavy lift launch vehicle, will be used to launch Gaganyaan as it has the necessary payload capability. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• In June 2019, the Human Space Flight Centre of the ISRO and the Russian government-owned Glavkosmos signed a contract for the training, which includes Russian support in the selection of candidates, their medical examination, and space training. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
Q6. Consider the following statements with reference to National Green Tribunal National Green Tribunal (NGT)
1. It is a specialized body for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.
2. India is the first country in the world to set up a specialized environmental tribunal.
3. NGT is guided by the principles of ‘natural justice’.
4. An appeal against the order/decision/ award of the NGT lies to the High Court.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. Only three
D. All four
Ans. 6 Option B is correct Explanation
• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is a specialized body set up under the National Green Tribunal Act (2010) for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• With the establishment of the NGT, India became the third country in the world to set up a specialised environmental tribunal, only after Australia and New Zealand. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• NGT is guided by the principles of ‘natural justice’. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• It is mandated to make disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing the same.
• An order/decision/award of the Tribunal is executable as a decree of a civil court.
• An appeal against an order/decision/ award of the NGT lies to the Supreme Court, generally within ninety days from the date of communication. Hence, statement 4 is incorrect.
Q7. Which of the following depicts the Indian Army’s recent initiative to promote indigenous military knowledge
by merging ancient strategic insights with modern military practices?
A. Project Udbhav
B. Project Milan
C. Project Chanakya
D. Project Shastra
Ans. 7 Option A is correct Explanation
• Hon’ble Raksha Mantri inaugurated ‘Project UDBHAV’ during the Indian Military Heritage Festival.
• The project is a collaborative effort between the Indian Army and the United Services Institution of India (USI) to explore ancient Indian military wisdom.
• The project aims to address contemporary security challenges with a holistic approach, synthesizing age-old wisdom and contemporary military pedagogy. Hence, option A is correct.
Q8. Consider the following statements regarding Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)
1. It is a type of catastrophic flood that occurs when the dam containing a glacial lake fails, releasing a large volume of water.
2. Glacial retreat due to climate change occurring in most parts of the Hindu Kush Himalayas has given rise to the formation of numerous new glacial lakes, which are the major cause of GLOFs.
Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?
A. Only 1
B. Only 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Ans. 8 Option D is correct Explanation
• A glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) is a type of catastrophic flood that occurs when the dam containing a glacial lake fails, releasing a large volume of water. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• This type of flood is typically caused by the rapid melting of glaciers or the buildup of water in the lake due to heavy precipitation or the inflow of meltwater.
• These floods can be triggered by a number of factors, including changes in the volume of the glacier, changes in the water level of the lake, and earthquakes.
• According to NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority), glacial retreat due to climate change occurring in most parts of the Hindu Kush Himalayas has given rise to the formation of numerous new glacial lakes, which are the major cause of GLOFs. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Q9. Consider the following statements on the Dam Safety Act, 2021
1. The Act provides for the surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of all specified dams across the country.
2. It has no provisions for the institutional mechanism needed to ensure the safety of such dams.
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
Ans. 9 Option A is the correct Explanation
• The Dam Safety Act, 2021 provides for the surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of all specified dams across the country. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• These are dams with a height of more than 15 meters, or heights between 10 m and -15 m with certain design and structural conditions.
• It also provides for institutional mechanisms to ensure the safety of such dams. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Q10. Consider the following statements regarding the Special Marriage Act 1954
1. It provides a legal framework for the marriage of people belonging to different religions or castes.
2. The minimum age to get married under the SMA is 21 years for both males and females.
Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?
A. Only 1
B. Only 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Ans. 10 Option B is correct Explanation
• The Special Marriage Act (SMA), 1954 is an Indian law that provides a legal framework for the marriage of people belonging to different religions or castes. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• It governs a civil marriage where the state sanctions the marriage rather than the religion.
• The minimum age to get married under the SMA is 21 years for males and 18 years for females. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• It provides for the registration of marriages, which gives legal recognition to the marriage and provides a number of legal benefits and protections to the couple, such as inheritance rights, succession rights, and social security benefits.
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