Q1. Consider the following statements
1. Regions, where the groom’s family pays a bride price, see an increased probability of child, early, and forced marriage (CEFM) during droughts and rainfall shocks.
2. In Regions where dowry is common, girls are more likely to get married during a drought year.
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. 1 Option B is correct Explanation
• Girls in sub-Saharan Africa or Vietnam had an increased probability of CEFM during droughts and rainfall shocks. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• As here the groom’s family pays a bride price to the bride’s family.
• But, in regions where dowry is common such as India, girls were less likely to get married during a drought year. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• Since the bride’s family could not afford the dowry payment.
Q2. What does the Basic Structure Doctrine in Indian constitutional law refer to?
(a) A set of fundamental rights that cannot be amended.
(b) The core principles and values of the Constitution that cannot be altered.
(c) A doctrine related to the separation of powers in the Indian Constitution.
(d) The principles associated with Indian judicial review.
Solution: option B.)
Ans. 2 Option B is the correct Explanation
• The Kesavananda Bharati judgement introduced the Basic Structure doctrine.
• It limited Parliament’s power to make drastic amendments that may affect the core values enshrined in the Constitution. Hence, Option B is correct.
• It held that the “basic structure of the Indian Constitution could not be abrogated even by
a constitutional amendment”.
Q3. Which of the following statements most aptly defines the Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalata Sampanna
Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH)?
(a) A government initiative to promote digital literacy among rural youth.
(b) A scheme aimed at enhancing the employability of several groups including SCs, and OBCs among others.
(c) A program to provide skill training and employment to disabled individuals.
(d) A campaign for improving healthcare infrastructure in rural areas.
Solution: option B.)
Ans. 3 Option B is correct Explanation
• The Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalata Sampanna Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana, a Central Sector Scheme, was launched during 2020-21.
• Objective
o To enhance the competency level of the target groups
o To make them employable both in self-employment
o Wage-employment for their socio-economic development.
• The target group includes SCs, OBCs, EBCs, DNTs Safai Karamcharis, and Waste pickers.
• The age criterion: 18-45 years
• The Cost of the training to trainees is free of cost.
• The stipend under this scheme will also be given.
Q4. Consider the following statements
1. A hop test refers to a scientific experiment in which a lander elevates itself from the celestial body surface and lands again.
2. It is a significant test for the sample return and human mission.
3. Recently, Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram Lander successfully underwent a hop experiment.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Solution: option C.)
Ans. 4 Option C is the correct Explanation
• Recently, the Chandrayaan-3 mission’s lander Vikram achieved another significant milestone as it successfully undertook a hop experiment. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• The lander underwent a hop experiment and on command, fired the engines, elevated itself by about 40 cm, and landed safely at a distance. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• It could have a significant bearing on future missions launched with an aim to bring back samples from the moon and also future human missions to the moon.
• Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• Deployed Ramp, ChaSTE, and ILSA were folded back and redeployed successfully after the experiment.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)
1. CBDCs are cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum.
2. CBDCs are issued and regulated by commercial banks.
3. CBDCs are a digital form of a country’s national currency.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Solution: option A.)
Ans. 5 Option A is the correct Explanation
• CBDCs are digital forms of a country’s national currency issued and regulated by the central bank and not commercial banks. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect and statement 3 is correct.
• They are different from cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
Q6. Consider the following statements regarding the Gujarat Declaration seen in the news recently.
1. It is the outcome document of the first WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit 2023.
2. It reaffirmed global commitments towards indigenous knowledge, biodiversity, and traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine.
3. It will focus on the integration of traditional medicines into national health systems.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Solution: option C.)
Ans. 6 Option C is the correct Explanation
• The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released the outcome document of the first WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit 2023 in the form of the “Gujarat Declaration”. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• It reaffirmed global commitments towards indigenous knowledge, biodiversity, and traditional, complementary and integrative medicine. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• It will serve as a catalyst to harness the potential of traditional medicine through the lens of science.
• It will focus on the integration of traditional medicines in national health systems and help unlock the power of traditional medicine. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
Q7. What is “Patulin” seen in the news recently?
(a) A toxic compound found in certain molds.
(b) A rare gemstone found in South Asia
(c) An essential nutrient in human diets.
(d) A type of medicinal herb used in traditional Indian medicine
Solution: option A.)
Ans. 7 Option A is correct Explanation
• Patulin (C7H6O4) is a toxic mycotoxin produced by several types of fungi. Hence, Option A is correct
• It is harmful to a wide range of creatures, including humans, mammals, plants, and microbes.
• It can grow on damaged or decaying fruits, especially apples.
Q8. Consider the following statements on The Intergovernmental Platform on
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)
1. It is an NGO established to strengthen the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services.
2. It works in a similar way to the IPCC, which is the UN’s climate science body.
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 A.)
Ans. 8 Option A is the correct Explanation
• The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is an independent
intergovernmental body established to strengthen the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• It works in a similar way to the IPCC, which is the UN’s climate science body
• Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Q9. Consider the following statements with reference to Flex-fuel Technology
1. It is a technology that allows vehicles to run on multiple types of fuel.
2. It is primarily used in aviation to power commercial airplanes.
How many 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 A.)
Ans. 9 Option A is the correct Explanation
• Flex-fuel technology is a system that allows vehicles to run on multiple types of fuel, typically gasoline, ethanol, or a mixture of both. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• It is not primarily used in aviation but is more commonly found in automobiles designed to be flexible in terms of the types of fuel they can use. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
Q10. Consider the following statements
1. Almost 80% of those displaced by Climate-related disasters are women and girls.
2. Women in developing and less developed countries (especially in low-income areas) are more vulnerable to climate change.
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. 10 Option C is correct Explanation
• Across genders, women are considered to be highly vulnerable and disproportionately affected by climate change than men.
• Women in developing and less developed countries (especially in low-income areas) are more vulnerable to climate change. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• This is because of their dependence on natural resources and labor-intensive work for their livelihood.
• Women are more likely to live in poverty than men which makes them more susceptible to the effects of climate change.
• According to a UN study, most (80%) of those displaced by climate-related disasters are women and girls. Hence, statement 1 is correct.