Q1. The “High Seas Treaty” recently in news is primarily related to which of the following?
a) International code for maritime security and anti-piracy operations
b) Global agreement on maritime boundary delimitation under UNCLOS
c) Legally binding framework for biodiversity conservation beyond national jurisdiction
d) Regional pact for sustainable fisheries management within EEZs
Answer: c)
Explanation: The High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement) establishes a legally binding framework for conserving and sustainably using marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions (areas outside EEZs).
Q2. Which of the following institutions provides the structural and financial backbone for the RDI Scheme?
a) Department of Science & Industrial Research (DSIR)
b) Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA)
c) NITI Aayog
d) Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF)
Answer: d)
Explanation: The ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme is anchored by the Anusandhan NRF, integrating academic, industrial, and mission-based R&D efforts.
Q3. Consider the following statements regarding digital arrests:
- Digital arrests involve real-time detentions by cyber police using AI-enabled tracking systems.
- The Supreme Court described digital arrest scams as a major challenge, with over ₹3,000 crore defrauded from Indian citizens.
Select the correct answer:
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: b)
Explanation:
• Statement 1 is incorrect — “digital arrests” are cyber scams involving impersonation and psychological manipulation, not real detentions.
• Statement 2 is correct — SC termed these scams a “very big challenge” after ₹3,000 crore fraud reports.
Q4. The Cauvery River originates from which of the following regions?
a) Anaimalai Hills
b) Nilgiri Hills
c) Palani Hills
d) Brahmagiri Hills
Answer: d)
Explanation: The Cauvery originates at Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri Hills (Western Ghats, Kodagu district, Karnataka, ~1,341 m) and flows eastward through Tamil Nadu into the Bay of Bengal.
Q5. The Tropical Forests Forever Fund was proposed by which country ahead of COP30?
a) South Africa
b) India
c) Brazil
d) Indonesia
Answer: c)
Explanation: Brazil proposed the Tropical Forests Forever Fund before COP30 (Belém, 2025) as a permanent, predictable financing mechanism to reward tropical forest conservation beyond carbon offset models.
