Q1.Makhana, recently in news for its export and GI status, is primarily cultivated in which of the following states?
a) Assam
b) Uttar Pradesh
c) Bihar
d) West Bengal
Answer: (c) Bihar
Explanation: Bihar produces nearly 90% of India’s makhana, mainly from the Mithila region. It received a GI tag in 2022 as “Mithila Makhana.”
Q2.With reference to India’s eye-care burden, consider the following statements:
- India contributes nearly one-fifth of the global blindness burden.
- Cataract remains the single largest cause of blindness in India.
- The National Blindness Survey (2019) reported blindness prevalence below 0.5%.
Which of the above statements are correct?
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1, 2 and 3
d) 1 only
Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: India accounts for ~20% of global blindness; cataract causes ~66% of it; the 2019 survey found prevalence at 0.36%.
Q3.Which of the following constitutional rights are directly affected by arbitrary rejection of nomination papers?
a) Article 326
b) Article 19(1)(a)
c) Article 19(1)(c)
d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above
Explanation: Such rejection curtails freedom of expression (19(1)(a)), association (19(1)(c)), and the citizen’s right to vote (326).
Q4.Consider the following statements regarding global nuclear testing treaties:
- The Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) bans all kinds of nuclear tests, including underground ones.
- The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) has not entered into force because several Annex 2 countries, including the U.S. and China, have not ratified it.
- India has neither signed the PTBT nor the CTBT.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c) 2 and 3 only
Explanation: PTBT bans atmospheric, outer space, and underwater tests but allows underground ones. CTBT remains unenforced due to non-ratification by key Annex-2 states. India has not signed either treaty.
Q5.The carbon budget mentioned in the WMO 2025 report refers to:
a) Annual CO₂ absorbed by oceans and forests
b) Total CO₂ that can be emitted before breaching 1.5°C
c) Global carbon market valuation
d) Annual emission limits for each country
Answer: (b) Total CO₂ that can be emitted before breaching 1.5°C
Explanation: The remaining global carbon budget is ~250 Gt CO₂ — exceeding it would push warming beyond 1.5°C.
