Q1. With reference to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), consider the following statements:
- RCEP includes all ASEAN member States along with China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.
- India withdrew from RCEP negotiations in 2019 primarily due to concerns relating to tariff concessions and import surges, especially from China.
- RCEP mandates common external tariffs.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: (c)
Explanation:
- RCEP = ASEAN-10 + China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand → Statement 1 correct.
- India exited in 2019 citing import‐surge risk, weak safeguards, dairy/MSME exposure, rules-of-origin issues → Statement 2 correct.
- RCEP is a free-trade agreement, not a customs union → no common external tariff → Statement 3 incorrect.
Q2. The term “Big Four”, recently in the news, refers to which group of species?
(a) Elephants
(b) Snakes
(c) Dolphins
(d) Big cats
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation:
The “Big Four” refers to four medically important venomous snakes in India — Spectacled cobra, Common krait, Russell’s viper, and Saw-scaled viper — whose venoms are traditionally used to produce polyvalent antivenom.
Q3. With reference to Venezuela, recently in the news, consider the following statements:
- It has the largest proven crude oil reserves in the world.
- Most of its crude is extra-heavy oil that requires specialised refining and diluents.
- Venezuela is not a member of OPEC.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: (a)
Explanation:
- Venezuela has the world’s largest proven oil reserves (~303 bn barrels, 2023) → Statement 1 correct.
- A large share is extra-heavy crude requiring advanced extraction and diluents → Statement 2 correct.
- Venezuela is an OPEC member → Statement 3 incorrect.
Q4. With reference to Rare-Earth Elements (REEs), consider the following statements:
- They include all 15 lanthanides along with scandium and yttrium.
- They are called “rare” because they are geologically scarce and found only in very few locations.
- Separation of REEs is technologically complex because most of them occur together and have similar chemical properties.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1 and 3 only
Correct Answer: (d)
Explanation:
- REEs = 15 lanthanides + scandium + yttrium → Statement 1 correct.
- They are not geologically rare; they are dispersed in low concentrations → Statement 2 incorrect.
- Separation is difficult due to similar +3 ionic chemistry and co-occurrence → Statement 3 correct.
Q5. PRAGATI, recently in the news, is primarily related to which of the following?
(a) A digital framework for monitoring rural employment and welfare initiatives
(b) A nationwide mechanism for promoting digital payments and financial inclusion
(c) A platform for project monitoring, coordination and grievance redressal
(d) A central programme for incubation, mentorship and promotion of start-up enterprises
Correct Answer: (c)
Explanation:
PRAGATI is a GIS-enabled, dashboard-based governance platform (launched in 2015) used by the Prime Minister and senior officials to monitor infrastructure and social-sector projects, resolve inter-departmental bottlenecks, and review public grievances.
