Q1.
With reference to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in India, consider the following statements:
- It measures price changes at the wholesale level.
- It includes both goods and services in its basket.
- It is used by the RBI for inflation targeting.
How many of the above statements are correct?
A) Only one
B) Only two
C) All three
D) None
Q1. (B)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect (CPI measures retail prices, not wholesale). Statements 2 and 3 are correct. RBI targets CPI (4% ± 2%) under the Flexible Inflation Targeting framework.
Q2.
Consider the following statements regarding the apple sector in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K):
- Apples account for nearly 50% of J&K’s horticulture output.
- J&K contributes over 70% of India’s total apple production.
- Apple cultivation in J&K is entirely dependent on protected areas.
Which of the above statements are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Q2. (A)
Explanation:
Statements 1 and 2 are correct as per J&K Economic Survey 2025–26. Statement 3 is incorrect; apple cultivation occurs in orchards across agricultural lands, not protected areas.
Q3.
Which of the following correctly matches the alternative names of the disputed islets?
A) Dokdo – China; Takeshima – Japan
B) Dokdo – South Korea; Takeshima – Japan
C) Dokdo – Japan; Takeshima – South Korea
D) Liancourt Rocks – China
Q3. (B)
Explanation:
Dokdo is the South Korean name; Takeshima is the Japanese name. Internationally, they are also called the Liancourt Rocks.
Q4.
The rotation of a smoke vortex clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counter-clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere is primarily due to:
A) Trade winds
B) Jet streams
C) Coriolis Effect
D) El Niño–Southern Oscillation
Q4. (C)
Explanation:
The Coriolis Effect deflects moving air masses differently in each hemisphere, determining vortex rotation direction.
Q5.
Which of the following species is the smallest wild cat found in India?
A) Jungle Cat
B) Leopard Cat
C) Caracal
D) Rusty-spotted Cat
Q5. (D)
Explanation:
The Rusty-spotted cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus) is the smallest wild cat in India, weighing around 1.5–1.6 kg.
