Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the International Cricket Council (ICC):
- The headquarters of the ICC is located in Dubai.
- The ICC conducts the ICC World Test Championship.
- All ICC member countries have Test status.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (A)
Explanation:
Statement 1 – Correct
- The International Cricket Council (ICC) shifted its headquarters from London to Dubai in 2005.
Statement 2 – Correct
- ICC organizes major global cricket tournaments including:
- ICC Cricket World Cup
- ICC T20 World Cup
- ICC World Test Championship (WTC).
Statement 3 – Incorrect
- ICC membership has two main categories:
- Full Members (Test-playing nations)
- Associate Members
- Only Full Members have Test status.
Q2. Which of the following best explains why Finance Commission grants to cities remain limited in India?
- Most grants are tied to specific sectors.
- Municipalities have strong own-source revenue systems.
- Urban local bodies depend heavily on state and central transfers.
- Property tax administration remains weak in many cities.
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 1, 3 and 4 only
C. 2 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (B)
Explanation:
Statement 1 – Correct
- Many Finance Commission grants are “tied grants”, meant specifically for sectors such as:
- Water supply
- Sanitation
- Waste management
- This reduces fiscal flexibility of municipalities.
Statement 2 – Incorrect
- Most municipalities have weak own-source revenue (OSR) systems.
Statement 3 – Correct
- Urban local bodies rely heavily on intergovernmental transfers from States and the Union government.
Statement 4 – Correct
- Property tax systems suffer from:
- Outdated valuation methods
- Weak collection systems
- Political reluctance to increase taxes.
Q3. Assertion (A):
India produces one of the highest proportions of women STEM graduates globally.
Reason (R):
Girls in India are discouraged from choosing science subjects at the secondary school level.
A. Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A
B. Both A and R are correct but R is not the correct explanation of A
C. A is correct but R is incorrect
D. A is incorrect but R is correct
Answer: (C)
Explanation:
Assertion – Correct
- India has around 43% women STEM graduates, among the highest globally.
Reason – Incorrect
- In India, girls are not discouraged from studying science at the school level.
- Female participation in science streams at Class 11–12 can reach nearly 60% in some regions.
- The “leaky pipeline” in India occurs later, during the transition from education to research careers.
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT) of HIV:
- MTCT can occur during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.
- Without medical intervention, HIV transmission from mother to child can exceed 40%.
- Antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy can significantly reduce transmission risk.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (D)
Explanation:
Statement 1 – Correct
- MTCT (also called vertical transmission) can occur:
- During pregnancy
- During labour and delivery
- During breastfeeding.
Statement 2 – Correct
- Without treatment, the risk of transmission ranges between 15–45%.
Statement 3 – Correct
- Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) during pregnancy and after birth can reduce transmission risk to below 2% in many cases.
Q5. Consider the following technologies:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Quantum Computing
- Biotechnology
- Advanced Robotics
Discussions on the governance of which of the above technologies formed part of the Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (SDI)?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (D)
Explanation:
The Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (2026) focused on the governance of disruptive technologies, including:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Quantum technologies
- Biotechnology
- Advanced robotics
These technologies are reshaping:
- Global security
- Economic competitiveness
- Technology governance frameworks.
