Q1.In the context of India’s defence technology, the TARA system is often compared to which global weapon category?
(a) S-400 Triumf (Surface-to-Air Missile)
(b) THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense)
(c) JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition)
(d) Iron Dome (C-RAM system)
Answer: (c) JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition)
Explanation:
- TARA is a glide bomb kit that converts unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions, similar to JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition).
- Options (a), (b), and (d) are air/missile defence systems, not bomb-conversion kits.
Q2.Regarding the composition of NITI Aayog, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- The Governing Council comprises the Chief Ministers of all States and Lt. Governors of Union Territories.
- The Vice-Chairperson is appointed by the President of India and holds the rank of a Cabinet Minister.
- The CEO is a civil servant appointed by the Prime Minister for a fixed tenure.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: Governing Council includes all CMs and UT LGs.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: Vice-Chairperson is appointed by the Prime Minister, not the President.
- Statement 3 is correct: CEO is appointed by PM for a fixed tenure (generally Secretary rank).
Q3.
Assertion (A): The total number of cognisable crimes in India declined by about 6% in the 2024 report.
Reason (R): There has been a significant reclassification of offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
(a) (A) is false but (R) is true
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation
Answer: (d) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation
Explanation:
- NCRB data shows a 6% decline in total crimes in 2024.
- This decline is partly artificial, driven by BNS changes (e.g., “hurt” becoming non-cognisable).
- Hence, reclassification directly explains the observed decline.
Q4.The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to which of the following?
(a) The Red Sea
(b) The Gulf of Aden
(c) The Gulf of Oman
(d) The Laccadive Sea
Answer: (c) The Gulf of Oman
Explanation:
- The Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, which further opens into the Arabian Sea.
- It is a critical global oil transit chokepoint, handling ~20% of world oil trade.
Q5.Consider the following pairs of species and their IUCN Red List status:
- Rusty-spotted cat : Near Threatened
- Bengal Tiger : Endangered
- Indian Leopard : Vulnerable
How many pairs are correctly matched?
(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) All three pairs
(d) None of the pairs
Answer: (c) All three pairs
Explanation:
- Rusty-spotted cat → Near Threatened (correct)
- Bengal Tiger → Endangered (correct)
- Indian Leopard → Vulnerable (correct)
- All pairs are correctly matched → Answer: (c).
