Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the economic relevance of the MAHSR corridor:
- It strengthens connectivity across major industrial-commercial clusters between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
- It contributes to employment generation and capacity building in tunnelling and high-speed rail technologies.
- It primarily aims at replacing existing suburban railway operations in Mumbai.
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
Correct Answer: (a)
Explanation:
- Correct → Regional integration of Mumbai–Thane–Palghar–Vapi–Surat–Vadodara–Ahmedabad clusters ✔️
- Correct → Technology transfer, construction ecosystem, skilled jobs ✔️
- Incorrect → It does not replace Mumbai suburban rail; it is an inter-city high-speed corridor ✘
Q2. With reference to the Galaxy Frog (Melanobatrachus indicus), consider the following statements:
- It is an endemic species of the Western Ghats and is mostly found under rotten logs in evergreen and shola forests.
- It is currently listed as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List.
- The species belongs to the amphibian family Micrixalidae.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: (a)
Explanation:
- Statement 1 — Correct → Habitat restricted to Western Ghats (Kerala); lives under rotting logs in moist evergreen–shola forests.
- Statement 2 — Incorrect → IUCN status = Vulnerable, not Critically Endangered.
- Statement 3 — Correct → Belongs to family Micrixalidae.
Q3. With reference to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), consider the following statements:
- It functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- It operates the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and the 1930 financial fraud helpline.
- Its mandate includes analytics-driven coordination among States, banks, and telecom operators to prevent cyber-financial crimes.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only One
(b) Only Two
(c) All Three
(d) None
Correct Answer: (c)
Explanation:
- I4C is an MHA-anchored national cyber-crime coordination framework.
- It runs the NCRP portal + 1930 helpline, supports real-time blocking & fund-freezing, and enables multi-agency analytics & response.
Q4. With reference to Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) in paddy cultivation, consider the following statements:
- AWD reduces methane emissions mainly by interrupting anaerobic conditions in flooded paddy soils.
- Field studies indicate that AWD can save irrigation water without significant loss in grain yield.
- AWD necessarily requires expensive mechanised irrigation systems for implementation.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only One
(b) Only Two
(c) All Three
(d) None
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation:
- 1 — Correct → Periodic drying breaks anaerobic conditions, reducing methanogenic activity.
- 2 — Correct → Trials report water saving + comparable yields.
- 3 — Incorrect → AWD is low-cost; relies mainly on water-scheduling, not expensive machinery.
Q5.With reference to the Piprahwa Relics, consider the following statements:
- The Piprahwa site is associated with the ancient city of Kapilavastu, the capital of the Shakya clan.
- The relics were first excavated in 1898 by William Claxton Peppé.
- The relics were discovered inside a monolithic stone coffer placed within a stupa.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only One
(b) Only Two
(c) All Three
(d) None
Correct Answer: (c)
Explanation:
All three statements are correct — Piprahwa (near Siddharthnagar, U.P.) is linked to Kapilavastu, excavation took place in 1898 by Peppé, and the relics were found in a stone coffer inside a stupa.
