Q1. With reference to the SHANTI Bill, consider the following statements:
- It allows private Indian companies to own and operate nuclear power plants in India.
- It removes the statutory requirement of government control over the nuclear fuel cycle.
- It ends the exclusive operating monopoly of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
How many of the statements given above are correct?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
Answer: b) Only two
Explanation:
- Statement 1 — Correct: The Bill allows private participation in building, owning and operating nuclear plants under licence.
- Statement 2 — Incorrect: The Union Government retains 51% control over strategic functions such as fuel cycle, enrichment, reprocessing, waste management and safety oversight.
- Statement 3 — Correct: The Bill ends NPCIL’s monopoly and enables PPP/JV-based participation.
Q2. With reference to water-body mapping using satellites, consider the following:
- NDWI gives high positive values over water because water absorbs Near-Infrared radiation.
- MNDWI is preferred in urban areas to distinguish water from shadows and built-up surfaces.
- Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery can detect floodwaters even during cyclones and at night.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
Answer: c) All three
Explanation:
- NDWI uses Green vs NIR contrast → water absorbs NIR → high index values.
- MNDWI uses SWIR → improves urban water discrimination.
- SAR penetrates clouds/darkness → ideal for flood mapping.
Q3. In the context of constitutional safeguards, which of the following principles/doctrines is most directly invoked while assessing the legality of large-scale social-media monitoring by police authorities?
a) Doctrine of legitimate expectation
b) Proportionality test under Articles 19 and 21
c) Basic structure doctrine
d) Colourable legislation doctrine
Answer: b)
Explanation:
- Surveillance must satisfy legality, necessity, proportionality, and procedural safeguards under Articles 19(1)(a) & 21.
Q4. Popocatépetl, recently in the news for its first 3-D interior imaging, is located in:
a) Chile b) Philippines c) Indonesia d) Mexico
Answer: d) Mexico
Explanation:
Popocatépetl is a stratovolcano in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and is among the most active volcanoes in North America.
Q5. Colombia shares its longest land boundary with which of the following countries?
a) Panama
b) Ecuador
c) Peru
d) Venezuela
Answer: d) Venezuela
Explanation:
Colombia’s largest shared frontier is with Venezuela, followed by Brazil and Peru.
