Q1. Consider the following statements regarding India’s rice exports:
- India accounts for nearly 40% of global rice exports.
- Basmati rice constitutes the major share of rice exports to West Asia.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. None
Answer: C
Explanation:
- Statement 1 – Correct: India contributes roughly 40% of global rice exports, making it the largest exporter since 2012.
- Statement 2 – Correct: About 90% of rice exports to West Asia are basmati, a high-value premium variety.
Q2. With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), consider the following statements:
- UNCLOS primarily governs peacetime maritime activities.
- UNCLOS comprehensively regulates naval warfare during armed conflicts.
- UNCLOS defines legal regimes for navigation rights, maritime zones, and resource use.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
Answer: B
Explanation:
- Statement 1 – Correct: UNCLOS mainly governs peacetime maritime law including navigation, EEZ rights, and maritime boundaries.
- Statement 2 – Incorrect: Naval warfare is governed mainly by International Humanitarian Law and the San Remo Manual, not UNCLOS.
- Statement 3 – Correct: UNCLOS establishes legal frameworks for navigation rights, resource exploitation, and maritime jurisdiction.
Q3. With reference to government policies influencing rice cultivation in India, consider the following statements:
- The Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement system encourages rice cultivation in certain regions.
- Free or subsidized electricity for irrigation can lead to over-extraction of groundwater.
- Government procurement policies have promoted rice-wheat monoculture in northwestern India.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
Answer: C
Explanation:
- Statement 1 – Correct: MSP procurement incentivizes farmers to cultivate rice and wheat, especially in Punjab and Haryana.
- Statement 2 – Correct: Subsidized electricity encourages excessive groundwater pumping for irrigation.
- Statement 3 – Correct: These policies have contributed to rice-wheat monoculture, causing ecological stress and groundwater depletion.
Q4. Which of the following factors explains the continued relevance of gravity bombs in modern warfare?
- Lower cost compared to cruise missiles
- Ability to be deployed in large numbers per aircraft sortie
- Compatibility with precision guidance technologies
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
Explanation:
- Statement 1 – Correct: Gravity bombs with JDAM kits (~$25,000–$30,000) are much cheaper than cruise missiles such as Tomahawk (~$1–2 million).
- Statement 2 – Correct: Aircraft can carry multiple gravity bombs per sortie, enabling high-volume strikes.
- Statement 3 – Correct: JDAM guidance kits convert gravity bombs into precision-guided munitions (PGMs).
Q5. The Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), adopted in 2022, aims to achieve which of the following by 2030?
- Protect 30% of global land and marine areas.
- Restore 30% of degraded ecosystems.
- Reduce pollution and pesticide risks by at least 50%.
- Eliminate all agricultural subsidies globally.
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: B
Explanation:
- Statement 1 – Correct: KMGBF includes the “30×30” target — conserving 30% of land and oceans by 2030.
- Statement 2 – Correct: It aims to restore 30% of degraded ecosystems.
- Statement 3 – Correct: Targets include reducing pollution and pesticide risks by at least 50%.
- Statement 4 – Incorrect: The framework seeks to eliminate harmful subsidies, not all agricultural subsidies.
