Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the India-U.K. £350-million defence deal:
- The deal includes procurement of Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) for the Indian Army.
- It includes collaboration on electric-powered naval engines.
- The deal is solely focused on military procurement.
- It aims to strengthen Make in India through technology transfer and R&D collaboration.
Options:
(a) 1, 2, and 4 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) All of the above
Correct Answer: (a)
Explanation:
- Statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct as the deal includes LMM procurement, electric naval engines collaboration, and supports Make in India through R&D.
- Statement 3 is incorrect; the deal also promotes education and technology cooperation with UK universities and research partnerships.
Q2. Which of the following is a correct inference from the current trends in women’s voting in India?
(a) Women voters have become a uniform swing factor influencing election outcomes.
(b) Women’s increasing participation reflects growing agency but not guaranteed electoral dominance.
(c) Cash transfer schemes alone ensure women’s voting loyalty across elections.
(d) Intersectional factors such as caste, class, and region are irrelevant in shaping women’s voting behaviour.
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation:
- Women voters are influential but not a monolithic swing bloc; policies recognizing intersectionality and empowering women are more effective than relying solely on cash transfers.
Q3. With reference to electoral forms used in India, consider the following statements:
- Forms are defined under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
- They include forms for new voter registration, migration, corrections, and objections.
- Electoral forms are optional and not necessary for claiming voter registration.
Options:
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 1 and 2
(c) Only 2 and 3
(d) None
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation:
- Statements 1 and 2 are correct: RER, 1960 defines electoral forms, which cover registration, migration, corrections, and objections.
- Statement 3 is incorrect: Submission of forms is mandatory for registration or making changes.
Q4. With reference to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), consider the following statements:
- AMR leads to infections that are harder to treat and increases morbidity.
- NDM-1 gene makes bacteria resistant only to a limited range of antibiotics.
- AMR poses economic challenges, including increased healthcare costs and productivity loss.
Options:
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 1 and 3
(c) Only 2 and 3
(d) None
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation:
- Statements 1 and 3 are correct: AMR complicates treatment and has economic impacts.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: NDM-1 confers resistance to nearly all antibiotics, not just a few.
Q5.Assertion (A): India’s National Red List initiative is aligned with IUCN standards and global biodiversity frameworks.
Reason (R): It replaces the global IUCN Red List as the primary reference for species assessment.
Options:
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, R is false
(d) A is false, R is true
Correct Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Alignment with IUCN and global frameworks is correct, but the National Red List does not replace the IUCN global Red List.
