Q1. Assertion (A): The merger of GST compensation cess with regular GST reduces the fiscal autonomy of States.
Reason (R): Cess and surcharge earlier gave the Centre additional leverage, and their merger limits States’ ability to retain revenues.
(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: (a)
Explanation: States previously received guaranteed compensation for revenue shortfalls through the cess. Its merger removes this buffer, centralising control and reducing fiscal autonomy.
Q2.Consider the following statements:
- It is a Third-generation stealth multirole fighter capable of both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
- It can sustain supersonic speeds without afterburners and features advanced AESA radar.
- Its operational deployment has been limited exclusively to Russian military bases, with no joint operations with foreign partners.
How many are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Correct Answer: (a)
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is incorrect because the Su-57 is a fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter, not third-generation.
- Statement 2 is correct: it features supercruise capability (sustained supersonic flight without afterburners) and advanced AESA radar.
- Statement 3 is incorrect: Russia has offered local production in India, suggesting the possibility of joint operations.
Q3.How many of the following reflects the novelty of AI-guided drug discovery?
- AI generated drug candidates with no prior literature evidence for tumor detection.
- All AI predictions exactly matched known literature findings.
- It demonstrates AI’s potential as a collaborator, bridging computational prediction and experimental biology.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect; only 10–30% of AI hits matched known literature. The rest were novel predictions.
Q4. Consider the following statements about sustainable fuels:
- Biofuels include ethanol and biodiesel produced from crops or waste.
- Low-emissions hydrogen refers to hydrogen produced with minimal greenhouse gas emissions.
- Sustainable fuels currently account for ~25% of global transport energy.
- Biogases are methane produced from organic matter.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Correct Answer: (c)
Explanation: Statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect; sustainable fuels currently account for ~4% of global transport energy.
Q5.Consider the following about the RTI Act:
- The RTI Act derives its constitutional backing from Article 19(1)(a).
- The National Campaign for People’s Right to Information (NCPRI) drafted the national law.
- RTI applications under Section 6(3) must always be responded to within 90 days.
- MKSS’s early public hearings (1994–95) were instrumental in exposing corruption in rural employment schemes.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Correct Answer: (c)
Explanation: Statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect; Section 6(3) allows forwarding requests to another department, so deadlines may not always be met.
