Q1. With reference to the recent Supreme Court directions on free-ranging dogs, consider the following statements:
- The Supreme Court permitted euthanasia of rabid and demonstrably dangerous dogs under statutory protocols.
- The Court directed that sterilised dogs must necessarily be released back to their original locations.
- The Court directed States and UTs to establish at least one fully functional Animal Birth Control (ABC) Centre in every district.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct:
The Supreme Court of India permitted euthanasia of:- Rabid dogs
- Incurably ill dogs
- Demonstrably dangerous/aggressive dogs
under provisions of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules and other statutory protocols to safeguard public safety and human life.
- Statement 2 is incorrect:
Traditionally, the ABC framework followed a “capture-sterilise-vaccinate-release” model. However, the Court significantly modified this approach by discouraging release of captured dogs back into sensitive public spaces after sterilisation or vaccination. - Statement 3 is correct:
The Court directed every State and Union Territory to establish at least one fully functional ABC Centre in every district equipped with:- Veterinary facilities
- Trained personnel
- Surgical infrastructure
- Logistical support
to improve scientific stray dog management.
Q2. With reference to pangolins, consider the following statements:
- Pangolins belong to the order Pholidota.
- Pangolins are the only mammals fully covered with keratin scales.
- Pangolins are herbivorous mammals primarily feeding on forest vegetation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct:
Pangolins belong to the mammalian order Pholidota, comprising eight species distributed across Asia and Africa. - Statement 2 is correct:
Pangolins are the only mammals completely covered with keratin scales, which function as protective armour against predators.
Keratin is the same protein found in:- Human nails
- Hair
- Animal horns.
- Statement 3 is incorrect:
Pangolins are not herbivores. They are highly specialised myrmecophagous mammals, feeding primarily on:- Ants
- Termites
using their long sticky tongues and powerful claws.
- Value Addition:
Pangolins are:- Toothless mammals
- Protected under Appendix I of CITES
- Protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Q3.
Assertion (A): India and Nordic countries elevated their ties to a Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership during the 3rd India–Nordic Summit.
Reason (R): Both sides recognised that Nordic technological innovation combined with India’s manufacturing scale can support globally scalable sustainable development models.
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 but R is false
D. A is false but R is true
Answer: A
Explanation:
- Assertion is true:
During the 3rd India–Nordic Summit held in Oslo (2026), India and Nordic countries upgraded bilateral ties into a Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership. - Reason is true:
Nordic countries possess strengths in:- Green technologies
- Renewable energy
- Circular economy
- Digital governance
- Sustainability innovation.
- India contributes:
- Large manufacturing capacity
- Huge market scale
- Demographic advantage
- Expanding industrial ecosystem.
- Reason correctly explains the Assertion:
The partnership was elevated precisely because both sides recognised their complementary strengths could create:- Globally scalable green technologies
- Sustainable industrial models
- Climate-friendly economic systems.
- Strategic Significance:
The partnership aligns with:- India’s green transition
- Supply-chain diversification
- Europe’s Indo-Pacific outreach
- Climate diplomacy.
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding INNOVIT India:
- It is a joint innovation hub announced by India and Italy.
- It focuses on startup acceleration and university collaboration.
- It aims to strengthen cooperation in AI, semiconductors and healthcare technologies.
- It is established under the India–EU Free Trade Agreement framework.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 4 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: A
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct:
INNOVIT India is a bilateral innovation initiative jointly announced by India and Italy under their upgraded Special Strategic Partnership. - Statement 2 is correct:
The initiative promotes:- Startup acceleration
- University collaboration
- Joint research
- Business matching
- Talent mobility
between innovation ecosystems of both countries.
- Statement 3 is correct:
Cooperation sectors include:- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Semiconductors
- Healthcare
- Quantum computing
- Agritech
- Fintech
- Supply-chain technologies.
- Statement 4 is incorrect:
INNOVIT India is a bilateral India–Italy initiative and not a framework established under the India–EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations. - Strategic Importance:
The initiative reflects:- India’s technology diplomacy
- Europe’s diversification strategy
- Growing cooperation in emerging technologies and innovation ecosystems.
Q5. Consider the following statements:
- Participation of Maldives, Sri Lanka and Seychelles strengthens India’s maritime partnerships near critical Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs).
- PRAGATI 2026 completely excludes Southeast Asian countries from participation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct:
Participation of strategically located Indian Ocean countries such as:- Maldives
- Sri Lanka
- Seychelles
strengthens India’s maritime partnerships near critical:
- Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs)
- Energy routes
- Strategic chokepoints
in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Statement 2 is incorrect:
PRAGATI 2026 includes several Southeast Asian countries such as:- Vietnam
- Philippines
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Cambodia
- Laos
reflecting India’s widening Indo-Pacific and Act East strategic outreach.
- Strategic Context:
Exercise PRAGATI supports:- SAGAR doctrine
- Act East Policy
- Indo-Pacific maritime cooperation
- Counter-terrorism coordination.
