Q1. With reference to Cyprus, consider the following statements:
- Cyprus is a member of the European Union.
- Cyprus is located in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
- Cyprus shares land borders with Syria and Lebanon.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Q1. Answer: (A)
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: Cyprus became a member of the European Union in 2004.
- Its EU membership gives it strategic significance as India’s gateway to European markets, financial systems, and regulatory networks.
- Statement 2 is correct: Cyprus is situated in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, strategically located near:
- Turkey
- Syria
- Lebanon
- Suez-linked maritime routes.
- Statement 3 is incorrect: Cyprus is an island nation and therefore does not share land borders with any country.
Q2. Which of the following are expected benefits of the AYUSHEXCIL–Spices Board partnership?
- Strengthening traceability systems
- Enhancing scientific validation of products
- Promoting functional foods and nutraceuticals
- Expanding global branding and export outreach
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2, 3 and 4 only
C. 1, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q2. Answer: (D)
Explanation:
The partnership between AYUSHEXCIL and Spices Board of India seeks to strengthen India’s global wellness ecosystem through:
- Traceability systems
- Ensures product authenticity and export reliability.
- Important for international regulatory compliance.
- Scientific validation
- Addresses concerns regarding:
- safety,
- efficacy,
- standardisation of Ayush and herbal products.
- Addresses concerns regarding:
- Functional foods and nutraceuticals
- Reflects convergence between:
- traditional medicine,
- preventive healthcare,
- food-processing industries.
- Reflects convergence between:
- Global branding and export outreach
- Includes:
- international trade fairs,
- export campaigns,
- wellness diplomacy initiatives.
- Includes:
Q3. Under the BHAVYA Scheme, industrial park selection will primarily occur through:
A. First-come-first-served allocation
B. Parliamentary nomination
C. Challenge-based competitive selection
D. Direct allocation by NITI Aayog
Q3. Answer: (C)
Explanation:
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade introduced a challenge-based competitive framework under the BHAVYA Scheme to ensure objective and performance-oriented selection of industrial parks.
Evaluation Parameters include:
- Multimodal connectivity
- Sustainability readiness
- Digital governance capacity
- Industrial ecosystem potential
- Infrastructure quality
- Site suitability
Why this model matters:
- Encourages competitive federalism among States.
- Promotes globally benchmarked industrial ecosystems.
- Reduces arbitrary allocation and improves transparency.
Additional Features:
Selected industrial parks may include:
- Plug-and-play infrastructure
- Underground utility systems
- Renewable-energy infrastructure
- Worker housing
- Skill-development centres
Q4. The idea of the QUAD initially emerged in the aftermath of:
A. Asian Financial Crisis
B. 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami
C. Global Financial Crisis of 2008
D. South China Sea arbitration ruling
Q4. Answer: (B)
Explanation:
The origins of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue can be traced to humanitarian coordination among:
- India,
- United States,
- Japan,
- Australia
during relief operations following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
Evolution of QUAD:
- Initially focused on:
- humanitarian assistance,
- disaster relief,
- maritime cooperation.
- Later expanded into:
- Indo-Pacific security,
- critical technologies,
- resilient supply chains,
- cyber security,
- maritime domain awareness.
Important Clarification:
- QUAD is:
- an informal strategic grouping,
- not a military alliance like NATO.
Q5. Which of the following are classified as major Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) by the World Health Organization?
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Diabetes mellitus
- Chronic respiratory diseases
- Tuberculosis
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
Q5. Answer: (B)
Explanation:
Major NCDs identified by the World Health Organization include:
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Diabetes
- Chronic respiratory diseases
- Cancers
Why Tuberculosis is incorrect ?
Tuberculosis is a:
- communicable disease,
- caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis,
- spread through airborne transmission.
Importance of NCDs:
NCDs are increasingly linked with:
- urbanisation,
- sedentary lifestyles,
- unhealthy diets,
- tobacco and alcohol consumption.
Economic & Governance Dimensions:
NCDs impose:
- high healthcare expenditure,
- productivity losses,
- long-term pressure on public-health systems.


