Q1.With reference to the Pew Research Center (2025) Global AI Awareness Survey, consider the following statements:
- India recorded the lowest level of public awareness of Artificial Intelligence among all 25 surveyed countries.
- The survey found a positive correlation between AI awareness and GDP per capita.
- Over 50% of Indian respondents reported that they had heard “a lot” about AI.
How many of the above statements are correct?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
Correct Answer: (b) Only two
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct — India recorded the lowest AI awareness (14%) among 25 countries.
- Statement 2: Correct — The survey observed a positive correlation between AI awareness and GDP per capita.
- Statement 3: Incorrect — Only 14% of Indians said they had heard “a lot” about AI, not over 50%.
Q2.With reference to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Agriculture (AoA), consider the following statements regarding domestic support (subsidy) boxes:
- Amber Box subsidies are considered trade-distorting and are subject to reduction commitments.
- Blue Box subsidies are exempt from reduction commitments if they involve production-limiting programs.
- Green Box subsidies include income support that is fully decoupled from production levels.
How many of the above statements are correct?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
Correct Answer: (c) All three
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct — Amber Box covers trade-distorting supports (e.g., MSPs, input subsidies).
- Statement 2: Correct — Blue Box allows certain subsidies if production is limited (e.g., set-aside schemes).
- Statement 3: Correct — Green Box includes non–trade-distorting supports like R&D, environment, and decoupled income support.
Q3.Consider the following statements regarding the formation of tropical cyclones:
- The Coriolis force is negligible within 5° latitude of the Equator, which is why tropical cyclones do not form there.
- A vertical wind shear that is high enhances the vertical convection and intensifies cyclones.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct — Cyclones need Coriolis force to initiate rotation, absent near the Equator (within 5°).
- Statement 2: Incorrect — High vertical wind shear disrupts convection and weakens cyclone formation.
Q4.Consider the following statements regarding State Debt and Fiscal Sustainability in India:
- A positive Domar gap indicates that a State’s GSDP growth rate exceeds its interest rate, implying solvency improvement.
- The average Domar gap for Indian States during 2021–25 was negative, suggesting unsustainable borrowing trends.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct — Positive Domar gap signifies debt sustainability.
- Statement 2: Incorrect — The average Domar gap was positive (~+8 percentage points), not negative.
Q5. Consider the following statements:
- The eastern coast is more indented than the western coast.
- The western coast is formed by submergence, while the eastern by emergence.
- The eastern coast has more deltas than the western coast.
Which of the above statements are correct?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation: Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Western coast = submergent (Konkan, Malabar); eastern = emergent (Coringa, Mahanadi deltas). Eastern coast less indented.
