✅ Correct Answer: 2
🧠 Explanation: The Orange Economy refers to industries based on culture, creativity, design, and IP like art, film, and software. Others relate to environment (green), marine (blue), or recycling (circular).

🟩 Answer: 2
📝 Explanation:

• ✅ Statement 1 is correct – NASA contributes the L-band radar, ISRO contributes the S-band radar.

• ❌ Statement 2 is incorrect – NISAR will be launched by ISRO’s GSLV Mk II, not by NASA or SpaceX.

• ✅ Statement 3 is correct – NISAR has a 12-day repeat cycle to scan the entire Earth’s surface.

Answer: B. Mangalyaan
 Launched in 2013, India’s first mission to Mars.

Answer: 1) 1, 2 and 3 only
 Ramsar is not legally binding, though widely followed.

➡️ Correct Answer: 1

Explanation:
MPC has 6 members; RBI Governor is Chair. Decisions are by majority, not consensus.

Explanation:

• Article 67(b): Vice-President can be removed by a resolution of the Rajya Sabha passed by a majority and agreed to by the Lok Sabha.

• This is not impeachment like the President’s removal (Article 61).

➡️ Correct Answer: 2

Explanation:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) publishes the World Economic Outlook (WEO) report, providing analysis of global economic trends and forecasts. It is a key source for UPSC current affairs.

✅ Correct Answer: d) Bhagat Singh

💡 Explanation:
The HSRA was founded in 1928 by Bhagat Singh, along with Chandra Shekhar Azad and others, to fight British rule using revolutionary methods. Their goal was to establish a socialist India.

✅ Correct Answer: 2. Increase in revenue expenditure

Explanation:

• 1. Disinvestment in PSUs → ✔ Yes, reduces fiscal burden by selling government stake.

• 2. Increase in revenue expenditure → ❌ No, this increases the fiscal deficit and contradicts fiscal consolidation.

• 3. Monetization of assets → ✔ A method to generate non-tax revenue.

• 4. Rationalization of subsidies → ✔ Helps reduce unnecessary spending.

✅ Correct Answer: D. All 3

📘 Explanation:

• India’s 2025 bill is modeled on EU-style regulations.

• ✅ It mandates registration of high-risk AI systems.

• ✅ Ministries must form AI Ethics Committees.

• ✅ Biometric surveillance by private firms is prohibited, unless regulated.

Correct Answer: 3
Judicial Review: Articles 13, 32, and 226 provide for judicial review. Article 368 relates to amendments.

Answer: B. Sir Thomas Munro
 Ryotwari was implemented in Madras and Bombay Presidencies.

Answer: A
 Explanation: Fundamental Rights are covered from Article 12 to 35.

➡️ Correct Answer: 2

Explanation:
Open Market Operations (OMO) refer to RBI buying/selling government securities to regulate money supply and liquidity.

Correct Answer: 3
Global Gateway is a European Union initiative for global infrastructure.

🟩 Answer: 3

Answer: B
 Explanation: It is in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

➡️ Correct Answer: 2

Explanation:
According to 2024 data from the Ministry of Commerce, the United States has continued to be India’s largest trading partner, overtaking China in recent years, due to increasing exports and strategic trade ties.

✅ Correct Answer: 2. National Green Tribunal Act, 2010

📘 Explanation:
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was created in 2010 via a separate Act passed by Parliament — the NGT Act, 2010.
It’s a special environmental court for speedy disposal of cases related to environmental protection and conservation.

Correct Answer: 1

Explanation:
Core inflation = Headline inflation – volatile components (food & fuel). It shows underlying trends.

✅ Answer: 2
Explanation: The 86th Amendment (2002) introduced Article 21A, Right to Education.

Correct Answer: 1

Explanation:
To control inflation, RBI may increase CRR, reducing money supply. Decreasing fiscal deficit is also deflationary. But purchasing securities increases liquidity — not an inflation-control measure.

Answer: B
 Explanation: The Attorney General holds office during the pleasure of the President; there is no fixed tenure.

Answer: 1) 1, 2 and 3 only
 SCO has a permanent secretariat in Beijing.

Answer: A
 Explanation: Sarojini Naidu was the first woman Governor of Uttar Pradesh.

➡️ Correct Answer: 4

Explanation:
All three are classified as revenue expenditure because they do not create any physical asset.

Answer: C. 1, 2 and 3
👉 All three correctly matched.

Answer: A
 Explanation: Sweden joined NATO in 2024.

Answer: 2. Pollution-free beaches
 Explanation:
Blue Flag is an international eco-label awarded to clean and environment-friendly beaches that meet 33 criteria.

Answer: 3) The Quit India Movement was launched after the failure of the Cripps Mission.

Correct Answer: 2

Explanation:
Fiscal drag happens when inflation increases people’s nominal income, pushing them into higher tax brackets, even if their real income hasn’t changed. As a result, tax revenues rise without a corresponding increase in purchasing power, reducing aggregate demand.

Answer: C. Multi-modal infrastructure
👉 Gati Shakti = Unified master plan for infra connectivity.

In India, parametric insurance is mainly used in agriculture to provide quick payouts during weather-related crop losses, helping reduce the government’s subsidy burden under traditional crop insurance schemes.

➡️ Correct Answer: 3

Explanation:
Higher repo rate → costly borrowing → reduced money supply → helps control inflation.

Answer: 4) Basic Structure Doctrine
 Propounded in Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973); not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution.

✅ Correct Answer: A. To provide an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative

📘 Explanation:

• IMEC is an India-US-EU-backed corridor announced at the G20 Summit (2023).

• Connects India → Middle East → Europe via ports, rail, energy grids.

• Aims to counter China’s Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) in influence and connectivity.

 Explanation:

The Ramsar Convention provides specific ecological criteria for identifying wetlands of international importance. These criteria focus on biodiversity, ecology, and waterbird populations.

 True Ramsar Criteria:

• Supports endangered or vulnerable species

• Supports species at critical stages of life cycle (like breeding or migration)

• Regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds

❌ NOT a criterion:

• Traditional human settlements — while important socially or culturally, this is not an ecological criterion under Ramsar listing.

Answer: A. Gene Editing
👉 CRISPR is a precise DNA editing tool.

Answer: B
 Explanation: INC boycotted it as the Civil Disobedience Movement was ongoing.

➡️ Correct Answer: 4

Explanation:
M3 includes: Currency with the public + Demand deposits + Time deposits. It is the broadest measure of money supply used by RBI.

✅ Correct Answer: C. They boost India’s EV and battery storage goals

📘 Explanation:

• In 2024, lithium reserves (~5.9 million tonnes) were found in Reasi, J&K.

• This is India’s first large-scale lithium discovery.

• It supports India’s EV ecosystem, battery storage, and Atmanirbhar Bharat in clean energy.

Saudi Arabia joined BRICS in 2024, expanding the group’s influence in global energy markets.

Answer: C. Forward Contracts with IMF
 Forex reserves = FCA + Gold + SDR + IMF Reserve Position.

✅ Correct Answer: D. It is constituted under a separate Act of Parliament

📘 Explanation:

• The Delimitation Commission is a temporary, statutory body, not a permanent constitutional body.

• It is established under the Delimitation Commission Act, not the Constitution.

• Orders are final and cannot be challenged in court.

• It is headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, not the CEC.

➡️ Correct Answer: 2

Explanation:
FAME II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) is a central scheme aimed at promoting EV adoption and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

🟩 Answer: D
📝 Explanation:

• NASA: L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) system

• ISRO: S-band radar, spacecraft bus, and launch via GSLV Mk II

Answer: B. Ensuring intergenerational equity
👉 FRBM’s main goal is fiscal discipline & intergenerational equity.

The NDMA is the main agency in India that plans and coordinates efforts to reduce risks from GLOF events, including early warning systems, risk mapping, and disaster preparedness in vulnerable regions like the Himalayas.

Transfer payments are excluded since they don’t involve production of goods/services.

✅ Correct Answer: c) Manas

💡 Explanation:
Manas National Park, located in Assam, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Project Tiger reserve, and also a Biosphere Reserve. It has rare species like the Golden Langur and Pygmy Hog.

Correct Answer: ✅ D. 1, 3, and 4 only

📘 Explanation:

• In the 2025 BRICS Summit, Indonesia, Argentina, and Egypt were added as new members.

• ❌ Nigeria is not yet a formal member; discussions are ongoing.

• The expansion aims to counterbalance G7 influence and give more voice to the Global South.

✅ Explanation:

• A Point of Order can be raised when a Member believes the rules are being violated.

• It must be based on Rules of Procedure or Constitutional provisions (not for general political issues).

• It may relate to breach of parliamentary privileges or deviation from procedure.

🟩 Answer: 3
📝 Explanation: The Doha Declaration clarified that the TRIPS agreement should not prevent members from protecting public health and promoting access to medicines for all.

Answer: C
 Explanation: Supreme Court Judges are removed by a process of impeachment under Article 124(4).

Answer: 4. Mexico
 Explanation:
Equator passes through 13 countries, including Ecuador, Kenya, and Indonesia — but not Mexico, which is in the Northern Hemisphere.

Answer: C. Chandragupta Maurya
 With the help of Chanakya, he founded Mauryan Empire in 321 BCE.

Answer: 2. Golden Rice
 Explanation:
Golden Rice is genetically modified to contain beta-carotene (Vitamin A) and is a biofortified crop promoted to fight malnutrition.

Answer: C
 Explanation: Solar energy is renewable and sustainable.

1. ➡️ Correct Answer: 2

Explanation:
ECBs are usually denominated in foreign currency (not rupees). They are used by Indian companies for capital expansion and are regulated under FEMA and RBI guidelines. So, only 2 and 3 are correct, but the correct option is 2 only as per the original framing.

Explanation:

• Concurrent List & Free Trade: From Australia

• Procedure for amendments: Mostly Indian innovation

• Preamble’s language: Inspired by the US Constitution, not Australian.

Answer: 2) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
(Water vapor is not listed under Kyoto Protocol GHGs.)

Correct Answer:  3. Dismissing a minister without CM’s advice

 Explanation:

• A Governor is bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.

• Dismissing a minister without the CM’s advice is unconstitutional (violates Article 164).

• ✅ Other options like reserving bills (Art. 200), report under Article 356, and even refusing to convene Assembly temporarily may be legally debatable but not strictly unconstitutional.

🟩 Answer: 3
📝 Explanation:
NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is an Earth observation satellite that uses L-band and S-band radar to monitor:

• Forest cover

• Ice sheets & glaciers

• Agricultural land

• Earthquakes & surface deformation

Answer: A. Indian judges trying European criminals
 It created uproar among Europeans in India.

Answer: C. GST
 In recent years, GST has become the single largest revenue source.

The Rowlatt Act (1919) was passed after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. It allowed the British to arrest Indians without trial, leading to widespread protests. Nationalists called it “draconian”, and Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement in response.

Other options:

• Arms Act (1878) – Restricted Indians from owning weapons.

• Ilbert Bill (1883) – Proposed Indian judges could try Europeans (failed).

• Pitt’s India Act (1784) – Strengthened British control over the East India Company.

Answer: B. Decentralization & immutability
👉 Core strength of blockchain.

Answer: B
 Explanation: Thomas Munro introduced it in Madras Presidency.

The Ministry of Textiles is the nodal agency responsible for organizing National Handloom Day celebrations, as it oversees the promotion, development, and welfare of India’s handloom sector and weavers.

✅ Correct Answer: 3. They boost India’s EV and battery storage goals

Explanation:

• 1. Largest in the world → ❌ No. They are significant but not globally top.

• 2. Oil energy independence → ❌ Irrelevant. Lithium isn’t related to oil.

• 3. Boost EV & battery goals → ✔ Lithium is key for batteries in EVs.

• 4. Not commercially viable → ❌ No evidence yet suggests this.

Answer: A. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future
 Highlighted global unity and sustainability.

Answer: 3) RBI’s mechanism to monitor and impose restrictions on weak banks
 Triggered when thresholds of CRAR, NPA, and ROA are breached.

✅ Correct Answer: 3
🧠 Explanation: BFS was launched in May 2025 by MoES and uses a 6-km grid model. There’s no collaboration with the UK Met Office, so III is incorrect.

Introduced by the Government of India Act, 1919 — divided provincial subjects into “reserved” and “transferred” categories.

Explanation:

• 1. Indonesia → ✔ Recently joined BRICS (as announced in 2025 updates).

• 2. Nigeria → ❌ Not a full member yet.

• 3. Iran → ❌ Still in observer/negotiation phase.

• 4. Egypt → ❌ Not officially added in latest expansion.

➡️ Correct Answer: 3

Explanation:
The Transport sector, particularly infrastructure (highways, railways, logistics), received the highest capital expenditure in the 2024–25 Union Budget, aligning with the PM Gati Shakti plan and infra-led growth strategy.

Ans: C – FDI approvals are handled by govt, not RBI.

✅ Correct Answer: A. 1 and 2 only

📘 Explanation:

• ✅ Statement 1: The committee recommended synchronizing LS State elections using constitutional amendments.

• ✅ Statement 2: Proposed unified electoral roll to reduce duplication between EC and State Election Commissions.

• ❌ Statement 3: Recommendations are not binding on the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Correct Answer: 4

Explanation:
All definitions are correct. These are standard macroeconomic concepts often asked in UPSC.

Answer: A
 Explanation: GEF was launched during the 1992 Rio Earth Summi

Answer: B
Explanation: It landed near Moon’s South Pole.

Answer: 3) It is the sum of trade balance, net income, and net transfers
 Part of Balance of Payments (BoP); excludes capital account.

Monsoon withdrawal is a gradual process and does not cause sudden flooding.
Common triggers of GLOF events include avalanches, rockfalls, and earthquakes, which can suddenly disturb glacial lakes and cause them to burst.

The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) has many glaciers and glacial lakes, making it the most vulnerable to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) due to melting ice and unstable natural dams.

 Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: MSP is a type of market price support and is considered under WTO’s “Amber Box” subsidies.

• Statement 2 is incorrect: Domestic policy ≠ exempt from WTO scrutiny. Even domestic support is subject to limits under WTO rules.

•  Statement 3 is correct: WTO’s Aggregate Measurement of Support (AMS) caps support at 10% of total value of production for developing countries.

Answer: B. Single Citizenship
 Single citizenship (like UK) is a unitary feature, unlike USA’s dual citizenship.

Provision for tribunals to settle disputes among Panchayats is not in the 73rd Amendment.

✅ Correct Answer: 3
🧠 Explanation: All three are part of the alternative powertrain category, used to reduce dependence on internal combustion engines and fossil fuels.

Answer: 2. Judiciary interpreting laws independently
📘 Explanation:
Separation of powers in India is maintained by the independent judiciary, which ensures that the executive and legislature stay within their powers.