5. Consider the following statements.
1. Proteins are made up of amino acids, which are linked together in long chains.
2. Some amino acids are termed essential because the human body cannot produce them.
3. Plant proteins are known as complete proteins, meaning they contain all nine essential amino acids.
4. The human body can store proteins like fat or carbohydrates.

Answer: A
Soln:
Proteins
● Proteins are large, complex molecules that are essential to the structure, function, and
regulation of the body’s cells, tissues, and organs. They are often called the "building
blocks of life."
● Proteins are made up of amino acids, which are linked together in long chains. Hence,
statement 1 is correct.
○ There are 20 different amino acids, and the specific sequence of these determines
a protein’s structure and function.
○ Some amino acids are essential (nine of twenty), meaning the body cannot
produce them and must obtain them from food. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

● Animal proteins (sourced from eggs, meat, poultry, fish, milk, cheese, yogurt) are known as
complete proteins, meaning they contain all nine essential amino acids. Hence,
statement 3 is incorrect.
● While some plant proteins (sourced from lentils, beans, chickpeas, tofu, soy, quinoa, nuts,
seeds, and whole grains) are incomplete but can be combined to form a complete profile.
Did you know?
● The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8 grams of protein per
kilogram of body weight.
● Our body cannot store proteins the way it stores carbohydrates or fat — so we need a
regular intake. Hence, statement 4 is incorrect.
● Protein is crucial for growth and development, muscle maintenance, tissue repair and
immune function.
● Lack of protein can lead to muscle loss, fatigue, poor immunity, and in extreme cases, it
can result in protein deficiency diseases like Kwashirokar and Marasmus.
Protein Deficiency in India
● India faces widespread protein deficiency, especially among children and women.
Traditional diets often lack adequate and quality protein sources.
● Traditional protein sources (like meat and dairy) consume large amounts of land, water, and energy.
● Traditional livestock and agriculture contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.
● As the population grows, the demand for protein-rich food increases, however
traditional food systems are unsustainable at scale.
● Animal-based food systems also increase risks of zoonoses (diseases jumping from animals to humans).

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1. Consider the following statements about the Akash missile system.
1. It is a medium range air defence system.
2. It includes a platform of surface to air missiles (SAM).
3. It can be deployed even at altitudes higher than 3000 metres from the sea level.

Answer: C
Soln:
● The Akash air defence system is a medium-range, surface-to-air missile platform
designed to protect mobile, semi-mobile and static military installations from a range of
aerial threats. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct.
● It can be deployed at heights up to 4,500 metres and can take down targets at a
distance of around 25-30 k.m. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
● Akash Prime is an upgraded version of the Akash system, equipped with an indigenous
active Radio Frequency (RF) seeker for enhanced precision irrespective of weather and
terrain.
● The Indian Army has carried out successful trials of the indigenously developed Air Defence
System “Akash Prime” in Ladakh, in July 2025.

2. Consider the following statements about Carbon Farming.
1. It is a set of agricultural methods that aim to store carbon in the soil, crop roots, wood and leaves.
2. The overall goal of carbon farming is to reduce carbon emissions.
3. Zero tillage, crop rotation, composting are techniques to practice carbon farming.

Answer: C
Soln:
● Carbon farming is a set of agricultural methods that aim to store carbon in the soil,
crop roots, wood and leaves. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● The overall goal of carbon farming is to reduce carbon emissions from the atmosphere by
increasing the rate at which carbon is sequestered into soil and plant material. Hence,
statement 2 is correct.
○ Carbon sequestration refers to the long-term storage of carbon in plants, soils, etc.

Methods of Carbon Farming:
● Agroforestry practices, such as silvopasture, helps in sequestering carbon in trees and
shrubs.
● Conservation agriculture techniques such as zero tillage, crop rotation, composting,
can help minimise soil disturbance and enhance organic content. Hence, statement 3 is
correct.

● Integrated Nutrient Management practices promote soil fertility and reduce emissions by
using organic fertilisers and composting.
● Livestock management strategies including rotational grazing, optimising feed quality,
and managing animal waste can reduce methane emissions and increase the amount of carbon stored away in pasture lands.

3. Consider the following statements about the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces.
1. The United Nations Peacekeeping Forces are employed by the UN to maintain or re- establish peace in an area of armed conflict.
2. The UN Peacekeeping Forces may only be employed when both parties to a conflict accept their presence.

Answer: D
Soln:
UN Peacekeeping Forces:
● The United Nations Peacekeeping Forces are employed by the UN to maintain or re-
establish peace in an area of armed conflict. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● The UN may engage in conflicts between states as well as in struggles within states. The UN
acts as an impartial third party in order to prepare the ground for a settlement of the
issues that have provoked armed conflict.
● The three basic principles that guide U.N.’s Peacekeeping missions are:
○ Consent of the parties
○ Impartiality
○ Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate.
● The UN Peacekeeping Forces may only be employed when both parties to a conflict
accept their presence. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● The Peacekeeping Forces are subordinate to the leadership of the United Nations. They are
normally deployed as a consequence of a UN Security Council decision. However, on
occasion, the initiative has been taken by the General Assembly. Operational control belongs
to the Secretary-General and his secretariat.
● The first UN peacekeeping mission was a team of observers deployed to the Middle East in
1948, during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War.
● The Indian Army commemorated the 76th International Day of UN Peacekeepers.
● India has a rich legacy of contribution to UN Peacekeepers operations and is one of the
largest contributors of troops.
● India has contributed services of approximately 2,87,000 troops to peacekeeping missions.
● The Indian Army has established a Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in New Delhi to impart niche training in peacekeeping operations. This Centre trains more than
12,000 troops every year.

5. Consider the following statements about the EPIC number.
1. It is a 10-digit voter ID card number issued by the Election Commission of India to each voter.
2. It was introduced under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

Answer: C
Soln:
EPIC number:
● The Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number is a 10-digit voter ID card number
issued by the Election Commission of India to each voter. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● The number is a unique alphanumeric code assigned to each registered elector to prevent impersonation.
● It was introduced in 1993 under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, to enhance electoral transparency. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● It is assigned via the Election Commission’s ERONET digital platform when a new voter registers, after which it is linked to State and constituency data to ensure regional
uniqueness.

1. Consider the following statements about the Sahyog portal.
1. It was launched to facilitate the removal of any information, data or communication link in
cyberspace which is used for unlawful activities.
2. The portal is maintained by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN).
3. It has the power to directly take down contents from digital platforms like social media
sites.

Answer: A
Soln:
● The Sahyog portal was launched in 2024 by the Union Home Ministry to expedite orders to
block objectionable content.
● It is maintained by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). Hence, statement
2 is incorrect.
● Sahyog portal has been launched to expedite the process of sending notices to IT
intermediaries by the appropriate government or its agency under Clause (b) of Sub-
section (3) of Section 79 of the IT Act, 2000 to facilitate the removal or disabling of
access to any information, data or communication link being used to commit an unlawful
act. Sahyog cannot directly take down information but it can ask the data intermediaries like websites, social media sites to take down information. Hence, statement 1 is correct and statement 3 is incorrect.

2. Consider the following statements.
1. Sexual dimorphism refers to the presence of male and female reproductive parts in a single
organism.
2. An electroencephalography (EEG) is a test that measures electrical activity in the heart to detect any abnormality.