Answer: (A)
Assertion (A) is correct
Under the Agnipath Scheme, Agniveers serve for four years and are not eligible for pension
or gratuity benefits. Instead, they receive a Seva Nidhi package as a one-time, tax-free amount
upon exit.
Reason (R) is correct
One of the explicit objectives of the Agnipath Scheme is to reduce the recurring expenditure
on defence salaries and pensions, thereby freeing resources for military modernisation.
The absence of pensionary benefits for Agniveers directly flows from the scheme’s objective of
minimising long-term fiscal liabilities. Hence, the Reason correctly explains the Assertion.

The Lokpal can order prosecution of a public servant only after:
(a) Obtaining prior approval of the Central Vigilance Commission
(b) Completion of preliminary inquiry and investigation
(c) Approval of the President of India
(d) Recommendation of the Supreme Court

Answer: (B)
According to the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, the Lokpal can order prosecution of a public
servant only after following a prescribed statutory process. Under Section 20 of the Act, the
Lokpal must first conduct a preliminary inquiry through its Inquiry Wing to ascertain whether
a prima facie (It refers to evidence that is sufficient at first glance) case of corruption exists. If
such a case is made out, the Lokpal then orders a full investigation by its Investigation Wing
or any other authorized agency. Only after the investigation is completed, and sufficient
evidence is found, can the Lokpal grant sanction for prosecution and direct filing of the charge
sheet before a Special Court. This procedure ensures due process and protects against arbitrary
prosecution.

With reference to the Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps), consider the following
statements:
1. The Great Indian Bustard has a low reproductive rate, usually laying only one egg at a
time, which hampers population recovery.
2. The species is included under Appendix I of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).
3. Captive breeding of the Great Indian Bustard is being undertaken using artificial
incubation techniques.

Answer: (D)
Statement 1 is Correct: The Great Indian Bustard has an extremely low reproductive rate, with
the female usually laying only one egg per breeding season. This biological trait significantly
limits natural population recovery and makes the species highly vulnerable to mortality.
Statement 2 is Correct: The Great Indian Bustard is not included in Appendix I of the
Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). It is a non-migratory, endemic grassland bird.
Statement 3 is Correct: Captive breeding programmes for the Great Indian Bustard are
underway, particularly in Rajasthan, where artificial incubation of eggs is being used as part of
ex-situ conservation to prevent extinction.

With reference to ISRO’s launch of the BlueBird communications satellite, consider the following
statements:
I. The BlueBird satellite has been developed by NASA.
II. The satellite will be launched using ISRO’s LVM3-M6 launch vehicle.
III. LVM3 is primarily designed for launching small satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

Answer: (A)
Statement I is incorrect: The BlueBird satellite (specifically BlueBird Block-2 or BlueBird-6)
has been developed by the US-based company, not NASA. It is developed by AST SpaceMobile
(USA), a private company working on space-based cellular broadband.
Statement II is correct: ISRO has confirmed that the BlueBird-6 satellite will be launched using
the LVM3-M6 launch vehicle from Sriharikota.
Statement III is incorrect: The LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3) is primarily designed for
launching heavy communication satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), not small
satellites into LEO. While it can launch satellites into LEO, its main purpose is for heavier
payloads, including communication satellites and future crewed missions. Small satellites are
usually launched using PSLV or SSLV.

With reference to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), consider the
following statements:
1. It functions as the R&D wing of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India and aims
to achieve self-reliance in critical Defence technologies and systems.
2. DRDO is solely responsible for determining the requirements of weapon systems and
equipment for the three Services.
3. Strategic systems such as the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher and the Akash air
Defence system were developed indigenously by DRDO.

Answer: (A)
Statement 1 is correct: DRDO is the R&D wing of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
One of the primary missions mentioned is to achieve self-reliance in critical Defence technologies
and systems to empower India.

Statement 2 is incorrect: According to the text, DRDO equips the armed forces with state-of-
the-art weapon systems and equipment "in accordance with requirements laid down by the three

Services." This implies the requirements are determined by the Services (Army, Navy, Air Force)
rather than DRDO alone.
Statement 3 is correct: The Agni and Prithvi series of missiles, Tejas light combat aircraft,
Pinaka rocket launcher, and Akash air Defence system as examples of DRDO’s successful
indigenous development and production of strategic systems.

With reference to the Aravalli Range, consider the following statements:
1. The Aravalli Range acts as an important ecological barrier preventing the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert.
2. It plays a significant role in groundwater recharge and supports aquifers in north-western India.
3. The Aravalli Range is one of the youngest fold mountain systems in the Indian subcontinent.
4. Degradation of the Aravallis has implications for air quality and urban heat island effects in adjoining regions.

Answer: (A)
Statement 1 is correct The Aravalli hills serve as a natural barrier that inhibits the eastward
movement of sand and dust from the Thar Desert. This barrier effect helps reduce
desertification and protects the adjoining plains, including parts of Rajasthan, Haryana and the
National Capital Region (NCR).
Statement 2 is Correct. The Aravalli Range functions as a groundwater recharge zone where
rainwater percolates through the fractured rocks and replenishes aquifers. This process
supports the water table in surrounding regions, which are otherwise water-stressed.
Statement 3 is Incorrect. Contrary to this claim, the Aravalli Range is one of the oldest fold
mountain systems in the world, with a geological history spanning over a billion years. Its
age makes it ecologically and geologically distinct from younger ranges like the Himalayas.
Statement 4 is Correct. Degradation of the hills (e.g., through mining, deforestation) reduces
vegetation cover and natural landscape buffers. As a result:
• Air quality can worsen (less filtration of dust and pollutants).
• Local temperatures can rise due to reduced shading and green cover.
• These changes can contribute to urban heat island effects in adjoining areas such as
NCR.

With reference to the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) and the
concept of judicial review, consider the following statements:
1. The NCDRC is a statutory quasi-judicial body established under the Consumer
Protection Act, 1986.
2. Orders of the NCDRC are appealable directly to the Supreme Court of India, and such
an appeal must be preferred within 30 days from the date of the order.
3. The NCDRC, being a quasi-judicial authority, can exercise judicial review over
legislative actions of Parliament if consumer rights are affected.
4. The powers of judicial review in India are constitutionally vested only in constitutional
courts and not in statutory tribunals.

Answer: (B)
Statement 1 is Correct: The NCDRC was established in 1988 under the Consumer
Protection Act, 1986. It has original jurisdiction in consumer complaints where the value
exceeds ₹2 crore (as per the 1986 Act framework).
Statement 2 is Correct: Under Section 23 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, any
person aggrieved by an order of the NCDRC may file an appeal directly to the Supreme Court
within 30 days. This is a statutory appeal, not discretionary like Special Leave Petition (SLP).
Statement 3 is Incorrect: Judicial review of legislative actions is a constitutional power,
exercised only by constitutional courts. The NCDRC, being a statutory quasi-judicial body,
cannot review or invalidate parliamentary legislation, even if consumer rights are involved.
Statement 4 is Correct: In India, judicial review is vested in: High Courts under Articles
226 & 227 and Supreme Court under Articles 32 & 136. Statutory tribunals like the NCDRC
can adjudicate disputes but cannot exercise judicial review in the constitutional sense.

With reference to the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act,
2025, consider the following statements:
1. The Act provides a statutory guarantee of not less than 125 days of wage employment per rural household in a financial year.
2. Wage employment under the Act is limited to unskilled manual work voluntarily undertaken by adult members of rural households.
3. States are empowered to permanently reduce the annual employment guarantee during peak agricultural seasons.
4. Wages must be paid weekly or, in any case, within fifteen days of completion of work.

Answer: (A)
Statement 1 is Correct: The Act provides a statutory guarantee of not less than 125 days
of wage employment per rural household per financial year. This is an explicit
enhancement over the 100-day guarantee under MGNREGA, 2005, and is clearly stated in
Section 5(1) of the Act.
Statement 2 is Correct: Employment under the Act is available to adult members of rural
households who voluntarily undertake unskilled manual work. This retains the core design
of the earlier MGNREGA framework and is reaffirmed in the new Act.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: States are not empowered to permanently reduce the annual
employment guarantee. The Act only allows States to notify an aggregated pause period of up
to 60 days in a financial year (Section 6) to manage agricultural peak seasons. Importantly,
the full 125-day guarantee remains intact and must be provided during the remaining
period.
Statement 4 is Correct: The Act mandates that wages must be paid on a weekly basis or, in
any case, within fifteen days of completion of work. If wages are delayed beyond this
period, delay compensation is payable, reinforcing wage security (Section 5(3) and Schedule
II).