Answer (B)
Statement 1 is correct: INSV Kaundinya is an indigenously built traditional stitched vessel.
Statement 2 is incorrect: It uses traditional stitched shipbuilding techniques and
natural materials, not modern composites.
Statement 3 is correct: The voyage retraces ancient maritime routes linking India and
Oman.

With reference to Taiwan and regional security, consider the following statements:
1. Taiwan lies to the east of the Taiwan Strait and faces the Pacific Ocean.
2. The majority of international recognition of Taiwan is limited due to the One China Policy.
3. The Strait of Taiwan connects the East China Sea to the South China Sea.

Answer: (D)
• Taiwan lies east of the Taiwan Strait and borders the Pacific Ocean. Therefore,
statement 1 is correct.
• Due to the One China Policy, only a few countries officially recognise Taiwan; most
maintain informal relations. Therefore, statement 2 is correct.
• The Taiwan Strait connects the East China Sea to the South China Sea; it lies
between mainland China and Taiwan. Therefore, statement 3 is correct.

With reference to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), consider the
following statements:
1. SAARC was established in 1985 with the objective of promoting the welfare of the
peoples of South Asia.
2. The SAARC Secretariat is located in Kathmandu and the organization functions on the
principle of sovereign equality of its member states.
3. SAARC takes decisions by majority voting to ensure effective regional cooperation.

Answer: (A)
Statement 1 is Correct: SAARC was established in 1985. According to the SAARC Charter
(Preamble and Article I), the primary objective of SAARC is to promote the welfare of the
peoples of South Asia and to improve their quality of life.
Statement 2 is Correct: The SAARC Secretariat is located in Kathmandu, Nepal, as
officially stated on the SAARC Secretariat’s mandate under the Charter. Further, Article II
of the SAARC Charter clearly mentions that cooperation shall be based on the principles of
sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, and non-interference in
internal affairs of member states.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: As per Article X of the SAARC Charter, “Decisions at all levels
shall be taken on the basis of unanimity.” SAARC does not follow majority voting. This
provision is one of the key institutional reasons for its limited effectiveness.

2) Consider the following statements regarding the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment
Mechanism (CBAM):
1. CBAM is designed to put a price on carbon emissions for imported carbon-intensive
goods and prevent “carbon leakage.”
2. CBAM will be fully implemented from 1st January 2026, after a transitional phase from
2023 to 2025.
3. CBAM applies only to goods produced within the EU.
4. CBAM certificates must be purchased by importers to cover emissions associated with
their goods.

Answer: (B)
Statement 1 is correct: CBAM is intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, encourage
cleaner production globally, and prevent “carbon leakage,” which occurs when companies shift
production to countries with lax climate regulations.
Statement 2 is correct: CBAM will have a transitional phase from 2023–2025 and will be fully
operational from 1st January 2026.
Statement 3 is incorrect: CBAM applies to imports into the EU, not goods produced within
the EU. It targets carbon-intensive goods such as steel, cement, fertilizers, aluminium, and
hydrogen imported from non-EU countries.
Statement 4 is correct: Importers are required to buy CBAM certificates to account for the
carbon emissions associated with their imported goods.

With reference to India’s position in the global economy, consider the following statements:
1. India has overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy in nominal
GDP terms.
2. The United States is currently the world’s second-largest economy.

Answer: (A)
Statement 1 is correct:
India’s nominal GDP is about $4.18 trillion, which is higher than Japan’s GDP. With this, India
has become the fourth-largest economy in the world, behind the United States, China, and
Germany. This ranking is based on nominal GDP, which is the standard metric used for global
economic comparisons in UPSC prelims.
Statement 2 is incorrect:
As per global GDP rankings (nominal terms):
United States – largest
China – second-largest
Germany – third-largest
India – fourth-largest

With Regarding the WAVES Bazaar initiative launched in 2025, which of the following
statements is/are correct?
1. It serves as a "craft-to-commerce" global e-marketplace specifically for the promotion of
Indian creative products and services.
2. The initiative facilitated the launch of the India–Korea AVGC Collaboration Framework.
3. It generated over Rs. 4,334 crores in potential business and investment discussions
during its 2025 outreach programme.

Answer: (D)
Statement 1 is Correct: WAVES Bazaar is the Global e-Marketplace for sectors including

Films, Game Developers, Animation, VFX, and Music. It is designed as a “craft-to-
commerce” initiative that connects Indian creators and institutions with global and domestic

markets through curated festival participation, B2B meetings, and collaborations.
Statement 2 is Correct: The extensive outreach programme undertaken between August and
November 2025 led to several strategic international outcomes. These engagements resulted in
the launch of the India–Korea AVGC Collaboration Framework, the Indo-Japan Creative
Corridor, and the Indo-Australia Creative Collaboration.
Statement 3 is Correct: The outreach programme covering 12 major international events
across four continents and 4 key domestic industry events resulted in measurable impact. It
generated approximately Rs. 4,334 crores in potential business and investment discussions
and facilitated over 9,000 structured B2B meetings.

Consider the following statements regarding Lodhi Garden in New Delhi:
1. It houses the tombs of rulers from both the Sayyid and Lodi dynasties.
2. The architectural style of the tombs prominently features the use of double domes.

3. The garden was designed by American architect Joseph Allen Stein in the post-
independence era.

Answer: (D)
Statement 1 is correct: The garden contains the tombs of Muhammad Shah (Sayyid dynasty)
and Sikandar Lodi (Lodi dynasty).
Statement 2 is correct: The Lodi dynasty introduced the double dome technique in their
architecture, a prominent example of which is the Tomb of Sikandar Lodi.
Statement 3 is correct: After independence, the landscape of the garden was shaped by the
American architect Joseph Allen Stein.

With reference to the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project, consider the
following statements:
1. The first mountain tunnel breakthrough was achieved in Gujarat.
2. MT-5 is the longest mountain tunnel planned in Maharashtra under the project.
3. The tunnel was excavated using a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM).