Answer: (A)
Light is affected by gravity.
According to General Relativity, gravity bends the path of light (gravitational lensing) and
affects its frequency (gravitational redshift), even though photons have no rest mass. Hence,
statement 1 is incorrect.
Gravity affects the passage of time. This is known as gravitational time dilation, where time
runs slower in stronger gravitational fields. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
The strength of gravity decreases, not increases, as the distance between two objects increases
(inverse-square law). Hence, statement 3 is incorrect. Therefore, A is the right answe

1) Which one of the following best describes an Offer for Sale ?
(a) When an unlisted company issues new shares or sells its existing shares to the public
for the first time.
(b) When a listed company offers fresh shares or convertible securities, or sells existing
shares, to the public.
(c) It allows company promoters to sell their shares directly to investors, without the
company raising new capital.
(d) A company purchases its own shares from shareholders, reducing its outstanding
shares.

1) Answer: (C)
Offer For Sale (OFS) is a simpler method of sale of shares through the exchange platform for
listed companies. The mechanism was first introduced by SEBI in 2012, to make it easier for
promoters of publicly-traded companies to cut their holdings and comply with the minimum
public shareholding (MPS) norms. The method was largely adopted by listed companies, both
state-run and private, to adhere to the SEBI norms of minimum public shareholding.
Initial Public Offer (IPO): When an unlisted company makes either a fresh issue of shares or
convertible securities or offers its existing shares or convertible securities for sale or both for
the first time to the public, it is called an IPO. This paves way for listing and trading of the
issuer's shares or convertible securities on the Stock Exchanges.
Further Public Offer (FPO): When an already listed company makes either a fresh issue of
shares or convertible securities to the public or an offer for sale to the public, it is called FPO.
Buyback of Shares: Buyback is the repurchase by a company of its shares from the existing
shareholders that reduces the number of its shares in the open market. Companies buy back
their shares for a number of reasons:
i. To increase the value of shares held by promoters.
ii. To eliminate any threats by minority shareholders who may be looking for a controlling
stake.
iii. For CPSEs, buyback is a tool for Govt. of India to disinvest the equity held by GoI in
CPSEs and to make proper utilization of idle cash left with CPSEs

2) Consider the following statements:
1. Gold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) can be redeemed for physical gold by investors at
any time.
2. Chit funds in India fall under the Concurrent list of the Indian Constitution.
3. Equalisation Levy is an indirect tax imposed on non-resident digital service providers
offering specified services in India

Answer: (B)
 Gold ETFs generally cannot be redeemed for physical gold by retail investors at any
time. Redemption in physical form, if permitted, is usually allowed only in large
creation-unit sizes and primarily for institutional investors. Hence, statement 1 is
incorrect.
 Chit funds fall under the Concurrent List (Entry 7, List III – Contracts, including
partnership, agency, contracts of carriage, and other special forms of contracts).
Accordingly, Parliament enacted the Chit Funds Act, 1982, while states administer it
through the Registrar of Chits. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
 The Equalisation Levy is not an indirect tax. It is a special levy imposed on non-
resident digital service providers and is treated as a direct tax, though it is outside the
Income Tax Act framework. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
 Therefore, option B is the correct answe

Consider the following statements:
1. NRIs are permitted to purchase agricultural land and farmhouses in India.
2. NRIs can buy equity shares of Indian companies like Indian citizens, without any
restrictions

Answer: (D)
NRIs are allowed to purchase multiple residential or commercial properties in India without a
numerical restriction, NRIs are not permitted to purchase agricultural land, plantation
property, or farmhouses in India. They can acquire such property only through inheritance or
with specific RBI approval.. Hence, Statement 1 is incorrect.
NRIs can invest in equity shares of Indian companies in accordance with FEMA and SEBI
rules. Although NRIs can invest in equity shares of Indian companies, they cannot do so
without restrictions. Under the Union Budget 2026, the individual investment limit for a
person resident outside India (including NRIs) in listed Indian companies has been increased
from 5 % to 10 % of a company’s paid-up capital, and the aggregate limit for all such investors
has been raised from 10 % to 24 %, allowing them to take larger equity positions than before.
Hence, Statement 2 is incorrec

With reference to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India, consider the
following statements:
1. It is a statutory body constituted under a specific Act of Parliament,
2. The Chairperson of NHRC should be either a former Chief Justice of India or a former
Judge of the Supreme Court.
3. Its recommendations are binding on the government.
4. The National Human Rights Commission can visit prisons to examine inmates’
conditions and suggest corrective measures.

Answer: (C)
The National Human Rights Commission of India (abbreviated as NHRC) is a statutory
bodyunder the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (PHRA).The NHRC is responsible for the
protection and promotion of human rights, which are defined by the act as "rights relating to
life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied
in the International Covenants and enforceable by courts in India".
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is a statutory body established under the
Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 enacted by Parliament. Statement 1 is Correct
As per the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2019, the Chairperson of NHRC
can be:
 Chairperson – Former Chief Justice of India or former Supreme Court Judge.
 One member who is or has been a Supreme Court Judge.
 One member who is or has been a Chief Justice of a High Court.
 Three members with knowledge or experience in human rights.
 Chairpersons of NCSC, NCST and NCW serve as ex-officio members.
Statement 2 is Correct
NHRC’s powers are recommendatory, not binding. It can recommend relief, compensation, or
action against officials, but the government is not legally bound to accept its
recommendations. Statement 3 is Incorrect
The statement is correct. Under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, NHRC has
statutory power to visit prisons and examine inmates’ conditions. Its recommendations,
however, are advisory, not binding. Statement 4 is Correct

With reference to Taiwan, consider the following statements:
1. Taiwan is officially recognised as a sovereign country by the United Nations.
2. Taiwan is located between the East China Sea and the South China Sea, with the
Taiwan Strait separating it from mainland China.
3. Taiwan accounts for more than half of the global semiconductor foundry market shar

5) Answer : (B)
 Taiwan is not officially recognized as a sovereign country by the United Nations. In
1971, UN Resolution 2758 recognized the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the only
legitimate representative of China to the UN, resulting in the expulsion of the
representatives of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Consequently, Taiwan is not a
member of the UN system. Statement 1 is Incorrect.
 Taiwan is strategically positioned in East Asia. It sits at the junction of the East China
Sea to the north and the South China Sea to the south. The Taiwan Strait, which is
roughly 180 kilometers wide at its narrowest point, separates the island from mainland
China. Statement 2 is correct.
 Taiwan is the global leader in semiconductor manufacturing. It accounts for over 60%
of the total global semiconductor foundry market share and more than 90% of the
manufacturing capacity for the world's most advanced chips (those below 7
nanometers). This dominance is largely driven by the Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing Company (TSMC). Statement 3 is correct.
 A foundry is a company that manufactures (fabricates) semiconductor chips designed
by other companies.
 Hence the answer is option 2 and 3 onl

Consider the following statements regarding the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in India:
1. The CPI is released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
2. The current base year of the Consumer Price Index in India is 2012
3. Food and Beverages has the highest weightage in the CPI basket

Answer: (B)
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, not the Ministry of Commerce and
Industry. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
The present CPI series uses 2012 as the base year, which acts as the benchmark for measuring
price changes and inflation. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
In India’s CPI basket, Food and Beverages carries the highest weight, reflecting its large share
in household consumption expenditure. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Consider the following statements regarding the National Investigation Agency (NIA):
1. The NIA is a statutory body, functioning under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
2. The NIA can investigate scheduled offences committed by Indian citizens outside India.