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.

2) Answer: (C)
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is India’s premier central counter-terrorism law
enforcement agency, entrusted with investigating offences that threaten the sovereignty,
security, and integrity of India.
Its mandate extends to offences involving:
 Acts affecting friendly relations with foreign States
 Crimes targeting atomic and nuclear facilities
 Smuggling of arms, drugs, counterfeit Indian currency, and cross-border infiltration
 Offences under laws enacted to give effect to international treaties, conventions,
agreements, and UN resolutions
The NIA was established under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008.
The agency has the authority to investigate terror-related offences across states without
requiring prior consent from state governments, upon direction of the Ministry of Home
Affairs (MHA).
The NIA was established under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (following the
26/11 Mumbai attacks). This makes it a statutory body. It functions as the central counter-
terrorism law enforcement agency under the administrative control of the Ministry of
Home Affairs (MHA). Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Under the NIA (Amendment) Act, 2019, the agency's jurisdiction was expanded. Section
1(2)(d) of the Act specifically empowers the NIA to investigate scheduled offences
committed by Indian citizens outside India, as well as offences against Indian citizens or
interests on foreign soil. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
Therefore, opti

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1) With reference to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), consider the following statements:
1. The Cabinet Secretary is the head of the Prime Minister’s Office.
2. The Prime Minister’s Office plays a key role in the initiative, PRAGATI platform.

Answer: (B)
The PMO is led politically by the Prime Minister and administratively by the Principal Secretary.
So, the administrative head is the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, not the Cabinet
Secretary. The Cabinet Secretary heads the Cabinet Secretariat. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
The PMO monitors and reviews major governance initiatives, including PRAGATI, which facilitates
interaction between the Prime Minister, Union Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries of States for timely
implementation of projects. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Therefore, option B is the correct answer.