4) Answer: (B)
●
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a regional intergovernmental political and
economic union established in 1981. It was created to foster coordination and
integration among its member states in the fields of economy, commerce, and
politics. Hence statement 1 is correct.
●
Neither Iraq nor Iran are members of the GCC. The council consists of six specific
Arab monarchies: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Qatar,
Bahrain, and Oman. Iraq is a Gulf Arab nation but has been historically excluded
due to political differences, and Iran is a non-Arab state. Hence statement 2 is
Incorrect.
●
The GCC is India’s largest regional-bloc trading partner, a position it has
maintained through consistent growth. In 2017–18, bilateral trade stood at $104
billion (a 7% increase from the previous year), outperforming India's trade with both
the EU and ASEAN. Hence statement 3 is correct.
●
Therefore, Option B is the correct answer.

1) 2) 3) Daily MCQ: 28.02.2026
Consider the following statements :
1. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is under a severe humanitarian crisis due
to ongoing civil war .
2. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the world's leading producers of
copper.
3. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is bordered by Angola and Rwanda

1) Answer: (D)
●
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is under severe humanitarian crisis due to
ongoing civil war.As of early 2026, the DRC is experiencing its most critical humanitarian
emergency in decades. Conflict involving the M23 rebel group (part of the Alliance Fleuve
Congo) and various other armed factions in the eastern provinces has led to nearly 9 million
internally displaced persons (IDPs). International bodies like the UN and HRW report
widespread violence, food insecurity affecting 26 million people, and the collapse of health
systems. While the government officially labels the rebellion as an "insurrection," it is
globally recognized as a high-intensity civil conflict or "Third Congo War."Hence, Statement
1 is correct.
●
The DRC is a global mining powerhouse. In 2023–2024, it surpassed Peru to become the
world's second-largest producer of copper, trailing only Chile. By 2026, its output
continues to grow significantly (exceeding 3 million tonnes annually), driven by world-class
projects like the Kamoa-Kakula Complex. It is also the world's leading producer of cobalt, a
key byproduct of its copper mining.Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
●
Geographically, the DRC is a massive Central African nation bordered by nine
countries(Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Rwanda,
South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.). Angola shares its longest land border to the
southwest and south (including the Cabinda exclave). Rwanda borders the DRC to the east,
along the volatile North and South Kivu provinces where much of the current conflict is
concentrated.Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
●
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

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1) Daily MCQ: 02.03.2026
With reference to coconut cultivation, consider the following statements:
1. The coconut tree is native to India.
2. The coconut is an equatorial plantation crop that requires high humidity and
well-distributed annual rainfall.
3. The Coconut Development Board (CDB) is a statutory body functioning under the
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

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https://www.dtnext.in/edit/the-liberty-argument-why-divided-power-safeguards-freedom-2

1) Answer: (B)
●
While the coconut has been grown in India for thousands of years and is central to
its culture, botanical and genetic research identifies its primary center of origin as
the Central Indo-Pacific (Southeast Asia and the Melanesian islands). It is
considered "naturalised" in India rather than strictly native to the subcontinent.
Hence, statement 1 is Incorrect.
●
Coconut is an equatorial plantation crop. It thrives in tropical conditions
characterized by:
High Humidity: Usually above 60%.
Rainfall: It requires a well-distributed annual rainfall of 1300–2300 mm.
Temperature: An ideal mean annual temperature of 27°C. It does not tolerate
extreme heat or prolonged cold. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
●
The Coconut Development Board (CDB) is indeed a statutory body. It was
established by the Government of India under the Coconut Development Board Act,
1979. It functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Agriculture
and Farmers Welfare, with its headquarters located in Kochi, Kerala.Hence,
statement 3 is correct.
●
Therefore,option B is the correct answ

2) Consider the following countries:

2) Answer: (B)
Iran shares land borders with seven countries: Iraq and Turkey to the west/northwest;
Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan to the north; and Afghanistan and Pakistan to
the east. Kazakhstan does not share a land border with Iran; the two countries are separated
by the Caspian Sea and Turkmenistan.
It also has maritime borders in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman with Kuwait, Saudi
Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and the UAE

3) With reference to Prime Minister Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), consider the following
statements:
1. PMKVY 4.0 adopts a demand-led model by designing skill courses based on specific
workforce requirements identified by industries.
2. Credits earned under PMKVY can support academic progression into formal higher
education
3. Training now extends beyond private centres, with Skill Hubs set up in schools and
higher education institutions to better use existing infrastructure.

3) Answer: (A)
●
The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is the flagship scheme for
skill training under the Skill India Mission. It is designed to mobilize youth to take
up industry-relevant skill training to improve their livelihoods.
●
The scheme has progressed through four phases (1.0 to 4.0), with PMKVY 4.0
(2022–2026) introducing a significant strategic shift from a supply-led to a
demand-driven model by aligning training with industry-identified job roles. It
emphasizes new-age skills in Industry 4.0 sectors such as Artificial Intelligence,
Robotics, 3D Printing, Drones, and Green Hydrogen, integrates mandatory
On-the-Job Training (OJT) in several short-term courses to enhance practical
exposure, establishes Skill Hubs in institutions like Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar
Navodaya Vidyalayas, IITs, and NITs to optimize infrastructure, and unifies
registration and certification through the Skill India Digital (SID) platform for
improved monitoring and transparency. Hence statement 1 is Correct.
●
Under the National Credit Framework (NCrF), credits earned through skill
development programmes like PMKVY are integrated into the broader education
system, ensuring vocational training becomes part of a unified credit-based structure
spanning school, higher, and skill education. These credits are digitally stored in the
Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), where learners can accumulate and later redeem
them for admission into diploma, undergraduate, or other higher education
programmes in recognized institutions. Hence statement 2 is correct.
●
The government has expanded skill training beyond private training centres by
establishing Skill Hubs within existing public institutions such as schools, Jawahar
Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). This
approach is part of the broader strategy under PMKVY 4.0 and the National
Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to mainstream vocational education. Instead of
creating new infrastructure, the government leverages already available classrooms,
laboratories, workshops, and digital facilities in these institutions. Hence statement 3
is correct.
●
Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

4) Consider the following missiles:
1. S-400
2. Prithvi
3. Barak 8OFFICERS IAS ACADEMY
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4. Ashwin

S-400
●
●
●
It is a long-range surface-to-air missile system developed by Russia.
It is designed and manufactured by Almaz-Antey.
India has procured it, but it is not indigenous.
PRITHVI
●
●
●
It is a short-range ballistic missile developed by the Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO).
It is part of India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.
Although primarily a ballistic missile, it is fully indigenous.
BARAK 8
●
●
●
It is a medium-range surface-to-air missile system.
It is jointly developed by DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries.
Since it is a joint Indo-Israeli project, it is not purely indigenous.
ASHWIN
●
It is also known as AAD/PDV interceptor under India’s Ballistic Missile Defence
(BMD) programme.
●
It is developed indigenously by DRDO.
●
It is designed specifically as an interceptor missile to destroy incoming ballistic
missiles.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer

1) Glyphosate, Paraquat, Monocrotophos and Tricyclazole, recently in the news, belong to
which category of chemicals?
(a) Persistent Organic Pollutants
(b) Organic bio-fertilisers
(c) Restricted Pesticides
(d) Raw chemicals used in nano-fertilisers

Answer: (C)
●
Pesticide pollution is the contamination of soil, water, air, and food due to excessive
or improper use of chemical pesticides in farming.
●
Sprayed chemicals often spread beyond target pests, entering rivers, groundwater,
and the food chain, harming birds, fish, pollinators, and humans.
●
Glyphosate, Paraquat, Monocrotophos and Tricyclazole are pesticides used in
agriculture, and some of them face restrictions or bans in India due to health and
environmental concerns.
●
Long-term exposure can cause serious health problems like cancer, hormonal
imbalance, and respiratory diseases, as highlighted by the World Health
Organization.
●
To reduce these risks, global agreements such as the Stockholm Convention promote
regulation and safer pest-management practices.
●
Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

2) With reference to C. Rajagopalachari, which of the following are correctly associated with
him?
1. Vedaranyam Salt Satyagraha
2. Formula to solve the constitutional deadlock between the INC and the Muslim League
3. Swatantra Party