The Hindu-Frontline magazine has published a lead article titled "Rethinking the Office of the Governor" based on Chapter 5 of the Justice Kurian Joseph Committee Report on Union-State Relations. The print edition will follow shortly.
Frontline magazine has been good enough to make the online version free to read (i. e. outside the paywall) for 5 days. Today is day 2. So, if you wish to print the article in PDF form or otherwise, please do it within the next 3 days. 👇
https://frontline.thehindu.com/the-nation/rethinking-governor-office-federal-balance-india/article70698419.ece
Frontline magazine has been good enough to make the online version free to read (i. e. outside the paywall) for 5 days. Today is day 2. So, if you wish to print the article in PDF form or otherwise, please do it within the next 3 days. 👇
https://frontline.thehindu.com/the-nation/rethinking-governor-office-federal-balance-india/article70698419.ece
The Hindu
Rethinking the office of the Governor
Tamil Nadu’s Kurian Joseph Committee proposes structural reform of the Governor’s office, challenging discretionary powers, assent delays, and Centre-driven control to restore federal balance.
1) Daily MCQ: 26.02.2026
With reference to Exercise MILAN, consider the following statements:
1. It is a multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy
2. It strengthens India's position as a key player in Indo-Pacific region
With reference to Exercise MILAN, consider the following statements:
1. It is a multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy
2. It strengthens India's position as a key player in Indo-Pacific region
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
1%
1 only
13%
2 only
83%
Both 1 and 2
3%
Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (C)
Exercise MILAN is a multilateral (not bilateral) naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy. It
began in 1995 with just four nations (Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand) and has
grown exponentially. The most recent 13th edition, which concluded on February 25, 2026,
saw participation from over 70 friendly foreign nations, making it India's largest-ever
multinational naval engagement. Hence, Statement 1 is correct
The exercise is a cornerstone of India’s maritime diplomacy. By hosting navies from across
the world in the Bay of Bengal, India reinforces its role as a "Net Security Provider" and a
"Preferred Security Partner." It aligns with the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the
Region) initiative and the MAHASAGAR vision, directly strengthening India's strategic
influence and leadership in the Indo-Pacific region. Hence , Statement 2 is correct.
Therefore, option C is the correct answer
Exercise MILAN is a multilateral (not bilateral) naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy. It
began in 1995 with just four nations (Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand) and has
grown exponentially. The most recent 13th edition, which concluded on February 25, 2026,
saw participation from over 70 friendly foreign nations, making it India's largest-ever
multinational naval engagement. Hence, Statement 1 is correct
The exercise is a cornerstone of India’s maritime diplomacy. By hosting navies from across
the world in the Bay of Bengal, India reinforces its role as a "Net Security Provider" and a
"Preferred Security Partner." It aligns with the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the
Region) initiative and the MAHASAGAR vision, directly strengthening India's strategic
influence and leadership in the Indo-Pacific region. Hence , Statement 2 is correct.
Therefore, option C is the correct answer
Which of the following diseases can be prevented by the HPV (human papillomavirus)
vaccine?
vaccine?
Answer: (B)
●
Breast Cancer is a non-communicable disease primarily influenced by genetics and
lifestyle factors. It is not caused by a virus, and therefore, there is no vaccine
available for its prevention. Hence, option A is incorrect.
●
Cervical cancer is the primary disease prevented by the HPV vaccine. The vaccine
works by stimulating the immune system to recognize and block the Human
Papillomavirus, which is responsible for over 95% of cervical cancer cases
worldwide. By preventing the initial viral infection, the vaccine stops the long-term
cellular changes that lead to malignancy. Hence, option B is correct.
Hepatitis is a viral infection of the liver. It is prevented by separate vaccines, such as
the Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccines, not the HPV vaccine. Hence, option C is
incorrect.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria (Treponema pallidum).
Because it is bacterial rather than viral, it cannot be prevented by the HPV vaccine.
Hence, option D is incorrect.
Therefore, option B is the correct answe
●
Breast Cancer is a non-communicable disease primarily influenced by genetics and
lifestyle factors. It is not caused by a virus, and therefore, there is no vaccine
available for its prevention. Hence, option A is incorrect.
●
Cervical cancer is the primary disease prevented by the HPV vaccine. The vaccine
works by stimulating the immune system to recognize and block the Human
Papillomavirus, which is responsible for over 95% of cervical cancer cases
worldwide. By preventing the initial viral infection, the vaccine stops the long-term
cellular changes that lead to malignancy. Hence, option B is correct.
Hepatitis is a viral infection of the liver. It is prevented by separate vaccines, such as
the Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccines, not the HPV vaccine. Hence, option C is
incorrect.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria (Treponema pallidum).
Because it is bacterial rather than viral, it cannot be prevented by the HPV vaccine.
Hence, option D is incorrect.
Therefore, option B is the correct answe
3) Consider the following statements regarding El Niño:
1. El Niño is characterised by the weakening of trade winds over the equatorial Pacific
Ocean.
2. It generally strengthens the Indian southwest monsoon.
3. El Niño is an oceanic phenomenon whereas Southern oscillation is atmospheric
phenomenon.
1. El Niño is characterised by the weakening of trade winds over the equatorial Pacific
Ocean.
2. It generally strengthens the Indian southwest monsoon.
3. El Niño is an oceanic phenomenon whereas Southern oscillation is atmospheric
phenomenon.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
64%
1 and 3 only
15%
2 and 3 only
9%
1 and 2 only
11%
1,2 and 3
3) Answer: (A)
Phenomena of El-Nina
●
Trade winds blow from east to west across the equatorial Pacific.
●
They push warm surface water toward Indonesia & Australia.
●
Cold water rises near Peru (upwelling).
During El Niño–Southern Oscillation (El Niño phase)
●
Trade winds weaken (sometimes even reverse).
●
Warm water shifts eastward toward the central & eastern Pacific.
●
Upwelling near Peru reduces.
●
The entire ocean-atmosphere balance changes.
So weakening of trade winds is a core feature of El Niño. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
●
El Niño does not strengthen the Indian southwest monsoon.
●
Instead, it generally weakens it. When warm water shifts toward the eastern Pacific,
the region of rising air (convection) also shifts eastward. As a result, subsidence
(sinking air) increases over the Indian region, reducing cloud formation and rainfall.
●
This often leads to below-normal monsoon rainfall and sometimes drought conditions
in India. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
●
El Niño is the oceanic phenomenon marked by abnormal warming of the central and
eastern equatorial Pacific due to weakening trade winds.
●
Southern Oscillation is the atmospheric phenomenon involving fluctuations in air
pressure between Tahiti and Darwin (measured by SOI).
●
Together, they form the coupled ocean–atmosphere system called El Niño–Southern
Oscillation (ENSO).
●
Hence, statement 3 is correct.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer.
Phenomena of El-Nina
●
Trade winds blow from east to west across the equatorial Pacific.
●
They push warm surface water toward Indonesia & Australia.
●
Cold water rises near Peru (upwelling).
During El Niño–Southern Oscillation (El Niño phase)
●
Trade winds weaken (sometimes even reverse).
●
Warm water shifts eastward toward the central & eastern Pacific.
●
Upwelling near Peru reduces.
●
The entire ocean-atmosphere balance changes.
So weakening of trade winds is a core feature of El Niño. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
●
El Niño does not strengthen the Indian southwest monsoon.
●
Instead, it generally weakens it. When warm water shifts toward the eastern Pacific,
the region of rising air (convection) also shifts eastward. As a result, subsidence
(sinking air) increases over the Indian region, reducing cloud formation and rainfall.
●
This often leads to below-normal monsoon rainfall and sometimes drought conditions
in India. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
●
El Niño is the oceanic phenomenon marked by abnormal warming of the central and
eastern equatorial Pacific due to weakening trade winds.
●
Southern Oscillation is the atmospheric phenomenon involving fluctuations in air
pressure between Tahiti and Darwin (measured by SOI).
●
Together, they form the coupled ocean–atmosphere system called El Niño–Southern
Oscillation (ENSO).
●
Hence, statement 3 is correct.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer.
4) Consider the following statements
Statement I: Large Language Models are widely used for understanding and generating
human language.
Statement II: LLMs are trained using large amounts of text data.
Statement III: LLMs can consume a significant amount of electricity during its usage.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Statement I: Large Language Models are widely used for understanding and generating
human language.
Statement II: LLMs are trained using large amounts of text data.
Statement III: LLMs can consume a significant amount of electricity during its usage.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
4) Answer: (B)
A Large Language Model (LLM) is a type of artificial intelligence (AI) model that is
trained to understand and generate human
LLMs like GPT, BERT, or LLaMA are trained on massive text datasets consisting of
books, articles, and web content. Hence statement II is correct.
This training allows the model to learn grammar, context, semantics, and patterns of
human language, which directly explains why LLMs can understand and generate text.
Therefore, Statement II explains Statement I.
Training large models requires huge computational resources (GPUs/TPUs) and can
consume tens to hundreds of megawatt-hours of electricity. While this is true, it does not
explain why LLMs can generate human-like text; it only describes a technical or
resource-related fact about LLMs. Hence statement 3 is correct, and only one of them
explains statement 1.
Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
A Large Language Model (LLM) is a type of artificial intelligence (AI) model that is
trained to understand and generate human
LLMs like GPT, BERT, or LLaMA are trained on massive text datasets consisting of
books, articles, and web content. Hence statement II is correct.
This training allows the model to learn grammar, context, semantics, and patterns of
human language, which directly explains why LLMs can understand and generate text.
Therefore, Statement II explains Statement I.
Training large models requires huge computational resources (GPUs/TPUs) and can
consume tens to hundreds of megawatt-hours of electricity. While this is true, it does not
explain why LLMs can generate human-like text; it only describes a technical or
resource-related fact about LLMs. Hence statement 3 is correct, and only one of them
explains statement 1.
Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
5) Consider the following statements about microplastic pollution:
1. Microplastics act like chemical sponges, absorbing toxic pollutants such as heavy
metals from water.
2. Abandoned fishing gear and river discharge are major sources of microplastics along
India’s coasts.
3. The Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, require QR/barcodes for tracking
to improve accountability and reduce microplastic pollution
1. Microplastics act like chemical sponges, absorbing toxic pollutants such as heavy
metals from water.
2. Abandoned fishing gear and river discharge are major sources of microplastics along
India’s coasts.
3. The Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, require QR/barcodes for tracking
to improve accountability and reduce microplastic pollution
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
4%
1 and 2 only
28%
2 and 3 only
10%
1 and 3 only
58%
1,2 and 3
5) Answer: (D)
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, originating from primary
sources like microbeads in cosmetics and secondary sources from the breakdown of larger
plastics such as bags, bottles, and synthetic clothing fibers. They pollute oceans, rivers, soil,
and air worldwide, harming marine life through ingestion, disrupting ecosystems, and
carrying toxic chemicals that bioaccumulate in food chains.
Due to their small size and high surface-area-to-volume ratio, microplastics act as "chemical
sponges." They possess a hydrophobic surface that allows them to adsorb and concentrate
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals from the surrounding water. When
marine life ingests these particles, these toxic chemicals enter the food chain, eventually
affecting human health. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
The National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) identifies riverine inputs/discharges (from
rivers carrying land-based plastics) and abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG)
as predominant sources of microplastic pollution along India's coasts. Hence, statement 2 is
correct.
The Plastic Waste Management (Second Amendment) Rules, 2025, introduced a mandatory
digital tracking system. As of July 1, 2025, all plastic packaging must feature a QR code or
barcode. This initiative aims to:
●
Ensure Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance.
●
Trace the origin and quality of the plastic.
●
Prevent the mixing of non-recyclable polymers that are prone to fragmenting into
microplastics. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
Therefore, option D is the correct answer
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, originating from primary
sources like microbeads in cosmetics and secondary sources from the breakdown of larger
plastics such as bags, bottles, and synthetic clothing fibers. They pollute oceans, rivers, soil,
and air worldwide, harming marine life through ingestion, disrupting ecosystems, and
carrying toxic chemicals that bioaccumulate in food chains.
Due to their small size and high surface-area-to-volume ratio, microplastics act as "chemical
sponges." They possess a hydrophobic surface that allows them to adsorb and concentrate
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals from the surrounding water. When
marine life ingests these particles, these toxic chemicals enter the food chain, eventually
affecting human health. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
The National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) identifies riverine inputs/discharges (from
rivers carrying land-based plastics) and abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG)
as predominant sources of microplastic pollution along India's coasts. Hence, statement 2 is
correct.
The Plastic Waste Management (Second Amendment) Rules, 2025, introduced a mandatory
digital tracking system. As of July 1, 2025, all plastic packaging must feature a QR code or
barcode. This initiative aims to:
●
Ensure Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance.
●
Trace the origin and quality of the plastic.
●
Prevent the mixing of non-recyclable polymers that are prone to fragmenting into
microplastics. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
Therefore, option D is the correct answer
Officers IAS Academy proudly congratulates Rajeshwari Suve. M for securing All India Rank 2 in the UPSC Civil Services Exam.
She was our Full-time Prelims + Mains Foundation Course Student.
Her dedication, perseverance, and hard work have transformed ambition into achievement. This success story inspires every aspirant to stay focused, trust the process, and prepare with discipline. With the right guidance and determination, serving the nation becomes a reality. 💫
She was our Full-time Prelims + Mains Foundation Course Student.
Her dedication, perseverance, and hard work have transformed ambition into achievement. This success story inspires every aspirant to stay focused, trust the process, and prepare with discipline. With the right guidance and determination, serving the nation becomes a reality. 💫
Consider the following statements about Rauvolfia serpentina:
1. Rauvolfia serpentina is endemic to India, found only in the sub‑Himalayan regions
and plains.
2. It is traditionally used as an antidote for treating snake bites and insect stings.
3. It is included in CITES Appendix II to regulate its international trade due to
over‑exploitation for medicinal use.
1. Rauvolfia serpentina is endemic to India, found only in the sub‑Himalayan regions
and plains.
2. It is traditionally used as an antidote for treating snake bites and insect stings.
3. It is included in CITES Appendix II to regulate its international trade due to
over‑exploitation for medicinal use.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct
Anonymous Quiz
12%
1 and 2 only
50%
2 and 3 only
8%
1 and 3 only
29%
1,2 and 3
1) Answer: (B)
Rauvolfia serpentina is not endemic to India; it is native to the Indian subcontinent and
other parts of Southeast Asia. It occurs naturally in the sub‑Himalayan tract (Himachal
Pradesh eastwards to Sikkim and Bhutan), Assam, Gangetic plain hills, Eastern &
Western Ghats, central India and the Andamans. Beyond India, it is found in Nepal,
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Burma (Myanmar), Malaysia, Thailand, and Java (Indonesia).
Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
Rauvolfia serpentina is prized for its medicinal properties. Its root contains bioactive indole
alkaloids, including reserpine, which has been used traditionally to lower blood
pressure,hence It is considered one of the most effective natural remedies for hypertension,
traditionally used to treat mental disorders, snake bites, and insect stings. Hence statement
2 is correct.
Rauvolfia serpentina is included in Appendix II of CITES (Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). This listing is intended to regulate
and monitor its international trade due to over‑exploitation for medicinal use.
Appendix II includes species not necessarily currently threatened with extinction but that
may become so unless trade is controlled. Hence statement 3 is correct
Therefore, option B is the correct answer
Rauvolfia serpentina is not endemic to India; it is native to the Indian subcontinent and
other parts of Southeast Asia. It occurs naturally in the sub‑Himalayan tract (Himachal
Pradesh eastwards to Sikkim and Bhutan), Assam, Gangetic plain hills, Eastern &
Western Ghats, central India and the Andamans. Beyond India, it is found in Nepal,
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Burma (Myanmar), Malaysia, Thailand, and Java (Indonesia).
Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
Rauvolfia serpentina is prized for its medicinal properties. Its root contains bioactive indole
alkaloids, including reserpine, which has been used traditionally to lower blood
pressure,hence It is considered one of the most effective natural remedies for hypertension,
traditionally used to treat mental disorders, snake bites, and insect stings. Hence statement
2 is correct.
Rauvolfia serpentina is included in Appendix II of CITES (Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). This listing is intended to regulate
and monitor its international trade due to over‑exploitation for medicinal use.
Appendix II includes species not necessarily currently threatened with extinction but that
may become so unless trade is controlled. Hence statement 3 is correct
Therefore, option B is the correct answer
Which of the following are the indigenously developed fighter jets in India?
1. LCA Tejas
2. Rafale
3. MiG-29
1. LCA Tejas
2. Rafale
3. MiG-29
2) Answer: (A)
●
The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas is India's only active indigenously
developed fighter jet. It was designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency
(ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Hence
option 1 is correct.
●
The Rafale is a fourth-generation(4.5th) fighter jet developed by France. Hence
option 2 is Incorrect.
●
The MiG-29 is also a fourth-generation fighter jet developed by Russia. Hence option
3 is Incorrect.
●
Therefore, option A is the correct answer.
●
The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas is India's only active indigenously
developed fighter jet. It was designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency
(ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Hence
option 1 is correct.
●
The Rafale is a fourth-generation(4.5th) fighter jet developed by France. Hence
option 2 is Incorrect.
●
The MiG-29 is also a fourth-generation fighter jet developed by Russia. Hence option
3 is Incorrect.
●
Therefore, option A is the correct answer.