4) Consider the following statements regarding the Ayushman Bharat Health Account
(ABHA):
1. The ABHA ID provides a unique digital health identity that allows individuals to
store and access their medical records digitally.
2. The ABHA ID is mandatory for all citizens to avail benefits under the Ayushman
Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.

5) With reference to Green Bonds, consider the following statement:
1. Public sector undertakings and private companies can issue Green Bonds in India,
but foreign companies cannot.
2. 3. Green Bonds issued in India are automatically exempt from all taxes.
The regulation of Green Bonds in India falls under the purview of the Reserve Bank
of India (RBI).

5) Answer: (D)
●
Green bonds are fixed-income debt instruments issued to raise funds for projects with
environmental benefits. They function like traditional bonds—where the issuer borrows
capital from investors and repays it with interest—but the proceeds are ring-fenced
exclusively for environmentally sustainable projects such as renewable energy, energy
efficiency, pollution control, sustainable water management, and climate change mitigation.
They can be issued by governments, corporations, financial institutions, and multilateral
agencies, enabling investors to combine financial returns with environmental objectives.
Globally, the green bond market has grown rapidly and has become a mainstream asset
class, with outstanding green debt exceeding about $3.5 trillion by 2026.
●
While public sector undertakings (PSUs) and private companies are the most active issuers
of Green Bonds in India, foreign companies and institutions can also access the Indian
market. Foreign entities may issue debt securities at the GIFT City International
Financial Services Centre (IFSC)—for instance, DFCC Bank of Sri Lanka listed a green
bond on India INX. Additionally, foreign firms can raise funds from Indian investors by
issuing Masala Bonds, which are rupee-denominated bonds issued in overseas markets.
Hence statement 1 Incorrect.
●
In India, the interest income earned from Green Bonds is taxable and treated as
“Income from Other Sources,
” meaning it is added to the investor’s total income and
taxed according to the applicable income tax slab rate; in many corporate or municipal
green bonds, Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) at 10% may apply if the annual interest
exceeds ₹10,000. If the bonds are sold in the secondary market or redeemed at a price
higher than the purchase price, capital gains tax is applicable: short-term capital gains
(holding period less than 12 months) are taxed at the applicable slab rate, while
long-term capital gains (holding period more than 12 months) on listed bonds are taxed
at 12.5% without indexation under the 2025–26 tax regime. A limited tax benefit exists
under Section 54EC, where certain institutions such as the Indian Renewable Energy
Development Agency (IREDA) issue specified bonds that allow investors to claim
exemption from capital gains arising from the sale of property if the gains are reinvested
in these bonds within six months, subject to a maximum limit of ₹50 lakh, though the
interest earned on such bonds remains fully taxable. Hence statement 2 Incorrect.
In India, the regulation of Green Bonds depends on the type of issuer rather than the
instrument itself. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) regulates green
bonds issued by companies, public sector undertakings (PSUs), and municipalities
under its Green Debt Securities framework. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulates
Sovereign Green Bonds issued by the Central Government. Additionally, bonds issued
within the GIFT City International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) fall under the
regulatory jurisdiction of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA).
Hence statement 3 is Incorrect.
Therefore D is the right answe

1) Daily MCQ: 07.03.2026
With reference to quantum computing, consider the following statements:
1. Quantum computers rely on qubits, unlike classical computers which process
information using binary values
2. Qubits in quantum computers can exist in multiple states simultaneously, unlike
classical bits, which can exist in one state at a time.

1) Answer: (C)
Quantum computing is a type of computing that uses the principles of quantum
mechanics, the laws that govern the behaviour of matter and energy at the smallest scales
to process information in fundamentally different ways from classical computers. Unlike
conventional computers that use transistors and work with binary digits (bits) representing
either 0 or 1, quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits. Hence statement 1 is
correct.
A qubit can represent 0, 1, or a combination of both at the same time due to a quantum
phenomenon called superposition. This allows quantum computers to explore many
possible solutions simultaneously, giving them potential advantages for solving certain
problems that are extremely hard for classical computers which exist in one state at a time.
Hence statement 2 is correct.
Therefore , option C is the correct answer.

2) Consider the following statements regarding PM₂.₅ (fine particulate matter):
1. PM₂.₅ particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream.
2. The 24-hour average PM₂.₅ limit recommended by WHO is 15 μg/m³.
3. Temperature inversion traps pollutants close to the ground, increasing PM₂.₅ level

2) Answer: (D)
PM₂.₅ particles are small enough (≤2.5 micrometers) to penetrate deep into the lungs (reaching
the alveoli) and even enter the bloodstream, leading to serious health effects like
cardiovascular and respiratory issues. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
According to the latest WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines (updated in 2021), the
recommended 24-hour average guideline level for PM₂.₅ is 15 μg/m³ (with an annual mean of
5 μg/m³). This is the health-protective guideline value. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
Temperature inversion occurs when a layer of warmer air traps cooler air near the ground,
preventing vertical mixing and dispersion of pollutants. This stable atmospheric condition
traps emissions close to the surface, significantly increasing PM₂.₅ concentrations, especially
during winter in valleys or urban areas. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
Therefore D is the right answer

3) Consider the following statements:
Statement I : Many Governments are considering banning or restricting social media usage
for children.
Statement II : Excessive social media usage among children has been linked to mental health
issues such as anxiety, depression, and reduced attention span.
Statement III : Children are more vulnerable to online risks such as cyberbullying, exposure
to harmful content, and data privacy violations.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
(b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains
Statement I
(c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
(d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct.

Several governments and policymakers across the world are considering or debating
restrictions on children’s access to social media due to rising concerns regarding safety and
well-being. Hence, statement I is correct.
Excessive social media usage is linked to dopamine-driven feedback loops, sleep
deprivation, and "Comparison Anxiety." In public policy, these are considered "Negative
Externalities" of the digital economy that the State must mitigate. Hence, statement II
explains statement I.
Unlike adults, children are viewed as "vulnerable subjects" in data protection law. Risks
such as cyber-grooming, phishing, and non-consensual data profiling necessitate State
intervention. Hence, statement III explains statement I.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

4) With reference to the Essential Commodities Act (ECA), 1955, consider the following
statements
1. The Central Government can notify any commodity as "essential" to regulate its
production, supply, and price in the public interest.
2. During LPG shortages, the government can use the ECA to cap prices and limit dealer
stocks to stop hoarding.

4) Answer: (C)
Under Section 2A of the ECA, 1955, the Central Government has the authority to amend the
Schedule to include any commodity it deems necessary in the public interest. Once notified,
the government gains the power to regulate the entire lifecycle of that commodity—from its
manufacturing and production to its distribution and pricing. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Petroleum and petroleum products (which include LPG) are already listed in the Schedule of
the Essential Commodities Act. During disruptions—such as a global supply chain crisis or
local shortages—the government can issue Control Orders to:
●
Fix Prices: Set a Maximum Retail Price (MRP) to prevent predatory pricing.
●
Impose Stock Limits: Legally mandate the maximum amount a dealer can store,
forcing them to release supply into the market to prevent "artificial scarcity" or
hoarding. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

5) With reference to Exercise Dharma Guardian, consider the following statements
1. It is a joint military exercise between India and Japan.
2. The exercise focuses joint combat readiness in complex urban and semi-urban
settings