Consider the following statements regarding the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE):
1. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency is a statutory body established under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
2. One of the core functions of BEE is to develop policies and strategies with a thrust on self-regulation and market principles to reduce the energy intensity of the Indian economy.
3. The Bureau administers the Standards and Labeling program, which mandates star ratings for key energy-consuming appliances to drive consumer awareness and market transformation.
1. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency is a statutory body established under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
2. One of the core functions of BEE is to develop policies and strategies with a thrust on self-regulation and market principles to reduce the energy intensity of the Indian economy.
3. The Bureau administers the Standards and Labeling program, which mandates star ratings for key energy-consuming appliances to drive consumer awareness and market transformation.
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Answer: (A)
Statement 1 – Correct: The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is a statutory body established under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. It functions under the Ministry of Power and is responsible for promoting energy efficiency and conservation.
Statement 2 – Correct: BEE develops policies and strategies with emphasis on self-regulation and market principles to promote energy efficiency and reduce the energy intensity of the Indian economy.
Statement 3 – Correct: BEE administers the Standards & Labelling (S&L) Programme, under which energy-consuming appliances are assigned star ratings based on their energy efficiency. This enables consumers to make informed choices and encourages manufacturers to improve energy efficiency.
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
Statement 1 – Correct: The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is a statutory body established under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. It functions under the Ministry of Power and is responsible for promoting energy efficiency and conservation.
Statement 2 – Correct: BEE develops policies and strategies with emphasis on self-regulation and market principles to promote energy efficiency and reduce the energy intensity of the Indian economy.
Statement 3 – Correct: BEE administers the Standards & Labelling (S&L) Programme, under which energy-consuming appliances are assigned star ratings based on their energy efficiency. This enables consumers to make informed choices and encourages manufacturers to improve energy efficiency.
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements regarding the joint military exercise "Yudh Abhyas":
1. It is an annual bilateral exercise conducted between India and France
2. The Indian Navy is part of this exercise.
3. Its primary objective is to enhance interoperability and share tactical expertise in counter-terrorism operations under the United Nations mandate.
1. It is an annual bilateral exercise conducted between India and France
2. The Indian Navy is part of this exercise.
3. Its primary objective is to enhance interoperability and share tactical expertise in counter-terrorism operations under the United Nations mandate.
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Answer: (A)
Statement 1 is incorrect: "Yudh Abhyas" is an annual bilateral joint military exercise conducted between India and the United States, not France. (Bilateral exercises between India and France include Exercise Shakti for the Army, Exercise Varuna for the Navy, and Exercise Garuda for the Air Force).
Statement 2 is incorrect: "Yudh Abhyas" is an army-level field training exercise conducted primarily between the Indian Army and the United States Army. The Indian Navy is not a component of this exercise.
Statement 3 is correct: The primary objective of Exercise Yudh Abhyas is to enhance interoperability, share best practices, and build tactical expertise in joint counter-terrorism and disaster response operations under a United Nations mandate.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is incorrect: "Yudh Abhyas" is an annual bilateral joint military exercise conducted between India and the United States, not France. (Bilateral exercises between India and France include Exercise Shakti for the Army, Exercise Varuna for the Navy, and Exercise Garuda for the Air Force).
Statement 2 is incorrect: "Yudh Abhyas" is an army-level field training exercise conducted primarily between the Indian Army and the United States Army. The Indian Navy is not a component of this exercise.
Statement 3 is correct: The primary objective of Exercise Yudh Abhyas is to enhance interoperability, share best practices, and build tactical expertise in joint counter-terrorism and disaster response operations under a United Nations mandate.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer.
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Answer: (D)
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a statutory authority established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.Hence, Statement (a) is correct
FSSAI is responsible for laying down science-based standards for articles of food and regulating various aspects of food safety to ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food. Hence, Statement (b) is correct
FSSAI is an autonomous statutory body functioning under the administrative control of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.Hence, Statement (c) is correct.
FSSAI does not fix the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural commodities. MSP is a government agricultural price-support mechanism, with recommendations made by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). FSSAI's mandate relates to food safety and standards, not agricultural price determination. Hence, Statement (d) is incorrect.
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a statutory authority established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.Hence, Statement (a) is correct
FSSAI is responsible for laying down science-based standards for articles of food and regulating various aspects of food safety to ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food. Hence, Statement (b) is correct
FSSAI is an autonomous statutory body functioning under the administrative control of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.Hence, Statement (c) is correct.
FSSAI does not fix the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural commodities. MSP is a government agricultural price-support mechanism, with recommendations made by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). FSSAI's mandate relates to food safety and standards, not agricultural price determination. Hence, Statement (d) is incorrect.
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
GI protection is recognised under the TRIPS Agreement of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
A GI tag helps prevent unauthorised use of a product’s geographical name, supports local producers and can enhance the product's market value and global recognition.
Important for UPSC: GI Tag → Geographical origin → Unique quality/reputation → GI Act, 1999 → GI Registry, Chennai → TRIPS Agreement → Protection of local products & producers.
A GI tag helps prevent unauthorised use of a product’s geographical name, supports local producers and can enhance the product's market value and global recognition.
Important for UPSC: GI Tag → Geographical origin → Unique quality/reputation → GI Act, 1999 → GI Registry, Chennai → TRIPS Agreement → Protection of local products & producers.
Which of the following functions fall within the direct regulatory jurisdiction of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)?
1. Direct implementation of safety policies on dams located on inter-State rivers owned by Central Public Sector Units (CPSUs).
2. Resolving inter-State issues regarding dam safety between two States.
3. Granting environmental clearances for new dam construction projects.
4. Accrediting agencies and individuals involved in dam safety evaluation and inspection.
1. Direct implementation of safety policies on dams located on inter-State rivers owned by Central Public Sector Units (CPSUs).
2. Resolving inter-State issues regarding dam safety between two States.
3. Granting environmental clearances for new dam construction projects.
4. Accrediting agencies and individuals involved in dam safety evaluation and inspection.
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Answer: (B)
Statement 1 is correct: The NDSA acts as the State Dam Safety Organisation (SDSO) for dams owned by Central Public Sector Units (CPSUs) or for dams located in one State and owned by another State. It directly implements safety policies for these specified
dams.
Statement 2 is correct: A core function of the NDSA is to resolve inter-State issues and disputes regarding dam safety between two State Dam Safety Organisations or between a State and an owner of a specified dam.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Granting environmental clearances for dam construction falls under the purview of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), not the NDSA.
Statement 4 is correct: The NDSA is explicitly authorized to grant accreditations to (or disqualify) agencies and specify qualification standards for individuals involved in the investigation, design, construction, alteration, and safety evaluation of specified dams.
Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct: The NDSA acts as the State Dam Safety Organisation (SDSO) for dams owned by Central Public Sector Units (CPSUs) or for dams located in one State and owned by another State. It directly implements safety policies for these specified
dams.
Statement 2 is correct: A core function of the NDSA is to resolve inter-State issues and disputes regarding dam safety between two State Dam Safety Organisations or between a State and an owner of a specified dam.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Granting environmental clearances for dam construction falls under the purview of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), not the NDSA.
Statement 4 is correct: The NDSA is explicitly authorized to grant accreditations to (or disqualify) agencies and specify qualification standards for individuals involved in the investigation, design, construction, alteration, and safety evaluation of specified dams.
Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements regarding the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM):
1. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is a statutory body established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.
2. Directions and orders issued by the CAQM are binding on persons, officers and authorities.
3. The CAQM is directly accountable to the Parliament.
4. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was introduced by the CAQM.
1. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is a statutory body established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.
2. Directions and orders issued by the CAQM are binding on persons, officers and authorities.
3. The CAQM is directly accountable to the Parliament.
4. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was introduced by the CAQM.
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Answer: (B)
Statement 1 is Correct: CAQM is a statutory body established under the 2021 Act.
Statement 2 — Correct: Its directions and orders are binding on persons, officers and authorities.
Statement 3 — Correct: The Commission is accountable to Parliament.
Statement 4 — Incorrect: GRAP predates CAQM. It was formulated by the Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA) and subsequently implemented under the CAQM framework. Thus, saying that GRAP was introduced by CAQM is incorrect.
Therefore option B is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is Correct: CAQM is a statutory body established under the 2021 Act.
Statement 2 — Correct: Its directions and orders are binding on persons, officers and authorities.
Statement 3 — Correct: The Commission is accountable to Parliament.
Statement 4 — Incorrect: GRAP predates CAQM. It was formulated by the Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA) and subsequently implemented under the CAQM framework. Thus, saying that GRAP was introduced by CAQM is incorrect.
Therefore option B is the correct answer.
India launched the Ocean Research Vessel (ORV) Sagar Manthan on 9 September 2026 at the Rishi Bankim Shipyard, Kolkata.
Designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Important for UPSC: Sagar Manthan → Ocean Research Vessel → GRSE → NCPOR → Deep Ocean Mission → Deep-sea exploration → Marine minerals → AUVs & ROVs → Blue Economy → Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Important for UPSC: Sagar Manthan → Ocean Research Vessel → GRSE → NCPOR → Deep Ocean Mission → Deep-sea exploration → Marine minerals → AUVs & ROVs → Blue Economy → Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Consider the following statements regarding the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-GRAM G) Scheme:
1. It provides 125 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to eligible rural households.
2. It mandates timely payment of wages within 20 days of completion of work.
3. It is funded entirely by the Central Government in all States and Union Territories.
1. It provides 125 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to eligible rural households.
2. It mandates timely payment of wages within 20 days of completion of work.
3. It is funded entirely by the Central Government in all States and Union Territories.
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Answer: (A)
Statement 1 is correct: The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025 guarantees 125 days of unskilled manual wage employment in a financial year to every eligible rural household.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The framework mandates the disbursement of daily wages on a weekly basis or in any case not later than a fortnight (15 days) after the completion of work, not 20 days.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The scheme functions as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme featuring cost-sharing models between the Centre and the States (such as a 60:40 ratio for general States/UTs with legislatures, 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan States, and 100% central funding solely for Union Territories without legislatures). It is not funded entirely by the Central Government across all States and Union Territories.
Therefore option A is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct: The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025 guarantees 125 days of unskilled manual wage employment in a financial year to every eligible rural household.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The framework mandates the disbursement of daily wages on a weekly basis or in any case not later than a fortnight (15 days) after the completion of work, not 20 days.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The scheme functions as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme featuring cost-sharing models between the Centre and the States (such as a 60:40 ratio for general States/UTs with legislatures, 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan States, and 100% central funding solely for Union Territories without legislatures). It is not funded entirely by the Central Government across all States and Union Territories.
Therefore option A is the correct answer.