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Answer: (B)
The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies was adopted by consensus at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12), held in Geneva in June 2022. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
The Agreement prohibits subsidies that support Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. It also contains disciplines concerning subsidies for fishing overfished stocks and fishing on the unregulated high seas. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
India deposited its Instrument of Acceptance on 20 July 2026, thereby becoming a Party to the Agreement. India became the 123rd WTO member to deposit its instrument of acceptance. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
India's acceptance does not mean that all subsidies to small-scale fishers are prohibited. The Agreement targets harmful fisheries subsidies, particularly those linked to IUU fishing, overfished stocks and fishing on the unregulated high seas. The Indian government has specifically stated that the Agreement protects the livelihoods of traditional and small-scale fishers and provides flexibilities for developing countries. Hence, statement 4 is incorrect.
Therefore, statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct, while statement 4 is incorrect.
The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies was adopted by consensus at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12), held in Geneva in June 2022. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
The Agreement prohibits subsidies that support Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. It also contains disciplines concerning subsidies for fishing overfished stocks and fishing on the unregulated high seas. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
India deposited its Instrument of Acceptance on 20 July 2026, thereby becoming a Party to the Agreement. India became the 123rd WTO member to deposit its instrument of acceptance. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
India's acceptance does not mean that all subsidies to small-scale fishers are prohibited. The Agreement targets harmful fisheries subsidies, particularly those linked to IUU fishing, overfished stocks and fishing on the unregulated high seas. The Indian government has specifically stated that the Agreement protects the livelihoods of traditional and small-scale fishers and provides flexibilities for developing countries. Hence, statement 4 is incorrect.
Therefore, statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct, while statement 4 is incorrect.
Consider the following statements regarding the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA):
1. The UNGA elects the non-permanent members of the UN Security Council and members of the Economic and Social Council, and such elections require a two-thirds majority.
2. No Indian national has ever served as the President of the UN General Assembly.
3. Each UN Member State has one vote in the UNGA, reflecting the principle of sovereign equality.
1. The UNGA elects the non-permanent members of the UN Security Council and members of the Economic and Social Council, and such elections require a two-thirds majority.
2. No Indian national has ever served as the President of the UN General Assembly.
3. Each UN Member State has one vote in the UNGA, reflecting the principle of sovereign equality.
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Answer: (A)
Statement 1 is correct: The UNGA elects the 10 non-permanent members of the UNSC and members of ECOSOC. Elections to these bodies are among the questions requiring a two-thirds majority.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit of India served as President of the UNGA in 1953–54.
Statement 3 is correct: Each UN Member State has one vote in the General Assembly.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct: The UNGA elects the 10 non-permanent members of the UNSC and members of ECOSOC. Elections to these bodies are among the questions requiring a two-thirds majority.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit of India served as President of the UNGA in 1953–54.
Statement 3 is correct: Each UN Member State has one vote in the General Assembly.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
Make in India completed 12 years on 25 September 2026, marking a milestone in India’s manufacturing journey.
Important for UPSC: Indian Economy → Industrial Development → Make in India → Manufacturing → PLI Scheme → FDI → Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Important for UPSC: Indian Economy → Industrial Development → Make in India → Manufacturing → PLI Scheme → FDI → Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Project Nimbus has drawn criticism over concerns that cloud and AI technologies could support surveillance or military activities. The companies’ role and the potential uses of the services have been debated.
Important for UPSC: Science & Technology → Cloud Computing → Artificial Intelligence → Data Sovereignty → Technology Ethics → Human Rights.
Important for UPSC: Science & Technology → Cloud Computing → Artificial Intelligence → Data Sovereignty → Technology Ethics → Human Rights.
Consider the following statements regarding United Nations Security Council:
1. The Security Council can authorize military enforcement actions to maintain or restore international peace and security.
2. A single permanent member can veto and block any major resolution tabled in the security council.
3. Non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly with due regard to geographical regional distribution.
1. The Security Council can authorize military enforcement actions to maintain or restore international peace and security.
2. A single permanent member can veto and block any major resolution tabled in the security council.
3. Non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly with due regard to geographical regional distribution.
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Answer: (D)
Statement 1 is correct: Under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the Security Council has the authority to authorize military and non-military enforcement actions to maintain or restore international peace and security.
Statement 2 is correct: Any of the five permanent members (P5) can cast a negative vote to veto and completely block any major (substantive) resolution in the council.
Statement 3 is correct: The ten non-permanent members of the UNSC are elected by the UN General Assembly for staggered two-year terms, with seats distributed among regional groups (such as Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Western Europe and others).
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct: Under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the Security Council has the authority to authorize military and non-military enforcement actions to maintain or restore international peace and security.
Statement 2 is correct: Any of the five permanent members (P5) can cast a negative vote to veto and completely block any major (substantive) resolution in the council.
Statement 3 is correct: The ten non-permanent members of the UNSC are elected by the UN General Assembly for staggered two-year terms, with seats distributed among regional groups (such as Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Western Europe and others).
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements regarding Project mBridge:
1. It is designed to facilitate cross-border payments and settlements using multiple central bank digital currencies.
2. It was jointly developed by the BIS Innovation Hub and the central banks of China, Hong Kong, Thailand and the UAE.
3. India joined Project mBridge as a founding member for cross-border Digital Rupee transactions.
1. It is designed to facilitate cross-border payments and settlements using multiple central bank digital currencies.
2. It was jointly developed by the BIS Innovation Hub and the central banks of China, Hong Kong, Thailand and the UAE.
3. India joined Project mBridge as a founding member for cross-border Digital Rupee transactions.
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Answer: (B)
Statement 1 is correct: Project mBridge is designed to facilitate real-time, peer-to-peer cross-border payments and foreign exchange transactions using multiple central bank digital currencies (mCBDCs).
Statement 2 is correct: The project was originally launched in 2021 as a joint initiative between the BIS Innovation Hub (specifically its Hong Kong Centre), the Digital Currency Institute of the People's Bank of China, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Bank of Thailand, and the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates.
Statement 3 is incorrect: India is not a founding member or a full participating member of Project mBridge; rather, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has only participated in an observing capacity alongside other central banks.
Therefore, option B is the correct answer
Statement 1 is correct: Project mBridge is designed to facilitate real-time, peer-to-peer cross-border payments and foreign exchange transactions using multiple central bank digital currencies (mCBDCs).
Statement 2 is correct: The project was originally launched in 2021 as a joint initiative between the BIS Innovation Hub (specifically its Hong Kong Centre), the Digital Currency Institute of the People's Bank of China, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Bank of Thailand, and the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates.
Statement 3 is incorrect: India is not a founding member or a full participating member of Project mBridge; rather, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has only participated in an observing capacity alongside other central banks.
Therefore, option B is the correct answer
Assertion (A): Bioplastics derived from renewable biomass do not contribute to greenhouse-gas emissions during their life cycle.
Reason (R): The production and processing of biomass-based feedstocks may involve energy consumption and other activities that generate greenhouse-gas emissions
Reason (R): The production and processing of biomass-based feedstocks may involve energy consumption and other activities that generate greenhouse-gas emissions
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