The World Economic Forum (WEF) released the 20th edition of the Global Gender Gap Report on 16 September 2026. It covers 145 economies.
Important for UPSC: Reports & Indices → World Economic Forum → Gender Equality → Women’s Empowerment → SDG 5 → Economic Participation → Political Representation.
Important for UPSC: Reports & Indices → World Economic Forum → Gender Equality → Women’s Empowerment → SDG 5 → Economic Participation → Political Representation.
Which of the following statements about the objectives of 'Exercise Tarang Shakti' 2026 are correct?
1. Exercise Tarang Shakti is a multinational air exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force aimed at enhancing operational interoperability along with countries like the U.S, Germany .
2. Indigenously developed platforms such as the LCA Tejas and LCH Prachand actively participated in the exercise.
3. Participating foreign nations brought their combat aircrafts such as the French Rafale and the UAE’s F-16.
1. Exercise Tarang Shakti is a multinational air exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force aimed at enhancing operational interoperability along with countries like the U.S, Germany .
2. Indigenously developed platforms such as the LCA Tejas and LCH Prachand actively participated in the exercise.
3. Participating foreign nations brought their combat aircrafts such as the French Rafale and the UAE’s F-16.
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Answer: (D)
Statement 1 is correct: Exercise Tarang Shakti is India's premier multinational air exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force to foster interoperability and mutual operational learning with partner air forces including the U.S. and Germany.
Statement 2 is correct: India deploys its key indigenous assets such as the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand alongside other front-line aircraft.
Statement 3 is correct: Foreign nations participate with prominent combat aircraft, including the French Air Force's Dassault Rafale and the United Arab Emirates Air Force's F-16 Desert Falcon jets.
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct: Exercise Tarang Shakti is India's premier multinational air exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force to foster interoperability and mutual operational learning with partner air forces including the U.S. and Germany.
Statement 2 is correct: India deploys its key indigenous assets such as the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand alongside other front-line aircraft.
Statement 3 is correct: Foreign nations participate with prominent combat aircraft, including the French Air Force's Dassault Rafale and the United Arab Emirates Air Force's F-16 Desert Falcon jets.
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
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Answer: (C)
The Digital Connectivity Rating (DCR) Platform, launched by TRAI, provides a standardised framework to assess and rate digital connectivity within properties. It evaluates parameters such as fibre readiness, mobile network availability, Wi-Fi infrastructure and other connectivity-related features, helping consumers make informed decisions while buying or leasing properties. Hence, option 3 is the correct answer.
Therefore, option C is the correct answer.
The Digital Connectivity Rating (DCR) Platform, launched by TRAI, provides a standardised framework to assess and rate digital connectivity within properties. It evaluates parameters such as fibre readiness, mobile network availability, Wi-Fi infrastructure and other connectivity-related features, helping consumers make informed decisions while buying or leasing properties. Hence, option 3 is the correct answer.
Therefore, option C is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements about Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) and the Kasturirangan Committee:
I. Eco-Sensitive Zones are intended to act as a transition zone around protected areas, regulating activities that could adversely affect ecologically sensitive areas.
II. The Kasturirangan Committee identified ecologically sensitive areas in the Western Ghats based on ecological richness and sensitivity, while considering human settlements and development needs.
Which of the following information support/supports the above statements?
1. The Kasturirangan Committee used remote sensing and GIS techniques to identify natural landscape areas in the Western Ghats.
2. The Committee's approach distinguished between natural landscapes and cultural landscapes, with greater emphasis on conservation of natural landscapes.
3. ESZ notifications can prohibit or regulate certain activities around protected areas, while permitting activities that are compatible with conservation objectives
I. Eco-Sensitive Zones are intended to act as a transition zone around protected areas, regulating activities that could adversely affect ecologically sensitive areas.
II. The Kasturirangan Committee identified ecologically sensitive areas in the Western Ghats based on ecological richness and sensitivity, while considering human settlements and development needs.
Which of the following information support/supports the above statements?
1. The Kasturirangan Committee used remote sensing and GIS techniques to identify natural landscape areas in the Western Ghats.
2. The Committee's approach distinguished between natural landscapes and cultural landscapes, with greater emphasis on conservation of natural landscapes.
3. ESZ notifications can prohibit or regulate certain activities around protected areas, while permitting activities that are compatible with conservation objectives
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Answer: (D)
Information 1 : Correct: The Kasturirangan Committee used remote sensing and GIS techniques to identify and map natural landscapes in the Western Ghats. This helped assess areas with greater ecological significance. Hence, information 1 supports the statements.
Information 2 : Correct: The Committee distinguished between natural landscapes and cultural landscapes. It gave greater conservation emphasis to natural landscapes while recognising the presence of human settlements, agriculture and other human activities. Hence, information 2 supports the statements
Information 3 Correct: ESZ notifications can classify activities as prohibited, regulated or permissible. Thus, ESZs do not necessarily prohibit all human activities; activities compatible with conservation objectives can be permitted subject to applicable conditions. Hence, information 3 supports the statements.
Therefore, all the informations support the above statements. Option D is the correct answer.
Information 1 : Correct: The Kasturirangan Committee used remote sensing and GIS techniques to identify and map natural landscapes in the Western Ghats. This helped assess areas with greater ecological significance. Hence, information 1 supports the statements.
Information 2 : Correct: The Committee distinguished between natural landscapes and cultural landscapes. It gave greater conservation emphasis to natural landscapes while recognising the presence of human settlements, agriculture and other human activities. Hence, information 2 supports the statements
Information 3 Correct: ESZ notifications can classify activities as prohibited, regulated or permissible. Thus, ESZs do not necessarily prohibit all human activities; activities compatible with conservation objectives can be permitted subject to applicable conditions. Hence, information 3 supports the statements.
Therefore, all the informations support the above statements. Option D is the correct answer.
Assertion (A): The distinctive golden colour and superior quality of Gulbarga Tur Dal are
attributed to the characteristics of the soil in the region.
Reason (R): The soil of the Gulbarga region is rich in calcium and potassium, which
contributes to the golden colour and distinctive quality of the dal.
attributed to the characteristics of the soil in the region.
Reason (R): The soil of the Gulbarga region is rich in calcium and potassium, which
contributes to the golden colour and distinctive quality of the dal.
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Answer: (A)
Gulbarga Tur Dal, also known as Kalaburagi Togari Bele, received the GI tag in 2019. It is mainly cultivated in the Bhima River basin of Karnataka.
The region's mineral-rich soils, particularly their calcium and potassium content, contribute to the dal's distinctive golden colour, quality and cooking properties.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
Gulbarga Tur Dal, also known as Kalaburagi Togari Bele, received the GI tag in 2019. It is mainly cultivated in the Bhima River basin of Karnataka.
The region's mineral-rich soils, particularly their calcium and potassium content, contribute to the dal's distinctive golden colour, quality and cooking properties.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
With reference to the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), consider the following statements:
1. The Central Government can declare an area as a disturbed area under AFSPA without consulting the State Government.
2. AFSPA empowers armed forces personnel to arrest a person without a warrant under certain circumstances.
1. The Central Government can declare an area as a disturbed area under AFSPA without consulting the State Government.
2. AFSPA empowers armed forces personnel to arrest a person without a warrant under certain circumstances.
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Answer: (C)
Statement 1 is Correct: Section 3 of AFSPA empowers the Central Government, the State Governor or the Administrator of a Union Territory to declare an area as a disturbed area.
○ Prior approval or mandatory consultation with the State Government is not a statutory requirement for the Central Government to exercise this power.
○ In Naga People's Movement of Human Rights v. Union of India (1997), the Supreme Court observed that consultation with the State Government is desirable.
Statement 2 is Correct: Section 4(c) empowers an authorised officer to arrest a person without a warrant if the person has committed, or is reasonably suspected of having committed or being about to commit, a cognisable offence.
○ Section 4(a) deals with the use of force, including lethal force, under specified circumstances.
○ Section 5 requires the arrested person to be handed over to the officer in charge of the nearest police station with the least possible delay.
Therefore, option C is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is Correct: Section 3 of AFSPA empowers the Central Government, the State Governor or the Administrator of a Union Territory to declare an area as a disturbed area.
○ Prior approval or mandatory consultation with the State Government is not a statutory requirement for the Central Government to exercise this power.
○ In Naga People's Movement of Human Rights v. Union of India (1997), the Supreme Court observed that consultation with the State Government is desirable.
Statement 2 is Correct: Section 4(c) empowers an authorised officer to arrest a person without a warrant if the person has committed, or is reasonably suspected of having committed or being about to commit, a cognisable offence.
○ Section 4(a) deals with the use of force, including lethal force, under specified circumstances.
○ Section 5 requires the arrested person to be handed over to the officer in charge of the nearest police station with the least possible delay.
Therefore, option C is the correct answer.
The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is underway in New York. Its High-Level Week ran from September 2026.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the General Debate on 26 September. He highlighted terrorism, maritime security, the Global South and the need for accountability for terrorism.
Important for UPSC: International Relations → United Nations → UNGA → UN Reforms → UNSC Reform → Global Governance → India’s Foreign Policy
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the General Debate on 26 September. He highlighted terrorism, maritime security, the Global South and the need for accountability for terrorism.
Important for UPSC: International Relations → United Nations → UNGA → UN Reforms → UNSC Reform → Global Governance → India’s Foreign Policy