Answer: (A)
Statement 1 is correct: The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 replaced the earlier Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 to align with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
Statement 2 is correct: Under Section 2(r) of the RPwD Act, 2016, a "person with benchmark disability" means a person with not less than 40% of a specified disability where specified disability has not been defined in measurable terms, and includes a person with a disability where specified disability has been defined in measurable terms.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Section 34 of the Act provides for not less than 4% reservation (increased from 3% in the 1995 Act) in government jobs for persons with benchmark disabilities, not 5%. Section 32 of the Act provides for not less than 5% reservation (increased from 3% in the 1995 Act) in government and government-aided higher educational institutions for persons with benchmark disabilities, not 4%.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct: The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 replaced the earlier Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 to align with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
Statement 2 is correct: Under Section 2(r) of the RPwD Act, 2016, a "person with benchmark disability" means a person with not less than 40% of a specified disability where specified disability has not been defined in measurable terms, and includes a person with a disability where specified disability has been defined in measurable terms.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Section 34 of the Act provides for not less than 4% reservation (increased from 3% in the 1995 Act) in government jobs for persons with benchmark disabilities, not 5%. Section 32 of the Act provides for not less than 5% reservation (increased from 3% in the 1995 Act) in government and government-aided higher educational institutions for persons with benchmark disabilities, not 4%.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements regarding Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in India:
1. Under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, Invasive Alien Species are defined as non-native species that threaten wildlife or their habitats.
2. Lantana camara, Prosopis juliflora and Viper grass are among the invasive alien species found in India.
3. Every non-native species introduced into India is automatically classified as an Invasive Alien Species.
1. Under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, Invasive Alien Species are defined as non-native species that threaten wildlife or their habitats.
2. Lantana camara, Prosopis juliflora and Viper grass are among the invasive alien species found in India.
3. Every non-native species introduced into India is automatically classified as an Invasive Alien Species.
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Answer: (A)
Statement 1 is correct: The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 defines IAS in terms of non-native species that threaten wildlife or habitats.
Statement 2 is correct: Lantana camara, Prosopis juliflora and Viper grass are examples of invasive species found in India.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Not every non-native species is invasive. An alien species becomes invasive when it establishes/spreads and causes adverse impacts.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct: The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 defines IAS in terms of non-native species that threaten wildlife or habitats.
Statement 2 is correct: Lantana camara, Prosopis juliflora and Viper grass are examples of invasive species found in India.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Not every non-native species is invasive. An alien species becomes invasive when it establishes/spreads and causes adverse impacts.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
With reference to Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, consider the following statements:
1. SIR involves a comprehensive verification of electors in the electoral rolls.
2. The Election Commission of India derives its authority to conduct electoral-roll revisions primarily from the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
3. SIR can be undertaken only after every general election to the Lok Sabha.
1. SIR involves a comprehensive verification of electors in the electoral rolls.
2. The Election Commission of India derives its authority to conduct electoral-roll revisions primarily from the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
3. SIR can be undertaken only after every general election to the Lok Sabha.
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Answer: (B)
Statement 1 is correct: An Intensive Revision is a detailed exercise to verify and prepare electoral rolls. It can involve house-to-house verification/enumeration, rather than merely relying on existing electoral-roll entries. The objective is to identify eligible electors and detect issues such as duplicate, shifted, deceased, or otherwise ineligible entries, subject to the applicable legal process.
Statement 2 is correct: The Representation of the People Act, 1950 (RPA 1950) deals substantially with electoral rolls and matters connected with elections. The Election Commission's constitutional authority comes from Article 324, while the detailed statutory framework for electoral rolls is provided by legislation such as the RPA 1950.
Statement 3 is incorrect: There is no rule that intensive revision can be conducted only after a Lok Sabha election. Electoral-roll revision can be undertaken according to the requirements and directions of the Election Commission and the applicable law.
Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct: An Intensive Revision is a detailed exercise to verify and prepare electoral rolls. It can involve house-to-house verification/enumeration, rather than merely relying on existing electoral-roll entries. The objective is to identify eligible electors and detect issues such as duplicate, shifted, deceased, or otherwise ineligible entries, subject to the applicable legal process.
Statement 2 is correct: The Representation of the People Act, 1950 (RPA 1950) deals substantially with electoral rolls and matters connected with elections. The Election Commission's constitutional authority comes from Article 324, while the detailed statutory framework for electoral rolls is provided by legislation such as the RPA 1950.
Statement 3 is incorrect: There is no rule that intensive revision can be conducted only after a Lok Sabha election. Electoral-roll revision can be undertaken according to the requirements and directions of the Election Commission and the applicable law.
Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
In October 2026, two captive-bred male Great Indian Bustards were released into the wild at Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan — a major step towards rewilding the species.
Important for UPSC: Environment & Ecology → Endangered Species → Grassland Ecosystems → Thar Desert → Project Great Indian Bustard → Conservation Breeding → Human–Wildlife Conflict
Important for UPSC: Environment & Ecology → Endangered Species → Grassland Ecosystems → Thar Desert → Project Great Indian Bustard → Conservation Breeding → Human–Wildlife Conflict
Swiss President Guy Parmelin paid a state visit to India meeting President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both sides focused on implementing the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA).
Important for UPSC: International Relations → India–Switzerland → EFTA → TEPA → Trade & Investment → Migration & Mobility → Technology → Defence & Nuclear Cooperation → AI Governance.
Important for UPSC: International Relations → India–Switzerland → EFTA → TEPA → Trade & Investment → Migration & Mobility → Technology → Defence & Nuclear Cooperation → AI Governance.
Norway is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, sharing borders with Sweden, Finland and Russia.
A significant part of Norway lies in the Arctic region, making it important for Arctic governance, climate research and maritime security.
Important for UPSC: Norway → Nordic Region → Arctic → Blue Economy → Maritime Security → India–Norway Relations.
A significant part of Norway lies in the Arctic region, making it important for Arctic governance, climate research and maritime security.
Important for UPSC: Norway → Nordic Region → Arctic → Blue Economy → Maritime Security → India–Norway Relations.
Consider the following statements regarding coal:
1. Anthracite has the highest carbon content and calorific value among the major types of coal.
2. Tertiary coal deposits are found mainly in northeastern India.
3. Coal combustion releases CO₂, SO₂, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and mercury into the environment.
1. Anthracite has the highest carbon content and calorific value among the major types of coal.
2. Tertiary coal deposits are found mainly in northeastern India.
3. Coal combustion releases CO₂, SO₂, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and mercury into the environment.
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Answer: (D)
Statement 1 is Correct: Anthracite is indeed the highest rank of coal, containing the highest carbon content (ranging from 86% to 97% or more) and the highest calorific value among all major types of coal.
Statement 2 is Correct: In India, Tertiary coal deposits are younger and are found mainly in the northeastern states (such as Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland), as well as some parts of Jammu & Kashmir and Rajasthan.
Statement 3 is Correct: Coal combustion is a major source of environmental pollution, releasing carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and toxic trace elements like mercury into the atmosphere.
Statement 1 is Correct: Anthracite is indeed the highest rank of coal, containing the highest carbon content (ranging from 86% to 97% or more) and the highest calorific value among all major types of coal.
Statement 2 is Correct: In India, Tertiary coal deposits are younger and are found mainly in the northeastern states (such as Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland), as well as some parts of Jammu & Kashmir and Rajasthan.
Statement 3 is Correct: Coal combustion is a major source of environmental pollution, releasing carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and toxic trace elements like mercury into the atmosphere.
With reference to Valmiki Tiger Reserve, consider the following statements:
1. Its landscape includes both Bhabar and Terai ecological zones.
2. It is Bihar's only tiger reserve.
3. Valmiki Tiger Reserve is closer geographically to Nepal than to India's eastern coastline.
4. The Pandai river forms the western boundary of Valmiki Tiger Reserve.
1. Its landscape includes both Bhabar and Terai ecological zones.
2. It is Bihar's only tiger reserve.
3. Valmiki Tiger Reserve is closer geographically to Nepal than to India's eastern coastline.
4. The Pandai river forms the western boundary of Valmiki Tiger Reserve.
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Answer: (C)
Statement 1 is correct: The reserve occurs in the Himalayan foothill transition, where the Bhabar and Terai ecological zones of Gangetic Plains bio-geographic region. Bhabar: Relatively coarse, porous deposits. Terai: Wetter belt south of the Bhabar.
Statement 2 is correct: Valmiki Tiger Reserve is Bihar's only tiger reserve.
Statement 3 is correct: VTR is in northern Bihar, immediately adjacent to Nepal.Therefore, Nepal is geographically much more relevant to its location than India's distant eastern coast.
Statement 4 is incorrect: The Gandak, not Pandai, forms the western boundary.
Statement 1 is correct: The reserve occurs in the Himalayan foothill transition, where the Bhabar and Terai ecological zones of Gangetic Plains bio-geographic region. Bhabar: Relatively coarse, porous deposits. Terai: Wetter belt south of the Bhabar.
Statement 2 is correct: Valmiki Tiger Reserve is Bihar's only tiger reserve.
Statement 3 is correct: VTR is in northern Bihar, immediately adjacent to Nepal.Therefore, Nepal is geographically much more relevant to its location than India's distant eastern coast.
Statement 4 is incorrect: The Gandak, not Pandai, forms the western boundary.
Consider the following statements regarding geographical locations in the Andaman and
Nicobar Islands:
1. Galathea Bay
2. Saddle Peak
3. Mount Harriet
4. Campbell Bay
Nicobar Islands:
1. Galathea Bay
2. Saddle Peak
3. Mount Harriet
4. Campbell Bay