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Answer: (B)
Statement 1 is correct: Under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, the Selection Committee is chaired by the Prime Minister of India.
Statement 2 is correct: The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha (or the leader of the single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha) is a statutory member of the Selection Committee.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The 2023 Act excluded the Chief Justice of India from the Selection Committee and replaced the position with a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.
Statement 4 is incorrect: Section 7(2) of the 2023 Act explicitly provides that no appointment of the CEC or ECs shall be invalid merely by reason of any vacancy in, or defect in the constitution of, the Selection Committee.
Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct: Under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, the Selection Committee is chaired by the Prime Minister of India.
Statement 2 is correct: The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha (or the leader of the single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha) is a statutory member of the Selection Committee.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The 2023 Act excluded the Chief Justice of India from the Selection Committee and replaced the position with a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.
Statement 4 is incorrect: Section 7(2) of the 2023 Act explicitly provides that no appointment of the CEC or ECs shall be invalid merely by reason of any vacancy in, or defect in the constitution of, the Selection Committee.
Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
With reference to the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026, consider the following statements:
1. Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work on asymmetric organic synthesis.
2. Their work showed that small molecular imbalances can be amplified through autocatalysis.
3. The work provided insights into homochirality, where one molecular form predominates over its mirror image.
1. Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work on asymmetric organic synthesis.
2. Their work showed that small molecular imbalances can be amplified through autocatalysis.
3. The work provided insights into homochirality, where one molecular form predominates over its mirror image.
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Answer: (D)
Statement 1 is correct: French chemist Henri B. Kagan and Japanese chemist Kenso Soai were awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry “for the discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.”
Statement 2 is correct: Their discoveries showed how chemical reactions can amplify tiny initial molecular imbalances through autocatalysis, where a chiral product promotes the formation of more of the same molecular form.
Statement 3 is correct: Their research provided a solution to a century-old mystery of homochirality, showing how one mirror-image form can become overwhelmingly predominant over the other. This helps explain the “one-handedness” observed in biological molecules, such as L-amino acids and D-sugars.
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct: French chemist Henri B. Kagan and Japanese chemist Kenso Soai were awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry “for the discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.”
Statement 2 is correct: Their discoveries showed how chemical reactions can amplify tiny initial molecular imbalances through autocatalysis, where a chiral product promotes the formation of more of the same molecular form.
Statement 3 is correct: Their research provided a solution to a century-old mystery of homochirality, showing how one mirror-image form can become overwhelmingly predominant over the other. This helps explain the “one-handedness” observed in biological molecules, such as L-amino acids and D-sugars.
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements:
1. The Repo Rate is the rate at which the RBI lends long term funds to commercial banks against eligible securities.
2. An increase in the Repo Rate generally helps moderate inflationary pressures.
3. A reduction in the Repo Rate generally encourages credit expansion.
1. The Repo Rate is the rate at which the RBI lends long term funds to commercial banks against eligible securities.
2. An increase in the Repo Rate generally helps moderate inflationary pressures.
3. A reduction in the Repo Rate generally encourages credit expansion.
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Answer: (B)
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Repo Rate is the rate at which the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lends short-term funds to commercial banks against eligible securities (such as government securities). The rate associated with lending long-term funds is the Bank Rate.
Statement 2 is correct: An increase in the repo rate makes borrowing costlier for commercial banks. In turn, banks raise their lending rates for consumers and businesses. This curbs excess liquidity in the economy, increases the cost of credit, slows down aggregate demand, and helps moderate inflationary pressures.
Statement 3 is correct: A reduction in the repo rate lowers the cost of borrowing for banks. This encourages them to expand credit by offering cheaper loans to businesses and retail customers, thereby boosting investment, consumption, and overall credit expansion in the economy.
Therefore option B is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Repo Rate is the rate at which the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lends short-term funds to commercial banks against eligible securities (such as government securities). The rate associated with lending long-term funds is the Bank Rate.
Statement 2 is correct: An increase in the repo rate makes borrowing costlier for commercial banks. In turn, banks raise their lending rates for consumers and businesses. This curbs excess liquidity in the economy, increases the cost of credit, slows down aggregate demand, and helps moderate inflationary pressures.
Statement 3 is correct: A reduction in the repo rate lowers the cost of borrowing for banks. This encourages them to expand credit by offering cheaper loans to businesses and retail customers, thereby boosting investment, consumption, and overall credit expansion in the economy.
Therefore option B is the correct answer.
Lake Erie is one of the five Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario. It borders Ontario in Canada and Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York in the United States.
Important for UPSC: World Geography → North America → Great Lakes → US–Canada Border → Niagara River → Niagara Falls → Freshwater Ecosystems → Eutrophication.
Important for UPSC: World Geography → North America → Great Lakes → US–Canada Border → Niagara River → Niagara Falls → Freshwater Ecosystems → Eutrophication.
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Answer: (B)
Optogenetics combines genetic engineering and optics to insert light-sensitive proteins (such as channelrhodopsins) into specific cells, allowing researchers to activate or silence neurons with millisecond precision using light.
Optogenetics combines genetic engineering and optics to insert light-sensitive proteins (such as channelrhodopsins) into specific cells, allowing researchers to activate or silence neurons with millisecond precision using light.
Consider the following statements about the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign):
1. It is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment aimed at ensuring universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
2. It is rooted in the human rights principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), ratified by India.
3. It focuses on government buildings, excluding transport and information accessibility.
1. It is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment aimed at ensuring universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
2. It is rooted in the human rights principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), ratified by India.
3. It focuses on government buildings, excluding transport and information accessibility.
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Answer: (B)
Statement 1 is correct: Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign) is a nationwide flagship campaign launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities) to create a barrier-free environment for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
Statement 2 is correct: The campaign's core objectives align with the human rights mandate of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which India ratified in 2007.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The campaign does not exclude transport and information accessibility. In fact, it rests on three core pillars:
1. Built Environment Accessibility (Public buildings and spaces)
2. Transportation System Accessibility (Airports, railway stations, and public buses)
3. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Ecosystem Accessibility (Public websites, media, and documents)
Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct: Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign) is a nationwide flagship campaign launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities) to create a barrier-free environment for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
Statement 2 is correct: The campaign's core objectives align with the human rights mandate of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which India ratified in 2007.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The campaign does not exclude transport and information accessibility. In fact, it rests on three core pillars:
1. Built Environment Accessibility (Public buildings and spaces)
2. Transportation System Accessibility (Airports, railway stations, and public buses)
3. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Ecosystem Accessibility (Public websites, media, and documents)
Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
Which of the following statements with regard to INS Mangrol, an Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), is/are correct?
1. INS Mangrol is an indigenously built vessel designed to strengthen India's anti-submarine warfare capabilities in shallow waters.
2. The vessel is intended to enhance coastal defence and the detection of submarines operating in littoral waters.
3. Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft are primarily designed for deep-ocean strategic deterrence and ballistic missile deployment.
1. INS Mangrol is an indigenously built vessel designed to strengthen India's anti-submarine warfare capabilities in shallow waters.
2. The vessel is intended to enhance coastal defence and the detection of submarines operating in littoral waters.
3. Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft are primarily designed for deep-ocean strategic deterrence and ballistic missile deployment.
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Answer: (A)
INS Mangrol is an indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) of the Indian Navy. Such vessels are designed to strengthen India's capability to detect and counter submarine threats in shallow coastal waters. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
INS Mangrol is intended to strengthen coastal defence and improve the Navy's ability to detect underwater threats in littoral waters, which include coastal areas and maritime zones close to shore. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
ASW-SWCs are designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare in shallow waters, not for deep-ocean strategic deterrence or ballistic missile deployment. Strategic nuclear deterrence patrols are associated with ballistic missile submarines, which serve a different operational purpose. Hence, Statement 3 is incorrect.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
INS Mangrol is an indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) of the Indian Navy. Such vessels are designed to strengthen India's capability to detect and counter submarine threats in shallow coastal waters. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
INS Mangrol is intended to strengthen coastal defence and improve the Navy's ability to detect underwater threats in littoral waters, which include coastal areas and maritime zones close to shore. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
ASW-SWCs are designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare in shallow waters, not for deep-ocean strategic deterrence or ballistic missile deployment. Strategic nuclear deterrence patrols are associated with ballistic missile submarines, which serve a different operational purpose. Hence, Statement 3 is incorrect.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements regarding the International Telecommunication Union (ITU):
1. It is a specialised agency of the United Nations for information and communication technologies.
2. India has been a member of the ITU since 1869.
3. It coordinates global radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits.
1. It is a specialised agency of the United Nations for information and communication technologies.
2. India has been a member of the ITU since 1869.
3. It coordinates global radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits.
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Answer: (D)
Statement 1 is correct: The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is indeed the specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for information and communication technologies (ICTs). It coordinates the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promotes international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, works to improve telecommunication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishes worldwide standards.
Statement 2 is correct: India has had a long-standing association with the organization, becoming a member of the ITU as early as 1869 (back when it was established as the International Telegraph Union). Furthermore, India has been a regular member of the ITU Council since 1952 and actively contributes to global digital governance and standardization policies.
Statement 3 is correct: One of the core regulatory functions of the ITU is to manage the international radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbit resources. By doing so, it prevents harmful radio frequency interference between different countries' communications systems and satellite networks.
Therefore option D is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct: The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is indeed the specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for information and communication technologies (ICTs). It coordinates the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promotes international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, works to improve telecommunication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishes worldwide standards.
Statement 2 is correct: India has had a long-standing association with the organization, becoming a member of the ITU as early as 1869 (back when it was established as the International Telegraph Union). Furthermore, India has been a regular member of the ITU Council since 1952 and actively contributes to global digital governance and standardization policies.
Statement 3 is correct: One of the core regulatory functions of the ITU is to manage the international radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbit resources. By doing so, it prevents harmful radio frequency interference between different countries' communications systems and satellite networks.
Therefore option D is the correct answer.