Answer: (A)
Interstellar dust plays an important role in processes associated with star and planet formation. Studying its properties helps scientists understand the physical conditions within the interstellar medium. Hence, Assertion (A) is correct.
PUFFINS uses ultraviolet spectropolarimetry to investigate the composition, structure and magnetic alignment of interstellar dust grains. These observations help scientists understand dust properties and their influence on the interstellar environment. Hence, Reason (R) is correct.
Reason (R) correctly explains Assertion (A) because investigating interstellar dust properties helps scientists understand its role in the formation and evolution of stars and planets.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
Interstellar dust plays an important role in processes associated with star and planet formation. Studying its properties helps scientists understand the physical conditions within the interstellar medium. Hence, Assertion (A) is correct.
PUFFINS uses ultraviolet spectropolarimetry to investigate the composition, structure and magnetic alignment of interstellar dust grains. These observations help scientists understand dust properties and their influence on the interstellar environment. Hence, Reason (R) is correct.
Reason (R) correctly explains Assertion (A) because investigating interstellar dust properties helps scientists understand its role in the formation and evolution of stars and planets.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
Ms. X is an Indian-origin individual residing abroad who holds foreign citizenship, while Mr. Y is an Indian citizen residing outside India. Both wish to invest in India, acquire immovable property and understand their respective rights under Indian law.
In this context, consider the following statements:
1. Ms. X is not permitted to acquire agricultural land, a farmhouse or plantation property in India under the OCI framework, whereas Mr. Y may acquire immovable property in India subject to the applicable laws and regulations.
2. Ms. X requires a special permit from the government to undertake research, missionary, mountaineering, or journalistic activities in India, whereas Mr. Y requires no such prior permit.
3. Both Ms. X and Mr. Y are granted lifelong multiple-entry visas for visiting India without needing to register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) for any duration of stay.
In this context, consider the following statements:
1. Ms. X is not permitted to acquire agricultural land, a farmhouse or plantation property in India under the OCI framework, whereas Mr. Y may acquire immovable property in India subject to the applicable laws and regulations.
2. Ms. X requires a special permit from the government to undertake research, missionary, mountaineering, or journalistic activities in India, whereas Mr. Y requires no such prior permit.
3. Both Ms. X and Mr. Y are granted lifelong multiple-entry visas for visiting India without needing to register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) for any duration of stay.
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Answer: (A)
Statement 1 is CORRECT: OCI cardholders are generally prohibited from acquiring agricultural land, farmhouses and plantation properties in India. NRIs may acquire residential and commercial immovable property, subject to applicable laws; agricultural
land, farmhouses and plantation properties are generally excluded from the general permission.
Statement 2 is CORRECT: Under the Ministry of Home Affairs notification dated 4 March 2021, OCI cardholders require a special permit for specified activities, including research, missionary work, mountaineering and journalism. NRIs are Indian citizens and do not require such permission merely on account of their NRI status.
Statement 3 is INCORRECT: OCI cardholders receive a lifelong, multiple-entry visa to visit India and are generally exempt from FRRO registration regardless of the duration of their stay. However, NRIs are Indian citizens and do not require a visa to enter India. Therefore, the statement that both are granted lifelong multiple-entry visas is incorrect.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is CORRECT: OCI cardholders are generally prohibited from acquiring agricultural land, farmhouses and plantation properties in India. NRIs may acquire residential and commercial immovable property, subject to applicable laws; agricultural
land, farmhouses and plantation properties are generally excluded from the general permission.
Statement 2 is CORRECT: Under the Ministry of Home Affairs notification dated 4 March 2021, OCI cardholders require a special permit for specified activities, including research, missionary work, mountaineering and journalism. NRIs are Indian citizens and do not require such permission merely on account of their NRI status.
Statement 3 is INCORRECT: OCI cardholders receive a lifelong, multiple-entry visa to visit India and are generally exempt from FRRO registration regardless of the duration of their stay. However, NRIs are Indian citizens and do not require a visa to enter India. Therefore, the statement that both are granted lifelong multiple-entry visas is incorrect.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer.
Consider the following regarding INS Samarthak:
1. It is the first indigenous Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV).
2. It is intended for conventional surface warfare.
3. It acts as a weapon/sensor testbed, a mothership for autonomous systems like UAVs and AUVs.
4. It is a part of project 75I.
1. It is the first indigenous Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV).
2. It is intended for conventional surface warfare.
3. It acts as a weapon/sensor testbed, a mothership for autonomous systems like UAVs and AUVs.
4. It is a part of project 75I.
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Answer: (C)
Statement 1 is correct: INS Samarthak is the Indian Navy's first indigenous MPV, built by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) at Kattupalli, Tamil Nadu. It has over 75% indigenous content.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Its primary role is maritime surveillance, patrolling, trials and support operations—not conventional surface warfare as a frontline combatant. Although it has an integrated combat suite and can support weapons testing, its principal purpose is to enable naval operations and evaluate new technologies
Statement 3 is correct: The vessel is designed to test indigenous weapons, radars and sensors. It can also launch, recover and support unmanned systems. UAVs are unmanned aerial vehicles, while AUVs are autonomous underwater vehicles. These systems extend surveillance and underwater operational capabilities.
Statement 4 is incorrect: Project 75(I) is a separate programme for constructing six advanced conventional submarines in India. INS Samarthak belongs to the Indian Navy's Multi-Purpose Vessel programme, built by L&T.
Therefore, option C is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct: INS Samarthak is the Indian Navy's first indigenous MPV, built by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) at Kattupalli, Tamil Nadu. It has over 75% indigenous content.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Its primary role is maritime surveillance, patrolling, trials and support operations—not conventional surface warfare as a frontline combatant. Although it has an integrated combat suite and can support weapons testing, its principal purpose is to enable naval operations and evaluate new technologies
Statement 3 is correct: The vessel is designed to test indigenous weapons, radars and sensors. It can also launch, recover and support unmanned systems. UAVs are unmanned aerial vehicles, while AUVs are autonomous underwater vehicles. These systems extend surveillance and underwater operational capabilities.
Statement 4 is incorrect: Project 75(I) is a separate programme for constructing six advanced conventional submarines in India. INS Samarthak belongs to the Indian Navy's Multi-Purpose Vessel programme, built by L&T.
Therefore, option C is the correct answer.
The Indian Navy commissioned INS Mangrol (P82) on 12 October 2026 at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. It is the third Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi.
Important for UPSC: Defence → Indian Navy → Mahe-Class Vessels → Anti-Submarine Warfare → Coastal Security → Cochin Shipyard Limited → Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Important for UPSC: Defence → Indian Navy → Mahe-Class Vessels → Anti-Submarine Warfare → Coastal Security → Cochin Shipyard Limited → Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Larak Island is a small Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz, near Qeshm and Hormuz islands, off Iran’s southern coast.
Important for UPSC: World Geography → West Asia → Iran → Strait of Hormuz → Persian Gulf → Gulf of Oman → Maritime Chokepoints → Energy Security.
Important for UPSC: World Geography → West Asia → Iran → Strait of Hormuz → Persian Gulf → Gulf of Oman → Maritime Chokepoints → Energy Security.
With reference to INS Samarthak, consider the following statements:
1. It is the Indian Navy’s first indigenous Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) and the first major warship built by a private shipyard in India.
2. It is designed to act as a platform for trials and evaluation of indigenous weapons and sensors, as well as a mothership for unmanned systems.
1. It is the Indian Navy’s first indigenous Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) and the first major warship built by a private shipyard in India.
2. It is designed to act as a platform for trials and evaluation of indigenous weapons and sensors, as well as a mothership for unmanned systems.
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Answer: (C)
Statement 1 is correct: INS Samarthak is the Indian Navy’s first indigenous Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV). Built by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) at its Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai, it marks a significant milestone as the first major warship built by an Indian private shipyard for the Indian Navy.
Statement 2 is correct: INS Samarthak is designed with dynamic positioning and versatility to serve as a testbed for trials and evaluation of next-generation indigenous weapons and sensors under development. Additionally, it acts as a mothership for unmanned and autonomous surface and aerial systems (USVs/UAVs), along with fulfilling surveillance, towing, salvage, HADR, and hospital support roles.
Therefore, option C is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct: INS Samarthak is the Indian Navy’s first indigenous Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV). Built by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) at its Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai, it marks a significant milestone as the first major warship built by an Indian private shipyard for the Indian Navy.
Statement 2 is correct: INS Samarthak is designed with dynamic positioning and versatility to serve as a testbed for trials and evaluation of next-generation indigenous weapons and sensors under development. Additionally, it acts as a mothership for unmanned and autonomous surface and aerial systems (USVs/UAVs), along with fulfilling surveillance, towing, salvage, HADR, and hospital support roles.
Therefore, option C is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements regarding the Minimum Support Price (MSP) in India:
1. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) finalises and approves the MSP based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
2. The government announces a mandatory legal guarantee alongside MSP to ensure that private traders cannot purchase crops below the fixed floor price.
3. While recommending MSPs, the CACP considers both cost factors (like input costs) and non-cost factors (like demand-supply situations and domestic market price trends).
1. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) finalises and approves the MSP based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
2. The government announces a mandatory legal guarantee alongside MSP to ensure that private traders cannot purchase crops below the fixed floor price.
3. While recommending MSPs, the CACP considers both cost factors (like input costs) and non-cost factors (like demand-supply situations and domestic market price trends).
Answer: (A)
● Statement 1 is correct: The CACP is an expert body that recommends the prices,
but the final decision is taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
(CCEA) chaired by the Prime Minister.
● Statement 2 is incorrect: MSP currently does not have a statutory or legal
backing. There is no law that penalises private players for buying below the MSP.
● Statement 3 is correct: The CACP analyzes a comprehensive set of factors, which
includes the cost of production, market price trends (both domestic and
international), demand and supply gaps, and inter-crop price parity
● Therefore, option A is the correct answer.
● Statement 1 is correct: The CACP is an expert body that recommends the prices,
but the final decision is taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
(CCEA) chaired by the Prime Minister.
● Statement 2 is incorrect: MSP currently does not have a statutory or legal
backing. There is no law that penalises private players for buying below the MSP.
● Statement 3 is correct: The CACP analyzes a comprehensive set of factors, which
includes the cost of production, market price trends (both domestic and
international), demand and supply gaps, and inter-crop price parity
● Therefore, option A is the correct answer.
With reference to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), consider the following statements:
1. It was established under the CISF Act, 1968.
2. It functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence.
3. It provides security to critical infrastructure, including airports and nuclear installations.
4. It is the only Central Armed Police Force with a dedicated Fire Service Wing.
1. It was established under the CISF Act, 1968.
2. It functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence.
3. It provides security to critical infrastructure, including airports and nuclear installations.
4. It is the only Central Armed Police Force with a dedicated Fire Service Wing.
Answer: (B)
Statement 1 is correct: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) was raised in 1969 following the enactment of the Central Industrial Security Force Act, 1968. It was later converted into an armed force of the Union by an Amendment Act passed in 1983.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The CISF functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), not the Ministry of Defence. All Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)—including CISF, CRPF, BSF, ITBP, and SSB—fall under the MHA.
Statement 3 is correct: CISF provides comprehensive security cover to over 300 critical infrastructure installations across India, including commercial airports, nuclear power plants, space establishments (ISRO), seaports, thermal power plants, metro rail networks, and major public sector undertakings (PSUs).
Statement 4 is correct: The CISF is unique among the Central Armed Police Forces in having a specialized, full-fledged Fire Service Wing. It provides fire protection and disaster response services to the industrial units and critical infrastructure it guards.
Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) was raised in 1969 following the enactment of the Central Industrial Security Force Act, 1968. It was later converted into an armed force of the Union by an Amendment Act passed in 1983.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The CISF functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), not the Ministry of Defence. All Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)—including CISF, CRPF, BSF, ITBP, and SSB—fall under the MHA.
Statement 3 is correct: CISF provides comprehensive security cover to over 300 critical infrastructure installations across India, including commercial airports, nuclear power plants, space establishments (ISRO), seaports, thermal power plants, metro rail networks, and major public sector undertakings (PSUs).
Statement 4 is correct: The CISF is unique among the Central Armed Police Forces in having a specialized, full-fledged Fire Service Wing. It provides fire protection and disaster response services to the industrial units and critical infrastructure it guards.
Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements with reference to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI):
Statement I: FSSAI establishes science-based food standards and regulates food businesses to ensure food safety.
Statement II: FSSAI's regulatory framework includes food safety standards, licensing and registration of food businesses, and compliance monitoring.
Statement III: FSSAI's mandate is limited to testing food samples and excludes the formulation of food safety standards.
Which of the following relationships among the above statements is/are correct?
1. Statement II supports the implementation of the regulatory objectives outlined in Statement I.
2. Statement III contradicts the scope of responsibilities described in Statement I.
3. Statement III presents an inference that does not follow from Statements I and II.
Statement I: FSSAI establishes science-based food standards and regulates food businesses to ensure food safety.
Statement II: FSSAI's regulatory framework includes food safety standards, licensing and registration of food businesses, and compliance monitoring.
Statement III: FSSAI's mandate is limited to testing food samples and excludes the formulation of food safety standards.
Which of the following relationships among the above statements is/are correct?
1. Statement II supports the implementation of the regulatory objectives outlined in Statement I.
2. Statement III contradicts the scope of responsibilities described in Statement I.
3. Statement III presents an inference that does not follow from Statements I and II.
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