1. How do tectonic plates move relative to each other?
    A. Converge, diverge, or slip past one another
    B. Rotate around their axis
    C. Move horizontally across the surface
    D. Expand and contract
    Correct Answer: A. Converge, diverge, or slip past one another
    Explanation: Tectonic plates move relative to each other by converging (moving toward each other), diverging (moving apart from each other), or slipping past one another. These interactions occur along plate boundaries, which can be characterized by different types of geological activity.
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  2. What did the Environment Ministry decide to implement and declare over 37% of the Western Ghats?
    A. The recommendations of the Gadgil Committee
    B. The recommendations of the Kasturirangan Committee
    C. The recommendations of both the Gadgil and Kasturirangan Committees
    D. None of the above
    Correct Answer: B. The recommendations of the Kasturirangan Committee
    Explanation: The Environment Ministry decided to implement the Kasturirangan Committee report on the Western Ghats and declared ESA over 37% of the region. None of the six concerned states agreed with the recommendations of the Gadgil Committee.
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  3. What is the constitutional mechanism used to determine whether the executive enjoys the confidence of the legislature in India?
    A. Floor test
    B. Veto power
    C. Referendum
    D. Public opinion poll
    Correct Answer: A. Floor test
    Explanation: The essay states that the power to summon the members of the House and call for a floor test to determine whether the incumbent government has the majority in the State Legislative Assembly is given to the Governor under Article 175(2) of the Indian Constitution. source
  4. What is the focus of the second session of the upcoming African Chiefs Conclave?
    A. Key aspects of defence partnership
    B. Indian defence industry’s outreach to Africa
    C. Challenges and opportunities in the field of defence cooperation
    D. Enhancing peace and security in the region
    Correct Answer: B. Indian defence industry’s outreach to Africa.
    Explanation: The second session of the conclave will focus on the Indian defence industry’s outreach to Africa, exploring ways to deepen their partnerships and promote the export of Indian defence equipment and technologies. The first session will explore the key aspects of defence partnership, while the overall focus of the conclave is to enhance peace and security in the region.
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  5. What is the initial target of the MoU between the Ministry of Rural Development and the Ministry of Ayush?
    A. To train a large number of women
    B. To train 22000 rural poor youth under NSQF compliant courses
    C. To collaborate in developing skilled personnel
    D. To create synergy and convergence between both ministries
    Correct Answer: B. To train 22000 rural poor youth under NSQF compliant courses
    Explanation: The MoU aims to train 22000 rural poor youth under National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) compliant courses, namely Panchakarma Technician, Panchkarma Assistant, Ayurvedic Masseur, Kshara Karma Technician, Cupping Therapy Assistant etc. Source
  6. What is the significance of Trindade Island in terms of conservation?
    A. It is one of the world’s most important conservation spots for green turtles
    B. It is the only island with a human population in Brazil
    C. It is home to diverse flora and fauna
    D. It is a popular tourist destination in Brazil
    Correct Answer: A. It is one of the world’s most important conservation spots for green turtles.
    Explanation: The essay states that Trindade Island is a nesting site for green turtles, and that it is one of the world’s most important conservation spots for this species. Source
  7. What is the main objective of setting up PM MITRA mega textile parks in India?
    A. To boost the textiles sector in alignment with the 5F vision.
    B. To reduce employment opportunities in the textiles industry.
    C. To reduce exports in the textiles industry.
    D. To reduce investment in the textiles industry.
    Correct Answer: A. To boost the textiles sector in alignment with the 5F vision.
    Explanation: The main objective of setting up PM MITRA mega textile parks in India is to boost the textiles sector in alignment with the 5F vision – Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign. This initiative is expected to create employment opportunities, promote exports, and attract investment in the textile industry.
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  8. Which constitutional provision empowers the Union government for the regulation and development of inter-state rivers and river valleys?
    A. Entry 56 under Union List
    B. Entry 17 under State List
    C. Article 262
    D. Inter-State Water Dispute Act, 1956
    Correct Answer: A. Entry 56 under Union List
    Explanation: As mentioned in the essay, Entry 56 under Union List empowers the Union government for the regulation and development of inter-state rivers and river valleys.
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  9. What is the contribution of unorganized industry to air pollution in northern India?
    A. No contribution
    B. Minor contribution
    C. Significant contribution
    D. None of the above
    Correct Answer: C. Significant contribution
    Explanation: Northern India has a lot of unorganized industry, which does not adhere to any environmental standards, leading to high levels of pollution. Source
  10. What is the purpose of the safeguards agreement with the IAEA?
    A. To monitor nuclear programs and inspect nuclear facilities
    B. To promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy
    C. To establish maximum radiation exposure levels
    D. To regulate the production and distribution of nuclear materials
    Correct Answer: A. To monitor nuclear programs and inspect nuclear facilities
    Explanation: Following the ratification of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in 1968, all non-nuclear powers are required to negotiate a safeguards agreement with the IAEA. Through this, the IAEA is given the authority to monitor nuclear programs and to inspect nuclear facilities.
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  11. Which of the following exercises is a joint military exercise conducted by the Indian and Bangladesh Army?
    A. Exercise Bongo Sagar
    B. Exercise Sampriti
    C. Exercise Malabar
    D. Exercise Varuna
    Correct Answer: B. Exercise Sampriti.
    Explanation: The essay mentions that Exercise Sampriti is an annual joint military exercise conducted by the Indian and Bangladesh Army, which focuses on counter-terrorism operations.
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  12. Who can invoke the National Security Act?
    A. Only the police can invoke NSA against a person
    B. Only the Divisional Commissioner can invoke NSA against a person
    C. Only the District Magistrate can invoke NSA against a person
    D. Only the Chief Minister can invoke NSA against a person
    Correct Answer: C. Only the District Magistrate can invoke NSA against a person
    Explanation: The National Security Act can be invoked by the District Magistrate in exceptional cases.
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  13. What is the biggest challenge faced by OROP?
    A. Legal issues
    B. Administrative issues
    C. Financial unsustainability
    D. Lack of awareness about the scheme
    Correct Answer: C. Financial unsustainability.
    Explanation: The biggest challenge faced by OROP is financial unsustainability. Option (C) is the correct answer. Source
  14. What process is causing the mountain ranges in Zealandia to slowly get higher?
    A. Erosion
    B. Tectonic uplift
    C. Volcanic activity
    D. Climate change
    Correct Answer: B. Tectonic uplift
    Explanation: The mountain ranges in Zealandia are slowly getting higher through a process called tectonic uplift, which is caused by the movement of tectonic plates.
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  15. What is the purpose of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA)?
    A. To regulate the real estate industry and protect property consumers
    B. To provide tax incentives to real estate developers
    C. To limit the number of real estate projects in each state
    D. To promote foreign investment in the real estate industry
    Correct Answer: A. To regulate the real estate industry and protect property consumers
    Explanation: The RERA Act was passed with the purpose of regulating the real estate industry, making transactions fair and transparent, and empowering and protecting property consumers.
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  16. What is the purpose of the digital platform being developed by the Indian government?
    A. To consolidate India’s drug regulatory system
    B. To centralize India’s drug regulatory system
    C. To increase the number of drug regulators in India
    D. To abolish India’s drug regulatory system
    Correct Answer: A. To consolidate India’s drug regulatory system
    Explanation: The Indian government is currently developing a digital platform with the aim of overhauling the country’s drug regulatory system, which is currently fragmented and lacking a consolidated public database.
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  17. What is the Indian Government’s plan for promoting 6G technology?
    A. Encourage domestic firms to produce substances, parts, and machinery for 6G technology within the country
    B. Invest in foreign companies to develop 6G technology
    C. Ban the use of 6G technology in the country
    D. None of the above
    Correct Answer: A. Encourage domestic firms to produce substances, parts, and machinery for 6G technology within the country
    Explanation: The Indian Government’s plan for promoting 6G technology is to encourage domestic firms to produce substances, parts, and machinery for 6G technology within the country.
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  18. What is the ideal temperature for the growth of sugarcane?
    A. 10-15°C
    B. 16-20°C
    C. 21-27°C
    D. 28-35°C
    Correct Answer: C. 21-27°C
    Explanation: The essay states that the ideal temperature for sugarcane growth is between 21-27°C with a hot and humid climate.
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  19. Which of the following is a potential benefit of integrating AI into healthcare?
    A. It can lead to unethical conduct in healthcare research
    B. It can result in biased algorithms that discriminate against certain groups
    C. It can accelerate the discovery of new treatments
    D. It can compromise the privacy and confidentiality of study participants’ data
    Correct Answer: C. It can accelerate the discovery of new treatments.
    Explanation: The use of AI in healthcare has the potential to enhance the quality of patient care, improve diagnosis and treatment, and accelerate the discovery of new treatments. While there are ethical concerns that need to be addressed, the benefits of AI in healthcare are significant.
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  20. What are some of the reasons for the failure of waste-to-energy projects?
    A. Improper assessments and high expectations
    B. Proper characterisation studies and on-ground conditions
    C. High investments and low demand
    D. Adequate funding and government support
    Correct Answer: A. Improper assessments and high expectations
    Explanation: The essay states that many waste-to-energy projects have failed due to improper assessments, high expectations, improper characterization studies, and other on-ground conditions. Source
  21. The overexploitation of groundwater in India is mainly caused by:
    A. Cultivating water guzzler crops like paddy and sugarcane
    B. Lack of government initiatives
    C. Limited availability of alternative sources of water
    D. Insufficient rainfall in the country
    Correct Answer: A. Cultivating water guzzler crops like paddy and sugarcane
    Explanation: The essay states that the overexploitation of groundwater in India is mainly caused by the cultivation of water guzzler crops like paddy and sugarcane, which are heavily dependent on groundwater. Source
  22. What is the significance of inland water transport (IWT) in India?
    A. It is the most economical mode of transportation for bulk cargo
    B. It is the fastest mode of transportation
    C. It is the most environmentally harmful mode of transportation
    D. It is the least efficient mode of transportation
    Correct Answer: A. It is the most economical mode of transportation for bulk cargo
    Explanation: The essay mentions that inland water transport (IWT) is the most economical mode of transportation, especially for bulk cargo like coal, iron ore, cement, food grains, and fertilizer. Source
  23. What is the primary reason for the shift in demand for payment from telecom operators?
    A. The increased demand for data and high-speed internet.
    B. The decrease in the cost of managing network resources.
    C. The lack of competition in the telecommunications industry.
    D. The decrease in demand for traditional voice services.
    Correct Answer: A. The increased demand for data and high-speed internet.
    Explanation: The essay states that the shift in demand for payment from telecom operators is primarily due to the increased demand for data and high-speed internet.
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  24. What does START stand for in the New START treaty?
    A. Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty
    B. Strategic Advanced Reduction Treaty
    C. Strategic Offensive Arms Treaty
    D. Strategic Nuclear Delivery Treaty
    Correct Answer: A. Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty
    Explanation: The New START treaty is officially known as the “Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms”. START stands for “Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty”.
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  25. What are some potential reasons for mass strandings?
    A. Human activities, such as sonar or shipping
    B. Predators such as killer whales or sharks
    C. The topography of the region, such as shallow water or irregular coastlines
    D. All of the above
    Correct Answer: D. All of the above
    Explanation: The essay identifies several potential causes for mass strandings, including human activities, predators, and the topography of the region.
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  26. What is the purpose of the “use-and-file” method in the insurance sector?
    A. To make doing business easier
    B. To increase claims during 2020 and 2021
    C. To reduce the number of new products launched
    D. To increase government control over insurance companies
    Correct Answer: A. To make doing business easier
    Explanation: The essay states that the “use and file” method might be given some consideration as the government concentrates on making doing business easier.
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  27. Which of the following Acts regulates all archaeological activities in India?
    A. The Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972
    B. The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958
    C. The Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878
    D. The National Heritage Act, 1980
    Correct Answer: B. The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958
    Explanation: The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, regulates all archaeological activities in India, including the protection of ancient monuments and archaeological sites of national importance.
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  28. What is the primary challenge in the disposal of produced water during CBM extraction?
    A. Produced water has a high salinity
    B. Produced water contains harmful chemicals
    C. Produced water is difficult to transport
    D. Produced water is highly flammable
    Correct Answer: A. Produced water has a high salinity
    Explanation: The produced water from coal bed methane wells has a fairly high salinity, making it unsuitable for certain agricultural activities due to adverse and long-term chemical or physical effects on soil structure. Therefore, the disposal of produced water is a significant challenge in CBM extraction.
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  29. What is the correlation between a heat dome and the jet stream?
    a. Heat domes are caused by the behavior of the jet stream
    b. Heat domes have no correlation with the jet stream
    c. Heat domes weaken the jet stream
    d. Heat domes strengthen the jet stream
    Correct Answer: A. Heat domes are caused by the behavior of the jet stream.
    Explanation: The essay explains that heat domes are typically tied to the behavior of the jet stream, a band of fast winds high in the atmosphere that generally runs west to east. Normally, the jet stream has a wavelike pattern, meandering north and then south and then north again. When these meanders in the jet stream become bigger, they move slower and can become stationary. That’s when heat domes can occur. Source
  30. NITI Aayog recently emphasized the resilience of Indian agriculture to El Niño shocks due to:
    A. Four consecutive good monsoons in India.
    B. Successful implementation of crop insurance schemes.
    C. Increase in government subsidies for farmers.
    D. Introduction of genetically modified crops in India.
    Correct Answer: A. Four consecutive good monsoons in India.
    Explanation: The essay states that Indian agriculture has witnessed four good monsoons in succession, leading to a decline in the share of crops affected by rainfall, which has made the sector more resilient to the impact of El Niño.
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  31. What measures did the parliamentary committee recommend to improve the profitability of Indian Railways?
    A. Remedial measures to plug leakages, arrest the declining trend of net revenues, and find ways to improve railways’ revenue.
    B. Increase the number of trains
    C. Provide free Wi-Fi to passengers
    D. Reduce fares by 50%
    Correct Answer: A. Remedial measures to plug leakages, arrest the declining trend of net revenues, and find ways to improve railways’ revenue.
    Explanation: The committee recommended the Railways constitute remedial measures to plug leakages, arrest the declining trend of net revenues, and find ways to improve railways’ revenue. It also suggested several non-fare measures to raise revenue, such as advertisements or hoardings at railway stations, trains, bridges, and other assets; monetization of surplus railway land, and setting up ATMs at railway stations. Source
  32. Why is disaster management important in India?
    A. To reduce the loss of life and minimize the impact of disasters
    B. To increase the economic impact of disasters
    C. To ignore the effects of climate change
    D. To reduce the resilience of infrastructure
    Correct Answer: A. To reduce the loss of life and minimize the impact of disasters
    Explanation: As mentioned in the essay, disaster management can help reduce the loss of life and minimize the impact of disasters which lead to loss of life and property, and long-term health consequences.
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  33. What is the PANGO network?
    A. A network of hospitals treating COVID-19 patients
    B. A network of researchers for identifying and designating SARS-CoV-2 recombinants
    C. A network of NGOs working for COVID-19 relief
    D. A network of vaccine manufacturers
    Correct Answer: B. A network of researchers for identifying and designating SARS-CoV-2 recombinants
    Explanation: PANGO network is a global consortium of researchers who are responsible for identifying and naming SARS-CoV-2 recombinants.
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  34. What led to protests against the new pension bill in France?
    A. The government’s move to use Article 49.3 of the Constitution.
    B. The government’s decision to increase the retirement age to 60.
    C. The government’s decision to reduce pension benefits for retirees.
    D. The government’s decision to provide additional benefits for early retirees.
    Correct Answer: A. The government’s move to use Article 49.3 of the Constitution.
    Explanation: Protests erupted across France in March 2023 just after the government adopted highly disliked pension reforms after surviving two no-confidence votes. The government’s move to use Article 49.3 of the Constitution sparked more protests and led to two failed no-confidence votes. Article 49.3 allows governments to bypass the National Assembly and force through bills without a vote and is widely held as undemocratic. Source
  35. Which Indian government scheme aims to identify and support 20 universities in the country to achieve global ranking?
    A. Institutes of Eminence (IoE) scheme.
    B. National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).
    C. Visiting Advanced Joint Research (VAJRA) Faculty Scheme.
    D. Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF).
    Correct Answer: A. Institutes of Eminence (IoE) scheme.
    Explanation: The government launched the Institutes of Eminence (IoE) scheme to identify and support 20 universities in the country to achieve global ranking.
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  36. What is the significance of the partnership between CUMI and DRDO for ceramic radomes?
    A. It will help achieve the scaling up of the process
    B. It will reduce the speed of missiles
    C. It will make missiles invisible to radar
    D. None of the above
    Correct Answer: A. It will help achieve the scaling up of the process
    Explanation: While DRDO has its own facility to produce ceramic radomes, a collaboration with CUMI will further help in achieving the scaling up of the process. Hence option A is correct. Source
  37. What is the reason behind the Indian government’s efforts to encourage semiconductor manufacturing in India?
    A. To improve automobile safety
    B. To reduce the cost of manufacturing electronic devices
    C. To compete with other countries in the global market
    D. None of the above
    Correct Answer: C. To compete with other countries in the global market.
    Explanation: The Indian government is investing in semiconductor manufacturing to compete with other countries in the global market. Countries such as China and the US have invested heavily in this area, and India does not want to be left behind. Source
  38. Which schedule of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 is the Sarus crane listed in?
    A. Schedule I
    B. Schedule II
    C. Schedule III
    D. Schedule IV
    Correct Answer: D. Schedule IV
    Explanation: The Sarus crane is listed in Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, which provides penalties for hunting, poaching, and trade of the bird. Source
  39. What is the purpose of the NDB?
    A. To support public or private projects through loans, guarantees, equity participation, and other financial instruments.
    B. To fund research on climate change and biodiversity conservation.
    C. To provide scholarships for students from developing countries.
    D. To promote international trade between the BRICS countries.
    Correct Answer: A. To support public or private projects through loans, guarantees, equity participation, and other financial instruments.
    Explanation: The purpose of the NDB is to support public or private projects through loans, guarantees, equity participation, and other financial instruments, and to cooperate with international organizations and other financial entities.
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  40. What is the aim of the PENCIL portal?
    A. Engaging different stakeholders in eradicating child labor
    B. Promoting child labor in the country
    C. Supporting child labor in hazardous occupations
    D. None of the above
    Correct Answer: A. Engaging different stakeholders in eradicating child labor
    Explanation: The PENCIL portal aims to engage the central government, state government, civil society, and the public in eradicating child labor to achieve the target of a child labor-free society.
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  41. Which of the following is not a project launched under Arth Ganga?
    A. ImAvatar
    B. Sahakar Ganga Grams
    C. Jalaj
    D. Saral Ganga
    Correct Answer: D. Saral Ganga
    Explanation: ImAvatar, Sahakar Ganga Grams, and Jalaj are some of the projects launched under Arth Ganga, while Saral Ganga is not.
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