Q1. What is the primary purpose of the NHAI–Reliance Jio safety alert system on National Highways?
- To track vehicles for toll collection and traffic fines
- To provide advance hazard warnings to commuters using Jio’s 4G/5G network
- To replace physical road signs with digital alerts
- To offer entertainment content to highway travellers
Correct Option: 2. To provide advance hazard warnings to commuters using Jio’s 4G/5G network
Explanation:
• The initiative is designed to enhance road safety by sending advance alerts to travellers about accident-prone areas, fog-affected zones, stray cattle, and emergency diversions.
• Alerts are delivered via SMS, WhatsApp, and high-priority calls to Jio mobile users approaching risk locations.
• The system uses existing telecom towers and integrates with NHAI digital platforms like Rajmargyatra and the 1033 helpline.
• Option 1 is incorrect because the system is not for toll collection or fines.
• Option 3 is wrong—physical road signs are not being replaced; the system supplements existing signage.
• Option 4 is irrelevant—the initiative is for safety alerts, not entertainment.
Q2. What is the main advantage of using argon plasma treatment on coordination polymers (COPs) for water splitting?
- It creates coordinatively unsaturated metal sites (CUMSs) without altering the bulk structure
- It increases the solvent coordination on metal sites
- It converts the COPs into liquid catalysts
- It completely replaces metal ions with noble metals
Correct Option: 1. It creates coordinatively unsaturated metal sites (CUMSs) without altering the bulk structure
Explanation:
• Argon plasma treatment activates COPs by creating coordinatively unsaturated metal sites (CUMSs), which provide more active sites for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER).
• This enhancement occurs without damaging the polymer’s bulk framework, maintaining structural integrity.
• Option 4 is incorrect—no noble metals are added.
• Option 2 is the opposite of the goal; plasma treatment reduces coordination, freeing active sites.
• Option 3 is incorrect; COPs remain solid frameworks, not liquids.
Q3. Why is enhancing the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) critical for water electrolysis in hydrogen production?
- HER is the only reaction that limits water splitting efficiency
- OER consumes the COPs as fuel
- OER produces hydrogen directly
- OER is slower and requires higher overpotential compared to Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER)
Correct Option: 4. OER is slower and requires higher overpotential compared to Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER)
Explanation:
• In water electrolysis, HER (hydrogen evolution reaction) is relatively fast, while OER (oxygen evolution reaction) is sluggish and requires higher overpotential.
• Improving OER activity is crucial for efficient and cost-effective hydrogen production.
• Option 3 is incorrect—OER produces oxygen, not hydrogen.
• Option 1 is incorrect—OER, not HER, is typically the rate-limiting step.
• Option 2 is wrong—COPs act as catalysts, not fuel.
Q4. What was the primary objective of the high-speed rocket-sled test conducted by DRDO?
- To test the maximum speed of the LCA aircraft
- To validate the fighter aircraft escape system, including canopy severance and aircrew recovery
- To evaluate the fuel efficiency of solid propellant rocket motors
- To conduct a live combat simulation of the LCA aircraft
Correct Option: 2. To validate the fighter aircraft escape system, including canopy severance and aircrew recovery
Explanation:
• The test was designed to validate the escape system of fighter aircraft, which includes:
• Canopy severance – ensuring the canopy can be safely jettisoned in emergencies
• Ejection sequencing – confirming proper timing and deployment of the ejection seat
• Complete aircrew recovery – ensuring pilots can be safely ejected and recovered
• The test was dynamic, using a dual-sled system and an instrumented Anthropomorphic Test Dummy to measure loads, accelerations, and moments experienced by pilots.
• Option A is incorrect – the test was not about aircraft speed.
• Option C is incorrect – the solid propellant motors were used to propel the sled, not test fuel efficiency.
• Option D is incorrect – this was a controlled escape system test, not a live combat exercise.
Q5. What is the primary objective of the Joint Military Exercise EKUVERIN between India and the Maldives?
- To enhance interoperability and operational synergy in Counter-Insurgency and Counter-Terrorism operations
- To deploy Indian troops permanently in the Maldives
- To establish a joint naval base in Thiruvananthapuram
- To conduct live-fire missile tests in the Indian Ocean
Correct Option: 1. To enhance interoperability and operational synergy in Counter-Insurgency and Counter-Terrorism operations
Explanation:
• The exercise focuses on strengthening cooperation and coordination between the Indian Army and MNDF.
• Key goals include:
• Interoperability – ensuring forces can operate together efficiently
• Operational synergy – joint planning and execution of Counter-Insurgency (CI) and Counter-Terrorism (CT) operations
• Training across jungle, semi-urban, and coastal terrains
• Option 4 is incorrect – EKUVERIN is not about missile tests.
• Option 2 is incorrect – there is no permanent troop deployment; it is a temporary joint exercise.
• Option 3 is incorrect – no joint naval base is being established; the exercise is a training activity.
Q6. Under the Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) initiative, what are the primary measures taken to enhance export potential in Dakshina Kannada?
- Developing local tourism and cultural heritage sites
- Improving logistics, warehousing, e-commerce export facilitation, and institutional coordination
- Providing direct subsidies to farmers without addressing infrastructure
- Limiting exports to domestic markets only
Correct Option: 2. Improving logistics, warehousing, e-commerce export facilitation, and institutional coordination
Explanation:
• The DEH initiative aims to strengthen district-level export potential through a facilitative and consultative framework.
• Key measures include:
• Logistics and infrastructure enhancement – better first-mile connectivity, warehousing, testing facilities, and port linkages.
• E-commerce export promotion – partnerships with platforms like Amazon, Shiprocket, DHL for cost-effective shipping.
• Institutional coordination – operationalisation of State and District Export Promotion Committees (SEPCs and DEPCs) to address bottlenecks.
• Capacity-building – exporter awareness programs on packaging, compliance, and export procedures.
• Option A is incorrect – tourism is unrelated to the DEH objectives.
• Option C is incorrect – DEH focuses on infrastructure and logistics, not only subsidies.
• Option D is incorrect – the initiative is meant to expand global trade participation, not restrict exports to domestic markets.
Q7. Which of the following measures are being implemented by India to enhance integration and utilization of renewable energy with the grid?
- Planning of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), phasing of transmission system, and granting connectivity for solar and non-solar hours
- Shutting down fossil fuel plants immediately and replacing them with plain solar power
- Limiting renewable energy procurement to only central government agencies
- Installing nuclear power plants near every solar park
Correct Option: 1. Planning of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), phasing of transmission system, and granting connectivity for solar and non-solar hours
Explanation:
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): Around 47.2 GW of BESS is planned up to 2032 to enable peak shifting, reduce network congestion, and optimize transmission utilization.
• Phased Transmission Planning: The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) prepares transmission plans in phases based on renewable energy potential declared by MNRE. This ensures efficient integration as generation capacity increases.
• Connectivity for solar and non-solar hours: As per CERC (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2025, connectivity is granted for both solar and non-solar hours, enabling better grid utilization and integration of co-located BESS without additional transmission infrastructure.
• Option B is incorrect – India is not shutting down fossil fuel plants immediately; renewable energy is being integrated gradually.
• Option C is incorrect – renewable energy procurement is happening via REIAs, states, and commercial/industrial sectors, not just central agencies.
• Option D is incorrect – nuclear plants near solar parks are not part of the current strategy for RE integration.
Q8. Which of the following correctly describes the objectives and features of the revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) and the e-GramSwaraj application?
- RGSA focuses on capacity building of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) through training, infrastructure support, and exposure visits; e-GramSwaraj provides a unified digital platform for planning, budgeting, work monitoring, and public transparency.
- RGSA is primarily a scheme for providing direct financial aid to Gram Panchayats; e-GramSwaraj is used only for issuing salaries to Panchayat staff.
- RGSA focuses on building roads and bridges in villages; e-GramSwaraj is a mobile game for Panchayat awareness.
- RGSA trains only elected representatives; e-GramSwaraj is limited to monitoring financial expenditure without tracking physical progress.
Correct Option: 1. RGSA focuses on capacity building of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) through training, infrastructure support, and exposure visits; e-GramSwaraj provides a unified digital platform for planning, budgeting, work monitoring, and public transparency.
Explanation:
• RGSA (Revamped) Objectives:
• Capacity building of Elected Representatives (ERs), functionaries, and stakeholders of Panchayats.
• Supports various types of training: basic orientation, refresher, thematic, specialized, and Panchayat development plan training.
• Provides infrastructure support: Gram Panchayat Bhawan, computers, and limited co-location of CSCs.
• Includes exposure visits, training modules, and institutional mechanisms for capacity building.
• e-GramSwaraj Features:
• Unified digital platform for planning, budgeting, accounting, work management, and monitoring.
• Enables real-time tracking of Panchayat works via geo-tagging, progress reporting, and financial tracking.
• Enhances transparency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making.
• Provides public access to Panchayat information through the dashboard and mobile interface.
• Options B, C, and D are incorrect because they misrepresent the objectives and scope of the RGSA scheme and e-GramSwaraj platform.
Q9. Which of the following correctly describes the features of the Credit Assessment Model (CAM) and PM SVANidhi Scheme?
- CAM enables automated MSME loan appraisal using digital data; PM SVANidhi provides loans to street vendors with UPI-linked RuPay credit cards and cashback incentives.
- CAM is a manual MSME appraisal system; PM SVANidhi only provides loans up to ₹10,000 with no digital payment features.
- CAM is applicable only for large enterprises; PM SVANidhi is a short-term scheme ending in 2025.
- CAM requires physical submission of documents for MSMEs; PM SVANidhi is implemented solely by RBI.
Correct Option: 1. CAM enables automated MSME loan appraisal using digital data; PM SVANidhi provides loans to street vendors with UPI-linked RuPay credit cards and cashback incentives.
Explanation:
CAM Features:
• Uses digital data for automated and objective loan appraisal for MSMEs.
• Covers both ETB and NTB MSME borrowers.
• Facilitates model-based loan limit assessment, enhancing transparency and speed.
PM SVANidhi Features:
• Provides tranche-based loans (₹15,000, ₹25,000, ₹50,000) to street vendors.
• Offers UPI-linked RuPay Credit Cards with ₹30,000 credit limit.
• Includes cashback incentives to promote digital transactions.
• Extended till 31 March 2030 and jointly implemented by MoHUA and Department of Financial Services.
Why Others Are Incorrect:
• B: Misrepresents CAM as manual and PM SVANidhi loan limits.
• C: CAM is for MSMEs, not large enterprises; PM SVANidhi is ongoing till 2030.
• D: CAM is digital, not dependent on physical documents; PM SVANidhi is not implemented solely by RBI.