Q1. Which of the following was not a direction issued by the Supreme Court to the UPSC in relation to improving accessibility for candidates with disabilities?
- Allow eligible candidates to change their scribe up to at least seven days before the examination.
- Decide scribe-change requests within three working days through a reasoned order.
- Provide screen-reader software for visually impaired candidates.
- Allow all candidates with disabilities to bring their own laptops during the examination without any restrictions.
Correct Option: 4. Allow all candidates with disabilities to bring their own laptops during the examination without any restrictions.
Explanation: The Supreme Court issued several directions with the aim of improving accessibility and ensuring equal participation for persons with disabilities in UPSC examinations:
• Option A is correct (hence NOT the answer):
The Court explicitly directed that UPSC examination notifications must allow candidates to request a scribe change up to at least 7 days before the exam.
• Option B is correct (hence NOT the answer):
The Court mandated that such requests must be processed through a reasoned order within 3 working days.
• Option C is correct (hence NOT the answer):
The Court required the deployment of screen-reader software for visually impaired candidates.
• Option D is the correct answer because:
The Court did not direct the UPSC to allow all candidates with disabilities to bring their own laptops without restrictions.
The petition had sought permission for using laptops with screen-reader software, but the Court’s specific direction focused on UPSC providing screen-reader software, not unrestricted personal laptop use.
Q2. According to the Heidelberg University study, which feature of the malaria parasite’s movement was crucial for maintaining directional stability in noisy environments?
- Movement in perfectly straight lines
- Exclusive reliance on chemical gradients
- Gliding along right-handed helical paths
- Continuous changes in swimming direction
Correct Option: 3. Gliding along right-handed helical paths
Explanation:
• The study found that malaria parasites move almost exclusively on right-handed helices when navigating 3D environments such as synthetic hydrogels or human skin.
• Helical motion provides directional stability, helping parasites maintain orientation for long durations (up to ~100 seconds) despite significant internal and external noise.
• The rotating path effectively averages out fluctuations, enabling efficient long-distance travel to locate blood vessels.
Why the others are incorrect:
• A: Straight-line motion is highly unstable under microscopic noise.
• B: Chemical gradients were not the focus of this study (more relevant to sperm or algae studies).
• D: Constant directional changes would decrease stability, not increase it.
Q3. What is Zhuque-3?
- China’s first crewed spacecraft
- China’s next-generation reusable orbital rocket
- A Chinese space station module
- A satellite navigation system
Correct Option: 2. China’s next-generation reusable orbital rocket.
Explanation:
Zhuque-3 is LandSpace’s next-generation reusable orbital rocket, designed to be China’s first large, Falcon 9–class reusable launch vehicle capable of multiple flights. It recently attempted its maiden recovery test, which ended in failure.
Q4. Which company is developing the Zhuque-3 reusable rocket?
- SpaceX
- Blue Origin
- LandSpace
- Galactic Energy
Correct Option: 3. LandSpace.
Explanation:
Zhuque-3 is being developed by LandSpace, a private Chinese aerospace company. It aims to build China’s first large reusable orbital rocket, similar to SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
Q5. Why is volcanic ash dangerous for aircraft engines?
- It cools the engine too quickly
- It causes the engine to run out of fuel
- Silicates in the ash melt inside the engine and re-solidify, blocking cooling passages
- It interferes with radio communication
Correct Option: 3. Silicates in the ash melt inside the engine and re-solidify, blocking cooling passages.
Explanation:
• Jet engines run at very high temperatures (~1,600°C).
• Volcanic ash contains silicates, tiny glass particles, and rock.
• These particles melt inside the engine and then re-solidify, forming glass-like layers that block cooling holes.
• This leads to overheating, loss of thrust, or total engine shutdown.
• Options A, B, and D are not mechanisms described in the article.
Q6. Which of the following initiatives aims to develop Address-as-a-Service (AaaS) as a part of national Digital Public Infrastructure for efficient address data management under the Department of Posts?
- Advanced Postal Technology (APT) 2.0
- Mail and Parcel Optimization Project (MPOP)
- DHRUVA
- Know Your DIGIPIN Application
Correct Option: 3. DHRUVA.
Explanation:
• DHRUVA is a Central Sector Scheme finalized by the Department of Posts to recognize and develop address information management as a foundational public infrastructure.
• Its primary objective is to build Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for Address-as-a-Service (AaaS)—a comprehensive framework supporting standardized, accurate, and efficient management of address data for governance, service delivery, and user experience.
• This makes DHRUVA the only initiative among the options directly related to the creation of an AaaS-based address management ecosystem.
Why the other options are incorrect:
• A. APT 2.0 – Focuses on technology upgrades in parcel delivery such as real-time updates, OTP-based delivery, and API integration, not on address DPI.
• B. MPOP – Aims at process optimization and automation of mail and parcel operations, not digital address infrastructure.
• D. Know Your DIGIPIN – Though related to digital address identification, it is an application forming the foundational layer of Digital Address DPI, but does not itself establish AaaS—that role belongs to DHRUVA.
Q7. Under the IT Modernization Project 2.0, which of the following statements correctly describes the Advanced Postal Technology (APT) platform rolled out by the Department of Posts?
- APT is a cloud-based platform developed by a private technology vendor and deployed only in urban post offices.
- APT is an indigenous, cloud-based platform developed in-house by CEPT, hosted on MeghRaj 2.0 Cloud, and rolled out nationwide integrating about 1.70 lakh post offices.
- APT is a mobile application exclusively for Branch Post Offices to manage rural operations.
- APT is a financial services backend system used only by the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB).
Correct Option: 2. APT is an indigenous, cloud-based platform developed in-house by CEPT, hosted on MeghRaj 2.0 Cloud, and rolled out nationwide integrating about 1.70 lakh post offices.
Explanation:
• The Advanced Postal Technology (APT) platform is described as an indigenous, cloud-based digital platform developed in-house by the Centre for Excellence in Postal Technology (CEPT).
• It is hosted on the MeghRaj 2.0 Cloud, which is the Government of India’s cloud infrastructure.
• It was rolled out nationwide on 4th August 2025, integrating approximately 1.70 lakh post offices across 23 Postal Circles, making it one of the largest unified digital platforms in the world.
• Therefore, Option B accurately contains all key features: indigenous development, cloud-based deployment, hosting on MeghRaj 2.0, and nationwide rollout.
Why the other options are incorrect:
• A – Incorrect because APT is not developed by a private vendor, nor is it limited to urban post offices; it has nationwide coverage.
• C – Incorrect because APT is not a mobile app; the DREAM app is used in Branch Post Offices, not APT.
• D – Incorrect because APT is not limited to financial services or IPPB; it is a comprehensive digital postal platform.
Q8. What is the primary purpose of introducing Mandatory HUID for silver jewellery and artefacts starting 1 September 2025?
- To make silver jewellery exports mandatory
- To ensure digital traceability and curb fake hallmarking practices
- To replace BIS Standard Mark with a new hologram-based seal
- To reduce the number of purity grades available for silver
Correct Option: 2. To ensure digital traceability and curb fake hallmarking practices
Explanation:
• The Mandatory Hallmarking Unique Identification (HUID) for silver is introduced by BIS to enhance consumer protection, purity assurance, and help in preventing fake hallmarking.
• HUID provides complete digital traceability since each article receives a unique six-digit alphanumeric code, allowing verification through the BIS CARE app.
• Option B captures the exact purpose outlined in the article.
Why others are incorrect:
• A – No mandate relates to exports.
• C – BIS Standard Mark continues; HUID is in addition, not a replacement.
• D – Purity grades have expanded to seven; none have been reduced.
Q9. Which of the following statements about the trends in silver hallmarking is correct?
- Western India accounts for the highest number of hallmarked silver items, followed by Southern India.
- Payal/anklets have the smallest share in hallmarking volumes and are mostly in 999 purity.
- Southern region leads in hallmarking volumes, and payal/anklets form the largest product category, often in 800 purity.
- Purity grade 925 is rarely used in silver hallmarking and accounts for less than 10% of hallmarked items.
Correct Option: 3. Southern region leads in hallmarking volumes, and payal/anklets form the largest product category, often in 800 purity.
Explanation:
• The article states that Southern Region leads in silver hallmarking volume, followed by Western and Eastern regions.
• It also mentions that payal/anklets constitute the largest share of hallmarked items and are predominantly in 800 purity.
• This makes Option C fully correct.
Why others are incorrect:
• A – Incorrect order; Southern, not Western, leads.
• B – Opposite of factual data; payal/anklets are the largest, not smallest, category and are not in 999 purity.
• D – Incorrect; purity grades 925 and 800 account for ~90% of hallmarked items.
Q10. Which of the following is a key outcome of the Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD) Programme?
- Creation of a national database of agricultural production from rural areas
- Strengthening of rural identity through authentic cultural profiling and support for heritage-based economic development
- Digitization of land records at the village level
- Establishment of new cultural museums in every district
Correct Option: 2. Strengthening of rural identity through authentic cultural profiling and support for heritage-based economic development
Explanation:
• The MGMD Programme aims to strengthen rural identity by creating authentic village-level cultural profiles that document tangible and intangible heritage such as traditions, art forms, local landmarks, festivals, food, and historic significance.
• It promotes community-led documentation and crowd-sourced validation via the MGMD Portal, ensuring that local communities shape their own cultural narrative.
• The availability of structured cultural data supports cultural cluster development, heritage tourism, and promotion of traditional skills, ultimately leading to sustainable livelihood generation and rural economic development.
• Therefore, Option B accurately captures the key outcomes of the programme.
Q11. What is the primary objective of the 10th edition of the India–Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise GARUDA SHAKTI?
- To strengthen mutual understanding, cooperation, and interoperability between the Special Forces of both nations
- To train personnel exclusively in humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping
- To carry out naval warfare drills in the Indian Ocean Region
- To conduct joint disaster-relief operations in coastal regions
Correct Option: 1. To strengthen mutual understanding, cooperation, and interoperability between the Special Forces of both nations
Explanation:
• The exercise GARUDA SHAKTI is specifically designed to enhance mutual understanding, cooperation, and interoperability between the Special Forces of India (The Parachute Regiment–Special Forces) and Indonesia (Indonesian Special Forces).
• Its training modules—such as counter-terrorism tactics, unarmed combat, combat shooting, sniping, heliborne operations, drone and counter-UAS planning, and loiter-munition tactics—are all aimed at improving joint operational capabilities.
• The final validation exercise simulates real-world combat scenarios, further reinforcing interoperability goals.