Q1. What is the primary purpose of the PARAM Shavak system under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)?
- To provide a compact, indigenously developed supercomputing solution for students, researchers, and universities
- To import advanced AI computing capabilities from foreign countries
- To replace all PARAM Rudra supercomputers in Tier-I cities
- To serve as a high-capacity commercial supercomputer for industrial clients
Correct Option: 1. To provide a compact, indigenously developed supercomputing solution for students, researchers, and universities.
Explanation:
The PARAM Shavak is a “supercomputing-in-a-box” designed, developed, and manufactured in India to cater to the HPC and AI computing needs of students, researchers, and engineering colleges/universities. It is a compact, indigenous system intended to widen access to supercomputing.
Q2. What is the primary purpose of the Sujalam Bharat App launched under Jal Jeevan Mission?
- To provide financial assistance to rural households for drinking water projects
- To digitally monitor, manage, and ensure transparency in rural water supply schemes through geo-referencing and unique IDs
- To replace all manual water supply systems with automated smart pumps
- To collect water taxes from Gram Panchayats and VWSCs
Correct Option: 2. To digitally monitor, manage, and ensure transparency in rural water supply schemes through geo-referencing and unique IDs
Explanation:
• The Sujalam Bharat App is designed to transform rural drinking water governance by providing real-time information to both citizens and institutions.
• It integrates data on water sources, infrastructure, supply reliability, water quality, and O&M.
• Each village or scheme is assigned a Sujal Gaon ID, allowing precise mapping of which scheme supplies water to which households.
• The system also promotes transparency, accountability, and community oversight.
Q3. Which of the following correctly explains why the newly developed GlowCas9 allows real-time tracking of gene editing inside living cells?
- GlowCas9 uses fluorescent dyes that bind to DNA after cutting, emitting light during repair.
- GlowCas9 contains a fused split nano-luciferase that reassembles and produces light only when Cas9 folds and functions properly.
- GlowCas9 releases energy as heat during cutting, which is then converted to light through a thermal sensor protein.
- GlowCas9 continuously emits light regardless of its activity, allowing scientists to view cells without molecular interference.
Correct Option: 2. GlowCas9 contains a fused split nano-luciferase that reassembles and produces light only when Cas9 folds and functions properly.
Explanation:
• GlowCas9 is created by fusing Cas9 with two inactive halves of nano-luciferase, an enzyme originally derived from deep-sea shrimp.
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These two halves only reassemble when Cas9 folds correctly and becomes functional, restoring luciferase activity.
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Once reassembled, the luciferase enzyme emits bioluminescent light—similar to a firefly glow.
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The glow directly indicates Cas9 activity, enabling scientists to track gene editing in real-time without destroying or fixing the cells.
Q4. Which of the following correctly describes the design feature of the newly commissioned DSC A20 that enhances its stability and operational performance?
- Monohull structure with deep-draft design
- Catamaran hull form designed for superior stability
- Hybrid hull made from composite-carbon material
- Trimaran design optimized for high-speed operations
Correct Option: 2. Catamaran hull form designed for superior stability.
Explanation:
DSC A20 is built with a catamaran hull design, which provides:
• Greater stability in coastal waters
• Larger deck area
• Improved seakeeping characteristics
This design is appropriate for diving operations, where stability during underwater deployment is crucial.
Q5. The DSC A20 Diving Support Craft represents India’s progress in indigenous shipbuilding. Which of the following agencies played a key role in testing and validating its hydrodynamic performance?
- DRDO – Defence Materials Research Laboratory
- National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT)
- Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam
- Indian Maritime University (IMU)
Correct Option: 3. Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam.
Explanation:
The DSC A20 underwent hydrodynamic analysis and model testing at NSTL, ensuring optimum performance.
NSTL, part of DRDO, specializes in naval hydrodynamics, underwater systems, and naval R&D, making it the correct answer.
Other options are incorrect:
• 1 (DMRL) focuses on materials research, not hydrodynamics.
• 2 (NIOT) deals with deep-sea tech, not hydrodynamic testing of Navy vessels.
• 4 (IMU) is an educational institution, not a testing facility.
Q6. Which of the following is a key objective of the e-Courts Project Phase-III?
- Recruitment of additional judges for High Courts
- Complete digitization of legacy and current court records to enable paperless courts
- Construction of new court complexes in rural areas
- Development of a national portal for police investigations
Correct Option: 2. Complete digitization of legacy and current court records to enable paperless courts.
Explanation:
Phase-III of the e-Courts Project is the most advanced phase, aimed at transforming Indian courts into fully digital and paperless ecosystems.
A core objective is the digitization of both legacy and ongoing case records, enabling judges, lawyers, and litigants to access case files online through platforms like Digital Courts 2.1.
This includes:
• Digitizing crores of pages from court records
• Creating a cloud-based national data repository
• Implementing AI and OCR tools for document analysis and search
• Making all court processes—including filing, evidence, notices, and hearings—digital
Q7. Which organisation will conduct the real-world evaluation of the Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) under the newly launched pilot project?
- BHEL
- NTPC Green Energy Ltd.
- NISE (National Institute of Solar Energy)
- CSIR–NPL
Correct Option: 3. NISE (National Institute of Solar Energy)
Explanation:
Under the MoU, NISE will undertake a two-year comprehensive assessment of the Toyota Mirai FCEV.
NISE will study the vehicle’s performance under Indian climatic and road conditions such as:
• Heat
• Dust
• Traffic congestion
• Varied terrain
This evaluation will help generate insights for hydrogen mobility scale-up, boost industry confidence, and support India’s clean energy ecosystem.
Other options (BHEL, NTPC, CSIR) are significant institutions but not involved in this specific project.
Q8. What is the only emission produced by the Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV)?
- Carbon dioxide
- Nitrogen oxides
- Water vapour
- Methane
Correct Option: 3. Water vapour
Explanation:
The Toyota Mirai FCEV uses hydrogen fuel-cell technology, where hydrogen reacts with oxygen inside the fuel cell.
This chemical reaction generates electricity to power the motor.
The only by-product of this reaction is pure water vapour, making Mirai a zero-emission vehicle.
This is what makes FCEVs an inspiring future mobility solution—they produce no air pollutants like:
• CO₂ (carbon dioxide)
• NOx (nitrogen oxides)
• CH₄ (methane)
Hence, water vapour is the only emission, reinforcing the environmental benefits of hydrogen mobility.
Q9. What type of fuel cell technology powers India’s first fully indigenous hydrogen passenger vessel?
- Alkaline Fuel Cell (AFC)
- Low Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell
- Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC)
- Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC)
Correct Option: 2. Low Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell
Explanation:
The vessel operates on Low Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology, which is widely used for transport applications due to its:
• High efficiency
• Quick start-up
• Compact design suitable for urban vessels
The PEM fuel cell converts stored hydrogen into electricity, producing only water as a byproduct, making it zero-emission and environmentally friendly.
Other fuel cell types like AFC, SOFC, and PAFC exist, but they are either less suited for small passenger vessels or operate at higher temperatures.
Q10. Which organisation built India’s first fully indigenous hydrogen fuel cell passenger vessel?
- Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL)
- Shipping Corporation of India (SCI)
- Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL)
- Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
Correct Option: 1. Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL)
Explanation:
• The vessel was built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL).
• Ownership of the vessel belongs to IWAI, but CSL handled the construction and delivery of the vessel.
• This project demonstrates indigenous manufacturing capability in India’s maritime sector under the “Make in India” initiative.