Q1. Which of the following statements regarding Census of India 2027 is/are correct?
- It will be the first Census in India to be conducted entirely through digital means.
- Caste enumeration will be carried out during the Houselisting & Housing Census phase.
- The Census will be conducted in two phases with Population Enumeration scheduled in February 2027 across the entire country.
- Census-as-a-Service (CaaS) aims to provide machine-readable and actionable data to Ministries.
Select the correct answer using the code below:
- 1 and 4 only
- 1, 3 and 4 only
- 1 and 4 only
- 1, 2 and 4 only
Correct Option: 1. 1 and 4 only
Explanation:
• Statement 1 – Correct
Census 2027 is the first Census to be conducted digitally, using mobile applications (Android & iOS) along with real-time monitoring portals.
• Statement 2 – Incorrect
Caste enumeration will be conducted during the Population Enumeration (PE) phase, not during the Houselisting & Housing Census.
• Statement 3 – Incorrect
While Population Enumeration is scheduled for February 2027 in most parts of the country, it will be conducted earlier (September 2026) in snow-bound and non-synchronous areas such as Ladakh and parts of J&K, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
• Statement 4 – Correct
Census-as-a-Service (CaaS) is designed to provide clean, machine-readable, and actionable datasets to Ministries for effective policy formulation.
Q2. Which of the following innovations will be introduced in the Census of India 2027?
- Use of mobile applications for data collection on both Android and iOS platforms.
- Self-enumeration option for citizens to fill in their Census details online.
- Caste data will be collected in the Houselisting & Housing Census phase.
- Census results will be made available only at the national level, with no micro-level data access.
Select the correct answer using the code below:
- 1 and 2 only
- 1, 2, and 3 only
- 1, 2, and 4 only
- 3 and 4 only
Correct Option: 1. 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
• Statement 1 – Correct
Census 2027 will be the first digital Census in India, using mobile applications (Android & iOS) for real-time data collection. This will improve the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of the enumeration process.
•
Statement 2 – Correct
A self-enumeration option will be provided, allowing citizens to fill in their Census details directly, reducing the fieldwork burden and ensuring more accurate data.
•
Statement 3 – Incorrect
Caste data will not be collected during the Houselisting & Housing Census phase. It will be captured during the Population Enumeration (PE) phase, as decided by the Cabinet.
•
Statement 4 – Incorrect
Census 2027 will make micro-level data available down to village/ward levels, which will support localized governance, resource allocation, and planning.
Q3. Which of the following is NOT a feature of the newly approved CoalSETU Policy for coal linkage auctions?
- The policy allows coal linkage allocation for any industrial use and export except for coking coal.
- Traders will be allowed to participate in the CoalSETU window for auction of coal linkages.
- Coal linkage holders can export up to 50% of the coal obtained under the CoalSETU window.
- The policy aims to increase the availability of washed coal in India and reduce dependence on imported coal.
Select the correct answer using the code below:
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 4 only
- 3 and 4 only
Correct Option: 2. 2 only
Explanation:
• Statement 1 – Correct
The CoalSETU Policy indeed allows the allocation of coal linkages for any industrial use and export (except for coking coal). This aligns with the goal of providing flexibility in coal usage and reducing restrictions.
•
Statement 2 – Incorrect
The CoalSETU Policy explicitly disallows traders from participating in the auction. Only domestic coal consumers, such as industries and exporters, are eligible to bid for coal linkages under this window. This restriction is in place to ensure that coal is allocated for industrial use and export, not for resale within the country.
•
Statement 3 – Correct
The policy allows coal linkage holders to export up to 50% of the coal obtained through the CoalSETU window. This export allowance encourages trade and supports India’s foreign exchange earnings while reducing excess domestic supply.
•
Statement 4 – Correct
One of the key objectives of the CoalSETU Policy is to increase the availability of washed coal in India. By linking coal washeries to the auction system, the policy aims to reduce India’s dependence on imported coal and also create opportunities for the export of washed coal.
Q4. Which of the following statements correctly describe the key provisions of India’s resolution on “Strengthening the Global Management of Wildfires” adopted at UNEA-7?
- The resolution emphasizes Integrated Fire Management (IFM), including satellite monitoring, risk mapping, and community participation.
- The Global Fire Management Hub, established in 2023, was created jointly by FAO and UNEP to support wildfire management.
- The resolution restricts wildfires management strategies only to reactive firefighting measures rather than proactive prevention.
- India referred to UNEP’s report projecting that wildfires could increase by 50% by 2100 if current trends continue.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1, 2, and 3 only
- 1, 2, and 4 only
- 2, 3, and 4 only
- 1, 3, and 4 only
Correct Option: 2. 1, 2, and 4 only
Explanation:
• Statement 1 – Correct
The resolution strongly promotes Integrated Fire Management (IFM), combining:
Satellite-based monitoring
Risk mapping
Community and frontline personnel participation
This approach emphasizes proactive prevention, early warning, and coordinated wildfire management.
•
Statement 2 – Correct
The Global Fire Management Hub was established in 2023 jointly by FAO and UNEP, serving as a platform to support global wildfire preparedness, ecosystem restoration, and integrated fire management strategies.
•
Statement 3 – Incorrect
The resolution does not focus solely on reactive firefighting. On the contrary, India emphasized a shift from reactive measures to proactive prevention, including early-warning systems and risk reduction planning.
•
Statement 4 – Correct
India referred to UNEP’s report “Spreading Like Wildfire”, which projects wildfire increases of:
• 14% by 2030
• 30% by 2050
• 50% by 2100
These projections underscore the long-term climate-driven risk of wildfires.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the Chaupal Program recently rolled out under the Ministry of Textiles:
- The program aims to promote awareness about handicraft traditions, skill development, and entrepreneurship among artisans.
- It will be implemented in 100 handicraft aspirational districts in its first phase.
- Chaupal Kits distributed under the program are intended to facilitate digital onboarding, workshops, and demonstrations for artisans.
- The program is implemented under the Ministry of Culture.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1, 2, and 3 only
- 1 and 4 only
- 2, 3, and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3, and 4
Correct Option: 1. 1, 2, and 3 only
Explanation:
• Statement 1 – Correct
The Chaupal Program focuses on awareness of handicraft traditions, skill development, and entrepreneurship promotion, aligning with the National Handicrafts Development Program (NHDP) objectives.
•
Statement 2 – Correct
The first phase targets 100 handicraft aspirational districts, establishing district-level permanent Chaupals for ongoing artisan engagement.
•
Statement 3 – Correct
Chaupal Kits containing audio-visual materials and essential equipment are provided to enable interactive workshops, demonstrations, awareness sessions, and digital onboarding of artisans.
•
Statement 4 – Incorrect
The program is implemented under the Ministry of Textiles, not the Ministry of Culture.
Q6. What is the central curatorial idea of the sixth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB)?
- Highlighting technological innovation in contemporary art
- Celebrating a single iconic exhibition venue in Kochi
- Exploring the body as a bearer of memory and its connection to Kochi’s landscape
- Promoting exclusively Indian artists and traditional art forms
Correct Option: 3. Exploring the body as a bearer of memory and its connection to Kochi’s landscape
Explanation: The sixth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale is curated around the theme “For the Time Being.” Curator Nikhil Chopra explains that this edition focuses on the body as a bearer of memory and materiality, with the concept extending metaphorically into Kochi’s landscape shaped by human and non-human movements. This approach reflects an engagement with time, place, movement, and lived experience.
Q7. Which of the following countries has introduced Gold Card to facilitate the easy immigration which may convert into citizenship?
- France
- Germany
- China
- USA
Correct Option: 4. USA
Explanation: USA has introduced ‘Gold Card’ scheme to facilitate the easy immigration which may convert into citizenship.