Q1. What historical significance does Ponduru Khadi hold?
- It was the first khadi produced in India after independence.
- It was appreciated by Mahatma Gandhi over 100 years ago.
- It was exclusively worn by kings of Andhra Pradesh.
- It was exported to Europe during the 18th century.
Correct Option: 2. It was appreciated by Mahatma Gandhi over 100 years ago.
Explanation: Ponduru Khadi was appreciated by Mahatma Gandhi 100 years ago, highlighting its historical and cultural significance.
Q2. What is the primary focus of the Demow Model being studied under the ICMR project?
- Distribution of anti-snake venom injections during transport
- Community engagement, awareness, and referral networks for snakebite management
- Using digital tools for real-time snakebite surveillance
- Manufacturing protective snakebite gear
Correct Option: 2. Community engagement, awareness, and referral networks for snakebite management.
Explanation: The Demow Model focuses on robust community engagement, establishing referral networks, and increasing awareness through volunteers and local participation.
Q3. With reference to Asia’s longest ski drag lift inaugurated in Gulmarg, consider the following statements:
- It is located at Kongdoori.
- It measures 726 metres in length.
- It has been developed primarily to support professional skiing and winter sports training.
- It is situated at an altitude of 4,390 metres
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1, 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 2, 3 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
Correct Option: 1. 1, 2 and 3 only.
Explanation:
• Statement 1 – Correct
The Asia’s longest ski drag lift is located at Kongdoori in Gulmarg.
•
Statement 2 – Correct
The ski drag lift measures 726 metres, making it the longest of its kind in Asia.
•
Statement 3 – Correct
The facility is intended to boost winter sports and professional skiing, including training infrastructure.
•
Statement 4 – Incorrect
The altitude of 4,390 metres refers to the location of the rotating conference hall at Apharwat, not the ski drag lift.
Q4. The Bison Horn Maria dance is best described as which of the following?
- A ritual performed exclusively by men to commemorate warfare victories
- A folk dance symbolising hunting traditions, village rituals, and the community’s bond with nature
- A seasonal harvest dance limited to agricultural celebrations
- A classical dance form codified under royal patronage in ancient Gondwana
Correct Option: 2. A folk dance symbolising hunting traditions, village rituals, and the community’s bond with nature.
Explanation:
• Option 1 – Incorrect
The dance is performed by both men and women, not exclusively by men, and it is not centred on warfare victories.
•
Option 2 – Correct
The Bison Horn Maria dance celebrates hunting traditions, village rituals, and the deep relationship of the Dandami Madia community with nature.
It reflects the community’s cultural identity and ancestral connection.
•
Option 3 – Incorrect
The dance is not confined to harvest seasons; it reaches its grandest expression during the Madia festival, which is a broader cultural and religious gathering.
•
Option 4 – Incorrect
The Bison Horn Maria dance is a tribal folk tradition, not a classical dance form codified under royal or courtly patronage.
Q5. Which cellular trait was identified as most critical to mangroves’ ability to survive in highly saline (saltwater) environments?
- A higher number of stomata to increase photosynthesis
- Larger leaf surface area to dilute salt concentration
- Small epidermal pavement cells combined with thicker cell walls
- Faster transpiration rates to remove excess salt
Correct Option: 3. Small epidermal pavement cells combined with thicker cell walls
Explanation:
• The study found that mangroves do not rely on increased photosynthesis, higher stomatal density, or faster transpiration to tolerate salt. This rules out options 1 and 4.
• Option 2 is incorrect because the research did not identify leaf size or surface area as a key factor in salt tolerance.
• Instead, scientists discovered that mangroves possess unusually small epidermal pavement cells and thicker cell walls, which provide mechanical strength. This structural reinforcement allows their cells to withstand low osmotic potential, meaning they can continue absorbing water even when surrounded by salty conditions that would normally dehydrate plant cells.
• These cellular traits are central to mangroves’ resilience and are seen as promising targets for developing salt-tolerant agricultural crops in the future.
Q6. Which of the following specifications correctly describes Nvidia’s H200 AI chip?
- It belongs to the Blackwell generation and is manufactured using a 3nm process
- It is the fastest AI chip Nvidia has ever produced and uses a 5nm process
- It is part of Nvidia’s Hopper generation and is manufactured using TSMC’s 4nm process
- It is an upcoming Rubin-series chip manufactured outside Taiwan
Correct Option: 3. It is part of Nvidia’s Hopper generation and is manufactured using TSMC’s 4nm process
Explanation:
• The H200 belongs to Nvidia’s Hopper generation, which precedes the newer Blackwell and upcoming Rubin lines. It is described as the second-fastest AI chip Nvidia offers and is manufactured by TSMC using a 4nm process.
Q7. Which statement correctly describes India’s achievement at the SDAT Squash World Cup 2025?
- India reached the finals of the World Cup for the first time but lost
- India won its first-ever Squash World Cup title
- India won the World Cup for the second consecutive time
- India hosted the World Cup but did not participate
Correct Option: 2. India won its first-ever Squash World Cup title
Explanation:
• The Indian Squash Team made history by winning the SDAT Squash World Cup 2025, marking their first-ever World Cup title.
Q8. Which theme will guide the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine 2025?
- “Traditional Medicine as the only solution for global health”
- “Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well-being”
- “Digital health and AI in modern medicine”
- “Exclusive promotion of Indigenous practices in India”
Correct Option: 2. “Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well-being”
Explanation:
The Summit will be held under the theme:
•“Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well-being”
This theme reflects the Summit’s focus on integrating Traditional Medicine into global health systems, emphasizing:
•Balance in knowledge, access, governance, and planetary health
•Science and evidence-based practice for credibility and safe integration
•Sustainability and inclusivity in healthcare, drawing on diverse knowledge systems