Q1. The primary objective of the proposed technical education standards under the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) Bill, 2025 is to:
- Increase foreign university participation in India
- Promote liberal arts education across technical institutions
- Align technical education with employment and entrepreneurship outcomes
- Centralise curriculum design under the Union government
Correct Option: 3. Align technical education with employment and entrepreneurship outcomes
Explanation: The government aims to set technical education standards focused on equipping students with skills to acquire jobs and start entrepreneurship ventures. This reflects a shift toward outcome-based education aligned with labour market needs. The Bill does not primarily focus on foreign universities (1), liberal arts expansion (2), or curriculum centralisation (4).
Q2. Which of the following correctly describes the tunnel composition of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Bullet Train project?
- The project has no underground tunnels, relying entirely on surface tunnels
- Of the total tunnel length, underground tunnels are longer than surface tunnels
- All mountain tunnels of the project are located in Maharashtra
- Surface tunnels constitute more than half of the total tunnel length
Correct Option: 2. Of the total tunnel length, underground tunnels are longer than surface tunnels
Explanation:
• The total tunnel length is 27.4 km, out of which 21 km are underground tunnels and 6.4 km are surface tunnels.
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Therefore, underground tunnels form the majority, making Option B correct.
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Option 1 is incorrect because the project includes significant underground tunnelling.
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Option 3 is incorrect because one mountain tunnel is located in Gujarat.
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Option 4 is incorrect since surface tunnels are less than half of the total tunnel length.
Q3. With reference to the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and recent developments in Yemen, consider the following statements:
- The STC is a UAE-backed separatist group operating in southern Yemen.
- The STC has announced a two-year transitional phase towards forming an independent state called “South Arabia”.
- The proposed transition rules out any dialogue with northern Yemen, which is controlled by Houthi rebels.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Correct Option: 1. 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
• Statement 1 is correct:
The article explicitly states that the separatists are UAE-backed, and they operate in southern Yemen under the Southern Transitional Council (STC).
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Statement 2 is correct:
The STC announced a two-year transition period leading to an independent state named “South Arabia”, potentially by January 2028.
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Statement 3 is incorrect:
The STC president stated that the transitional phase would include dialogue with Yemen’s north, which is controlled by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.