Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026:
- It was the first and largest international conference on election management hosted by the Election Commission of India.
- During the conference, thematic discussions were led by Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of States/UTs in collaboration with academic institutions.
- The conference concluded with a decision to hold the next review meeting in December 2027.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Correct Option: 1. 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
• Statement 1 is correct: IICDEM-2026 was described as the first and the largest conference of its kind, hosted by the Election Commission of India with participation from 42 EMBs.
•
Statement 2 is correct: 36 thematic groups, led by CEOs of States/UTs and supported by national and international academic institutions, deliberated on global electoral themes and best practices.
•
Statement 3 is incorrect: Participants proposed to meet again on 3rd–5th December 2026, not 2027, at IIIDEM, New Delhi.
Q2. Which of the following features best distinguish India’s participation at Gulfood 2026?
- Representation from exporters, FPOs, cooperatives, startups, and State Government agencies
- Focus on GI-tagged, organic, and value-added food products
- Exclusive emphasis on bulk exports of cereals and pulses
Select the correct answer using the code below:
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Correct Option: 3. 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
• Statements 1 and 2 correctly reflect the diverse, value-added and ecosystem-wide nature of India’s participation.
•
Statement 3 is incorrect, as the focus is not limited to bulk commodities.
Q3. Why is the “Anna Chakra” initiative being recognized at the international level through the Franz Edelman Award?
- Because it is India’s largest food subsidy program
- Because it applies advanced operations research to optimize public food logistics with measurable economic, social, and environmental impact
- Because it replaces the Public Distribution System entirely with a digital platform
- Because it was developed exclusively by a private technology company
Correct Option: 2. Because it applies advanced operations research to optimize public food logistics with measurable economic, social, and environmental impact.
Explanation:
The Franz Edelman Award recognizes high-impact applications of operations research and analytics. Anna Chakra qualifies because it uses advanced optimization models to improve food grain movement under India’s Public Distribution System. Its impact is quantifiable and multidimensional—including INR 250 crore in annual savings, a 35% reduction in emissions, and benefits to over 81 crore beneficiaries. The recognition is not for scale alone, digitization, or private-sector innovation, but for evidence-based analytical decision-making applied to public systems.
Q4. Which combination of factors best explains the significance of Anna Chakra’s development model?
- Centralized government funding and private-sector execution
- International funding and state-level implementation only
- A collaborative partnership between government, a UN agency, and an academic institution
- Independent research conducted solely by IIT Delhi
Correct Option: 2. A collaborative partnership between government, a UN agency, and an academic institution.
Explanation:
Anna Chakra was developed through a Government–UN–Academia collaboration involving:
• DFPD (Government of India) for policy and implementation,
• UN World Food Programme (WFP) India for global expertise in food logistics, and
• IIT Delhi for academic and analytical rigor.
This collaborative model is significant because it combines policy authority, international best practices, and advanced academic research, making the solution both scalable and globally relevant. This partnership is a key reason the initiative stands alongside global corporate finalists like Google and Microsoft.
Q5. With reference to the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2026, consider the following statements:
- The award recognizes contributions only from government institutions.
- Lieutenant Colonel Seeta Ashok Shelke was selected under the Individual Category.
- The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) received the award for a community-centred disaster risk reduction model.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Correct Option: 2. 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
• Statement 1 is incorrect: The award recognizes both individuals and institutions, not only government bodies.
•
Statement 2 is correct: Lieutenant Colonel Seeta Ashok Shelke received the award under the Individual Category for her leadership in HADR operations during the 2024 Wayanad floods.
•
Statement 3 is correct: SSDMA was recognized for its three-tier, community-based disaster risk reduction model involving Aapda Mitras at village, block, and district levels.