Q1. According to the revised guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, which of the following is now mandatory for IPS officers (2011 batch onwards) to be empanelled for Inspector General of Police (IGP)-level posts at the Centre?
- Completion of five years of service in State police
- Posting in a Central Armed Police Force
- Minimum two years of Central deputation at SP/DIG or equivalent level
- Prior service as IGP in a State cadre
Correct Option: 3. Minimum two years of Central deputation at SP/DIG or equivalent level
Explanation:
• The MHA modified its empanelment guidelines to require two years of Central experience for eligibility for IGP-level postings at the Centre.
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This experience must be at the rank of SP or DIG (or equivalent).
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The rule applies to IPS officers of the 2011 batch onwards.
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Options 1, 2, and 4 are not mentioned in the guidelines and therefore incorrect.
Q2. Which institution is leading the technical implementation of the manuscript digitization project under the CCRAS–Berhampur University collaboration?
- Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI), Bhubaneswar
- National Council for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM)
- National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH), Hyderabad
- South Odisha Cultural Study Centre (SOCSC)
Correct Option: 3. National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH), Hyderabad.
Explanation:
The project is being led by the National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH), Hyderabad, which is a peripheral unit of CCRAS. NIIMH specializes in preserving and documenting India’s medical heritage and is responsible for employing advanced digitization techniques, cataloguing, and scholarly processing of the manuscripts.
Q3. Chhari-Dhand in Kutch, Gujarat has been designated a Ramsar site because:
- It is a perennial freshwater lake
- It supports migratory birds and desert-adapted wildlife
- It is primarily a forested wetland
- It is the headquarters of the Ramsar Convention in India
Correct Option: 2. It supports migratory birds and desert-adapted wildlife
Explanation:
• Chhari-Dhand is a seasonal saline wetland located on the edge of the Banni grasslands and Little Rann of Kutch, not a perennial freshwater lake (so 1 is incorrect).
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It is important for migratory birds, including flamingos, cranes, pelicans, and also supports desert wildlife like chinkara, caracal, and desert foxes, making 2 correct.
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It is not a forested wetland, so 3 is wrong.
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The Ramsar Convention Secretariat is headquartered in Gland, Swizerland, so 4 is incorrect.
Q4. Which of the following wildlife species are found in both Patna Bird Sanctuary (UP) and Chhari-Dhand (Gujarat)?
- Caracal and Chinkara
- Olive Ridley Turtle and Gangetic Dolphin
- Snow Leopard and Himalayan Monal
- Greater Flamingo and Pelican
Correct Option: 1. Caracal and Chinkara
Explanation:
• Both Patna Bird Sanctuary and Chhari-Dhand support desert/grassland wildlife including Chinkara (Indian gazelle) and Caracal (desert cat).
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Option 4 is partially correct: flamingos and pelicans are mainly found in Chhari-Dhand, not Patna Bird Sanctuary.
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Option 2 is incorrect: Olive Ridley Turtles are marine species, and Gangetic Dolphins are freshwater riverine species, not wetland inhabitants of these sites.
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Option 3 is incorrect: Snow Leopard and Himalayan Monal are Himalayan species, not found in UP or Gujarat wetlands.
Q5. Which of the following statements about the Ramsar Convention is correct?
- It was signed in Ramsar, Iran in 1982, and India became a signatory the same year
- It aims to designate wetlands of national importance only
- It promotes wetlands conservation and wise use globally
- It transfers ownership of wetlands to the United Nations
Correct Option: 3. It promotes wetlands conservation and wise use globally.
Explanation:
• The Ramsar Convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran in 1971, is an international treaty for wetland conservation. Its main objective is to promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands worldwide.
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India became a signatory on 1st February 1982, not 1971, so 1 is partially incorrect.
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Option 2 is wrong: Ramsar focuses on internationally important wetlands, not just national importance.
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Option 4 is incorrect: Ownership remains with the national/state governments, Ramsar only provides recognition and conservation framework.
Q6. Which of the following is not a function of the Waqf Property Lease Module on the UMEED Central Portal?
- Recording lease information of Waqf properties
- Monitoring lease period and lease amount
- Facilitating real-time geotagging of all Waqf properties
- Strengthening accountability and oversight in leasing
Correct Option: 3. Facilitating real-time geotagging of all Waqf properties.
Explanation:
• The Waqf Property Lease Module is specifically designed to manage leasing information, including lease details, lease period, lease amount, and to improve accountability.
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Option 3 (geotagging of properties) is a feature of the overall UMEED Portal, not specifically the Lease Module.
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Therefore, while the portal supports geotagging, the Lease Module focuses on leasing management, making 3 the correct answer.
Q7. The UMEED Central Portal was launched to achieve which of the following objectives?
- Centralized digital management of Waqf properties with transparency and accountability
- Privatization of Waqf properties for commercial development
- Transfer of Waqf property ownership to the central government
- Replacement of State Waqf Boards with a single national authority
Correct Option: 1. Centralized digital management of Waqf properties with transparency and accountability.
Explanation:
• The UMEED Portal (Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development) is designed to digitally manage Waqf properties, ensuring transparency, efficiency, accountability, and public participation.
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Option 2 is incorrect: The portal does not privatize Waqf properties.
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Option 3 is wrong: Ownership remains with the Waqf Boards and beneficiaries, not the central government.
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Option 4 is also incorrect: State/UT Waqf Boards continue to operate, with the portal aiding coordination and monitoring.