MODERN HISTORY QUIZ IN HINDI FOR UPSC PART-1

• IN-STEP provides a valuable platform for participants to exchange ideas and strategies to address security challenges. Hence, statement 1 is correct.  
  • The Programme is a collaborative initiative involving the National Security Council Secretariat, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Ministry of Defence.   
• IN-STEP is not limited to Indian military and civil officers. It includes international delegates, with the recent gathering comprising 27 international delegates from 21 countries, in addition to Indian officials. 

May 29 is celebrated as International Mount Everest Day to mark the first successful climb of the world’s highest peak. On this day in 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa from Nepal reached the 8,848-meter summit of Mount Everest. This historic achievement showed great courage, teamwork, and human endurance. The day honours their legacy and inspires mountaineers around the world. It also highlights the cultural importance of the Everest region and the need to protect its fragile environment.

Mount Kanlaon: 

• Mount Kanlaon, a 2,435-meter active volcano in the Philippines, recently erupted, releasing ash and gases. 
• Mount Kanlaon is a stratovolcano in the north-central part of the island of Negros.  
  • A volcano (an endogenic process) is a weak spot in the earth's crust where gases, lava, ash, and steam are expelled during an eruption. 
• The Philippines is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for its high seismic activity, making it one of the most disaster-prone areas globally. 
  • The Ring of Fire, or Circum-Pacific Belt, is a seismic zone around the Pacific Ocean known for active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes, caused by interactions between the Pacific Plate and surrounding less-dense plates. 
  • The Ring of Fire spans about 40,000 kilometers, marking the boundaries of tectonic plates such as Pacific, Juan de Fuca, Cocos, Indian-Australian, Nazca, North American, and Philippine Plates. 

Parliamentary System in India: 

• India follows a parliamentary system, where the Prime Minister is the real executive and the President is a nominal executive (de jure head) . Hence, statement 1 is not correct. 
• In a parliamentary system of government, the executive is accountable to the legislature for its policies and actions. Hence, statement  2 is not correct. 
  • In contrast, the presidential system operates in such a way that the executive is not accountable to the legislature for its policies and actions, and it functions independently of the legislature in terms of its term of office. 
• The collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers to the Lok Sabha is enshrined in Article 75.

Paramitas, or pāramitā in Pāli, are core virtues in Buddhism that are often translated as "perfection". They are characteristics and goals of bodhisattvas, or those who aspire to become a Buddha

The six paramitas in Mahāyāna Buddhism are:

• Generosity: Dāna-pāramitā
• Morality: Śīla-pāramitā
• Perseverance: Kṣānti-pāramitā
• Vigor: Vīrya-pāramitā
• Meditation: Dhyāna-pāramitā
• Wisdom: Prajñā-pāramitā
• Hence, option C is correct.

Volt Typhoon:

• Microsoft has detected covert, targeted malicious activity by the Chinese state-sponsored group Volt Typhoon, aimed at post-compromise credential access & network system discovery, targeting US critical infrastructure.
• The Volt Typhoon affects various sectors including communications, manufacturing, utilities, transportation, construction, maritime, government, IT, and education.
  • Observed behavior indicates a covert intent for prolonged undetected espionage and access retention.

• National e-Governance Division (NeGD) was established in 2009 by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) as an Independent Business Division under the Digital India Corporation.
• It supports MeitY in managing and implementing e-Governance projects across the country.
• It provides technical and advisory assistance to Central and State Ministries, Departments, and other government organizations.

he Vijayanagara Empire was founded in 1336 CE by Harihara and Bukka, two brothers who were guided by the sage Vidyaranya.

• At that time, Muhammad bin Tughlaq (r. 1325–1351 CE) was the Sultan of Delhi.
• The founders of Vijayanagar were formerly governors under the Delhi Sultanate and later declared independence due to administrative chaos and weak control in the south.

Hence, the correct answer is:

(d) Muhammad bin Tughlaq

• The average surface water temperature of the oceans is approximately 27°C, decreasing gradually from the equator to the poles. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• The temperature typically drops by about 0.5°C for each degree of latitude. At 20° latitude, the average temperature is around 22°C, at 40° latitude it is 14°C, and near the poles, it reaches 0°C.  
• Oceans in the northern hemisphere generally have higher temperatures than those in the southern hemisphere. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
• The average annual temperatures are around 19°C in the northern hemisphere and 16°C in the southern hemisphere.  

Parliamentary Legislation When Rajya Sabha Passes a Resolution:

• If the Rajya Sabha resolves that it is necessary for Parliament to make laws on a matter in the State List, Parliament gains the power to legislate on that matter.  
  • The resolution must be supported by two-thirds of members present and voting. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• The resolution lasts for one year and may be renewed, but not exceeding one year at a time. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
  • The law ceases to be effective six months after the resolution expires. 
• The state legislature retains the right to make laws on the same matter, but in case of conflict, parliamentary law prevails. 

Non-debt capital receipts (NDCR): 

• Taxes and duties levied by the government form the biggest source of its income or receipts. The government spends this money on both operational and developmental needs.  
• Usually, there are two main sources of the government’s income – revenue receipts and capital receipts.  
• Revenue receipts comprise both tax and non-tax revenues while capital receipts consist of capital receipts and non-debt capital receipts.  
• Non-debt capital receipts, also known as NDCR, account for just 3% of the central government’s total receipts. 
• Note that non debt capital receipts (NDCR) of the union government include: 
  • Recoveries of loans and advances given to state governments, Union territories and foreign governments 
  • Disinvestment proceeds 
  • Money accrued to the Union government from listing of central government companies and issue of bonus shares. 
• Nearly three-fourths of the central government’s receipts come from tax and non-tax revenues, while one-fourth comes from capital receipts that include non-debt capital receipts and borrowings. 

• Sohgaura Copper Plate: The earliest known copper-plate, known as the Sohgaura copper-plate, is a Mauryan record that mentions famine relief efforts. It is one of the very few pre-Ashoka Brahmi inscriptions found in Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
• Maski Inscription: Maski is a village and an archaeological site in Raichur district of Karnataka. It lies on the bank of the Maski river which is a tributary of the Tungabhadra. The site has a minor rock edict of Emperor Ashoka.
  • It was the first edict of Emperor Ashoka that contained the name Ashoka in it instead of ‘Devanampriya’ or ‘Piyadassi’. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
• Kalsi Inscription: The site of Ashoka’s inscriptions at Kalsi is singularly unique as it is the only place in North India where the great Mauryan emperor has inscribed the set of the 14 rock edicts.
  • The language of these edicts is Prakrit and the script is Brahmi. The Rock edict was written around 450 BC and is made of quartz which is 8 ft broad and 10 ft long.
  • These rock edicts reflect Asoka’s human approach in his internal administration when he converted himself to Buddhism. It also reflects the policies for the commitment to non-violence and restriction of war. The inscription also tells about his life when he took the path of spirituality. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

About Snow leopards :

• Recently, Kyrgyzstan has officially declared the Snow Leopard(Panthera uncia) as its national symbol, signifying its commitment to conservation and ecological balance.
• Snow leopards are vital for ecological balance, inhabiting 1/3 of the global territory. A decline in their population poses risks to various species.
  • Adapted to high-altitude terrains, their unique physique ensures agility in steep, rugged environments.
  • Major Sites as significant habitats for Snow Leopards :
    • Hemis National Park,Ladakh.Hence, option 1 is correct.
    • Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh. Hence, option 2 is correct.
    • Gangotri National Park, Uttrakhand.
    • Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim. Hence, option 3 is correct.

The Supreme Court of India has approved Rajasthan government’s plan to develop two new wetlands near Ajmer to support nature and planned city growth. This decision aims to protect the environment and ensure sustainable urban development near Ana Sagar Lake. Ana Sagar Lake is an artificial lake in Ajmer, Rajasthan, built between 1135 and 1150 AD by Anaaji Chauhan, father of King Prithviraj Chauhan. It is one of India’s largest and most famous lakes.

• The Council of Ministers is a larger body consisting of 60 to 70 ministers, while the Cabinet is a smaller body with 15 to 20 ministers.  
• The Cabinet implements decisions taken by the Council of Ministers, while the Council supervises the implementation of those decisions.   
• The Cabinet is a constitutional body detailed in Articles 74 and 75 of the Constitution, though its size and classification are not specified in the Constitution and are determined by the Prime Minister. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. 
  • The Council of Ministers, on the other hand, was inserted in Article 352 of the Constitution in 1978 by the 44^th Constitutional Amendment Act and does not have a detailed description of its powers and functions. 
  • The Council of Ministers includes all categories of ministers, such as cabinet ministers, ministers of state, and deputy ministers, whereas the Cabinet includes only cabinet ministers.  

• World AIDS Day is observed on 1^st December every year.
• It serves as a platform to raise awareness about HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)/AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), reflect on the progress made, and highlight ongoing efforts to eliminate the disease.

• SASTRA Ramanujan Prize is awarded by the Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA) University, Tamil Nadu. Hence, statement 1 is correct.  
• The prize is awarded to mathematicians aged 32 or below, not 40 or below. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.  
• The prize is named after Srinivasa Ramanujan and includes a cash award of USD 10,000, recognizing outstanding contributions in areas influenced by Ramanujan's work. 

• The Aravallis, is the oldest fold mountains on Earth. Geological studies indicate that it is three billion years old.
• It spans over 800 km from Gujarat to Delhi (through Rajasthan and Haryana).
• The highest peak in the Aravalli Range is Guru Peak on Mount Abu.

Inter-State Water Disputes:

• Under the provision of Article 262, Parliament enacted the River Boards Act (1956) and the Inter-State Water Disputes Act (1956) to adjudicate inter-state water disputes. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• The Inter-State Water Disputes Act 1956 authorizes the Central government to establish an ad hoc tribunal for resolving disputes between two or more states regarding the waters of an inter-state river or river valley. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
  • The tribunal's decision is final and binding on all parties involved in the dispute. 
• Neither the Supreme Court nor any other court has jurisdiction over water disputes referred to such a tribunal under this Act. 

• MERCOSUR (Southern Common Market) is a regional trade bloc in South America, established in 1991.  
  • It includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela as full members, aiming to promote free trade, economic integration, and political cooperation among member states, with Bolivia's membership pending. 

NITI Aayog launched the report “From Borrowers to Builders: Women’s Role in India’s Financial Growth Story.” The report, released by CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, highlights the rise in women’s financial awareness. By December 2024, 27 million women were monitoring their credit, a 42% increase from the previous year. The report was published by TransUnion CIBIL, NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), and MicroSave Consulting (MSC). WEP works on financial literacy, credit access, mentorship, and market linkages for women. Financing Women Collaborative (FWC) was formed to ensure inclusive financial access and seeks financial sector participation.

Hyderabad teenager Vishwanath Karthikey Padakanti recently became the youngest Indian and the second youngest person in the world to complete the Seven Summits Challenge. The Seven Summits Challenge involves climbing the highest mountain on each of the seven continents. It was first proposed and completed by Richard Bass in 1985. The peaks include Mount Everest in Asia, Aconcagua in South America, Denali in North America, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Elbrus in Europe, Mount Vinson in Antarctica, and either Kosciuszko in Australia or Puncak Jaya in Oceania.

• PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana was introduced in 2014 to promote rooftop solar installation.
• The original target was 40 GW installed capacity (out of 100 GW by 2030) by 2022 but the goal was not met by 2022, the deadline was extended to 2026.
  • Rooftop solar panels are photovoltaic panels installed on the roof of a building and connected to the main power supply unit.
• Its objective is to promote grid-connected solar rooftop systems on residential buildings.

Located in Uttar Pradesh:

• Alamgirpur (Meerut district):
  • Discovered by Y.D. Sharma in 1958.
  • Belongs to the Late Harappan Phase.
  • Artifacts: Painted pottery, spindle whorls, etc.
• Hulas (Saharanpur district):
  • Also belongs to Late Harappan Phase.
  • Evidence of grain storage pits, mud houses, animal domestication found.

The Cape Vulture has returned to South Africa’s Eastern Cape after three decades. It is an Old World vulture species in the Accipitridae family and is endemic to southern Africa. It is mainly found in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, and parts of northern Namibia. There are 23 vulture species globally—16 Old World vultures in Africa, Europe, and Asia, and 7 New World vultures in the Americas. Vultures prevent disease spread by disposing of carcasses efficiently. Their decline increases disease risks from scavengers like feral dogs and rats. The Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres) is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Collective Responsibility:

• According to Article 75, the council of ministers is collectively accountable to the Lok Sabha. Hence, statement I is correct. 
• If the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion against the council of ministers, all ministers, including those from the Rajya Sabha, must resign. Hence, statement II is correct. Further, statement II explains statement I. 
  • Alternatively, the council of ministers can recommend to the President to dissolve the Lok Sabha, arguing that it no longer represents the electorate’s views, and call for fresh elections.  
  • However, the President may choose not to act on the council's advice if it has lost the confidence of the Lok Sabha. 

• The River Interlinking Project, also known as the National Perspective Plan (NPP), formulated in 1980 by the Ministry of Jal Shakti is a large-scale civil engineering project that aims to transfer water from surplus basins to deficit basins in India.  It involves the creation of artificial channels to connect rivers and water bodies. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• Key Projects Under Himalayan Components include Kosi-Ghagra Link, Ganga (Farakka)-Damodar-Subernarekha Link, and Kosi-Mechi Link. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. 
• Key Projects Under Peninsular Components include Mahanadi-Godavari Links, Godavari-Krishna Links, Par-Tapi-Narmada Link, and Ken-Betwa Link (first project under the NPP to begin implementation). 

Digital transactions are growing fast, increasing cyber threats and making payment security crucial. QNA is launching the Payment Security Summit & Awards – India in Mumbai on 4th March 2025. The event aims to unite leaders from various sectors to shape secure digital commerce. QNA is a decade-old events organization known for its expertise in hosting business events.

The most famous and iconic painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is found in Ajanta Cave No. 1, located in Maharashtra.

• It dates back to the 5th–6th century CE, during the reign of Vakataka king Harishena.
• This painting belongs to the Mahayana phase of Buddhism, where Bodhisattvas were worshipped.
• Padmapani means “holder of the lotus,” and the painting depicts him with grace, compassion, and divine serenity.
• The artwork is a masterpiece of ancient Indian mural painting.

📍 Location: Cave 1, Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra

The world’s largest iceberg, A23a, is drifting toward South Georgia Island after breaking from Antarctica’s Filchner Ice Shelf. South Georgia Island is a mountainous, barren island in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is part of the British overseas territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, covering 3,756 sq.km. The island has over 160 glaciers and peaks like Mount Paget (2,935 m).

he Electoral College of The Presidential Election in India:

• The President of India is chosen indirectly,  through an Electoral College made up of: 
  • The elected representatives from both Houses of Parliament; Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
  • The elected representatives from the legislative assemblies of the states; and 
    • The elected representatives from the legislative assemblies of the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
• However, the nominated members of both Houses of Parliament, state legislative assemblies, and the Legislative Assemblies of Delhi and Puducherry are excluded from participating in the President's election.  
  • This also applies to both elected and nominated members of the state legislative councils in bicameral legislatures. 

• As per the Article 75 of the constitution the Prime Minister shall be appointed by the president.  
  • As per parliamentary conventions, the President appoints the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha as the Prime Minister. 
• In 1997, the Supreme Court ruled that a person not a member of either House of Parliament can be appointed as Prime Minister for six months. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
  • During this period, they must become a member of Parliament, or they will cease to be Prime Minister.  
• The Prime Minister's term is not fixed, and they hold office at the President’s pleasure. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
  • However, this doesn’t mean the President can remove the Prime Minister at will. As long as the Prime Minister has majority support in the Lok Sabha, the President cannot dismiss them. 
• He serves as the chairman of the NITI Aayog (which replaced the Planning Commission), the National Integration Council, the Inter-State Council, the National Water Resources Council, National Ganga Council and several other bodies.

ainism has two major ancient sub traditions:

1. Digambaras : Sub-sects include Mula Sangh and Terapanthi, Taranpathi and Bispanthi

2. Svetambaras : Sub-sects include Sthanakavasi and Murtipujaka.

Early Buddhist Schools:

After passing of Buddha, the original Sangha is believed to have split into the two early schools in between 383 and 250 BC:

1. Sthavira Nikaya : Sub-sects included Mahisasaka, Sarvastivada, Sankrantika, Sautrantika, Dharmaguptaka, Vatsiputriya, Dharmottariya, Bhadrayaniya, Sannagarika and Sammitiya.

2. Mahasamghika : Sub-sects included Gokulika, Prajnaptivada, Bahusrutiya, Ekavyaharikas, Caitika.

• Other sub-sects not identified under the above two schools were Hemavatika, Rajagiriya, Siddhatthaka, Pubbaseliya, Aparaseliya, and Apararajagirika.
• Later Buddhist schools included Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana, etc
  • Hence, option C is the correct answer.

• Reverse flipping is the process of shifting the domicile of an Indian company back to India after it had moved its headquarters overseas, usually for tax or regulatory reasons. It is also known as ‘re-domiciling’. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• Reverse flipping has become a trend among Indian startups, especially in the fintech sector, as they plan for Initial Public Offers (IPOs) or seek long-term benefits in the home market. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• This strategic move is fuelled by India's flourishing economy, a huge market, promising venture capital, favorable tax structures, robust intellectual property protection, young and educated population and supportive government policies.

The Harappan Civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization, is considered the earliest example of urbanization in the Indian subcontinent.

It dates back to 2600 BCE – 1900 BCE and featured:

• • Planned cities (e.g., Mohenjodaro, Harappa)
  • Advanced drainage and water management
  • Trade networks, weights and measures
  • Script and seals
  • Standardized urban layout

• Namdapha Tiger Reserve, located in Arunachal Pradesh's Changlang district, was declared the 15th Tiger Project of India in 1983.  
• Originally designated a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1972, it later gained National Park and Tiger Reserve status. 
• The reserve derives its name from the Namdapha River, which originates from Daphabum (where "Dapha" refers to the hill and "Bum" means its peak) and flows north to south before merging with the Noa-Dehing River.  
• The landscape features diverse vegetation, including Northern Tropical Evergreen Forests, Moist Deciduous Forests, and Alpine Scrub Forests. 

he Laffer Curve: 

•  Named after economist Arthur Laffer, who made this idea popular in the 1970s. 
• The Laffer Curve shows how tax rates affect the amount of tax revenue collected. That means there is a specific tax rate that can generate the maximum revenue.  
• At a tax rate of 0%, the government collects no revenue because there are no taxes. Likewise, at a 100% tax rate, revenue would also be zero since people wouldn’t want to work or invest if all their earnings were taxed away.  
• The Laffer Curve suggests that if tax rates go too high, they can actually decrease tax revenue because they discourage people from working and investing. 
• Thus, if tax rates are set too high or too low, the total tax revenue will decrease. Hence, statement II is correct. 
• This idea is important for lawmakers because it implies that lowering taxes in certain cases might boost tax revenue by encouraging more economic activity. 
• The ideal tax rate that brings in the most revenue isn’t set in stone; it can change based on factors like how the economy is doing, how taxpayers behave, and government spending. 

Capital Market:

• The capital market is a financial marketplace for buying and selling debt and equity securities, primarily dealing with medium and long-term instruments exceeding one year. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• Treasury Bills, Dated Securities, and State Development Loans are also traded in capital markets such as BSE and NSE. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
• Units (entities) related to Banking, Insurance and Capital Markets are considered as International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) units, allowing banks, insurers, and capital market firms to establish their presence in IFSC (GIFT-SEZ). 

• The UN General Assembly (UNGA) designated 29th September as the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste. It aims to raise awareness and mobilise global efforts to reduce food loss and waste. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. 
• IDAFLW aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 12.3, which aims to halve global food waste and reduce food losses by 2030. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. 
• Food Wastage refers to any food lost by deterioration or waste(including production or distribution). Thus, the term “wastage” encompasses both food loss and food waste. 

Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP): 

• Minimum Support Price (MSP) is the guaranteed amount paid to farmers when the government buys their produce. 
• MSP is based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), which considers various factors such as cost of production, demand and supply, market price trends, inter-crop price parity, etc. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• CACP is an attached office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. It came into existence in January 1965. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
• The CACP recommends MSPs for 22 mandated crops and fair and remunerative prices (FRP) for sugarcane

The Inter-State Council:

• Article 263 makes it clear that the Inter-State Council is not a permanent constitutional body for coordination between the States and the Union.  Hence, statement 1 is not correct. 
  • It can be established at any time if the President believes that the public interest would be served by its creation. 
• In accordance with the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission, the Inter-State Council was established in 1990. Hence, statement  2 is correct. 
• The council consists of the Prime Minister as the Chairman, and following members: 
  • Chief Ministers of all states 
  • Chief Ministers of union territories with legislative assemblies 
  • Administrators of union territories without legislative assemblies 
  • Governors of states under President’s rule 
  • Six Central cabinet ministers, including the Home Minister, nominated by the Prime Minister.

Indian Grey Wolf: 

• The Indian grey wolf is found across Southwest Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• The Indian grey wolf is primarily nocturnal, hunting from dusk to dawn, not during the day. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. 
• The Indian grey wolf is listed as Endangered by the IUCN, but it thrives in warmer temperatures, not colder. Hence, statement 3 is not correct 
• Bankapur Wolf Sanctuary (Karnataka) is India's second protected area dedicated solely to wolves, after Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary (Jharkhand). Hence, statement 4 is correct.  

Recently, India’s first Artificial Intelligence-focused Special Economic Zone (AI SEZ) was announced in Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh. It will be developed by RackBank Datacenters Private Limited with an investment of ₹1,000 crore. The AI SEZ will span six acres and include a 1.5 lakh square foot facility with high-end servers for large-scale AI operations. It will house four high-density data centres with a total capacity of 80 megawatts to support national digital infrastructure. For the first time, India will not just consume but also host and deliver Artificial Intelligence services globally. It will offer jobs to youth from remote areas like Kanker, Sukma, Bilaspur, and Dantewada in roles such as IT engineers and cybersecurity officers.

Black kites were recently found nesting in a tower structure in Chennai. They are medium-sized birds of prey from the Accipitridae family. Unlike other raptors, they are opportunistic hunters, often gliding in thermals to search for food. They have brown plumage, dark wingtips, bead-like dark brown eyes, and a hooked black beak. Their habitat ranges from wetlands and coasts to grasslands and woodlands. They are mainly found in tropical regions of Australasia, Eurasia, and Africa. They are monogamous and form lifelong pair bonds.

Prime Minister recently visited the Karni Mata Temple in Rajasthan. The temple is located in Bikaner district, Rajasthan. It is dedicated to Karni Mata, believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The temple was established by Rao Jaitasi to celebrate the victory of the Bikaner King over Mughal King Kumaran. It belongs to the Shakta Sampradaya, a religious sect devoted to Goddess worship. The temple is unique worldwide because thousands of rats freely move inside it.

About Kathakali:  

• Kathakali derived its name from the words ‘Katha’ meaning story and ‘Kali’ meaning drama.  
• It is a wonderful combination of music, dance and drama. 
• It was revived in the 1930s by the famous Malayali poet V. N. Menon under the patronage of Mukunda Raja. Hence, statement 1 is not correct  
• Some of the features of Kathakali dance are 
  • Kathakali is generally an all-male troupe performance. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
  • There is minimal use of props in the Kathakali recital. However, very elaborate facial make up along with a head gear is used for different characters. 
  • Most of the Kathakali recitals are a grand representation of the eternal conflict between good and evil. It draws its themes from the stories narrated in the epics and the puranas. It is also called the ‘ballad of the east’. 
  • The language used for Kathakali songs is Manipravalam, i.e., a mixture of Malayalam and Sanskrit. Hence, statement 3 is correct. 
  • Kathakali symbolises the element of sky or ether. 
  • Famous proponents: Guru Kunchu Kurup, Gopi Nath, Kottakal Sivaraman, Rita Ganguly, etc 

A new species of spined loach, Cobitis beijingensis, has been discovered in Beijing, China, after 40 years. This is the first time a fish species has been named globally using the pinyin “Beijing.” The Beijing loach is about 5 cm long, with a body covered in yellow and black patterned markings. The species was confirmed by a research team from the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. It was collected from the Chaobai River in Shilipu Town, Miyun District, Beijing.

Munda Rebellion:

• The Munda Rebellion, also known as the Ulgulan (Great Tumult) Movement, was a tribal uprising led by Birsa Munda in the Chota Nagpur region. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• The Munda Rebellion, led by Birsa Munda, had a political character, aiming to assert tribal rights, reclaim land, and establish an independent Munda Raj against British rule and exploitation. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
• It arose in response to the British land revenue policies that introduced the zamindari system, replacing the traditional Khuntkatti system of communal land ownership. Hence, statement 3 is  correct. 
• Birsa Munda began mobilizing the Munda tribals in 1894 against British exploitation and the oppressive role of Dikus (outsiders), and declared the formation of an independent Munda Raj in 1895. 
• The Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (1908) was enacted in response to the Munda uprising, recognizing Mundari Khuntkattidar rights and restricting tribal land transfer to non-tribals, while ensuring land record maintenance. 

About National Quantum Mission (NQM): 

• The mission planned for 2023-2031, aims to seed, nurture, and scale up scientific and industrial R&D and create a vibrant & innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology (QT). Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• It’ll be implemented by the DST under the Ministry of Science & Technology. Hence,statement 2 is not  correct. 
• With the launch of this mission, India will be the seventh country to have a dedicated quantum mission after the US, Austria, Finland, France, Canada and China.

• It is one of the oldest and grandest forms of Hindustani classical music and finds its mention even in Natyashastra (200 BC–200 AD).  
  • Hence, statement 1 is not correct. 
• The name is derived from ‘dhruva’ and ‘pada,’ which means that it denotes both verse form of the poetry and the style in which it is sung.  
• Dhrupad is essentially a poetic form that is incorporated into an extended presentation style that is marked by precise and overt elaboration of a raga.  
• Dhrupad starts with Alap which is sung without words.The alap evokes a mood in the audience that coincides with the mood of the raga that is chosen. Alap is pure music without distraction of words.  
  • Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
• Dhrupad compositions usually have four to five stanzas and are performed by a duo. 
• Generally, two male vocalists perform Dhrupad style of performances.Tanpura and Pakhawaj usually accompany them 
• Dhrupad singing can be further divided into four sub-forms on the basis of vanis or banis that they perform: 
  • Dagari Gharana 
  • Darbhanga Gharana 
  • Bettiah Gharana 
  • Talwandi Gharana 
    • Hence, statement 3 is correct.

A study suggests Mars’ red color may be due to the iron-containing mineral ferrihydrite. Ferrihydrite is a poorly crystalline nanomineral made of 20% (FeO₄) and 80% (FeO₆) polyhedra. It forms through rapid oxidation and hydrolysis and exists in a disordered structure. It is an initial corrosion product of iron, leading to goethite and hematite formation. Found in soils, weathered rocks, and around iron-rich springs, especially with iron-metabolizing bacteria. It traps water, protects organic molecules, and forms rapidly in cool water. Present in meteorites as a pre-terrestrial weathering product.

The Indian women’s U19 cricket team won the 2nd ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup, defeating South Africa by nine wickets. The final was played on 2 February 2025 at Bayuemas Cricket Oval, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The team, led by Niki Prasad, had earlier won the inaugural ACC Women’s U19 Asia Cup 2024 in Malaysia. The tournament, organised by the ICC, took place in Malaysia from 18 January to 2 February 2025.

• The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was established in 1994, it is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management.
  • It addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as the drylands, where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and peoples can be found.

• Most of the mahajanapadas in ancient period were ruled by kings, some, known as ganas or sanghas, were oligarchies where power was shared by a number of men, often collectively called rajas. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• Both Mahavira and the Buddha belonged to such ganas. The Buddha belonged to a small gana known as the Sakya gana and Lord Mahavira belonged to Vajji which corresponds to modern-day Vaishali. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
• In some instances, as in the case of the Vajji sangha, the rajas probably controlled resources such as land collectively. Although their histories are often difficult to reconstruct due to the lack of sources, some of these states lasted for nearly a thousand years.

• Algae: The green non differentiated plants (non - differentiated into organs like root, stem and leaf.) possessing chlorophyll are known as Algae.  
  • They usually grow in water or in moist situations. The fresh-water algae are generally green or blue-green in colour, whereas the marine ones are red or brown.  
  • These are autotrophic plants, as they can manufacture their own food.  
  • Diatoms are single celled photosynthesising algae found in seas and oceans. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. 
• Fungi: Non-green non differentiated plants characterised by total absence of chlorophyll are called Fungi.  
  • They grow either on dead, rotten organic matter as sap rophytes or live as parasites on other living bodies, which are referred to as hosts. 
  • Moulds and mushrooms are the familiar examples of saprophytic fungi.  
  • The maximum diversity of fungi is in the Western Ghats followed by the eastern Himalaya and the western Himalaya.  
  • Guchhi mushroom is a species of fungus in the family Morchellaceae of the Ascomycota. 
• Lichens:  A lichen is a peculiar combination of an alga and a fungus, the two live deriving mutual benefit.  
  • They are a group of greyish green plants which grow on rocks, tree-trunks, dead wood, etc.  
  • The algae manufactures food which becomes available to the fungus, and it absorbs and retains water and thus keeps the algal cells moist. An example of symbiosis.  
  • They are most common in wetlands, rare in rivers and streams and are not found in ground water.
• Mosses: Mosses are non-vascular plants. They do not need soil to survive instead they have a rhizoid multi-cell anchoring structure that is used to climb and grip over rocky surfaces. Moss thrives in moist and shady areas. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
• Fern (Bryophyta): They are a group of vascular plants that reproduces via spores and neither have seeds nor flowers. They differ from mosses and other bryophytes by being vascular, i.e., having specialized tissues that conduct water and nutrients and in having life cycles in which the branched sporophyte is the dominant phase.

• Currency Deposit Ratio (CDR) refers to the ratio of currency held by the public to their deposits in banks. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
  • Assuming CDR is 1, it means that whenever an individual receives Rs. 100 in cash, they will keep Rs. 50 as cash and deposit the remaining Rs. 50 in banks. This results in a ratio of Rs. 50/Rs. 50 = 1 between cash in hand and bank deposits. 
• Reserve Deposit Ratio (RDR) represents the ratio of bank reserves to total deposits of the public in banks. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
  • These reserves can be maintained either with the bank itself as Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) or with the Reserve Bank of India as Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR). Therefore, RDR is the sum of CRR and SLR.

• Sea cows, comprising manatees and dugongs, consist of four manatee species and one dugong species, belonging to the herbivorous Dugongidae family.
• Manatees dwell in zones such as the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Amazon, East and West Africa. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
• Dugongs inhabit coastal regions of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
• IUCN Status: Manatees and dugongs are both Vulnerable.

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) became India’s first urban body to include a separate climate chapter in its 2025-26 budget. The “sustainable and climate budget” allocates ₹5,619.58 crore (over a third) of AMC’s ₹15,502 crore budget for climate action. The fund will support a net-zero, climate-resilient city action plan aligned with India’s net-zero target of 2070. Other metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Coimbatore have been slow to institutionalize climate action in their budgets, though Mumbai has allocated 33% for climate projects in 2024-25.

• It is urea in the form of a nanoparticle. It is a nutrient (liquid) to provide nitrogen to plants as an alternative to conventional urea. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• This fertilizer is a foliar spray, meaning it should only be used once leaves have started to grow on the crops. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• It has been indigenously developed at IFFCO- Nano Biotechnology Research Centre, Kalol, Gujrat in line with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Atmanirbhar Krishi. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

• The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in Navi Mumbai has become India’s first 100% landlord port, with all berths operated under the PPP model.  
• As a premier container-handling port, JNPA accounts for nearly 50% of the total containerized cargo volume across India’s major ports. 
• Since its commissioning on May 26, 1989, the port has transformed from a bulk cargo terminal to the country’s leading container port and is ranked 26th among the world’s top 100 container ports, connecting to over 200 global ports.  
• JNPA currently operates five container terminals: Nhava Sheva Free Port Terminals (NSFT), Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal (NSICT), Gateway Terminals India Pvt. Ltd. (GTIPL), Nhava Sheva International Gateway Terminal (NSIGT), and Bharat Mumbai Container Terminals Private Limited (BMCT).  
• Additionally, it is developing a satellite port at Vadhvan and dry ports at Jalna and Wardha to boost industrialization in the hinterland. 

Gaddi Dog:

• • The Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBAGR) has officially recognized the Gaddi dog, an indigenous breed from the Himalayan region. 
  • The Gaddi dog is the fourth indigenous canine breed to be registered, following the Rajapalayam and Chippiparai breeds of Tamil Nadu and the Mudhol Hound of Karnataka. 
  • The breed, named after the Gaddi tribe of Himachal Pradesh, is used to guard sheep and goats from predators and is nicknamed the ‘Indian Panther Hound’ or ‘Indian leopard Hound’ for its ability to fend off carnivores like the Snow Leopard. 
    • The Gaddi tribe of Himachal Pradesh is a semi-nomadic community traditionally involved in shepherding and wool processing. 
  • The Gaddi dog is known for its massive, arched neck and robust muscular body, with a black coat and occasional white markings.     
  • The Gaddi dog, with a population under 1000, is facing extinction due to gene pool dilution and lack of breeding programs. 
  • The recognition aims to help conserve the Gaddi breed, which is not yet acknowledged by major kennel clubs. 

• Private Members' Bills are introduced by MPs who are not part of the government (i.e., not serving as Ministers). Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
  • These bills allow them to propose new laws or amendments on issues that are important to their constituencies.  
• A Constitution amendment bill can be introduced exclusively in either house of Parliament and not in the State Legislatures. It may be introduced by either a minister or a private member, without the need for prior approval from the President. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
• Its drafting is the responsibility of the member concerned. Hence, statement 3 is not correct. 

The Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh, will present the Anubhav Awards 2025 on August 18 in New Delhi. This year, the National Anubhav Awards Scheme expanded to include employees from Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and Public Sector Banks (PSBs) for the first time, along with Central Government employees. The scheme is run by the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) to honor retired government employees. It encourages retirees to share their experiences on the “Anubhav Portal” and contribute to nation-building. The initiative helps document India’s administrative history through written stories by retired officials.

• Odantapuri: It is located in Bihar and was made under the patronage of Pala Dynasty King Gopala I. It was a Buddhist mahavihara which was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji.
• Vikramshila: It is located in present-day Bhagalpur district of Bihar. It was established by King Dharampala of Pala Dynasty, primarily as a Buddhist learning centre. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
• Valabhi: It is situated in Saurashtra, Gujarat. It was an important centre of learning for Hinayana Buddhism.
  • It was visited by the Chinese scholar, Hseun Tsang. It was supported by the grants of rulers of Maitraka Dynasty of Gujarat. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
• Nalanda: The first residential university of the world founded at Nalanda by the magnanimity of Emperor Kumaragupta in 427CE and sustained by the conscientiousness of the learned monks and teachers, flourished for over 800 years till the end in 12^th century CE.
  • All three Buddhist doctrines were taught here, however, it was a major site for Mahayana Buddhist teachings. Subjects like Vedas, fine arts, grammar, philosophy, logic, medicine, etc. were also taught here. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

• Jal Shakti Abhiyan was launched in 2019 by the Union Jal Shakti Ministry.
  • It is a campaign for water conservation and water security in the country.

• Pursuant to ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ announcement, the Department of Defence Production/Ministry of Defence/Government of India has developed SRIJAN portal, as “Opportunities for Make in India in Defence”.  
• The main objective of the portal is to partner the private sector in indigenisation efforts of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), and the Armed Forces. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• The portal is a non-transactional online marketplace platform. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
  • A non-transactional online marketplace allows users to connect and advertise but doesn't facilitate direct purchases or payments on the platform. 
  • An online transactional marketplace platform is a digital platform where buyers and sellers can engage in transactions directly, facilitating the exchange of goods or services.  

Alien invasive species :

Alien species that threaten native plants and animals or other aspects of biodiversity are called alien invasive species. Some invasive alien flora of India include: 

• Water Hyacinth :  
  • Nativity: Tropical America 
  • Distribution in India: Throughout 
  • Remarks: Aggressive colonizer. Abundant in still or slow floating waters.  
• Congress grass:  
  • Nativity: Tropical North America 
  • Distribution in India: Throughout 
  • Remarks: Aggressive colonizer, common weed of cultivated fields. 
• Prosopis juliflora / Mesquite :  
  • Nativity: Mexico 
  • Distribution in India: Throughout 
  • Remarks: Aggressive colonizer, common weed of wastelands and degraded forests

MEDICINAL PLANTS

• Beddomes Cycad / Perita / Kondaitha  
  • Distribution: Eastern Peninsular India.  
  • Uses: The male cones of the plant are used by local herbalists as a cure for rheumatoid arthritis and muscle pains 
• Blue vanda / Autumn Ladies Tresses Orchid 
  •  Distribution: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland. 
  •  Vanda is one of the few botanical orchids with blue flowers a property much appreciated for producing interspecific and intergeneric hybrids. 
• Ladies Slipper Orchid  
  •  Uses: These types of orchids are mainly used as collector’s items but lady’s slipper is some times used today either alone or as a component of formulas intended to produce treat anxiety / insomnia (scientific evidence is not present). 
  • This is also sometimes used topically as a poultice or plaster for relief of muscular pain.

• Sihawal (Madhya Pradesh): Belongs to the early Mesolithic period (~9000 BCE).
• Patpara (Madhya Pradesh): Represents the middle Mesolithic (~8000–7000 BCE).
• Bagor (Rajasthan): Shows evidence from late Mesolithic to early Neolithic (~7000–5000 BCE).
• Khetaunhi (Uttar Pradesh): A Neolithic site (~4000 BCE).

👉 Therefore, the correct chronological order is:

Sihawal → Patpara → Bagor → Khetaunhi

The Finance Minister announced that National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) will establish a partial credit enhancement facility for corporate bonds in the infrastructure sector. NaBFID is a specialized Development Finance Institution (DFI) supporting infrastructure development in India. It was established in 2021 under the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development Act, 2021. Its objectives include filling gaps in long-term infrastructure financing, developing bond and derivatives markets, and boosting economic growth. NaBFID is regulated and supervised by the RBI as an All-India Financial Institution (AIFI). It focuses on long-term credit solutions for infrastructure projects in India.

• The Demoiselle crane, also known as Koonj or Kurjan in India, is native to Russia's Siberian region.  
• To escape the harsh winter conditions, these cranes migrate to India, particularly to Rajasthan. Khichan, located in Rajasthan, is home to India's first reserve dedicated to Demoiselle cranes, where 20,000–30,000 of these cranes gather each winter.  
• The species is classified as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). 

Forest rights activists and lawyers raised concerns over Madhya Pradesh’s order for surveillance of nomadic tribes, including the Pardhi community. Pardhis are a nomadic tribe historically involved in hunting since the Mughal era. They were hired for hunting by the British and Indian landlords. They primarily live in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, with small groups in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. The name “Pardhi” comes from “paradh,” meaning hunter in Marathi.

• Article 359 allows the President to suspend the right to move any court for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights during a National Emergency.  
  • While the Fundamental Rights themselves are not suspended, the suspension refers only to their enforcement, meaning the rights remain in effect but the ability to seek legal remedy is temporarily halted. 
• The suspension of enforcement applies only to the Fundamental Rights specified in the Presidential Order. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
  • The President cannot suspend the right to approach the court for the enforcement of fundamental rights guaranteed by Articles 20 and 21.

Biofertilizers :

Biofertilizers are products containing carrier based (solid or liquid) living microorganisms which are agriculturally useful in terms of nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilisation or nutrient mobilization to increase the productivity of soil or crop.

• Classification of biofertilizers based on microorganism:
• Bacterial Biofertilizers: Rhizobium, Azospirilium, Azotobacter, Phosphobacteria, Nostoc, etc.  
• Fungal Biofertilizers: Mycorrhiza   
• Algal Biofertilizers: Blue Green Algae (BGA) and Azolla.   
• Actinomycetes Biofertilizer: Frankia 

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs):

• A region of the ocean or the littoral where human activities are subject to stricter regulations than those that apply to the surrounding waters is known as a marine protected area (MPAs). 
• Under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002, the marine protected area seeks to preserve and protect the natural marine ecosystems in their pristine state. 
• List of MPAs: 

• Botanical Survey of India (BSI) is located in Kolkata, West Bengal.
• Founded on 13^th February 1890, is Government of India Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change's organization for survey, research and conservation of plant wealth, flora and endangered species of India.
  • Collecting and maintaining germplasm and gene bank of endangered, patent and vulnerable plant species.

• First Council
  • It was held soon after the Mahaparinirvan of the Buddha, around 483 BC under the patronage of King Ajatshatru and was presided by Mahakasyapa, a monk.
  • The council was held in the Sattapani cave at Rajgriha.
  • The council was held with the purpose of preserving Buddha’s teachings (Sutta) and rules for disciples.
    • During this council, the teachings of Buddha were divided into three Pitakas. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
    • Compilation of Suuta Pitaka and Vinaya Pitaka by Ananda and Upali respectively.
• Second Council
  • It was held in Vaishali, a village in Bihar under the patronage of the king Kalasoka in 383 BC. It was presided over by Sabakami.
  • In the second Buddhist council, Buddhism was divided into Sthaviravadins and Mahasanghikas. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
• Third Council
  • It was held in 250 BC in Patliputra under the patronage of Ashoka and was presided over by Moggaliputta Tissa.
  • Compilation of Abhidhamma Pitaka.
• Fourth Council
  • It was held in 72 AD at Kundalvana, Kashmir. It was presided by Vasumitra, while Asvaghosa was his deputy under the patronage of King Kanishka of Kushan Empire.
  • Buddhism was divided into two sects namely Mahayana and Hinayana.Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Avoidance of extremes of austerity and indulgence – Common

Buddhism advocates the "Middle Path" (Majjhima Patipada), avoiding both extreme austerity and indulgence.

Jainism emphasizes austerity, but both paths ultimately reject indulgence.

2. Disbelief in the authority of the Vedas – Common

Both Jains and Buddhists rejected the Vedic scriptures and rituals as the only source of truth.

3. Denial of efficacy of rituals – Common

Both religions dismissed Vedic sacrificial rituals as unnecessary for spiritual progress.

4. Prohibition of violence against living beings (Ahimsa) – Common

Ahimsa is the core of Jain ethics, and a key precept (one of the Five Precepts – Panchasila) in Buddhism as well.

• The word ‘Khyal’ is derived from Persian and means “idea or imagination”. The origin of this style was attributed to Amir Khusrau.  
• Khyal is based on the repertoire of short songs ranging from two to eight lines.  
• Generally, a Khyal composition is also referred to as a ‘Bandish’.  
• Hussain Shah (a Sharqi ruler of Jaunpur Sultanate) gave the biggest patronage to Khyal in the 15th century.  
• One of the most unique feature of Khyal is the frequent use of taans in the composition 
• Usually, the theme for these Khyal bandish is romantic in nature. They sing about love, even if they are related to the divine creature 
• Pandit Bhimsen Joshi  was a prominent Khyal proponent of Kirana Gharana and received Bharat Ratna in 2008 
• The major gharanas under Khyal music are 
  • Gwalior Gharana 
  •  Kirana Gharana 
  • Agra Gharana 
  • Patiala Gharana 
  • Bhendibazaar Gharana 
    • Hence, option C is correct. 

International Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness Day is observed annually on March 5. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2022 to promote awareness, especially among youth. The day highlights threats from weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) like nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. The initiative began with a resolution proposal in 2021 and was officially recognized on December 7, 2022. The first observance took place on March 5, 2023, emphasizing global peace and security.

In situ bioremediation techniques:  It involves treatment of the contaminated material at the site. 

• Bioventing – supply of air and nutrients through wells to contaminated soil to stimulate the growth of indigenous bacteria. It is used for simple hydrocarbons and can be used where the contamination is deep under the surface. Hence, pair 1 is correctly matched.  
• Biosparging - Injection of air under pressure below the water table to increase groundwater oxygen concentrations and enhance the rate of biological degradation of contaminants by naturally occurring bacteria. Hence, pair 2 is correctly matched.  
• Bioaugmentation - Microorganisms are imported to a contaminated site to enhance the degradation process. 

• Jainism recognised the existence of God while Buddhism did not. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• Jainism does not condemn the varna system while Buddhism does. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• Jainism does not condemn the Varna system, but it does emphasize that all souls are equal and rank is based on moral qualities rather than birth.
• Jainism believed in transmigration of soul i.e. reincarnation while Buddhism does not. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• Buddhism prescribes a middle path while Jainism advocates its followers to live a life of complete austerity.

• The early Buddhist and Jain literature presents a list of Mahajanapadas with the minor variation of names in different works.
• Though the number is the same, the names in the lists differ. Perhaps they show the political conditions at different times and the geographical nearness or knowledge of the author.
• According to Anguttara Nikaya, there were following Mahajanapadas:
  • Anga
  • Assaka (or Asmaka)
  • Avanti
  • Chedi
  • Gandhara
  • Kashi
  • Kamboja
  • Kosala
  • Kuru
  • Magadha
  • Malla
  • Machcha (or Matsya)
  • Panchala
  • Surasena
  • Vriji
  • Vatsa (or Vamsa)
• The Digha Nikaya, mentions only twelve Mahajanapadas from the above list and omits four of them (Assaka, Avanti, Gandhara, and Kamboja).
  • The Buddhist Nikayas mention the five-fold division of India into Uttarapatha north -western), Madhyadesha (central), Prachi (eastern), Dakshinapatha (south), and Apranta (western), which confirms that the geographical unity of India had been visualised much before the sixth century B.C.
• The lists of Janapadas are preserved in the Jain texts Bhagavati Sutra, and Sutrakritanga, great Grammarian Panini's Ashtadhyayi (sixth century B. C.), Baudhayana Dharmasutra (seventh century B.C.).
  • In Ashtadhyayi, Janapada stands for country and Janapadin for its citizenry.

About Magadha:

• The name Magadha first appears in the Atharvaveda. One of the most prominent Mahajanapadas. It was located between Anga and Vatsa. It corresponds roughly to the modern Patna and Gaya districts of Bihar and eastern parts of Bengal. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
• The earliest dynasty of Magadha was founded by Brihadratha. However, Magadha came into prominence under Bimbisasra and Ajatsatru. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
  • The Haryanka dynasty is believed to be the earliest prominent ruling dynasty of Magadha. King Bimbisara is the most famous ruler of this dynasty.
  • Chandragupta Maurya (350-295 BCE) was the founder of the Maurya Empire, a geographically-extensive empire based in Magadha.
• Rajagriha or Girivraja, protected by five hills, was the early Magadhan capital. Later the capital was shifted to Pataliputra by Udayin.

Article 266. Consolidated Funds and public accounts of India and of the States

• Subject to the provisions of article 267 and to the provisions of this Chapter with respect to the assignment of the whole or part of the net proceeds of certain taxes and duties to States, all revenues received by the Government of India, all loans raised by that Government by the issue of treasury bills, loans or ways and money advances and all moneys received by that Government in repayment of loans shall form one consolidated fund to be entitled "the Consolidated Fund of India" 
•  All revenues received by the Government of a State, all loans raised by that Government by the issue of treasury bills, loans or ways and money advances and all monies received by that Government in repayment of loans shall form one consolidated fund to be entitled "the Consolidated Fund of the State".   
•  All other public monies received by or on behalf of the Government of India or the Government of a State shall be credited to the public account of India or the public account of the State, as the case may be. 
•  No money out of the Consolidated Fund of India or the Consolidated Fund of a State shall be appropriated except in accordance with law and for the purposes and in the manner provided in this Constitution. 

Critically Endangered (CR):  A taxon is Critically Endangered when the best available evidence indicates that it meets any of the criteria for Critically Endangered. criteria :  

• reduction in population (> 90% over the last 10 years), 
•  population size (number less than 50 mature individuals), 
•  quantitative analysis showing the probability of extinction in the wild in at least 50% in their 10 years and  
• it is therefore considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. 

Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lunar lander successfully landed in the Mare Crisium region of the Moon after a controlled descent. It carries 10 NASA payloads under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program to boost private-sector lunar exploration. The mission aims to study the lunar environment, using a vacuum for soil collection and a drill measuring temperatures up to 3 meters deep. It will analyze heat flow, plume-surface interactions, and the Moon’s magnetic and electric fields to understand its geological history. The lander will function for 14 Earth days to conduct scientific studies and tech demonstrations.

Distribution of Legislative Subjects:

• In the event of an overlap between laws on the Union List and the State List subjects, the Union List should take precedence. 
  • In case of overlap between the Union List and the Concurrent List, the Union List should again prevail. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. 
• When there is a conflict between the Concurrent List and the State List, the Concurrent List should prevail. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
  • If there is a conflict between the Central law and the state law on a matter in the Concurrent List, the Central law takes precedence. 
• However, if the state law has been reserved for the President’s consideration and has received his assent, it prevails in that state.  
  • Despite this, Parliament can override such a state law by making a new law on the same subject. 

Legislative Powers in Exceptional Circumstances:

• During a National Emergency: 
  • During a national emergency, Parliament gains the power to legislate on matters in the State List, including goods and services tax. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
    • The Goods and Services Tax (GST) was introduced through the 101st Amendment Act of 2016. 
  • Such laws expire six months after the emergency ends. 
  • The state legislature’s power to legislate on the same state subject is not restricted, but in case of conflict, the parliamentary law prevails.  
• During President’s Rule: 
  • If President’s Rule is imposed in a state, Parliament can legislate on matters in the State List for that state. 
  • Such laws remain in force even after the President’s Rule ends. Hence, statement 3 is correct. 
    • However, the state legislature can repeal, alter, or re-enact the law after the President’s Rule expires. 

• India ranks as the fourth largest oilseed producer in the world. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• India is heavily reliant on imports of oilseed which account for 57% of its domestic demand for edible oils. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
• National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) was launched in 2021 to increase the area of oil palm to 10 lakh hectares by 2025-26 with a special focus on North Eastern states. 

Japan successfully launched the Michibiki 6 satellite on the new H3 rocket, aiming to improve its navigation system. The launch occurred at the Tanegashima Space Center, and the satellite separated successfully 29 minutes after liftoff. Michibiki 6 will be the fifth satellite in Japan’s quasi-zenith satellite system (QZSS). The system supplements US GPS and improves positioning for various devices. Japan plans to expand to seven satellites by 2026 and an 11-satellite network by the late 2030s. The launch was the fourth successful flight for the H3 rocket system.

BharatGen: 

• It is a generative AI initiative designed to enhance public service delivery. 
• It aims to create foundational models in language, speech, and computer vision to address India's socio-cultural and linguistic diversity. 
• It is the world’s first government-funded Multimodal Large Language Model (LLM) project for Indian languages. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
  • LLMs are AI systems capable of understanding and generating human language by processing vast amounts of text data. 
• It is led by IIT Bombay under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), and involves collaboration with academic institutions like IITs and IIM Indore.  
• It emphasises developing processes to curate India-centric data, enhancing the country’s control over its digital resources. 

• Aryans possessed chariots driven by horses and introduced them for the first time into West Asia and India.
• Aryan soldiers were probably equipped with coats of mail (varman) which was a type of jacket armour. Hence, option B is correct. 
• Samudra was related to the ocean, and it is doubtful whether Aryans were acquainted with the ocean or not.
• The king did not maintain any regular or standing army, but in terms of war he mustered a militia whose military functions were performed by different tribal groups called vrata, Gana, grama, sardha.
• The Aryans were engaged in two types of conflicts: first they fought with the pre-Aryans, and secondly, they fought amongst themselves. Intra-tribal conflicts rocked the Aryan communities for a long time. Divided into five tribes called panchajana, the Aryans fought amongst themselves and sometimes enlisted the support of the non-Aryan people for the purpose.
• During the Rig Vedic Period, the soldiers were organised into units known as Sardha, Vrata and gana.

• The money multiplier is calculated as the ratio of money supply (M3) to the monetary base (M0). Hence, statement 1 is not correct. 
• Its value is determined by two key factors: 
  • The currency-deposit ratio (CDR), which depends on how much cash the public chooses to hold relative to their bank deposits. 
  • The reserve-deposit ratio (RDR), which includes both required reserves and excess reserves maintained by banks. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
    • This ratio is influenced by RBI regulations on the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) and the Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR). 
• Money multiplier increases with the banking habit of the population since greater banking participation increases deposits, enhances credit creation, and raises the money multiplier.

Supreme Court of India:

• Constitutional Provisions: Articles 124 to 147 in Part V of the Constitution deal with the organization, independence, jurisdiction, powers, procedures and so on of the Supreme Court. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
• Current Composition: The Supreme Court of India consists of 34 judges including the Chief Justice of India, all appointed by the President of India. The original Constitution of 1950 envisaged a Supreme Court with a Chief Justice and 7 puisne Judges, leaving it to Parliament to increase this number. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
• Appointment: The President appoints the Chief Justice of India after consulting with select judges from the Supreme Court and High Courts. Other judges are appointed by the President after consulting with the Chief Justice and additional judges from the Supreme Court and High Courts.
  • Consultation with the Chief Justice of India is mandatory for the appointment of any judge other than the Chief Justice

• Carbon fertilization refers to the enhancement of plant growth due to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂), which is a key input in photosynthesis.Hence, statement I is not correct. 
• It refers to the increased rate of photosynthesis due to the large amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that has resulted from rising anthropogenic emissions. Increased rate of photosynthesis results in increased plant growth. Hence, statement II is correct. 

Ways and Means Advances: 

• RBI  provides “Ways and Means Advances” (WMA) – it is a temporary loan facility 

to the centre and state/UT governments as a banker to the government. The WMA scheme is designed to meet temporary mismatches in the receipts and payments of the government. This facility can be availed by the government if itneeds immediate cash from the RBI. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 

• The WMA is a loan facility from the RBI for 90 days which implies that the government has to vacate the facility after 90 days. 
• Interest rate for WMA is currently charged at the repo rate. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. 
• The limits for WMA are mutually decided by the RBI and the Government of India.  
• WMA is just a loan paper and is non-tradable (T-bills, Dated Securities, SDL and Cash Management Bills are tradable).  
• WMAs are not used to fund Fiscal deficit. 

• The money market serves as a platform for trading highly liquid financial instruments with maturities of less than one year, ensuring short-term funding for various financial entities. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. 
  • Unlike capital markets, which deal with long-term securities, money markets cater to short-term liquidity needs, making them crucial for financial stability. 
  • Instruments like Treasury Bills, Commercial Paper, and Certificate of Deposits dominate the money market, providing low-risk investment opportunities for banks and corporations. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
• Key players in the money market include financial institutions, commercial banks, 
• central banks and highly rated corporates., all of whom engage in borrowing and lending to maintain liquidity. 

• Article 163 states that there is a council of ministers headed by the Chief Minister to aid and advise the Governor in the exercise of his functions, except some conditions for discretion.
• Discretionary Powers Include:
  • Appointment of a Chief Minister when no party has a clear majority in the state legislative assembly
  • In times of no-confidence motions
  • In case of failure of constitutional machinery in the State (Article 356)

Bagor, located in Bhilwara district of Rajasthan, is a significant Mesolithic archaeological site. Excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Bagor is among the earliest sites in India with:

• Evidence of domesticated animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats.
• Fire pits (hearths) indicating settled life.
• Microlithic tools and bone artifacts.

Bagor is considered the earliest known site in India with clear evidence of animal domestication during the Mesolithic period.

• Arhat under Theravada Buddhism is said to be the one who has gained insights into the true nature of existence and has achieved nirvana.
• However, under Mahayana Buddhism, Arhat is the person who is far advanced in the path of attaining nirvana but has not attained it.
• In total, 16 legendary Arhats prevail under Buddhism.
• Nagasena (a Sarvastivadan Buddhist of 2^nd century BC) and even Gautam Buddha’s son Rahul are considered to be one of the 16 Arhats.
• Under Mahayana, Arhat is the person who has attained peace for himself but is not willing to give it up for the sake of others.Hence, statement 1 is not correct
• Whereas Bodhisattva under Mahayana Bodhisattva is an awakened being who vowed to indefinitely stick in Samsara for the sake of others. Hence, statement 2 is not correct
• Therefore, Mahayana Buddhists prefer Bodhisattva as a goal rather than becoming an Arhat.

• Indian Post Office Act, 1898 came into force on 1^st July 1898 with the objective to consolidate and amend the law relating to the Post Offices in India.
• It provides for the regulation of the postal services offered by the central government.
• It grants the Central government exclusive privilege over conveying letters and establishes a monopoly of the Central government over conveying letters.
• Hence, option B is correct.

Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers won the 6th Men’s Hockey India League 2024-25 title, defeating Hyderabad Toofans 4-3 in the final. The final was held at Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium, Rourkela, Odisha, on 1 February 2025. This was the first title win for the Bengal Tigers, earning them Rs 3 crore in prize money, while runners-up Hyderabad Toofans won Rs 2 crore. The league took place from 28 December 2024 to 1 February 2025. Odisha Warriors won the first Women’s Hockey India League title on 26 January 2025 in Ranchi.

• The Washington Consensus was formulated by John Williamson in 1989 and was backed by institutions like the IMF, World Bank, and US Treasury. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• It does not emphasize state-led development. Instead, it advocates free-market policies like deregulation, privatization, and reducing state intervention. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. 
• Its core policies include fiscal discipline, tax reform, trade liberalization, privatization, and deregulation. Hence, statement 3 is correct. 
• It was primarily designed to address economic crises in Latin America during the 1980s but later became a global economic policy model.

• The Aroma Mission was started in Jammu and Kashmir in 2016 and aims to boost India’s aroma industry by enhancing the cultivation of aromatic crops and production of essential oils. 
• It is popularly known as the Lavender Revolution. Aromatic crops (like rose, peppermint) are plants grown for their fragrant oils, used in industries like cosmetics, aromatherapy, and food flavoring. Hence, statement 2 is correct.  
• The nodal agency for this mission is CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow. 

Monopolistic and Restrictive Trade Practices (MRTP) Act,1969 

• Indira Gandhi enacted the MRTP Act in 1969 and crippled the private industry for a generation.  
• The MRTP Act turned out to be one of the most damaging in modern Indian history.  
• The MRTP Act, 1969, aimed to prevent the concentration of economic power, restrict monopolies, and regulate trade practices to protect consumers 
• Any business group with combined assets above Rs. 20 crores was declared a monopoly and effectively debarred from expanding its business after 1969. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. 
• The Tatas, who used to control the largest industrial empire in India, made over a hundred proposals for new business projects or to expand existing ones over the twenty years since the MRTP law but all of them were rejected.  
• Thus, Indian firms lost numerous opportunities to derive economies of scale, and they never had a chance to launch their own industrial revolution. 
•  In the mid-1980's, Rajiv Gandhi's government raised the MRTP asset limit 195 Indian Economy [1947 – 1991] fivefold to Rs. 100 crore and finally in September 1991, the Narasimha Rao government scrapped this ridiculous law. 
• The Competition Act, 2002 replaced the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969 (MRTP Act) to create a more modern competition law framework. The Competition Act was passed to promote competition, protect consumers, and ensure freedom of trade.  
• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) was established under the Competition Act, 2002 for the administration, implementation and enforcement of the Act, and was duly constituted in March 2009 

• Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) were established in 1975 under the provisions of the Ordinance promulgated on 26^th September 1975 and Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976.
• These are financial institutions which ensure adequate credit for agriculture and other rural sectors.
• They combine the characteristics of a cooperative in terms of the familiarity of the rural problems and a commercial bank in terms of its professionalism and ability to mobilise financial resources.

Little Prespa Lake: 

• It is located on the Albanian-Greek border. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• It is one of the oldest tectonic lakes in Europe. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
• The Galicica Mountains separate Lake Prespa from Lake Ohrid, one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe. 

The government posthumously honored Chaman Arora with the Sahitya Akademi Award 2024 in the Dogri language category. He received the award for his book Ik Hor Ashwthama. The Ministry of Culture confirmed the selection based on a unanimous jury recommendation. Sahitya Akademi President Madhav Kaushik approved the decision. The award includes a casket with an engraved copper plaque and a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh. Arora’s family will receive the award at a special event on March 8 in New Delhi.

• alikattu is a traditional bull-taming sport in which participants attempt to grab the hump of the bull and hang on to it while the bull tries to escape.  
  • It is celebrated in the second week of January during the harvest festival of Pongal in Tamil Nadu. Hence, statement 1 is correct.  
• The Supreme Court of India had banned Jalikattu in 2014 on the grounds of animal cruelty, following a petition by the Animal Welfare Board of India and other animal rights groups.  
  • However, in 2017, the Tamil Nadu government passed an ordinance to allow Jalikattu, which was later upheld by the Supreme Court in 2023. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.  
• References to Jalikattu can be found in Silappadikaram, one of the five great epics of Tamil literature, written in the Sangam age (300 BCE - 300 CE). Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Money Market Instruments:

• Call/Notice Money: Call money involves overnight fund transactions, while notice money covers periods between 2 to 14 days.  Hence, statement 1 is not correct. 
  • These are unsecured instruments used for short-term borrowing. Participants include Commercial Banks, Cooperative Banks, Primary Dealers (PDs), Development Finance Institutions, Insurance Companies, and select Mutual Funds. 
• Certificate of Deposits (CDs): CDs are negotiable, unsecured money market instruments issued primarily by Scheduled Commercial Banks.  
  • They are tradable and have a maturity period of up to one year, backed by deposited funds. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
• Commercial Paper (CP): CP is an unsecured money market instrument issued as a promissory note with a maturity ranging from seven days to one year. Hence, statement 3 is correct. 
  • It is issued by NBFCs, Development Financial Institutions (e.g., NABARD, SIDBI), Cooperative Societies, Government Entities (PSUs), and other companies to raise short-term funds. 

• The term “biodiversity” was first introduced by Walter G. Rosen in 1985
  • Biologists generally define biodiversity as the total sum of genes, species, and ecosystems within a region.
  • Biodiversity is commonly classified into three main types: genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.
  • The term biodiversity hotspot was first coined by Norman Myers in 1988, who initially identified 10 tropical forests as hotspots based on high plant endemism and significant habitat loss, without quantitative criteria.
  • In 1990, Myers expanded the list to 18 hotspots worldwide, further refining the concept.
  • Later, Conservation International, in collaboration with Myers, established strict quantitative criteria to define a biodiversity hotspot.
• A region qualifies as a biodiversity hotspot if: 
  • It contains at least 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemic species (more than 0.5% of the world’s total). 
  • It has lost 70% or more of its original native habitat.  
    • Hence, option C is correct.
• India has four biodiversity hotspots, namely: 
  • The Himalayas 
  • Indo-Burma  
  • Sundaland (including the Nicobar Islands) 
  • The Western Ghats.

Early proponents of Carnatic Music :  

• Annamacharya— (1408-1503):   
  • First known composer of Carnatic Music: Hence, statement 1 is not correct. 
  •  He composed sankirtanas in praise of Lord Venkateswara, a form of Lord Vishnu 
  • His compositions were mainly in Telugu. 
  • He is widely recognised as ‘Grandfather of Telugu Song-writing’.  
• Purandara Dasa - (1484-1564):  
  • One of the founding proponents of Carnatic music 
  • He was a devotee of Lord Krishna. 
  • Widely referred to as “Pitamaha or father/grandfather of Carnatic Music”. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. 
  • He is believed to be an avatar or incarnation of sage Narada. 
  • His famous composition includes Dasa Sahithya. 
• The Trinity of Carnatic music:  
  • It refers to the trio of legendary composers: Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, and Syama Sastri. Hence, statement 3 is correct. 
  • What set these composers apart from others in the Carnatic tradition was not just the sheer volume of their compositions but also the profound messages embedded in their songs. 
    • Saint Tyagaraja, in particular, emphasized that Nadopasana (the practice of music) was a spiritual path leading to moksha (liberation).  
  • All three composers of the Trinity lived and created their masterpieces in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, leaving an indelible mark on the world of Carnatic music.

• Similipal Tiger Reserve is located in the Deccan Peninsula Biogeographic Zone. The reserve is characterized by a predominantly moist mixed deciduous forest interspersed with tropical semi-evergreen patches, occasional dry deciduous forests, and grasslands. 
• It is home to 7% of India's flowering plants and 8% of its orchid species, showcasing remarkable floral richness.  
• In addition to tigers, the reserve supports diverse wildlife, including sambar, chital, barking deer, gaur, mouse deer, leopards, and fishing cats.  
• Notably, management efforts have successfully revived the mugger crocodile populations along the Khairi and Deo rivers.  
• Recognized for its ecological significance, Similipal was designated as a site in the Global Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2009. 

Removal of the Vice-President:

• The Vice-President serves a five-year term, starting from the date they assume office. 
  • However, they may resign at any time by submitting a resignation letter to the President.  
• The Vice-President can be removed from office before the end of their term. A formal impeachment is not necessary for their removal. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. 
• They can be removed through a resolution passed by a majority of all current members of the Rajya Sabha and approved by the Lok Sabha.  
  • This means the resolution must be passed by an effective majority in the Rajya Sabha and a simple majority in the Lok Sabha. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. 
  • No such resolution can be moved unless at least 14 days’ advance notice has been given.  
• No ground has been mentioned in the Constitution for his removal.

• The Madrid and Vienna Plans of Action focus on global policies for addressing the challenges of aging populations, emphasizing elderly care and well-being. 
• The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment observed International Day of Older Persons 2024 on 1st October 2024. 
• Designated by the UN General Assembly on 14th October, 1990, it is based on the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing (1982) and the UN Principles for Older Persons.  
• The UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030) aligns with SDG-3 on Good Health and Well-Being.  
  • India formulated the National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) in 1999 and is a signatory to the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (2002). 

• Corbett Tiger Reserve is located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. The Project Tiger was launched in 1973 in Corbett National Park (first National Park of India), which is part of Corbett Tiger Reserve.
• The national park was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park to protect the endangered Bengal tiger.

Alexander Invasion of India:

• In 326 BC, Alexander invaded India, after crossing the river Indus he advanced towards Taxila. He then challenged King Porus, ruler of the kingdom between the rivers Jhelum and Chenab. King Porus was defeated in the fierce battle (Battle of Hydaspes). Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
• Kharoshthi Script was brought by Iranian Scribes to India.