1. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) completed 11 years in January 2026. Which of the following objectives is/are correctly associated with the scheme?
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Promoting long-term savings for the girl child
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Enhancing female labour force participation directly
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Supporting girl child education through targeted savings
Choose the correct answer:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
Explanation:
SSY focuses on financial inclusion and education of the girl child through a savings instrument. It does not directly target labour force participation . It is part of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and links to gender budgeting and human capital formation .
2. The Mukhya Mantri Sehat Yojana of Punjab is best described as:
A. A contributory health insurance scheme for private sector workers
B. A cash-transfer-based healthcare subsidy
C. A state-funded universal cashless healthcare scheme
D. A replacement for Ayushman Bharat in Punjab
Answer: C
Explanation:
The scheme provides free and cashless treatment up to ?10 lakh per family per year , strengthening state-led universal health coverage . It complements—not replaces—national schemes, highlighting cooperative federalism in health financing .
3. India’s first integrated private satellite manufacturing unit at Sanand, Gujarat is significant because it:
A. Is fully funded by ISRO
B. Marks the first satellite launch site in western India
C. Represents private-sector participation after space sector reforms
D. Focuses exclusively on defence satellites
Answer: C
Explanation:
The facility reflects post-2020 space sector liberalisation , encouraging private manufacturing under the NewSpace ecosystem and supporting Atmanirbhar Bharat in high-technology sectors.
4. The Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework primarily aims to integrate which technologies into India’s armed forces?
A. Artificial intelligence and robotics
B. Quantum computing, sensing and secure communications
C. Hypersonic propulsion systems
D. Space-based missile defence systems
Answer: B
Explanation:
The framework focuses on quantum technologies —computing, sensing, and cryptography—critical for future warfare, secure communications, and strategic superiority across IA, IN and IAF.
5. The Goa–Starlink MoU is most relevant to which of the following governance challenges?
A. Urban housing shortages
B. Satellite-based defence surveillance
C. Digital divide and disaster resilience
D. Climate change mitigation
Answer: C
Explanation:
The MoU focuses on remote connectivity , disaster response , and smart governance , highlighting how satellite internet can bridge the digital divide and improve emergency preparedness.
6. ‘Swasth Seema Abhiyan’, recently launched in Uttarakhand, primarily targets:
A. Modernisation of border roads
B. Healthcare access in border villages
C. Recruitment of local youth into CAPFs
D. Counter-insurgency operations
Answer: B
Explanation:
The initiative improves healthcare facilities in remote border areas , enhancing human security , civil–CAPF cooperation, and living conditions in frontier regions.
7. The procurement of CQB carbines and Heavy Weight Torpedoes by the Ministry of Defence mainly strengthens India’s:
A. Cyber warfare capability
B. Strategic nuclear deterrence
C. Infantry combat readiness and naval undersea warfare
D. Space-based surveillance
Answer: C
Explanation:
CQB carbines enhance infantry close-combat capability , while Heavy Weight Torpedoes strengthen naval undersea warfare , supporting defence modernisation and indigenisation .
8. A 73% rise in FDI inflows in 2025 is most closely linked with which structural transformation in India’s economy?
A. Agriculture-led growth
B. Manufacturing and digital infrastructure expansion
C. Increase in remittances
D. Higher government borrowing
Answer: B
Explanation:
FDI growth was driven by manufacturing, services, digital infrastructure, IT and R&D , indicating India’s integration into global value chains and manufacturing-led growth strategy .
9. The RBI report titled “State Finances: A Study of Budgets of 2025–26” highlights demographic transition mainly because it impacts:
A. Defence expenditure
B. Urban housing demand
C. Pension, healthcare and long-term fiscal sustainability
D. Foreign exchange reserves
Answer: C
Explanation:
Demographic transition—especially ageing—raises pension and healthcare expenditure , posing challenges to state fiscal sustainability , a key GS-III topic.
10. RXIL, associated with TReDS, primarily facilitates:
A. Agricultural commodity trading
B. MSME access to long-term equity capital
C. Discounting of trade receivables
D. Cryptocurrency settlement
Answer: C
Explanation:
RXIL enables receivables discounting , improving liquidity for MSMEs and supporting formalisation of trade credit .
11. The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development awarded to Graca Machel reinforces India’s role in:
A. Military diplomacy
B. Normative leadership and soft power
C. Climate negotiations
D. Trade protectionism
Answer: B
Explanation:
The award underscores India’s commitment to peace, human rights, and development , strengthening its normative leadership and global soft power .
12. The discovery of Gegeneophis valmiki is significant because it highlights:
A. Coral reef degradation
B. Invasive species spread
C. Western Ghats biodiversity and taxonomic research
D. Climate-induced species migration
Answer: C
Explanation:
The discovery in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot emphasizes subterranean fauna , conservation importance, and the role of ZSI in taxonomy .
13. Which of the following days are correctly