2023

* Statement I is incorrect: India's share in global merchandise trade is only 1.8% and 4% in global services. India plans to increase its export share in global trade from 2.1% to 3% by 2027 and 10% by 2047.

* Statement II is correct: The PLI scheme is open to both domestic and international manufacturers. Samsung as well as Indian firms such as Dixon Technologies, UTL, Neolyncs, Lava International, Optiemus Electronics and Micromax are also expanding their factories to take advantage of the PLI scheme.

* Statement 1 is correct: In India, the Constitution Day is celebrated in India on 26 November every year to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India and also it was celebrated to promote constitutional values among the citizens of India.

* Statement 2 is incorrect: On 29 August 1947, the Constituent Assembly set up a Drafting Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, to prepare a Draft Constitution for India. On 26 November 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution of India, and it came into effect on 26 January 1950.

* Statement 1 is Correct: Gold mining is poisoning Amazon forests with mercury. To separate the gold, miners mix liquid mercury into the sediment, which forms a coating around the gold.

* Statement 2 is Correct: Fly ash generated by TPPs is one of the ways mercury is released into the environment. Fly ash is usually disposed of in ash ponds in the form of ash slurry, forming an aquatic ecosystem of its own. Coal-based TPPs are the major source of mercury – the ninth most toxic element found on earth — emissions into the environment. Mercury contributed over 80 percent of emissions released by the TPPs, according to 2016 estimates by the Delhi-based think-tank Centre for Science and Environment.

* Statement 3 is Incorrect: While mercury is unquestionably toxic, toxicology works on the principle of dose: "The dose makes the poison." Hence, scientific bodies define reference doses (RfD) or tolerable intake levels, not zero exposure. WHO's Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) for methylmercury (from fish) → 1.6 µg/kg body weight/week and 1 µg/litre for total mercury in drinking water. If no safe level truly existed: Mercury would be completely banned, not regulated.

NOTE: UPSC usually considers extreme statement to be wrong.

* Car Crash Detection and Airbag Deployment: Modern cars use accelerometers as part of a complex system to detect rapid deceleration that can indicate a crash. The accelerometer data, along with other sensors, triggers the airbag deployment almost instantaneously.

* Laptop Fall Detection and Hard Drive Shut Off: Some laptops use accelerometers to detect a sudden fall or impact. This can trigger the hard drive heads to retract or park, protecting the drive from potential damage.

* Smartphone Tilt Detection and Display Rotation: Accelerometers are widely used in smartphones to detect orientation changes (tilt). This allows the device to automatically switch the display between portrait and landscape mode depending on how you hold the phone.

* In all these scenarios, the accelerometer detects changes in acceleration or tilt, which is then used by the system to perform the specific action.

Therefore, all three statements are correct.

* Statement 1 is incorrect: If the election of a person as President is declared void by the Supreme Court, acts done by him before the date of such declaration of the Supreme Court are not invalidated and continue to remain in force.

* Statement 2 is incorrect: The Supreme Court in 1974 held that the dissolution of the state legislative assembly would not be a ground for preventing the holding of the election on the expiry of the term of the President. Nor can it be grounds to suggest that the election to the office of the President could be held only after the election to the state is held, where the Legislative Assembly of a State is dissolved.

* Statement 3 is incorrect: The Constitution of India does not prescribe any time limit within which the President has to decide concerning a bill presented to him/her for his/her assent. Thus the President of India can simply keep the bills pending for an indefinite period.

Statement 1 is correct: In a seismograph, P waves are recorded earlier than S waves. This is true because P waves, also known as Primary waves, are the first to be recorded by a seismograph during an earthquake. They are faster and hence, reach the recording instrument before the S waves.

Statement 2 is correct: P waves are longitudinal or compressional waves, which means the particles in these waves vibrate in the same direction as the wave propagation. On the other hand, S waves, or Secondary waves, are transverse waves, where the particle motion is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. Therefore, both statements are correct.


* Statement 1 is incorrect: Prophylactic Iron Folic Acid supplementation (not Prophylactic calcium) given to children, adolescents, women of reproductive age and pregnant women, irrespective of anaemia is a key continued intervention.

* Statement 2 is correct: Promotion and monitoring of delayed clamping of the umbilical cord for at least 3 minutes (or until cord pulsations cease) for newborns across all health facilities will be carried out for improving the infants iron reserves up to 6 months after birth. Simultaneously, all birth attendants should make an effort to ensure early initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth.

* Statement 3 is correct: The Anaemia Mukt Bharat, also integrates deworming of women of reproductive age and for pregnant women as part of the NDD strategy. Bi-annual mass deworming for children in the age groups between 1-19 years is carried out on designated dates 10th February and 10th August every year under National Deworming Day (NDD) programme.

* Statement 4 is correct: The Anaemia Mukt Bharat strategy attempts to intensify awareness and integrate screening and treatment for non-nutritional causes of anaemia with special focus on malaria, haemoglobinopathies and fluorosis.

The Assertion is Correct: The 'Trade and Technology Council' (TTC) was launched by the United States and the European Union during the EU-US Summit in Brussels on June 15, 2021. The Reason is Incorrect: The USA and EU do not aim to bring technological progress and physical productivity under their control; instead, the TTC aims to foster cooperation on digital transformation, supply chain resilience, and shared democratic values. Since the Reason is incorrect, it does not serve as an explanation for the Assertion.

Statement 1 is correct: The Government of India announces Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 22 mandated crops and Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane. Niger seed is one of the 14 Kharif crops for which MSP is officially provided by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).

Statement 2 is correct: Niger (Guizotia abyssinica) is an oilseed crop primarily grown during the Kharif season in India. It is a minor oilseed crop that can grow in poor soils and is often cultivated in hilly and tribal areas.

Statement 3 is correct: Niger seed oil is traditionally used for cooking by various tribal communities, particularly in states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh. Apart from cooking, the oil is also used for lighting, lubrication, and in the preparation of soaps and medicines.

Sterilization refers to the process by which the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) neutralizes the impact of foreign exchange inflows or outflows on the domestic money supply. When there is a surge in foreign capital inflows, the RBI often buys foreign currency (like US Dollars) to prevent the Indian Rupee from appreciating excessively. This purchase injects an equivalent amount of Indian Rupees into the banking system, increasing liquidity and potentially causing inflation. To 'sterilize' or offset this effect, the RBI conducts Open Market Operations (OMO) by selling government securities in the open market to absorb the excess liquidity. Conversely, during capital outflows, the RBI sells foreign currency and buys government securities to maintain liquidity. Thus, Open Market Operations are the primary instrument used for sterilization to maintain monetary stability.

* Statement 1 is correct. According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other agricultural databases, India does have more arable land than China. As of recent data, India's arable land is approximately 157 million hectares, whereas China's arable land is around 119 million hectares.

* Statement 2 is incorrect. While India has a substantial amount of irrigated land, China has implemented extensive irrigation projects and has a higher proportion of its arable land irrigated. As a percentage of arable land, China's irrigated land is higher than that of India.

* Statement 3 is also incorrect. China has a higher average agricultural productivity per hectare compared to India. This is due to several factors, including technological advancements, better infrastructure, and more effective agricultural practices in China.

* Green hydrogen is the hydrogen produced through electrolysis of water using electricity from renewable sources.

* Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in decarbonizing all three of the mentioned heavy industries.

* Green hydrogen can be used in the production of ammonia, which is a key component for many fertilizers. Fertilizer production is energy-intensive and often relies on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas. By using green hydrogen as a clean energy source, the carbon emissions from this industry can be significantly reduced

* Green hydrogen can be used in oil refineries to process crude oil into various products, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. This can help to reduce the carbon emissions from the refining process.

* The steel industry is one of the largest industrial emitters of carbon dioxide. Green hydrogen can be used in place of coal in the steelmaking process, significantly reducing the industry's carbon emissions.


* Statement I is correct: Several Arab states, including Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan, have established diplomatic relations with Israel.

* Statement II is incorrect: The Arab Peace Initiative, mediated by Saudi Arabia, was endorsed by the Arab League but not signed by Israel. It outlines a path towards peace in exchange for Israeli concessions, but Israel has not formally accepted all its terms.

* Orangutans are known for their intelligence and tool-use capabilities. They have been observed using sticks in various ways, including scraping insects from holes in trees and logs, extracting honey from beehives, and even using leaves as utensils.

Statement 1 is Correct: Affordable housing is one of the three primary focus areas of the UNOPS S3i initiative, aimed at addressing the global shortage of high-quality, sustainable housing.

Statement 2 is Incorrect: Mass rapid transport is not included in the specific investment mandate of the S3i initiative, which focuses exclusively on housing, energy, and health infrastructure.

Statement 3 is Correct: Health care (specifically health infrastructure) is a core focus area for S3i to improve access to essential medical services in underserved regions.

Statement 4 is Correct: Renewable energy is a key focus area for S3i, supporting the global transition to clean energy and climate-resilient infrastructure.

SK Tip: The UNOPS S3i initiative has a strictly defined mandate focusing on only three sectors: Affordable Housing, Renewable Energy, and Health Infrastructure. While other sectors like transport are vital for the SDGs, they do not fall under the S3i investment umbrella.

Statement 1 is Incorrect: The electoral college for the Presidential election consists only of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States (including the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry). Nominated members of either House of Parliament or State Assemblies are not eligible. Currently, the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir is not included in the electoral college under Article 54.

Statement 2 is Incorrect: The value of an MLA's vote is calculated by dividing the total population of the State (based on the 1971 Census) by the total number of elected members in the Legislative Assembly, and then dividing the result by 1000. A higher number of elective seats (the denominator) does not automatically mean a higher vote value; rather, it depends on the ratio of the population to the number of seats.

Statement 3 is Incorrect: Based on the 1971 Census data used for elections, the value of the vote of each MLA of Madhya Pradesh is 131, whereas the value of the vote of each MLA of Kerala is 152. Therefore, the value is higher for Kerala.

Statement 4 is Correct: The value of the vote of each MLA of Puducherry (16) is higher than that of Arunachal Pradesh (8). This is because the ratio of the total population to the total number of elective seats in Puducherry is greater than the corresponding ratio in Arunachal Pradesh.

* Alexander Rea (1858-1924) was a British archaeologist who worked mainly in South British India. He is known for unearthing a sarcophagus from the hillocks of Pallavaram in Tamil Nadu.

* Albert Henry Longhurst (1876-1955) was a British archaeologist and art historian, working in India and Ceylon. From 1927 to 1931 he was in-charge of the systematic digging of Nagarjunakonda.

* Robert Sewell (1845-1925) worked in the civil service of the Madras Presidency during the period of colonial rule in India. Sewell undertook archaeological work at the Buddhist stupa at Amaravati, which had already been largely destroyed prior to his arrival. The site had previously been surveyed by Colin Mackenzie and Walter Elliot (1803-1887)

* James Burgess (1832-1916), was the founder of the Indian Antiquary in 1872 and an important archaeologist of British India in the 19th century. From 1886-89 he was Director General, Archaeological Survey of India.

* Walter Elliot (1803-1887), visited the Amaravati site in 1854, collecting sculpture panels that later became crucial for understanding South Indian Buddhist art.

Korkai, Poompuhar, and Muchiri were prominent ancient port cities in South India during the Sangam period (c. 3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE). They played a vital role in maritime trade between India and the Roman Empire, as well as Southeast Asia.

* Korkai: Located at the mouth of the Thamirabarani River in present-day Tamil Nadu, it was an important port of the Pandya dynasty. It was particularly famous for its pearl fishery. * Poompuhar (also known as Kaveripattinam): Situated at the mouth of the Kaveri River, it was the chief port of the Early Cholas. It is vividly described in Sangam literature (like *Silappadikaram*) as a bustling hub of international trade. * Muchiri (Muziris): Located on the Malabar Coast (modern-day Kerala), it was a major port of the Chera dynasty. It was the primary center for the pepper trade with the Roman Empire.

Note: In Sangam literature, the term 'Puhar' specifically refers to a river mouth or a harbor town where goods were discharged.

* Devaraya I, around 1410 A.D., got a barrage constructed across the Tungabhadra river and commissioned a 24 km long aqueduct from the Tungabhadra river to the capital.

* The account provided by Nuniz gives details of the projects undertaken by Deva Raya I that brought prosperity to the Kingdom. Hence option (a) is the correct answer.

* Dhanyakataka was an ancient city situated in the region of South India (Andhra Pradesh).

* It was a significant Buddhist centre, particularly associated with the Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism during ancient times.

* The Mahasanghika sect (considered to be the origin of Mahayana Sect) was one of the early Buddhist schools that emerged in India, and Dhanyakataka played a crucial role in its development and propagation.

* Statement I is correct In 2021, Switzerland exported $86.7B in Gold, making it the 1st largest exporter of Gold in the world. Switzerland is consistently the world's leading gold-exporting country based on value. (Please note: The list is dynamic & keeps varying yearly)

* Statement II is not correct. The United States is way out in front as the country with the largest gold reserves in the world at 8,000 tonnes (as of 2024).

* In India, the largest resources of gold ore (primary) are located in Bihar (44%) followed by Rajasthan (25%), Karnataka (21%), West Bengal (3%), Andhra Pradesh (3% ), Jharkhand (2 %). The remaining 2% resources of ore are located in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. (PIB 2021)

* India is one of the largest gold importers, sourcing 800-1,000 tons annually, mainly from Switzerland, the UAE, and South Africa. Imports are driven by high domestic demand for jewelry and investment. Gold exports, primarily in jewelry, target the US, UAE, and Hong Kong, supporting India's trade through its jewelry manufacturing sector.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The concept of a stupa predates Buddhism; it originally served as a pre-Buddhist burial mound. However, it was later adopted and popularized by Buddhism as a key religious monument.

Statement 2 is correct: A stupa typically housed relics of the Buddha or revered monks, serving as a sacred repository.

Statement 3 is correct: Stupas also functioned as votive and commemorative structures, built to honor significant events or express devotion.

* Green hydrogen is any hydrogen that is produced from renewable energy.

* Statement 1 is correct: Green hydrogen can be used as a direct fuel for internal combustion engines, replacing conventional fuels like gasoline or diesel.

* Statement 2 is correct: Green hydrogen can be blended with natural gas and used as a fuel for various applications like heating, power generation, and industrial processes.

* Statement 3 is correct: Green hydrogen can be used in hydrogen fuel cells to power electric vehicles, providing a clean and efficient alternative to traditional fossil fuel-powered vehicles.

Therefore, all three statements regarding the uses of green hydrogen are correct.

The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) is a global network of scientific and policy experts on invasive species, organised under the auspices of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Hence, option A is the correct answer.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Following the Union Budget 2025-26 and the subsequent notification by the Ministry of MSME (effective April 1, 2025), the classification criteria were significantly revised to account for inflation and encourage scaling. A Medium enterprise is now defined as an unit where the investment in plant and machinery or equipment does not exceed ₹125 crore and the annual turnover does not exceed ₹500 crore. Even under the previous 2020 definition (which set the limit at ₹50 crore investment), the range of ₹15–25 crore mentioned in the statement does not align with the legal thresholds.

Statement 2 is correct: Under the RBI Master Direction on Priority Sector Lending (PSL), all bank loans to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises are eligible for classification under the priority sector. While Micro enterprises have specific sub-targets within the PSL framework, credit extended to Medium enterprises counts toward a bank's overall Priority Sector achievement.

* Pair 1 is incorrect: Cepheids are actually stars that brighten and dim periodically, not giant clouds of dust and gas.

* Pair 2 is incorrect: Nebulae are giant clouds of dust and gas in space, not stars that brighten and dim periodically. Thus, the first two pairs are reversed.

* Pair 3 is correct: Pulsars are rapidly rotating neutron stars that are formed when massive stars exhaust their fuel and collapse.

* So out of the 3 pairs given, only 1 pair (pair 3) is correctly matched.

Statement-I is Correct: India's public healthcare system has historically prioritized curative care through hospital-based services, while preventive, promotive, and rehabilitative services (such as early screening, health education, and post-treatment recovery) receive significantly less budgetary and structural emphasis.

Statement-II is Correct: Under the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution, 'Public health and sanitation; hospitals and dispensaries' are listed under the State List (Entry 6). This decentralized framework makes State governments primarily responsible for the organization and delivery of health services.

Relationship: While both statements are factually accurate, Statement-II describes the administrative and constitutional division of power, which does not serve as the reason for the curative-heavy nature of the system described in Statement-I. The focus on curative care is a result of historical policy choices, infrastructure development patterns, and funding models rather than the fact that States manage the services. Therefore, Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.

* The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC): This body is a constitutional body. It was given constitutional status by the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, which inserted Article 338B into the Indian Constitution.

* The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): This body is not a constitutional body. It is a statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.

* The National Law Commission: This body is not a constitutional body. It is an executive body established by an executive order of the Government of India.

* The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC): This body is not a constitutional body. It is a statutory body set up under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986 (replaced by the Consumer Protection Act 2019).

* Microsatellite DNA, also known as short tandem repeats (STRs), are highly polymorphic DNA sequences that are widely used in the case of studying the evolutionary relationships among various species of fauna.

* Microsatellite DNA analysis is a powerful tool for studying genetic diversity, population structure, and evolutionary relationships among different species of animals.

* The variations in the number of repeated DNA sequences in microsatellites can provide insights into the genetic similarities and differences between species, which can be used to infer their evolutionary relationships.

* Statement 1 is incorrect: The Mundra Thermal Power Plant employs a closed-cycle induced draft circulating cooling water system that utilises seawater. Seawater is drawn from the Gulf of Kutch through robust glass reinforced pipes of significant diameter. In addition, purified seawater from a reverse osmosis plant is utilised by various supplementary systems.

* Statement 2 is incorrect: According to recent research by WRI (World Resources Institute), 40 percent of India's thermal power plants are situated in regions experiencing significant water stress. This poses a challenge as these plants rely on water for cooling purposes. The scarcity of water is already causing disruptions in electricity generation in these areas, with 14 out of India's 20 largest thermal utilities having experienced at least one shutdown between 2013 and 2016 due to water shortages.

* Statement 3 is incorrect: India has a total of 269 Thermal Power Plants, with 138 of them being owned by the public sector and the remaining 131 owned by the private sector.