2025

RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement) and NEFT (National Electronic Funds Transfer) are two major electronic payment systems in India, differing mainly in settlement speed and mechanism.

Statement I: Correct RTGS processes transactions instantly in real time, while NEFT settles in hourly batches, causing a time lag.

Statement II: Incorrect Inward transactions (receiving money) are not charged in either RTGS or NEFT as per RBI guidelines.

Statement III: Incorrect Both RTGS and NEFT are available 24x7x365, including on holidays.

Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) are privately pooled investment vehicles that invest in assets beyond traditional options like stocks and bonds. In India, SEBI classifies AIFs into three categories, including hedge funds and venture capital funds.

Statement I: Incorrect * Bonds are traditional debt instruments and not classified as AIFs.

Statement II: Correct * Hedge Funds fall under Category III AIFs as per SEBI regulations.

Statement III: Incorrect * Stocks are conventional equity investments, not treated as AIFs.

Statement IV: Correct * Venture Capital is a form of Category I AIF in India.

The Araghatta was an ancient Indian irrigation device consisting of a large wheel with earthen pots fixed around its rim. As the wheel rotated—usually powered by animals or humans—the pots dipped into a water source and lifted water for irrigation. This mechanism is distinct from leather bags or simple buckets pulled by hand and represents early mechanical water-lifting technology.


Direct Air Capture (DAC) is a technology that removes CO₂ directly from the air for storage or use in various industries.

Statement I is correct: * DAC captures CO₂ for carbon sequestration, reducing greenhouse gases.

Statement II is correct: * Captured CO₂ can be used to make plastics and in food processing.

Statement III is correct: * DAC provides carbon to make synthetic low-carbon aviation fuels by combining with hydrogen.

So, the correct answer is: C

The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) is a key arm of the World Bank Group, originally created for post-war reconstruction and now focused on development in middle-income nations.

Statement I: Correct The IBRD provides loans and guarantees to middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries.

Statement II: Incorrect The IBRD does not work single-handedly; it collaborates with other arms of the World Bank Group like IDA, IFC, etc.

Statement III: Correct It was established in 1944 to help Europe rebuild after World War II.

The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a multimodal transport network aimed at boosting trade between India, Central Asia, Russia, and Europe, using a combination of sea, rail, and road routes via Iran.


The corridor connects Mumbai → Bandar Abbas (Iran) → Azerbaijan → Russia → Europe, with access to Central Asia.

Statement I is Correct: Axiom-4 is a private astronaut mission to the ISS specifically designed to carry out science and micro-gravity research payloads.

Statement II is Incorrect: Based on official classification, SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) is categorized as a technology demonstrator for autonomous docking; while it paves the way for a space station, it is not officially listed as a micro-gravity research mission in this context.

Statement III is Correct: Gaganyaan, India's flagship human spaceflight program, includes multiple payloads for micro-gravity experiments to be conducted by the Vyomanauts in low Earth orbit.

Note: After the release of the UPSC ANSWER KEY 2025, we have updated the correct answer to B.

Statement I is correct: President's pardoning power can be subjected to limited judicial review, especially on grounds like mala fides, irrelevant considerations, or arbitrariness (as held in Kehar Singh, Epuru Sudhakar cases).

Statement II is incorrect: President cannot act independently; the power must be exercised on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers under Article 74.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are aircraft systems operated without a human pilot onboard. Their capabilities depend on design type (like fixed-wing, multirotor, or hybrid) and power source.

I. Vertical landing – Only VTOL and multirotor drones can do vertical landings. Fixed-wing UAVs cannot. II. Automated hovering – Only multirotor drones and advanced hybrids can hover. Fixed-wing UAVs cannot hover at all. III. Battery-only power – Not all UAVs use batteries. Larger ones may use fuel, hybrid, or solar power.

None of the statements are correct.

Statement I is Incorrect: Declaring an area "Scheduled" does not strip the State Government of its executive authority. Instead, it adds a layer of protection where the Governor acts as a custodian. The administration remains with the State, influenced by the advice of the Tribes Advisory Council (TAC).

Statement II is Incorrect: Under Paragraph 3 of the Fifth Schedule, the executive power of the Union extends only to giving directions to the State regarding the administration of Scheduled Areas. There is no provision within the Schedule for the "total takeover" of administration by the Union Government.

Pair I: International Year of the Woman Farmer : 2026 — Correct *The UN designated 2026 to honor the vital role of women in agriculture and to address gender inequalities in farming globally.*

Pair II: International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism : 2027 — Correct *2027 is proclaimed to promote tourism that supports sustainable development and resilience against climate and health challenges.*

Pair III: International Year of Peace and Trust : 2025 — Correct *The year 2025 focuses on fostering global peace, trust, and cooperation among nations and communities.*

Pair IV: International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defence : 2029 — Correct *2029 marks the UN's focus on asteroid awareness and planetary defense, coinciding with asteroid Apophis's close approach.*

Therefore, all four pairs are correctly matched.

Statement I: Correct *Andes pass through Bolivia, forming the Altiplano plateau.*

Statement II: Incorrect *Andes do not pass through Brazil, which lies on the Brazilian Plateau.*

Statement III: Correct *Andes pass through Colombia, where they split into three mountain chains.*

Statement IV: Correct *Andes run north-south through Ecuador, shaping its geography.*

Statement V: Incorrect Paraguay lies in the interior lowlands; Andes do not pass through it.

Statement VI: Correct *The Venezuelan Andes extend into western Venezuela (Cordillera de Mérida).*

Correct Answer: (C) Only four Andes pass through: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela Not through: Brazil, Paraguay

Pair I – Cassava: Woody shrub → Correct Cassava (also called tapioca or manioc) is indeed a woody shrub cultivated for its starchy tuberous roots.

Pair II – Ginger: Herb with pseudostem → Correct Ginger is a herbaceous perennial with a pseudostem formed by leaf sheaths; the edible part is the rhizome.

Pair III – Malabar spinach: Herbaceous climber → Correct Malabar spinach (Basella alba) is a soft, herbaceous twining climber, commonly grown as a leafy vegetable.

Pair IV – Mint: Annual shrub → Incorrect Mint (Mentha spp.) is not a shrub; it is a perennial herb with soft stems, spreading by stolons.

Pair V – Papaya: Woody shrub → Incorrect Papaya (Carica papaya) is a herbaceous tree (giant herb), not a woody shrub—it has a soft, hollow stem.

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is expanding internationally, but only a few countries currently support international merchant payments under UPI.

I. United Arab Emirates – Correct * UPI is accepted at select merchants in the UAE via NPCI partnerships.

II. France – Correct * France allows UPI merchant payments at select tourist locations, like the Eiffel Tower.

III. Germany – Incorrect * No official rollout of UPI for merchant payments in Germany as of now.

IV. Singapore – Correct * UPI is live for both P2P remittances and merchant payments in Singapore.

V. Bangladesh – Incorrect * UPI is not yet operational for merchant payments in Bangladesh.

International merchant payments are accepted under UPI in seven countries outside of India: Bhutan, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and the UAE.

Revenue Deficit, Fiscal Deficit, and Primary Deficit are key indicators used to assess a government's financial health.

I. Revenue Deficit = ₹20,000 crores – Correct

* Definition: Revenue Deficit = Revenue Expenditure − Revenue Receipts * Calculation: ₹80,000 crores − ₹60,000 crores = ₹20,000 crores

II. Fiscal Deficit = ₹10,000 crores – Correct

* Definition: Fiscal Deficit = Total Expenditure − Total Receipts (excluding borrowings) * Alternatively, it reflects total borrowings needed to meet the gap * Given: Borrowings = ₹10,000 crores ⇒ Fiscal Deficit = ₹10,000 crores

III. Primary Deficit = ₹4,000 crores – Correct

* Definition: Primary Deficit = Fiscal Deficit − Interest Payments * Calculation: ₹10,000 crores − ₹6,000 crores = ₹4,000 crores

Cement manufacturing contributes significantly to global carbon emissions, mainly due to the chemical process involved in producing clinker.

Statement I: Cement industry emissions are estimated to be around 5-8% of global CO₂ emissions, making it a major source of greenhouse gases. Statement II: Silica-bearing clay is indeed mixed with limestone during cement making to provide essential minerals like silicon, aluminum, and iron needed for the final product. Statement III: During clinker production, limestone (calcium carbonate) is heated and converted into lime (calcium oxide), releasing CO₂ in the process. This calcination is the main source of carbon emissions in cement manufacturing.

Both Statements II and III are correct, but only Statement III directly explains the source of carbon emissions mentioned in Statement I.

The correct answer is A. Mahendravarman I.

Mahendravarman I, a 7th-century Pallava king, was known for his literary talent and artistic patronage. He adopted the titles 'Mattavilasa' (lover of playful sport), 'Vichitrachitta' (curious-minded or inventive), and 'Gunabharata' (full of virtues). He also authored the Sanskrit play *Mattavilasa Prahasana*, reflecting his cultural contributions.

The other rulers listed did not assume these titles.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) regulates downstream activities like storage, distribution, and marketing—not upstream activities like production.

I. Production of crude oil – Not regulated * This is an upstream activity regulated by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), not PNGRB.

II. Refining, storage and distribution – Partially regulated * Storage and distribution are regulated by PNGRB. * Refining is generally not directly regulated, though PNGRB may set standards affecting it.

III. Marketing and sale of petroleum products – Regulated * PNGRB authorizes entities to market notified petroleum products and natural gas.

IV. Production of natural gas – Not regulated * Like crude oil, it's an upstream activity, not under PNGRB.

Statement I is Correct: Any change in the Union List alters the distribution of legislative powers and requires ratification by at least half of the State Legislatures.

Statement II is Correct: Changes affecting the extent of a State's executive power also need ratification by not less than one-half of the States.

Statement III is Incorrect: Conditions of the Governor's office can be amended by Parliament alone and do not require ratification by States.

Statement I: Correct Rare earth elements like europium, terbium, and yttrium are essential in flat TV screens and monitors due to their role in producing vibrant colors and enhancing display quality.

Statement II: Correct These elements exhibit phosphorescence—absorbing energy and slowly emitting light—which is key to their use in color reproduction and brightness in displays.

Relationship: Statement II explains why rare earth elements are crucial in displays, confirming the reason behind Statement I.

Therefore, both statements are correct and related.

Pair I: The National Automotive Board – Ministry of Commerce and Industry * Incorrect. It functions under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, not Commerce and Industry.

Pair II: The Coir Board – Ministry of Heavy Industries * Incorrect. The Coir Board is under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

Pair III: National Centre for Trade Information – Ministry of MSME * Incorrect. NCTI is linked to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, not MSME.

Statement 1 is Correct: The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is a government initiative that targets the installation of rooftop solar systems in one crore households within the residential sector to provide free electricity.

Statement 2 is Correct: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) aims to impart training on the installation, operation, maintenance, and repairs of solar rooftop systems at the grassroots level to support the scheme's infrastructure.

Statement 3 is Correct: The scheme includes a dedicated capacity-building component designed to create more than three lakh skilled manpower through fresh skilling and up-skilling initiatives to meet the demand for solar technicians.

Alternative powertrain vehicles are those that do not use conventional petrol/diesel engines. Instead, they rely on clean energy sources like electricity or hydrogen.

* I. BEVs – Run fully on batteries and electric motors. * II. FCEVs – Use hydrogen to make electricity via a fuel cell. * III. FCEHVs – Combine hydrogen fuel cell + battery + electric motor.

All three are alternatives to traditional fuel vehicles.

A circular economy focuses on minimizing waste, reusing resources, and improving efficiency, all of which help lower greenhouse gas emissions and conserve raw materials.

Statement I: Correct By reducing waste and energy use, the circular economy helps cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Statement II: Correct It reduces the need for raw materials through reuse, recycling, and product life extension.

Statement III: Correct It also lowers production waste using efficient and sustainable design and processes.

Statement I: Correct Subtropical and temperate regions have more dust due to dry conditions, sparse vegetation, and strong winds.

Statement II: Incorrect Subtropical and temperate regions have more dry winds, not less, which help lift dust.

Correct Answer: Only Statement I is correct.

Statement I is Correct: The 16th BRICS Summit was held in Kazan, Russia, from October 22 to 24, 2024. Russia held the rotating chairship for the year 2024.

Statement II is Correct: Indonesia officially announced its intention to join BRICS and has been integrated into the bloc as a full member following the 16th Summit in Kazan, as part of the group's ongoing expansion to include key emerging economies from the Global South.

Statement III is Incorrect: The official theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was "Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security." The statement incorrectly uses the word "Multiculturalism," which changes the diplomatic meaning of the theme.

Many everyday items contain hidden plastics, even if they don't look like typical plastic products.

* I. Cigarette butts – Filters are made of cellulose acetate, a form of plastic. * II. Eyeglass lenses – Usually made from polycarbonate or CR-39 plastic, not glass. * III. Car tyres – Contain synthetic rubber, which includes plastic-based polymers.

All three items contain plastic.

Statement I is correct: The World Bank's report on India's cooling sector and climate vulnerability highlights that extreme heat stress (wet-bulb temperatures) is linked to a wider set of climate implications, including more frequent and intense tropical cyclones, flooding, and droughts, particularly affecting the vulnerable Peninsular region.

Statement II is correct: The wet-bulb temperature is a measure that combines heat and humidity. At 35°C wet-bulb, the air is too saturated for sweat to evaporate, preventing the body from shedding heat. This makes survival physically impossible for humans and animals without external cooling.

The correct answer is C. Rajendra I (Chola).

Rajendra Chola I, son of Rajaraja Chola I, led a famous naval expedition against the Srivijaya kingdom around 1025 CE. Srivijaya was a powerful maritime empire controlling the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, and nearby islands. Rajendra I's campaign asserted Chola naval dominance in the region and secured control over important sea trade routes.

The other rulers listed did not conduct campaigns against Srivijaya:

* Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta) focused mainly on the Deccan region. * Prataparudra (Kakatiya) ruled much later and was centered in the Deccan. * Vishnuvardhana (Hoysala) focused on South Indian affairs.

Statement I: Correct *GAGAN is an Indian SBAS developed by ISRO and AAI to enhance GPS accuracy and integrity, crucial for aviation safety.*

Statement II: Correct *It improves GPS reliability and accuracy, enabling better air traffic management and safer, efficient navigation.*

Statement III: Incorrect *GAGAN's benefits extend beyond aviation to railways, roadways, maritime, agriculture, and disaster management.*

Correct Answer: Only Statements I and II are correct.