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Subject
22 questions
- Polity & Governance16 May 2026
Under the Dam Safety Act, 2021, which body is the central regulator for implementation of dam-safety policy across India?
- A.National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)
- B.Central Water Commission (CWC)
- C.National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS)
- D.National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
Show solution
Answer: A. National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)
The **National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)** is the central regulator under the Act, while **NCDS** evolves policy. The **CWC** advises Government on water resources but is not the statutory regulator. **NDMA** handles disasters in general, not dam-safety regulation.
Read source story → - Polity & Governance16 May 2026
Under the Dam Safety Act, 2021, willful obstruction or non-compliance with directions of dam-safety authorities can lead to:
- A.Imprisonment up to two years and/or fine, depending on the offence
- B.Only a monetary penalty with no imprisonment
- C.Only departmental action against State officials
- D.Civil compensation alone, no criminal liability
Show solution
Answer: A. Imprisonment up to two years and/or fine, depending on the offence
The Act includes **penal provisions**, allowing imprisonment (up to about two years) and/or fine for offences such as obstructing officials or non-compliance with safety directions, in addition to civil liability. Pure monetary or departmental remedies do not capture the Act's penal architecture.
Read source story → - Uncategorized16 May 2026
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was established to protect the country's Islamic system following which event?
- A.The 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran
- B.The Iran–Iraq War of 1980–88
- C.The 1953 coup against Prime Minister Mosaddegh
- D.The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015
Show solution
Answer: A. The 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran
The **IRGC** was created in **1979 after the Islamic Revolution** to protect the new revolutionary system. It commands separate land, air and sea forces and oversees the **Basij Resistance Force**, reporting directly to the Supreme Leader, independent of the regular Iranian military.
Read source story → - Uncategorized16 May 2026
The Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) was formally constituted in September 1928 at which place?
- A.Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
- B.Lahore Central Jail, Punjab
- C.Allahabad, United Provinces
- D.Kanpur, United Provinces
Show solution
Answer: A. Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
The **HSRA** was formed by reorganising the **Hindustan Republican Association** at a meeting at **Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi** in September 1928. The other places — Lahore, Allahabad and Kanpur — were important revolutionary centres but not the venue of its formation.
Read source story → - Economy & Banking16 May 2026
Which of the following best explains how the BMI Pool reduces India's forex outflow?
- A.By retaining marine reinsurance premiums domestically that would otherwise flow to London and other foreign re/insurance markets
- B.By directly buying foreign currency from the RBI's reserves at concessional rates
- C.By imposing capital controls on Indian shipowners' foreign payments
- D.By replacing all FDI in India's shipping sector
Show solution
Answer: A. By retaining marine reinsurance premiums domestically that would otherwise flow to London and other foreign re/insurance markets
The Pool **retains domestically** a larger share of marine reinsurance premiums and claims flows that would otherwise be ceded to **London and other foreign re/insurance hubs**, reducing **forex outflow**. The other options describe instruments — capital controls, RBI FX sales, FDI — that are not how a reinsurance pool functions.
Read source story → - Economy & Banking16 May 2026
The Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMI Pool) is administered as Pool Administrator by which entity?
- A.General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re), the country's state-owned reinsurer
- B.Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), the largest Indian life-insurance company
- C.Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the central banking authority of the Government of India
- D.Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), a navratna shipping company under the central government
Show solution
Answer: A. General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re), the country's state-owned reinsurer
The **Pool Administrator** of the BMI Pool is **GIC Re**, India's state-owned national reinsurer. **LIC** is a life insurer, **RBI** is the central bank, and **SCI** is a shipping operator — none of them administer the Pool.
Read source story → - Uncategorized16 May 2026
Which of the following best describes the legal character of the 'Lahore Conspiracy Case' under which Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were tried?
- A.A trial before a special tribunal constituted under a colonial ordinance, with curtailed defence rights and no right of appeal to the Privy Council on most issues
- B.A regular sessions trial under the Indian Penal Code with full appellate rights up to the Privy Council
- C.A purely military court-martial under British Army regulations
- D.A Federal Court reference under the Government of India Act, 1935
Show solution
Answer: A. A trial before a special tribunal constituted under a colonial ordinance, with curtailed defence rights and no right of appeal to the Privy Council on most issues
The **Lahore Conspiracy Case** was tried by a **special tribunal** set up under a **colonial ordinance** that **curtailed normal defence rights** and the trial was completed in the accused's absence at one stage. It was not a regular sessions trial, nor a court-martial, nor a Federal Court matter (the 1935 Act came later).
Read source story → - Uncategorized16 May 2026
Whose birth anniversary did India observe on 15 May 2026?
- A.Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar
- B.Shaheed Bhagat Singh
- C.Shivaram Rajguru
- D.Chandrashekhar Azad
Show solution
Answer: A. Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar
**Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar** was born on **15 May 1907** in Ludhiana, Punjab. **Bhagat Singh** was born on 28 September 1907, **Rajguru** on 24 August 1908, and **Chandrashekhar Azad** on 23 July 1906 — none on 15 May.
Read source story → - Uncategorized16 May 2026
Submarine (undersea) cables currently carry approximately what share of international data traffic?
- A.Between 95% and 99% of international data traffic
- B.Less than 40% of international data traffic
- C.About 25%, with satellites carrying most of the rest
- D.About 70%, with the remainder over high-altitude balloons
Show solution
Answer: A. Between 95% and 99% of international data traffic
Submarine cables carry **95–99% of international data traffic**, making them the backbone of the global internet. Satellites carry only a small share, mainly for last-mile or specialised connectivity. The other options understate cable dominance.
Read source story → - Uncategorized16 May 2026
From a strategic-defence perspective, which of the following best captures India's primary vulnerability arising from disruption to undersea cables in the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea?
- A.Disruption of secure long-distance military and intelligence communications, plus financial and IT-BPM service flows
- B.Loss of nuclear command and control which is wholly dependent on undersea cables
- C.Inability to operate satellite-based PNT (positioning) services within Indian territory
- D.Direct kinetic threat to Indian naval assets stationed in the Persian Gulf
Show solution
Answer: A. Disruption of secure long-distance military and intelligence communications, plus financial and IT-BPM service flows
The primary vulnerability is **disruption to long-distance secure communications, intelligence sharing and India's IT-BPM and financial flows**, all of which transit cable corridors via Hormuz and the Red Sea. India's nuclear C2 has alternative redundant means; PNT is satellite-based; and direct kinetic threat to naval assets is a separate risk category, not cable-driven.
Read source story → - Polity & Governance16 May 2026
Which of the following is a key constitutional concern raised by some States against the Dam Safety Act, 2021?
- A.It allegedly encroaches upon 'Water' which is a State subject under Entry 17 of the State List
- B.It violates Article 21 by criminalising negligence by dam owners
- C.It overrides Article 19(1)(g) by restricting commercial use of reservoirs
- D.It conflicts with the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956
Show solution
Answer: A. It allegedly encroaches upon 'Water' which is a State subject under Entry 17 of the State List
The Act has been challenged by some States on the ground that **'Water'** falls under **Entry 17 of the State List**, and central regulation of State-owned dams allegedly encroaches on State legislative competence. The Centre defends the Act under entries linked to inter-State rivers and national disaster management. The other options are not the principal challenges.
Read source story → - Polity & Governance16 May 2026
India is currently the third-largest dam-owning country in the world, with how many specified large dams as per the National Register of Large Dams?
- A.About 6,628 specified dams
- B.About 4,500 specified dams
- C.About 9,200 specified dams
- D.About 3,300 specified dams
Show solution
Answer: A. About 6,628 specified dams
India has about **6,628 specified large dams**, ranking third globally after the **United States** and **China**. Around **98.5%** are State-owned, with **Maharashtra** holding the largest number. The other options misstate India's dam count.
Read source story → - Economy & Banking29 Apr 2026
Bulk Drug Parks under India's manufacturing policy have been announced in which three states?
- A.Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana
- B.Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh
- C.Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa
- D.Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan
Show solution
Answer: B. Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh
**Three Bulk Drug Parks** have been announced in **Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Himachal Pradesh**. The scheme aims to **reduce cost of bulk drug (API) manufacturing through common infrastructure** and reduce import dependence on Chinese APIs. Other states named are major pharmaceutical producers but not Bulk Drug Park hosts.
Read source story → - Economy & Banking28 Apr 2026
When was UPI launched and by which entity?
- A.2010 by RBI
- B.April 2016 by NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India)
- C.2018 by SBI
- D.2014 by Ministry of Finance
Show solution
Answer: B. April 2016 by NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India)
**Unified Payments Interface (UPI)** was launched in **April 2016** by the **National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)**. It is a real-time payments system that has become foundational to India's DPI stack. UPI processes over 18 billion transactions/month as of FY24-25, with 600+ banks participating.
Read source story → - Economy & Banking27 Apr 2026
What is the ownership structure of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC)?
- A.100% Government of India
- B.50:50 joint venture between Government of India and Government of NCT of Delhi
- C.70% private, 30% public
- D.Listed entity under SEBI
Show solution
Answer: B. 50:50 joint venture between Government of India and Government of NCT of Delhi
**DMRC** is a **50:50 joint venture** between the **Government of India** and the **Government of NCT of Delhi**, incorporated under the Companies Act in **May 1995**. It is not a listed entity. **E. Sreedharan** was the founding Managing Director, who delivered the first phase of Delhi Metro in 2002.
Read source story → - Economy & Banking27 Apr 2026
Which 4-country bloc signed the India-EFTA TEPA in March 2024?
- A.UK, France, Germany, Spain
- B.Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein
- C.Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Estonia
- D.Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria
Show solution
Answer: B. Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein
**EFTA — European Free Trade Association** comprises **Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein**. The **India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA)** was signed on **10 March 2024** in New Delhi, including a USD 100 billion investment commitment from EFTA over 15 years.
Read source story → - Science & Tech25 Apr 2026
The Late Payment Surcharge Rules of 2022 were introduced primarily to address:
- A.Late tax filings by renewable companies
- B.Timely DISCOM payments to power generators including renewable sector
- C.Late filing of consumer electricity bills
- D.Late submission of subsidy claims
Show solution
Answer: B. Timely DISCOM payments to power generators including renewable sector
The Late Payment Surcharge Rules of 2022 were introduced by the Ministry of Power to ensure timely DISCOM (Distribution Company) payments to power generators — including renewable sector generators. The rules impose graduated surcharges on overdue payments and are a key tool for renewable sector financial discipline alongside DISCOM reforms like UDAY (2015) and RDSS (2021-26).
Read source story → - Science & Tech25 Apr 2026
Under India's Panchamrit climate commitments at COP26 Glasgow (November 2021), the target for non-fossil energy capacity by 2030 is:
- A.100 GW
- B.300 GW
- C.450 GW
- D.500 GW
Show solution
Answer: D. 500 GW
Under the Panchamrit pledges at COP26 Glasgow (November 2021), PM Modi committed India to achieving 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030. The 100 GW figure refers to the wind-specific target by 2030 within this broader 500 GW commitment.
Read source story → - Economy & Banking25 Apr 2026
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) typically uses forex reserves for which of the following purposes? (Select the most comprehensive answer)
- A.Only managing rupee volatility
- B.Only servicing external debt
- C.Only ensuring import cover
- D.Managing rupee volatility, ensuring import cover, servicing external debt, supporting investor confidence, and buffering external shocks
Show solution
Answer: D. Managing rupee volatility, ensuring import cover, servicing external debt, supporting investor confidence, and buffering external shocks
RBI uses forex reserves for multiple purposes: (1) managing rupee volatility through dollar sales/purchases; (2) ensuring adequate import cover (3-6 months minimum, India typically 10-12 months); (3) servicing external debt obligations; (4) supporting investor confidence and sovereign credit ratings; (5) buffering against capital-flow reversals and external shocks. All of these together make forex reserves a comprehensive macro-stability tool.
Read source story → - Economy & Banking25 Apr 2026
FASTag and NCMC services — both of which were prohibited for PPBL in January 2024 — are operated by:
- A.RBI directly
- B.Ministry of Finance
- C.National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
- D.Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
Show solution
Answer: C. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
FASTag (electronic toll collection on national highways under the National Electronic Toll Collection or NETC framework) and NCMC ('One Nation One Card' launched March 2019) are both operated by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). NPCI is the umbrella organisation for retail payments, established in 2008 as a Section 8 not-for-profit company.
Read source story → - Economy & Banking25 Apr 2026
Which of the following is a key restriction on payments banks in India that distinguishes them from commercial banks?
- A.Cannot accept demand deposits
- B.Cannot offer credit/loans
- C.Cannot issue debit cards
- D.Cannot facilitate digital payments
Show solution
Answer: B. Cannot offer credit/loans
Payments banks CANNOT offer credit/loans — this is a key restriction distinguishing them from commercial banks and small finance banks. Payments banks CAN: accept demand deposits up to ₹2 lakh per customer, issue ATM/debit cards, facilitate payments and remittances, distribute non-risk-sharing financial products (mutual funds, insurance, pension).
Read source story → - Economy & Banking25 Apr 2026
For the week ended 17 April 2026, India's Foreign Currency Assets (FCA) — the largest component of forex reserves — stood at:
- A.$417.46 billion
- B.$497.46 billion
- C.$557.46 billion
- D.$617.46 billion
Show solution
Answer: C. $557.46 billion
Foreign Currency Assets (FCA) stood at $557.46 billion for the week ended 17 April 2026 — up $1.48 billion week-on-week. FCA is typically about 80% of India's total forex reserves and includes foreign currencies, deposits with foreign central banks and BIS, and foreign government securities (mainly US Treasuries).
Read source story →