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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 → - Defence30 Apr 2026
The Indo-Russian BrahMos cruise missile, currently undergoing cost-optimisation by DRDO, takes its name from which two rivers?
- A.Brahmaputra (India) and Moskva (Russia)
- B.Brahmaputra (India) and Volga (Russia)
- C.Brahmagiri (India) and Moskva (Russia)
- D.Brahmani (India) and Don (Russia)
Show solution
Answer: A. Brahmaputra (India) and Moskva (Russia)
**BrahMos** is named after the **Brahmaputra (India)** and the **Moskva (Russia)** — honouring both partner nations' iconic rivers. The JV (BrahMos Aerospace) was incorporated in 1998 and the missile was first tested in 2001. India's first major missile export was to the Philippines (contract Jan 2022, first delivery April 2024).
Read source story → - International29 Apr 2026
Where was the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) announced, and how does it relate to the Strait of Hormuz?
- A.Announced at COP28 Dubai 2023; replaces Hormuz
- B.Announced at the G20 New Delhi Summit in September 2023; offers an alternative connectivity route between India and Europe via the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel — reducing Hormuz transit dependence
- C.Announced at WTO Geneva 2024
- D.Announced at AUKUS Summit 2025
Show solution
Answer: B. Announced at the G20 New Delhi Summit in September 2023; offers an alternative connectivity route between India and Europe via the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel — reducing Hormuz transit dependence
The **India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)** was **announced at the G20 New Delhi Summit in September 2023**. It is a transcontinental connectivity initiative connecting India to Europe via the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel. In the context of UAE's OPEC exit and ongoing **Strait of Hormuz** disruptions during the US-Israel war on Iran, IMEC offers India an alternative connectivity route, reducing transit dependence on the Hormuz chokepoint (which carries ~20% of the world's crude and LNG).
Read source story → - International28 Apr 2026
What does the SAGAR doctrine stand for, and when was it articulated by PM Modi?
- A.Strategic Alliance for the Greater Asian Region; 2018
- B.Security and Growth for All in the Region; March 2015 in Mauritius
- C.South Asian Group for Atlantic Routes; 2014
- D.Sea-based Anti-piracy and Geographic Action Roadmap; 2020
Show solution
Answer: B. Security and Growth for All in the Region; March 2015 in Mauritius
**SAGAR** stands for **Security and Growth for All in the Region**. It was articulated by **Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2015 in Mauritius** as India's framework for engagement in the **Indian Ocean Region (IOR)**. It covers maritime security, blue economy, capacity-building for IOR partners, and disaster response. In 2025 it was widened as **MAHASAGAR**.
Read source story → - Defence27 Apr 2026
Which Indian indigenous Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) is the helicopter-launched variant of the Nag missile?
- A.MPATGM
- B.Helina
- C.SANT
- D.Akash
Show solution
Answer: B. Helina
**Helina** (Helicopter-launched Nag) is the helicopter-launched variant of India's indigenous **Nag** ATGM, developed by DRDO. Other Indian ATGMs include **MPATGM** (Man-Portable ATGM), **SANT** (Stand-off Anti-Tank), and the original land-based **Nag**. **Akash** is a surface-to-air missile (SAM), not an ATGM.
Read source story → - Polity & Governance27 Apr 2026
Which of the five new Ladakh districts provides access to the Siachen Glacier — the highest battlefield in the world?
- A.Drass
- B.Zanskar
- C.Nubra
- D.Sham
Show solution
Answer: C. Nubra
**Nubra** — located north of Leh at the confluence of the **Shyok and Nubra rivers** — provides the access route to the **Siachen Glacier**, the world's highest battlefield (occupied by India under Operation Meghdoot since 1984). Drass is in the Kargil region (1999 Kargil War site); Changthang hosts Pangong Tso; Zanskar is a remote sub-region of Kargil.
Read source story → - Defence27 Apr 2026
Garud Commando Force — the Special Forces unit of the Indian Air Force — was raised in which year?
- A.1966
- B.1987
- C.2004
- D.2014
Show solution
Answer: C. 2004
**Garud Commando Force** was raised in **2004** by the Indian Air Force as its dedicated Special Forces unit. The other tri-service Special Forces are **Para SF** (Indian Army, raised **1966** under the Parachute Regiment) and **MARCOS** (Marine Commandos, Indian Navy, raised **1987**). The Special Frontier Force (SFF), often listed alongside, is a paramilitary force raised in **1962** under the Cabinet Secretariat.
Read source story → - Economy & Banking27 Apr 2026
Which agency — established in 2019 — is the tri-service organisation coordinating India's military space activities?
- A.Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
- B.Defence Space Agency (DSA)
- C.Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
- D.IN-SPACe
Show solution
Answer: B. Defence Space Agency (DSA)
Defence Space Agency (DSA) is the tri-service organisation established in 2019 with HQ in Bengaluru to coordinate India's military space activities. It is supported by Defence Space Research Organisation (DSRO). Mission Shakti — India's anti-satellite (ASAT) test in March 2019 — demonstrated kinetic ASAT capability, making India the fourth country to have it after USA, Russia, and China.
Read source story → - International25 Apr 2026
Which of the following is the maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)?
- A.Dharma Guardian
- B.Shinyuu Maitri
- C.JIMEX
- D.Tarang Shakti
Show solution
Answer: C. JIMEX
JIMEX (Japan-India Maritime Exercise) is the bilateral Navy exercise between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Dharma Guardian is the Army exercise (since 2018); Shinyuu Maitri is the Air Force exercise. Malabar is the multilateral exercise involving all four Quad members.
Read source story → - Defence25 Apr 2026
How many Victoria Crosses (VCs) — the British Empire's highest military gallantry award — were awarded to Indian soldiers during the First World War?
- A.7
- B.9
- C.11
- D.15
Show solution
Answer: C. 11
Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded to Indian soldiers during the First World War — recognition of their gallantry across multiple fronts including Mesopotamia, the Western Front, East Africa, and Palestine. The VC was instituted in 1856 by Queen Victoria as the highest gallantry award of the British Empire.
Read source story → - International25 Apr 2026
The SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) — focused on counter-terrorism cooperation — is headquartered in:
- A.Beijing, China
- B.Moscow, Russia
- C.Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- D.Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Show solution
Answer: C. Tashkent, Uzbekistan
The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) of the SCO is headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. It was established in 2004 as a permanent body for counter-terrorism cooperation and intelligence sharing among SCO member states. The SCO Secretariat (separate from RATS) is in Beijing, China.
Read source story →