Assertion (A): The Union Cabinet significantly expanded the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS) to eliminate the structural cost disadvantage faced by Indian shipyards. Reason (R): Indian commercial shipyards historically enjoy lower borrowing costs and shorter gestation periods compared to their counterparts in China and South Korea. Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

With reference to the newly approved scheme for ITI upgradation, consider the following statements: 1. It is a Central Sector Scheme funded entirely by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. 2. The scheme will be co-financed by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding India-Australia defence relations? 1. The Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) between India and Australia was signed in 2025 to mark the fifth anniversary of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 2. The 2025 Implementing Arrangement on Mutual Submarine Rescue Support formalizes operational safety protocols and enhances interoperability between the two navies.

With reference to the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) in India, consider the following statements: 1. NADA was granted statutory status by the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022. 2. It is responsible for implementing anti-doping rules in India to conform with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding India's sugar sector policies? 1. The Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane is approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). 2. The 1 million tonnes sugar export quota for the 2024-25 season was allocated equally among all registered sugar mills to ensure parity.

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding prehistoric rock art and stone tool discoveries in India? 1. The recent discoveries in the Bhimmandali mountains of Odisha primarily yielded polished Neolithic axes and early agricultural implements. 2. Prehistoric sites like Bhimbetka and Lakhudiyar are renowned for their rock paintings depicting animals and hunting scenes.

With reference to the recent discovery of Neoloboptera peninsularis, consider the following statements: 1. It is a new cockroach species discovered in Maharashtra by the Zoological Survey of India. 2. Its identification relied solely on traditional morphological characteristics. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Which of the following statements regarding the deployment of INS Sarvekshak is/are correct? 1. INS Sarvekshak is a specialized Indian Naval ship deployed primarily for conducting hydrographic surveys. 2. The deployment to Mauritius aligns with India's SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision to assist littoral states in the Indian Ocean Region.

Which of the following statements regarding the 8th Indian Ocean Conference and India-Oman relations is/are correct? 1. The 8th Indian Ocean Conference was hosted in Muscat, Oman, with the theme 'Voyage to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership'. 2. Oman is India's newest strategic partner in the Gulf region, having established diplomatic ties only in 2008.

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Keeladi archaeological site? 1. The site is located on the banks of the Kaveri river and provides evidence of early urbanization. 2. Inscriptions found at the site have provided crucial evidence for dating the Tamil-Brahmi script.

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the recent statistical reforms announced by MoSPI? 1. The base year for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is being updated to 2022-23 to perfectly align with the new Gross Domestic Product (GDP) base year. 2. The revamped Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) methodology aims to provide high-frequency quarterly and monthly estimates for both rural and urban areas.

Assertion (A): A record surplus transfer from the RBI provides the Central Government with the fiscal space to increase capital expenditure without breaching its fiscal deficit targets. Reason (R): The RBI surplus transfer acts as a non-debt creating Capital Receipt, directly enhancing the government's borrowing limits for the fiscal year. Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

Which of the following statements regarding the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) agreements between India and the Maldives is/are correct? 1. The recent 13 MoUs under the HICDP phase 3 are primarily funded through a high-interest loan provided by the Asian Development Bank. 2. The agreements aim to enhance the Maldives' national ferry network to boost inter-island maritime connectivity.

With reference to the Governor's legislative powers under Article 200, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. A Governor holds the constitutional authority to exercise a pocket veto by indefinitely withholding action on a bill passed by the State Legislature. 2. If a State Legislature re-passes a bill after it is returned by the Governor, the Governor cannot reserve it for the President's consideration.

Assertion (A): The Government of India has introduced capital subsidies and sales-linked incentives specifically for the manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets. Reason (R): The primary mining of monazite sand has been completely deregulated and privatized, leading to an oversupply of raw rare earth oxides that require domestic consumption. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the historic 1925 Kanpur Session of the Indian National Congress? 1. Sarojini Naidu became the first woman to preside over an Indian National Congress session. 2. The iconic flag song 'Jhanda Ooncha Rahe Hamara', composed by Shyamlal Gupta 'Parshad', was first sung during this session.

Assertion (A): At the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit, the primary focus expanded into establishing a 'strategic economic security architecture' rather than relying solely on traditional Official Development Assistance (ODA). Reason (R): Japan's 2022 Economic Security Promotion Act mandates the restructuring of global supply chains to reduce dependence on China for critical and emerging technologies (CET). Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

Assertion (A): Sitting judicial officers who have completed seven years of practice as advocates prior to joining the service can now apply for the 25 percent direct recruitment quota for District Judges. Reason (R): The Supreme Court interpreted the phrase 'has been for not less than seven years an advocate' in Article 233(2) to strictly mean continuous present practice at the time of application. Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

Assertion (A): Under the current established legal precedent, a serving Civil Judge (Senior Division) with 8 years of prior practice as a lawyer is automatically eligible to apply for the 25% direct recruitment quota for District Judges. Reason (R): Article 233(2) explicitly states that a person must not already be in the service of the Union or of the State to be eligible for direct recruitment as a District Judge. Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

Which of the following statements regarding the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on plastic pollution is/are correct? 1. The INC was established by the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) with a mandate to develop a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. 2. India has actively supported the High Ambition Coalition's demand to place hard international caps on primary plastic polymer production.

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the modification of arbitral awards in India? 1. The Supreme Court ruled that courts have an absolute and unlimited power to rewrite arbitral awards under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. 2. The recent Constitution Bench ruling allows courts to apply the doctrine of severability to remove non-arbitrable parts of an award.

Which of the following statements regarding the SIPRI Trends in World Military Expenditure 2024 report is/are correct? 1. Global military expenditure witnessed a decline compared to the previous year due to global economic slowdown. 2. India is ranked as the fourth-largest military spender in the world, retaining its position from the previous year.