1. Consider these statements about PRAHAAR, India's first national counter-terrorism doctrine. (1) Its approach is proactive and driven by intelligence. (2) The Ministry of Defence is its issuing authority. (3) Recovery and rehabilitation form part of its framework. (4) It addresses conventional terrorism alone and overlooks cyber threats. Which are correct?
Answer: E. The doctrine comes from the Ministry of Home Affairs rather than Defence. It is proactive and intelligence-led, lists recovery among its seven pillars, and also covers newer threats such as cyber networks and drones.
2. Consider these statements on the Amending Protocol to the India–France Double Taxation Avoidance Convention. (1) The source country gets full taxing rights on capital gains. (2) The Most-Favoured Nation (MFN) clause is dropped. (3) A flat 10% tax applies to dividends in every case. Which are correct?
Answer: D. The protocol gives the source country full rights over capital gains and drops the MFN clause. Dividends are taxed at 5% where the holding is at least 10% and at 15% otherwise, so there is no flat 10%.
3. The temples at Belur, Halebidu and Somanathapura, newly on the UNESCO World Heritage List, were built under which dynasty?
Answer: A. These temples date to the Hoysala period, roughly the 11th to 13th centuries CE, and are celebrated for star-shaped plans and fine sculpture.
4. What is the New Delhi Declaration (2026) on Artificial Intelligence chiefly intended to do?
Answer: D. The declaration is non-binding and centres on inclusive, responsible AI development and on reducing inequality in access to computing, data and AI technologies.
5. Consider these statements on the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP 2.0). (1) Public assets are permanently handed over to private parties. (2) The emphasis is largely on brownfield infrastructure. (3) The goal is to raise resources without enlarging the fiscal deficit. Which are correct?
Answer: C. Brownfield assets are leased out while the government keeps ownership, and the proceeds fund infrastructure without adding to direct budget spending.
6. Which model best describes how assets are monetised under NMP 2.0?
Answer: E. Private entities are granted operating rights for a fixed concession period, but the asset itself remains government property.
7. Which organisation will carry out the automatic settlement of low-balance inoperative EPF accounts?
Answer: E. EPFO will settle inoperative accounts holding up to ₹1,000 on its own, sending the money to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.
8. When does an EPF account turn inoperative?
Answer: A. Since the 2016 amendment, only reaching age 58 without withdrawing the money makes an account inoperative, and inactivity alone does not.
9. What does Total Applied Toxicity (TAT) measure?
Answer: D. TAT gauges ecological impact by combining how much pesticide is used, how toxic it is and the exposure risk to non-target organisms, making it a better indicator than raw usage figures.
10. Consider these possible reasons for rising pesticide toxicity in India. (1) Spread of intensive farming systems. (2) Large-scale adoption of integrated pest management. (3) Greater use of high-potency pesticides. (4) Pests developing resistance that calls for stronger chemicals. Which are correct?
Answer: B. Intensive agriculture, potent chemicals and pest resistance push toxicity up, whereas integrated pest management at scale would lower it.
11. Which two countries jointly host the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup?
Answer: B. The 2026 tournament is held in India and Sri Lanka from 7 February to 8 March.
12. What is the title of the coalition agreement behind the Jetten cabinet in the Netherlands?
Answer: E. The coalition agreement of D66, VVD and CDA is titled 'Getting to Work!'.
13. Which ministry issued PRAHAAR, India's first comprehensive national counter-terrorism doctrine?
Answer: D. PRAHAAR was issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
14. In which year was the India-France Double Taxation Avoidance Convention originally signed?
Answer: A. The protocol updates a convention originally signed in 1992.
15. In which year were the Hoysala temples of Belur, Halebidu and Somanathapura inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List?
Answer: A. The notes say the inscription happened in 2023.