The Border Area Development Programme (BADP) was launched to meet the special
developmental needs of people living in remote and inaccessible border areas and to
promote a sense of security among them.
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BADP is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS)
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Funding is shared between Centre and States, unlike Central Sector schemes
which are fully Union-funded. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
The programme follows a "top-priority" approach. Development activities are concentrated
in the immediate vicinity of the international border. The primary focus is on habitations
situated within 0–10 km of the border. If resources remain, they are then extended to the
rest of the border block. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
While the programme relates to border security and infrastructure, it is not implemented by
the Ministry of Defence. It is implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs (Department
of Border Management) through the respective State Governments and Union Territory
administrations. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect. Therefore, option A is the correct
answer.

4) With reference to the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the Lok Sabha, consider the
following statements:
1. It is a standing committee of the Parliament.
2. The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs is usually a member of this committee.
3. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is the ex-officio Chairman of the BAC in the Lok
Sabha.

4) Answer: (D)
The BAC is a Standing Committee, meaning it is permanent in nature and is reconstituted
periodically (usually annually) under the Rules of Procedure of the House. Unlike 'Ad-hoc'
committees, which are created for a specific task and dissolved, the BAC is a constant
fixture of the parliamentary process. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
While the committee is chaired by the Speaker, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs is
typically included as a member. This is a functional necessity, as the Minister acts as the
primary liaison between the government's legislative goals and the committee's role in
scheduling them. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
By virtue of their position, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is the ex-officio Chairman of the
committee. Similarly, in the Rajya Sabha, the Chairman (the Vice-President of India) heads
the committee. Hence, statement 3 is correct. Therefore, option D is the correct answ

5) Regarding the Selection Committee for the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner
(CEC) and other Election Commissioners (ECs) under the 2023 Act, consider the following
statements:
1. The committee is chaired by the President of India.
2. It includes a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.
3. The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha is a membe

5) Answer: (D)
The selection committee for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and
Election Commissioners (ECs) is constituted under the Chief Election Commissioner and
Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of
Office) Act, 2023.
The committee is not chaired by the President of India. The President appoints the CEC
and ECs, but does not head the selection committee. The committee is chaired by the
Prime Minister. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
The Act established a specific three-member Selection Committee to recommend names to
the President for these appointments. Here is the breakdown of the members:
1. Chairperson: The Prime Minister2.
Member: The Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha. If there is no
recognized LoP, the leader of the single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha is
included. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
Member: A Union Cabinet Minister to be nominated by the Prime Minister. Hence,
statement 2 is correct. Therefore, option D is the correct answ

1) With reference to the microplastics, consider the following statements:
1. They can enter the food chain through aquatic organisms.
2. They can act as carriers of toxic chemicals.
3. They are completely removed during conventional wastewater treatment.

1) Answer: (A)
Microplastics are ingested by plankton, fish, and other marine organisms, and then move up
the food chain (bioaccumulation). Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Microplastics can adsorb harmful pollutants like heavy metals and persistent organic
pollutants (POPs), acting as vectors of toxicity. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
Conventional wastewater treatment plants are not fully efficient in removing microplastics;
many particles still escape into water bodies. Hence, Statement 3 is incorrect.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

2) Consider the following statements:
1. A cess is a tax levied for a specific purpose, and its proceeds are not shared with the
States.
2. A surcharge is an additional tax on an existing tax, and its proceeds form part of the
divisible pool shared with the States.

2) Answer: (A)
A Cess is a "tax on tax" levied for a specific purpose (like the Health and Education Cess).
Under Article 270 of the Constitution, while most taxes are shared between the Centre and
the States, cesses and surcharges are specifically excluded from the "divisible pool." This
means the Central Government retains 100% of the proceeds. Hence, statement 1 is
correct.
A Surcharge is an additional tax on an existing tax liability. Like a cess, a surcharge is not
part of the divisible pool. It is collected by the Union for Union purposes and is not shared
with the States. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
Constitutional Context
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●
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Article 270: Governs the distribution of net proceeds of taxes between the Union and
the States. It explicitly excludes surcharges (under Article 271) and cesses from this
distribution.
Article 271: Empowers Parliament to levy a surcharge at any time for the purposes of
the Union.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer

3) Consider the following countries:
1. Ethiopia
2. Eritrea
3. Somalia
4. Sudan
5. Djibouti

3) Answer: (C)
●
The Horn of Africa (HoA), also known as the Somali Peninsula, is a large peninsula and
geopolitical region in East Africa. Located on the easternmost part of the African mainland,
it is the fourth largest peninsula in the world. It is composed of Ethiopia, Eritrea,
Somalia and Djibouti.Therefore Option C is the correct answer.

4) With reference to the World Trade Organization (WTO), consider the following statements
1. The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization
dealing with the rules of trade between nations.
2. The "Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies"officially entered into force in September
2025, following ratification by two-thirds of the WTO membership.

4) Answer: (C)
The World Trade Organization (WTO) stands as the unique global body mandated to govern
the rules of international trade, having transitioned from the provisional GATT framework
to a formal legal institution via the Marrakesh Agreement in 1995. At its core, the
organization functions as a forum for 166 member nations to negotiate trade agreements and
resolve commercial disputes through a structured judicial process. Hence, statement 1 is
correct.
A significant milestone in its recent history is the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies,
which, after being adopted in 2022, officially entered into force in September 2025
following ratification by the required two-thirds of the membership. This agreement is a
landmark in "trade-and-environment" diplomacy, as it creates legally binding global rules to
curb subsidies for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Hence, statement 2
is correct.
Therefore, option C is the correct answe