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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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

5) Consider the following statements about UDAN Scheme:
1. It is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Civil Aviation to improve regional air
connectivity.
2. Viability Gap Funding (VGF) is provided to airlines to ensure affordability.
3. The Air Navigation Service Provider charges Terminal Navigation Landing Charges
(TNLC) on UDAN flights.

5) Answer: (A)
The UDAN Scheme is indeed a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Civil Aviation aimed
at improving regional air connectivity. It was launched in 2016 under the National Civil
Aviation Policy. The primary objective is to make air travel accessible and affordable to the
common citizen. It focuses on connecting unserved and underserved airports across the
country. By enhancing regional connectivity, it also promotes balanced regional development.
Hence, statement 1 is correct.
Viability Gap Funding (VGF) is a key feature of the UDAN scheme. It is provided to airlines
to bridge the gap between the cost of operations and expected revenue. This ensures thatOFFICERS IAS ACADEMY
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airlines can operate on less profitable regional routes without incurring losses. The funding
helps in keeping airfares affordable for passengers, with capped ticket prices on certain seats.
VGF is jointly funded by the central and state governments. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Under the UDAN scheme, several concessions are provided to reduce operational costs for
airlines. These include reduced airport charges, lower V AT on aviation turbine fuel, and
exemptions from certain fees. Importantly, Terminal Navigation Landing Charges
(TNLC) are waived for UDAN flights, not charged. This waiver is provided by the
Airports Authority of India acting as the Air Navigation Service Provider. The aim is to
further reduce the cost burden on airlines. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
Therefore, option A is the correct answe

Daily MCQ: 30.03.2026
Consider the following statements regarding Birsa Munda:
1. 2. He was a tribal leader who led the Munda Rebellion against British rule.
He campaigned against alcoholism, belief in black magic and superstitions, and forced
labour .
3. He resisted colonial injustice as British land policies destroyed the Khuntkatti land
system.

●
Birsa Munda was a charismatic tribal leader and folk hero from the Munda tribe in the
Chotanagpur Plateau. He led the Munda Rebellion, also known as the Ulgulan (the Great
Tumult), between 1899 and 1900 to establish "Munda Raj" and end British colonial rule.
Hence statement 1 is correct.
●
Beyond being a political leader, he was a social reformer who founded the 'Birsait' faith.
He urged his followers to give up drinking liquor (alcoholism), clean their villages, and
stop believing in witchcraft, black magic, and sorcery. He also mobilized his community
against forced labour (locally known as beth-begari) imposed by the British and
outsiders.Hence statement 2 is correct.
●
A primary cause of the rebellion was the British replacing the traditional Khuntkatti
system (a collective/communal landholding system) with the exploitative Zamindari
system. This led to massive land alienation, which Birsa Munda fiercely resisted to protect
tribal identity and rights.Hence statement 3 is correct.
●
Therefore option D is the correct answer

Consider the following statements regarding the PM E-DRIVE Scheme:
1. It is a central sector scheme aimed at replacing the FAME-II initiative to promote
electric vehicle adoption.
2. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
(MoRTH).

2) Answer: (A)
The PM E-DRIVE Scheme is a Government of India initiative aimed at accelerating the
adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and strengthening the country’s clean mobility
ecosystem. The scheme focuses on reducing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering carbon
emissions by promoting the use of electric mobility across various vehicle segments. It
provides support not only for EV adoption through incentives but also for the development
of essential infrastructure such as charging stations. Additionally, the scheme encourages
advancements in EV technology and aims to build a robust domestic manufacturing
ecosystem, thereby contributing to sustainable development and energy security in India.
The PM E-DRIVE (Prime Minister Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle
Enhancement) scheme was launched in 2024 as a successor to the FAME-II (Faster Adoption

With reference to the 'Jal Sanchay Abhiyan', consider the following statements
1. A community-led initiative to restore traditional water bodies and build rainwater
harvesting structures in water-stressed areas..
2. The initiative is implemented under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change .