Answer: (B)
● Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica) is a subspecies of lion that diverged from African lions approximately 100,000 years ago due to geographical isolation.
● It is distinguished from African lions by a prominent longitudinal fold of skin (abdominal fold) along the belly, which is considered a characteristic feature of Asiatic lions.
● The Asiatic Lion is listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List and is provided the highest protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
● The species survives in the wild only in the Gir Protected Area, Gujarat, which is its last natural habitat and the only place in the world where free-ranging Asiatic lions are found.
● Conservation efforts are carried out through initiatives such as Project Lion, which focuses on habitat management, disease prevention, population monitoring, and expansion of suitable habitats.
Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
● Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica) is a subspecies of lion that diverged from African lions approximately 100,000 years ago due to geographical isolation.
● It is distinguished from African lions by a prominent longitudinal fold of skin (abdominal fold) along the belly, which is considered a characteristic feature of Asiatic lions.
● The Asiatic Lion is listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List and is provided the highest protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
● The species survives in the wild only in the Gir Protected Area, Gujarat, which is its last natural habitat and the only place in the world where free-ranging Asiatic lions are found.
● Conservation efforts are carried out through initiatives such as Project Lion, which focuses on habitat management, disease prevention, population monitoring, and expansion of suitable habitats.
Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
With reference to the Non-Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council
(UNSC), consider the following statements:
1. A non-permanent member of the UNSC is elected for a term of two years.
2. Non-permanent members possess the same veto power as the permanent members
while voting on substantive matters.
3. India has never been a Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council.
(UNSC), consider the following statements:
1. A non-permanent member of the UNSC is elected for a term of two years.
2. Non-permanent members possess the same veto power as the permanent members
while voting on substantive matters.
3. India has never been a Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council.
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Answer: (B)
Explanation:
● Under the UN Charter, non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council are elected by the United Nations General Assembly for a two-year term. They are chosen on the basis of equitable geographical representation.Hence statement 1 is correct.
● Only the five Permanent Members (P5) China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States possess the veto power under the UN Charter. Non-permanent members enjoy equal voting rights but cannot exercise the veto on substantive matters. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
● India has served as a Non-Permanent Member of the UNSC on multiple occasions but has never been a Permanent Member of the Security Council. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
Therefore, Option B is the correct answer.
Explanation:
● Under the UN Charter, non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council are elected by the United Nations General Assembly for a two-year term. They are chosen on the basis of equitable geographical representation.Hence statement 1 is correct.
● Only the five Permanent Members (P5) China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States possess the veto power under the UN Charter. Non-permanent members enjoy equal voting rights but cannot exercise the veto on substantive matters. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
● India has served as a Non-Permanent Member of the UNSC on multiple occasions but has never been a Permanent Member of the Security Council. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
Therefore, Option B is the correct answer.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a three-day official visit to Indonesia, holding bilateral talks with President Prabowo Subianto to deepen the India–Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
During the visit, PM Modi was conferred Indonesia's highest civilian honour, reflecting the growing strategic partnership and strong bilateral relations.
Important for UPSC: India–Indonesia Relations, Act East Policy, Indo-Pacific, Defence Cooperation, Maritime Security, Cultural Diplomacy, and ASEAN.
During the visit, PM Modi was conferred Indonesia's highest civilian honour, reflecting the growing strategic partnership and strong bilateral relations.
Important for UPSC: India–Indonesia Relations, Act East Policy, Indo-Pacific, Defence Cooperation, Maritime Security, Cultural Diplomacy, and ASEAN.
Anti-Dumping Duty (ADD) is a trade protection measure imposed on imported goods that are sold below their normal value (usually below the price in the exporting country's domestic market), causing injury to domestic industries.
Anti-dumping duties are generally imposed for up to five years, though they may be reviewed and extended if dumping and injury are likely to continue or recur.
Important for UPSC: International Trade, WTO Agreements, Trade Remedies, Domestic Industry Protection, and India's Trade Policy.
Anti-dumping duties are generally imposed for up to five years, though they may be reviewed and extended if dumping and injury are likely to continue or recur.
Important for UPSC: International Trade, WTO Agreements, Trade Remedies, Domestic Industry Protection, and India's Trade Policy.
INS Mahendragiri is designed with advanced stealth features, reducing its radar, infrared, and acoustic signatures to enhance survivability during naval operations.
The warship is equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles, advanced sensors, anti-submarine warfare systems, and a modern combat management system.
Important for UPSC: Indian Navy, Project 17A, Maritime Security, Defence Indigenisation, Blue-Water Navy, and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The warship is equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles, advanced sensors, anti-submarine warfare systems, and a modern combat management system.
Important for UPSC: Indian Navy, Project 17A, Maritime Security, Defence Indigenisation, Blue-Water Navy, and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
With reference to the Coastal Shipping Act, 2025, consider the following statements:
1. It provides for the preparation of a National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic
Plan.
2. It establishes a National Database of Coastal Shipping.
3. It supports and complements the objectives of the Sagarmala program
1. It provides for the preparation of a National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic
Plan.
2. It establishes a National Database of Coastal Shipping.
3. It supports and complements the objectives of the Sagarmala program
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Answer: (D)
The Act mandates that the Central Government formulate a National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan within two years of the Act's commencement, with requirements for biennial updates to guide policy and infrastructure development.Statement 1 is correct
The Act requires the Director-General to maintain a National Database of Coastal Shipping in electronic form on a web portal, which must be updated monthly to facilitate data-driven policymaking and transparency.Statement 2 is correct
The Act acts as a strategic enabler for India's maritime goals, consolidating and modernizing laws to promote coastal logistics and port-led development, which inherently supports the core objectives of the Sagarmala program.Statement 3 is correct
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
The Act mandates that the Central Government formulate a National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan within two years of the Act's commencement, with requirements for biennial updates to guide policy and infrastructure development.Statement 1 is correct
The Act requires the Director-General to maintain a National Database of Coastal Shipping in electronic form on a web portal, which must be updated monthly to facilitate data-driven policymaking and transparency.Statement 2 is correct
The Act acts as a strategic enabler for India's maritime goals, consolidating and modernizing laws to promote coastal logistics and port-led development, which inherently supports the core objectives of the Sagarmala program.Statement 3 is correct
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements regarding the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library
(TKDL):
1. It is a public-access, open-source database accessible to any individual or corporate
entity to promote research in traditional medicine.
2. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has recognized the TKDL as a
global model for the legal and digital protection of traditional knowledge.
(TKDL):
1. It is a public-access, open-source database accessible to any individual or corporate
entity to promote research in traditional medicine.
2. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has recognized the TKDL as a
global model for the legal and digital protection of traditional knowledge.
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Answer: (B)
Statement 1 is incorrect: The TKDL is not a public-access, open-source database. To prevent the commercial misappropriation of traditional knowledge (biopiracy), access to the TKDL is restricted. It is only provided to patent offices worldwide under strict Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), ensuring that examiners can use it to identify "prior art" without making the sensitive information public for commercial exploitation.
Statement 2 is correct: The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has indeed formally recognized the TKDL as a global model for the legal and digital protection of traditional knowledge. It is widely cited in international forums as an effective, proactive, and technology-driven solution for protecting traditional medicinal knowledge.
Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is incorrect: The TKDL is not a public-access, open-source database. To prevent the commercial misappropriation of traditional knowledge (biopiracy), access to the TKDL is restricted. It is only provided to patent offices worldwide under strict Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), ensuring that examiners can use it to identify "prior art" without making the sensitive information public for commercial exploitation.
Statement 2 is correct: The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has indeed formally recognized the TKDL as a global model for the legal and digital protection of traditional knowledge. It is widely cited in international forums as an effective, proactive, and technology-driven solution for protecting traditional medicinal knowledge.
Therefore, option B is the correct answer.