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.
Consider the following statements regarding the Compensatory Afforestation Fund
Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA):
1. It was institutionalized through the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016.
2. CAMPA funds can be used for any infrastructure project approved by the State
Government.
3. The funds under CAMPA are kept under the Public Account of India and the
respective States.
Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA):
1. It was institutionalized through the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016.
2. CAMPA funds can be used for any infrastructure project approved by the State
Government.
3. The funds under CAMPA are kept under the Public Account of India and the
respective States.
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Answer: (C)
Statement 1 is correct: The Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Act, 2016 was enacted to provide an institutional framework for the management of funds collected for compensatory afforestation, thereby formalizing what was previously
managed through Supreme Court orders.
Statement 2 is incorrect: CAMPA funds cannot be used for just any infrastructure project. They are legally earmarked strictly for compensatory afforestation, wildlife management, forest protection, and other forest/environment-related ecological restoration activities. They cannot be diverted to general infrastructure projects (like building administrative offices, roads, or non-forest-related utilities) which are the responsibility of the state's own budget.
Statement 3 is correct: As per the CAF Act, 2016, the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund (NCAF) is maintained in the Public Account of India, and the State Compensatory Afforestation Funds (SCAF) are maintained in the Public Account of each State.
Therefore, option C is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct: The Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Act, 2016 was enacted to provide an institutional framework for the management of funds collected for compensatory afforestation, thereby formalizing what was previously
managed through Supreme Court orders.
Statement 2 is incorrect: CAMPA funds cannot be used for just any infrastructure project. They are legally earmarked strictly for compensatory afforestation, wildlife management, forest protection, and other forest/environment-related ecological restoration activities. They cannot be diverted to general infrastructure projects (like building administrative offices, roads, or non-forest-related utilities) which are the responsibility of the state's own budget.
Statement 3 is correct: As per the CAF Act, 2016, the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund (NCAF) is maintained in the Public Account of India, and the State Compensatory Afforestation Funds (SCAF) are maintained in the Public Account of each State.
Therefore, option C is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements regarding the Financial Intelligence Unit – India
(FIU-IND):
1. It is a statutory body established under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act
(PMLA), 2002.
2. It has the power to prosecute individuals and seize assets linked to money
laundering.
3. It is the primary agency responsible for coordinating with the Financial Action Task
Force (FATF).
(FIU-IND):
1. It is a statutory body established under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act
(PMLA), 2002.
2. It has the power to prosecute individuals and seize assets linked to money
laundering.
3. It is the primary agency responsible for coordinating with the Financial Action Task
Force (FATF).
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Answer: (C)
Statement 1 is incorrect: FIU-IND was established by executive order in 2004, not by an act of Parliament; it is not a statutory body.
Statement 2 is incorrect: FIU-IND is an intelligence-gathering agency; it lacks the authority to prosecute or seize assets, which are functions of law enforcement agencies like the Enforcement Directorate.
Statement 3 is correct: It is the primary agency for coordinating with the FATF regarding international money laundering and terrorist financing standards.
Statement 1 is incorrect: FIU-IND was established by executive order in 2004, not by an act of Parliament; it is not a statutory body.
Statement 2 is incorrect: FIU-IND is an intelligence-gathering agency; it lacks the authority to prosecute or seize assets, which are functions of law enforcement agencies like the Enforcement Directorate.
Statement 3 is correct: It is the primary agency for coordinating with the FATF regarding international money laundering and terrorist financing standards.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an official visit to New Zealand, where he held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to strengthen the India–New Zealand Comprehensive Partnership.
Both leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, food processing, education, digital technologies, and innovation, while working towards expanding bilateral economic ties.
Important for UPSC: India–New Zealand Relations, Indo-Pacific, Trade & Investment, Maritime Security, Critical Minerals, Climate Cooperation, and Indian Diaspora.
Both leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, food processing, education, digital technologies, and innovation, while working towards expanding bilateral economic ties.
Important for UPSC: India–New Zealand Relations, Indo-Pacific, Trade & Investment, Maritime Security, Critical Minerals, Climate Cooperation, and Indian Diaspora.