Identify the river of the Indian sub-continent on the basis of the following information:
1. It originates in the Brahmagiri Hills of Karnataka.
2. It flows mainly through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
3. It forms a delta before entering the Bay of Bengal.
4. Its basin extends into parts of Kerala and Puducherry.
5. Its important tributaries include Kabini, Bhavani, Amaravati and Hemavati.

Answer: (B)
Origin: The Cauvery River originates from the Brahmagiri Hills in the Coorg (Kodagu) district of Karnataka in the Western Ghats.
Course & Basin: It flows southeastward through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu before emptying into the Bay of Bengal, forming a fertile delta known as the "Granary of South India." Its drainage basin also extends into parts of Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry (Karaikal region).
Tributaries: Its major tributaries include the Kabini, Bhavani, Amaravati, and Hemavati (along with others like the Harangi, Arkavathy, and Noyyal), which conclusively point to the Cauvery.

Uses of cauvery river:
○ Agriculture: Primary source for extensive paddy and sugarcane irrigation via major dams like Krishnarajasagara (KRS) and Mettur.
○ Hydroelectric Power: Generates clean energy through stations such as Shivanasamudra.
○ Drinking Water: Supplies municipal water to major urban centers like Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Tiruchirappalli.
○ Industry & Ecology: Supports local manufacturing industries and sustains regional riverine ecosystems and mangrove wetlands.

Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Consider the following statements with reference to the Petroleum and Natural Gas
Regulatory Board (PNGRB):
1. PNGRB is an executive body functioning under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
2. The Board functions with the powers of a Civil Court and is empowered to receive complaints and conduct inquiries.
3. It aims to regulate petroleum and natural gas activities, including crude oil production.

Answer: (A)
Statement 1 – Incorrect: PNGRB is a statutory regulatory body constituted under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006, and not an executive body functioning under the Ministry.
Statement 2 – Correct: PNGRB has certain powers of a Civil Court and can receive complaints and conduct inquiries/investigations regarding contraventions of specified obligations and provisions relating to petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas.
These functions also support the protection of consumer interests.
Statement 3 – Incorrect: PNGRB regulates the midstream and downstream activities of the petroleum and natural gas sector. Upstream activities, such as the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, remain under the direct control of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Hence, including crude oil production makes the statement incorrect.

Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

Consider the following statements regarding Noise Pollution in India:
1. Noise limits differ for each zones
2. The daytime noise limit for residential areas is higher than that for commercial areas.
3. The nighttime noise limit for silence zones is lower than that for residential areas.
4. The Central Pollution Control Board monitors ambient noise levels in India.

Answer: (A)
Statement 1 – Correct: Under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, permissible noise limits are prescribed separately for different zones—industrial, commercial, residential and silence zones—and vary between daytime and nighttime.
Statement 2 – Incorrect: The daytime noise limit for residential areas is lower than that for commercial areas. The prescribed limit is 55 dB(A) Leq for residential areas and 65 dB(A) Leq for commercial areas.
Statement 3 – Correct: The nighttime noise limit for silence zones is lower than that for residential areas. It is 40 dB(A) Leq for silence zones compared with 45 dB(A) Leq for residential areas.
Statement 4 – Correct: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is responsible for monitoring and assessing ambient noise levels in India through its noise-monitoring network and implementation-related activities.

Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

A financial contract whose value depends on and moves with an underlying asset, such as a stock, commodity, currency, or market index. Instead of purchasing the actual asset, you trade an agreement that tracks its price fluctuations to hedge against risks or speculate on future market moves.

Answer: (A)
The passage defines a financial contract whose value is derived from an underlying asset
(like stocks, commodities, or currencies) to hedge risk or speculate as a derivative.
● Derivatives: Financial agreements (e.g., futures, options, swaps) whose payoff depends on the performance of an underlying asset.
● Debenture: A long-term debt instrument used by corporations to borrow money at a fixed rate of interest, not backed by collateral.
● Equity Share: A unit of partial ownership in a corporation.
● Government Bond: A debt security issued by a government to support government spending and obligations.

Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

Consider the following statements with reference to the Index of Industrial Production (IIP):
1. The base year of the All India Index of Industrial Production (IIP) has been revised from 2011–12 to 2022–23.
2. The nine core industries constitute a major component of the IIP, with refinery products carrying the highest weight among the eight industries.
3. Manufacturing accounts for the largest weight in the IIP among the three sectors of mining, manufacturing and electricity.

Answer: (A)
The base year of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) has been revised from 2011–12 to 2022–23 to better reflect the current structure of the industrial sector. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The eight core industries form an important component of the IIP. Among them, refinery products have the highest weight, followed by electricity, steel, coal and other core sectors. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
The IIP covers three major sectors- Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity. Among these, Manufacturing has the largest weight in the index, making it the most significant sector in determining overall IIP growth. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

Consider the following statements regarding the IndiaAI Mission:
1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under seven pillars.
2. AIKosh is India’s AI data platform that provides access to datasets, models and tools.
3. It relies only on government institutions for developing AI solutions.