With reference to recent trends in India's food economy, consider the following statements:
1. India's edible oil import dependence witnessed a declining trend between 2015–16 and 2023–24.
2. India's pulse imports declined in FY 2025–26 amid higher domestic production.
3. India remains a major net importer of millets to meet its domestic nutritional and cattle feed requirements.
1. India's edible oil import dependence witnessed a declining trend between 2015–16 and 2023–24.
2. India's pulse imports declined in FY 2025–26 amid higher domestic production.
3. India remains a major net importer of millets to meet its domestic nutritional and cattle feed requirements.
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Answer: (A)
Statement 1 is Correct: India's edible oil import dependence declined from 63.2% in 2015–16 to 56.25% in 2023–24. It rose to around 60% in FY 2025–26, with domestic production meeting approximately 40% of requirements.
Statement 2 is Correct: India's pulse import bill declined by approximately 34% in value in FY 2025–26, supported by higher domestic production of chana, moong and masoor.
Statement 3 is not Correct: India is not a net importer of millets. India is the world’s largest producer of millets (Shree Anna) and one of the top global exporters, producing over 40% of global output and around 80% of Asia's millet supply.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is Correct: India's edible oil import dependence declined from 63.2% in 2015–16 to 56.25% in 2023–24. It rose to around 60% in FY 2025–26, with domestic production meeting approximately 40% of requirements.
Statement 2 is Correct: India's pulse import bill declined by approximately 34% in value in FY 2025–26, supported by higher domestic production of chana, moong and masoor.
Statement 3 is not Correct: India is not a net importer of millets. India is the world’s largest producer of millets (Shree Anna) and one of the top global exporters, producing over 40% of global output and around 80% of Asia's millet supply.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) released the 20th edition of the Global Gender Gap Report on 16 September 2026. It covers 145 economies.
Important for UPSC: Reports & Indices → World Economic Forum → Gender Equality → Women’s Empowerment → SDG 5 → Economic Participation → Political Representation.
Important for UPSC: Reports & Indices → World Economic Forum → Gender Equality → Women’s Empowerment → SDG 5 → Economic Participation → Political Representation.
Which of the following statements about the objectives of 'Exercise Tarang Shakti' 2026 are correct?
1. Exercise Tarang Shakti is a multinational air exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force aimed at enhancing operational interoperability along with countries like the U.S, Germany .
2. Indigenously developed platforms such as the LCA Tejas and LCH Prachand actively participated in the exercise.
3. Participating foreign nations brought their combat aircrafts such as the French Rafale and the UAE’s F-16.
1. Exercise Tarang Shakti is a multinational air exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force aimed at enhancing operational interoperability along with countries like the U.S, Germany .
2. Indigenously developed platforms such as the LCA Tejas and LCH Prachand actively participated in the exercise.
3. Participating foreign nations brought their combat aircrafts such as the French Rafale and the UAE’s F-16.
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Answer: (D)
Statement 1 is correct: Exercise Tarang Shakti is India's premier multinational air exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force to foster interoperability and mutual operational learning with partner air forces including the U.S. and Germany.
Statement 2 is correct: India deploys its key indigenous assets such as the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand alongside other front-line aircraft.
Statement 3 is correct: Foreign nations participate with prominent combat aircraft, including the French Air Force's Dassault Rafale and the United Arab Emirates Air Force's F-16 Desert Falcon jets.
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct: Exercise Tarang Shakti is India's premier multinational air exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force to foster interoperability and mutual operational learning with partner air forces including the U.S. and Germany.
Statement 2 is correct: India deploys its key indigenous assets such as the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand alongside other front-line aircraft.
Statement 3 is correct: Foreign nations participate with prominent combat aircraft, including the French Air Force's Dassault Rafale and the United Arab Emirates Air Force's F-16 Desert Falcon jets.
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
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Answer: (C)
The Digital Connectivity Rating (DCR) Platform, launched by TRAI, provides a standardised framework to assess and rate digital connectivity within properties. It evaluates parameters such as fibre readiness, mobile network availability, Wi-Fi infrastructure and other connectivity-related features, helping consumers make informed decisions while buying or leasing properties. Hence, option 3 is the correct answer.
Therefore, option C is the correct answer.
The Digital Connectivity Rating (DCR) Platform, launched by TRAI, provides a standardised framework to assess and rate digital connectivity within properties. It evaluates parameters such as fibre readiness, mobile network availability, Wi-Fi infrastructure and other connectivity-related features, helping consumers make informed decisions while buying or leasing properties. Hence, option 3 is the correct answer.
Therefore, option C is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements about Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) and the Kasturirangan Committee:
I. Eco-Sensitive Zones are intended to act as a transition zone around protected areas, regulating activities that could adversely affect ecologically sensitive areas.
II. The Kasturirangan Committee identified ecologically sensitive areas in the Western Ghats based on ecological richness and sensitivity, while considering human settlements and development needs.
Which of the following information support/supports the above statements?
1. The Kasturirangan Committee used remote sensing and GIS techniques to identify natural landscape areas in the Western Ghats.
2. The Committee's approach distinguished between natural landscapes and cultural landscapes, with greater emphasis on conservation of natural landscapes.
3. ESZ notifications can prohibit or regulate certain activities around protected areas, while permitting activities that are compatible with conservation objectives
I. Eco-Sensitive Zones are intended to act as a transition zone around protected areas, regulating activities that could adversely affect ecologically sensitive areas.
II. The Kasturirangan Committee identified ecologically sensitive areas in the Western Ghats based on ecological richness and sensitivity, while considering human settlements and development needs.
Which of the following information support/supports the above statements?
1. The Kasturirangan Committee used remote sensing and GIS techniques to identify natural landscape areas in the Western Ghats.
2. The Committee's approach distinguished between natural landscapes and cultural landscapes, with greater emphasis on conservation of natural landscapes.
3. ESZ notifications can prohibit or regulate certain activities around protected areas, while permitting activities that are compatible with conservation objectives
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Answer: (D)
Information 1 : Correct: The Kasturirangan Committee used remote sensing and GIS techniques to identify and map natural landscapes in the Western Ghats. This helped assess areas with greater ecological significance. Hence, information 1 supports the statements.
Information 2 : Correct: The Committee distinguished between natural landscapes and cultural landscapes. It gave greater conservation emphasis to natural landscapes while recognising the presence of human settlements, agriculture and other human activities. Hence, information 2 supports the statements
Information 3 Correct: ESZ notifications can classify activities as prohibited, regulated or permissible. Thus, ESZs do not necessarily prohibit all human activities; activities compatible with conservation objectives can be permitted subject to applicable conditions. Hence, information 3 supports the statements.
Therefore, all the informations support the above statements. Option D is the correct answer.
Information 1 : Correct: The Kasturirangan Committee used remote sensing and GIS techniques to identify and map natural landscapes in the Western Ghats. This helped assess areas with greater ecological significance. Hence, information 1 supports the statements.
Information 2 : Correct: The Committee distinguished between natural landscapes and cultural landscapes. It gave greater conservation emphasis to natural landscapes while recognising the presence of human settlements, agriculture and other human activities. Hence, information 2 supports the statements
Information 3 Correct: ESZ notifications can classify activities as prohibited, regulated or permissible. Thus, ESZs do not necessarily prohibit all human activities; activities compatible with conservation objectives can be permitted subject to applicable conditions. Hence, information 3 supports the statements.
Therefore, all the informations support the above statements. Option D is the correct answer.
Assertion (A): The distinctive golden colour and superior quality of Gulbarga Tur Dal are
attributed to the characteristics of the soil in the region.
Reason (R): The soil of the Gulbarga region is rich in calcium and potassium, which
contributes to the golden colour and distinctive quality of the dal.
attributed to the characteristics of the soil in the region.
Reason (R): The soil of the Gulbarga region is rich in calcium and potassium, which
contributes to the golden colour and distinctive quality of the dal.
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Answer: (A)
Gulbarga Tur Dal, also known as Kalaburagi Togari Bele, received the GI tag in 2019. It is mainly cultivated in the Bhima River basin of Karnataka.
The region's mineral-rich soils, particularly their calcium and potassium content, contribute to the dal's distinctive golden colour, quality and cooking properties.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
Gulbarga Tur Dal, also known as Kalaburagi Togari Bele, received the GI tag in 2019. It is mainly cultivated in the Bhima River basin of Karnataka.
The region's mineral-rich soils, particularly their calcium and potassium content, contribute to the dal's distinctive golden colour, quality and cooking properties.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
With reference to the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), consider the following statements:
1. The Central Government can declare an area as a disturbed area under AFSPA without consulting the State Government.
2. AFSPA empowers armed forces personnel to arrest a person without a warrant under certain circumstances.
1. The Central Government can declare an area as a disturbed area under AFSPA without consulting the State Government.
2. AFSPA empowers armed forces personnel to arrest a person without a warrant under certain circumstances.