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.
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Answer: (C)
Statement 1 is Correct: Section 3 of AFSPA empowers the Central Government, the State Governor or the Administrator of a Union Territory to declare an area as a disturbed area.
○ Prior approval or mandatory consultation with the State Government is not a statutory requirement for the Central Government to exercise this power.
○ In Naga People's Movement of Human Rights v. Union of India (1997), the Supreme Court observed that consultation with the State Government is desirable.
Statement 2 is Correct: Section 4(c) empowers an authorised officer to arrest a person without a warrant if the person has committed, or is reasonably suspected of having committed or being about to commit, a cognisable offence.
○ Section 4(a) deals with the use of force, including lethal force, under specified circumstances.
○ Section 5 requires the arrested person to be handed over to the officer in charge of the nearest police station with the least possible delay.
Therefore, option C is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is Correct: Section 3 of AFSPA empowers the Central Government, the State Governor or the Administrator of a Union Territory to declare an area as a disturbed area.
○ Prior approval or mandatory consultation with the State Government is not a statutory requirement for the Central Government to exercise this power.
○ In Naga People's Movement of Human Rights v. Union of India (1997), the Supreme Court observed that consultation with the State Government is desirable.
Statement 2 is Correct: Section 4(c) empowers an authorised officer to arrest a person without a warrant if the person has committed, or is reasonably suspected of having committed or being about to commit, a cognisable offence.
○ Section 4(a) deals with the use of force, including lethal force, under specified circumstances.
○ Section 5 requires the arrested person to be handed over to the officer in charge of the nearest police station with the least possible delay.
Therefore, option C is the correct answer.
The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is underway in New York. Its High-Level Week ran from September 2026.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the General Debate on 26 September. He highlighted terrorism, maritime security, the Global South and the need for accountability for terrorism.
Important for UPSC: International Relations → United Nations → UNGA → UN Reforms → UNSC Reform → Global Governance → India’s Foreign Policy
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the General Debate on 26 September. He highlighted terrorism, maritime security, the Global South and the need for accountability for terrorism.
Important for UPSC: International Relations → United Nations → UNGA → UN Reforms → UNSC Reform → Global Governance → India’s Foreign Policy
Blue bonds are debt instruments used to raise funds for projects related to ocean conservation, sustainable marine activities and water management.
Important for UPSC: Indian Economy → Sustainable Finance → Blue Economy → Blue Bonds → Marine Conservation → Water Infrastructure → Climate Finance
Important for UPSC: Indian Economy → Sustainable Finance → Blue Economy → Blue Bonds → Marine Conservation → Water Infrastructure → Climate Finance
Consider the following statements regarding the Lalit Kala Akademi Awards:
1. The Lalit Kala Akademi Awards are conferred to recognise and honour meritorious artists for their contribution to the field of performing arts.
2. The awardees are selected by a ten-member jury comprising eminent artists, art practitioners and critics.
3. The awards are conferred by the President of India.
4. The Lalit Kala Akademi Awards are given annually.
1. The Lalit Kala Akademi Awards are conferred to recognise and honour meritorious artists for their contribution to the field of performing arts.
2. The awardees are selected by a ten-member jury comprising eminent artists, art practitioners and critics.
3. The awards are conferred by the President of India.
4. The Lalit Kala Akademi Awards are given annually.
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Answer: (C)
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Lalit Kala Akademi Awards recognise meritorious artists for their contribution to visual arts, not performing arts.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The awardees are selected by a seven-member jury comprising eminent artists, art practitioners and critics, not a ten-member jury.
Statement 3 is correct: The awards are conferred by the President of India.
Statement 4 is correct: The Lalit Kala Akademi Awards are given annually.
Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Lalit Kala Akademi Awards recognise meritorious artists for their contribution to visual arts, not performing arts.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The awardees are selected by a seven-member jury comprising eminent artists, art practitioners and critics, not a ten-member jury.
Statement 3 is correct: The awards are conferred by the President of India.
Statement 4 is correct: The Lalit Kala Akademi Awards are given annually.
Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements regarding iron ore in India:
1. Karnataka possesses the largest reserves of magnetite iron ore in India.
2. India ranks among the top four iron ore-producing countries in the world.
3. Bailadila in Chhattisgarh is known for its high-grade hematite iron ore deposits.
1. Karnataka possesses the largest reserves of magnetite iron ore in India.
2. India ranks among the top four iron ore-producing countries in the world.
3. Bailadila in Chhattisgarh is known for its high-grade hematite iron ore deposits.
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Answer: (D)
Statement 1 is correct: Karnataka possesses the vast majority (around 72%) of India's total magnetite iron ore reserves, located mainly in the Chikmagalur (Kudremukh), Shimoga, and Uttara Kannada districts.
Statement 2 is correct: India is consistently ranked among the top 4 iron ore producers in the world, along with Australia, Brazil, and China.
Statement 3 is correct: The Bailadila range in the Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh is world-famous for its massive, high-grade hematite deposits (containing 60–70% iron content), which are primarily exported to countries like Japan and South Korea via Visakhapatnam port.
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct: Karnataka possesses the vast majority (around 72%) of India's total magnetite iron ore reserves, located mainly in the Chikmagalur (Kudremukh), Shimoga, and Uttara Kannada districts.
Statement 2 is correct: India is consistently ranked among the top 4 iron ore producers in the world, along with Australia, Brazil, and China.
Statement 3 is correct: The Bailadila range in the Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh is world-famous for its massive, high-grade hematite deposits (containing 60–70% iron content), which are primarily exported to countries like Japan and South Korea via Visakhapatnam port.
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
With reference to India’s first LNG-powered train, consider the following statements:
1. It uses a dual-fuel system, in which LNG can substitute up to 40% of diesel consumption.
2. Each Driving Power Car (DPC) is equipped with a 2,200-litre LNG tank, enabling about 444 km of daily operation.
3. The train completed over 2,000 km of field trials before passenger operations.
1. It uses a dual-fuel system, in which LNG can substitute up to 40% of diesel consumption.
2. Each Driving Power Car (DPC) is equipped with a 2,200-litre LNG tank, enabling about 444 km of daily operation.
3. The train completed over 2,000 km of field trials before passenger operations.
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