Q1. {MIH – Organisation} Which of the following provisions were included in the Delhi proposals of the Muslim League in 1927?
- Separation of Sind from the Bombay Presidency
- Reforms in the North-West Frontier Province and Baluchistan
- Two-third seats for the Muslims in the Central Legislature
- Representation based on population in the Punjab and Bengal
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 2 and 4 only
- 1, 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
Correct Answer: c) 1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation On March 20, 1927, some prominent Muslim leaders met in Delhi and put forward certain proposals on the Hindu-Muslim problem. These proposals laid down that Muslims were prepared to agree to joint electorates in all provinces and the central legislature, provided that the following conditions were met: Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct, but statement 3 is incorrect The Muslims were to be given a minimum of one-third representation in the central legislature. In the Punjab and Bengal (Muslim-majority provinces), representation was to be given in proportion to the population. Three Muslim-majority provinces should be formed – Sindh, North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), and Baluchistan. Sindh was to be made into a Muslim-majority province separated from Bombay presidency. The North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Baluchistan should be raised to the status of self–governing provinces. Jinnah played an important role in preparing this list of demands. These proposals were communicated to Congress, and the Congress Working Committee passed a resolution the next day appreciating the decision of the Muslim Conference to accept joint electorates. Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 4; Difficulty Level: Medium
Q2. {Vulnerable Sections – Transgenders} Consider the following statements:
- Statement – I: Post-sex-reassignment surgery, transgender individuals cannot obtain a revised identity certificate.
- Statement – II: Registration of Birth and Death Act of 1969 allows changes in birth certificates only for errors, fraud or incorrect entries.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I.
- Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, but Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I.
- Statement I is correct, but Statement II is not correct.
- Statement I is not correct, but Statement II is correct.
Correct Answer: (d) Statement I is not correct, but Statement II is correct; Difficulty Level: Easy
Explanation Statement I is not correct, but Statement II is correct Karnataka HC upheld a transgender woman’s right to update her name and gender on her birth certificate under the Transgender Persons Act 2019, overriding older restrictive laws. The Transgender Persons Act, 2019: Allows transgender individuals to affirm their gender identity legally (Section 6). Under it, post-sex-reassignment surgery, individuals can obtain a revised identity certificate (Section 7). It mandates reflecting revised identity and name on all official records, including birth certificates. The 2020 Rules clearly list birth certificates as eligible for changes under the Act’s provisions. The challenges in Legal and Social Recognition of transgenders include: Restrictive 1969 Act Provisions which allows changes in birth certificates only for errors, fraud or incorrect entries (Section 15). Failure to Harmonize Laws such as the older general laws (1969 Act) and newer specific laws (2019 Act) lack alignment, causing inconsistencies. Authorities often miss prescribed timelines for updating records leading to inconsistent Implementation. Officials and transgender individuals lack knowledge of rights and procedures and have Limited Awareness. Hesitation to align older enactments like the 1969 Act with the 2019 Act. Document discrepancies lead to a “dual life,” causing harassment, missed opportunities, and social stigma Answer: (d) Statement I is not correct, but Statement II is correct; Difficulty Level: Easy
Q3. {S&T – Space} With respect to the SpaDeX Mission, consider the following statements:
- It demonstrates India’s ability to control spacecraft at low to medium velocities, which is essential for future deep space missions.
- Through the mission, India became the third country to have successfully demonstrated space docking after US and Russia.
Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2; Difficulty Level: Easy
Explanation Statement 1 is incorrect The SpaDeX mission demonstrates India’s ability to control spacecraft at high velocities, which is essential for future deep space missions. Docking is crucial for heavy payload missions, Bharatiya Antariksh Station assembly, Chandrayaan-4’s re-entry and sample return, and the proposed Indian Space Station. Statement 2 is incorrect ISRO successfully launched its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission on December 30, 2024, aiming to make India the fourth country to demonstrate orbital docking. Only the US, Russia & China have successfully demonstrated space docking. Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2; Difficulty Level: Easy
Q4. {Prelims – PIN} Which of the following eminent Indian scientists is often revered as the ‘Mahatma Gandhi of Indian Science’ due to their profound contributions to the field?
- Jagadish Chandra Bose
- Dr. Vikram Sarabhai
- Srinivasa Ramanujan
- C.V Raman
Correct Answer: (b) is correct
Dr. Vikram Sarabhai is referred to as the “Mahatma Gandhi of Indian Science” because of his significant contributions to the field of science. He was revered so by the Former President APJ Abdul Kalam. Legacy and contributions of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai include: The establishment of the ISRO was one of his greatest achievements. He was also Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. Dr. Sarabhai had a huge role in setting up the first rocket launching station in India at Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) near Thiruvananthapuram. He started a project to fabricate and launch an Indian Satellite. As a result, the first Indian satellite, Aryabhata, was put in orbit in 1975 from a Russian Cosmodrome. His dialogue with NASA in 1966 led to the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) launch between July 1975 and July 1976. In 1974, the International Astronomical Union at Sydney decided that a Moon Crater BESSEL in the Sea of Serenity would be known as the Sarabhai Crater. He was honoured with several awards including Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Medal (1962), Padma Bhushan (1966), and Padma Vibhushan (1972, posthumous). Answer: (b) Dr. Vikram Sarabhai; Difficulty Level: Medium
Q5. {MoSPI – Initiatives} With reference to the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023-24, consider the following statements:
- The survey is released by the Ministry of Finance.
- The share of urban household food expenditure is higher than that of rural households.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer:(d) Neither 1 nor 2;
Explanation Statement 1 is incorrect The survey, released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), presents insights into household spending patterns across rural and urban India. Statement 2 is incorrect Key Findings: Food Expenditure: Increased Share: Rural food expenditure rose to 47.04% in 2023-24 from 46.38% in 2022-23; urban share grew to 39.68% from 39.17%. Beverages & Processed Foods: Highest spending share — 11.09% (rural) and 9.84% (urban). Milk & Milk Products: Second highest — 8.44% (rural) and 7.19% (urban). Vegetables & Cereals: Significant contributors, with rural areas prioritising cereals and urban areas emphasising fruits. Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2; Difficulty Level: Medium