5 March 2026, Questions & Answers

Explanation

The article's byline explicitly states that Anil Kakodkar is the former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). The AEC is the nodal body for India's nuclear energy programme.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article's data. Statement 2 is incorrect because the SHANTI Act 2025 opens the sector to public, private, academia, and industry. Statement 3 is correct as mentioned in the article. Hence, option C is correct.

Explanation

The article states: 'global nuclear generation capacity is expected to grow from around 380 GWe today to around 1,400 GWe.' The other options are close distractors.

Explanation

The article clearly states: 'The principal purpose of FBRs is to irradiate thorium at scale and produce the uranium-233 needed for the third stage.' This is a core objective of the second stage of India's nuclear programme.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that MILAN-2026 was a multilateral exercise organized by the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam. The Iranian frigate was returning from this event.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article identifies IRIS Dena as a Moudge-class frigate. Statement 2 is incorrect; the article says the distress call was issued roughly 40 nautical miles off Galle, which is likely in Sri Lanka's EEZ or international waters, not territorial waters (typically 12 nm). Statement 3 is incorrect; the article clearly states USS Pinckney did not participate due to 'emergent requirements', though a US P-8 aircraft did.

Explanation

The article mentions the frigate was 'carrying almost 130 sailors' in the Iranian FM's post, and later reiterates 'carrying 130 sailors'. The other options are close distractors.

Explanation

The article highlights India's delicate position: the attacked Iranian ship was a recent 'guest' at its naval exercise, while the attacker is its key strategic partner, the US. India's official silence underscores this challenge of balancing both relationships, which is its core diplomatic tightrope. The other options are not supported by the article's content.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that 'India’s largest importer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) Petronet LNG has issued force majeure notices'. GAIL, IOC, and BPCL are mentioned as off-takers, not the issuer.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The IRIS Dena had participated in MILAN-2026 hosted by India. Statement 2 is incorrect: The Strait handles one-fifth (not one-third) of global LNG trade. Statement 3 is incorrect: Rupee depreciation is attributed to multiple factors including rising crude oil prices and disrupted trade flows, not solely domestic inflation.

Explanation

The article states: 'Daily earnings for a very large crude carrier (VLCC) on the benchmark Middle East-China route hit a record high... $423,000 on Monday'. $218,000 was the rate from the previous week.

Explanation

The article directly links the Strait's blockade to spiking crude oil prices. For India, which imports 80% of its crude, this makes imports costlier, directly widening the Current Account Deficit (CAD). Other options are either incorrect (software exports may benefit but it's not the primary implication) or opposite to the article's narrative (FII might sell due to uncertainty, not invest).

Explanation

The article explicitly states the bench hearing the case was composed of Justices G Jayachandran and K K Ramakrishnan of the Madras High Court.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. 'Salus populi est suprema lex' means 'the welfare of the people is the supreme law'. The maxim for 'public necessity is greater than private interest' is 'Necessitas publica est major quam private'. Statement 2 is incorrect as the court ruled the 2013 Act was NOT strictly applicable. Statement 3 is correct as per the article's details on the judgment and the invoked section.

Explanation

The article clearly states: 'The state government had decided to acquire 633.17 acres of land across several villages in Madurai to upgrade the airport to international standards.'

Explanation

The article's opening paragraph states the court invoked 'the utilitarian principle of "the greatest good for the greatest number of people" articulated by philosophers Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill' to uphold the eviction for the larger public project.

Explanation

CRIF High Mark is one of the four RBI-approved Credit Information Companies (CICs) in India, along with TransUnion CIBIL, Experian, and Equifax. Its primary function is to collect and maintain credit data of individuals and businesses.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article (14.2% CAGR). Statement 2 is incorrect; the report states women's delinquency rate (PAR) is 2.8%, which is lower than the 3.3% for men. Statement 3 is correct; women hold a 43.5% share in gold loans, their highest among retail products.

Explanation

The report explicitly states that the portfolio outstanding for women borrowers rose 23.4% year-on-year (y-o-y) in December 2025. 16.7% was the growth for men, 14.8% was the growth in active loans for women, and 8.2% was the CAGR for male borrowers.

Explanation

The article states the average ticket size for women-led business loans is Rs 5.3 lakh versus Rs 11.6 lakh for men, indicating 'significant headroom for expansion.' This suggests women-led enterprises are currently at a smaller scale, not necessarily due to creditworthiness or discrimination, but highlighting a potential growth area.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the survey was tabled by the Minister of State for Finance, Ashish Jaiswal. In Indian states, the Finance Minister or the Minister of State for Finance presents key financial documents like the Economic Survey and the Budget.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Maharashtra's GSDP growth is projected at 7.9%, while India's GDP growth is projected at 7.4%. Statement 2 is incorrect: Agriculture's share declined from 13.1% (2011-12) to 11.2% (2024-25). Statement 3 is correct: The debt-to-GSDP ratio is 18.3%, which is below the 25% limit prescribed by the Maharashtra FRBM rules.

Explanation

The article clearly states that the agriculture and allied activities sector is expected to grow at 3.4%. The other options are distractors: 5.7% is the industrial sector growth, 7.9% is the overall GSDP growth, and 9.0% is the services sector growth.

Explanation

The survey explicitly paints a 'grim picture of regional imbalance', noting that only seven districts have a per capita income above ₹3 lakh, while eleven districts are below ₹2 lakh. This indicates concentrated development in a few urban centers, leaving many districts behind.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the Eat Right India campaign was launched by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in 2018. FSSAI is the statutory body responsible for regulating food safety and standards in the country.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. The Atlas was released by the World Obesity Federation, not the WHO. Statement 2 is correct as the article states India ranks second globally after China. Statement 3 is correct as the article mentions the prediction of 507 million children worldwide by 2040.

Explanation

The article clearly states the projection: "Estimates suggest that... 56 million will be either overweight or living with obesity." 14 million is the 2025 figure for obesity alone, 20 million is the 2040 projection for obesity alone, and 41 million is the 2025 figure for high BMI.

Explanation

The report's core message, as per the article, is the need for "urgent, coordinated action" and "stronger prevention policies" like healthier school food and sugar taxes to avert a future crisis of chronic diseases. The other options are either incorrect or not the primary focus mentioned in the article.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that a SEBI public warning of November 8, 2025, noted that trading in digital/e-gold products is unregulated business. RBI issued a separate alert in July 2025.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The HC ruled Jar Gold's activities fall under BUDS Act. Statement 2 is incorrect: The Court highlighted the *lack* of express regulatory supervision by RBI over digital gold storage. Statement 3 is correct: The judgment advocates a 'purposive, expansive and pragmatic' interpretation of money.

Explanation

The FIR states 'They have collected about Rs 100 crore from the public.' The ₹4,000 crore figure is the startup's total turnover over five years, not the amount collected as per the FIR.

Explanation

The Court ruled that confining 'money' to physical currency would be a 'pedantic and myopic construction' rendering the BUDS Act ineffective. It advocated an expansive interpretation to cover digital assets and 'gold linked assurances' to prevent evasion, aligning with the Act's remedial and protective purpose.

Explanation

DMRC is a state-owned company established as a 50:50 joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. This structure is crucial for funding and administrative control of the metro project.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. The Majlis Park to Maujpur-Babarpur section is part of the Pink Line, not the Magenta Line. Statement 2 is correct as per the article. Statement 3 is correct; the foundation was laid for three corridors, including the underground Central Vista corridor. Hence, option C is correct.

Explanation

The article explicitly states: 'The estimated total cost of these Metro projects is Rs 18,300 crore.' This is a direct factual recall question testing attention to key financial data in infrastructure news.

Explanation

The article quotes the Chief Minister stating the expansion 'will improve public transport, make daily travel easier for citizens, reduce the number of vehicles on roads and help control pollution.' While other options may be indirect benefits, pollution control and decongestion are cited as direct primary objectives of the project.

Explanation

As per the article, Saskatchewan supplies about 20% of the world's uranium, over 35% of the world's potash, and is the largest exporter of pulses (like lentils and peas). This makes it a critical partner for India's energy and agricultural needs.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article mentions Canada supplied uranium to India earlier, between 2015 and 2020. Statement 2 is incorrect; Saskatchewan produces over 35% of the world's potash, not over 50%. Statement 3 is correct as per the article's mention of the commitment to conclude EPTA negotiations within this calendar year.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the uranium supply agreement is worth $2.6 billion and has a duration of nine years. This long-term, high-value deal is central to the news item and a key data point for exams.

Explanation

The Premier's core argument, as quoted in the article, is the importance of separating political differences from market-based trade relationships to ensure economic ties remain stable. This is presented as a pragmatic approach to maintaining vital trade in resources like uranium, pulses, and potash despite bilateral political tensions.

Explanation

The Protector of Emigrants (PoE), which grants Emigration Clearance Required (ECR) clearance, operates under the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The MEA handles all matters related to Indian citizens abroad.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article states the Strait of Hormuz handles nearly a fifth of global oil and is now effectively closed. Statement 2 is correct as Saudi Arabia accounted for 41% of clearances. Statement 3 is incorrect; while the UAE is a major remittance source and the largest destination for blue-collar work, the article does not specify it as the top destination for white-collar professionals.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the UAE accounted for 24% of emigration clearances for Indian workers bound for the Gulf region during 2021-2025. Saudi Arabia was first with 41%, and Kuwait was third with 12%.

Explanation

The article's core analysis points to the dual threat: risks to Indian migrant workers (affecting remittances) and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz (affecting oil supplies). These are immediate and significant economic vulnerabilities, unlike FDI, defense deals, or gold imports which are not the primary focus.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the study was published in the journal 'Nature'. This is a premier international weekly journal of science.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; the average underestimation was 30 cm, not 50 cm. Statement 3 is incorrect; the article states the problem is 'less so in Europe and along Atlantic coasts' and is far more frequent in the Global South, the Pacific, and Southeast Asia.

Explanation

The article provides the specific range: 'waters could inundate up to 37% more land and threaten 77 million to 132 million more people'. The other options are plausible distractors but not the exact figures mentioned.

Explanation

The article directly quotes study co-author Philip Minderhoud attributing the error to a 'methodological blind spot' between the different measurement techniques for sea and land, where factors at the coastline interface are not accounted for.

Explanation

The article explicitly references the 1933 Montevideo Convention in Uruguay as establishing the four criteria for statehood: territory, permanent population, government, and capacity to enter into relations with other states.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article's description of PSNR. Statement 2 is incorrect; the article states the ICJ's opinion was 'a very modest legal claim' and not categorical. Statement 3 is incorrect as the article clarifies climate refugees do not fit within the 1951 Convention's ambit, which requires persecution.

Explanation

The article directly states: 'The urgency to restrict global average temperature below 1.5° Celsius is giving rise to the demand... to phase out fossil fuel.' This aligns with the Paris Agreement goal.

Explanation

The core legal challenge highlighted is the threat to the 'territory' criterion, one of the four essential elements for statehood as defined by the 1933 Montevideo Convention. This creates unprecedented legal uncertainty about their continued existence as sovereign states.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the Strait of Hormuz is 'under Iran's control.' This is a key static geography fact; Iran controls the northern shore of this strategic waterway.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article cites the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the Iran-US-Israel conflict. Statement 2 is incorrect; the article clearly states the industry relies on 'propane or natural gas,' not coal. Statement 3 is correct as per the quote from the President of MCMA (Vitrified Tiles Division).

Explanation

The article quotes Haresh Bopaliya, president of the Morbi Ceramic Manufacturers Association (Wall Tiles Division), stating 'Morbi currently had around 600 ceramic units.' This is a precise data point for factual recall.

Explanation

The entire article centers on the disruption of gas supplies from the Gulf region because the Strait of Hormuz is closed amid the US-Israel-Iran conflict. While a port accident in Saudi Arabia earlier disturbed supply, the current imminent crisis is directly attributed to the war and strait closure.

Explanation

The Election Commission of India (ECI), established under Article 324 of the Constitution, is the apex body responsible for superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections, including processes like the SIR.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The article states deletions were 'about 62 lakh names so far'. Statement 2 is incorrect: The highest category was deceased voters (24 lakh), not shifted voters (18 lakh). Statement 3 is correct: The SC intervened and '501 judicial officers' were brought in for adjudication.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that 'more than five lakh government officials including 80,681 BLOs (booth level officers)' were involved in the process. The other options are distractors not mentioned.

Explanation

The article directly quotes the ECI's objective: 'the main objective of the SIR is to ensure inclusion of eligible electors and exclusion of those ineligible.' The other options are administrative tasks not mentioned as the SIR's primary goal.

Explanation

The article explicitly mentions a CAG analysis of states in 2023-24 that noted Tamil Nadu's internal debts were growing at one of the fastest rates in the country. The CAG is the supreme audit institution of India responsible for auditing all receipts and expenditures of the central and state governments.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The article states Tamil Nadu's own revenue expenditure (66.9%) remains above the all-India average of 57.3%. Statement 2 is incorrect: For Kerala, the article states its outstanding liabilities have been 'declining every year since 2021-22'. Statement 3 is correct: The article says Assam's own-revenue expenditure (36.8%) is below the all-India average of 57.3%.

Explanation

The article clearly states: 'for which the government allocated Rs 14,412 crore in 2026-27, marginally up from Rs 13,807 crore in 2025-26.' ₹13,807 crore is the previous year's allocation, ₹7,641 crore is for discounted power tariffs, and ₹4,000 crore is for free bus travel for women.

Explanation

The article directly links high debt to constrained capital expenditure. For Kerala, a NITI Aayog report notes it 'has struggled to raise its capital expenditure given the heavy burden of its social sector and non-developmental spending.' For West Bengal, it states 'The state’s debt position has, however, contributed to restricting its capital expenditure in recent years.'

Explanation

The Durand Line, established in 1893, is the international border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Afghanistan has historically contested its legitimacy, a key factor mentioned in the article fueling current tensions.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, not ISIS. Statement 3 is incorrect; the article states the Durand Line remains an illegitimate colonial inheritance for many Pashtun nationalists in Afghanistan.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that 'peace talks between the allies-turned-foes stalled in November last year' (referring to 2025). October 2025 is mentioned as the month of the deadliest military exchange, and February 2026 is when Pakistan launched air strikes.

Explanation

The article explains that structural factors, 'foremost among them, ethnicity', ensured Pakistan's policy would not succeed. The Pakistani Taliban (TTP) have longstanding ethnic (Pashtun) and ideological links with their Afghan counterparts, making the Afghan Taliban unwilling to rein them in.

Explanation

The article explicitly states the commercial agreement is between Canada's Cameco and India's Department of Atomic Energy. While NPCIL operates nuclear plants, the overarching department for atomic energy matters is the DAE.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; the article mentions 'eight government-to-government pacts and 24 MoUs', which totals 32 agreements, not 'over thirty' government-to-government agreements alone. Statement 3 is incorrect; the number of students is 'approximately 300', not 500.

Explanation

The article clearly states the trade framework (CEPA) is expected to boost bilateral trade to '$50 billion by 2030'. The current trade is less than $9 billion.

Explanation

The article concludes that closer ties with countries like Canada will help India 'tide over the current period of uncertainty' as 'a Trump-led US pursues an America-First approach'. This is the key strategic implication mentioned. The other options are not supported by the article's content.

Explanation

Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), a premier cancer care and research institute in Mumbai, operates under the administrative control of the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India. This is a key static fact relevant for government exams.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. The article explicitly states that immunotherapy drugs are NOT covered under Ayushman Bharat. Statement 2 is correct as per the study's finding that the cost is nearly 80 times the average monthly income. Statement 3 is correct as the study was led by TMC and ACTREC.

Explanation

The article clearly states that a six-month course of nivolumab (Opdivo) costs approximately ₹12-15 lakh. This is a direct data point from the news, making it a potential prelims question.

Explanation

The core finding of the study, as quoted by Dr. Arjun Singh, is that "immunotherapy is not just expensive, it is completely out of reach for most families" because the drug prices are "far too high compared to the actual benefit intended." The article quantifies this by showing the cost is 80 times the average monthly income.

Explanation

The article repeatedly mentions the IAEA, referring to it as 'the UN's nuclear watchdog' and detailing its reports and Iran's suspended cooperation with it. The IAEA is the correct body for monitoring nuclear non-proliferation.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is correct as the article states Iran has ~70 kg of 60% HEU, 'sufficient for five to eight nuclear warheads'. Statement 3 is incorrect because the article states early assessments claimed the program was only 'set back by a few months' and there is 'no certainty' the stockpile was destroyed.

Explanation

The article explicitly states: 'According to some estimates, Iran has around 70 kg of 60% HEU, sufficient for five to eight nuclear warheads.' The other options are plausible distractors but not the figure mentioned.

Explanation

The article explains the technical crux: '60% HEU will have completed more than 90% of the work required to produce weapons-grade uranium.' This drastically reduces the 'breakout time' needed to produce a bomb, which is the core security concern.

Explanation

The Ministry of Education (formerly the Ministry of Human Resource Development) is the nodal agency for formulating and implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The article discusses NEP 2020's provisions on language, which fall under this ministry's purview.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article's mention of NEP 2020's "bold call for mother-tongue instruction till at least Class 5". Statement 2 is incorrect; NEP 2020 asks us to treat multilingualism as a resource, not a hurdle or administrative challenge. Statement 3 is correct as the article identifies teacher preparedness as a core challenge and states that teacher education must develop educators to see multilingualism as a strength.

Explanation

The article explicitly states: "NEP 2020’s bold call for mother-tongue instruction till at least Class 5 reflects global research..." This is a key factual takeaway from the policy for exam purposes. The other options are plausible distractors for different educational stages.

Explanation

The article states that "NEP 2020 doesn’t just talk about language; it places it at the heart of equity" and that its greatest strength is "placing language at the heart of equity." The policy aims to ensure children are not disadvantaged by an unfamiliar classroom language, making equity its core objective. The other options are either contrary to the policy's intent or secondary concerns.

Explanation

The article references construction bans triggered under Delhi-NCR's pollution control framework. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is the statutory body established specifically for this region under the CAQM Act, 2021. While MoEFCC is the nodal ministry and CPCB/NGT are involved, CAQM is the primary enforcement authority for GRAP measures in NCR.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect because BRSR is an Indian framework mandated by SEBI, not a global initiative. The global framework mentioned is the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). Statement 3 is correct as per the OECD projection cited in the article.

Explanation

The article explicitly states: "In the December quarter, Shoppers Stop reported a 69% decline in net profit, partly attributing it to elevated pollution levels in northern India." This is a direct data point from the corporate earnings call mentioned in the analysis.

Explanation

The article quotes an expert stating: "Even when companies disclose on air pollution, there is a tendency to aggregate multiple pollutants together and avoid disclosing on worst-performing facilities." This points to a lack of granularity and transparency in current reporting practices, which is a central critique in the news piece.

Explanation

The article states that the Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, modeled on the 1939 Madras Presidency Act, is the prototype that only five other states and one UT have replicated. This is a key static GK fact about public health governance in India.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the HMIS data cited. Statement 2 is incorrect; the article states Tamil Nadu's MMR is 35, which is the second-lowest, behind Kerala and Andhra Pradesh (both at 30). Statement 3 is correct, as the article mentions Tamil Nadu boasts 100% institutional deliveries against 94.5% nationally.

Explanation

The article explicitly states Tamil Nadu's Crude Birth Rate is 14.2, compared to the national mark of 19.7. 19.7 is the national average, 26.2 was the neonatal mortality rate in 2005, and 8.2 is the IMR for 2023.

Explanation

The article clearly states TNMSC was established to centralize and streamline the procurement, storage, and distribution of quality, affordable medicines for all government health facilities. While CMCHIS provides insurance and VHNs are field workers, the core objective of TNMSC is drug supply chain management.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that students in the humanities and social sciences experienced the biggest drops in cognitive abilities. This is significant because these domains are traditionally where critical thinking, argumentation, and policy-making skills are cultivated.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article defines 'solution paralysis' as when students feel unable to start, decide, or move forward without AI. Statement 2 is incorrect; while students using AI did more practice problems correctly, their conceptual knowledge got worse. Statement 3 is correct as the article mentions the authors used Cognitive Load Theory and Bloom's taxonomy to explain the impact.

Explanation

The article clearly states that the ASSA Journal study found people who depended on AI a lot had '22% worse memory retention'. Option A (17.3%) is the drop in critical thinking scores, which is a different metric.

Explanation

The article describes the 'AI receipt' as requiring students to document where, how, and why they used AI, and what they changed. This process is not about punishment but about making them take intellectual responsibility, understand AI as a tool with consequences, and engage in metacognition—thinking about their own thinking process.

Explanation

The article explicitly states the International Fleet Review was held at Visakhapatnam. Visakhapatnam is a major naval base on the east coast of India, housing the Eastern Naval Command.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; the article clearly states the Dena participated in the IFR in February and was sunk later, on March 4. Statement 3 is correct as the article mentions India relies on almost 88% of imported crude oil that transits these sea lines.

Explanation

The article specifically states: "India relies on almost 88 per cent of the imported crude oil that transits these sea lines." This is a critical data point highlighting India's energy security vulnerability.

Explanation

The article frames India's dilemma as a 'catch-22' involving two questions: Was India unaware of the submarine activity (UDA failure)? Or was it aware but not informed/apprised (diplomatic slight)? Both scenarios point to strategic vulnerabilities in awareness and diplomacy, which is the core analytical dilemma presented.

Explanation

Article 226 of the Constitution empowers High Courts to issue directions, orders, or writs, including mandamus, for the enforcement of fundamental rights and for any other purpose. The article was explicitly mentioned in the court's observations.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. The court specifically noted that "A child's right to claim maintenance from the biological father does not depend upon the surname she bears." Statement 2 is incorrect. The court observed that this presumption is "not a constitutional mandate but a social convention." Statement 3 is correct as per the judgment.

Explanation

The article states: "Justice Suraj Govindaraj passed the order on February 17 while allowing a plea..." The published date of the article is March 05, 2026, but the order date is clearly February 17, 2026.

Explanation

The court anchored its decision in the child's fundamental right to identity and dignity under Article 21, stating the change promotes her "psychological well-being, and practical convenience" and reflects her "actual familial associations." While the Act grants power, the reasoning was based on constitutional rights and the child's welfare.

Explanation

Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 of the US Constitution explicitly grants Congress the power to declare war. The President serves as Commander-in-Chief but does not hold the power to formally declare war.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per Article I, Section 8. Statement 2 is incorrect; the War Powers Resolution limits unauthorized Presidential military action to 60 days (plus a 30-day withdrawal period). Statement 3 is correct as the article mentions AUMFs were used for Vietnam, the 1991 Gulf War, Afghanistan, and the 2003 Iraq War.

Explanation

The article states, 'The United States has not formally declared war since World War II.' It lists the Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, Afghanistan, and Iraq as operations conducted without a formal declaration of war.

Explanation

The article states the resolution was passed 'intending to reassert its authority over wars' after Presidents involved the country in Vietnam without meaningful Congressional input. It creates rules to limit unilateral executive military action.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that 'In the 1970s, Sri Lanka prominently advocated for the first time the idea of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace.' This is a key static GK fact linked to the news.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; while the 80% figure is correct, the Strait of Gibraltar is not mentioned among the Indian Ocean chokepoints (which are Hormuz, Malacca, and Bab el-Mandeb). Statement 3 is incorrect; the article says 'since World War II,' not World War I.

Explanation

The article specifically states: 'Approximately 80 per cent of global seaborne oil moves across the Indian Ocean.' This is a critical data point for understanding the strategic importance of the region.

Explanation

The article directly states: 'If the Indian Ocean begins to host open-ended naval warfare between extra-regional powers, it would raise significant questions regarding India’s credibility as the net security provider in the region.' This is the core strategic implication for India.

Explanation

Velayat-e-Faqih (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist) is a concept developed within Twelver Shia Islam. It was central to the ideology of Ayatollah Khomeini and became the governing principle of the Islamic Republic of Iran after the 1979 Revolution.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Shah Ismail I of the Safavid dynasty established Iran as a Shia state in 1501. Statement 2 is incorrect: The Pahlavi dynasty (Reza Shah and his son) pursued aggressive secularization and Westernization, which alienated the religious establishment and was a cause of the 1979 Revolution, not the promotion of Shi'ism. Statement 3 is correct: The primary origin of the Sunni-Shia division was the succession crisis after Prophet Muhammad's death in 632 AD.

Explanation

The article clearly states that the year 1501 was a turning point when Shah Ismail I established the first Shi'i state in Iran. 1453 is the fall of Constantinople, 1526 is the First Battle of Panipat, and 1600 is the founding of the East India Company.

Explanation

The article explains that the Safavids, as warrior tribes who conquered Iran, lacked institutional legitimacy. They imported Shia scholars (Ulama) from established centers like Lebanon to provide religious sanction and legitimacy for their rule, in exchange for state appointments and salaries.

Explanation

NATO is a trans-Atlantic security alliance formed in 1949, as mentioned in the article, involving countries from North America and Europe to provide collective defence against a specific adversary.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The League was formed after WWI, and the UN was formed after WWII, effectively succeeding it. Statement 2 is incorrect: The article states NATO's Kosovo intervention was NOT sanctioned by the UNSC. Statement 3 is correct: Article 51 is explicitly mentioned as anchoring NATO's right to collective self-defence.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that NATO came into existence in 1949 against the backdrop of the failure of the interwar period and the beginning of the Cold War. 1945 is the year the UN was formed, and 1991 marks the end of the Cold War.

Explanation

The article states India's vision emphasizes reform rather than replacement, specifically demanding a more representative UNSC and a greater voice for the Global South, while respecting sovereignty and maintaining strategic autonomy.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), a country's territorial waters extend up to 12 nautical miles and the EEZ up to 200 nautical miles. UNCLOS is the primary international treaty governing all uses of the oceans.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article: 'The coastal state exercises full sovereignty, similar to its land territory' within the 12 nm Territorial Waters. Statement 2 is incorrect: the article states that in an EEZ, 'the waters themselves remain open for navigation by other countries.' Statement 3 is correct: the article defines International Waters as 'Waters beyond 200 nautical miles from any country’s coast.'

Explanation

The article explicitly states: 'A US submarine strike sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena about 40 nautical miles off Lanka’s southern city of Galle.' The distance is also reiterated later as 'approximately 40 nautical miles (74 km) off the coast of Galle, Sri Lanka.'

Explanation

As per UNCLOS, 40 nm is outside the 12 nm Territorial Waters but within the 200 nm EEZ. In an EEZ, the coastal state (Sri Lanka) has exclusive rights over resources, but the waters remain open for navigation. This creates a legal gray zone for military engagements, making the incident a test case for interpreting maritime security in EEZs, unlike the clear-cut violations suggested in other options.

Explanation

The SC/ST (PoA) Act, 1989, provides for the establishment of Special Courts for the speedy trial of offences of atrocities committed against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, as mentioned in the article's context.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. The court ruled that merely calling a person by their profession does NOT by itself attract the SC/ST Act; intent to humiliate must be proven. Statement 2 is correct as it captures the core ruling. Statement 3 is correct as the FIR was registered under IPC Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 506 (criminal intimidation), among others.

Explanation

As clearly mentioned in the article, the observation was made by Justice Anil Kumar-X of the Allahabad High Court while partly allowing an appeal. The other names are of Supreme Court judges.

Explanation

The court's primary ruling was that using a term referring to a profession (like 'dhobin') does not automatically constitute an offence under the SC/ST Act. It established that the prosecution must prove the words were intentionally used with the intent to humiliate the victim because they belong to an SC/ST community, thereby adding a layer of judicial scrutiny.

Explanation

The article explicitly mentions sources in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) discussing India's oil stock position and engagement with international suppliers. MoPNG is responsible for exploration, production, import, and distribution of petroleum and natural gas in India.

Explanation

Statements 1 and 2 are correct as per the article's description. Statement 3 is incorrect because the article describes an 'effective halt' and that most entities are 'loath to get involved', implying a high-risk-induced stoppage, not a permanent or complete one mandated by a single authority. The situation is due to risk, not a permanent closure.

Explanation

The article states: 'Around 2.5–2.7 million barrels per day (bpd) of India’s crude imports — accounting for around half of the country’s total oil imports — have transited the Strait of Hormuz in recent months.' The other options are distractors based on other figures in the article, like India's total Russian crude imports.

Explanation

The article's core analysis highlights that the closure disrupts half of India's imports, forcing it to seek alternative suppliers like Russia and engage with international traders. This directly points to the need for import source diversification to ensure energy security. The other options are not supported: domestic production cannot be immediately ramped up, imports from the Gulf are vital and cannot be completely halted, and drawing down reserves is a reactive measure, not a strategic implication.