7 March 2026, Questions & Answers

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has blocked off the Strait of Hormuz and that it operates independently of Iran's regular navy. The IRGC is also known as the Army of the Guardians, but option D uses a less common full name, making B the clear best answer.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. The article states negotiations concluded 'without a breakthrough', and while Oman revealed Iran had conceded to demands, the US attacked anyway. Statement 2 is correct as the article says 'a fifth of global energy shipments pass'. Statement 3 is incorrect because the waiver issued was 'temporary' and for '30 days' only.

Explanation

The article directly states: 'the range of its ballistic missiles not exceeding 2,000 km' and later reiterates 'ballistic missiles—with ranges of up to 2,000 km'. This is a precise data point testable in prelims.

Explanation

The article clearly identifies the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by the IRGC as a direct action stemming from the conflict. This is highlighted as a major chokepoint for global energy, with immediate impacts on oil shipments and tanker movements, prompting policy shifts like the US waiver to India.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the Punjab Cabinet approved the new Industrial Policy 2026. All policy details and incentives mentioned are specific to the state of Punjab.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article states the requirement was sharply reduced from ₹250 crore to ₹25 crore. Statement 2 is correct as wage support is ₹4,000 for women versus ₹3,000 for male employees. Statement 3 is incorrect; the policy extends the period to 10-15 years, not 15-20 years.

Explanation

The article clearly states that for the IT sector, the wage support will be ₹5,000 per employee per month. ₹3,000 is for male employees in general, ₹4,000 is for women/SC/ST/PwD employees, and ₹7,500 is for employees in Global Capability Centres (GCCs).

Explanation

The article context indicates the policy aims to bring small and medium enterprises into the incentive framework and encourage wider job creation. Allowing women night shifts (with safety safeguards) is a measure to increase labour market flexibility and participation, aligning with this broader objective of job creation.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted the provisional aerodrome licence. BCAS had earlier given security approval, but the aerodrome licence is issued by DGCA.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; the capacity in the first phase is 12 million passengers annually, while 70 million is the final capacity after all phases. Statement 3 is correct as the licence is valid for six months.

Explanation

The article clearly states that upon completion of all phases, the airport will be capable of handling up to 70 million passengers per year. The 12 million figure is for the first phase only.

Explanation

The Union Minister of Civil Aviation stated that the airport will boost regional economic growth and tourism while helping ease congestion at existing airports in the region. The article does not mention it replacing IGI or being exclusive to cargo or international flights.

Explanation

The article mentions internal meetings within the IT Ministry and statements from IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, indicating MeitY's lead role in this policy formulation concerning digital platforms and internet governance.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect as the government is against a ban and favors nuanced restrictions. Statement 2 is correct as mentioned in the article. Statement 3 is correct as French President Macron made this call during the India-AI Impact Summit.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that Karnataka has said it will ban children below 16 years from using social media. Andhra Pradesh has proposed a ban for those below 13 years, which is a close distractor.

Explanation

The IFF warned that in the Indian context, where girls already face barriers to digital access, a ban framed around 'protection' could become a tool to deny them connectivity altogether, thus worsening the gender divide.

Explanation

The article states that 'preliminary discussions around age-based social media restrictions are learnt to have begun at the IT Ministry.' IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also mentioned the Centre was discussing this with companies.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah's budget speech. Statement 2 is correct as Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu said the state will introduce similar regulations within 90 days. Statement 3 is incorrect; French President Macron proposed a ban for children under 15, not 18.

Explanation

The article explicitly states: 'the country’s eSafety Commissioner had in a survey found that over 50% of young Australians have faced cyberbullying on social media platforms.'

Explanation

The IFF stated that 'where girls and young women already face significant barriers to digital access, a ban framed around “protection” can easily become another tool to deny them connectivity altogether... deepening the digital gender divide.' This is an application of the policy's potential social impact.

Explanation

The article explicitly mentions the 'Election Commission (EC)' as the body providing election results and data. It is the constitutional authority for conducting elections in Nepal.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article states RSP secured 'a clean sweep in all 10 constituencies of Kathmandu district'. Statement 2 is incorrect because K P Sharma Oli is the leader of CPN-UML, not Nepali Congress. Statement 3 is correct as the article mentions these are 'the first general elections in the country since last year’s Gen Z protests'.

Explanation

The article clearly states: 'The RSP won 72 out of 90 seats for which results were declared by 9.30 pm.' The other options are plausible but incorrect distractors.

Explanation

The article explicitly states: 'The election in Nepal is being closely watched by India, which is hoping for a stable government in the politically fragile country to take forward the developmental partnership between the two sides.' The other options are not mentioned.

Explanation

The GCC comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Iran is not a member; it is a neighboring country often in geopolitical tension with some GCC members.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article data. Statement 2 is correct as net capital flows were $89.8B in 2023-24 and turned negative (-$581M) for Apr-Dec 2025. Statement 3 is incorrect; the article states the US-Israel vs Iran war offers NO such relief, unlike the Russia-Ukraine war.

Explanation

The article explicitly states India's exports to the GCC and other West Asian countries were valued at over $65.5 billion in 2024-25. $154.6B is the import value, $135.4B is total private remittances, and $26.1B is the CAD for 2023-24.

Explanation

The article's core argument is that the crisis extends beyond oil prices. It highlights the deep integration through goods trade ($65.5B exports, $154.6B imports), labour (8.9M diaspora), and capital (FDI, portfolio flows), making India vulnerable on multiple economic fronts.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the Supreme Court of India currently has 33 judges, dominated by male judges, with only one woman judge, Justice B V Nagarathna. The other bodies are constitutional but not judicial bodies with a fixed number of judges.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. The 33% reservation is for women in bar associations, not in the judiciary. Statement 2 is correct as per Justice Anjana Prakash's account. Statement 3 is correct as the Kanpur incident was discussed to highlight the need for sensitization. Hence, option C is correct.

Explanation

The article's opening line clearly states, "In over seven decades, the Supreme Court of India has had only 11 women judges." The other options are distractors.

Explanation

As per senior advocate Liz Mathew's comments, the objective of the 33% reservation is to introduce diversity in decision-making, prevent bar associations from being 'boys clubs', and ensure a moment of reflection on the appropriateness of events and policies. The other options are not the primary objectives mentioned.

Explanation

As per the article, the 'Two Sessions' refer to the concurrent annual meetings of China's national legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC), and the advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The article states China set a 2026 GDP target of 4.5-5%, the first revision below 5% in over 30 years. Statement 2 is incorrect: 'Involution' is defined in the article as excess production leading to producers reducing prices to unprofitable levels, not related to birth rates. Statement 3 is correct: The article mentions consumption's contribution is just around 40% of GDP and needs to reach about 50%.

Explanation

The article provides a clear quarterly breakdown for 2025: approximately 5.4% in Q1, 5.2% in Q2, 4.8% in Q3, and 4.5% in Q4. This deceleration highlighted the difficulty in sustaining growth.

Explanation

The article explicitly states two reasons for low consumption: relatively low household income share and the lack of social security measures compounded by hukou restrictions, which force citizens to save more for uncertainties like healthcare and education.

Explanation

Article 25 of the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion. Petitioners challenging the anti-conversion laws argue these statutes violate this fundamental right by subjecting personal religious choices to excessive state scrutiny.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is correct as the Rajasthan law prescribes up to 20 years. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Gujarat High Court in August 2021 stayed sections of the law that assumed conversions for marriage were fraudulent, to prevent harassment of inter-faith couples.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the Maharashtra Bill proposes rigorous imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine of Rs 5 lakh for unlawful religious conversions. The other options are punishments prescribed in laws from other states mentioned, like Uttar Pradesh (14 years) or earlier laws like Jharkhand (3 years).

Explanation

The article states these laws 'flip the general principle of criminal justice — innocent until proven guilty — by placing the burden of proof on the accused.' The accused must prove the conversion was not effected through force, fraud, or allurement, which is a significant departure from standard criminal procedure.

Explanation

Article 14 of the Indian Constitution guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws, forbidding arbitrary discrimination. The court explicitly cited this article in its judgment against paying unequal wages for identical work.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article states the petitioner was appointed in 2007 and the impugned order denying parity was quashed. Statement 2 is incorrect; 'equal pay for equal work' is a Directive Principle (Article 39(d)), not a Fundamental Right, and the judgment also relied on Article 14. Statement 3 is correct as the court directed granting the minimum regular pay scale and considering regularization.

Explanation

The article explicitly mentions that the court noted 'the petitioner has been working for the last 17-18 years'. This long duration of service performing identical duties was a key factor in the court's decision to grant pay parity.

Explanation

The court's reasoning centered on Article 14, which forbids arbitrary discrimination without an 'intelligible differentia'. It held that paying unequal wages for identical work amounted to 'whimsical discrimination', violating the equality guarantee. While Article 39(d) (equal pay) was referenced, the legal invalidation was rooted in the arbitrariness prohibited by Article 14.

Explanation

As per the article, the Medium Term Fiscal Plan report was tabled during Karnataka's state budget. Such reports are prepared and presented by individual State Governments to outline their fiscal strategy.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is correct as the article states nationally, states rely more on Central transfers (43.4%) than own revenue (56.6%). Statement 3 is incorrect; the report states GST rationalisation slowed monthly growth sharply from 10% to around 4%.

Explanation

The article explicitly states: "GSDP is projected to increase from Rs 29,06,063 crore in 2024–25 to Rs 32,81,065 crore in 2025–26." Option A is the previous year's figure.

Explanation

The report flags that the absence of a 'structured revenue protection framework' during rate rationalisation has pushed states towards a 'fiscal cliff' and necessitates compression of developmental expenditure, hence the demand for compensation.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the International Labour Organisation (ILO) defines the Care Economy and has often suggested the 5R framework (Recognise, Reward, Reduce, Redistribute, Reclaim) for understanding it.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article states CMS is a legally binding treaty under UNEP. Statement 2 is incorrect; the article says 24% (not over 50%) are facing extinction. Statement 3 is correct as the article lists India as a party and names these species in Appendix I.

Explanation

The article states that India's LPG consumption was about 31 million tonnes, with domestic production of 13 million tonnes. This translates to an import dependency of around 58% (18 million tonnes imported out of 31 million tonnes total).

Explanation

The article highlights that the Election Commission deployed 8,100 micro-observers (Central government employees) in West Bengal to check documents during hearings, a step not taken in any other state where SIR was conducted, leading to allegations of bias.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that "CM Fadnavis, who holds the Energy portfolio, has given a sizeable push to the energy sector...". This is a direct factual extraction from the news content.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article: "the target is to generate... 65 per cent by 2035." Statement 2 is incorrect because the revenue of ₹15,600 crore is through State GST, not Central GST. Statement 3 is correct: "The state aims to develop 75 pc clean energy by the year 2047."

Explanation

The article clearly states that the policy "entails an investment of Rs 3 lakh crore". ₹4.16 Lakh Crore is the investment promised for the pumped hydropower projects specifically, not the total policy investment.

Explanation

The article states: "The implementation of this scheme will ensure daytime electricity supply to 100 per cent of agriculture pump consumers in the state." While a Guinness record was set under a related scheme, it is not the primary objective of the Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana 2.0.

Explanation

The article explicitly discusses the tension between state surveillance for security and the surrender of privacy. The Right to Life and Personal Liberty under Article 21 has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to include the right to privacy, making it the most directly relevant constitutional provision in this debate.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article defines 'mediated afterlife' with the example of body-worn cameras. Statement 2 is incorrect; the article states indirect exposure pushes sentiment towards more 'punitive' policy choices, not 'conciliatory'. Statement 3 is correct, as the article mentions the difficulty in measuring reach on encrypted channels.

Explanation

The article explicitly states: "TikTok view totals around war-related hashtags in the weeks after October 7 ran into tens of millions in the US alone." This is used as a proxy to illustrate the scale of mediated exposure.

Explanation

The article argues that effective deepfake detection "increasingly depends on access to specialised forensic tools, machine-learning classifiers, high-quality reference data, and often platform-side signals that ordinary users... cannot see." This highlights the technical and access-based nature of the challenge.

Explanation

The article explicitly states the judgment was delivered by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which is a common High Court for the states of Punjab, Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect because the court held the 'go and die' remark did NOT constitute abetment under Section 107 IPC. Statement 2 is correct as the court noted the absence of a post-mortem and FSL report. Statement 3 is correct as the judgment cited the Supreme Court precedent of Sanju v. State of MP.

Explanation

The article states that the trial court convicted both the father and stepmother in October 2004. The incident occurred in 2003, but the conviction was delivered the following year.

Explanation

The court's core legal reasoning was that even if suicide was assumed, the remark was a stray one and did not demonstrate the specific intention, sustained harassment, or direct link to the act required to establish abetment under Section 107 of the Indian Penal Code.

Explanation

The article mentions that the naturalisation certificate was downloaded from the 'MHA's CAA citizenship portal'. MHA stands for Ministry of Home Affairs, which is the nodal ministry for citizenship, immigration, and the implementation of the CAA.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the lawyer's quote in the article. Statement 2 is correct as the article states CAA 'was rolled out in 2024'. Statement 3 is incorrect; the Assam-specific cut-off date is March 25, 1971, not December 31, 2014 (which is the CAA's eligibility cut-off).

Explanation

The article explicitly states: 'as of September 2025, the state government had said only three people had received citizenship under the provisions of the Act.' This is a direct factual data point from the news.

Explanation

The article's core legal paradox is that the police report, which initially branded her a suspected foreigner from Bangladesh, was later used as the official document to prove her Bangladeshi nationality—a key requirement under CAA rules. Her bail was secured based on a Supreme Court order, not this report.