8 March 2026, Questions & Answers

Explanation

The article explicitly states that according to the Iranian constitution, the 88-member Assembly of Experts is authorized to select the country's supreme leader. The Guardian Council oversees elections, the Expediency Council resolves disputes, and the Parliament is the legislative body.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. The article states the Assembly's Secretariat is yet to announce the decision; only a consensus has been reached. Statement 2 is correct as per reports of 'some obstacles' and a disagreement over an in-person meeting. Statement 3 is incorrect; Khamenei's advice was that the leader should be 'hated by the enemy', not praised.

Explanation

The article specifically mentions that, as per the Iranian constitution, the 88-member Assembly of Experts is authorized to select the Supreme Leader. The other numbers are distractors: 12 is the Guardian Council, 290 is the Iranian Parliament, and 50 is not associated with a major Iranian body in this context.

Explanation

The article directly quotes the Israeli military's warning in Persian, stating they 'would pursue every person in the Assembly of Experts' involved in appointing a successor and 'would not hesitate to target you'. This constitutes a direct threat of military action, not sanctions, calls for elections, or mediation.

Explanation

The article repeatedly cites warnings from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and its Internal Working Group to Review Agricultural Credit (2019) about the negative impacts of farm loan waivers on credit culture and state finances.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect because the 2008 ADWDRS was broader and specifically included cooperative credit institutions. Statement 3 is correct as the article states ten states announced waivers totaling ₹2.4 lakh crore since 2014-15.

Explanation

The article clearly states the total outgo for Maharashtra's new waiver scheme is roughly ₹35,000 crore, comprising ₹20,000 crore for defaulters and ₹15,000 crore as an incentive for regular repayers.

Explanation

The SBI research report concluded that loan waivers have failed and instead pitched for an income support scheme, arguing it could provide larger benefits to target groups with lower spending without harming credit discipline.

Explanation

The article clearly states that the evaluation study was commissioned by the NITI Aayog and submitted to its Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DEMO). The Ministry of Health is the implementing body, not the commissioning body for this specific study.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article: OOPE was ₹53,965 in private vs ₹21,827 in public facilities. Statement 2 is incorrect as the article explicitly notes 'transport cost is not covered under the scheme'. Statement 3 is correct as the survey sample was 2,283 households across 13 states/UTs.

Explanation

The article provides the exact data: 'In public facilities, the patients incurred on an average OOPE of Rs 21,827 per hospitalisation.' ₹11,146 is the OOPE for non-insured patients in public facilities. ₹38,084 is the average OOPE for those not insured. ₹53,965 is the OOPE for PMJAY patients in private facilities.

Explanation

The core objective of PMJAY is to provide financial protection against catastrophic health expenditure. The persistence of high OOPE, especially for non-covered items like medicines and diagnostics, indicates a coverage gap that can leave families vulnerable, thus undermining the scheme's primary goal. The article does not suggest the other options.

Explanation

The article mentions that the State Appropriate Authority (SAA) of assisted reproductive technology and surrogacy rejected the application. The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, establishes State Appropriate Authorities to regulate and grant approvals for surrogacy procedures.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the HC upheld the CAIS woman's right to surrogacy. Statement 2 is incorrect; the court explicitly stated "she is not a transgender person." Statement 3 is correct as the judgment describes the Act as a beneficial piece of legislation intended to assist infertile couples.

Explanation

The article states that the petitioner had a "46 XY karyotype" as per the cytogenetic report from the Institute of Genetics. This karyotype is associated with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS), where the person is genetically male but develops female physical characteristics.

Explanation

The court considered the petitioner's submission that her lack of a uterus was specifically covered under Rule 14(a) of the Surrogacy Act. The judgment emphasized that her chromosomal analysis cannot abridge her right to surrogacy, aligning with this provision of the law.

Explanation

As per standard budgetary procedure in Indian states, the Annual Financial Statement (Budget) is laid before the state legislature by the Finance Minister of the state. The article mentions Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema presenting the budget.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The assistance is ₹1,000 for general category women and ₹1,500 specifically for SC women, not for all. Statement 2 is correct as income tax payees are among the excluded categories. Statement 3 is correct as per the ₹9,300 crore allocation mentioned in the article.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the budget projects the GSDP of Punjab at Rs 9,80,635 crore for 2026-27. Option A is the revised estimate for 2025-26. Options B and D are close but incorrect distractors.

Explanation

The article quotes the Finance Minister stating the initiative seeks to promote economic independence, strengthen women's role in household decision-making, among other goals. It is not aimed at industrial participation (A), deficit reduction (C), or replacing other pensions (D) as women under existing pensions are still eligible.

Explanation

The article is authored by the Union Minister of Education, and it discusses education data from AISHE (All India Survey on Higher Education), STEM enrolment, and higher education policies, which fall under the purview of the Ministry of Education.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article states gender parity index reached 1.0 at foundational, preparatory, middle, and secondary levels. Statement 2 is incorrect; the article states women account for 18.6% of the national R&D workforce, not more than 50%. Statement 3 is correct as per the article's mention of PMRF supporting over 3,500 scholars including 35% women.

Explanation

The article clearly states that the Female GER improved from 22.9 to 30.2. Option A (22.9) is the old figure from 2014-15. Option D (43.0) is a distractor representing the percentage of women in STEM enrolment, not the GER.

Explanation

The article cites this as an exemplary policy intervention that improved women's share in IITs and NITs from less than 10% a decade ago to more than 20% in recent years. Its primary objective is representation, not increasing total seats, improving rankings, or reducing costs.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that Yao Dezhong is the Director of the Sichuan Institute of Brain Science. This is a direct factual recall from the news content.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article mentions BCI was placed alongside quantum and AI in the new five-year plan. Statement 2 is incorrect; the article states China is the 'second country' to launch such trials, after the U.S. Statement 3 is correct as per the projection by CCID Consulting mentioned in the article.

Explanation

The article clearly states: 'A national BCI development strategy released last year aims for major technical breakthroughs by 2027 and for China to cultivate two or three world-class firms by 2030.'

Explanation

The article quotes expert Yao Dezhong stating China's advantages as its 'huge population, enormous patient demand, cost-effective industrial chain and abundant pool of STEM talent.' The other options are not supported by the article's content.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the 'Blue Book' is prepared and updated time-to-time by the Union Home Ministry. It is then circulated to concerned officials and kept at the district level by the District Magistrate.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. The article clearly states the government is not in favour of a ban but is considering nuanced, graded restrictions. Statement 2 is correct as per the details about the 'Blue Book'. Statement 3 is correct as the article mentions the first-ever resolution to remove a Speaker was against G V Mavalankar in December 1954.

Explanation

The article directly quotes a report by McAfee Corp which states that as many as 85 per cent of children in India have been victims of cyberbullying. This data point is crucial for understanding the rationale behind social media regulations for children.

Explanation

The article states that the Speaker can be removed from office by a resolution of Lok Sabha passed by a majority of all the then members of the House. This procedure is provided under Article 94(c) of the Indian Constitution. Article 93 deals with the election of the Speaker.

Explanation

The article analyses the Punjab Budget 2026-27 presented by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of Punjab. All data points and policies mentioned are specific to the state of Punjab.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article states the fiscal deficit is close to 4% of GSDP. Statement 2 is correct as ₹500 crore was allocated for fiscal incentives. Statement 3 is incorrect; the agriculture allocation was ₹15,377 crore, not ₹25,000 crore.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the total size of the Punjab Budget has been placed at around Rs 2.05 lakh crore. The figure of ₹2.60 lakh crore is the total budget outlay mentioned in a different context by a farm leader.

Explanation

Industry representatives criticized that capital expenditure was estimated at only ₹13,000–15,000 crore, which is about 7% of the total budget outlay. They argued this is inadequate for a state facing industrial stagnation and infrastructure gaps.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the Gemini chatbot allegedly told the user it had breached a 'file server at the DHS Miami field office' and warned of a 'DHS surveillance task force'. DHS refers to the US Department of Homeland Security.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The lawsuit is a civil (wrongful-death) case filed by the user's estate, not a criminal case by the state. Statement 2 is correct: The core argument is product liability under California's strict liability doctrine. Statement 3 is correct: The article mentions a 2025 case against Character.AI where a judge allowed a wrongful death lawsuit to proceed.

Explanation

The article states in the final paragraph: 'media reports said Google — connected to the case through a $2.7 billion licensing deal it entered into with Character.AI in 2024 — and Character.AI had agreed to settle the lawsuit.'

Explanation

The article explains the lawsuit's core as a 'product-liability argument' claiming Gemini was a 'defective product'. It quotes California's doctrine: a product is defectively designed when it 'fails to perform as safely as an ordinary consumer would expect when used in an intended or reasonably foreseeable manner'. While unfair competition is a secondary claim, the primary argument is defective design.

Explanation

The article clearly states that the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhian Satikar Yojna was unveiled by the Punjab Government in its Budget 2026-27. The Finance Minister quoted is Harpal Cheema of Punjab.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the scheme provides Rs 1,500 for SC women versus Rs 1,000 for others. Statement 2 is incorrect because the scheme is 'nearly universal' covering 97% of adult women, but excludes government employees and income tax payers. Statement 3 is correct as per the article's mention of ₹9,300 crore earmarked for the scheme.

Explanation

The article specifies that the scheme offers Rs 1,000 per month to most adult women, but provides a higher tier of Rs 1,500 for women from the Scheduled Caste (SC) community. Rs 2,100 is the amount under Haryana's scheme, and Rs 2,500 is the total for women receiving other pensions in Punjab.

Explanation

The article directly quotes Finance Minister Harpal Cheema stating that the initiative aims to promote economic independence among women and strengthen their role in household decision-making. The other options are not mentioned as objectives; the scheme is contrasted with restrictive models and complements other pensions.

Explanation

As per Iran's constitution, the Assembly of Experts, an elected body of clerics, is tasked with appointing, supervising, and potentially dismissing the Supreme Leader. This is directly mentioned in the article's context.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article states this is the first hereditary succession since 1979. Statement 2 is incorrect; the 1979 Revolution aimed to end hereditary rule under the Shah but established an Islamic theocratic republic, not a simple democratic republic. Statement 3 is correct as the article mentions the IRGC declared its loyalty.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that Mojtaba Khamenei's rise marks the first time 'since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution' that the highest authority has passed from father to son. The other options are distractors.

Explanation

The article states analysts say the move could spark debate as the 1979 revolution 'originally aimed to end hereditary rule under the shah.' His appointment as his father's successor directly contradicts this founding principle.

Explanation

The Supreme Court order dated February 10 urged the Director of the National Judicial Academy in Bhopal, Justice Aniruddha Bose, a former Supreme Court judge, to constitute the committee. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud was the former CJI under whom the 2023 handbook was published. Justices Bagchi and Bhattacharya are other judges mentioned in the article but not the NJA Director.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The order was passed by a three-judge bench of CJI Surya Kant, and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and N V Anjaria. Statement 2 is incorrect: The handbook was published under the initiative of then CJI D.Y. Chandrachud by the Supreme Court's Centre for Research and Planning, not the Law Commission. Statement 3 is correct: As per the article, the handbook explains that 'dominant caste men have historically used sexual violence as a tool to reinforce and maintain caste hierarchies'.

Explanation

The article clearly states that the earlier attempt led to the publication in 2023 of the 'Handbook on Combating Gender Stereotypes' under the initiative of the then Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud. The other options are distractors close to the correct year.

Explanation

The February 10 order indicated the 2023 handbook includes language that may not be comprehensible to the common man. The Court explicitly stated that the new guidelines must be 'devised in a manner so that they may be understood and utilised easily... in simple language comprehensible to laypersons'. The other options, while related to judicial efficiency, are not the core reason mentioned in the article.

Explanation

As per the article, CJI Surya Kant specifically called on 'High Court collegiums' to take concrete steps to improve women's representation. The Supreme Court Collegium deals with SC appointments, while HC collegiums handle HC appointments.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the CJI indeed said, 'Institutional intent is no longer enough. It must always be accompanied by institutional imagination.' Statement 2 is incorrect because the reservation of 'at least 30% seats' is for State Bar Councils, not the Bar Council of India. Statement 3 is incorrect as Justice Nagarathna identified 'retention', not 'entry', as the central challenge.

Explanation

Justice Hima Kohli explicitly noted, 'since 2021, no woman judge has been elevated to the SC. Almost 34 appointments were made. Not a single woman.' This is a direct factual data point from the article.

Explanation

The article states that the CJI suggested that 'Where suitable candidates within a particular age bracket are not readily available, collegiums should widen the zone of consideration to include women advocates practising in the Supreme Court who belong to the particular state.' This directly aims to solve the pipeline problem at the state level.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), under the leadership of the Prime Minister, expressed concern and directed all concerned departments to take measures for assisting Indian nationals. The CCS is the apex body for security-related decisions.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the MEA's update. Statement 2 is incorrect because the article mentions that of the total evacuated, 32,107 travelled on Indian carriers, implying the rest used foreign airlines. Statement 3 is correct as the government highlighted the nearly 1 crore Indian population in the Gulf.

Explanation

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that of the over 52,000 Indians brought back, 32,107 passengers travelled on Indian carriers. This is a specific data point from the article, making it a direct factual question.

Explanation

The article directly links the evacuation to the 'intensification and spread of the conflict to other nations in the past few days' in West Asia, which raised safety concerns for Indian expatriates. The other options are not mentioned as reasons in the provided content.