22 March 2026, Questions & Answers

Explanation

CARA is a statutory body that functions as the nodal agency for adoption and operates under the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India, as mentioned in the article context.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Court struck down Section 60(4) of the Social Security Code, 2020, which had the three-month age limit. Statement 2 is incorrect: The judgment grants 12 weeks of paid leave to adoptive mothers, not 26 weeks (which is for biological mothers). Statement 3 is correct: The Court indeed linked adoption to reproductive autonomy and stressed the role of leave in bonding and development.

Explanation

The petitioner, Hamsaanandini Nanduri, revealed through an RTI application to CARA that less than 5% of children adopted at that time were under three months old. This data highlighted the ineffectiveness of the previous restrictive law.

Explanation

The petitioner contended, and the Court implicitly affirmed, that the discriminatory provision (granting 26 weeks to biological mothers but only 12 weeks with an age cap to adoptive mothers) violated fundamental rights to equality. The Court emphasized equal rights and obligations for all mothers, aligning with constitutional guarantees against arbitrary discrimination.

Explanation

The article repeatedly mentions the RBI intervening to stabilize the currency during various crises. The RBI is India's central bank and the custodian of its foreign exchange reserves, using tools like selling dollars and adjusting monetary policy.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The article states reserves declined by 71.2% between end-August 1990 and January 16, 1991. Statement 2 is correct: It mentions the rupee depreciated from around 55 to nearly 68 during the Taper Tantrum. Statement 3 is correct: It notes a decline of about $70-80 billion from the peak of around $640 billion in 2021.

Explanation

The article explicitly states, 'Forex reserves were at $709.75 billion as of March 13, 2026, according to RBI data.' $640 billion was the peak before the Russia-Ukraine war, $896 million was the low point in 1991, and $315 billion was the level in early 2008.

Explanation

The article states the 1991 crisis forced the government to announce the new Industrial Policy Resolution, abolition of trade licences, rupee convertibility, opening to FDI, and capital market liberalization. These are the core elements of the economic liberalization initiated under PM Narasimha Rao and FM Manmohan Singh.

Explanation

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is the constitutional body established under Article 324. It is vested with the power of superintendence, direction, and control of elections, including announcing schedules and enforcing the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The article states elections span 824 constituencies across Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. Statement 2 is incorrect: The MCC takes effect immediately after the announcement of election dates, not after polling. Statement 3 is correct: The article mentions approximately 2.5 million election officials will manage the process.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that roughly 17.4 crore eligible voters will participate in the democratic process for the 2026 Assembly elections. The other options are close but incorrect distractors.

Explanation

The article states: 'The Model Code of Conduct took effect in the poll-bound States immediately after the announcement of the election dates.' This is the standard and immediate procedural consequence. While other options may occur, they are not the primary immediate effect highlighted.

Explanation

The article explicitly discusses the IFD Agreement in the context of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its upcoming Ministerial Conference. The WTO is the central body for global trade negotiations.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. The IFD Agreement is a plurilateral agreement, not multilateral, and does not require consensus from all WTO members. Statement 2 is correct as per the article, which states the agreement excludes market access, investment protection, and ISDS. Statement 3 is incorrect because India and South Africa are opponents, not supporters, of the agreement.

Explanation

The article clearly states: "support for the agreement has grown from 70 countries to 128 (out of 166 WTO members) as of last year." 70 was the initial number, 98 is the number of IFD participants also in BRI, and 166 is the total WTO membership.

Explanation

The article emphasizes India's argument that plurilateral deals like the IFD Agreement defeat the purpose of the WTO, which is traditionally based on multilateralism and consensus where all members have an equal voice. This is presented as a core philosophical and strategic objection.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti is the nodal ministry for implementing the Jal Jeevan Mission. This ministry was formed by merging the former Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation with the drinking water and sanitation portfolio.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article lists signing an MoU as the first of four mandatory conditions for fund release. Statement 2 is incorrect; the target is 55 litres per person per day, not 100 litres. Statement 3 is correct as 'Sujalam Bharat' is the uniform national digital framework mentioned for digital mapping.

Explanation

The article clearly states that on March 10, the Union Cabinet approved an additional allocation of ₹1.51 lakh crore for the Jal Jeevan Mission till 2028. ₹2.79 lakh crore was the earlier demand by the Jal Shakti Ministry that was rejected by the Finance Ministry.

Explanation

According to the article, the 'Sujal Gaon ID' is a scheme-based unique digital identifier assigned to every village to digitally map the complete drinking water supply system from source to tap, ensuring transparency and accountability. It is not a household ID or primarily for monitoring groundwater or subsidies.

Explanation

The National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), formerly Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP), is the central tuberculosis control initiative of India and falls under the purview of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is correct; the RATIONS trial showed a 48% reduction in incidence. Statement 3 is incorrect; the TN-KET model reduced TB deaths by 20-40%, not 60-80%.

Explanation

The article states that the Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana, a DBT scheme under NTEP, provides ₹1000 per month to the beneficiary's bank account for nutritional support.

Explanation

As per the article, the differentiated TB care guidelines mandate triaging individuals at the time of TB diagnosis to provide customised care (hospitalization or home-based) to reduce mortality and morbidity, as demonstrated by the TN-KET model.

Explanation

The article explicitly mentions that under the War Powers Act, the US president can conduct military operations for 60 days without congressional approval. This clock started on February 28, 2026. The other acts are related to US defense but do not specify this 60-day limit.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: the article states the war began on February 28, 2026, and the 48-hour ultimatum was posted on March 22, 2026. Statement 2 is incorrect: the article states the strait carries 20-25% of global oil supply, not over 30%. Statement 3 is correct: the US Treasury Secretary confirmed lifting sanctions on 140 million barrels of Iranian oil stranded on ships to contain the energy crisis.

Explanation

The article states: 'Brent crude has gone from roughly $70 a barrel before the war to a peak of $119.50 this week, according to NPR and NBC News.' $112 is mentioned as the price after a sanctions relief announcement, $70 is the pre-war price, and $175 is a projection by United Airlines, not the peak reached.

Explanation

The article repeatedly emphasizes that the strait is a 'chokepoint through which 20–25 per cent of global oil supply normally flows.' This control gives Iran significant leverage over global energy prices and the US economy, making its reopening a central US war objective. The other options are either incorrect or minor aspects not highlighted as the primary significance.

Explanation

The article states the Supreme Court declared menstrual health as an integral part of the right to life under Article 21. Article 21 guarantees protection of life and personal liberty and has been expansively interpreted by the judiciary to include various facets of human dignity.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article mentions the Court dismissed the PIL, stating a compulsory mandate could harm careers. Statement 2 is incorrect; the Court recognized maternity benefits as a fundamental right in the K Umadevi case, but did NOT declare menstrual leave a fundamental right. Statement 3 is incorrect; the article only suggests ESIC as a potential model, but the Court did not issue any such direction.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that while the overall female LFPR is around 41%, the urban female participation remains around 25%. This data point is crucial for understanding the labor market context behind the Court's decision.

Explanation

The article directly quotes the Court's concern that a compulsory law could 'do damage to their career' and that 'a marginal increase in the perceived risk of hiring women can relocate the inequality from the workplace to the hiring process.' This reflects the Court's focus on unintended consequences in the labor market.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that a Parliament Standing Committee on Fertilisers warned of acute shortages ahead of the Kharif season. The Department of Fertilisers is an executive body under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers, not a parliamentary committee.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article mentions LNG supply from Qatar being cut off due to the war, impacting urea plants. Statement 2 is incorrect; the article states China has restricted exports of fertiliser raw materials until August 2026, not eased the supply crunch. Statement 3 is correct as per the data provided by the Department of Fertilisers.

Explanation

The article states: "As per the Department of Fertilisers, the overall fertiliser reserves have also risen 36.5 per cent year-on-year to 177.31 lakh metric tonnes." The other options are close distractors not mentioned in the text.

Explanation

The article explicitly describes India's structural vulnerability as import dependence: "The country is the world’s largest importer of urea. Domestic rock phosphate meets only 10 per cent of requirements, potash is almost entirely imported, and sulphur has limited local availability." This makes the sector sensitive to global supply shocks.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that Hezbollah is an Iran-backed Shia militant group. Iran, where a Shia Islamic government was established in 1979, has provided money, weapons, and training to Hezbollah since its formation.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The article states Israel announced the launch of a ground offensive on March 16, 2026, and its goal is to create a buffer inside Lebanese territory. Statement 2 is incorrect: The immediate trigger in 2026 was the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, not Hassan Nasrallah (who was killed in 2024). Statement 3 is correct: The article mentions the 2000 withdrawal was celebrated by Hezbollah as the first 'Arab victory against Israel'.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the air strikes resulted in 'displacing about a million' people. The other figures are plausible distractors but not mentioned in the provided content.

Explanation

The article states that 'The fall of Assad’s government in December cut a vital link between Hezbollah and Iran', referring to Syria's role as a land bridge. This weakened both Iran and Hezbollah strategically. The other options describe events not supported by the article's content.

Explanation

The Department of Fertilizers, under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, is the nodal agency for planning, promoting, and developing the fertilizer sector in India, including urea policy. The article's data is sourced from this department.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. In 2025, domestic production was 306 lakh metric tonnes against a consumption of 387 lakh metric tonnes, indicating a deficit met by imports. Statement 2 is correct as per the article. Statement 3 is incorrect; the Order officially includes the fertilizer sector in the priority list, guaranteeing at least 70% of their gas consumption.

Explanation

The article states that in 2025, a staggering 71% of India's urea imports came from West Asia. This comprised 45% from Oman and a combined 26% from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.

Explanation

The 'dual dependence' refers to reliance on West Asia for both LNG feedstock (via Strait of Hormuz) and finished urea imports. The primary concern is that conflict in the region disrupts this single chokepoint, threatening both domestic production and imports, thereby jeopardizing national food security.

Explanation

The article explicitly states the study was conducted by researchers from the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, and partner institutions. CCMB is a CSIR lab focused on modern biology.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The study was conducted between March 2022 and March 2024 (two years) and covered the four mentioned metros. Statement 2 is incorrect: The article states Klebsiella pneumoniae was more abundant in Chennai and Mumbai, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa was more prevalent in Kolkata. Statement 3 is correct: The study proposes wider use of wastewater-based pathogen surveillance to detect early outbreaks.

Explanation

The article clearly mentions that the researchers developed a Standard Operating Procedure that allows for effective sample storage at 4°C for up to seven days without compromising data quality. This is a key data point for the proposed surveillance model.

Explanation

The article explains that bacteria can share resistance genes with neighbouring microbes (horizontal gene transfer). Finding similar resistance genes in different bacterial species across cities strongly indicates this process is actively spreading AMR traits in environmental reservoirs like sewage, which is a major public health concern.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the court cautioned against a mechanical application of the 'deemed forest' principle evolved in 'T N Godavarman jurisprudence'. This is the landmark 1996 case that expanded the definition of 'forest' under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the core ruling distinguished invasive green cover from a natural forest ecosystem. Statement 2 is incorrect; the Court held the opposite—that land character is fixed at the time of the Master Plan's formulation to avoid 'perpetual uncertainty'. Statement 3 is correct as the article mentions the direction for transplantation and afforestation with native/indigenous trees.

Explanation

The article states: 'The subject land consists of 70 per cent trees of such invasive species'. This factual data point is crucial for understanding the Court's reasoning that the land was dominated by non-native, ecologically disruptive vegetation.

Explanation

The article extensively details how Prosopis juliflora outcompetes native vegetation, reduces biodiversity, alters soil and hydrological conditions, and disrupts the food chain. The Court's judgment is based on this ecological damage, not primarily on carbon, water use, or economic value, which are secondary aspects.

Explanation

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is India's central bank and the primary agency responsible for managing the country's foreign exchange reserves and intervening in the forex market to manage exchange rate volatility, as discussed in the article.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The article states the rupee's depreciation helps ease demand for imported energy. Statement 2 is incorrect: The article mentions $710 bn is a significant buffer (triple 2013 levels) and reserves are used strategically, not that they are inadequate. Statement 3 is correct: The article explicitly mentions the trade-off between fiscal and inflation risks from absorbing fuel costs.

Explanation

The article specifically states that the price of India's crude oil basket was at $156.29 per barrel. The $100 figure refers to global crude prices, while $90 is mentioned as a threshold by the CEA for limited macroeconomic impact.

Explanation

The article's policy response section explains that a weaker rupee makes imports more expensive, which helps lower domestic demand for imported energy. This is presented as a necessary adjustment given pre-existing capital outflows and trade deficits.

Explanation

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is an American anti-ballistic missile defense system developed by Lockheed Martin. The article explicitly mentions 'hard negotiation with Washington over THAAD', confirming its US origin.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. The article argues Dubai's power lies in its structural role in global supply chains, not just its physical assets. Statement 2 is correct as explicitly stated ('Overall interception rates are running at approximately 94 per cent'). Statement 3 is correct as the article concludes 'Tehran’s targeting of Dubai was an expression of something deeper... Strategic envy.'

Explanation

The article states: 'Jebel Ali Port accounts for almost 15 per cent of the UAE’s GDP in trade flows...'. The other options are plausible distractors but the exact figure of 'almost 15 per cent' is a key data point from the source.

Explanation

The article's core thesis is that Dubai's power is 'structural arbitrage'—its unique geographic position and the accumulated decisions of global entities to route trade through it. It explicitly states 'The world’s supply chains... route through it because nothing else exists at the same scale and in the same location.' Options A, C, and D are not supported by the article's central argument.