23 May 2026, Questions & Answers

Explanation

The petition challenges the SHANTI Act under Article 21, arguing it violates the 'absolute liability' doctrine laid down in the Shriram Oleum Gas case (1987). This doctrine holds that enterprises engaged in hazardous activities are absolutely liable for all damage, independent of fault.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article: reactors above 3,600 MW have a maximum operator liability of Rs. 3,000 crores. Statement 2 is correct: the SHANTI Act narrows supplier recourse to only contractual terms or intentional acts, effectively removing the statutory liability present in the 2010 Act's Section 17(b). Statement 3 is incorrect because the SHANTI Act repealed the 2010 Act and its provisions.

Explanation

The article states that under the SHANTI Act's Second Schedule, reactors between 150 MW and 750 MW attract a maximum operator liability of Rs. 300 crores. Rs. 100 crores is for reactors up to 150 MW, Rs. 1,500 crores was the cap under the old 2010 Act, and Rs. 3,000 crores is for reactors above 3,600 MW.

Explanation

The petition challenges Section 39 of the SHANTI Act under Article 19(1)(a). The article states this section empowers the government to classify information and prohibit publication, overriding the RTI Act. The Supreme Court has held the Right to Information to be a fundamental right flowing from Article 19(1)(a).

Explanation

Articles 29 and 30 of the Indian Constitution specifically safeguard the interests of minorities and their right to establish educational institutions, respectively. This is the core constitutional basis for minority rights, as highlighted in the article's discussion.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as VB-G RAM G replaces MGNREGS. Statement 2 is incorrect because the fund-sharing ratio is 60:40 for most states and 90:10 for specific states, not a uniform 75:25. Statement 3 is correct as per the draft rules mentioned in the article.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the RBI approved a record surplus transfer of Rs 2,86,588 crore to the Central Government for the accounting year 2025–26. ₹1,09,379 crore is the Contingency Risk Buffer amount, making it a close distractor.

Explanation

The article states that the two sides will work on the IMEEC project, and Cyprus's location makes it a crucial part of this corridor. While concerns about Turkey were discussed, the primary strategic implication highlighted is connectivity through initiatives like IMEEC.

Explanation

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is the nodal ministry for the administration of Union Territories in India. The article mentions MHA officials proposing the new mechanism for Ladakh.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the MHA proposed a 'UT with legislative powers' model. Statement 2 is incorrect; Statehood is NOT being granted immediately as Ladakh lacks revenue generation capacity. Statement 3 is correct as the delegation stated an understanding on safeguards similar to Articles 371 A, F, and G.

Explanation

The article explicitly states: 'Ladakh, earlier part of Jammu and Kashmir, became a Union Territory in 2019, following the removal of special status given to J&K under Article 370 of the Constitution.'

Explanation

The article states that the MHA did not want to give Statehood as it would 'put the burden of revenue generation on Ladakh' and the Centre would not be able to allocate funds. A senior official also said Ladakh 'currently lacked adequate revenue generation to meet the expenditure such as salaries of employees.'

Explanation

The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) is compiled and released by the Office of the Economic Adviser, which operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The Ministry of Statistics releases the broader IIP.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: ICI grew 1.7% in April 2026, down from the FY 2025-26 average of 2.8%. Statement 2 is correct: The article states only steel, cement, and electricity grew. Statement 3 is incorrect: Crude oil contracted for 16 months, while natural gas contracted for 22 months; thus, natural gas has been in contraction longer.

Explanation

The article explicitly states: 'Growth in the ICI averaged just 2.8% in the entire financial year 2025-26'. 1.7% is the growth for April 2026, 4.5% is the average for 2024-25, and 'above 7%' refers to growth in the three years before that.

Explanation

The article emphasizes that falling output in these core energy sectors for 16-22 consecutive months is a 'particular concern' and 'should have raised some policy alarm bells', highlighting a domestic production crisis that impacts energy security, not a positive shift or external demand change.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the PLFS 2025 was released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoS&PI). This ministry houses the National Statistical Office, which conducts major surveys.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: LFPR is 44.9%. Statement 2 is incorrect: WPR increased to 43.5% in 2025, not 44.9% (which is the LFPR). Statement 3 is correct: Urban young women's unemployment rate is 18.9%.

Explanation

The article states: "In rural areas, women participate at 34.6%...". 22.2% is the urban female LFPR, 44.9% is the overall LFPR, and 59.7% is the urban male LFPR.

Explanation

The article clarifies that self-employment for rural women "often reflects subsistence activity rather than entrepreneurial choice." This points to engagement in low-productivity work like household-based activities or small-scale farming for survival, not necessarily a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Explanation

The news article explicitly mentions that Industries and Commerce Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore announced the policy details. Therefore, the Department of Industries & Commerce is the nodal body for industrial policy implementation.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article mentions the target is $350 billion by 2028-29. Statement 2 is incorrect because the policy also focuses on talent economy and cutting-edge technologies, not solely on traditional sectors. Statement 3 is correct as the article specifically mentions promotion of semiconductors, data centers, and defense manufacturing.

Explanation

Industries and Commerce Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore stated that the policy's primary objective was to boost the State's economy to $350 billion by 2028-29. The other options are close distractors with different figures or timelines.

Explanation

The article states the policy has a focus on talent economy and private sector participation to establish a world-class industrial infrastructure. While FDI and revenue are possible outcomes, the stated objective is building infrastructure through talent and private investment.

Explanation

As inferred from the article's context linking Tsarist Russia to this period, the 'Century of Humiliation' (c. 1839-1949) refers to subjugation by multiple external powers, including Western nations like Britain, France, and Russia, as well as Japan.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is correct as the article states the split led Beijing to tilt towards Washington. Statement 3 is incorrect as the article explicitly states Putin 'failed' to secure the pipeline contract.

Explanation

The article clearly states: "Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing for what was his 25th official visit in the 25th year since the signing of the Sino-Russian Treaty of Friendship."

Explanation

The article concludes that 'alliances cannot substitute for the hard work of domestic reform and modernisation' and that India must build its own capabilities while cooperating with the US in tech, sourcing energy from Russia, and managing the border with China.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the ULPGM missile has been developed by Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad as the nodal lab, along with other DRDO laboratories.

Explanation

Statements 1 and 2 are correct as per the article. Statement 3 is incorrect: V2 introduced propulsion and longer range, while V3 added the dual-mode capability (air-to-ground and air-to-air).

Explanation

The article specifies that the final development trials were carried out at DRDO's National Open Area Range test range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.

Explanation

The article emphasizes that such systems reflect the growing shift towards network-centric warfare, where drones, sensors, and command systems work together in real-time for precision strikes, a key theme in modern combat.

Explanation

As mentioned in the article, government bonds are called G-Secs or government securities in India. Treasurys are for the US, Gilts for the UK, Bunds for Germany, and JGBs for Japan.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article: the government is the least risky borrower and can print money. Statement 2 is incorrect; rising yields are bad news as they increase borrowing costs and pressure on budgets. Statement 3 is correct: the article explains that old bonds with lower coupons become sub-optimal and their prices fall.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the interest rates (yields) lenders are charging governments are reaching their highest levels since the global financial crisis of 2008.

Explanation

The article explains that higher yields mean governments spend more of their annual budgets on interest payments. This forces them to either cut spending (welfare/defense) or increase taxes, creating fiscal pressure.

Explanation

The article explicitly states Renaissance Philanthropy is a 'US-based non-profit' that catalyses philanthropic funding for science, technology, and innovation. It is not a government agency, venture capital firm, or development bank.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article mentions the 'Big If True Science Accelerator'. Statement 2 is correct as the article discusses exploring potassium-enriched salt for health outcomes. Statement 3 is incorrect; the article clarifies donors write cheques 'without expecting financial returns', and the model is philanthropic, not focused on startup financial returns.

Explanation

The article specifically states: 'We awarded over $18 million to researchers globally to build tools that make it easier for mathematicians to use AI in their work.' The other options are close distractors.

Explanation

The article explicitly discusses bottlenecks, citing the example of India's Phase 1 clinical trial system becoming 'slow', causing ideas to go elsewhere. This is a specific bottleneck their approach aims to address, beyond just funding or basic research.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that negotiators were reviewing the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which is described as the cornerstone of nuclear weapons control. The CTBT bans nuclear explosions, New START is a bilateral US-Russia treaty, and the CWC deals with chemical weapons.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article mentions previous reviews in 2015 and 2022 were also unsuccessful, making 2026 the third consecutive failure. Statement 2 is incorrect; the article cites SIPRI data stating there were 12,241 nuclear warheads in January 2025, but it does not mention a significant decrease—it notes some countries are modernizing or increasing stockpiles. Statement 3 is correct as per the article's final paragraph which lists Israel, India, and Pakistan as notable exceptions to the NPT.

Explanation

The article directly quotes the SIPRI data, stating "the nine nuclear-armed states... possessed 12,241 nuclear warheads in January 2025." The other options are plausible distractors but are not the exact figure provided in the source.

Explanation

The article explicitly quotes experts stating that "even in the absence of a review agreement for the third time in a row, the treaty continues to exist, but with diminished legitimacy." This is the core analytical point about the impact of the failure. The other options describe extreme legal or political actions not supported by the article's content.

Explanation

The article states that the DRC has an existing $250 million health project with the World Bank that was approved in March 2024. About $200 million of those funds remain undisbursed and available for the Ebola response.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article: 'the World Bank was coordinating with partners... including the World Health Organization and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.' Statement 2 is correct: 'The United Nations on Friday released around $60 million from an emergency fund.' Statement 3 is incorrect: the article explicitly states 'there was no vaccine or therapeutic treatment available for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.'

Explanation

The article directly states: 'Bundibugyo Ebola virus (BDBV) has a fatality rate of up to 40%.' The other options are plausible but incorrect distractors.

Explanation

Monique Vledder stated that the bank was 'very concerned about neighbouring states, South Sudan and Burundi, which have weak healthcare response systems.' This is the direct reason for concern, not political will, refusal of aid, or distance.

Explanation

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) is a defense public sector undertaking (DPSU) and India's leading shipyard, primarily building warships and submarines for the Indian Navy. It falls under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; the target is 4.5 million Gross Tonnage (GT), not Deadweight Tonnage (DWT). These are different maritime measurement units. Statement 3 is correct as the article mentions the ₹69,725 crore Union Cabinet package from September 2025.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the Project 17A frigate serves as a live example where 4,500 MDL workers support nearly 28,000 positions in ancillary industries. This aligns with the 1:6.4 job multiplier mentioned.

Explanation

While the vision will have economic benefits, its core strategic objective, as part of broader 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives, is to develop domestic capacity in the critical and strategic sector of shipbuilding. This reduces import dependence, especially for naval defense, and captures a share of the global commercial market.

Explanation

ESIC is a statutory body established under the ESI Act, 1948, and it operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. This ministry handles social security schemes for workers.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the court directed ESIC to issue the joining letter. Statement 2 is incorrect; the judgment specifically dealt with cases against a *juvenile* and ruled that pendency cannot be used for indefinite denial. The article does not comment on cases against adults. Statement 3 is correct as the court explicitly relied on the Juvenile Justice Act.

Explanation

The article explicitly states in its final paragraph: "the court directed ESIC to issue the joining letter to the petitioner within 30 days." The other options are common administrative timeframes used as distractors.

Explanation

The core of the judgment, as stated in the article, is the protection under the Juvenile Justice Act. The court observed that the Act clearly protects juveniles from suffering disqualification, and even a conviction for juvenile offences cannot be held against a person seeking employment. The other options describe possible scenarios but were not the central legal pillar of the court's decision.

Explanation

As per the constitutional framework, the President of India appoints the Lieutenant Governor for a Union Territory. This is a standard static GK fact linked to the governance structure of UTs discussed in the article.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article which states the chief minister will have control over the bureaucracy. Statement 2 is incorrect because the article mentions Article 371, not Article 370, as the proposed safeguard. Statement 3 is correct as it is explicitly mentioned that 100% of the budget will now be decided by the elected body.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that earlier 90% of the Union Territory's budget was decided by the Lieutenant Governor (LG) who is not an elected representative. This is a key data point highlighting the shift in financial authority.

Explanation

The article directly quotes that Article 371 will be used 'as a measure of safeguard for environment, land, culture and nature.' This addresses a core local demand for protecting Ladakh's unique identity against unchecked development or demographic change.

Explanation

As per the article, officials in the Ministry of Rural Development are involved in framing the rules for VB-G RAM G, which is a rural employment guarantee scheme. This falls under the mandate of the Ministry of Rural Development.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article states the Act raises the entitlement to 125 days. Statement 2 is correct as the article mentions implementation from July 1, 2026. Statement 3 is incorrect; the article mentions a 60:40 Centre-State funding model, meaning the Centre bears 60% and States 40% of the cost.

Explanation

The article specifically states that the Rural Development Secretary conveyed to the Parliamentary Standing Committee that 25 States have already allocated funds for the VB-G RAM G programme.

Explanation

The article states that opposition parties criticise that the Act weakens MGNREGA’s rights-based guarantee by turning it into a more allocation-based scheme, which could make work less enforceable if funds are limited.

Explanation

The article states that the NPT requires countries to open nuclear sites for inspection by the UN nuclear watchdog agency, which is the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA is specifically tasked with promoting peaceful nuclear use and verifying safeguards.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article states the conference concluded without agreement. Statement 2 is incorrect; it was the third consecutive failure, not the first. Statement 3 is correct as Vietnam's UN Ambassador Do Hung Viet was the chair. Hence, only statements 1 and 3 are correct.

Explanation

The article explicitly mentions that there was no consensus among the 191 parties to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). The other numbers are close distractors representing other UN membership counts.

Explanation

The article quotes the Iranian embassy's statement on X: 'The NPT Review Conference failed for the third consecutive time due to obstructionism by the United States and its allies.' While other issues were sidelined in the draft, the Iranian statement directly blamed the US.

Explanation

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is the nodal ministry for internal security, police, and law & order, which falls under the State List but is coordinated by the Centre. The article references a 'Union Home Ministry official' discussing the Manipur situation.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The article states violence 'initially erupted in and around the mixed-population Litan-Sareikhong area of Ukhrul district on February 7'. Statement 2 is incorrect: The shift is opposite; routes are moving *from* Kuki-controlled Moreh *to* Naga-dominated Kamjong. Statement 3 is correct: The article mentions KNA-B is 'suspected to have been behind the attack' on border villages.

Explanation

The article clearly states: 'On March 11, 21 Naga passengers travelling on the Ukhrul-Imphal road were allegedly abducted near Mongkot Chepu by suspected armed Kuki volunteers.' February 7th is the date of the initial clash, March 19th saw fresh gunfights, and May 13th is when tensions erupted after the killing of three church leaders.

Explanation

The article states: 'the Kuki-Zo Council renewed its demand for separate administration for Kukis, Nagas and Meiteis in a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.' This is presented as a political dimension intersecting with the violence. The other demands, while relevant to the Northeast, are not mentioned in this specific article.

Explanation

The article states that Iran, having signed but not ratified UNCLOS, relies on the older 1958 Geneva Convention framework which provides for the right of 'innocent passage'. UNCLOS provides for 'transit passage', which Iran is challenging.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article: the PGSA claims oversight across an area of more than 22,000 sq km. Statement 2 is correct as UNCLOS classifies the strait as used for international navigation, granting 'transit passage'. Statement 3 is incorrect because the article explicitly states Iran signed UNCLOS but never ratified it.

Explanation

The article provides the exact figure: the Strait of Hormuz is just 17.8 nautical miles (or 33 km) wide at its narrowest point. The 12 nautical miles option is a distractor, being the standard limit for territorial seas.

Explanation

The article directly states the dilemma: nations must choose between paying the PGSA to secure energy shipments or risk sanctions from the US, as warned by the US Foreign Office of Assets Control (OFAC) on May 1. India, which depends on the strait for oil imports, is cited as being in this situation.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the Rajasthan High Court, with Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand, granted bail to the two Bangladeshi petitioners in the kidney racket case.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the court explicitly said Article 21 extends to all persons, including foreigners. Statement 2 is incorrect; the court rejected this interpretation, holding that Section 306(4) CrPC cannot result in indefinite incarceration violating Article 21. Statement 3 is correct as the court granted bail citing detention since April 2024 (over two years) as a violation of the right to speedy trial.

Explanation

The article states that the petitioners had been in custody since April 23, 2024. The bail order was passed in May 2026, meaning their detention period was over two years, which the court cited as a violation of their right to a speedy trial.

Explanation

The core of the judgment is the application of Article 21. The court held that prolonged detention without a speedy trial violated the petitioners' fundamental right to life and personal liberty, which extends to all persons, including foreign nationals.

Explanation

The article mentions the Petroleum Ministry providing data on OMC losses. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is the nodal ministry responsible for the exploration, production, refining, distribution, and marketing of petroleum products and natural gas in India, which includes overseeing Public Sector OMCs.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article states the May 15 hike was 'the first price increase in over four years'. Statement 2 is incorrect; the excise duty cut was to blunt the impact on OMCs, but the article states it was to blunt the impact of high international prices on the OMCs, not to provide relief to them—the relief was for the OMCs, not a direct consumer relief measure as implied. Statement 3 is correct as per the article which says the Rs 3 hike reduced daily losses 'by a fourth, or about Rs 250 crore, to about Rs 750 crore a day'.

Explanation

The article explicitly states: 'As of Saturday morning, a litre of petrol was priced at Rs 99.51, while that of diesel was at Rs 92.49 in the capital.' The other options are close distractors using figures from the cumulative hikes or previous prices.

Explanation

The article states: 'Calibrated price hikes give the government the opportunity to pass on the higher prices to consumers gradually, while keeping a tab on the public reaction and the inflationary impact on an ongoing basis, instead of the inflationary shock and backlash that a steep hike might lead to.' The other objectives are not cited as the primary reason.

Explanation

The article clearly states that the Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissed the anticipatory bail plea. This High Court has jurisdiction over the states of Punjab and Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article explicitly mentions the application of 'Speech Act Theory' by John Searle and J.L. Austin. Statement 2 is incorrect because the accused was a Superintending Engineer (a senior post), not a junior clerk. Statement 3 is incorrect as the court rejected the petitioner's contention that the private nature of the conversation diluted the seriousness, especially since the contents entered the public domain.

Explanation

The article states the case was registered under Section 196(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The other options are distractors: Section 124A (sedition) and 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) are from the old IPC, while 150(1) is not mentioned.

Explanation

The court's order emphasized that while considering anticipatory bail, it must balance (equilibrate) individual liberty with societal interests. It cited the potential of the remarks to incite communal disharmony, the petitioner's senior position, and the nascent stage of investigation as reasons favoring societal interest in this case.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that Mahatma Gandhi launched Satyagraha in the 1920s. 'Neural Satyagraha' is proposed as a modern analogue to this Gandhian philosophy of non-cooperation with an exploitative structure.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article's core argument is that DPI-led transparency leads to predictability. Statement 2 is incorrect; the estimated 'value leakage' is $150 billion, not $120 billion. Statement 3 is correct as 'Neural Satyagraha' is defined as a refusal to cooperate with an exploitative predictive structure through strategic irrationality.

Explanation

The article explicitly states: 'the "value leakage" from the Indian economy due to predictive modelling by foreign entities has reached an estimated $150 billion annually.' The other options are plausible but incorrect distractors.

Explanation

The article states Neural Satyagraha is a 'refusal to cooperate with an exploitative predictive structure' and aims to move India from being 'algorithmically legible' to 'algorithmically opaque.' It is a defensive, sovereignty-protecting doctrine, not about increasing exports, enhancing predictability, or dismantling DPI.

Explanation

The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) is a biennial publication by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), which is under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The article uses data from this report to compare forest cover across states.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article, which cites experts blaming monocropping and stubble burning. Statement 2 is incorrect; Punjab (3.67%) and Haryana (3.7%) have lower forest cover than Rajasthan (4.8-4.9%). Statement 3 is correct, as the article explains that humidity from irrigation and concrete surfaces traps heat, preventing nighttime cooling.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that Haryana's forest cover is around 3.7%, based on the India State of Forest Report. Rajasthan's cover is 4.8–4.9%, and Punjab's is 3.67%. The other options are close distractors based on figures for neighboring states.

Explanation

The article states that increased atmospheric moisture from irrigation and paddy cultivation raises humidity in Punjab and Haryana. This humidity traps heat, making temperatures feel harsher and preventing nighttime cooling, unlike Rajasthan's drier atmosphere which allows faster cooling after sunset.