Q1. Widespread resistance of malarial parasite to drugs like chloroquine has prompted attempts to develop a malarial vaccine to combat malaria. Why is it difficult to develop an effective malaria vaccine?  

(a) Malaria is caused by several species of Plasmodium 
(b) Man does not develop immunity to malaria during natural infection 
(c) Vaccines can be developed only against bacteria 
(d) Man is only an intermediate host and not the definitive host 

Q2. With reference to recent developments regarding ‘Recombinant Vector Vaccines’, consider the following statements: 

1. Genetic engineering is applied in the development of these vaccines. 
2. Bacteria and viruses are used as vectors. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 only 
(b) 2 only 
(c) Both 1 and 2 
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 

Q3. The function of heavy water in a nuclear reactor is to: 

(a) Slow down the speed of neutrons 

(b) Increase the speed of neutrons 

(c) Cool down the reactor 

(d)Stop the nuclear reaction 

Q4. With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? 

1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units 
2. Create meaningful short stories and songs 
3. Disease diagnosis 
4. Text-to-Speech Conversion 
5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy 

How many of the statements given above is/are correct? 

1. Only two 
2. Only three 
3. Only four 
4. All five 

Q5. In India, other than ensuring that public funds are used efficiently and for intended purpose, what is the importance of the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)?  

1. CAG exercises exchequer control on behalf of the Parliament when the President of India declares national emergency/financial emergency
2. CAG reports on the execution of projects or programmes by the ministries are discussed by the Public Accounts Committee.
3. Information from CAG reports can be used by investigating agencies to press charges against those who have violated the law while managing public finances.
4. While dealing with the audit and accounting of government companies, CAG has certain judicial powers for prosecuting those who violate the law.

How many statements given above is/are correct? 

1. Only one 
2. Only two 
3. Only three 
4. All four 

Q6. Consider the following statements with reference to India 

1. According to the ‘Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006, the ‘medium enterprises’ are those with investments in plant and machinery between `15 crore and `25 crore. 
2. All bank loans to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises qualify under the priority sector. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 only 
(b) 2 only 
(c) Both 1 and 2 
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 

Q7. Which of the following are the discretionary powers given to the Governor of a State? 

1. Sending a report to the President of India for imposing the President’s rule 
2. Appointing the Ministers 
3. Reserving certain bills passed by the State Legislature for consideration of the President of India 
4. Making the rules to conduct the business of the State Government 

How many statements given above is/are correct? 

1. Only one 
2. Only two 
3. Only three 
4. All four 

Q8. With reference to ‘Global Climate Change Alliance’, which of the following statements is/are correct?  

1. It is an initiative of the European Union. 
2. It provides technical and financial support to targeted developing countries to integrate climate change into their development policies and budgets. 
3. It is coordinated by World Resources Institute (WRI) and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). 

How many statements given above is/are correct? 

1. Only one 
2. Only two 
3. Only three 
4. All four 

Q9. Consider the following statements: 

1. Coal sector was nationalized by the Government of India under Indira Gandhi. 
2. Now, coal blocks are allocated on lottery basis. 
3. Till recently, India imported coal to meet the shortages of domestic supply, but now India is self-sufficient in coal production. 

How many statements given above is/are correct? 

1. Only one 
2. Only two 
3. Only three 
4. All four 

Q10. Which of the following is/are the characteristic/characteristics of Indian coal?  

1. High ash content 
2. Low sulphur content 
3. Low ash fusion temperature 

Select the correct answer using the codes given below: 

(a) 1 and 2 only 
(b) 2 only 
(c) 1 and 3 only 
(d) 1, 2 and 3 

Q11. Which one of the following best describes the term “greenwashing:”? 

(a) Conveying a false impression that a company’s products are eco-friendly and environmentally sound 

(b) Non-Inclusion of ecological/ environmental costs in the Annual Financial Statements of a country 

(c) Ignoring the disastrous ecological consequences while undertaking infrastructure development 

(d) Making mandatory provisions for environmental costs in a government project/programme 

Q12. Regarding “carbon credits”, which one of the following statements is not correct?  

(a) The carbon credit system was ratified in conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol 

(b) Carbon credits are awarded to countries or groups that have reduced greenhouse gases below their emission quota 

(c) The goal of the carbon credit system is to limit the increase of carbon dioxide emission 

(d) Carbon credits are traded at a price fixed from time to time by the United Nations Environment Programme. 

Q13. ‘Invasive Species Specialist Group’ (that develops Global Invasive Species Database) belongs to which one of the following organizations? 

(a) The International Union for Conservation of Nature 
(b) The United Nations Environment Programme 
(c) The United Nations World Commission for Environment and Development 
(d) The World-Wide Fund for Nature 

Q14. With reference to Lok Adalats, which of the following statements is correct?  

(a) Lok Adalats have the jurisdiction to settle the matters at pre-litigative stage and not those matters pending before any court 

(b) Lok Adalats can deal with matters which are civil and not criminal in nature 

(c) Every Lok Adalat consists of either serving or retired judicial officers only and not any other person 

(d) None of the statements given above is correct 

Q15. Which of the following statements is/are correct about the deposits of ‘methane hydrate’?  

1. Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits. 
2. Large deposits of ‘methane hydrate’ are found in Arctic Tundra and under the sea floor. 
3. Methane in atmosphere oxidizes to carbon dioxide after a decade or two. 

Select the correct answer using the code given below. 

(a) 1 and 2 only 
(b) 2 and 3 only 
(c) 1 and 3 only 
(d) 1, 2 and 3 

Q16. As per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in India, which one of the following statements is correct?  

(a) Waste generator has to segregate waste into five categories. 

(b) The Rules are applicable to notified urban local bodies, notified towns and all industrial townships only. 

(c) The Rules provide for exact and elaborate criteria for the identification of sites for landfills and waste processing facilities. 

(d) It is mandatory on the part of the waste generator that the waste generated in one district cannot be moved to another district. 

Q17. With reference to India, consider the following statements: 

1. Government law officers and legal firms are recognised as advocates, but corporate lawyers and patent attorneys are excluded from recognition as advocates. 
2. Bar Councils have the power to lay down the rules relating to legal education and recognition of law colleges. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 only 
(b) 2 only 
(c) Both 1 and 2 
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 

Q18. In the recent years Chad, Guinea, Mali and Sudan caught international attention for which one of the following reasons is common to all of them? 

(a) Discovery of rich deposits of rare earth elements 
(b) Establishment of Chinese military bases 
(c) Southward expansion of Sahara Desert 
(d) Successful coups 

Q19. Which of the following are the reasons/factors for exposure to benzene pollution?  

1. Automobile exhaust 
2. Tobacco smoke 
3. Wood burning 
4. Using varnished wooden furniture 
5. Using products made of polyurethane 

Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only 
(b) 2 and 4 only 
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only 
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5  

Q20. Which one of the following best describes the term "Bluewashing"?  

1. The practice of using misinformation that overstates a company's commitment to responsible social practices. 
2. The process of cleaning clothes with blue dye to make them appear brighter.  
3. The act of promoting ocean conservation through educational programs and initiatives.  
4. The use of blue light to reduce stress and improve mental well-being.