1. Naini Lake
Question:
Consider the following statements about Naini Lake:
- Naini Lake is a natural freshwater lake of glacial origin.
- It is one of the four lakes in Kumaon hills, with Balia Nala as its main feeder stream.
- The southern end of the lake, known as Mallital, hosts a bridge with Gandhi’s statue and a post office.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Tap here for Answer
Answer: c) 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
Why in News: Naini Lake in Uttarakhand recorded a water level of 4.7 feet, the lowest in five years.
- Statement 1: Incorrect. Naini Lake is of tectonic origin, not glacial.
- Statement 2: Correct. It is among four major lakes in the Kumaon hills, and Balia Nala is its main feeder stream.
- Statement 3: Correct. The southern end is called Tallital, which hosts a bridge with Gandhi’s statue and a post office—claimed to be the world’s only post office on a lake bridge.
2. Vibe Coding
Question:
With reference to “vibe coding,” consider the following statements:
- It involves the use of generative AI to generate complete code based on natural language prompts.
- The term was first coined by Elon Musk to describe AI-generated software design.
- Vibe coding poses security concerns due to potential flaws in code generation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Tap here for Answer
Answer: b) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
Why in News: Vibe coding recently became a trending topic in Silicon Valley after being coined by OpenAI co-founder Andrej Karpathy.
- Statement 1: Correct. Vibe coding uses LLMs like ChatGPT to build complete apps from natural language prompts.
- Statement 2: Incorrect. The term was coined by Andrej Karpathy, not Elon Musk.
- Statement 3: Correct. Experts warn of security risks due to potentially flawed or misunderstood AI-generated code.
3. 9K33 Osa-AK Missile System
Question:
Which of the following statements about the 9K33 Osa-AK missile system is/are correct?
- It is a high-altitude, long-range surface-to-air missile system.
- It is fully amphibious and can relocate quickly due to its mobility.
- It is known by the NATO reporting name “SA-8 Gecko.”
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Tap here for Answer
Answer: b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
Why in News: The Indian Army successfully tested the Osa-AK missile system during a live-fire exercise.
- Statement 1: Incorrect. The system is low-altitude and short-range, not high-altitude or long-range.
- Statement 2: Correct. It is fully amphibious, mobile, and can be redeployed rapidly.
- Statement 3: Correct. NATO refers to it as the SA-8 Gecko.
4. Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
Question:
Under which of the following Articles of the Indian Constitution are the powers and functions of the CAG defined?
- Article 148
- Article 149
- Article 151
- Article 279
Select the correct answer using the code below:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1, 2 and 3 only
c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
d) 2, 3 and 4 only
Tap here for Answer
Answer: c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation:
Why in News: The CAG report raised concerns about vehicular air pollution monitoring in Delhi.
- Article 148: Defines appointment and conditions of CAG.
- Article 149: Specifies duties and powers of the CAG.
- Article 151: Provides for presentation of audit reports to Parliament.
- Article 279: Gives authority to certify ‘net proceeds’ of taxes.
5. FPI and SEBI Regulation
Question:
Which of the following are characteristics of Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI)?
- It provides long-term strategic control over Indian firms.
- It increases market liquidity but is highly sensitive to sentiments.
- It is regulated in India by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
a) 2 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Tap here for Answer
Answer: a) 2 only
Explanation:
Why in News: The Supreme Court asked an MP to approach SEBI regarding FPI and AIF transparency.
- Statement 1: Incorrect. FPI is passive and short-term, unlike FDI.
- Statement 2: Correct. FPI increases market liquidity but is volatile and sentiment-driven.
- Statement 3: Incorrect. FPI is regulated by SEBI, not the RBI.
6. Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs)
Question:
Which of the following correctly matches the Category of AIFs with its characteristics?
- Category I AIFs – High-risk, high-return, leveraged strategies
- Category II AIFs – Real estate funds, debt funds, and PE funds
- Category III AIFs – Includes hedge funds and PIPE funds
- Category I AIFs – Invest in priority sectors and socially beneficial areas
Select the correct answer:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2, 3 and 4 only
c) 1, 3 and 4 only
d) 2 and 4 only
Tap here for Answer
Answer: b) 2, 3 and 4 only
Explanation:
Why in News: The Supreme Court highlighted the need for regulatory scrutiny of AIFs alongside FPIs in India.
- Statement 1: Incorrect. Category III, not Category I, uses high-risk and leveraged strategies.
- Statement 2: Correct. Category II AIFs include real estate, debt, and private equity funds.
- Statement 3: Correct. Category III AIFs include hedge funds and PIPE (Private Investment in Public Equity) funds.
- Statement 4: Correct. Category I AIFs focus on government-prioritized sectors like SMEs and infrastructure.
7. Aircraft Objects Bill, 2025
Question:
Consider the following provisions of the Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2025:
- It enables the central government to make rules for implementing the Cape Town Convention.
- It designates SEBI as the registry authority for aircraft registration.
- It allows creditors to reclaim aviation assets within two months of default.
Which of the above are correct?
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Tap here for Answer
Answer: a) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
Why in News: Rajya Sabha passed the Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2025 to boost aviation leasing standards.
- Statement 1: Correct. The bill empowers the central government to make rules to implement the Cape Town Convention.
- Statement 2: Incorrect. The DGCA, not SEBI, is designated as the registry authority.
- Statement 3: Correct. Creditors are allowed to reclaim aircraft/helicopters within two months of default.
8. INSV Tarini and Navika Sagar Parikrama II
Question:
Which of the following statements is/are true about INSV Tarini and the Navika Sagar Parikrama II?
- The vessel is built in Goa and named after a temple in Odisha.
- It is on a mission to cover around 23,400 nautical miles.
- Cape Town was the first international stop in the voyage.
Select the correct answer:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Tap here for Answer
Answer: a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
Why in News: INSV Tarini reached Cape Town, the final international stop of its circumnavigation mission.
- Statement 1: Correct. Built by Aquarius Shipyard Ltd., Goa, and named after the Tara-Tarini shrine in Odisha.
- Statement 2: Correct. The mission aims to cover 23,400 nautical miles across oceans.
- Statement 3: Incorrect. Cape Town was the final stop, not the first. Fremantle (Australia) was the first.
9. Chile – Geography and Trade
Question:
Which of the following are correct about Chile?
- It shares its western border with the Pacific Ocean.
- It has sovereignty over Easter Island and the Juan Fernández Archipelago.
- It lies outside the Pacific Ring of Fire and hence rarely experiences volcanic activity.
Select the correct answer:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Tap here for Answer
Answer: a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
Why in News: India and Chile are negotiating a comprehensive trade agreement and collaborating on Antarctic exploration.
- Statement 1: Correct. Chile lies along the Pacific Ocean to its west.
- Statement 2: Correct. It exercises sovereignty over Easter Island and Juan Fernández Archipelago.
- Statement 3: Incorrect. Chile lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire and is prone to volcanoes and earthquakes.
10. Sangama Dynasty and Vijayanagara Empire
Question:
Which of the following statements about the Sangama Dynasty is/are correct?
- Harihara I and Bukka I founded the Vijayanagara Empire under this dynasty.
- Deva Raya II earned the title “Gajabetegara” and ruled during foreign visits from Abdur Razzak and Nikitin.
- Copper plates from Deva Raya I’s time mention the Varaha emblem as the dynasty’s official seal.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Tap here for Answer
Answer: a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
Why in News: Newly discovered copper plates from Deva Raya I’s reign shed light on the Sangama Dynasty’s genealogy and coronation rituals.
- Statement 1: Correct. Harihara I and Bukka I founded the Vijayanagara Empire under the Sangama Dynasty.
- Statement 2: Correct. Deva Raya II was known as Gajabetegara and hosted visitors like Abdur Razzak.
- Statement 3: Incorrect. The copper plates from Deva Raya I’s reign uniquely depict Vamana, not Varaha, which was the usual symbol.
