Q1. Which of the following technologies is specifically used for "Automatic Vehicle Classification (AVC)" in the proposed barrier-less tolling system?
Explanation: According to the technical specifications of MLFF, Laser/Sensor technology is used for Automatic Vehicle Classification (AVC) to distinguish between types of vehicles (e.g., car vs. truck) for different toll rates. ANPR is for plate recognition, and RFID/GPS is for identification/tracking.
Q2. With reference to the geographical features of Scarborough Shoal, consider the following statements:
It is a high-tide feature formed on an underwater volcanic mount.
It is the largest atoll in the South China Sea, characterized by a central shallow lagoon.
It is located within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of mainland China.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation:
Statements 1 and 2 are correct : Scarborough Shoal is a triangular atoll formed on a volcanic mount and is indeed the largest atoll in the region. Statement 3 is incorrect : because it is located approximately 470 nautical miles from China, placing it well outside China's 200-nautical-mile EEZ. It lies 120 nautical miles from the Philippines, placing it within the Philippine EEZ.
Q3. An "armed attack" on Philippine assets in the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal could potentially invoke which of the following international agreements?
Explanation: The Scarborough Shoal is considered a critical flashpoint because an attack on Philippine Coast Guard or military vessels could trigger the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, potentially drawing the United States into a direct conflict.
Q4. In the context of national income accounting, which of the following best describes the "Nominal GDP" used by the IMF for global rankings?
Explanation: Nominal GDP is the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period, measured at current prices. Real GDP (Choice A) is adjusted for inflation. Global rankings discussed in the WEO are based on Nominal GDP converted to USD.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the Indian economy as per the latest IMF data:
India has lost its status as the fastest-growing major economy due to the ranking slip.
The IMF forecasts the Rupee to experience further depreciation over the medium term.
By 2027, India is projected to return to the 4th position by overtaking the UK.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because the report explicitly states that despite the ranking shift, India remains the fastest-growing major economy.
Statement 2 is correct as the IMF sees the rupee weakening to 88.5 and beyond. Statement 3 is correct as per the forecast trajectory for 2027.
