1) With reference to the Grey Hornbill, consider the following statements:
The Grey Hornbill is endemic to the Western Ghats and is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
The female Grey Hornbill seals herself inside a tree cavity during nesting, leaving only a narrow slit through which the male provides food.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect – The Indian Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros birostris) is widely distributed across the Indian subcontinent and is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
It is not endemic to the Western Ghats.
Statement 2 is correct – Like other hornbills, the female seals herself inside a natural tree cavity during breeding, leaving only a narrow slit through which the male supplies food until the chicks are old enough.
2) With reference to the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS), recently approved by the Union Cabinet, consider the following statements:
The scheme will be implemented for a period of five years from FY 2026–27 to FY 2030–31 under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
Under the scheme, incentives are provided only for the assembly of mobile phones and do not cover domestic component sourcing.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct – The Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS) has a tenure of five years (FY 2026–27 to FY 2030–31) and is administered by MeitY.
Statement 2 is incorrect – Besides core incentives on eligible sales, the scheme also includes a Domestic Component Sourcing Surcharge, providing additional incentives to encourage local value addition and component manufacturing.
3) With reference to the RBI Data Governance Guidance Framework (2026), consider the following statements:
The RBI Data Governance Guidance Framework (2026) applies to all regulated entities and seeks to strengthen data quality, security, governance, and accountability in the financial sector.
The framework mandates that all financial data of regulated entities must be stored exclusively within India and prohibits the use of cloud-based infrastructure.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct – The framework provides guidance for regulated entities to establish robust data governance practices, including data quality, integrity, security, lifecycle management, accountability, and oversight.
Statement 2 is incorrect – The framework does not mandate exclusive domestic data storage or prohibit cloud infrastructure.
Instead, it lays down principles for sound data governance, irrespective of the technology used, while requiring compliance with applicable RBI regulations and legal requirements.
4) With reference to the Gaganyaan Crew Module, consider the following statements:
The Gaganyaan Crew Module is the habitable spacecraft designed to carry astronauts into low-Earth orbit and safely return them to Earth through atmospheric re-entry.
The Crew Module is designed for reuse on multiple human spaceflight missions without requiring any major refurbishment after landing.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct – The Crew Module (CM) is the habitable part of the Gaganyaan spacecraft.
It accommodates the astronauts, supports them during the mission in low-Earth orbit, and is designed to safely withstand atmospheric re-entry before splashdown in the sea.
Statement 2 is incorrect – The current Gaganyaan Crew Module is not designed for immediate multi-mission reuse without major refurbishment.
After re-entry and recovery, extensive inspection, refurbishment, and requalification would be required before any potential reuse.
5) With reference to the Airship-based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS-HAPS), consider the following statements:
AS-HAPS is an unmanned airship designed to operate in the stratosphere for extended durations, providing persistent services such as communication, surveillance, and Earth observation.
Unlike conventional satellites, AS-HAPS can be recovered, serviced, and redeployed, making it a flexible platform for high-altitude operations.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct – An Airship-based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS-HAPS) is a lighter-than-air, unmanned platform designed to remain in the stratosphere (typically around 18–25 km altitude) for long durations.
It can support applications such as telecommunications, remote sensing, disaster management, and surveillance.
Statement 2 is correct – Unlike satellites placed in orbit, AS-HAPS can be brought back to Earth for maintenance, upgrades, and redeployment, offering lower operational costs and greater flexibility for repeated missions.
