1) With reference to the proposed Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA) notification for the Western Ghats, consider the following statements:
The notification prohibits activities such as mining, quarrying, sand mining, and new thermal power plants within the ESA.
The 2011 Gadgil Committee recommended that only about 37% of the Western Ghats be declared as an Eco-Sensitive Area.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct. The draft prohibits mining, quarrying, sand mining, new thermal power plants, certain industries, and large construction projects.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The 2011 Gadgil Committee recommended that the entire Western Ghats (about 1,29,000 sq. km) be declared an ESA with graded protection.
The 2013 Kasturirangan Committee later recommended protecting about 37% (59,940 sq. km) of the Western Ghats.
2) Consider the following statements
Sacred groves in Bundelkhand receive statutory protection under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and are officially listed in State Forest Reports.
Studies have found that these sacred groves support greater plant diversity, native medicinal species, and lower dominance of invasive weeds than adjacent degraded forest patches.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect. The sacred groves (Devsthalis) exist outside formal legal frameworks, are not listed in State Forest Reports, and have not been formally protected under either the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 or the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA).
Statement 2 is correct. The 2026 study found that sacred groves have higher plant diversity, greater abundance of native and medicinal species.
It has lower dominance of invasive weeds such as Lantana camara compared to nearby degraded forest patches.
3) The INSPIRE Programme is a flagship initiative of?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
Explanation
Option a is correct – The INSPIRE Programme is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Science and Technology (specifically implemented by the Department of Science and Technology).
4) With reference to Polymer (Plastic) Banknotes, recently seen in the news, consider the following statements:
Polymer banknotes are manufactured using biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) instead of traditional cotton-based paper.
Transparent security windows and advanced holographic features make polymer banknotes more resistant to counterfeiting.
Polymer banknotes are biodegradable and therefore cannot be recycled after their useful life.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct. Polymer banknotes are printed on a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) substrate rather than cotton-based paper.
Statement 2 is correct. They incorporate transparent security windows, holographic elements, and advanced printing technologies, making counterfeiting significantly more difficult.
Statement 3 is incorrect. Polymer banknotes are not biodegradable.
However, they can be recycled into various plastic products after the end of their circulation life, reducing waste.
5) With reference to Guru Ravidas Ji, consider the following statements:
Guru Ravidas Ji was a prominent saint-poet of the Bhakti Movement who advocated equality and opposed caste-based discrimination.
Guru Ravidas Ji emphasised elaborate rituals and material prosperity as the path to attaining divine grace.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct. Guru Ravidas Ji was a leading saint of the Bhakti Movement, advocating social equality, spiritual freedom, and the rejection of caste discrimination.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Guru Ravidas Ji rejected ritualism and materialism, teaching that humility, devotion (Naam), and inner spiritual wealth are the true paths to divine grace.
