1.With reference to Hyderabad Liberation Day, consider the following Assertion (A) and Reason (R):
Assertion (A): Hyderabad Liberation Day is observed on 17 September to commemorate the integration of the princely state of Hyderabad into the Indian Union in 1948.
Reason (R): The integration of Hyderabad was achieved through Operation Polo, a military-police action undertaken by the Government of India against the Nizam's state.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Assertion (A) is true: Hyderabad Liberation Day is observed on 17 September, commemorating the end of Nizam's rule and Hyderabad's integration into the Indian Union in 1948.
Reason (R) is true: Operation Polo, also known as the Hyderabad Police Action, was launched on 13 September 1948 by the Government of India under the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It led to the surrender of Hyderabad's forces and integration into India.
R correctly explains A: The military-police action culminated in Hyderabad's integration, which is commemorated on 17 September.
2.With reference to the Global Gender Gap Index, consider the following statements:
The index is published annually by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
It measures gender gaps across economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment.
A country’s ranking is determined solely by the absolute level of development and income of women.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
3.With reference to the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF), consider the following statements:
The World Circular Economy Forum is an annual international forum that promotes the transition towards a circular economy.
It is organised by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra and the International Resource Panel of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The forum promotes resource efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable business models.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is correct. WCEF is an annual global platform initiated by Finland and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra. It has been organised since 2017, bringing together policymakers, businesses and experts to advance circular economy solutions.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The International Resource Panel (IRP) of UNEP is not a permanent co-organiser of the forum. The 2026 edition was jointly organised by Sitra and India's Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), with support from MoEFCC and other partners.
Statement 3 is correct. WCEF promotes resource efficiency, waste reduction, sustainable production and consumption, and circular business models that help keep materials in use for longer
4.Consider the following pairs of islands and their geographical locations:
List I: Island List II: Geographical location
A. Mayyun (Perim) Mozambique Channel
B. Socotra Bab-el-Mandeb Strait
C. Diego Garcia Indian Ocean, South of the Maldives
D. Madagascar Arabian Sea, near the Horn of Africa
A. Mayyun (Perim) Island — Bab-el-Mandeb Strait
Mayyun, also known as Perim, is a Yemeni volcanic island located in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. It divides the strait into two channels and lies along the maritime route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
B. Socotra — Arabian Sea
Socotra is part of Yemen and lies in the Arabian Sea, near the Horn of Africa. It is known for its unique biodiversity and endemic species.
C. Diego Garcia — Indian Ocean
Diego Garcia is an atoll in the Chagos Archipelago, south of the Maldives, in the central Indian Ocean. It is strategically significant because of its military facilities.
D. Madagascar — Mozambique Channel
Madagascar is a large island country off the southeastern coast of Africa, separated from mainland Africa by the Mozambique Channel.
5.With reference to the Africa Early Warnings Forum, consider the following statements:
It aims to strengthen early warning systems and improve preparedness for climate-related and other natural hazards across Africa.
It is associated with the implementation of the United Nations initiative “Early Warnings for All.”
Its primary objective is to provide military intelligence and security alerts to African countries.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is correct. The Africa Early Warnings Forum aims to strengthen early warning systems, disaster preparedness and resilience across Africa. The 2026 forum was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 2–4 September 2026.
Statement 2 is correct. The forum supports the broader objectives of the UN's Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, which seeks to ensure that everyone on Earth is protected by early warning systems by the end of 2027.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The forum focuses on disaster risk reduction, climate-related hazards, preparedness and resilience—not primarily on military intelligence or security alerts.
