1.‘Gadgil Committee Report’ and ‘Kasturirangan Committee Report’, sometimes seen in the news, are related to:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
Explanation
Option D is correct: Both the Gadgil Committee and Kasturirangan Committee were constituted to recommend measures for the conservation and sustainable development of the Western Ghats.
Gadgil Committee (2011) – Recommended declaring the entire Western Ghats an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA), divided into three zones based on ecological sensitivity.
Kasturirangan Committee (2013) – Proposed a more restricted approach, recommending that about 37% of the Western Ghats—primarily the natural landscape—be declared an ESA.
2.Which of the following ancient South Indian ports is most closely associated with Chola maritime activity and the Kaveri delta?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
Explanation
Option B is correct – Puhar, also known as Kaveripattinam, was an important ancient port located at the mouth of the Kaveri River in present-day Tamil Nadu and closely associated with Chola maritime activity.
Served as a major centre of maritime trade and overseas contacts.
Mentioned prominently in Sangam literature, especially Pattinappalai and Silappadikaram.
It facilitated trade with regions across the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia.
Korkai – Primarily associated with the Pandyas and pearl fisheries.
Muziris – Major port of the Chera region, associated with Roman trade.
Tondi – Associated mainly with the Chera maritime network.
3. Consider the following statements:
1. Bagh Cave Paintings
2. Apatani Cultural Landscape
3. Ginnorgarh Fort
4. Udaigiri Caves
Which of the statements given above is/are recently added to the UNESCO Tentative List from India?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
Explanation
Option C is correct – According to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO's current Tentative List confirms that Bagh Cave Paintings, Ginnorgarh Fort and Udaigiri Caves were submitted on 8 July 2026.
The Apatani Cultural Landscape has been on the list since 2014.
4.Assertion (A): PRAHAAR represents a shift from an exclusively incident-response-oriented framework towards a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy.
Reason (R): Its pillars cover the entire spectrum from prevention and intelligence coordination to counter-radicalization, international cooperation, recovery and societal resilience.
Select the correct answer:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
Explanation
Option A is correct – The National Counter-Terrorism Policy & Strategy — PRAHAAR, released by the Ministry of Home Affairs in February 2026, provides a comprehensive framework for countering terrorism and radicalisation.
Assertion (A) is correct: PRAHAAR moves beyond a purely reactive/incident-response approach towards a proactive, intelligence-guided and whole-of-government/whole-of-society framework.
Reason (R) is correct: It has seven pillars.
Thus, R directly explains why PRAHAAR represents a comprehensive shift in counter-terrorism strategy.
5. The term “Lilium”, which has recently been seen in the news, is associated with?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
Explanation
Option B is correct – Flowering Plants.
Lilium is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Liliaceae.
Commonly known as lilies.
They are perennial, bulbous plants.
Examples include Asiatic lilies, Oriental lilies and Easter lilies.
The genus contains many species widely cultivated as ornamental plants.
