1.With reference to the India–European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), consider the following statements:
EFTA comprises Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
India has committed to providing tariff concessions on all its tariff lines under the agreement.
The agreement includes an investment commitment of USD 100 billion over 15 years, linked with a target of creating 1 million direct jobs in India.
The agreement covers cooperation beyond trade, including areas such as defence production, civil nuclear energy and AI governance.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
Statement 1 – Correct: EFTA consists of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
Statement 2 – Incorrect: India does not provide concessions on all tariff lines. It covers 82.7% of tariff lines, while protecting sensitive sectors such as dairy and agriculture.
Statement 3 – Correct: TEPA includes an investment pledge of USD 100 billion over 15 years, with a target of creating 1 million direct jobs in India.
Statement 4 – Correct: India–EFTA cooperation is expanding beyond trade to areas including defence production, civil nuclear energy and AI governance.
2.With reference to Cervavac, recently in the news, consider the following statements:
Cervavac is a quadrivalent HPV vaccine targeting HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18.
It is a gender-neutral vaccine indicated for both girls and boys.
WHO prequalification of Cervavac enables its consideration for procurement by UN agencies.
Cervavac was developed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and launched nationally in 2023.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
Statement 1 – Correct: Cervavac is a quadrivalent HPV vaccine targeting HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18.
Statement 2 – Correct: It is gender-neutral, intended for both girls and boys aged 9–26 years.
Statement 3 – Correct:WHO prequalification means the vaccine can be considered for procurement by UN agencies and international health programmes, subject to their procurement processes.
Statement 4 – Incorrect: Cervavac was developed by the Serum Institute of India, with support from organisations including DBT, BIRAC, IARC and the Gates Foundation. It was nationally launched on 24 January 2023.
3.With reference to eSanjeevani, consider the following statements:
It is a national telemedicine service of the Government of India.
It facilitates remote healthcare consultations through digital platforms.
It is implemented under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
It is restricted only to consultations between patients and private healthcare providers.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer :
Statement 1 – Correct: eSanjeevani is a national telemedicine initiative of the Government of India.
Statement 2 – Correct: It enables remote doctor consultations through digital technology, improving access to healthcare, particularly for people in remote and underserved areas.
Statement 3 – Correct: The initiative comes under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
Statement 4 – Incorrect: eSanjeevani is not restricted to private healthcare providers. It primarily supports public healthcare delivery through government health facilities and healthcare professionals.
4.With reference to the High-Altitude Platform System (HAPS), recently tested by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), consider the following statements:
HAPS operates in the stratosphere and can provide long-endurance aerial surveillance and communication capabilities.
The HAPS tested by DRDO was developed by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra.
The system is designed to operate at high altitudes and can carry instruments such as cameras, GPS and inertial measurement units.
HAPS is essentially a conventional geostationary satellite placed in low Earth orbit.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
Statement 1 – Correct: HAPS is designed to operate in the stratosphere, at very high altitudes, and can support applications such as persistent surveillance, communication and intelligence gathering.
Statement 2 – Correct: The indigenously developed system was created by ADRDE, Agra, a DRDO laboratory.
Statement 3 – Correct: The system incorporates instruments such as IMU, GPS and cameras, along with altitude-control systems.
Statement 4 – Incorrect: HAPS is not a satellite. It is an airborne platform operating in the stratosphere, generally designed for long-duration operation. It occupies an intermediate technological space between conventional aircraft and satellites.
5.With reference to the Indian Navy’s first indigenous Fleet Support Ship (FSS) ‘Surya’, consider the following statements:
Fleet Support Ships are primarily designed to provide logistical and replenishment support to naval vessels at sea.
Such ships can extend the operational endurance of naval task forces by providing fuel, water, ammunition and other essential supplies.
The development of indigenous Fleet Support Ships contributes to India’s objective of achieving greater self-reliance in defence shipbuilding.
A Fleet Support Ship is primarily designed to perform underwater surveillance and anti-submarine warfare.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
Statement 1 – Correct: Fleet Support Ships (FSS) are designed to provide logistical and replenishment support to naval vessels, including while they are deployed at sea.
Statement 2 – Correct: They can carry and transfer essential supplies such as fuel, water, ammunition, food and other stores, thereby extending the endurance of naval formations.
Statement 3 – Correct: Indigenous construction of such specialised naval vessels strengthens Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence, particularly domestic shipbuilding and maritime logistics capabilities.
Statement 4 – Incorrect:Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) is not the primary role of a Fleet Support Ship. FSS vessels are primarily logistics and replenishment platforms.
