Correct Answer: Option (c)

Alternative Powertrain = any propulsion system that replaces the conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) running on petrol/diesel

• All three vehicle types eliminate or significantly reduce dependence on fossil-fuel ICEs

Core Insight: Any vehicle that replaces the fossil-fuel ICE — whether via battery, hydrogen, or hybrid fuel cell — qualifies as an alternative powertrain vehicle.

Correct Answer: Option (c) World Economic Forum

Explanation:

Global Competitiveness Report is published by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

It assesses countries on factors like institutions, infrastructure, macroeconomic stability, and innovation.

Other reports:

→ IMF: World Economic Outlook (WEO), Global Financial Stability Report (GFSR)

→ UNCTAD: World Investment Report

→ World Bank: Ease of Doing Business, World Development Report

Core Insight: Global Competitiveness Report is a key WEF publication—important to distinguish from IMF, World Bank, and UNCTAD reports.

Correct Answer: Option (a) 1 and 2 only

• Statement 1 ✅ The East India Company lost its trade monopoly in India, except for tea trade and trade with China.
• Statement 2 ✅ The Act asserted the sovereignty of the British Crown over Company’s Indian territories.
• Statement 3 ❌ Control over Indian revenues was established earlier by the Pitt’s India Act 1784, not by the 1813 Act

Core Insight: Charter Act 1813 ended EIC’s trade monopoly (except tea & China) and affirmed Crown sovereignty, but revenue control came earlier under Pitt’s India Act (1784).

Correct Answer: Option (a)

Explanation:

• 21st June = Summer Solstice (Northern Hemisphere)
• → Sun’s rays fall vertically over Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N)

Arctic Circle ✅

• → Experiences Midnight Sun → Sun does not set below the horizon

Antarctic Circle ❌

• → Experiences polar night (sun does not rise)

Equator / Tropic of Capricorn ❌

• → Overhead sun occurs during equinox (Equator) and Dec solstice (Capricorn)

Core Insight: On 21 June, Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the Sun—leading to midnight sun at the Arctic Circle.

Correct Answer: Option (a) 1 only

Explanation:

Asiatic Lion ✅

• Naturally found only in India, mainly in Gir National Park.

Double-humped Camel ❌

• Native to Central Asia (Mongolia, China); also found in Ladakh but not exclusive to India.

One-horned Rhinoceros ❌

• Found in India and Nepal (e.g., Assam and Terai region), so not limited to India.

Core Insight: Only Asiatic lion is exclusive to India; camel and rhino have wider natural distribution.

Correct Answer: Option (a)

Explanation:

Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve is located in the Western Ghats (Kerala–Tamil Nadu region).

It includes:

• → Neyyar, Peppara, Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries
• → Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
• It is a biodiversity hotspot with rich flora and fauna and a key genetic reservoir of plants.

Core Insight: Agasthyamala BR comprises Neyyar–Peppara–Shendurney WLS and Kalakad Mundanthurai TR in the southern Western Ghats.

Correct Answer: Option (a)

Explanation:

Key concept = Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
→ Investment involving ownership/control (≥10% equity)

(d) ❌ — NRE deposits not FDI

Core Insight: Only equity-linked instruments count as FDI, not deposits

Correct Answer: Option (c) Oyster

Key concept = Filter feeder
→ Organisms that obtain food by filtering suspended particles (plankton, organic matter) from water

• Oyster feeds by passing water over its gills, trapping tiny food particles → classic filter-feeding mechanism
• Catfish → bottom feeder/scavenger
• Octopus → active predator
• Pelican → fish-eating bird (not filter feeder)

Core Insight: Only oysters use true filter feeding; others rely on active hunting or scavenging.

Correct Answer: Option (b) 2 and 3 only

Key concept = Copper smelting pollution
→ Process releases toxic gases and hazardous waste (slag) impacting air and water quality

• Heavy metal leaching: Copper slag can release metals like arsenic, lead, and cadmium into soil and groundwater
• Sulphur dioxide (SO₂): Released during smelting of sulphide ores; causes air pollution and acid rain
• Carbon monoxide: Mainly an intermediate in the process, not a major environmental concern

Core Insight: Key risks = SO₂ emissions and heavy metal contamination from slag.

Correct Answer: Option (a) 1 only

Key concept = Early English East India Company expansion
→ Initial factories were set up on the western coast (Gujarat) due to active maritime trade

• Broach (Bharuch): Major port in Gujarat; EIC established a factory here in the early 17th century
• Chicacole (Andhra region): Not part of early EIC network; east coast expansion happened later (Madras phase)
• Trichinopoly (Tamil region): Inland centre; no early EIC factory here

Core Insight: EIC’s early trade was Gujarat-based; expansion to east and south came later.

Correct Answer: Option (b) 2 only

Key concept = Mitakshara vs Dayabhaga
→ Two schools of Hindu inheritance law, differing mainly in timing of rights over property

• Statement 1 ❌
  Not based on caste; it is a regional distinction (Mitakshara—most of India, Dayabhaga—Bengal).
• Statement 2 ✅
  Mitakshara → sons get right by birth
  Dayabhaga → sons get right after father’s death
• Statement 3 ❌
  Both systems traditionally focused on male inheritance, not male vs female division.

Core Insight: Mitakshara = birthright; Dayabhaga = inheritance after death.