With reference to the Helium Crisis of 2026 and India’s vulnerability, consider the following statements: Statement I: India maintains only 7–10 days of helium inventory, making it highly vulnerable to global supply disruptions. Statement II: Helium is abundant on Earth but difficult to extract due to its chemical reactivity with other minerals at high temperatures. … Read more
With reference to the NCERT being granted ‘Institution deemed to be University’ status, consider the following statements:1. NCERT must compulsorily adopt the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) system, linking student identities to digital lockers.2. NCERT is authorized to establish off-campus and offshore campuses in accordance with University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines.3. All academic programs of … Read more
The Battle of Copenhagen (1801) had far-reaching strategic consequences. Consider the following:Statement I: The assassination of Tsar Paul I of Russia and the accession of Alexander I contributed to the collapse of the League of Armed Neutrality, securing British maritime dominance.Statement II: The League of Armed Neutrality was formed by Russia, Denmark-Norway, Sweden, and Prussia … Read more
Consider the following statements regarding India’s first approved dengue vaccine, Qdenga (TAK-003):Statement I: Qdenga is a tetravalent dengue vaccine that does not require prior dengue infection testing before administration, unlike some earlier dengue vaccines.Statement II: Qdenga is a transmission-blocking vaccine, meaning it prevents the Aedes mosquito from transmitting the dengue virus after biting a vaccinated … Read more
With reference to the various forms of Natural Gas, consider the following pairs:1. CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) — Natural gas compressed to less than 1% of its volume at standard atmospheric pressure; primarily used as transport fuel.2. LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) — Natural gas cooled to approximately −162°C; primarily used for long-distance ocean transport.3. PNG … Read more
Consider the following statements regarding Helium’s geopolitical and strategic importance:1. The USA, Qatar, and Algeria are the leading producers of Helium globally.2. Qatar contributes around 34% of global helium exports, and disruptions at its Ras Laffan complex significantly reduce export capacity.3. Helium’s ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ volatility makes long-term storage difficult, resulting in naturally low global buffer reserves.Which … Read more
With reference to Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in India, consider the following statements:1. LPG was first introduced in India in 1955 by Burmah Shell Oil Company in Mumbai under the brand ‘Burshane’.2. PNG in India is primarily sourced from the deepwater Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin, Assam, and Tripura.3. India currently has … Read more
With reference to Samrat Samprati’s contributions to the spread of Jainism, consider the following statements:1. Samprati sent missionaries to regions including Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar (Burma) to propagate Jainism.2. He established approximately 700 Sada-vratas (Charitable Houses) that provided free food, shelter, and medical care.3. Samprati ruled from major hubs like Ujjain and Pataliputra, … Read more
Consider the following statements regarding the measures for sustainable peace in erstwhile Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected zones in India:1. The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 and the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), 1996 are considered important instruments to prevent resurgence of Maoist ideology.2. Empowering the Gram Sabha over ‘Jal, Jangal, Zameen’ is … Read more
With reference to India’s strategy to eliminate Left Wing Extremism (LWE), consider the following statements regarding the ‘Clear, Hold, and Build’ counter-insurgency doctrine:1. The ‘Clear’ phase involves intelligence-led offensive operations to neutralize armed insurgents and destroy Maoist safe havens.2. The ‘Hold’ phase involves establishing Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) deep inside Maoist strongholds such as Abujhmad.3. … Read more