Q7moderateCommon Misconception
What is/are the consequence/consequences of a country becoming the member of the 'Nuclear Suppliers Group' ?
1. It will have access to the latest and most efficient nuclear technologies.
2. It automatically becomes a member of "The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)".
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statement 2 is the trap: NSG membership and NPT membership are separate. While most NSG members are NPT signatories, joining NSG does not automatically confer NPT membership. India itself seeks NSG membership without being an NPT signatory.
Q17moderate
The identity platform 'Aadhaar' provides open "Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)". What does it imply ?
1. It can be integrated into any electronic device.
2. Online authentication using iris is possible.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)
Q28moderatePartial Truth
With reference to digital payments, consider the following statements :
1. BHIM app allows the user to transfer money to anyone with a UPI-enabled bank account.
2. While a chip-pin debit card has four factors of authentication, BHIM app has only two factors of authentication.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a)
Trap: Partial Truth
Statement 2 is the trap: a chip-pin debit card does NOT have four factors of authentication. It has two (the card itself + PIN). BHIM app also has multiple factors (device binding + UPI PIN + mobile number). The claim of four vs two is fabricated.
Q33hardScope Confusion
In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the 'Additional Protocol' with the 'International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)' ?
(a) The civilian nuclear reactors come under IAEA safeguards.
(b) The military nuclear installations come under the inspection of IAEA.
(c) The country will have the privilege to buy uranium from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
(d) The country automatically becomes a member of the NSG.
Answer: (a)
Trap: Scope Confusion
Option (b) is the main trap: the Additional Protocol brings CIVILIAN facilities under IAEA safeguards, NOT military installations. India specifically maintains its military nuclear programme outside IAEA inspection. Option (d) about automatic NSG membership is also wrong.
Q43easy
What is "Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)", sometimes seen in the news ?
(a) An Israeli radar system
(b) India's indigenous anti-missile programme
(c) An American anti-missile system
(d) A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea
Answer: (c)
Q55moderateAbsolute Qualifier
In which of the following areas can GPS technology be used ?
1. Mobile phone operations
2. Banking operations
3. Controlling the power grids
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Students typically associate GPS only with navigation/location. Banking uses GPS timing for transaction synchronization, and power grids use GPS timing for precise frequency regulation. The trap is thinking GPS = only location tracking.
Q58easy
The terms 'WannaCry, Petya and EternalBlue' sometimes mentioned in the news recently are related to
(a) Exoplanets
(b) Cryptocurrency
(c) Cyber attacks
(d) Mini satellites
Answer: (c)
Q61easyPartial Truth
With reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider the following statements :
1. IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary and four satellites in geosynchronous orbits.
2. IRNSS covers entire India and about 5500 sq. km beyond its borders.
3. India will have its own satellite navigation system with full global coverage by the middle of 2019.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) None
Answer: (a)
Trap: Partial Truth
Statement 2 is a trap with the wrong unit: IRNSS covers 1500 km beyond India's borders, not '5500 sq. km' (which is an absurdly small area). Statement 3 is wrong: IRNSS is a regional system, not designed for global coverage.
Q62moderateCommon Misconception
Consider the following phenomena :
1. Light is affected by gravity.
2. The Universe is constantly expanding.
3. Matter warps its surrounding space-time.
Which of the above is/are the prediction/predictions of Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, often discussed in media ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Trap: Common Misconception
Students may doubt Statement 2 because they associate expanding universe with Hubble's observation (1929), not Einstein. But Einstein's field equations did predict an expanding (or contracting) universe -- he even added the 'cosmological constant' to prevent this prediction, later calling it his 'biggest blunder'.
Q63easyCommon Misconception
With reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM mustard) developed in India, consider the following statements :
1. GM mustard has the genes of a soil bacterium that give the plant the property of pest-resistance to a wide variety of pests.
2. GM mustard has the genes that allow the plant cross-pollination and hybridization.
3. GM mustard has been developed jointly by the IARI and Punjab Agricultural University.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statement 1 is a trap: it describes Bt crops (Bt cotton/Bt brinjal), not GM mustard. GM mustard (DMH-11) uses the barnase-barstar system for hybridization, NOT pest resistance. Students confuse GM mustard with Bt technology. Statement 3 is wrong -- it was developed at Delhi University by Deepak Pental's team.
Q64moderateDistractor Pairing
Consider the following pairs :
Terms sometimes seen in news — Context/Topic
1. Belle II experiment — Artificial Intelligence
2. Blockchain technology — Digital/Cryptocurrency
3. CRISPR - Cas9 — Particle Physics
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Trap: Distractor Pairing
The pairs are cleverly swapped: Belle II is actually a Particle Physics experiment (at KEK, Japan), not AI. CRISPR-Cas9 is gene editing technology, not particle physics. Students who know one but not the other may think 1 and 3 are just swapped and still pick (a).
Q66easy
When the alarm of your smartphone rings in the morning, you wake up and tap it to stop the alarm which causes your geyser to be switched on automatically. The smart mirror in your bathroom shows the day's weather and also indicates the level of water in your overhead tank. After you take some groceries from your refrigerator for making breakfast, it recognises the shortage of stock in it and places an order for the supply of fresh grocery items. When you step out of your house and lock the door, all lights, fans, geysers and AC machines get switched off automatically. On your way to office, your car warns you about traffic congestion ahead and suggests an alternative route, and if you are late for a meeting, it sends a message to your office accordingly.
In the context of emerging communication technologies, which one of the following terms best applies to the above scenario ?
(a) Border Gateway Protocol
(b) Internet of Things
(c) Internet Protocol
(d) Virtual Private Network
Answer: (b)
Q67easyCommon Misconception
With reference to solar power production in India, consider the following statements :
1. India is the third largest in the world in the manufacture of silicon wafers used in photovoltaic units.
2. The solar power tariffs are determined by the Solar Energy Corporation of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statement 1 is wrong: India is NOT a major silicon wafer manufacturer; China dominates. India imports most solar cells and modules. Statement 2 is also wrong: SECI conducts auctions but solar tariffs are determined through competitive bidding, not fixed by SECI. CERC/SERCs determine tariffs.
Q84moderateAbsolute Qualifier
"3D printing" has applications in which of the following ?
1. Preparation of confectionery items
2. Manufacture of bionic ears
3. Automotive industry
4. Reconstructive surgeries
5. Data processing technologies
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1, 3 and 4 only
(b) 2, 3 and 5 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: (d)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Statement 5 (data processing technologies) seems unrelated to 3D printing. However, 3D printing is used in creating custom hardware for data processing and even in printing circuit boards. The trap is making students exclude unlikely-sounding applications.
Q95moderateCommon Misconception
With reference to India's satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements :
1. PSLVs launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites.
2. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth.
3. GSLV Mk III is a four-staged launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors; and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 3 only
Answer: (a)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statement 2 describes geostationary satellites (launched by GSLV), not PSLV satellites. PSLV launches satellites into polar/sun-synchronous orbits, which do NOT appear fixed in the sky. Statement 3 is wrong: GSLV Mk III is a three-stage vehicle (solid + liquid + cryogenic), not four-stage.
Q99easy
Consider the following :
1. Birds
2. Dust blowing
3. Rain
4. Wind blowing
Which of the above spread plant diseases ?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (d)