Solution (c)

Explanation

• The English East India Company, formed through amalgamation of several rival companies at home, was controlled by a board of directors whose members were elected annually. The shareholders of the company exercised considerable influence, as the votes could be bought and sold through purchase of shares. The trading companies of France and Portugal were largely owned by the State, and their nature was in many ways feudalistic. (Hence statement 1 is correct).

• The Industrial Revolution started in England in the early 18th century, with the invention of new machines like the spinning Jenny, steam engine, the power loom, and several others. These machines greatly improved production in the fields of textiles, metallurgy, steam power, and agriculture. The industrial revolution reached other European nations late, and this helped England to maintain its hegemony. (Hence statement 2 is correct).

One of the major and innovative reasons why Britain succeeded between the mid-18th century and the mid-19th century, while other European nations fell, was that it used the debt markets to fund its wars. The world’s first central bank— the Bank of England—was established to sell government debt to the money markets on the promise of a decent return on Britain’s defeating rival countries like France and Spain. Britain was thus enabled to spend much more on its military than its rivals. Britain’s rival France could not match the expenditure of the English; between 1694 and 1812, first under the monarchs, then under the revolutionary governments, and finally under Napoleon Bonaparte, France simply went bankrupt with its outdated ways of raising money. (Hence statement 3 is correct).

Solution (a)

Explanation 

• The Danish East India Company was established in 1616, and in 1620, they founded a factory at Tranquebar near Tanjore, on the eastern coast of India. Their principal settlement was at Serampore near Calcutta. (Hence statement 1 is correct)

The Battle of Bedara or the Battle of Hooghly, was a military engagement which took place in 1759 near Chinsurah (then a Dutch outpost) during the Seven Years’ War. It took place between a force of British troops mainly of the British East India Company and a force of the Dutch East India Company which had been invited by the Nawab of Bengal Mir Jafar to help him expel the British and establish themselves as the leading commercial company in Bengal. The English defeated the Dutch. (Hence statement 2 is incorrect)

Solution (a)

Explanation

• In 1785, Tipu Sultan stopped the export of sandalwood, pepper and cardamom through the ports of his kingdom, and disallowed local merchants from trading with the Company. (Hence statement 1 is correct)
• Tipu was a patron of science and technology. He is credited as the ‘pioneer of rocket technology’ in India. He wrote a military manual explaining the operation of rockets. He was also a pioneer in introducing sericulture to the Mysore State. (Hence statement 2 is correct)

He is reported to have demolished temples in Kerala when he conquered places there, Tipu is also known to have protected Hindu temples within his own kingdom. He sanctioned funds for the repair of the Sringeri Temple and installation of the idol of Goddess Sarada (the idol had been damaged during a Maratha raid in 1791). (Hence statement 3 is incorrect)

Solution (a)

Explanation 

• Exports from Bengal to Europe consisted of raw products such as saltpetre, rice, indigo, pepper, sugar, silk, cotton textiles, handicrafts, etc. The English East India Company had vital commercial interests in trading in Bengal, as nearly 60 per cent of the British imports from Asia consisted of goods from Bengal. (Hence statement 1 is correct)

• Murshid Quli Khan was followed by Alivardi Khan and then Sirajuddaulah as the Nawab of Bengal. In 1700, Murshid Quli Khan became the Dewan of Bengal and ruled till his death in 1727. He was succeeded by his son-in-law, Shujauddin, who ruled till 1739. After that, for a year (1739–40), Sarfaraz Khan, an incapable son of Murshid Quli Khan, became the ruler; he was killed by Alivardi Khan. Alivardi Khan ruled till 1756 and also stopped paying tributes to the Mughal emperor. But he died in April 1756 and was succeeded by his grandson, Siraj-ud-Daulah, the son of Alivardi’s youngest daughter. (Hence statement 2 is incorrect).

Siraj-ud-Daulah defeated Shaukat Jang and killed him in a battle, divested Ghasiti Begum of her treasures and secured her, and dismissed Mir Jafar, appointing Mir Madan in his place. A Kashmiri officer, Mohan Lal, was appointed as the overall administrator, and he acted almost like a prime minister. (Hence statement 3 is incorrect).

Solution (a)

Explanation 

• In 1757, Robert Clive led the Company’s army against Sirajuddaulah at Plassey. Clive forged a secret alliance with the traitors of the nawab—Mir Jafar, Rai Durlabh, Jagat Seth (an influential banker of Bengal), and Omichand. One of the main reasons for the defeat of the Nawab was that the forces led by Mir Jafar, one of Sirajuddaulah’s commanders, never fought the battle. Clive had managed to secure his support by promising to make him nawab after crushing Sirajuddaulah. (Hence statement 1 is incorrect)

• The Battle of Plassey placed at the disposal of the English vast resources of Bengal. After Plassey, the English virtually monopolised the trade and commerce of Bengal. (Hence statement 2 is correct)

As a result of English victory in the battle of Plassey, Mir Jafar became the Nawab of Bengal. He gave large sums of money plus the zamindari of 24 parganas to the English. (Hence statement 3 is correct)

Solution (d)

Explanation

• Bahadur Shah I (ruled 1707–12) killed his brothers Muhammad Azam and Kam Bakhsh in the war of succession. Khafi Khan gave the title of ‘Shahi-Bekhabar’ to Bahadur Shah. He adopted a pacific policy with the Marathas, the Rajputs, and the Jats. Shahu, the Maratha prince, was released from Mughal captivity, and Rajput chiefs were confirmed in their respective states. (Hence statement 1 is incorrect)

• Jahandar Shah (ruled 1712–13) With the help of Zulfikar Khan, Jahandar Shah became the emperor. Zulfikar Khan was appointed prime minister; he introduced Izara system to improve the financial condition of the empire. Jahandar Shah abolished Jaziya. (Hence statement 2 is incorrect)

farrukhsiyar (ruled 1713–1719) After killing Jahandar Shah with the help of Sayyid brothers—Abdulla Khan and Hussain Ali, Farrukhsiyar became the new emperor. He followed a policy of religious tolerance by abolishing Jaziya and pilgrimage tax. (Hence statement 3 is correct)

Solution (b)

Explanation

• Muhammad Shah also known as Raushan Akhtar ruled (1719–48) after the death of Rafi-ud-Daula. He became the choice of the Sayyid Brothers. Muhammad Shah, as he came to be known in history, was given the title of ‘Rangeela’ due to his luxurious lifestyle. (Hence statement 1 is correct)

• Akbar Shah II ruled from 1806–37 gave the title of ‘Raja’ to Rammohan Roy. During his regime, in 1835, the East India Company discontinued calling itself subject of the Mughal emperor, and stopped issuing coins in the name of the Mughal emperor. (Hence statement 2 is incorrect)

• Shah Alam II (ruled Oct. 1760–July 1788; Oct. 1788–Nov. 1806) His reign saw two decisive battles—the Third Battle of Panipat (1761) and the Battle of Buxar. (Hence statement 3 is incorrect)

In 1765, according to the terms of Treaty of Allahabad (August 1765), Shah Alam II was taken under the East India Company’s protection and resided at Allahabad. He also issued a farman granting to the Company in perpetuity the Diwani (the right to collect revenue) of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. (Hence statement 4 is correct)

Solution (c)

Explanation

• Aurangzeb Deccan policy which caused the destruction of the best soldiers and undermined the Mughal prestige beyond repair, contributed materially to the downfall of his dynasty. He destroyed the Shia Kingdoms of Bijapur and Golconda and waged a long, endless war for extermination against the Marathas. This obliged the hardy Marathas to fight in self-defence and when success achieved they were encouraged to take up the offensive, cross the Narmada and invade the Mughal provinces in Northern India. (Hence statement 1 is incorrect)

• • Nadir Shah, the Persian emperor, attacked India in 1738–39, conquered Lahore, and defeated the Mughal army at Karnal on February 13, 1739. Later, Muhammad Shah was captured, and Delhi was looted and devastated. Nadir Shah gained the strategically important Mughal territory to the west of the Indus including Kabul. Thus, India once again became vulnerable to the attacks from the north-west. Rafi-ud-daula was Mughal ruler who ruled from June 6–Sep. 17, 1719. The Sayyid brothers placed Rafi-ud-daula with the title Shah Jahan II on the throne (Hence statement 2 is incorrect)

• Aurangzeb’s reign itself witnessed rebellions by regional groups like the Jats, Sikhs, and Marathas. They defied the authority of the Mughal state in their bid to create kingdoms of their own. They did not succeed in their efforts, but they influenced the future course of political events in their respective regions. Their continuous struggle against the empire for political ascendancy weakened the empire considerably. (Hence statement 3 is correct)

• • The number of amirs and their ranks or mansabs had increased sharply over time; there was little land left to be distributed among them as jagirs. Aurangzeb tried to solve the problem of acute shortage of jagirs   by showing enhanced income from the jagirs on record. But this was a shortsighted measure as the amirs tried to recover the recorded income from their jagirs by pressurising the peasantry. So, both the amirs and the peasantry were antagonised. Then there were the wars, the luxurious lifestyles of the emperors and amirs alike, and the reduction in khalisa land, all of which burdened the state. The result was that the expenditure of the state much exceeded its income. (Hence statement 4 is correct)

Solution (b)

Explanation 

The states that emerged as a result of the decline of the Mughal Empire can be classified into the following three broad categories: 

• Independent Kingdoms states came into existence primarily due to the destabilisation of the Mughal control over the provinces, examples being Mysore and the Rajput states. The New States set up by the rebels against the Mughal empire, examples being the Maratha, the Sikh, and the Jat states. (Hence statement 1 is incorrect)

Successor States were the Mughal provinces that turned into states after breaking away from the empire. Though they did not challenge the sovereignty of the Mughal ruler, the establishment of virtually independent and hereditary authority by their governors showed the emergence of autonomous polity in these territories. Some examples are Awadh, Bengal, and Hyderabad.  (Hence statement 2 is correct)

Solution (d)

Explanation

• The founder of the Asaf-Jah house of Hyderabad was Kilich Khan, popularly known as Nizam-ul-Mulk. It was Zulfikar Khan who had first conceived the idea of an independent state in the Deccan. But with his death in 1713, the dream remained unfulfilled. Kilich Khan, disgusted with the Mughal emperor who had appointed Mubariz Khan as a full-fledged viceroy of the Deccan, decided to fight Mubariz Khan. He defeated and later killed Mubariz Khan in the Battle of ShakrKheda (1724). He now assumed control of the Deccan. (Hence statement 1 is correct)

• The founder of the independent principality of Awadh was Saadat Khan, popularly known as Burhan-ul-Mulk. Saadat Khan was a Shia. He had joined in a conspiracy against the Sayyid brothers, which resulted in his being given an increased mansab. Later, driven out of the court, he was prompted to found a new independent state. (Hence statement 2 is correct)

• The agriculturist Jat settlers living around Delhi, Mathura, and Agra revolted against the oppressive policies of Aurangzeb. The first major rebellion by the Jats against Mughal imperial forces occurred in Mathura district in 1669. It was led by Gokula. (Hence statement 3 is incorrect)

In 1675, Aurangzeb arrested and executed the ninth Sikh guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, who had refused to embrace Islam. Guru Gobind Singh, who succeeded Guru Tegh Bahadur, openly rebelled against Aurangzeb. Banda Bahadur, who later assumed the leadership of the Sikhs in 1708, was defeated and killed. In the wake of the invasions of Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali, the Sikhs once again asserted their authority. At this stage, they organised themselves into 12 misls or confederacies which exercised control over different parts of the kingdom. The credit for establishing a strong kingdom of Punjab goes to Ranjit Singh. He was the son of Mahan Singh, the leader of the Sukerchakia misll. Ranjit Singh brought under control the area extending from the Sutlej to the Jhelum. He conquered Lahore in 1799 and Amritsar in 1802.  (Hence statement 4 is correct)

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• • While the British presence did expand significantly in the Bay of Bengal region, particularly through Calcutta (modern Kolkata), the Arabian Sea ports, such as Bombay (Mumbai) and Surat, continued to be vital centers of trade. The shift was more about establishing control over new areas, but trade activities remained significant in both regions. (Statement 1 is incorrect)

• The British established three important Presidency towns—Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras—which became the centers of administration and trade in their respective regions. These towns played a crucial role in British governance and economic expansion during the colonial period. (Statement 2 is correct)

The arrival and consolidation of British power in India led to the decline of traditional manufacturing industries, particularly textiles. British policies were designed to favour the export of raw materials from India and the import of finished goods from Britain, which crippled local industries such as handloom weaving. (Statement 3 is correct)

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• Afonso de Albuquerque is a prominent figure in Portuguese history for his later role in the consolidation of Portuguese power in India. He became the second governor of Portuguese India and is famous for capturing Goa in 1510.
• Francisco de Almeida was the first viceroy of Portuguese India and was appointed in 1505. He is known for implementing the “Blue Water Policy” (aimed at maintaining Portuguese naval dominance).
• João da Nova was a Portuguese naval commander who participated in various voyages to India and the East African coast. He is credited with discovering Ascension Island and St. Helena.

Pedro Álvares Cabral led the second Portuguese expedition to India in 1500. This mission is significant because, during the voyage, Cabral became the first European to reach Brazil before continuing on to India. His arrival in Calicut marked the continuation of Portuguese influence in India, establishing the foundation for further exploration and eventual colonization. (Option (d) is correct) 

Solution (c)

Explanation:

• The British established their first factory at Masulipatnam in 1611, which was outside the Mughal Empire’s territory. At the time, Masulipatnam was under the control of the Golconda Sultanate, not the Mughal Empire. This factory was significant for British trade in the southeastern part of India, especially for textiles. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The Dutch East India Company (VOC) established their first factory at Masulipatnam in 1605, before the British arrived. The Dutch were one of the earliest European powers to set up trading posts in India, and Masulipatnam was one of their key locations due to its strategic port on the Coromandel Coast. (Statement 2 is correct)

The VOC indeed engaged in practices resembling a cartel system by seeking to monopolize the spice trade and control the supply of key commodities like pepper, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon. They regulated production, eliminated competitors (including other European powers and local traders), and restricted access to certain markets, allowing them to fix prices and maximize profits. This form of supply control is a cartel-like strategy, though it functioned through state-sponsored monopoly mechanisms rather than agreements with competitors. (Statement 3 is correct) 

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• • In the early days of British trade in India, “Factors” were the representatives or agents of the British East India Company. They were responsible for overseeing trading activities, managing the company’s factories (trading posts), and negotiating with local rulers and merchants. The term “factory” during this period referred to a trading post rather than a place of production, and these factors played a key role in establishing and expanding British commercial interests. (Option (a) is correct)

• Indian merchants and brokers who facilitated trade between Europeans and local traders were known as banias or brokers.  

• British military officers responsible for territorial expansion and defense in India were typically called officers, generals, or commanders. 
• Missionaries, particularly those associated with Christian missionary activities in British-controlled India, were not known as “Factors.” They were referred to as missionaries or clergy, and their role was to spread Christianity, not manage trade. 

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• The Portuguese were the first European power to arrive in India, with Vasco da Gama landing at Calicut in 1498. They established their first trading post in Goa in 1510 and became the first European power to have a significant foothold in India. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The French East India Company first established a factory in Surat in 1668. Pondicherry became an important center for the French only after 1674 when they gained control of the town and later made it their main administrative center in India. (Statement 2 is incorrect)

The English East India Company established its first factory in Bengal at Hugli in 1651 during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. This marked the beginning of British influence in Bengal, which would later grow significantly. (Statement 3 is correct) 

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• The British East India Company was founded in 1600, while the French East India Company was established much later, in 1664. 
• The British were one of the earliest European powers to formalize a trading company for India, preceding the French by over 60 years.
• The French were deeply involved in military and political conflicts, particularly with the British East India Company. 
• The Carnatic Wars (1746–1763) are prime examples of military conflict between the French and the British in India, with significant political consequences for French ambitions in the region. 

The French eventually lost out to the British in these conflicts, reducing their influence in India. (Option (d) is correct)

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• • The First Carnatic War (1746-1748) was largely a spillover of the Austrian War of Succession (1740-1748) in Europe. The conflict between Britain and France in Europe extended to their colonial possessions, including India, where both powers had established trading posts and sought dominance.
  • The British East India Company and the French East India Company were locked in fierce competition for trade and influence in India. This rivalry was a key factor in the First Carnatic War, with both powers vying for control over strategic locations in southern India, particularly along the Coromandel Coast. (Option (a) is correct)

• In fact, the Nawab of Carnatic, Anwaruddin Khan, supported the British, not the French. He attempted to remain neutral at first but was drawn into the conflict when the British sought his help after being attacked by the French. This led to the Battle of St. Thome in 1746, where the Nawab’s forces were defeated by the French under Dupleix, but this was not a factor that directly started the war.  

• The First Carnatic War (1746-1748) was primarily a result of the global conflict between Britain and France during the Austrian War of Succession. The war in India began when the French, under Dupleix, captured Madras from the British. The war ended in 1748 with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, which restored Madras to the British and effectively ended hostilities, but the broader Anglo-French rivalry in India persisted. 

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• • The Regulating Act of 1773 was indeed the first major legislative measure passed by the British Parliament to regulate the affairs of the East India Company in India. It introduced changes in the administration of the Company, especially in Bengal, and laid the foundation for subsequent reforms by establishing a Governor-General with supervisory authority over other provinces.
  • The Pitt’s India Act of 1784 created a dual system of control, where the British government, through a newly created Board of Control, exercised ultimate authority over the East India Company’s policies in India, while the Court of Directors retained control over commercial matters. This act aimed to curb corruption and inefficiency in the administration. (Option (b) is correct)

• The Charter Act of 1813 ended the East India Company’s monopoly over trade in India, but it did not end the Company’s monopoly over trade with China. The monopoly on China trade continued until the Charter Act of 1833, which abolished it completely.

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• These British officials played key roles in expanding British control over Indian princely states and in managing frontier conflicts:
  • Henry Lawrence and John Lawrence were deeply involved in British governance in the Punjab and the North-West Frontier.
  • James Outram was instrumental in the annexation of Awadh.
  • Charles Napier was responsible for the conquest of Sindh.
• They were key actors in British territorial expansion, particularly under the Doctrine of Lapse and policies aimed at consolidating British authority in strategic regions. (Option (b) is correct)

• Legal reforms and the codification of Indian laws, such as the Indian Penal Code and civil laws, were driven by figures like Lord Macaulay and other legal administrators, rather than military leaders like the ones mentioned in the question. 

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• Haider Ali was the Sultan of Mysore and played a key role in resisting British forces in South India during the mid to late 18th century. His tenure as a military and political leader began in the 1760s. He notably fought in the First and Second Anglo-Mysore Wars (1767–1769 and 1780–1784).
• Later known as the Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley served in India during the early 19th century. He played a prominent role in the Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1805) and achieved significant victories such as the Battle of Assaye (1803). His tenure in India marked an important period of British expansion.
• Yashwantrao Holkar was the ruler of the Holkar dynasty in Indore and a prominent leader in the Maratha Confederacy. He led resistance against British expansion during the Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1805) and continued his opposition until his death in 1811.

Lord Ripon served as the Viceroy of India from 1880 to 1884. He is best known for his liberal policies, including the introduction of local self-government and the repeal of the controversial Vernacular Press Act. He also sought to introduce education reforms and supported the Ilbert Bill. (Option (b) is correct)

Solution (d)

Statement Analysis:

The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog released the ‘Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) India Index’. It is a tool to measure and track India’s progress towards the SDGs set by the United Nations. It supports the localization of SDGs, encouraging states to integrate these goals into their development plans. It serves as a benchmark for policymakers to identify gaps and prioritise actions toward achieving 

sustainable development by 2030. Hence, option d is correct.

Solution (c)

Statement Analysis:

• The SIM Swapping Scam occurs when a malicious actor convinces your carrier to transfer your phone number to a new SIM card in their possession. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
• In the SIM swap scam, fraudsters first take personal details such as phone numbers, bank account details, and addresses with the help of phishing or vishing.
• After receiving the personal information, fraudsters visit the mobile operator’s retail outlet, posing as the victim with forged ID proof, and report a fake theft of the victim’s SIM card and/or mobile phone. By doing this, they attain a duplicate SIM.
• It can grant them access to your calls, texts, and two-factor authentication codes. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
• When the SIM is swapped, the accused gains control of the entire SIM. All calls and messages go through their SIM only. 
• Once in control of the SIM card, they can obtain passwords and OTPs that allow them to access their targets’ bank accounts.

Number Lock introduced by Google Fi wireless empowers users to take control and prevent SIM swapping. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Solution (b)

Statement Analysis:

• Syphilis is caused by the bacteria, Treponema pallidum. Hence, Statement 1 is incorrect.
• After the infection happens, syphilis bacteria can stay in the body for many years without causing symptoms. But the infection can become active again.
• It is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
• It can pass from mother to baby during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. Hence, Statement 3 is incorrect.
• starts as a sore that’s often painless and typically appears on the genitals, rectum, or mouth.
• If left untreated, it can cause serious health issues. It can permanently damage your heart, brain, muscles, bones, and eyes.
• It is treatable and curable. It is easy to cure with antibiotics, especially during the early stages.

It is commonly treated by Penicillin. Hence, Statement 4 is correct.

Solution (c)

Statement Analysis:

• Cheiraoba Festival is celebrated across Manipur, as it is the New Year according to the Manipuri tribes. It is also related to the domestic deity called Sanamahi worshipped by the Manipuri people.
• Kharchi Puja primarily originates from Tripura. It is celebrated in honour of Lord Shiva.
• Wangala Festival is celebrated by the dominant Garo Tribe in Meghalaya. It indicates the beginning of winter and is celebrated as a nod to the post-harvest season.
• Sekrenyi Festival is celebrated in February by the Angami tribe of Nagaland.

Hence, option c is correct.

Solution (d)

Statement Analysis:

• Primary Amoebic Meningo-Encephalitis (PAM) is a rare, usually fatal, infection of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
• The causative organism for PAM is eukaryote naegleria fowleri. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
• Naegleria fowleri occurs in shallow surface waters and incorrectly maintained swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas, particularly in warm climates.
• The amoebas can enter the brain through the nose when people swim in contaminated warm, fresh water. The amoeba then invades the brain and meninges through the nose.
• Its symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, delusions, and convulsions. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
• In the later stages, one can suffer from a stiff neck, seizures, hallucinations, and even coma.
• There are no standard treatments for the treatment of PAM. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Combination therapy using medicines to treat parasites offers the most promise.

 Solution (c)

Statement Analysis:

The terms ‘Vallam Kali’ and ‘Nouka Baich’ are related to boat races. Vallam kali (vaḷḷaṃ kaḷi, literally: boat game), also known as snake boat race, is a traditional boat race in Kerala, India. Nouka Baich is a traditional boat race in West Bengal. Hence, option c is correct.

 Solution (c)

Statement Analysis:

• The Indian Gaur is the largest and tallest in the family of wild cattle. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
• The Indian Bison is about 240 cm to 340 cm in length, with a sole tail length of about 70 cm to 105 cm. Their height is about 170 cm to 230 cm. 
• The adult male weighs around 600 kg to 1500 kg. and the adult female weighs about 400 kg to 1000 kg.
• They have a convex shape on the forehead.
• It is indigenous to the south and southeast parts of Asia. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
• They are primarily the denizens of evergreen and semi-evergreen forests along with moist deciduous forests with open grasslands.
• They prefer hilly terrains below an altitude of 1,500-1,800 m with large and undisturbed forest tracts and abundant water.
• Both males and females possess horns. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
• The horns are pale green or yellowish brown in color and are not pointed upward but possess a slightly inward curvature.
• They have a typically short tail.
• The Gaur is a social animal. They generally live in a group size of about 30 to 40. 
• It is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Hence, Statement 4 is incorrect.

It is protected under Schedule I of the Wild Life Protection Act of 1972 and Appendix I of the CITES.

Solution (d)

Statement Analysis:

The world’s oldest cave painting found in the limestone cave of Leang Karampuang depicts a pig that is standing upright along with three smaller human-like figures painted in a single shade of dark red pigment. It was discovered in Indonesia. Hence, option d is correct.

Solution (a)

Statement Analysis:

• The NIRMAN Scheme is a unique corporate social responsibility (CSR) scheme by Coal India Limited (CIL). Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
• Coal India Limited (CIL) is a government of India-owned Maharatna company. It is the single largest coal producer in the world. It contributes to 85% of total domestic coal production and 75% of total coal-based generation. 
• It aims to provide financial assistance of ₹1,00,000 to candidates who have successfully cleared the preliminary round of the UPSC Civil Services and Forest Service Examinations in 2024. Hence, Statement 2 is incorrect.
• This support extends to individuals from Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST), as well as female and third-gender candidates.
• The eligible beneficiaries include those with an annual family income of less than ₹8 lakhs, and who are permanent residents of the 39 districts where CIL operates. Hence, Statement 3 is incorrect.
• The application process for NIRMAN is fully digital and facilitated through a dedicated portal. 

Solution (c)

Statement Analysis:

• The SEHER Programme is an initiative of NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and TransUnion CIBIL. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
• The Women Entrepreneurship Platform was incubated in NITI Aayog in 2018 as an aggregator platform that transitioned as a public-private partnership in 2022 to build a comprehensive ecosystem supporting women entrepreneurs across India.
• It is a comprehensive credit education program designed to enhance financial literacy and business skills among women entrepreneurs. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
• It is expected to enable women to access the financial tools necessary for business growth and job creation.

Q.31) 1.Solution (a) 

Assumption 1 is correct: The given assumption is based on the lines “IoT security is vital for enterprises, as it includes a wide range of techniques, strategies, protocols, and actions that aim to mitigate the increasing IoT vulnerabilities of modern businesses.” These lines show that if IoT is not secured then it may make modern businesses vulnerable to cyber-attacks which can have serious economic implications. Hence, this assumption is correct as per the passage. 

Assumption 2 is incorrect: The given assumption is based on the lines “Due to the unconventional manufacturing of IoT devices and the vast amount of data they handle, there’s a constant threat of cyber-attacks.” These lines show that IoT is under constant threat due to unconventional manufacturing of IOT devices, and the huge data they handle. This does not mean that their data handling capacities are not good. So, to assume that enhancing data handling capacities is a way to secure IoTs is not correct as per the passage.

Q.2) Solution (a) 

Option (a) is correct: The given option is based on the following lines “Due to the unconventional manufacturing of IoT devices and the vast amount of data they handle, there’s a constant threat of cyber-attacks” and “IoT security is vital for enterprises, as it includes a wide range of techniques, strategies, protocols, and actions that aim to mitigate the increasing IoT vulnerabilities of modern businesses. For those deploying IoT systems, hardware security and authentication are critical measures.” It shows that IoT needs to be secured considering its vulnerability to cyber-attacks. Also, they are vulnerable due to their large scale manufacturing and the concomitant impact on modern businesses. Hence, their security is crucial and must be taken seriously. So, it is the most rational inference of the passage. 

Option (b) is incorrect: This option mentions India, which is not discussed in the passage. So, this option is beyond the scope of the passage.  

Option (c) is incorrect: The given option seems to be correct, but it is not because the passage is not pessimistic about the future based on IoT. The author just lays down the challenges associated with this technology. So, this option is not the best rational inference. 

Option (d) is incorrect: The given option is about the implementation of IoT being easy. However, the passage is about security challenges in the context of IoT. Whether the implementation of IoT is easy or not is not discussed in the passage. This option statement is very general in nature, while the passage is very much focused on the security aspect of IoTs. Hence, this option is not the most rational inference of the passage. 

Solution (a) 

Total volume of the 3 small cubes = 63 + 83 + 13 = 216 + 512 + 1 = 729 inch3 

Volume of the new cube formed = Total volume of the three smaller cubes = 729 inch3 Side of the new large cube = (729)1/3 = 9 inch 

Total surface area of the cube of side 9 inch = 6 × (side)2 = 6 × 9 × 9 = 486 inch2 Hence, option (a) is the right answer.

Solution (a)

If you have two finite sets A and B, where A has M elements and B has N elements, then AxB has MxN elements.

So, Number of elements in P x Q = 4×4 = 16

Hence, option (a) is the right answer.

Solution (d) 

Let Rudra, Ananya and Chetan be R, A and C respectively. 

So, Efficiency-wise, 2(A+R+C) = 5 + 3 + 4 = 12 

Or (A+R+C) = 6  

C = (A+R+C) – (R + A) = 6 – 5 = 1 

R = (A+R+C) – (A + C) = 6 – 3 = 3 

A = (A+R+C) – (C + R) = 6 – 4 = 2 

So, the number of days in which Rudra can complete the same work = 120/3 = 40 days 

Similarly, the number of days in which Ananya can complete the same work = 120/2 = 60 days Similarly, the number of days in which Chetan can complete the same work = 120/1 = 120 days Hence, it is clear that option (d) is the right answer.