Answer: A. 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

• Option 1 – Incorrect: The Tendulkar Committee moved away from calorie-based norms and instead focused on actual consumption patterns including health and education expenditure. It retained the consumption expenditure approach but not the calorie norm.
• Option 2 – Correct: The Thali Index reflects the cost of a basic home-cooked meal (vegetarian thali) and is used to assess food affordability, thereby providing an alternative way to understand poverty.

Option 3 – Correct: The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) includes non-monetary indicators such as education, health, sanitation, and housing conditions to assess poverty comprehensively.

Answer: B. Equal respect and recognition for all religions by the state, without preference or discrimination.

Explanation:

• Option A – Incorrect: India does not follow a strict separation model like France or the U.S. Instead, it allows state intervention in religious matters for reform and equality (e.g., abolition of untouchability, temple entry laws).
• Option B – Correct: Indian secularism implies “Sarva Dharma Sambhava”, meaning equal respect for all religions. The state maintains principled neutrality while promoting religious freedom and reform.
• Option C – Incorrect: The state may regulate religious practices only when they conflict with constitutional values (e.g., public order, morality, health), but not to impose uniformity.

Option D – Incorrect: The Indian Constitution allows religious expression in public life, as long as it doesn’t violate public order or other constitutional rights.

Answer: A. 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Correct: Megadiverse countries collectively contain over 70% of Earth’s biodiversity.
• Statement 2 – Correct: India is one of the 17 megadiverse countries and contains four biodiversity hotspots—the Himalayas, Western Ghats, Indo-Burma, and Sundaland.

Statement 3 – Incorrect: The concept and classification of megadiverse countries was introduced by Conservation International, not UNEP.

Answer: B. 3 – 1 – 2 – 4

Explanation:

Kol Uprising – 1831–32
Santhal Rebellion – 1855–56
Munda Ulgulan (Birsa Munda’s Movement) – 1899–1900
Rampa Rebellion (Alluri Sitarama Raju) – 1922–24
Thus, the correct chronological order is:
Kol → Santhal → Munda → Rampa

Answer: A. 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Correct: The mission involves the coast guards of all four Quad nations—India, Japan, Australia, and the United States.
• Statement 2 – Correct: It follows a cross-embarkation model, where officers from all countries observe and participate together in onboard operations.
• Statement 3 – Incorrect: While the mission aligns with the goals of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), it was formally launched under the Wilmington Declaration, not directly under IPOI.
• Statement 4 – Incorrect: The first mission took place on board the US Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Stratton, which sailed to Guam, not the Maldives.