Passage 1.

Thousands of kilometres from India, a corridor that is supposed to connect

Alexander’s Greece with Porus’ India in the 21st century is causing tension between two
major Mediterranean powers—Greece and Türkiye. The India-Middle East-Europe-
Economic Corridor (IMEC) was announced on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in New
Delhi when a memorandum of understanding was signed between the European Union and
seven countries, namely India, the US, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE),
France, Germany, and Italy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already finalised the agreement with his Greek
counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis on August 25 to secure the ports for this project. He was
visiting Athens on his way back from a summit of the BRICS bloc of emerging economies in
South Africa.

According to the information, the corridor will include a shipping route connecting Mumbai
and Mundra (Gujarat) with the UAE, and a rail network connecting the UAE, Saudi Arabia,
and Jordan with the Israeli port of Haifa to reach the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Haifa
will then be connected by sea to the port of Piraeus in Greece to eventually be connected to
Europe.
[ Source: https://frontline.thehindu.com/world-affairs/how-the-india-middle-east-europe-
economic-corridor-opens-up-a-passage-of-possibilities/article67344064.ece ]

26. The IMEC Project froms the part of which of the following?

(A) Partnership for Industrial Equipment Maintenance and Compliance.

(B) Partnership for Integrated Energy Management and Conservation.
(C) Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment.
(D) None of the above.

27. Consider the following statements about India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor
(IMEC) Project.
I. The proposed IMEC will consist of Railroad, Ship-to-Rail networks and Road
transport routes extending across three corridors.
II. The IMEC corridor will also include an electricity cable, a hydrogen pipeline and a
high-speed data cable.
Select the correct option.

(A) Only statement I is true.

(B) Only statment II is true.
(C) Both statement I and II are true.
(D) Neither statement I nor II is true.

28. Which among the following countries is not a signatory to the IMEC Project?

(A) Saudi Arabia.

(B) UAE.
(C) Italy.
(D) China.
29. The IMEC project includes the connection with various ports. All of the following ports
is included for the same except?

(A) Haifa port.

(B) Piraeus port.
(C) Jawaharlal Nehru port.
(D) Hambantota port.

30. All of the following is an objective behind the IMEC project except?

(A) It aims to create a comprehensive transportation network, comprising rail, road, and
sea routes, connecting India, the Middle East, and Europe.
(B) It aims to enhance transportation efficiency, reduce costs, increase economic unity,
generate employment, and lower Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
(C) It is expected to transform the integration of Asia, Europe, and the Middle East by
facilitating trade and connectivity.
(D) None of these.

Passage 2. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is more than a tech buzzword; it’s a
transformative concept that India has championed on the global stage, notably in G20
deliberations. The nation’s unique DPI initiatives, such as digital ID (Aadhaar) and payment
infrastructure (UPI), have been highlighted by the Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG)
under the G20 umbrella. But what exactly is DPI, and why is it so crucial for India’s digital
future?

Though the term DPI is relatively new, the concept is not. The internet, powered by common
protocols like HTTP, HTML, and SMTP, is a prime example of DPI. It ensures global
information exchange and interoperability. Telecom, with standards like GSM, SMS, CDMA,
and IEEE 802.11, is another example. Loosely defined, DPI is a set of technology building
blocks that drive innovation, inclusion, and competition at scale, operating under open,
transparent and participatory governance.

[Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/digital-india-vision-department-
of-telecom-pm-wani-upi-8945834/ ]

31. PM-WANI can be a potential game-changer for India’s digital public infrastructure.
What can be an appropriate abbreviation of PM-WANI?

(A) Personal Mobile Wireless Access Network Interface.

(B) Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface.
(C) Public Mobile Web Access Network Initiative.
(D) Private Mobile Wireless Area Network Integration.

32. Consider the following statements:

I. Aadhaar card can be used as a proof of citizenship or domicile.

 II. Once issued, Aadhaar number cannot be deactivated or omitted by the Issuing
Authority.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) I only.
(B) II only.
(C) Both I and II.
(D) Neither I nor II.

33. Consider the following statements about PM-WANI.

I. The PM-WANI, launched by the Department of Telecom (DoT) in December 2020, is

one key scheme launched to bolster the penetration of public WiFi hotspots to
establish a robust digital communication infrastructure throughout the nation,
especially in rural areas.
II. It is a framework that enables any entity, such as a shopkeeper, a tea stall owner, or a
Kirana store owner, to set up a public Wi-Fi hotspot and provide internet service to
customers.
III. This framework takes forward the goal of the National Digital Communications
Policy, 2020 (NDCP) of creating a robust digital communications infrastructure.

Choose the correct option.

(A) I and II are true.

(B) II and III are true.
(C) I and III are true.
(D) All of the above.

34. Which of the following is not included in the 4 elements of PM-WANI?

(A) Public Data Office.

(B) Data manager.
(C) Public Data Office Aggregator.
(D) App Provider.

35. Which leader is associated with the launch of the PM WANI initiative?

(A) President of India.

(B) Prime Minister of India.
(C) Chief Minister of a state.
(D) Union Home Minister.

Passage 3. India is a country of infinite possibilities and has a rich history of imparting
quality education, not only to the young minds within the country but also to many
knowledge aspirants across the world. India’s education landscape stands on the precipice of
transformation with the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, a visionary approach that
promises to reshape holistic development and skill enhancement. This policy addresses
education comprehensively, fostering a new era of learning and personal growth. The main
emphasis of NEP is on building character, integrity, moral values, respect for others,
cleanliness, courtesy, serving spirit, liberty, enhancing scientific temper, responsibility,
etiquette justice and equality in all domains.

We had the world’s oldest university system, such as universities of Takshila, Nalanda,
Vikramshila. We as Indians are proud of our great heritage of scholarly pursuits and its
impact on the world. There was a time when India was known as “Golden Sparrow” and
“Knowledge capitol” due to the renowned universities, learned saints, sages, and kings. There
is evidence that scholars across the world were educated in grammar, medicine, philosophy,
logic, arts, crafts, physics, and liberal arts in old Indian universities.

[Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/national-education-policy-2020-a-
catalyst-for-rebuilding-india/ ]

36. NEP 2020 focuses on?

(A) Formative assessment based progress card.

(B) Summative assessment based progress card.
(C) Comprehensive assessment based progress card.
(D) 360 degree holistic progress caed.

37. The aim of National Education Policy, 2020, is to increase the Gross Enrollment ratio in
higher education by 2035 to?

(A) 35%
(B) 26.3%
(C) 50%
(D) 40%

38. According to NEP 2020, what is the full form of ECCE?

(A) Education of caring child in elementary class.

(B) Elementary classes of child education.
(C) Educational classes for caring early childhood.
(D) Early childhood Care and Education.

39. National Education Policy 2020 Emphasises on?

(A) Flexible multi-level activity based learning.

(B) Only the aspects related to cognitive development of children.
(C) Standardisation of a national curriculum.
(D) Measurement of momeorisation abilities of children.

40. Which of the following has not been prompted by National Education Policy, 2020 in
context of education of students with disabilities?

(A) Appropriate infrastructure.

(B) One-on-one teachers and tutors.
(C) Compulsory Special education.
(D) Suitable technological interventions.
Passage 4. This year’s Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine has been jointly awarded to
(1) and (2) for their “discoveries concerning nucleoside base modification that enabled the
development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19”, The Royal Swedish Academy
of Science announced on October 2, 2023.
Through their groundbreaking findings, which have fundamentally changed our
understanding of how mRNA interacts with our immune system, the laureates contributed to
the unprecedented rate of vaccine development during one of the greatest threats to human
health in modern times, the press release said.
[ Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/nobel-prize-medicine-winner-2023-
katalin-karik%C3%B3-and-drew-weissman/article67371585.ece ]

41. Fill (1) and (2) in the first line of the passage.

(A) William G. Kaelin Jr. and Sir Peter J. Ratcliffe

(B) Harvey J. Alter, Michael Houghton
(C) Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman
(D) David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian

42. In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent COVID-19 pandemic, consider the
following statements: (2022)

I. The Serum Institute of India produced COVID-19 vaccine named Covishield using
mRNA platform.

II. Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured using vector based platform.

III. COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen based vaccine.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(A) 1 and 2 only

(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3

43. In which year was the first Nobel Prize awarded?

(A) 1901
(B) 1910
(C) 1920
(D) 1930

44. Who selects the Nobel Peace Prize winners?

(A) The Nobel Committee for Peace in Norway

(B) The United Nations
(C) The Nobel Committee for Literature in Sweden
(D) The President of the United States
45. What is the Nobel Prize amount for 2023?
(A) Swedish kronor (SEK) 5.0 million per Nobel Prize
(B) Swedish kronor (SEK) 11.0 million per Nobel Prize
(C) Swedish kronor (SEK) 15.0 million per Nobel Prize
(D) Swedish kronor (SEK) 20.0 million per Nobel Prize

Passage 5. The UN Security Council on Wednesday failed to adopt a Brazil-led draft

resolution that would have called for humanitarian pauses in the ongoing Israel-Hamas
conflict to allow full access for aid to the Gaza strip after the US vetoed the text. The US, a
permanent member of the UNSC and a close ally of Israel, said it is disappointed the
resolution makes no mention of Israel's rights of self-defence.

The 15-nation Council met to vote on the draft resolution that was proposed by Council
Poposed by Council President Brazil.

While 12 Council members voted in favour of the resolution, Russia and Britain abstained.
The resolution could not be adopted because of a veto cast by the US.
[ Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/unsc-fails-to-
adopt-resolution-on-israel-palestine-conflict-after-veto-by-us/articleshow/104535737.cms ]

46. What was the old name of Jerusalem?

(A) Yerushalayim
(B) al-Quds
(C) Both a and b
(D) None of the above

47. Which of the following statements is true regarding the Second Temple

i) King Herod restructured the second Temple

ii) The retaining walls were added to the second temple in 37 BC

(A) Only i
(B) Only ii
(C) Both i and ii
(D) None of the above

48. What according to Herzl were the boundaries of Greater Israel?

i) from the Brook of Egypt to the Euphrates

ii) South Lebanon up to Sidon and the Litani River

(A) Only i
(B) Only ii
(C) Both i and ii
(D) None of the above
49. What was the great movement of the Jews from all over the world to Palestine called?

(A) Aliyahs
(B) Al Nakba
(C) Holocaust
(D) None of the above

50. Where is the Sinai Peninsula located?

i) It is located between Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea

ii) It is the territory of Israel

iii) It is the only part of Egypt in Asia

(A) Only i
(B) i and ii
(C) ii and iii
(D) i and iii

Passage 6. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday (August 7) declared a
six-point “guarantee” for tribals in Gujarat’s Chhota Udepur district, including the “strict
implementation” of The Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA Act).

The PESA Act was enacted in 1996 “to provide for the extension of the provisions of Part IX
of the Constitution relating to the Panchayats to the Scheduled Areas”. (Other than
Panchayats, Part IX, comprising Articles 243-243ZT of the Constitution, contains provisions
relating to Municipalities and Cooperative Societies.)

Under the PESA Act, Scheduled Areas are those referred to in Article 244(1), which says that
the provisions of the Fifth Schedule shall apply to the Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes
in states other than Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. The Fifth Schedule provides
for a range of special provisions for these areas.

[Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/everyday-explainers/explained-pesa-act-
background-aaps-election-promise-gujarat-8077958/ ]

51. At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective
implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition
of Forest Rights) Act, 2006?

(A) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

(B) Ministry of Panchayati Raj
(C) Ministry of Rural Development
(D) Ministry of Tribal Affairs
52. Which Schedule of the Constitution of India contains special provisions for the
administration and control of Scheduled Areas in several States?

(A) Third
(B) Fifth
(C) Seventh
(D) Ninth

53. The Government enacted the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act in
1996. Which one of the following is not identified as its objective?

(A) To provide self-governance

(B) To recognize traditional rights
(C) To create autonomous regions in tribal areas
(D) To free tribal people from exploitation

54. Under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest
Rights) Act, 2006, who shall be the authority to initiate the process for determining the nature
and extent of individual or community forest rights or both?

(A) State Forest Department

(B) District Collector/Deputy Commissioner
(C) Tahsildar/Block Development Officer/Mandal Revenue Officer
(D) Gram Sabha

55. The provisions in Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule in the Constitution of India are made
in order to

(A) protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes

(B) determine the boundaries between States
(C) determine the powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats
(D) protect the interests of all the border States

Explanations
26. (C) The project forms part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII).
PGII is a values-driven, high-impact, and transparent infrastructure partnership to meet the enormous
infrastructure needs of low and middle-income countries.

27. (B) The proposed IMEC will consist of Railroad, Ship-to-Rail networks and Road transport
routes extending across two corridors, that is,
The East Corridor – connecting India to the Arabian Gulf,
The Northern Corridor – connecting the Gulf to Europe.
Hence, statement I is incorrect.
The IMEC corridor will also include an electricity cable, a hydrogen pipeline and a high-speed data
cable.

28. (D) India, the US, Saudi Arabia, UAE, the European Union, Italy, France, and Germany.
These countries are signatory to the IMEC Project which does not include China. Hence, option D is
the correct ansswer.

29. (D) The project does not include the connection with Hambantota port.

30. (D) Option D, "None of these," is the correct answer because all of the other statements
describe objectives of the IMEC project. The IMEC project aims to create a comprehensive
transportation network, enhance transportation efficiency, reduce costs, increase economic unity,
generate employment, lower Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, and transform the integration of
Asia, Europe, and the Middle East by facilitating trade and connectivity.

31. (B) Option B, "Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface," is the correct answer
because PM-WANI stands for "Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface." It is a program in
India that aims to provide Wi-Fi access to the public, making it a significant initiative in enhancing
digital connectivity in the country.

32. (D) Option D, "Neither I nor II," is the correct answer.

Aadhaar card is not proof of citizenship or domicile; it is a proof of identity and residence in India,
but it does not confer citizenship or domicile status.
The Aadhaar issuing authority can deactivate or omit Aadhaar numbers in certain cases, such as if
they were obtained fraudulently or in violation of the Aadhaar Act. So, the statement that it cannot be
deactivated is incorrect.

33. (A) This framework takes forward the goal of the National Digital Communications Policy,
2018 (NDCP) of creating a robust digital communications infrastructure. Hence statement III is
incorrect.

34. (B) Option B, "Data manager," is not included in the 4 elements of PM-WANI. PM-WANI
consists of the following elements:
Public Data Office (PDO)
Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA)
App Provider (AP)
Central Registry (CR)
The term "Data manager" is not one of the core elements of the PM-WANI ecosystem.

35. (B) The PM-WANI initiative was launched by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, to
provide public Wi-Fi access and enhance digital connectivity across the country.

36. (D) In the context of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the 360-degree holistic
progress card refers to a more comprehensive assessment approach that takes into account various
aspects of a student's development, including academic, co-curricular, and social-emotional aspects.
This aligns with NEP 2020's emphasis on a well-rounded and holistic education.

37. (C) The aim of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is to increase the Gross Enrollment
Ratio (GER) in higher education to 50% by 2035. This signifies the policy's goal to significantly
improve access to higher education in India.

38. (D) In the context of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, ECCE stands for Early
Childhood Care and Education, which emphasizes the importance of providing care and education to
young children before they enter formal schooling.

39. (A) The National Education Policy 2020 emphasizes flexible and activity-based learning
approaches that cater to the diverse learning needs of students, moving away from rigid, one-size-fits-
all education. This approach promotes a more inclusive and holistic educational experience.

40. (C) The National Education Policy 2020 promotes inclusive education for students with
disabilities and aims to provide them with appropriate infrastructure, suitable technological
interventions, and support within the regular classroom setting, but it does not make special education
compulsory for all students with disabilities.

41. (C) Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman

42. (B) The Serum Institute of India produced the COVID-19 vaccine known as Covishield, but it
is not based on the mRNA platform. It is a viral vector-based vaccine developed by AstraZeneca in
collaboration with the University of Oxford.
Sputnik V is indeed manufactured using a vector-based platform. It is a viral vector vaccine
developed in Russia.
COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen-based vaccine, making the statement about its platform correct.
It was developed by Bharat Biotech in India.

43. (A) The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901. The Peace Prize for that year was shared
between the Frenchman Frédéric Passy and the Swiss Jean Henry Dunant.
44. (A) The Norwegian Nobel Committee is responsible for the selection of eligible candidates
and the choice of the Nobel Peace Prize laureates.

45. (B) The Nobel Prize amount for 2023 is Swedish kronor (SEK) 11.0 million per Nobel Prize.

46. (C) Jerusalem was known as Yerushalayim in Hebrew and as al-Quds in Arabic.

47. (C) In 37 BC King Herod restructured the second Temple and added retaining walls to it.

48. (A) The concept of a “Greater Israel'', according to the founding father of Zionism Theodore
Herzl, is a Jewish State stretching “from the Brook of Egypt to the Euphrates.”

49. (A) It was between 1882 to 1948, when the Jews from around the world gathered in Palestine.
This movement came to be known as Aliyahs.

50. (D) The Sinai Peninsula, or simply Sinai is a peninsula in Egypt, and the only part of the
country located in Asia. It is between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea.

51. (D) The Ministry of Tribal Affairs in India is the nodal agency responsible for the effective
implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest
Rights) Act, 2006, which aims to recognize and protect the rights of tribal and forest-dwelling
communities over forest resources.

52. (B) The Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India contains special provisions for the
administration and control of Scheduled Areas in several states, focusing on the protection of the
rights and interests of the Scheduled Tribes residing in these areas.

53. (C) The primary objectives of the PESA Act are to provide self-governance, recognize
traditional rights, and free tribal people from exploitation within the Scheduled Areas. While it
empowers local self-governance, it does not specifically aim to create autonomous regions within
tribal areas.

54. (D) Under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest
Rights) Act, 2006, the Gram Sabha, which is the local self-governing body at the village level, has the
authority to initiate the process for determining the nature and extent of individual or community
forest rights or both.
55. (A) The provisions in the Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India are
made to protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes by providing special safeguards and autonomy in the
administration of their areas and resources.