Answer: A

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Union Consumer Affairs Ministry notified the Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026 under Section 52 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009. This makes time a regulated unit of measurement, providing legal backing to enforce synchronization across digital networks.

Statement 2 is correct: To roll out precise dissemination, the government commissioned a White Rabbit Technology (WRT) demonstration network. WRT allows sub-nanosecond time synchronization over fiber-optic networks by actively measuring and correcting packet delays. This keeps critical systems like stock exchanges (NSE), banks, and telecom infrastructures securely synced.

Statement 3 is incorrect: A key driver behind "One Nation, One Time" is strategic indigenization to reduce dependency on foreign systems like the US GPS, which is vulnerable to cyber-spoofing and jamming. Instead, the framework transitions critical infrastructure to utilize India’s sovereign satellite constellation, NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation).

Answer: C

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The 82.5° E longitude serves as India’s Standard Meridian. However, it passes through five Indian states, not four. The states are Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.

Statement 2 is correct: The CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL) in New Delhi is the official timekeeper of India. It maintains the national time standard—designated as UTC(NPLI)—using highly advanced Cesium and Rubidium atomic clocks.

Statement 3 is correct: Recognizing that instant enforcement could crash automated computer networks, the Legal Metrology (IST) Rules, 2026 feature a deferred commencement clause. Entities are given a 180-day compliance window to configure their servers, databases, and logs to prevent default errors or security issues.

Answer: D

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: During the official state visit to Tashkent in August 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev elevated bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), signing multiple key agreements.

Statement 2 is correct: Both nations set an ambitious target to scale up bilateral trade to USD 5 billion by 2030, building upon the current baseline of over USD 1 billion.

Statement 3 is correct: India and Uzbekistan first established a Strategic Partnership back in 2011, meaning 2026 marked the 15th anniversary of that framework before it was upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Integrated Fertilizer Management System (iFMS) was developed and is technically supported by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) for the Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. It serves as the digital backbone monitoring the entire supply chain from domestic production/imports to retail transactions.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Unlike other social welfare schemes where cash is transferred to the beneficiary, the fertilizer DBT system releases 100% of the subsidy directly to the fertilizer manufacturing/importing companies. This disbursement happens only after the actual retail sale is successfully captured through Point of Sale (PoS) devices with Aadhaar-linked verification. Farmers simply purchase the fertilizer at a reduced (subsidized) retail price.

Statement 3 is correct: The transition into its modern phase relies heavily on data analytics. This enables authorities to track consumption patterns across specific buyer brackets, landholding sizes, district distributions, and crop types to catch artificial spikes, shortages, or illegal diversions early.

Answer: D

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The core driver of the transition is ensuring precise, data-driven fertilizer distribution. By linking sales to platforms like Haryana's Meri Fasal Mera Byora (MFMB) and the central AgriStack, the system matches a buyer's immediate purchase volume with their officially registered acreage and active crop requirements. This checks over-application and balances soil nutrient health.

 Statement 2 is correct: A persistent issue in the fertilizer sector has been black-marketing and diversion to non-agricultural industrial applications. Inter-linking these platforms builds a robust validation mesh. It ensures that subsidized soil nutrients go only to verified farmers or legitimate tenant cultivators who are actively working the fields.

Statement 3 is correct: Alongside data integration, the ministry has introduced an automated e-Bill System. This streamlines financial reforms by completely eliminating the physical movement of bills between fertilizer corporations and the government, making the massive (~₹2 lakh crore) annual subsidy tracking completely auditable and transparent.