Answer: A

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Indus Waters Treaty provides a structured three-tier grievance redressal mechanism under Article IX. The Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) serves as the first level of dispute resolution, where commissioners from both India and Pakistan meet regularly to discuss technical issues and operational disputes.

Statement 2 is incorrect: A Neutral Expert (NE) is appointed specifically to handle technical and engineering disputes that cannot be resolved by the PIC. Furthermore, the decision of a Neutral Expert is binding on both sides, not advisory.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Court of Arbitration (CoA) is a seven-member tribunal constituted at The Hague that deals with legal disputes and treaty interpretation, rather than technical engineering disputes. India’s current objection stems from Pakistan simultaneously approaching both a Neutral Expert and a CoA, which India argues violates the treaty's graded, step-by-step resolution process.

Answer: D

Explanation:

Pair 1 is correctly matched: The Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project (330 MW) is a run-of-the-river project located on the Kishanganga River, which is a major tributary of the Jhelum River. Under the IWT, the Jhelum is classified as a Western River allocated to Pakistan, though India retains limited rights for run-of-the-river hydropower generation.

Pair 2 is correctly matched: The Ratle Hydroelectric Project (850 MW) is located on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir. The Chenab is also classified as a Western River under the treaty.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: The Bhakra Nangal dam system is located on the Sutlej River. Under the IWT, the three Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) are allocated to India for unrestricted use.

Answer: A

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The India–Sweden Strategic Partnership is officially guided by four specific pillars: (i) Strategic Dialogue for Stability and Security, (ii) Next-Generation Economic Partnership, (iii) Emerging Technologies and Trusted Connectivity, and (iv) Shaping Tomorrow Together – People, Planet, Health and Resilience.

Statement 2 is correct: During the May 2026 summit, both governments endorsed the development of the Sweden-India Technology and Artificial Intelligence Corridor (SITAC) to strengthen industry, startup, and research partnerships in advanced tech domains like 6G, AI, and quantum computing.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Although the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) is a highly significant sustainability partnership between India and Sweden, it was launched at the UN Climate Action Summit in 2019 (not 2026), alongside the World Economic Forum.

Answer: D

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Diplomatic relations between India and Sweden were formally established in 1948. Furthermore, Sweden hosted the first-ever India–Nordic Summit in 2018, which aimed to broaden India's economic and strategic engagement across the Nordic region.

Statement 2 is correct: During the 2026 bilateral visit, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden conferred upon PM Narendra Modi the 'Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree Commander Grand Cross.' This is Sweden’s highest honour awarded to a foreign head of government.

Statement 3 is correct: To boost bilateral economic relations and accelerate the growth of smaller enterprises, the two nations agreed to establish a dedicated India–Sweden SME and Start-up Platform. This is designed to support youth employment and innovation-driven entrepreneurship under the updated Joint Action Plan.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The plates are inscribed in both Tamil and Sanskrit languages. They consist of multiple sections; for example, five plates carry inscriptions in Sanskrit, while sixteen are inscribed in Tamil.

Statement 2 is correct: The plates provide excellent evidence of religious pluralism and historical international ties. They specifically record the grant of revenue from villages near Anaimangalam to support a Buddhist vihara (monastery) located in the port town of Nagapattinam. This vihara was constructed by the Buddhist Malay king of the Srivijaya kingdom (located in present-day Indonesia).

Statement 3 is correct: Florentius Camper, a Dutch missionary associated with the Dutch East India Company, acquired the plates from Nagapattinam around 1712. The descendants of Camper later transferred these priceless royal charters to the Leiden University library in the Netherlands in 1862, where they were preserved until their repatriation to India.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Chola dynasty had a highly centralized monarchy, but it simultaneously boasted a highly developed and strong system of village self-governance. The local assemblies were broadly categorized into the ur (general village assembly) and the sabha (assembly of Brahmanas), which were responsible for land revenue collection, local administration, and managing temples.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Cholas are not known for isolationism. Instead, they are celebrated for their booming maritime trade networks and audacious naval expeditions. Under rulers like Rajendra Chola I, they possessed a formidable navy that established strong trade and cultural links with Southeast Asia (such as the Srivijaya empire), Sri Lanka, and China.

Statement 3 is correct: Although the imperial Chola rulers were primarily devout followers of Shaivism (evidenced by their construction of massive Shiva temples like the Brihadeeswarar Temple), they were highly tolerant and accommodating of other faiths. The recently repatriated Leiden copper plates, which document the granting of revenue by Rajaraja Chola I for a Buddhist monastery built by a foreign king, serve as clear primary evidence of their patronage of Buddhism alongside Hinduism.