Answer: A

Explanation:

According to the CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) Bill, 2026, around 50% of the posts at the Inspector General (IG) level are reserved for Indian Police Service (IPS) officers.

Additionally, the posts of Director General (DG) and Special Director General (Special DG) are traditionally filled by IPS officers, ensuring administrative efficiency and coordinated leadership at higher levels. However, the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) are not part of the Armed Forces of India (Army, Navy, Air Force). Instead, they are paramilitary/police forces functioning under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Answer: A

Explanation:

The Mekong–Ganga Cooperation (MGC) was established in the year 2000 in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, with the objective of promoting cultural, economic, and connectivity cooperation between India and Southeast Asian countries.

This initiative is an important part of India’s “Act East Policy,” which aims to strengthen regional connectivity and diplomatic relations.

However, not all ASEAN countries are members of MGC. It includes only six countries:
• India
• Thailand
• Myanmar
• Cambodia
• Laos
• Vietnam

Answer: D

Explanation:

The ongoing conflicts in West Asia, such as the Israel–Hamas war and Houthi attacks in the Red Sea region, are not limited to direct impacts but also generate broader second-order effects.

A significant portion of the world’s oil supply and maritime trade routes passes through this region. Therefore, in times of conflict, fluctuations in oil prices are natural, which adversely affects the economies of importing countries like India.

Additionally, geopolitical uncertainty leads to instability in global financial markets. Investors tend to shift toward safer assets, resulting in a decline in stock markets.Moreover, disruptions in critical trade routes such as the Red Sea and the Suez Canal force companies to adopt longer alternative routes. This increases both time and cost, thereby affecting global supply chains. Hence, all these impacts occur indirectly and are collectively categorized as “second-order effects.”

Answer: D

Explanation:

In India, the role of women in the agricultural sector is becoming increasingly significant, and the government is focusing on their economic and technological empowerment through various schemes.

Under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), concessional loans are provided to women self-help groups and women entrepreneurs for developing agricultural infrastructure, thereby promoting their income and entrepreneurship.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, direct income support is provided to women landholding farmers, strengthening their economic autonomy.

The recently highlighted Namo Drone Didi Scheme aims to train women self-help groups in drone operations, linking them with modern agricultural services and promoting technological empowerment. Additionally, the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission provides women with opportunities for supplementary livelihoods such as beekeeping, increasing their income and enhancing their participation in the rural economy. Thus, all these schemes directly and indirectly contribute to the overall empowerment of women farmers.

Answer: A

Explanation:

Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, there is a strong emphasis on technology integration, including IoT-based sensors, real-time monitoring, dashboards and Jal Seva Aankalan (water service assessment).

This enables effective monitoring of the quality, quantity, and continuity of water supply. The use of technology not only improves service delivery but also enhances transparency and accountability.