Answer: A

Explanation:

• According to the World Air Quality Report 2025 (IQAir), a very serious situation of air pollution has emerged in India. In this report, Loni (Uttar Pradesh) has been identified as the most polluted city in the world, while Delhi has been marked as the most polluted capital in the world. Here, the major UPSC trap lies in distinguishing between a “city” and a “capital.”


• Additionally, Byrnihat in Meghalaya is included among the top polluted cities, indicating that air pollution is no longer confined only to the NCR region, but has expanded to Northeast India as well.


• Meanwhile, Lahore (Pakistan) is also among the highly polluted cities, but it does not hold the top position. Another trap here lies in differentiating between the “most polluted city” and the “most polluted country (Pakistan).”

Answer: A

Explanation:

• The Supreme Court’s 2026 judgment clarified that Scheduled Caste (SC) status is not religion-neutral, but is historically linked to untouchability-based social discrimination.


• Under Article 341 of the Constitution, the President notifies the list of Scheduled Castes, and thus SC status is determined under this constitutional provision.


• In the current framework, SC status is not granted equally to persons of all religions rather, it is limited to Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists.


• Further, as per the existing legal position, Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims do not have Scheduled Caste status, as they were not included in the Presidential Order of 1950.


• Thus, this issue reflects a balance between constitutional provisions, historical context and social justice, making it highly important for competitive examinations.

Answer: A

Explanation:

An analysis of the statements regarding the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026 shows that Uttarakhand (2024) is the first state in India to implement the UCC, while Gujarat is the second state moving in this direction.

The Bill covers key aspects of personal laws such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships, making statement 2 correct.

It also includes provisions to ban polygamy.

However, the provisions of the Bill are not applicable to Scheduled Tribes (STs), as they are granted exemption.

The objective of the Uniform Civil Code is to ensure a common set of personal laws for all citizens, promoting legal equality and social uniformity.

It includes matters such as:
• Marriage
• Divorce
• Adoption
• Inheritance

Its constitutional basis lies in Article 44, which is part of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).

Answer: A

Explanation:

• The BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRICS CCI) is a non-governmental business platform that promotes economic cooperation, trade partnerships, and industrial development among BRICS countries. Therefore, it is not an official decision-making body, making statement 1 incorrect.


• Under it, BRICS CCI WE (Women Empowerment) functions as a special initiative aimed at strengthening women entrepreneurship, leadership, and economic participation, making statement 2 correct.


• Additionally, BRICS CCI is not limited to government representatives; it includes active participation from the private sector, industry, and business communities, making statement 3 incorrect.


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Answer: A

Explanation:

UNESCO has clarified that any river-linking project must comply with World Heritage conservation standards. In this context, the Aghanashini River of Karnataka is of special importance, as it originates in the Western Ghats and flows into the Arabian Sea and is a rare example of a free-flowing and relatively clean river.

Additionally, the Aghanashini estuary has been recognized as a Ramsar site, further enhancing its ecological significance. Concerns have been raised that the proposed Aghanashini–Vedavathi river linking project may adversely impact the ecology of the Western Ghats (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and affect local livelihoods.

key facts about the Aghanashini River are important:
• Origin: Sirsi region of Karnataka
• Length: Approximately 117 km
• Basin area: Around 1449 sq km

Finally, it is important to note that UNESCO does not directly approve projects, but provides guidelines and advisory standards to ensure a balance between development and environmental conservation.