Answer: A

Explanation:

The Saraswati Samman is one of the most prestigious literary awards in India, established in 1991 and awarded by the K. K. Birla Foundation, not by the Government of India. It recognizes outstanding literary works written in languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, making statement 1 correct and statement 2 incorrect. The award carries a cash prize of ₹15 lakh, along with a citation and a plaque, and due to its high literary significance, it is considered one of the highest literary honours in India, making statement 3 correct. In the current affairs context of 2026, Ramkumar Mukhopadhyay has been selected for the Saraswati Samman for his work Hara Parbati Katha, further enhancing the exam relevance of this topic

Answer: B

Explanation:

• In the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), the Worker Population Ratio (WPR) means the percentage of those persons in the total population who are actually employed (engaged in work), therefore the correct answer is (b). This indicator reflects the actual employment condition of an economy, because it includes only those persons who are working, and not those who are only looking for employment, as is the case in the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR).


• In the current context, according to PLFS 2025, the WPR was approximately 57.4 percent, that is, out of every 100 persons, about 57 persons are employed. This indicates that the level of employment in the country remains relatively stable, although a significant gap still exists between male (76.6 percent) and female (38.8 percent).


• Thus, the Worker Population Ratio is considered a “Real Employment Indicator”, which provides a very important basis for policy-making, labour market analysis and inclusive development strategies.


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Answer: A

Explanation:

• In the context of menstrual leave policy, a “Balanced (nuanced) Approach” means an approach that establishes a balance between equality and sensitivity. Making leave mandatory can often increase gender discrimination, bias in hiring, and workplace stigma, therefore it is not considered part of a balanced approach hence statement 1 is incorrect.


• In contrast, optional leave and flexible working arrangements provide employees the freedom to make decisions according to their needs, which is more inclusive and practical hence statement 2 is correct.


• At the same time, ensuring sanitation facilities, health support and awareness at the workplace is an important dimension of this policy, which enhances dignity, health and productivity therefore statement 3 is also correct.


• In the current context, in India, a wide debate has been observed in recent years regarding menstrual leave. Petitions were filed in the Supreme Court, where it was considered a policy matter and left to the government. At the same time, private companies and some states have adopted optional leave and flexible work systems. At the international level, countries like Spain have given legal recognition to menstrual leave, while others emphasize a balanced and non-discriminatory approach.


• Thus, this topic reflects a balance between gender justice, workplace reforms, and social sensitivity. Therefore, the correct answer is (a) 2 and 3 only.

Answer: A

Explanation:

The GTI (Global Initiative), which has been launched with the objective of preventing illegal hunting of migratory species, has as its main goal to enhance international cooperation and strengthen policy and legal frameworks, hence statements 1 and 2 are correct.

Recently, in the year 2026, this initiative was launched at the COP-15 (Brazil) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals. According to the State of the World’s Migratory Species Report about 70% of migratory species are under threat due to illegal and unsustainable exploitation.

In the present context, it has become clear that biodiversity loss is not caused only by international wildlife trade, but is also increasing due to domestic hunting, food demand, local markets and weak governance. Therefore, the focus of GTI is on:
• Data improvement
• Strengthening legal frameworks
• Community participation
• Global cooperation

On the other hand, “promotion of tourism” is not the objective of this initiative; rather, it is a coordinated global conservation initiative, which provides countries with policy support, tools and partnerships for the conservation of migratory species.

Answer: A

Explanation:

• Recently, a new butterfly species, Euthalia zubeengargi, has been discovered in the Basar region of Arunachal Pradesh, and it has been named in honor of the famous singer Zubeen Garg. This species belongs to the Nymphalidae family, which is a major and widely distributed family of butterflies.


• This discovery is important in the present context because Arunachal Pradesh is part of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot, where new species are continuously being discovered, highlighting the rich biodiversity and the need for conservation in this region.


• However, statement 2 is incorrect because this species was not found in the Western Ghats, but in Northeast India. Therefore, this question is related not only to factual knowledge but also to understanding current environmental issues and the importance of biodiversity.


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