Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: A Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is an advanced and comprehensive form of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). It goes far beyond just tariff reduction and includes regulatory cooperation, investment facilitation, trade in services, and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), leading to deeper economic integration.

Statement 2 is correct: The India–Korea CEPA covers multiple areas, including trade in goods and services, investment rules, Rules of Origin, and SPS standards. The recent 12th round of negotiations for its upgrade in May 2026 also proposed new sub-groups on digital trade, supply chain cooperation, and strategic industrial cooperation.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Since the CEPA came into force in 2010, India’s trade imbalance with South Korea has widened significantly, escalating from a deficit of around $5.1 billion in 2010 to a peak of about $15.6 billion in 2025–26, which is a major point of concern for India.

Answer: A

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Hydrogen Fuel Cell (HFC) technology operates through electrochemical reactions rather than combustion. Hydrogen and oxygen undergo an electrochemical reaction to generate electricity, making the system highly efficient and quiet.

Statement 2 is correct: In this chemical process, hydrogen splits into protons and electrons. As the electrons flow through an external circuit, they generate electricity. Oxygen then combines with protons and electrons at the cathode, producing only electricity, water vapor, and heat as outputs, resulting in zero emissions at the point of use.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Hydrogen trains (or 'hydrail') are electric trains that generate power onboard using hydrogen fuel cells. They do not rely on overhead electrical wires or an external electricity supply to power the cells, which makes them ideal for non-electrified and heritage routes.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Railway Board has officially approved the operation of India's first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell-based train (DPRS 1200 kW DEMU) on the Jind-Sonipat rail section in Haryana.

Statement 2 is incorrect: India's first hydrogen train has been developed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) located in Chennai, not the Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala.

Statement 3 is correct: Under the 'Hydrogen for Heritage' initiative, Indian Railways plans to deploy 35 hydrogen trains on heritage and hill routes. This effort is designed to enable green mobility while preserving ecologically sensitive and historical tourist sectors.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The SARTHAK-PDS scheme is an umbrella reform programme, not a scheme solely limited to the computerization of Fair Price Shops. It covers the entire PDS value chain, from beneficiary identification and procurement/storage logistics to grievance redressal.

Statement 2 is correct: The SARTHAK-PDS scheme amalgamates two pre-existing mechanisms into a single framework:

1. Assistance to State Agencies for intra-State movement of foodgrains and FPS dealers' margins under the NFSA.


2. The Scheme for Modernisation and Reforms through Technology in Public Distribution System (SMART PDS).


3. Statement 3 is correct: A major mandate of SARTHAK-PDS is to build a unified, interoperable, and technology-enabled food distribution architecture. It seeks to minimize leakages by leveraging emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Blockchain technology to build unified databases and real-time monitoring systems.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) was launched in the year 2000 to target the "poorest of the poor" households. Under this scheme, eligible households are entitled to 35 kg of food grains per month at highly subsidized rates.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Under the institutional framework of PDS, responsibility is shared between the Centre and the States. While the Central Government (through the Food Corporation of India) is responsible for macro-management—such as procuring grains at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), storing, transporting, and bulk allocation—the State Governments are responsible for last-mile implementation. This includes identifying the eligible beneficiary base, issuing digitized ration cards, and licensing and supervising Fair Price Shops (FPS).

Statement 3 is correct: The National Food Security Act (NFSA) enacted in 2013 provides a legal right to subsidized food grains. It legally entitles up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population to receive highly subsidized food grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).