Answer: A

Explanation:

• In the recently held Hockey India Awards 2026, it was clarified that the Balbir Singh Sr. Award is given for the “Player of the Year”, which for the year 2025 was awarded to Hardik Singh and Navneet Kaur.


• The Major Dhyan Chand Award is given for “Lifetime Achievement”, which this time was awarded to Zafar Iqbal for his long-term and outstanding contribution, especially for his role in the 1980 Olympic gold medal-winning team.


• In addition, the Jugraj Singh Award is given to emerging (young) players, with the objective of encouraging new talent.


• This entire development shows that a structured award system has been developed in India to promote the growth of hockey and encourage players, which enhances excellence in the field of sports.

Answer: A

Explanation:

• Recently, under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, COP-15 was held in Campo Grande, Brazil, and its theme was “Connecting nature to conserve life.” Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct.


• However, it is incorrect to say that only marine species were discussed in this conference, because there was comprehensive discussion on the conservation of all types of migratory species—such as birds, terrestrial animals, and marine species.


• In the current context, according to recent reports, about 49% of migratory species populations have declined, and nearly 70% of species are threatened due to illegal and unsustainable exploitation. In this background, key issues such as illegal hunting, habitat destruction, climate change, and domestic demand (food, trade, and traditions) were seriously discussed at COP-15.


• In the same sequence, efforts such as the Global Initiative on Taking of Migratory Species (GTI) were launched to curb illegal hunting of migratory species, with the objective of enhancing international cooperation, strengthening legal frameworks, and making conservation efforts more effective.


• Thus, this topic makes it clear that the conservation of migratory species has now emerged as a global biodiversity crisis, which requires a multi-species and multi-sectoral coordinated approach for its solution.

Answer: B

Explanation:

• The Abraham Accords are important agreements signed in the year 2020 with the objective of establishing peace in the Middle East region and normalizing diplomatic relations between Israel and Arab countries.


• Under these accords, initially the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain normalized their relations with Israel, while later Morocco also joined this process. Therefore, statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct.


• On the other hand, Saudi Arabia is not a formal signatory of these agreements, although it has taken some indirect cooperative steps; therefore, statement 3 is incorrect.


• In the current context, amid rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia, especially conflicts related to Iran, the United States is putting pressure on Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords, which has once again brought this issue to the center of international discussions.


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Answer: A

Explanation:

• India is continuously progressing towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing, under which efforts are being made to reduce dependence on imports and promote domestic production; therefore, statement (A) is correct.


• In this direction, India is placing special emphasis on the production of indigenous defence equipment such as fighter aircraft, helicopters, missile systems and small arms; therefore, reason (R) is also correct and it appropriately explains statement (A).


• In the current context, this trend has become more evident when Adani Defence & Aerospace has delivered the first batch (around 2000 units) of ‘Prahar’ Light Machine Guns (LMGs) manufactured indigenously to the Indian Army. This delivery has been made under the Make in India initiative and is part of a larger order of approximately 40,000 weapons, which will enhance the combat capability of the army and strengthen deployment along border areas (LAC and LOC).


• Moreover, these weapons have been manufactured within India itself, which is an important step towards reducing import dependence, enhancing domestic manufacturing capacity, and promoting private sector participation.

Answer: A

Explanation:

• The Great Indian Bustard is one of the most critically endangered bird species in India and is provided the highest level of protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, therefore statement 1 is correct.


• This bird is a ground-nesting species, not a tree-nesting one, hence statement 2 is incorrect.


• Its primary habitat consists of arid and semi-arid grasslands, therefore statement 3 is correct.


• In the current context, recently in the Kutch region of Gujarat, after nearly a decade, a chick of the Great Indian Bustard was born, which is being considered a significant achievement in conservation efforts. This success was made possible through “Operation Egg Transfer” (jumpstart technique), in which a fertilized egg from a breeding centre in Rajasthan was transported using a special incubator to Kutch and placed in the nest of a female bird.


• This event is also important because due to the lack of male birds in the Kutch region, natural breeding was not possible.


• This achievement highlights the success of conservation efforts under Project Great Indian Bustard and serves as an excellent example of the combination of captive breeding and rewilding. It has further strengthened the possibilities for the revival of this critically endangered species, which is also extremely important for the conservation of India’s grassland ecosystem.


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