1. In the context of electoral reforms, what was the primary objective of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls?
A. Inclusion of migrant workers
B. Removal of illegal immigrants only
C. Removal of dead, duplicate, and shifted voters
D. Linking Aadhaar with voter ID
Answer: C
Explanation:
The SIR aimed to clean electoral rolls by removing dead, duplicate, and shifted voters. While illegal immigration became part of the political debate, the official objective was administrative accuracy, not exclusion based on nationality.
2. Which of the following best defines an “overstayer” in the context of illegal immigration?
A. A refugee without documents
B. A person entering through porous borders
C. A foreign national staying beyond visa validity
D. A stateless person
Answer: C
Explanation:
Overstayers are foreign nationals who entered legally but remained beyond the permitted visa period. This category forms a major part of illegal immigration globally, including in India.
3. Operation Kalnemi, mentioned in the news, was related to:
A. Counter-terrorism operations
B. Arrest of illegal immigrants
C. Anti-drug trafficking drive
D. Coastal security enforcement
Answer: B
Explanation:
Operation Kalnemi led to the arrest of illegal Bangladeshi nationals in Uttarakhand. Such operations reinforce public concerns over border management and internal security.
4. Which factor does NOT significantly contribute to India’s heavy immigration burden?
A. Open borders with Nepal and Bhutan
B. Higher wages and job opportunities
C. Strict visa regime
D. Political instability in neighbouring countries
Answer: C
Explanation:
India’s strict visa regime does not encourage illegal migration. In contrast, economic pull factors, regional instability, and treaty-based open borders contribute heavily.
5. The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 primarily focuses on:
A. Amnesty for undocumented migrants
B. Refugee resettlement
C. Tech-driven, time-bound regulation of foreigners
D. Decentralisation of border management
Answer: C
Explanation:
The Bill aims to regulate entry, stay, and exit of foreigners using technology-driven and time-bound mechanisms, strengthening governance without abandoning humanitarian concerns.
6. The proposed Board of Peace for Gaza is controversial mainly because it:
A. Excludes Middle Eastern countries
B. Undermines UN Security Council authority
C. Is led by the European Union
D. Rejects humanitarian aid
Answer: B
Explanation:
Critics argue the Board bypasses the UNSC, concentrating power in a US-led executive body, thus challenging principles of sovereign equality and multilateralism.
7. India declined to send troops to the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) because:
A. Pakistan was also invited
B. It lacked parliamentary approval
C. It was not a UN peacekeeping mission
D. It conflicted with India’s neighbourhood policy
Answer: C
Explanation:
India traditionally participates only in UN-mandated peacekeeping missions. Since the ISF is not authorised as such, India ruled out military involvement.
8. What does India’s invitation to the Board of Peace for Gaza reflect?
A. Shift to military diplomacy
B. Abandonment of Two-State Solution
C. Strategic dilemma between principle and pragmatism
D. Alignment with U.S. unilateralism
Answer: C
Explanation:
India must balance its commitment to multilateralism and UN reform with pragmatic engagement with the U.S., reflecting a strategic dilemma.
9. India’s “white spaces” in diplomacy refer to:
A. Conflict zones
B. Areas dominated by great powers
C. Regions without institutional frameworks
D. Spaces where coalition diplomacy can work
Answer: D
Explanation:
White spaces are areas where no single power dominates, allowing coalition-based diplomacy, which India can leverage for leadership.
10. Why is the EU leadership’s presence on Republic Day 2026 significant?
A. Revival of NAM
B. Shift from bilateralism to bloc engagement
C. Strategic signalling to Russia
D. End of G-20 relevance
Answer: B
Explanation:
Inviting the EU reflects India’s shift toward engaging blocs, recognising the growing importance of coalition diplomacy in a fragmented global order.
11. Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS) is best described as:
A. Fully contributory scheme
B. Fully non-contributory scheme
C. Hybrid of OPS and CPS
D. Extension of NPS
Answer: C
Explanation:
TAPS blends assured pension benefits of OPS with shared contributions of CPS, aiming to balance fiscal sustainability and employee welfare.
12. Under TAPS, pension is calculated as:
A. Average of last 12 months’ pay
B. 40% of last drawn pay
C. 50% of last month’s basic pay
D. Fixed slab-based amount
Answer: C
Explanation:
Unlike UPS, TAPS assures 50% of the last month’s basic pay, providing predictability and security to retirees.
13. Which challenge is most critical for the long-term sustainability of TAPS?
A. Employee opposition
B. Administrative capacity
C. Revenue growth
D. Legal challenges
Answer: C
Explanation:
The scheme’s sustainability depends on consistent revenue growth, especially given the dual burden of OPS retirees and new TAPS contributions.
14. The Supreme Court’s Tiger Global ruling reinforced which principle?
A. Residence-based taxation
B. Treaty override
C. Substance over form
D. Source neutrality
Answer: C
Explanation:
The Court held that treaty benefits require genuine economic substance, not merely formal structures like a Tax Residency Certificate.
15. Which implication of the Tiger Global ruling is most likely?
A. Increase in tax evasion
B. Simplification of DTAA
C. Higher compliance costs for investors
D. End of foreign investments
Answer: C
Explanation:
Greater scrutiny of offshore structures will increase compliance, insurance, and litigation costs, impacting VC and PE exits.
16. Indian bison (gaur) is listed under which IUCN category?
A. Endangered
B. Critically Endangered
C. Vulnerable
D. Near Threatened
Answer: C
Explanation:
The gaur is classified as Vulnerable, reflecting population pressures despite regional conservation successes.
17. Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in:
A. Chhattisgarh
B. Odisha
C. Madhya Pradesh
D. Jharkhand
Answer: B
Explanation:
Debrigarh Sanctuary lies in Odisha’s Bargarh district, near the Hirakud Dam on the Mahanadi River.
18. According to the Global Risks Report 2026, the top near-term global risk is:
A. Climate change
B. Cyber insecurity
C. Geoeconomic confrontation
D. Pandemics
Answer: C
Explanation:
Geoeconomic confrontation—use of tariffs, sanctions, and control of critical minerals—tops near-term global risks.
19. Which risk dominates the long-term global risk outlook?
A. State-based conflict
B. Economic downturn
C. Environmental risks
D. Technological unemployment
Answer: C
Explanation:
The report notes that environmental risks dominate half of the top 10 long-term risks, with extreme weather at the top.
20. Coconut Root Wilt Disease is caused by:
A. Virus
B. Fungus
C. Bacterium
D. Phytoplasma
Answer: D
Explanation:
It is caused by a phytoplasma, a phloem-restricted pathogen, making eradication difficult as infected palms act as continuous sources of infection.