1. The term “petrodollar system” refers to:
(a) Oil-backed US treasury bonds
(b) Dollar-denominated global oil trade
(c) US oil export subsidy mechanism
(d) Dollar reserves held by OPEC nations
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
For decades, crude oil has been priced and settled in US dollars, reinforcing the dollar’s central role in global trade and finance. This arrangement is known as the petrodollar system.
2. Which of the following developments has significantly contributed to the trend of de-dollarisation?
Sanctions imposed on Russia
China settling energy trade in yuan
Decline in global oil consumption
Select the correct answer:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Sanctions pushed countries like China and India to explore non-dollar payment systems, while China actively promoted yuan-based energy trade.
3. Under the proposed US Russia Sanctions Bill, tariffs on countries importing Russian oil can go up to:
(a) 100%
(b) 200%
(c) 300%
(d) 500%
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
The bill proposes extremely punitive tariffs—up to 500%—on imports from countries trading in Russian-origin oil and uranium.
4. Why has Venezuela become strategically important in recent US energy policy?
(a) Largest exporter of crude oil to the US
(b) Largest refining hub in Latin America
(c) Holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves
(d) Controls OPEC production quotas
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Venezuela holds over 300 billion barrels of proven oil reserves—the largest globally—making it critical for future global energy supply.
5. Which factor best explains China’s increasing influence in global climate leadership?
(a) Lower per capita emissions
(b) Dominance in renewable manufacturing and EV supply chains
(c) Higher climate finance contributions than the EU
(d) Withdrawal from fossil fuels
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
China dominates renewable manufacturing, electric vehicles, and clean energy supply chains, allowing it to fill leadership gaps.
6. The US withdrawal from UNFCCC impacts global climate action mainly because:
(a) US emissions alone determine global warming
(b) US acts as a systemic coordinator and funder
(c) US controls global carbon markets
(d) US is the largest coal consumer
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Beyond emissions, the US plays a crucial role as a coordinator, funder, and standard-setter in global climate governance.
7. Which legal provision prohibits disclosure of the identity of rape victims, even after death?
(a) Section 146 IPC
(b) Section 53A Evidence Act
(c) Section 228A IPC / Section 72 BNS
(d) Section 164 CrPC
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Section 228A IPC (now Section 72 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) strictly bars disclosure of a victim’s identity.
8. The Supreme Court judgment in State of Punjab vs Gurmit Singh (1996) established that:
(a) Past sexual history can imply consent
(b) Consent can be inferred from conduct
(c) Every woman has the absolute right to refuse
(d) Open trials are mandatory
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
The Court held that prior sexual history is irrelevant and every woman has the right to refuse consent.
9. The Thwaites Glacier is nicknamed the “Doomsday Glacier” because:
(a) It is the largest glacier on Earth
(b) It is melting faster than Himalayan glaciers
(c) Its collapse could raise sea levels by ~65 cm
(d) It contains the highest freshwater volume
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
A complete collapse could raise global sea levels by approximately 65 cm, threatening coastal regions worldwide.
10. In glaciology, a pinning point refers to:
(a) Area of maximum snowfall
(b) Undersea ridge slowing ice movement
(c) Meltwater drainage channel
(d) Glacier terminus
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
A pinning point is an undersea ridge that anchors ice shelves but can also cause stress and fractures.
11. Which Indian export sector is most vulnerable to proposed US trade sanctions?
(a) IT services
(b) Pharmaceuticals
(c) Textiles and footwear
(d) Defence equipment
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Labour-intensive sectors like textiles and footwear are easily replaceable in US markets and thus more vulnerable.
12. India’s purchase of discounted Russian oil exposes it primarily to:
(a) WTO dispute settlement
(b) Secondary sanctions risk
(c) OPEC penalties
(d) Currency convertibility risk
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
The proposed US sanctions include penalties on third countries trading in Russian-origin energy products.
13. Samagra Shiksha 3.0 is aligned with which long-term national vision?
(a) Digital India
(b) Skill India
(c) Viksit Bharat 2047
(d) Make in India
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
The scheme aligns school education reforms with NEP 2020 and the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
14. Which of the following is NOT a focus area under Samagra Shiksha 3.0?
(a) Universal enrolment till Class XII
(b) AI-based personalised learning
(c) Higher education research funding
(d) Teacher capacity building
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Samagra Shiksha focuses on school education, not higher education or research funding.
15. The Gadgil Committee recommended:
(a) Partial ecological sensitivity of Western Ghats
(b) Complete protection without zoning
(c) Three-tier Ecologically Sensitive Zones
(d) Market-based conservation approach
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
The committee proposed ESZ-1, ESZ-2, and ESZ-3 to regulate development based on ecological fragility.
16. Which committee significantly reduced the area proposed as ESA in the Western Ghats?
(a) MoEF Expert Panel
(b) Kasturirangan Committee
(c) Planning Commission
(d) NITI Aayog
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
The Kasturirangan Committee recommended ESA coverage less than half of Gadgil’s proposal.
17. Venezuela’s low oil production despite huge reserves is due to:
US sanctions
Poor governance
Neglected infrastructure
Select the correct answer:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 2 and 3 only
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
All three factors have weakened Venezuela’s oil sector and limited production.
18. India’s oil imports from Venezuela in 2025 accounted for roughly:
(a) 5%
(b) 2%
(c) 1%
(d) 0.3%
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Venezuelan oil formed only about 0.3% of India’s total oil imports.
19. Which international grouping is exploring a parallel currency system to reduce dollar dependence?
(a) G7
(b) OECD
(c) BRICS
(d) ASEAN
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
BRICS nations are examining alternatives to challenge dollar dominance in global trade.
20. The debate on de-dollarisation primarily reflects:
(a) Short-term oil price fluctuations
(b) Tactical US foreign policy shifts
(c) Structural changes in global financial order
(d) Decline in US oil production
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
De-dollarisation signals a long-term structural challenge to US economic and financial dominance.