14 JANUARY 2026

14 JANUARY 2026

Q1. With reference to solar panels and biofuels, consider the following statements:

  1. Biofuels require large areas of land but produce relatively low energy per acre due to the low efficiency of photosynthesis.
  2. Solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity with efficiencies much higher than biological processes.
  3. Replacing biofuel crops with solar installations can help free land for food production, reforestation, and biodiversity conservation.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 1 and 3 only

C. 2 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. With reference to the significance of carbon markets under the Paris Agreement for India, consider the following statements:

  1. Carbon markets can help mobilise private international finance to support India’s energy transition.
  2. Participation in carbon markets can facilitate access to advanced low-carbon technologies and support decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors.
  3. Carbon markets eliminate the need for domestic regulatory frameworks in participating countries.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Assertion (A): The Union Government has constituted a high-level Inter-Departmental Committee to address the rising incidence of “digital arrest” scams in India.

Reason (R): “Digital arrest” is a legally recognised procedure under Indian law that requires inter-ministerial coordination for its enforcement.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A

C. A is true, but R is false

D. A is false, but R is true

Q4. The recently constituted Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) to tackle “digital arrest” scams in India is chaired by:

A. Cabinet Secretary of India

B. Director, Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)

C. Special Secretary (Internal Security), Ministry of Home Affairs

D. Union Home Secretary

Q5. Why is there a growing concern about the environmental impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

A. AI systems depend primarily on rare earth minerals for their functioning

B. Training and deployment of AI models require large computing power, leading to high energy use, water consumption, and increased carbon emissions

C. AI development increases employment in traditional sectors, increasing poverty

D. AI technologies are restricted to developed countries and cannot be regulated