7 JANUARY 2026

7 JANUARY 2026

Q1. With reference to biomaterials, consider the following statements:

  1. Biomaterials can be derived from plants, microbes, or agricultural waste.
  2. Drop-in biomaterials are chemically different from petroleum-based materials and require new supply chains only.
  3. Polylactic Acid (PLA) is an example of a drop-out biomaterial.
  4. Biomaterials can be used in sectors such as packaging, textiles, and healthcare.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 3 and 4 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. Assertion (A): ISRO has invited Indian scientists to submit research proposals to analyse observational data from the Aditya-L1 solar mission.

Reason (R): Aditya-L1 is India’s second dedicated solar observatory positioned at the Sun–Earth L1 point to continuously study the solar atmosphere, solar winds, and space weather.

Choose the correct answer using the code given below:

(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

Q3. Which Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model involves the government paying 40% of the project cost during construction while the private developer recovers the remaining investment through annuity payments?

(a) Build Operate Transfer (BOT)

(b) Design Build Finance Operate (DBFO)

(c) Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC)

(d) Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM)

Q4. With reference to the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme for Semiconductors, consider the following statements:

  1. The DLI Scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under the Semicon India Programme.
  2. It focuses on promoting semiconductor fabrication (fabs) rather than chip design.
  3. Design Infrastructure Support under the scheme is provided through the ChipIN Centre operated by C-DAC.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 1 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

 

Q5. The United Nations has declared 2026 as the International Year for Rangelands and Pastoralists. Which of the following is the primary objective of this declaration?

(a) To promote commercial agriculture and intensive livestock farming in arid regions

(b)To highlight the role of rangelands and pastoralists in biodiversity conservation, food security, and sustainable livelihoods

(c) To replace traditional pastoralism with settled farming systems

(d) To focus exclusively on carbon trading mechanisms in grassland ecosystems only