11. Consider the following pairs of river islands and their respective rivers:
| Island | River |
|---|
| 1. Majuli | Brahmaputra |
| 2. Nayachar | Hooghly |
| 3. Bhavani | Cauvery |
| 4. Srirangam | Krishna |
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only three
[D] All four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two]
Notes:- Majuli – Brahmaputra (Correct): Majuli is the world’s largest river island, located on the Brahmaputra River in Assam.
- Nayachar – Hooghly (Correct): Nayachar is a river island on the Hooghly River in West Bengal. It has been a subject of environmental discussions.
- Bhavani – Cauvery (Incorrect): Bhavani Island is actually located on the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh, not on the Cauvery.
- Srirangam – Krishna (Incorrect): Srirangam is a famous river island located on the Cauvery River in Tamil Nadu, not on the Krishna River.
12. Consider the following pairs of Dams and rivers on which it was constructed:
| Dam | River |
|---|
| Pandoh Dam | Yamuna River |
| Bhakra Dam | Sutlej River |
| Tehri Dam | Bhagirathi River |
| Sardar Sarovar Dam | Narmada River |
Which of the above pairs is correctly matched?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only three
[D] All four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only three]
Notes:- The Pandoh Dam is located on the Beas River in Himachal Pradesh.
- The Bhakra Dam is one of the highest gravity dams in the world. Bhakra Dam is on the Sutlej River.
- The Tehri Dam is primarily used for hydroelectric power generation. Tehri Dam is on the Bhagirathi River.
- The Sardar Sarovar Dam is part of the Narmada Valley Project.
13. With respect to Gharials, consider the following statements:
- Gharials are known to inhabit only freshwater lakes and are not found in rivers.
- Gharials have a diet that consists primarily of small mammals and birds.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Neither 1 nor 2]
Notes:- Gharials do not inhabit only freshwater lakes; they are specifically adapted to live in rivers, where they primarily feed on fish.
- Gharials primarily consume fish, not small mammals or birds. Their slender snouts are uniquely designed for catching fish, which is the mainstay of their diet.
14. India has experienced a dry winter season (January-February) in 2025. In the context of this consider the following statements:
- Western disturbances are the primary drivers of winter rainfall in north and central India.
- Western disturbances are extra-tropical storms from the Indian Ocean, bringing sudden showers and northwest India.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1]
Notes:- Western disturbances are the primary drivers of winter rainfall in north and central India. Correct: They are indeed the primary drivers of winter rainfall in north and central India, bringing moisture from the Mediterranean region.
- Western disturbances are extra-tropical storms from the Indian Ocean, bringing sudden showers and northwest India. Incorrect: They are labelled as an extra-tropical storm originating in the Mediterranean, is an area of low pressure that brings sudden showers, snow and fog in northwest India.
15. With respect to the Devolution Index Report, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- It provides insights into the progress of decentralization across States and Union Territories.
- For citizens, it provides transparency in tracking Panchayat’s functioning and resource allocation.
- It supports Viksit Bharat’s vision, of empowering Panchayats as drivers of rural transformation, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [All three]
Notes:- It provides insights into the progress of decentralization across States and Union Territories. Correct: The Devolution Index, a result of meticulous research and empirical analysis, provides insights into the progress of decentralization across States and Union Territories.
- For citizens, it provides transparency in tracking Panchayat’s functioning and resource allocation. Correct: For citizens, it provides transparency in tracking Panchayat functioning and resource allocation. For elected representatives, it offers data-driven insights for advocacy and reform. For government officials, it serves as a roadmap for implementing effective decentralization policies.
- It supports Viksit Bharat’s vision, of empowering Panchayats as drivers of rural transformation, inclusive growth, and sustainable development. Correct: The initiative aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat, where विकसित and सशक्त Panchayats serve as the foundation for rural transformation, driving inclusive growth and sustainable development at the grassroots level.
16. In the context of Dibru Saikhowa National Park, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- It is bounded by the Brahmaputra and Lohit Rivers in the north and Dibru River in the south.
- It mainly consists of dry semi-evergreen forests and dry mixed deciduous forests.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Nor 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1]
Notes:- It is bounded by the Brahmaputra and Lohit Rivers in the north and Dibru River in the south. Correct: It is a National Park as well as a Biosphere Reserve situated in the south bank of the river Brahmaputra in the extreme east of Assam state in India. It is bounded by the Brahmaputra and Lohit Rivers in the north and Dibru River in the south.
- It mainly consists of dry semi-evergreen forests and dry mixed deciduous forests. Incorrect: It mainly consists of moist mixed semi-evergreen forests and moist mixed deciduous forests.
17. In the light of ammonia pollution in rivers, consider the following statements:
- Ammonia is used as a fertilizer and in food additives.
- Ammonia is a colorless gas that is easily dissolved in water.
- Long-term exposure to ammonia can cause damage to internal organs.
- Chlorine is used to treat excessive ammonia levels in water.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only three
[D] All four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All four]
Notes:- Ammonia is used as a fertilizer and in food additives: Correct. It is widely used in agriculture and food processing.
- Ammonia is a colorless gas that is easily dissolved in water: Correct. It has a sharp odor and is highly soluble.
- Long-term exposure to ammonia can cause damage to internal organs: Correct. Its corrosive properties pose health risks.
- Chlorine is used to treat excessive ammonia levels in water: Correct. It is essential for neutralizing ammonia in water treatment.
18. In the light of recent studies on animal adaptations, consider the following statements:
| Animals | Adaptation Characteristics |
|---|
| 1. Polar Bear | Contains oil that keeps them dry even while sliding on ice. |
| 2. Penguin | Feathers are waterproof due to a unique oil produced by their skin. |
| 3. Otter | Dense fur traps air, providing insulation in cold water. |
| 4. Beaver | Uses fur to regulate temperature while swimming in icy rivers. |
Which of the above pairs is/are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only three
[D] All four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All four]
Notes:- Polar bear fur contains sebum that helps them stay dry in icy conditions: This is correct. A recent study in Science Advances found that polar bear fur contains an oily substance that keeps them dry while moving on ice and diving into water.
- Penguin feathers are waterproof due to a unique oil produced by their skin: This is correct. Penguins have a gland that secretes oil for waterproofing their feathers.
- Otters have a dense fur layer that traps air, providing insulation in cold water: This is correct. Their fur is one of the densest in the animal kingdom, maintaining warmth.
- Beavers use their fur to regulate temperature while swimming in icy rivers: This is correct. Their fur insulates them in cold water, allowing them to thrive in frigid environments.
19. Which institution has developed Project Abhay to enhance health and safety of truck drivers?
[A] IIT Bombay
[B] IIT Delhi
[C] IIT Kanpur
[D] IIT Roorkee
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IIT Delhi]
Notes:
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated Project Abhay, an initiative to boost truck drivers’ health and safety. The project, developed by IIT Delhi’s Centre for Rural Development & Technology (CRDT), screens truck drivers’ health. Over 50,000 truck drivers across six states were screened, focusing on health and vision issues. More than half of drivers had vision problems, and the project successfully corrected many. The initiative improved drivers’ social security benefits and quality of life.
20. Consider the following pairs in context of rivers and their origins:
| Rivers | Origin |
|---|
| 1. Baitarani River | Gonasika hills, Keonjhar district, Odisha |
| 2. Pennar River | Chenna Kesava hills, Nandi mountains, Karnataka |
| 3. Subarnarekha River | Nagri village, Ranchi region, Jharkhand |
| 4. Palar River | Varusanadu Hills of the Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu. |
Which of the give pair is/are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only three
[D] All four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only three]
Notes:- The Baitarani River originates in the Gonasika hills in Keonjhar district, Odisha.
- The Pennar River originates in the Chenna Kesava hills of Karnataka’s Nandi mountains, but it does not flow into the Bay of Bengal directly; it empties into the Bay of Bengal after flowing through Andhra Pradesh.
- The Subarnarekha River originates near Nagri village, Ranchi, Jharkhand, at an elevation of 600 meters.
- The Palar River originates in the Nandi Hills in Karnataka, but it does not directly join the Bay of Bengal near Vayalur, south of Chennai. It flows through Tamil Nadu, but not as described.
- The Vaigai River originates in the Varusanadu Hills of the Western Ghats in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu.
