Prelims Mantra (Practice Questions) (31/03/2026)

Answer: B

Explanation:

• • Statement 1 is incorrect: The principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) was not first codified in the 2015 Paris Agreement. It was formally established much earlier, specifically in Principle 7 of the 1992 Rio Declaration and Article 3(1) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
  • Statement 2 is correct: A fundamental pillar of CBDR is the recognition of historical responsibility. It acknowledges that developed countries have contributed the most to the cumulative concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution and, therefore, should take the lead in combating climate change.
  • Statement 3 is correct: The Paris Agreement evolved the application of this principle by adding the phrase “in the light of different national circumstances” to the CBDR-RC formulation. This was intended to make the principle more dynamic and flexible, moving away from the rigid binary division of “developed vs. developing” seen in the Kyoto Protocol.

Answer: A

Explanation:

Article 324 of the Indian Constitution is the foundational provision that vests the “superintendence, direction, and control” of elections in the Election Commission of India (ECI). It grants the Commission the authority to conduct elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of the President and Vice-President.

• • Article 326: This article establishes the principle of universal adult suffrage, stating that every citizen aged 18 or above has the right to be registered as a voter. It defines the basis of the elections rather than the authority of the Commission.
  • Article 356: This article provides for the imposition of President’s Rule in a state in the event of a failure of constitutional machinery. It deals with emergency executive powers, not electoral administration.
  • Article 368: This article grants Parliament the power to amend the Constitution and outlines the specific procedures for doing so.

Answer: A

Explanation: Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil movement.

• • Strait of Malacca – Atlantic trade: Incorrect. The Strait of Malacca connects the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and is the primary route for Asia-Pacific trade, not Atlantic trade.
  • Strait of Hormuz – Oil transport chokepoint: Correct. This is widely considered the world’s most critical oil chokepoint, with approximately 20-30% of global seaborne oil passing through it daily.
  • Bab-el-Mandeb – Arctic route: Incorrect. The Bab-el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden (Indian Ocean). It is a vital link for trade between Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal, whereas Arctic routes are located in the far north.
  • Suez Canal – Pacific trade: Incorrect. The Suez Canal is an artificial waterway in Egypt connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, serving as the shortest maritime route between Europe and South Asia/East Africa.

Answer: B

Explanation:

• • Statement 1 is incorrect: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) was established in 1989 during the G7 Summit in Paris, not the G20. Furthermore, its primary mandate is to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing, rather than international tax evasion.
  • Statement 2 is correct: The ‘Grey List’ (officially known as “Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring”) identifies countries that have strategic deficiencies in their regimes to counter money laundering and terrorist financing but have committed to resolving them within agreed timeframes.
  • Statement 3 is correct: India is a full member of the FATF (joined in 2010) and is also a member of the Eurasian Group (EAG), which is one of the nine FATF-style Regional Bodies (FSRBs)

Answer: C

Explanation:

The Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) is a specialized unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) specifically trained in guerrilla tactics and jungle warfare to counter the Maoist (Naxalite) insurgency in India.

• • BSF: The Border Security Force is primarily responsible for guarding India’s international borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. While they may be deployed for internal security, it is not their specialized primary mandate.
  • ITBP: The Indo-Tibetan Border Police specializes in high-altitude operations and is responsible for guarding the India-China border.
  • CISF: The Central Industrial Security Force is mandated to provide security to critical infrastructure, such as airports, nuclear installations, and public sector undertakings.

Answer: B

Explanation:

RNA (ribonucleic acid) plays a central role in the biological process of making proteins from the instructions stored in DNA. Each of the three main types of RNA has a specific job in this “translation” process:

• • Messenger RNA (mRNA): Acts as a copy of a gene’s DNA sequence and carries this “blueprint” from the nucleus to the ribosomes.
  • Transfer RNA (tRNA): Delivers the specific amino acids (protein building blocks) to the ribosome by matching its anticodon to the mRNA’s codons.
  • Ribosomal RNA (rRNA): Forms the physical structure of the ribosome and acts as an enzyme to link amino acids together into a chain.