10th June 2026

Explanation –

• Statement 1 – Incorrect: Auroras are more commonly observed at high latitudes near the polar regions, not near the Earth's equator. The regions around the magnetic poles, known as the auroral zones, are where auroras are most frequently visible.
• Statement 2 – Correct: Auroras are natural light displays that result from the interaction between charged particles from the Sun (solar wind) and the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere. When charged particles collide with the Earth's atmosphere, they emit light, creating the beautiful and colourful displays known as auroras.
• Statement 3 – Incorrect: Aurora Australis refers to the southern lights and is observed in the Southern Hemisphere. Aurora Borealis, on the other hand, refers to the northern lights and is observed in the Northern Hemisphere.

Explanation – The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is an autonomous body established under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It was set up in 2008 for the proper monitoring of food hygiene and quality in India. It was functional from 2011 and ever since has been responsible for managing food safety in our country. The organisation has been set up as per the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, until which different acts and laws were being administered under the various ministries of Government. It is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety. It is headed by a non-executive Chairperson, appointed by the Central Government, either holding or has held the position of not below the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.

Explanation – Gallantry Awards recognise acts of exceptional bravery, courage and devotion to duty by the Armed Forces and security personnel. The Ministry of Defence seeks recommendations twice annually from the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Home Affairs for Gallantry Awards in India. These gallantry awards are announced twice in a year — first on the occasion of the Republic Day and then on the occasion of the Independence Day.

History of Gallantry Awards:

• Three gallantry awards — Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra — were instituted by the Government of India on 26th January 1950.
• Thereafter, the other three gallantry awards — Ashoka Chakra Class-I, Ashoka Chakra Class-II and Ashoka Chakra Class-III — were instituted in 1952.
• These were later renamed in January 1967 as Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra, respectively.

Order of Precedence: Param Vir Chakra → Ashoka Chakra → Mahavir Chakra → Kirti Chakra → Vir Chakra → Shaurya Chakra

Categories:

• Wartime Gallantry Awards: Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, and Vir Chakra
• Peacetime Gallantry Awards: Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra

Explanation – Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyaan was launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW). It aims to ensure early risk detection, timely medical intervention, and safer pregnancies for every woman in India, regardless of where she lives.

Key Features:

• Provides free, comprehensive antenatal care to pregnant women — particularly those in their second and third trimesters — at designated government health facilities on the 9th of every month.
• Minimum one comprehensive and quality antenatal checkup by Obstetrician & Gynaecologist or Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC).
• CEmONC / Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC) trained doctor during the second or third trimester.
• Mobilising the pregnant women for specialist antenatal care services at designated public health facilities.
• High Risk Pregnancy (HRP) identification by screening for 25 high risk factors and management at an early stage.
• Linking of HRPs to the nearest first referral unit (FRU) for a safe delivery.
• Empanelment of private service providers for PMSMA service provision.
• High-risk pregnancy cases receive priority attention and follow-up care.

•           Women who are dropouts from regular antenatal care are actively encouraged to participate.

Explanation – A Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) is an agreement between two countries to promote and protect investments made by investors of each country in the other's territory. It gives foreign investors certain guarantees — against arbitrary treatment, expropriation without compensation, and denial of justice. When disputes arise, BITs typically allow investors to take the host country to international arbitration. BITs are crucial for attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). They signal to investors that the host country offers a stable, rules-based environment for investment.

India's BIT History: From 1993 to 2016

• India signed BITs with 83 countries based on its 1993 model (amended in 2003). Of these, 74 were ratified.
• The 1993 model allowed foreign investors to go directly to international arbitration without exhausting domestic remedies first.
• A turning point came when global companies like Vodafone and Cairn Energy filed international arbitration cases against India in tax disputes — and won.
• These cases exposed India to significant financial liability and raised concerns about regulatory sovereignty.
• India responded by overhauling its BIT framework.
• The 2016 BIT model introduced a major change: foreign investors must now exhaust all domestic remedies before initiating international arbitration.

•           Of the 74 ratified BITs, India issued termination notices to 68 countries and asked them to renegotiate on the basis of the 2016 model.