19th February 2026

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect:The DAC is not a statutory body; it was not formed by an Act of Parliament but through an executive decision.
• Statement 2 is incorrect:It was constituted based on the Group of Ministers' recommendations, not directly on the recommendations of the Kargil Review Committee.
• Statement 3 is correct:The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is an ex-officio member of the Defence Acquisition Council.

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct:The Strait of Hormuz is the only sea channel linking the oil-rich Persian Gulf (west) with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea (southeast).
• Statement 2 is correct:Iran is located on the north coast and the UAE (along with Musandam of Oman) is on the south coast.
• Statement 3 is correct:It is one of the world's most economically important choke points, serving as a key passage for supertankers transporting oil and gas from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, and Iran, mostly to Asian markets including China.

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct:The Strait of Hormuz is the only sea channel linking the oil-rich Persian Gulf (west) with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea (southeast).
• Statement 2 is correct:Iran is located on the north coast and the UAE (along with Musandam of Oman) is on the south coast.
• Statement 3 is correct:It is one of the world's most economically important choke points, serving as a key passage for supertankers transporting oil and gas from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, and Iran, mostly to Asian markets including China.

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct:It is located on the Ravi River in Pathankot district, Punjab.
• Statement 2 is correct:It is a downstream project of the existing Ranjit Sagar Dam and utilises the water released by it for power generation.
• Statement 3 is incorrect:The project is not fully funded by the Centre. Punjab contributes 80% of the funding, while the Centre funds the remaining 20%. It was declared a national project in 2008 and is constructed by the Irrigation Department of the Government of Punjab.

Explanation:

• In Indibily Creative (P) Ltd. v. State of West Bengal (2019), the Supreme Court described satire as an exaggeration that exposes societal absurdities and hypocrisies.
• The Court emphasised satire's "unique ability"to make complex points accessible and impactful, recognising it as a legitimate artistic tool.
• Options A, B, and D are contrary to the Court's observations, as the Court upheld satire as a protected form of expression, not an exception or disqualified form.