23rd April 2025

Which one of the following best describes the principal geopolitical significance of the Yellow Sea in the context of East Asian regional dynamics?

With reference to Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs) and their recycling, consider the following statements:

1. Perovskite solar cells utilize a crystal structure similar to calcium titanium oxide and can be engineered for diverse optical and electrical properties.
2. The latest recycling process for PSCs employs sodium acetate to bind with lead ions, forming a water-soluble compound, and uses sodium iodide to regenerate degraded perovskite crystals.
3. The process achieves material recovery rates exceeding 99.9%, enabling the production of new solar cells with comparable efficiency and reduced waste.
4. The principal challenge for commercializing carbon-based perovskite solar cells in India remains the inability to improve device stability under humidity and thermal stress.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

Consider the following statements regarding the Comprehensive Remote Sensing Observation on Crop Progress (CROP) framework developed by ISRO:

1. CROP integrates both optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite datasets to monitor crop progress in near real-time, enabling accurate assessment even under adverse weather or low-light conditions.
2. The framework has been primarily used to estimate wheat production in eight major states, with Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Maharashtra being among the key contributors.
3. The Vegetation Health Index (VHI) derived from remote sensing data is a critical input for monitoring crop conditions and drought stress, particularly during the rabi season.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

Regarding the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), examine the following statements:

1. The mission’s core objective is to provide at least 55 litres per capita per day of safe and adequate drinking water to every rural household in India through individual tap connections.
2. As of March 2025, more than 70% of rural households have functional tap water connections, with 13 states and Union Territories achieving 100% coverage.
3. The reduced approval of central funds by the Finance Commission is expected to delay coverage in states such as Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Rajasthan, all of which remain below 60% coverage.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

With reference to India’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem, consider the following statements:

1. The government’s new components policy seeks to raise local value addition in electronics manufacturing from 15–16% to 40–50%, with a primary focus on reducing import dependence on China for internal components such as display modules and lithium cell enclosures.
2. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for smartphones has resulted in cumulative investments exceeding ₹10,000 crore and has led to the creation of more than 1,00,000 direct jobs as of February 2025.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?