27th July 2026

Explanation - The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, is India's first dedicated national law aimed at curbing leaks, malpractices, and organised cheating in public examinations. It came into effect on June 21, 2024. Coverage — Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) National Testing Agency (NTA) Existing Punishments — Section 10: Punishment for individuals resorting to unfair means: Imprisonment of 3 to 5 years and a fine up to Rs 10 lakh. Section 11: Punishment for organised crime: Imprisonment of 5 to 10 years and a fine of at least Rs 1 crore. Limitations of the Existing Law — Despite the existence of the 2024 Act, several challenges persisted: Investigation and trial delays: Cases dragged on for years without resolution. Absence of fast-track courts: No dedicated judicial infrastructure for speedy trials. Limited deterrence: Existing punishments were seen as insufficient against organised networks. Lack of statutory timelines: No prescribed time limits for probe and trial.

Explanation - Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) [FCNR(B)] deposits are fixed-term deposits maintained by: Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) Key features — Deposits are held in foreign currencies such as the US Dollar (USD), Pound Sterling (GBP), Euro (EUR), Japanese Yen (JPY), Australian Dollar (AUD), and Canadian Dollar (CAD). Such deposits protect depositors from exchange-rate fluctuations. Interest earned is exempt from income tax in India for eligible non-residents. Interest rates are linked to international benchmark rates.

Explanation - Methane (CH₄) is a potent greenhouse gas, approximately 25 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. Agriculture is one of the largest anthropogenic sources of methane, and rice cultivation is the primary agricultural contributor. How Rice Fields Produce Methane? Rice is typically grown in flooded (submerged) fields, which create low-oxygen (anaerobic) conditions in the soil. Under these conditions: Methane-producing microbes (methanogens) thrive. They decompose organic matter in the soil and release methane as a by-product. The gas escapes into the atmosphere through the water column and the rice plants themselves. The longer a field remains flooded, the more methane it produces. Continuous irrigation, a common practice in intensive rice farming, significantly amplifies emissions. Other Contributing Factors — Incorporation of crop residues such as leftover stalks, leaves, and stubble into the soil provides additional organic matter for microbes to decompose. Increased use of nitrogen fertilisers stimulates microbial activity and plant growth, indirectly enhancing methane production. Loss of soil organic carbon reduces the soil's ability to store carbon, turning fields from carbon sinks into carbon sources.

Explanation - Statement 2 is wrong because it focuses on the non-farm sector; Statement 3 is wrong because it supports SHGs and their family members).

Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme was launched in 2016. It is a sub-scheme of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). Objective: To implement the Government's efforts to stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty and unemployment in the villages by helping start and support rural enterprises. Features of Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme — The programme supports Self Help Groups (SHGs) and their family members in establishing small enterprises in the non-farm sector. It provides financial assistance, institutional support, business management training, soft skill development, and business development services. SVEP also facilitates access to banking linkages and convergence with government schemes. A key feature of SVEP has been community-based decision-making for funding and supporting enterprises locally. It has adopted an all-inclusive approach, with a strong focus on supporting women, marginalised communities, and individuals with limited educational attainment. Implemented By: SVEP is implemented through the State Rural Livelihoods Missions (SRLMs). At the block level, Block Resource Centres–Enterprise Promotion (BRC-EPs) coordinate programme implementation. Trained Community Resource Persons–Enterprise Promotion (CRP-EPs) provide technical assistance to the Block Resource Centres on enterprise promotion.

Explanation - The UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) is a subsidiary body of the U.N. General Assembly. It is responsible for helping to facilitate international trade and investment. It was established by the UNGA in 1966. The mandate of UNCITRAL is “to promote the progressive harmonisation and unification of international trade law” through conventions, model laws, and other instruments that address key areas of commerce, from dispute resolution to the procurement and sale of goods.

The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), set up in 1966 is an investment dispute settlement body whose decisions are binding on the parties. It was established under the 1966 Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States. India is not a member of ICSID but it is a member of UN-led UNCITRAL.