30th January 2026

Consider the following statements regarding the evolution of India’s solid waste management regulatory framework:

1. The legal basis for solid waste governance in India is provided under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
2. The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 mandated the segregation of waste at source and placed primary responsibility for waste processing on State Pollution Control Boards.
3. The newly notified SWM Rules, 2026 aim to address the challenges of weak enforcement and limited institutional capacity of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
4. The 2016 framework excluded bulk waste generators from its regulatory oversight.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Which of the following statements regarding writ petitions in India is/are correct?

1. Under Article 32 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court can issue writs only for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
2. A writ of Quo Warranto can be issued to inquire into the legality of a person’s claim to a public office.
3. A writ of Mandamus cannot be issued against the President or a State Governor in the exercise of their official powers and duties.
4. Writs cannot be issued against private individuals under any circumstances.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Consider the following statements with reference to Scabies:

1. It is caused by a parasitic mite that burrows under the skin, leading to an intense itchy rash.
2. Transmission occurs only through direct skin-to-skin contact and not via fomites such as clothing or bedding.
3. The World Health Organisation classifies it as a neglected tropical disease.
4. It is more common in cold, temperate regions compared to tropical countries.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Consider the following statements regarding the ‘JALAJ Livelihood Centres’:

1. It is a joint initiative of the Namami Gange Mission and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
2. The initiative promotes a circular economy model focusing on linking river conservation with sustainable livelihoods.
3. It aims to establish centres only for biodiversity conservation and not for livelihood training or community well-being.
4. The centres give special emphasis to women’s participation in conservation and livelihood activities.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct about the Nipah virus?

1. It first broke out in Ethiopia in the year 1998.
2. The organism which causes the Nipah virus encephalitis is an RNA or Ribonucleic acid virus of the family Paramyxoviridae, genus Henipavirus, and is closely related to Hendra virus.

Select the correct codes from below: