30th September 2025

Explanation – The Study in India (SII) Portal is a flagship project of the Ministry of Education (not Ministry of External Affairs), making statement 1 incorrect. All foreign students who wish to study in India are mandated to register on the SII portal and submit required information. Upon registration, the portal generates a unique 'SII-ID' which must be quoted on the student visa application, making statement 2 correct. The portal provides information about courses in the Indian Knowledge System, such as Yoga, Ayurveda, classical arts, along with undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral-level programs, making statement 3 correct. 

Explanation – Even if a person is in police custody, has been granted bail by a trial court, or has been acquitted by the court, the same person can be detained under the NSA, making statement 1 correct. The District Magistrate who passed the detention order is protected under the Act—no prosecution or legal proceeding can be initiated against the official who carried out the orders, making statement 3 correct. However, there is one crucial procedural safeguard under Article 22(5): detained persons have the right to make representation before an independent advisory board consisting of three members, chaired by a current or former High Court judge, making statement 2 incorrect. 

Explanation – The maximum period for which one may be detained under NSA is 12 months, though the term can be extended if the government finds fresh evidence, making statement 1 incorrect. Under normal circumstances, Article 22(1) of the Constitution guarantees an arrested person the right to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of choice. However, none of these rights are available to a person detained under the NSA, making statement 2 correct. The person also cannot be informed of the grounds of arrest or granted bail under NSA provisions. 

Explanation – The Preventive Detention Act was passed by Parliament in 1950. After its expiry in 1969, the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) was enacted in 1971, followed by the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA) in 1974 and the Terrorism and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) in 1985. Though MISA and TADA have been repealed, COFEPOSA continues to be operative along with other laws such as the National Security Act (NSA) 1980, the Prevention of Blackmarketing and Maintenance of Essential Commodities Act 1980, and the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) 2002. 

Explanation – Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms are government-mandated standards introduced by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in 2017 to regulate fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions from passenger vehicles under 3,500 kg. Under the second phase (2022-23), manufacturers were required to achieve fuel consumption ≤ 4.78 litres/100 km and CO₂ emissions ≤ 113 g/km. However, under India's CAFE system, heavier vehicles are allowed higher absolute CO₂ emissions, making it easier for large SUVs and premium cars to comply, while smaller, lighter cars face stricter targets, making statement 3 incorrect.