4th October 2025

Explanation – The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the National Standards Body of India that operates under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. It is responsible for the development of standardization, marking, and quality certification of goods. 

Explanation – One of the fundamental teachings of the Buddha, the first of the Four Noble Truths, is that life inherently involves suffering and unhappiness (Dukkha). This makes statement 1 correct. The stupa at Sarnath, not Bodh Gaya, was built to commemorate the place where the Buddha delivered his first sermon. Bodh Gaya is the site where he attained enlightenment. This makes statement 2 incorrect. 

Explanation – The International Labour Organisation (ILO) was originally established in 1919 by the Treaty of Versailles. It became the first specialized agency of the United Nations in 1946, making statement 1 contextually correct regarding its UN status. The ILO was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1969 for its work in promoting peace among classes and social justice, making statement 2 incorrect. India has recently taken over the Chairmanship of the ILO's Governing Body after a gap of 35 years, making statement 3 correct. 

Explanation – The National Pension System (NPS) is a program designed to encourage regular investment in a pension account during a person's employment years. It is open to all Indian citizens, including Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), between the ages of 18 and 60. Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct. However, the money invested in the NPS is managed by PFRDA-registered Pension Fund Managers, not directly by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) itself, which acts as the nodal regulatory body. This makes statement 3 incorrect. 

Explanation – The Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), notified by the Ministry of Finance on January 24, 2025, is applicable to both new recruits joining after April 1, 2025, and existing Central Government employees under the National Pension System (NPS), who are given a one-time option to switch. This makes statement 1 incorrect. The scheme guarantees a pension of 50% of the average basic pay over the last 12 months before retirement for employees with at least 25 years of service, making statement 2 correct. The UPS is a contributory scheme, with a 10% contribution from the employee and an 18.5% contribution from the central government, which makes statement 3 incorrect.