5th September 2025

Explanation – Solar Orbiter, a Sun-observing mission jointly organised by NASA and ESA, launched on February 10, 2020. The mission observes the Sun with high spatial resolution telescopes and captures observations in the environment directly surrounding the spacecraft to know how the Sun can affect the space environment throughout the solar system. It also intends to give a better understanding of solar activity and its impact on space weather. 

Explanation – The Global Peace Index is produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), not SIPRI. It ranks 163 independent states and territories according to their level of peacefulness. According to the 2025 GPI, Russia is the least peaceful country in the world for the first time, followed by Ukraine, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Yemen. Iceland remains the most peaceful country, a position it has held since 2008. 

Explanation – The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) was established in 2016 under the Companies Act, 2013. It manages the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) and promotes investor awareness and financial protection. Through flagship initiatives such as Niveshak Didi, Niveshak Panchayat, and Niveshak Shivir, IEPFA empowers individuals to make informed financial choices. The nodal ministry is Ministry of Corporate Affairs (not Finance). The IEPF consists of amounts that remained unclaimed for 7 years (not 5 years). 

Explanation – The NAA was set up in November 2017 as a statutory body under the GST law to check unfair profiteering activities by registered suppliers. Its core function is to ensure that benefits of reduction in GST rates on goods and services and of the input tax credit are passed on to consumers by way of reduction in prices. It was set up for two years till 2019, but was later extended till November 2021. From December 1st 2022, all complaints related to GST profiteering will be dealt with by India's antitrust watchdog Competition Commission of India (CCI), in place of National Anti-Profiteering Authority. 

Explanation – The Indra Sawhney vs Union of India case (1992) was a landmark judgement that addressed reservations for both Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (SCs/STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in government jobs. While upholding the concept of reservations, the court imposed certain conditions — It introduced the concept of a "creamy layer" within OBCs, excluding them from reservation benefits. It capped the total reservation quota at 50% (except in extraordinary circumstances). Reservation in promotions for SCs/STs was not automatically guaranteed and needed justification. The judgement did not abolish reservations but aimed to streamline and regulate them.