12th September 2025

Explanation – Vembanad Lake is correctly located in Kerala. Pulicat Lake is correctly located on the border of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. However, Chilika Lake is located in Odisha, not Andhra Pradesh, making only statement 3 incorrectly matched. 

Explanation – PVTGs are certain tribal communities who have declining or stagnant population, low level of literacy, pre-agricultural level of technology and are economically backward. 75 such groups have been identified and categorised as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Bondas live in settlements in the hills of the Khairaput block in Malkangiri district of Odisha (not Maharashtra). They are members of a group of Austroasiatic tribes and are believed to be part of the first wave of migration out of Africa about 60,000 years ago, making them the first forest settlers in India. 

Explanation – All statements are incorrect. Permafrost is ground that remains completely frozen at 0 degrees Celsius or below for at least two years (not six months, and not floating ice). The permanently frozen ground, consisting of soil, sand, and rock held together by ice, is believed to have formed during glacial periods dating several millennia (not pure melted ice from glaciers). While permafrost itself is always frozen, the surface layer that covers it (called the "active layer") need not be. In Canada and Russia, colourful tundra vegetation carpets over permafrost for thousands of kilometres, so it is not devoid of vegetation. 

Explanation – Adi Sanskriti is envisioned as the world's first Digital University to preserve and promote the culture and traditional knowledge of tribal communities. Adi Sampada is a socio-cultural repository with over 5,000 curated documents across five themes. TRIs from Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh have contributed to its first phase (15 states, which is over ten). However, the online marketplace (Adi Haat) is currently linked with TRIFED, not directly with NSDC, making statement 2 incorrect. 

Explanation – Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented from 2022-2027. The scheme, aligned with NEP 2020, targets adults (aged 15 years and above) who can't go to school, not only school dropouts aged 15-18. It aims to empower those adults aged 15 years and above from all backgrounds who could not get due schooling. The scheme has five components - Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Critical Life Skills, Basic Education, Vocational Skills and Continuing Education. The ULLAS app can be used for registration of learners and volunteers and serves as a digital gateway for learners to engage in diverse learning resources through the DIKSHA portal of NCERT.