20th April 2026

Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India), established in 1997, was India's first independent regulatory body — not PNGRB. Statement 2 is correct: PNGRB's vision explicitly includes ensuring competitive markets and fair trade practices in the petroleum and natural gas sector. Statement 3 is correct: Under Section 30(1) of the PNGRB Act, the Appellate Tribunal established under Section 110 of the Electricity Act, 2003 (i.e., APTEL — Appellate Tribunal for Electricity) also serves as the appellate authority for PNGRB.

Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: The River Basin Management Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme (not a Centrally Sponsored Scheme) under the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti. It is proposed to continue during the 16th Finance Commission period (2026–27 to 2030–31). Statements 2 and 3 are correct: the scheme facilitates integrated planning of surface water and groundwater at the river basin level, and is implemented through three key organisations — the Brahmaputra Board, CWC, and NWDA.

Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect for later phases: while PMGSY Phase I was launched in December 2000 as a 100% centrally sponsored scheme, Phase II (2013) followed a 75:25 Centre-State funding ratio (90:10 for hill/desert/Schedule V/Naxal-affected areas), and Phase III (2019–25) adopted a 60:40 ratio (90:10 for NE and Himalayan states). Statement 2 is incorrect because Major District Roads, State Highways, and National Highways are explicitly excluded from PMGSY coverage, even if located in rural areas. Upgradation under PMGSY is restricted to rural link roads, and it is not central to the programme's mandate.

Explanation:
The draft CAFE-3 norms shift from a punitive approach to a flexible, incentive-driven model. Automakers exceeding emission targets can generate surplus carbon credits and sell them to non-compliant companies, creating a cap-and-trade-like mechanism within the automobile sector. Manufacturers can also offset deficits by purchasing credits from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), while emission targets are set to progressively reduce from 113 gCO₂/km in FY27 to 78.9 gCO₂/km by FY32. The norms also incentivise EVs, hybrids, flex-fuel vehicles, and biofuels — ruling out Option D.

Explanation:
India's CAFE norms were introduced by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in 2017 under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, to regulate fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions from passenger vehicles weighing under 3,500 kg. Under Phase II (2022–23), manufacturers must achieve fuel consumption ≤ 4.78 litres/100 km and CO₂ emissions ≤ 113 g/km — making Statements 1 and 2 correct. Statement 3 is incorrect: under India's current CAFE framework, heavier vehicles like SUVs receive relaxed (not stricter) CO₂ limits, whereas lighter/smaller cars face tighter targets — which is one of the primary criticisms being addressed in CAFE-3.