1. With reference to the Mission Anveshan scheme launched by the Government of India, consider the following statements:
- It focuses on incentivizing seismic surveys for mapping oil and gas reserves across India’s sedimentary basins.
- The scheme provides incentives only to private companies conducting seismic surveys.
- It is a continuation of the earlier National Seismic Programme (NSP).
- Under Mission Anveshan, two-dimensional (2D) seismic surveys are being conducted over specific sedimentary basins including Ganga-Punjab Basin, Deccan Syncline, Cuddappah Basin, Saurashtra Basin and Chhattisgarh Basin.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] 1 and 2 only
[B] 1, 3 and 4
[C] 2 and 3 only
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1, 3 and 4]
Notes:Statement 1: Correct.
Mission Anveshan, launched in FY 2025, aims to enhance India’s energy security by incentivizing seismic surveys to map oil and gas reserves across the country’s sedimentary basins. The scheme involves seismic data acquisition, processing, interpretation, and mapping of oil and gas reserves.
Statement 2: Incorrect.
The scheme provides incentives to state-run companies such as Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) and Oil India Ltd, not exclusively to private companies.
Statement 3: Correct.
Mission Anveshan is a continuation of the National Seismic Programme (NSP), aiming to further the objectives of mapping hydrocarbon resources in India’s sedimentary basins.
Statement 4: Correct.
The scheme targets conducting 2D seismic surveys over 20,275 line-kilometers in seven on-land sedimentary basins, including the Ganga-Punjab, Rajasthan, Saurashtra, Deccan Syncline, Cuddappah, Krishna-Godavari, and Chhattisgarh basins.
2. Consider the following basins under Mission Anveshan, where two-dimensional (2D) seismic surveys are being conducted over:
- Ganga-Punjab Basin
- Deccan Syncline
- Cuddappah Basin
- Saurashtra Basin
- Chhattisgarh Basin
Which of the above basins are included in the project?
[A] Only 1, 2 and 3
[B] 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
[C] 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of the above]
Notes:
Mission Anveshan includes all the mentioned basins (Ganga-Punjab Basin, Deccan Syncline, Cuddappah Basin, Saurashtra Basin, and Chhattisgarh Basin), among others. This mission involves conducting 2D seismic surveys over specific sedimentary basins for better understanding of our geological setup.
3. In the context of farmer movements and unions in India, consider the following statements:
- The Pagri Sambhal Jatta Movement started in 1907 in Punjab and was led by Ajit Singh.
- The All India Kisan Sabha was established in 1943 to represent farmers across India.
- The Punjab unit of the Bhartiya Kisan Union gained prominence in the 1980s.
- The Samyukta Kisan Morcha is a coalition formed to oppose the three farm laws enacted in 2020.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only three
[D] All four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All four]
Notes:- The Pagri Sambhal Jatta Movement started in 1907 in Punjab and was led by Ajit Singh: This is correct. It was a significant movement opposing British laws detrimental to farmers.
- The All India Kisan Sabha was established in 1943 to represent farmers across India: This is correct. It aimed to unify farmers’ voices and advocate for their rights.
- The Punjab unit of the Bhartiya Kisan Union gained prominence in the 1980s: This is correct. The BKU became a key player in addressing farmers’ issues in Punjab.
- The Samyukta Kisan Morcha is a coalition formed to oppose the three farm laws enacted in 2020: This is correct. It united various farmer unions to voice their collective demands.
4. In the context of agricultural policies and market structures, consider the following statements:
- The APMC Act was first enacted in Punjab in 1961 to regulate agricultural marketing.
- The APMC Act empowers State Governments to notify commodities, designate regulated markets, and establish APMCs to oversee market operations.
- ‘Direct-to-consumer’ sales channels have been shown to increase farmers’ income by reducing intermediaries.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [All three]
Notes:- The APMC Act was first enacted in Punjab in 1961 to regulate agricultural marketing: This is correct. The APMC Act aimed to create regulated markets for farmers to sell their produce.
- The APMC Act empowers State Governments to notify commodities, designate regulated markets, and establish APMCs to oversee market operations. This is correct: Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act authorizes the concerned State Governments to notify the commodities, designate markets and market areas where regulated trade takes place and provides for the establishment of APMCs that are accountable for the functioning of the markets.
- ‘Direct-to-Consumer’ sales channels have been shown to increase farmers’ income by reducing intermediaries: This is correct. Such sales models empower farmers and enhance their profit margins.
5. Consider the following pairs:
| Reservoir | Location |
| Thein Dam | Punjab |
| Amravati Reservoir | Tamil Nadu |
| Bhakra Dam | Himachal Pradesh |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
[A] Only one pair
[B] Only two pairs
[C] All three pairs
[D] None of the pairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [All three pairs]
Notes:- Thein Dam: It is indeed located in Punjab, making this pair correct.
- Amravati Reservoir: This reservoir is located in Tamil Nadu, confirming this pair is correct.
- Bhakra Dam: This dam is located in Himachal Pradesh, thus this pair is also correct.
Thus, all three pairs are correctly matched.
6. Consider the following pairs:
| Punjab | First state to achieve 100% piped water supply |
| Kerala | First state to achieve 100% literacy rate in India |
| Rajasthan | First state to implement the Right to Information Act |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
[A] Only one pair
[B] Only two pairs
[C] All three pairs
[D] None of the pairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two pairs]
Notes:- Punjab: It is the fifth state to achieve 100% piped water supply to rural households, not the first. So, this pair is incorrect.
- Goa was the first state in India to achieve 100% piped water supply in rural areas.
- Kerala: It was the first state in India to achieve a 100% literacy rate in 1991, making this pair correct.
- Rajasthan: It was the first state to implement the Right to Information Act in 2000, making this pair correct as well.
Thus, only two pairs are correct.
7. Who has become the first woman Chief Minister of West Punjab in Pakistan?
[A] Maryam Nawaz
[B] Mahira Khan
[C] Fatima Bhutto
[D] Muniba Mazari
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Maryam Nawaz ]
Notes:
Maryam Nawaz made history by becoming the first woman Chief Minister of Pakistan’s Punjab province on February 26, 2024. Sworn in at the Punjab Governor House, she took the oath in the presence of her father, Nawaz Sharif, and uncle, Shahbaz Sharif. Maryam’s achievement marks a significant milestone, as she is the first woman to hold such a position in any Pakistani state. She is also the senior vice president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party.
8. Which Indian cricketer has been appointed as a state icon by Punjab Chief Electoral Officer for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections?
[A] Harbhajan Singh
[B] Shubman Gill
[C] Virat Kohli
[D] Arshdeep Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shubman Gill]
Notes:
Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C has named Indian cricketer Shubman Gill as the state icon for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Gill will participate in various election campaigns to raise voter awareness and increase turnout in the state. Punjabi singer Tarsem Jassar has also been selected as a “state icon” and will conduct similar campaigns.
9. What is the name of the potato disease that has caused substantial damage to potato crops across various districts of Punjab?
[A] Downy Mildew
[B] Late Blight
[C] Powdery Mildew
[D] Verticillium Wilt
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Late Blight ]
Notes:
The potato disease that has ravaged crops across Punjab districts is called late blight (100 words). It displays symptoms like green circular spots on potatoes that expand into dark brown lesions. Over 50% of the state’s potato cultivation has been impacted by late blight fungal infestation. Excess moisture and humidity encouraged its proliferation, resulting in rotting of tubers.
10. Consider the following statements with respect to Teja Singh Sutantar:
- He led the PEPSU movement to obtain ownership rights of the land to landless peasants.
- He formed Lal (Red) Party.
- He was elected unopposed to the Punjab Legislative Assembly in May 1937 as a nominee of Indian National Congress.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:- Teja Singh Sutantar was a revolutionary leader who led the PEPSU Muzara.
- In September 1921, he formed his own squad called ‘sutantar jatha’ (also called as swatantar meaning free/independent). In its maiden attempt, the jatha successfully liberated the gurdwara in a village called Teja, in Gurdaspur district, from the mahants.
- Teja Singh was elected unopposed to the Punjab Legislative Assembly in May 1937 as a nominee of Indian National Congress, while he was still in prison.
- He continued to remain the member of Punjab Legislative Assembly till 1945.
- He was a key leader in the PEPSU Muzara movement, which started in the 1930s and went on till 1952.
- PEPSU movement was started by landless peasants (muzaras) in PEPSU (Patiala and East Punjab States Union). The movement aimed to obtain ownership rights of the land they had been tilling for generations.
- Teja Singh formed his Lal (Red) Party with the Kirti group of the Punjab Communist Party as its nucleus.
