1. Consider the following:
- Peach
- Walnut
- Mango
- Apple
Which of the above is/are classified as drupe fruits?
[A] 1, 2 and 3
[B] 2, 3 and 4
[C] 1, 3 and 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1, 2 and 3]
Notes:- Drupes are a type of fruit that have a single seed surrounded by a fleshy outer layer and a hard inner layer. They are also known as stone fruits. Examples of drupes: Apricots, Cherries, Coconuts, Mangoes, Olives, Peaches, Pecans, Plums, Walnuts, Almonds, Cashew etc.
- An apple is a pome fruit, not a drupe fruit.
2. With respect to BIMSTEC and Cyber Security, consider the following statements:
- This organization came into being in 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration.
- BIMSTEC includes countries from all continents except North America and Australia.
Which of the above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1]
Notes:- This organization came into being in 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration. Correct: This sub-regional organization came into being in 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration. Initially, it was formed with four Member States with the acronym ‘BIST-EC’ (Bangladesh, India, Sri-Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation). It became renamed ‘BIMST-EC’ in 1997, following the inclusion of Myanmar.
- BIMSTEC includes countries from all continents except North America and Australia. Incorrect: Its members lie in the littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal constituting a contiguous regional unity. Out of the 7 members,
- Five are from South Asia – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka
- Two are from Southeast Asia – Myanmar and Thailand.
3. In context of the Quantum Computing, consider the following statements:
- Qiskit is an open-source software development kit by IBM for the quantum developer community.
- Unlike classical bits, which can be 0 or 1, quantum bits (qubits) can exist in a superposition of both 0 and 1.
Select the correct option from the codes below.
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
Notes:- Qiskit is an open-source software development kit by IBM for the quantum developer community. Correct: Qiskit is an open-source software development kit built by IBM for the quantum developer community. IBM regularly organizes India-focused programmes such as Qiskit India Week of Quantum, which celebrated women in quantum to kickstart their journeys in quantum, and was attended by almost 300 students.
- Unlike classical bits, which can be 0 or 1, quantum bits (qubits) can exist in a superposition of both 0 and 1. Correct: The fundamental principle that enables the power of quantum computing is ‘quantum superposition’. – Unlike traditional bits used in classical computers that can exist in only one state (either 0 or 1), quantum bits or ‘qubits’ can exist in a superposition of 0 and 1 simultaneously.
4. Regarding the RBI Ombudsman Scheme, consider the following statements:
- The Ombudsman Scheme was launched in 2021 to address banking customer complaints.
- It does not cover non-scheduled primary co-operative banks with a deposit size of Rs 50 crore.
- The scheme has a high complaint disposal rate, exceeding 90% in recent years.
- RBI’s Executive Director in charge of the Consumer Education and Protection Department is the Appellate Authority under the integrated scheme.
How many statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only three
[D] All four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only three]
Notes:- The Ombudsman Scheme was launched in 2021 to address banking customer complaints: This is correct. The scheme was indeed launched on November 12, 2021.
- It does not cover non-scheduled primary co-operative banks with a deposit size of Rs 50 crore: This is incorrect. It includes non-scheduled primary co-operative banks with a deposit size of Rs 50 crore and above. The integrated scheme makes it a “One Nation One Ombudsman’ approach and jurisdiction-neutral.
- The scheme has a high disposal rate of complaints, achieving over 90% in recent years: This is correct. The disposal rate has been over 90% in recent years, indicating efficiency.
- RBI’s Executive Director in charge of the Consumer Education and Protection Department is the Appellate Authority under the integrated scheme: This is correct.RBI’s Executive Director in charge of the Consumer Education and Protection Department would be the Appellate Authority under the integrated scheme.
5. In the context of India’s economy and business activity, consider the following statements regarding the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), the services sector, and manufacturing:
- PMI is a leading indicator of economic health, measuring the activity level of purchasing managers in the manufacturing sector.
- PMI’s reading rose in January 2025, marking its highest level in the last 2 years.
- A PMI number greater than 50 indicates a contraction in business activity
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only one]
Notes:- PMI is a leading indicator of economic health: Correct. PMI surveys provide insights into business conditions and future economic activity.
- PMI’s reading rose in January 2025, marking its highest level in the last 2 years. Incorrect: The PMI reading dropped to 57.9 in January, marking its lowest level since November 2023, down from December’s final figure of 59.2.
- A PMI number greater than 50 indicates a contraction in business activity. Incorrect: A PMI number greater than 50 indicates expansion in business activity. A number less than 50 shows a contraction.
