1. With reference to 'Li-Fi', recently in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct? A. It uses light as the medium for high-speed data transmission. B. It is a wireless technology and is several times faster than 'Wi-Fi'. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

2. 'Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres)', often in the news, is

3. What is/are the purpose/purposes of 'District Mineral Foundations' in India? A. Promoting mineral exploration activities in mineral-rich districts B. Protecting the interests of the persons affected by mining operations C. Authorizing State Governments to issue licences for mineral exploration Select the correct answer using the code given below:

4. With reference to 'Agenda 21', sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements: A. It is a global action plan for sustainable development B. It originated in the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in 2002. Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?

5. Which of the following is/are the advantage /advantages of practising drip irrigation? A. Reduction in weed B. Reduction in soil salinity C. Reduction in soil erosion Select the correct answer using the code given below:

6. Regarding the taxation system of Krishna Deva, the ruler of Vijayanagar, consider the following statements: A. The tax rate on land was fixed depending on the quality of the land. B. Private owners of workshops paid an industries tax. Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?

7. A recent movie titled The Man Who Knew Infinity is based on the biography of

8. On which of the following can you find the Bureau of Energy Efficiency Star Label? A. Ceiling fans B. Electric geysers C. Tubular fluorescent lamps Select the correct answer using the code given below:

9. Which of the following is not a member of 'Gulf Cooperation Council'?

10. There has been a persistent deficit budget year after year. Which action/ actions of the following can be taken by the Government to reduce the deficit? A. Reducing revenue expenditure B. Introducing new welfare schemes C. Rationalizing subsidies D. Reducing import duty Select the correct answer using the code given below:

11. Consider the following: A. Calcutta Unitarian Committee B. Tabernacle of New Dispensation C. Indian Reform Association Keshab Chandra Sen is associated with the establishment of which of the above?

12. With reference to 'Bitcoins', sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct? A. Bitcoins are tracked by the Central Banks of the countries. B. Anyone with a Bitcoin address can send and receive Bitcoins from anyone else with a Bitcoin address. C. Online payments can be sent without either side knowing the identity of the other. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

13. What was the main reason for the split in the Indian National Congress at Surat in 1907?

14. Which one of the following is the best description of 'INS Astradharini', that was in the news recently?

15. The Parliament of India acquires the power to legislate on any item in the State List in the national interest if a resolution to thateffect is passed by the

16. Regarding 'Digi Locker', sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct? xxxviii Seven-year Analysis of the General Studies (2011−2017) A. It is a digital locker system offered by the Government under Digital India Programme. B. It allows you to access your e-documents irrespective of your physical location. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

17. In the context of the developments in Bioinformatics, the term transcriptome, sometimes seen in the news, refers to

18. The term 'Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership' often appears in the news in the context of the affairs of a group of countries known as:

19. In which of the following regions of India are shale gas resources found? A. Cambay Basin B. Cauvery Basin C. Krishna-Godavari Basin Select the correct answer using the code given below:

20. Which of the following statements is/ are correct? Viruses can infect A. bacteria B. fungi C. plants Select the correct answer using the code given below:

21. What is/are unique about 'Kharai camel', a breed found in India? A. It is capable of swimming up to three kilometres in seawater. B. It survives by grazing on mangroves. C. It lives in the wild and cannot be domesticated. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

22. What is 'Greased Lightning-10 (GL-10)', recently in the news?

23. India is an important member of the 'International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor'. If this experiment succeeds, what is the immediate advantage for India?

24. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: A. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to Hinayana sect of Buddhism. B. Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment. C. Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it. Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?

25. Consider the following statements: A. The Sustainable Development Goals were first proposed in 1972 by a global think tank called the 'Club of Rome'. B. The Sustainable Development Goals have to be achieved by 2030. Which of the statements given above is/ are correct? Seven-year Analysis of the General Studies (2011−2017) xxxix