The question asks to identify the state government that introduced the "Drone Promotion and Utilisation Policy, 2025". This requires knowledge of recent government policies related to drone technology in various Indian states.
A) Madhya Pradesh: The Madhya Pradesh government approved and launched the "Drone Promotion and Utilisation Policy, 2025" in February 2024. This policy aims to make Madhya Pradesh a leader in drone technology by promoting its use across various sectors and creating a drone manufacturing ecosystem.
The question asks to identify the leader most instrumental in integrating princely states into India after independence. This requires knowledge of the key figures involved in the post-independence consolidation of India.
Correct Option: B) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played the most crucial role in integrating princely states into India post-independence. His diplomatic skills and firm resolve were instrumental in this process.
The question asks about the objective of a specific law enacted in India in 1856. To answer this, one needs to recall key social reform legislations passed during the British Raj and their respective years.
The Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act, 1856, was drafted by Lord Dalhousie and passed by Lord Canning. It was a significant social reform initiative, largely due to the efforts of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, who championed the cause of widow remarriage.
D) Legalising widow remarriage
The Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act of 1856 explicitly aimed to legalize the remarriage of Hindu widows, granting them legal protection and legitimacy for their children born from such marriages. This directly matches option D.
The question asks for the theme of a specific conference, the IIAS-DARPG India Conference, held in New Delhi in February 2025. This is a factual question requiring knowledge of current affairs or upcoming events related to governance and administration.
B) Next Generation Administrative Reforms – Empowering Citizens and Reaching the Last Mile is the officially announced theme for the IIAS-DARPG India Conference scheduled for February 2025 in New Delhi. This theme reflects the ongoing focus of DARPG and IIAS on modernizing public administration, leveraging technology, and ensuring inclusive governance.
The question asks to identify the Act that first established the position of a Governor-General of India with comprehensive civil and military authority. This requires knowledge of the key provisions of various British parliamentary Acts concerning the administration of India.
Correct Option: A) Charter Act 1833
The Charter Act of 1833 was a pivotal act in the constitutional history of India. It made the Governor-General of Bengal the Governor-General of India. Lord William Bentinck was the first Governor-General of India. This Act vested in him all civil and military powers, thus creating a highly centralised administration for British India.
The Indian Constitution establishes a federal system with a clear division of legislative powers between the Union (Central) Government and the State Governments. This division is primarily outlined in the Seventh Schedule, which contains three lists: the Union List, the State List, and the Concurrent List. To answer this question, we need to identify which list the subjects of police, public health, and agriculture fall under.
B) State Legislatures — Police (Entry 2), Public Health and Sanitation (Entry 6), and Agriculture (Entry 14) are all explicitly listed in the State List (List II) of the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Therefore, State Legislatures are generally responsible for legislating on these matters.
The question asks to identify the northeastern state where the Hornbill Festival was held with record participation in December 2024. This is a factual question related to Indian culture and geography, specifically focusing on festivals in the North Eastern states.
Correct Option: A) Nagaland is famously known for hosting the Hornbill Festival annually. It is a major tourism event for the state, attracting participants and visitors from around the world to witness the diverse cultural heritage of the Naga tribes. The mention of "record participation in December 2024" confirms its continued significance and popularity in its traditional home state.
The question asks about the expected full implementation year for the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This requires knowledge of the ongoing negotiations and projected timelines for such agreements.
Correct Option: D) 2026
The question asks to identify the specific version of a government skill development scheme, launched for the period FY 2022-2026, which focuses on providing free training to rural youth in India. This requires knowledge of the various skill development initiatives and their timelines.
C) Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). PMKVY 4.0 was launched for the period FY 2022-23 to FY 2025-26 (i.e., 2022-2026). Its primary objective is to provide skill training to millions of youth, including those in rural areas, to make them employable. It emphasizes industry-relevant skill training, including new-age courses, and aims to provide free training to eligible candidates, especially focusing on rural youth and marginalized sections.
The question asks to identify the Indian relay team that set a national record in the men's 4x100m event at the National Relay Carnival 2025. This requires specific knowledge of recent athletic achievements and team compositions.
B) Gurindervir Singh, Animesh Kujur, Manikanta H, Amlan Borgohain — This team indeed set a new national record in the men's 4x100m relay at the National Relay Carnival 2025, clocking 38.70 seconds.