Centre orders blocking of battery management apps used to turn off e-rickshaws

Consider the following actions:
1. Detection of car crash/collision which results in the deployment of airbags almost instantaneously
2. Detection of accidental free fall of a laptop towards the ground which results in the immediate turning off of the hard drive
3. Detection of the tilt of the smartphone which results in the rotation of display between portrait and landscape mode

In how many of the above actions is the function of accelerometer required?

1. A. Only one
2. B. Only two
3. C. All three
4. D. None

Consider the following statements about Mission Sudarshan Chakra of India:

1. It aims to enhance India's air defence, ballistic missile defence and aerial offensive capabilities.
2. This Mission is being designed to enhance rapid, precise, and powerful defence responses, reinforcing India's strategic autonomy.
3. One of the aims of this Mission is to cover all public places of India by an expanded nationwide security shield by 2035.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. A. 1, 2 and 3
2. B. 1 and 2 only
3. C. 2 and 3 only
4. D. 1 only

When the alarm of your smartphone rings in the morning, you wake up and tap it to stop the alarm which causes your geyser to be switched on automatically. The smart mirror in your bathroom shows the day's weather and also indicates the level of water in your overhead tank. After you take some groceries from your refrigerator for making breakfast, it recognises the shortage of stock in it and places an order for the supply of fresh grocery items. When you step out of your house and lock the door, all lights, fans, geysers and AC machines get switched off automatically. On your way to the office, your car warns you about traffic congestion ahead and suggests an alternative route, and if you are late for a meeting, it sends a- message to your office accordingly.
In the context of emerging communication technologies, which one of the following term best applies to the above scenario?

1. A. Border Gateway Protocol
2. B. Internet of Things
3. C. Internet Protocol
4. D. Virtual Private Network

Consider the following communication technologies:

1. Closed-circuit Television
2. Radio Frequency Identification
3. Wireless Local Area Network

Which of the above are considered Short-Range devices/technologies?

1. A. 1 and 2 only
2. B. 2 and 3 only
3. C. 1 and 3 only
4. D. 1, 2 and 3

Which of the following statements with regard to drone swarms is/are correct ?

1. They use Terahertz band of frequency to communicate with the command centre.
2. Individual drones in the swarm can communicate with other drones in the swarm.
3. GPS Spoofing is a commonly used technique to counter drone swarm attack.

Select the answer using the code given below :

1. A. 1 only
2. B. 2 and 3 only
3. C. 1 and 2 only
4. D. 1, 2 and 3

Which of the following statements with regard to the National Quantum Mission (NQM) is/are correct?

1. It aims at developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits.
2. Its implementation includes setting up of four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in academic and national R&D institutes across India.

Select the answer using the code given below:

1. A. 1 only
2. B. 2 only
3. C. Both 1 and 2
4. D. Neither 1 nor 2

Consider the following statements:

I. Indian Railways have prepared a National Rail Plan (NRP) to create a future ready railway system by 2028. 

II. 'Kavach' is an Automatic Train Protection system developed in collaboration with Germany. 

III. 'Kavach' system consists of RFID tags fitted on track in station section.

Which of the statements given above are **not** correct?

1. A. I and II only
2. B. II and III only
3. C. I and III only
4. D. I, II and III

GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) uses a system of ground stations to provide necessary augmentation. Which of the following statements is/are correct in respect of GAGAN?

I. It is designed to provide additional accuracy and integrity.
II. It will allow more uniform and high quality air traffic management.
III. It will provide benefits only in aviation but not in other modes of transportation.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. A. I, II and III
2. B. II and III only
3. C. I only
4. D. I and II only

Consider the following statements:

Statement I:
Some rare earth elements are used in the manufacture of flat television screens and computer monitors.

Statement II:
Some rare earth elements have phosphorescent properties.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. A. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
2. B. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I
3. C. Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct
4. D. Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct

In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cybersecurity incidents?

1. Service providers
2. Data centres
3. Body corporate

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. A. 1 only
2. B. 1 and 2 only
3. C. 3 only
4. D. 1, 2 and 3

Does tribal development in India centre around two axes, those of displacement and of rehabilitation? Give your opinion.

Achieving sustainable growth with emphasis on environmental protection could come into conflict with poor people’s needs in a country like India – Comment.

How do you account for the growing fast food industries given that there are increased health concerns in modern society? Illustrate your answer with the Indian experience.

Discuss the evolution of collegium system in India. Critically examine the advantages and disadvantages of the system of appointment of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India and that of the USA.

Indian Constitution has conferred the amending power on the ordinary legislative institutions with a few procedural hurdles. In view of this statement, examine the procedural and substantive limitations on the amending power of the Parliament to change the Constitution.

Mahatma Jotirao Phule’s writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss.

The Union government recently ordered the blocking of certain battery management apps after they were found to be exploited to remotely shut down e-rickshaw batteries. Which of the following statements accurately describes a key aspect of this vulnerability as highlighted in the article?

1. A. The apps require a stable internet connection to remotely disable the e-rickshaw batteries.
2. B. The vulnerability is primarily due to the use of outdated lithium-ion battery technology in e-rickshaws.
3. C. The apps can remotely shut off battery units without requiring internet access or a configured password/PIN.
4. D. The exploit is limited to e-rickshaws manufactured by specific Chinese firms.

The government's action to block battery management apps for e-rickshaws primarily underscores a critical gap in which of the following areas?

1. A. The manufacturing process of lithium-ion battery packs.
2. B. International cooperation on cybercrime prevention.
3. C. Cybersecurity requirements within e-rickshaw testing and certification standards.
4. D. The availability of indigenous battery management system technologies.

With reference to Battery Management Systems (BMS) in lithium-ion battery packs, consider the following statements: 1. They are designed to monitor parameters such as charge, voltage, and temperature. 2. They inherently require continuous internet connectivity to perform their functions. 3. The current e-rickshaw testing standards in India adequately cover their cybersecurity aspects. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. A. 1 only
2. B. 1 and 2 only
3. C. 2 and 3 only
4. D. 1, 2 and 3

The recent incident of remote disabling of e-rickshaw batteries highlights significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities in emerging urban transport technologies. Discuss the implications of such vulnerabilities for public safety and national security, and suggest measures to build a resilient cybersecurity framework for critical infrastructure in India.

Introduce the e-rickshaw incident, elaborate on the implications for public safety (stranding, extortion) and national security (potential for wider disruption), and then propose multi-faceted solutions including regulatory reforms, technological safeguards, public-private partnerships, and international cooperation.

The government's action against battery management apps underscores the challenges in regulating rapidly evolving technologies, particularly when they intersect with public safety. Examine the regulatory gaps and governance issues highlighted by this incident, and suggest how India can proactively address such challenges to ensure responsible technological adoption.

Begin by referencing the e-rickshaw incident. Identify regulatory gaps (e.g., lack of cybersecurity standards in testing) and governance issues (e.g., reactive measures, global nature of apps). Suggest proactive measures such as anticipatory policy-making, inter-agency coordination, industry collaboration for 'security by design', and consumer awareness.