U.S. charges Lawrence Bishnoi, Goldy Brar for Nijjar’s killing in Canada in 2023

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I :Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States.
Statement-II :The 'Arab Peace Initiative' Mediated by Saudi Arabia was signed by Israel and Arab League.

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 is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement- II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. C. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. D. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Consider the following statements regarding the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS):
1. The summit held in 2015 marked the third edition of the IAFS.
2. The IAFS mechanism was instituted under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are **not** correct in terms of outcomes of this visit ?

1. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and the University of Hamburg
2. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Youth Hockey Development between Hockey India and the German Hockey Federation
3. Establishment of a bilateral dialogue mechanism on the Indo-Pacific
4. Opening of an Honorary Consul of Germany in Lucknow

Select the answer using the code given below :

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

Consider the following statements :
Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Technology Council'
Statement-II: The USA and the EU claim that through this they are trying to begin technological progress and physical productivity under their control.

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

1. A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. C. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. D. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the 'Additional Protocol' with the `International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'?

1. A. The civilian nuclear reactors come under IAEA safeguards.
2. B. The military nuclear installations come under the inspection of IAEA.
3. C. The country will have the privilege to buy uranium from the Nuclear Suppliers Group NSG.
4. D. The country automatically becomes a member of the NSG.

The term "two-state solution" is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of -

1. A. China
2. B. Israel
3. C. Iraq
4. D. Yemen

In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants?
1. Bangladesh
2. Cambodia
3. China
4. Myanmar
5. Thailand

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. A. 1 only
2. B. 2, 3 and 4
3. C. 1 and 3 only
4. D. 1, 2 and 5 only

India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect

1. A. India to Central Asia to Europe via Iran
2. B. India to Central Asia via China
3. C. India to South-East Asia through Bangladesh and Myanmar
4. D. India to Europe through Azerbaijan

The longest border between any two countries in the world is between :

1. A. Canada and the United States of America
2. B. Chile and Argentina
3. C. China and India
4. D. Kazakhstan and Russian Federation

Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct?

1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.
2. It commenced in Aundh (Pune).
3. Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation.
4. Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise.

Select the answer using the code given below :

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

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.

'Operation Hardball', recently in news, is a coordinated international effort primarily aimed at:

1. A. Facilitating trade agreements between the U.S., Canada, and India.
2. B. Combating climate change through joint research initiatives.
3. C. Dismantling transnational organized crime groups involved in racketeering and targeted killings.
4. D. Promoting cultural exchange programs among the Indian diaspora.

Which of the following countries/regions were explicitly mentioned in the article as having their law enforcement agencies participate in 'Operation Hardball' related to the Hardeep Singh Nijjar assassination case? 1. United States 2. Canada 3. India 4. Europe (as a collective) Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

The U.S. charges against Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar, as per the article, are primarily related to:

1. A. Financial fraud and money laundering activities.
2. B. Ordering the assassination of a Khalistani separatist.
3. C. Illegal arms trafficking across international borders.
4. D. Cyber espionage against government institutions.

"Operation Hardball" highlights the complex interplay between transnational organized crime and international relations. Discuss how the activities of such criminal syndicates can strain bilateral ties and pose challenges to internal security, particularly in the context of diaspora communities. Suggest comprehensive measures for enhanced global cooperation to effectively counter these threats.

Introduce transnational organized crime and its global reach. Explain its impact on bilateral relations (e.g., India-Canada) and internal security (e.g., extortion, targeted killings, radicalization within diaspora). Conclude by outlining strategies for international cooperation, including intelligence sharing, extradition treaties, and joint operations.

Transnational organized crime groups, as brought to light by 'Operation Hardball', often exploit vulnerabilities within diaspora communities for their operations. Examine the specific ways in which these communities become susceptible to such criminal activities and evaluate the effectiveness of current international law enforcement cooperation mechanisms in safeguarding them.

Begin by identifying the vulnerabilities of diaspora communities (e.g., cultural ties, economic dependence, fear of reprisal). Detail how crime groups exploit these (e.g., extortion, recruitment, drug trafficking). Then, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of existing international cooperation in protecting these communities, suggesting areas for improvement.