A great transformation can be observed in our daily routine life along with the increasing

involvement of IoT devices and technology. One such development of IoT is the concept of Smart
Home Systems (SHS) and appliances that consist of internet-based devices, automation systems
for homes and reliable energy management systems. Besides, another important achievement
of IoT is the Smart Health Sensing system (SHSS). SHSS incorporates small intelligent
equipment and devices to support the health of human beings. These devices can be used both
indoors and outdoors to check and monitor the different health issues and fitness levels or the
number of calories burned in the fitness centre etc. Also, it is being used to monitor critical health
conditions in hospitals and trauma centres as well. Hence, it has changed the entire scenario of
the medical domain by facilitating it with high technology and smart device.

Q1. Which one of the following best reflects the crux of the above passage?

(a) IoT has positively affected the lives of humans in almost every domain.

(b) With the increasing use of IoT, there is a dire need for investment in the online security of the citizens.

(c) In the medical domain, IoT devices can act as a double-edged sword.

(d) Application of high-end technology, and smart systems for home, health and energy increases the
cost of living.
The idea of initiating cultural exchange programs was first hatched after the 2nd World War when
the people of different countries wanted to unify against violence and hate among nations. The
concept is essentially a process that involves a two-way transfer of an individual to a different
country from their home country to promote their home country’s values and culture and imbibe
the visiting country’s traditions and way of life. It is a method of improving relations amongst
nations wherein they can respect and understand the needs and values of other nations in the world,
which increases the probability of desired relations of trade and commerce, as well as political
relations, due to the attraction that this concept garners.

Q2. Which one of the following statements best reflects the central idea of the passage?

(a) Cultural exchanges can contribute to the development of a peaceful, unilateral world.

(b) Cultural exchange became a necessity for developing nations due to their developmental needs.

(c) Cultural exchange programs help in the wholesome development of an individual and strengthen
international relations between countries.

(d) In the post-second world war period, cultural diplomacy gained significance to solve the existing
disputes between the nations.
India will achieve net zero emissions latest by 2070, that is, there will be no net carbon emissions, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi declared at the COP26 summit. By 2030, India would also ensure that 50% of its energy will be
from renewable energy sources. However, none of this can help the 1.5°C mark from being breached. A major point
of emphasis of the report, particularly for South Asia, is the trend in the ‘wet bulb’ temperature — an index of the
impact of heat and humidity combined — and its effect on health. Lucknow and Patna, according to one of several
studies cited in the report, were among the cities predicted to reach wet-bulb temperatures of 35°C if emissions
continued to rise, while Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Mumbai, Indore, and Ahmedabad are ‘at risk’ of reaching wet-
bulb temperatures of 32°C-34°C with continued emissions. This will have consequences such as a rise in heatwave-
linked deaths or reduced productivity. Global sea levels will likely rise 44cm-76cm this century if governments meet
their current emission-cutting pledges. But with higher emissions, and if ice sheets collapse more quickly than
expected, sea levels could rise as much as 2 metres this century and 5m by 2150. India is one of the most vulnerable
countries in terms of the population that will be affected by sea-level rise. By the middle of the century, around 35
million of its people could face annual coastal flooding, with 45 million-50 million at risk by the end of the century
if emissions are high. Experience has shown that partisan economic calculations trump climate considerations, but
India must shore up its adaptation measures and urgently move to secure the futures of its many vulnerable who
have the most to lose.

Q3. Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:

1. India alone achieving net zero emissions is meaningless as developed countries are major carbon
emitters.

2. Climate change in India will induce lesser precipitation.

3. In the current scenario, India, alone, cannot mitigate the negative impact of climate change.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

(a) 1 only (b) 3 only (c) 1 and 2 only(d) 2 and 3 only

Within the freedom to choose are those endowments that make us uniquely human. In addition to selfawareness, we
have imagination- the ability to create in our minds beyond our present reality. We have conscience- a deep inner
awareness of right and wrong, of the principles that govern our behaviour, and a sense of the degree to which our
thoughts and actions are in harmony with them. And we have an independent will - the ability to act based on our
self-awareness, free of all other influences.

Even the most intelligent animals have none of these endowments. To use a
computer metaphor, they are programmed by instinct and/or training. They
can be trained to be responsible, but they can’t take responsibility for that
training; in other words, they can’t direct it. They can’t change the
programming. They’re not even aware of it.
Q4. Which of the following is the most logical and rational inference that can be
made from the above passage?

(a) If trained properly, animals can also exercise freedom of choice.

(b) Animals act as per their instincts.

(c) Animals are capable of taking responsibility for their innovative actions.

(d) Training can make animals responsible, aware and intelligent.

The 30 million farmers in India are the ones possessing one hectare or more land, which is the minimum
holding required for agriculture per se to generate a major share of any family’s income. It also means
that “agriculture policy” should primarily target these 30 million households. Farm incomes can,
realistically speaking, be doubled, or tripled only for those truly dependent on agriculture and having
enough land to productively deploy labour and capital resources. They must be enabled to do so, through
improved access to markets, water, electricity, credit, and other productivity-enhancing inputs. The
whole focus should be to lower their production costs by raising yields, while simultaneously ensuring
higher input use efficiency and minimal environmental footprint. The question that naturally arises is
where does this leave the remaining 60-65 million households - those having less than one-hectare land
and “agricultural” only in name? The answer is simple: Their future lies outside the farms.

Q5. Which of the following is/are the most rational and logical Inference/Inferences that can be made
from the passage?

1. It is not possible to double the income of every farmer in the country.

2. Government should use the policy of subsidies to ensure minimum production costs of the farmers.

3. Most of the farmers in the country may not receive the benefits of the agricultural policy.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only (b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Food, agriculture, and fisheries depend on the world’s natural resources, so future food production will
depend on how well these resources are conserved and used. Agriculture is impacted by urban land expansion
and by higher water demand from other sectors. Development in coastal zones complicates fisheries
governance in traditional fishing areas. The ocean ecosystem is affected by oil and gas exploration, marine
shipping, and land-based industries, whose pollution can lead to habitat loss and declining biodiversity.
Agricultural risk “hotspots” occur where these resource pressures are most concentrated. The food,
agriculture and fisheries system is not only impacted by the environment, but also by production techniques.
The excessive use of nutrients in agriculture has been a major source of water pollution and is estimated to
have reduced biodiversity in rivers, lakes and wetlands by about one-third globally.

Q6. Which one of the following statements best reflects the most critical inference that can be made from the
passage given above?

(a) Sustainable environmental resource governance is the most crucial factor for food security in future.

(b) Agricultural risk hotspots need to be identified and targeted efforts need to be made to bring them out
of danger.

(c) Biodiversity and food production depend not only on natural, but also anthropogenic factors.

(d) Unsustainable practices in the food, agriculture and fisheries systems threaten only biodiversity.
It has often been said that “art is the reflection of society”. This is what Yves Michaud, a famous French
philosopher, was able to defend. Artists are not isolated creators. Their work is the result of their
relationship with the outside world. Often commenting on politics, power or wealth, artists may, or may
not, dialogue with human concerns, which are themselves strongly conditioned by the culture in which
we live. Non- Western works, too, such as African or Oceanian masks and totems derive from this
pattern. In recent decades, the connections between “art” and “society” have become more obvious. For
example, photography and video began to capture reality, documenting it, staging it, and sometimes
denouncing it. Pop art, artists have seized on our symbols. And a new generation of artists uses their
visibility to denounce, invective or educate the public.

Q7. Which one of the following statements best reflects the crux of the passage?

(a) Non-western societies should learn how to make the best use of art in understanding societies.

(b) Societies must invest in the promotion of arts for the propagation of their cultures.

(c) Artists should always keep away the bias of their own culture to understand a society.

(d) Just as a society grows, art evolves with time to reflect the realities of society.
The United States Senate unanimously passed a law making daylight saving time (DST) permanent,
scrapping the biannual practice of putting clocks forward and back coinciding with the arrival and
departure of winter. If the legislation, Sunshine Protection Act, passes in the House of Representatives
as well, and is signed into law by President Joe Biden, it will come into effect in November 2023. The
practice of turning clocks back by an hour to standard time every November will stop — and DST, which
now starts in March, will be in effect all year round. The key argument is that DST is meant to save energy.
It involves resetting clocks ahead by an hour in spring, and behind by an hour in autumn, and those in
favour of DST argue that it means a longer evening daytime. Individuals will complete their daily work
routines an hour earlier, and that extra hour of daylight means — or is supposed to mean — a lower
consumption of energy.

Q8. Which of the following is the objective of “Sunlight Protection Act”?

(a) Energy Conservation

(b) Harnessing Solar Energy

(c) Promoting work from home culture

(d) None of the above

In sum, the main aim of transport planning is to make the transport sector more sustainable from
a social and environmental point of view while simultaneously allowing tourism to grow. Transport
planning and tourism policy have to be integrated to achieve joint environmental and social
objectives. In this sense, it is important to create incentives that reduce the need for private cars
and minimize the length of time needed to access specific locations. This could lead to substantial
welfare gains, in terms of pollution reductions and improved access for rural inhabitants.

Q9. What is the crucial message conveyed by the above passage?

(a) Separating the transport and tourism policy will be detrimental to the society
and environment.

(b) Tourism industry cannot grow without the growth in the transport sector.

(c) Pollution and economic issues of rural inhabitants exist because of poor public transport
infrastructure.

(d) Socio-environmental development is dependent on the synergy between transport and tourism
policies.
Robots increasingly operate among people, and they now work alongside us in factories and warehouses,
share our streets and sidewalks, clean our homes, and care for the most vulnerable among us. These
emerging social contexts add new requirements to the knowledge that successful roboticists need. Many
roboticists learn the basics of human-machine interaction and usability. Far fewer learn foundational
concepts from cognitive science on decision-making by human agents, human navigation and wayfinding,
human communication, and human interpretation of intentional behaviour that could be used to help
robots interpret human actions. All autonomous systems may have ethical impacts, and all should be
designed to avoid unethical outcomes. Designers bear some responsibility for their designs, even in a world
where the autonomous systems they design eventually design other autonomous systems.

Q10. Which one of the following statements best reflects the crux of the passage?

(a) Dependence of humans on robots is going to be the future of human society.

(b) Implementation of robots in human society shall be done by ethical scientists.

(c) It is difficult to ascertain the future social contexts in the sphere of human-machine interaction.

(d) With the increased use of robots for humans, the ethical dimension of their design and functionality
should be given due consideration.
Any suicide is a tragedy of insurmountable proportions for the family. It has multiple
ramifications for those left behind. Truly, it is the end point of the collective failure of society.
Hence, its prevention begins within the society. Suicides which happen due to coercion and
threat of violence are not truly suicides, they are murders committed by all of us. In India, we
harbour suicides in our shanties, colonies, homes, colleges, schools and professional
institutions. We love the talk of death as a means of retribution. If we do not want that to happen,
then we must raise our voices at every act of injustice, abuse, prejudice, threat and violence
aimed at the ordinary Indian.

Q11. Which one of the following is the most rational inference(s) one can draw from the passage?

(a) Society, in many cases, provokes one to commit suicide.

(b) Society is solely responsible for suicide.

(c) Society promotes suicide in order to maintain its supremacy over individuals.

(d) All of the above

While the Keynesian theories hugely propagate substantial government spending in times of crisis to
kick-start consumption, Hayek’s work theorizes that extreme hand-holding by the government leads to
longterm stagnation due to interference in natural market forces. Most nations went with Keynes’s
approach of vigorous government intervention by huge spending in the form of cash hand-outs and
putting money in people’s pockets. They hoped that such measures would awaken demand and lift the
spirit of businesses who’d then hire more people. In retrospect, it is this thought which seemed to be a
total miscalculated step since artificially stimulating the economy on such a macroscale, inevitably leads
to inflation, followed by a slowdown.

Q12. Which of the following could be a part of government’s approach to combat slowdown?

1. Preventing unintended inflation

2. Providing govt. jobs to people

Select the correct answer from the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 2

(d) None
A good foreign policy must work for you all. Your everyday needs from the world must be better met. And
since we are a collective as a country, our national security must be assured. As that is done, the pursuit
of our aspirations must be facilitated. The foreign policy being the link to the outside, it should enable us
to draw what we seek. This could be in terms of technology or capital, best practices, or even work
opportunities. And obviously, we would all like to be strong; we would like to look good and we would like
to feel appreciated. Any policy which ensures all these goals has a lot going for it. It does not necessarily
have to sound nice; it must simply pass the smell test.

Q13. Consider the following:

1. Poverty reduction 2. More H-1B visas

3. Continuous supply of crude oil 4. Innovative ways of school education

5. Increased foreign indirect investment 6. A missile deal with Russia

Assuming the author is talking about Indian context, which of the above things can be a part of good foreign
policy, as implied by the passage?
(a) 2, 3, 5 and 6 only (b) 1, 2, 4, and 5 only
(c) 3, 4 and 6 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
Permafrost peatlands — frozen, carbon-storing expanses of land — in Europe and western Siberia might be
approaching their tipping point faster than expected, a new study warned. By 2040, northern Europe might
become too wet and warm to support permafrost peatlands, the study published in Nature Climate Change
added. Peatlands are a class of wetlands, which are ecosystems flooded with water. Waterlogged conditions
limit microbial decay of dead plant materials rich in carbon dioxide. This prevents the reintroduction of the gas
into the atmosphere. Peatlands, which occupy only 3 per cent of the global land surface, store twice as much
carbon as all the world’s forests, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. Some peatlands
are buried under frozen ground or permafrost and exist as permafrost peatlands. They are found in the northern
parts of Alaska, Canada, Russia and parts of northern Europe, the researchers said. Data on parts of Canada
and Siberia is still lacking, study lead author, Richard Fewster, told Down To Earth. Frozen wetlands in Europe
and western Siberia store up to 39 billion tonnes of carbon. This is equivalent to twice that is held by the whole
of European forests. “Huge stocks of peat carbon have been protected for millennia by frozen conditions, but
once those conditions become unsuitable, all that stored carbon can be lost very quickly,” study co-author Paul
Morris, associate professor of bio-geo-science at Leeds, said.

Q14. On the basis of the above passage, consider the following statements about peatlands.

1. They are a type of water body.

2. Ice protects peatland from degradation.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 2 (d) None
Our world — and our region — faces the most serious strategic confluence of events since the end of
the Second World War: Intensifying strategic and geoeconomic competition, the return of war to
Europe, growing climate risks, and enduring pandemic impacts, all of which are driving inflation,
labour scarcity, and supply chain shocks. Countries which share common values and interests must
work together with resolve to shape our economic and strategic environment so that it continues to
support our collective security and prosperity.

Q15. According to the passage, what is the outcome of the events mentioned?

1. Higher prices of essentials

2. Unavailability of raw materials

3. Manpower shortages

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1 and 2 only

Protecting Earth’s remaining biodiversity and restoring at least one-third of what has been
lost in the last 30 years is the most efficient and cost-effective step we can take to stabilize
the climate emergency. Unlike technological and engineered solutions that are expensive and
must be scaled up to be effective, wild nature is already in place and working for free (as it
has done for 500 million years) to produce everything life needs most to survive.

Q16. Which one of the following statements best reflects the crux of the passage?

(a) Humans mustalign their activities with nature to completely regain the lost
biodiversity.

(b) Man-made solutions for climate change are more effective than natural solutions.

(c) Climate emergency needs human and nature’s intervention for stabilizing it.

(d) Governments across the globe should invest in scaling up technologies to handle climate
emergencies.
Biotechnology has brought advances in animal husbandry (ranching, or the raising of domestic
animals). Today’s farm animals are larger and grow faster than their ancestors. Cattle, for example,
are grazing animals. Their digestive system has evolved to process grasses and other crops. Corn and
other grains cause a cow’s digestive system to become acidic. That makes it easier for dangerous
bacteria (such as E. coli) to develop. Bacterial infections can be harmful to the cow and can also infect
the milk and meat consumed by people. Antibiotics are spliced into the DNA of feed corn to prevent
such infection. Antibiotics have been used since the 1950s to stimulate cattle growth. Over time, this
practice has led to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in cattle and people. Many cattle
are also given anabolic steroids, or growth hormones, to make them get bigger, and faster.

Q17. Which one of the following statements best implies the suggestion given by the author of the
passage?

(a) To prevent the creation of antibiotic resistant microorganisms in cattle and people, there is an urgent
need to reduce the use of antibiotics.

(b) Research should be done to evolve some alternatives to the harmful use of antibiotics.

(c) Use of biotechnology has negative side effects.

(d) Biotechnology can be used to reduce antibiotic resistance among people.

In recent years, the significant rise of private cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ether has spooked
central banks throughout the world and pushed the case for official digital currencies. A 2021 BIS
survey of central banks found that 86% were actively researching the potential for such currencies,
60% were experimenting with the technology, and 14% were deploying pilot projects. China, having
already engaged in pilot projects for its digital RMB, is planning a major roll-out soon. There has
been little doubt, therefore, that India needs a digital rupee. The important questions are about the
details and the timeline.

Q18. Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:

1. India needs to launch a digital rupee to curb the negative impact of private cryptocurrencies.

2. The technology behind the cryptocurrency is no longer monopolised by private entities.

3. India needs to launch the digital currency soon to compete against the Chinese digital currency.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

(a) 1 and 3 only (b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Agriculture is the backbone of Africa’s economy and accounts for the majority of livelihoods across the continent.
Africa is therefore an exposure and vulnerability “hot spot” for climate variability and change impacts. IPCC
projections suggest that warming scenarios risk having devastating effects on crop production and food security.
Key risks to agriculture include reduced crop productivity associated with heat and drought stress and increased
pest damage, disease damage and flood impacts on food system infrastructure, resulting in serious adverse
effects on food security and livelihoods at the regional, national, and individual household levels. By the middle
of this century, major cereal crops grown across Africa will be adversely impacted, albeit with regional variability
and differences between crops. Under the worst-case climate change scenario, a reduction in mean yield of 13%
is projected in West and Central Africa, 11% in North Africa, and 8% in East and Southern Africa. Millet and
sorghum are the most promising crops, with a yield loss by 2050 of just 5% and 8%, respectively, due to their
greater resilience to heat-stress conditions, while rice and wheat are expected to be the most affected crops with
a yield loss by 2050 of 12% and 21%, respectively. In the droughtprone sub-Saharan African countries, the
number of undernourished people has increased by 45.6% since 2012 according to the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Q19. Which of the following is/are the most rational and logical Inference/Inferences that can be made from the
passage?

1. Warmer temperatures increase conditions for the survivability of agricultural pests.

2. More bio-engineered crops need to be introduced in Africa to ensure food security.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

For most people, the climate crisis is no longer a future scenario. Floods, heat waves and wildfires
have gripped our entire planet and will become stronger in years to come. Countries in the Global
South are particularly hard hit, even though their citizens have been emitting the least CO2. Drastic
reduction of carbon emissions is only one pillar in the fight against climate change. Many of its
consequences can no longer be stopped. There is an urgent need for adaptation measures so people
both in cities and in rural areas have the chance to cope with the effects of climate change. That's
why several years ago rich nations committed to supporting low-income countries with $100 billion
(€95 billion) annually from 2020 to help them cut emissions and adapt to climate change. It was a
central promise for more climate justice that has not been kept so far.

Q20. What is the crucial message conveyed by the above passage?

(a) Controlling carbon emissions should be the prime focus in the fight against climate change.

(b) The rich countries must be made accountable to low-income countries facing climate change.
(c) Climate change not only affects the environment, but also threatens the very existence of human life.

(d) Climate change cannot be reversed; the only solution is adaptation mechanisms.

India will achieve net zero emissions latest by 2070, that is, there will be no net carbon emissions, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi declared at the COP26 summit. By 2030, India would also ensure that 50% of its energy will be
from renewable energy sources. However, none of this can help the 1.5°C mark from being breached. A major
point of emphasis of the report, particularly for South Asia, is the trend in the ‘wet bulb’ temperature — an index
of the impact of heat and humidity combined — and its effect on health. Lucknow and Patna, according to one of
several studies cited in the report, were among the cities predicted to reach wet-bulb temperatures of 35°C if
emissions continued to rise, while Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Mumbai, Indore, and Ahmedabad are ‘at risk’ of
reaching wet-bulb temperatures of 32°C-34°C with continued emissions. This will have consequences such as a
rise in heatwave-linked deaths or reduced productivity. Global sea levels will likely rise 44cm-76cm this century
if governments meet their current emission-cutting pledges. But with higher emissions, and if ice sheets collapse
more quickly than expected, sea levels could rise as much as 2 metres this century and 5m by 2150. India is one
of the most vulnerable countries in terms of the population that will be affected by sea-level rise. By the middle
of the century, around 35 million of its people could face annual coastal flooding, with 45 million-50 million at
risk by the end of the century if emissions are high. Experience has shown that partisan economic calculations
trump climate considerations, but India must shore up its adaptation measures and urgently move to secure the
futures of its many vulnerable who have the most to lose.

Q21. Based on the above passage, which of the following are the likely impacts of climate change in India?

1. Increase in deaths of people 2. Decline in coastal flooding 3. Decline in food grain

production 4. Decline in labour productivity

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 3 and 4 only
The internalisation of climate risk factors by banks is very much on the agenda, especially with RBI
taking up the cudgels. However, given the complexity of climate risk modelling, the biggest challenge
for a bank would be to measure the impact of climate risk while undertaking lending and investment
decisions and further integrate that risk into the existing risk and valuation frameworks. According to
a recent Bloomberg survey of European banks, most banks reported that they could only confine
themselves to a qualitative assessment of climate risks during the loan approval processes, which could
at best be considered subjective. The quantification of climate risk, albeit crucial, may require quality
data that is not always available due to inadequate and at times inconsistent corporate disclosure. The
second challenge that a bank faces is a dearth of standardised industry models to embed climate risk
into the enterprise risk management framework. The third critical challenge is the lack of skilled
professionals who have a clear understanding of both the worlds — climate risk and finance.

Q22. On the basis of the passage given above, the following assumptions have been made:

1. Traditional risk management approaches are not adequate for measuring climate risks.

2. The climate risk is compounded by mitigation-related regulatory policies that impose high adjustment
costs for businesses.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2
What makes identity politics a significant departure from earlier, pre-identarian forms of the
politics of recognition is its demand for recognition on the basis of the very grounds on which
recognition has previously been denied: it is qua women, qua blacks, qua lesbians that groups
demand recognition. The demand is not for inclusion within the fold of “universal humankind”
on the basis of shared human attributes; nor is it for respect “in spite of” one’s differences. Rather,
what is demanded is respect for oneself as different.

Q23. With reference to the above passage, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Pre-identarian forms of politics were inclusive and non-divisive in nature.

2. Everyone has the legal right to recognition everywhere as an individual.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2
A history of clothing can do several things: it will introduce students to thinking more about what ‘dress
codes’, and opposition to them, have done in the past, and what they signify. For one, dress codes
symbolized and affirmed power structures – whether these were colonial, upper caste, religious or
patriarchal power structures. By using their power and even violence, states, religious authorities, upper
castes, or even male heads of families could insist that people conform to prescribed ways of dressing.
Societal hierarchies were thus sustained and perpetuated.

Q24. Which of the following is/are the most rational and logical Inference/Inferences that can be made from
the passage?

1. Knowledge about the history of clothing makes a student understand society in a meaningful manner.

2. Knowledge about the history of clothing will help in building greater civility and respect for differences.

3. By controlling clothing in society, the state controlled the power structures in society.

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

(a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) None of the above
One of the biggest problems that solar energy technology poses is that energy is only generated
while the sun is shining. That means night time and overcast days can interrupt the supply. The
shortage created by this interruption would not be a problem if there were low-cost ways of
storing energy as extremely sunny periods can generate excess capacity. As the global capacity
for solar power continues to rise, nations like Japan and other global leaders in solar energy
technology are focusing on developing adequate energy storage to deal with this issue.

Q25. Which of the following is/are the most rational and logical inference/inferences that can be
drawn from the passage?

1. Tropical countries with year-long availability of sunshine are less dependent on the storage of solar
energy.

2. In future, the cost of storage of solar energy may reduce due to the involvement of global leaders.

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 2

(d) None
It is said women hold up half the sky. Yet barely 19 per cent of Indian women of working age participated in the labour
force in 2021 as per the World Bank. The question which must haunt India and its policymakers is, can a nation harness
its potential when women stay out of the labour force.

The history of economic development is explicit about necessary and sufficient conditions for prosperity. No large
economy has attained its level without the participation of women in the workforce. Female Labour Force Participation
Rate in the G7 countries ranges between 42 and 61 per cent. India trails all its peers among the BRICS nations on
female workforce participation rate.

There is much lather about political empowerment of women – one facet being reservation of seats in Parliament.
Whether that alone will change the stranglehold of circumstance is an open question. India has had just one woman
as prime minister and the current Lok Sabha has just over 75 women MPs. There is no disputing that social and
economic conditions are a contributory factor. Clearly the run of the mill policies are not enough and there is a need
to install affirmative intervention. There is merit in the argument that economic empowerment enables and propels
political empowerment.

Q26. Which of the following is essentially implied in the above passage?

(a) Reservation of seats in Indian Parliament for women is needed for their economic empowerment.

(b) India has the lowest levels of female workforce participation rate in the South Asia.

(c) Participation of women in the workforce is a necessary condition for prosperity.

(d) India is expected to continue to have the largest number of women in working-age population.
Packaging is enclosing the food material in a container to ensure the delivery of the product
in the best condition to the consumer for final use. Therefore, good packaging plays a vital
role in developing the image and brand of the company product. Intelligent food packaging
incorporating nanosensors can provide information on the state of the food inside. It is
recommended that nano packaging should be designed in such a way to release
antimicrobials, antioxidants, flavour enzymes and nutraceuticals to extend the shelf life of
the food products. There is a need to undertake further toxicological and migration studies
to ensure the safe development of nanotechnologies in the food packaging industry.

Q27. Which of the following is/are the most rational and logical inference/ inferences that can
be made from the passage?

1. Including nanosensors in packaging will increase the cost of packaging for companies.

2. There is limited understanding of the use of nanotechnology in the packaging industry.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Children growing up in more disadvantaged neighbourhoods – meaning those with poor
housing quality, more poverty and lower levels of employment and education – show
observable increases in brain activity when viewing emotional faces on a screen. But
importantly, this association was true only when the adults in those neighbourhoods also
did not have strong shared norms about preventing crime and violence. The findings
emphasize that where children live, the resources of others in the neighbourhood may affect
brain development. But neighbours may help protect children from these effects on the brain
when they can build positive social norms about looking out for one another and preventing
violence.

Q28. Which of the following is/are the most rational and logical Inference/Inferences that can
be made from the passage?

1. There is a visible impact of adult behaviour on the brain of children.

2. Imparting positive values in children through socialization is not the sole responsibility of the
family.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
What do you do if you and your family have invested money and emotion in making you a doctor and you do not get
enough marks to qualify for a government medical college? Many such students used to settle for a Bachelor in Dental
Surgery degree. This led to a mushrooming of dental colleges of dubious quality and India produced far more dental
surgeons than were in demand. Subsequently, several of these colleges shut down. The only option then is to do MBBS
in a country that one can afford. A situation of high demand coupled with a student-unfriendly system is designed for
the entry of middlemen. As soon as you register with a coaching agency or the NEET results are out, you are
bombarded with offers from agencies ensuring seats in Nepal, Mauritius, Ukraine, Russia, China and so on. Parents
are lured into spending their hard-earned savings by middlemen who paint a rosy picture of the scenario in these
countries. Even after this, these students often fail to clear the foreign medical graduate examination — this has a pass
rate of 15 per cent. Caught between parental pressure and an unfriendly system, the students have nowhere to go.

Q29. Increased offers for MBBS seats in foreign universities are due to which of the following?

1. Lack of MBBS seats in government medical colleges the country as compared to the demand

2. Lack of private and government medical colleges in India

3. Mushrooming of middlemen

4. Increased aspirations of Indian parents for their children

5. Shutting down of dental colleges in the country

Select the correct answer using the code given below

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
(c) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only (d) 2, 4 and 5 only

Robots increasingly operate among people, and they now work alongside us in factories and
warehouses, share our streets and sidewalks, clean our homes, and care for the most vulnerable
among us. These emerging social contexts add new requirements to the knowledge that successful
roboticists need. Many roboticists learn the basics of human-machine interaction and usability.
Far fewer learn foundational concepts from cognitive science on decision-making by human
agents, human navigation and way-finding, human communication, and human interpretation of
intentional behaviour that could be used to help robots interpret human actions. All autonomous
systems may have ethical impacts, and all should be designed to avoid unethical outcomes.
Designers bear some responsibility for their designs, even in a world where the autonomous
systems they design eventually design other autonomous systems.

Q30. Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:

1. There is a need for more learning in robotics regarding the interpretation of human actions.
2. There should not be any confusion that ethical outcomes should be one of the priorities of the designers
of autonomous systems.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Present-day health problems differ from those with which public health
traditionally has been concerned in the amount of individual understanding
necessary to prevent and cure diseases or to avoid accidents. Avoiding disability
and death from these causes depends a great deal more on individual
understanding and action than did the prevention of infectious diseases. Not every
person needs to take specific preventive action to be protected from a
communicable disease. For example, if a community, through the action of a few
of its citizens and its government, installs a safe water supply and sanitary sewage
disposal, all members of the community will benefit. The immunization of even a
few persons in a community affords some protection to the others, for each
immune person in a population reduces the chance of transmission of the disease.

Q31. Which one of the following statements best reflects the crux of the passage?

(a) Governments should speed up vaccination for different diseases to prevent deaths.

(b) All citizens should take steps to reduce the load of diseases from the community and
prevent the spread of diseases.

(c) Individuals’ knowledge about the infectious disease is important but not sufficient
to protect the community from its spread.

(d) Immunization of children is more important than adults as it reduces the chance of
transmission of the disease.
Meaningful politics, especially in democracies, is rooted in
local organization, discussion and negotiation. However, the structure of social
media has facilitated a perception of engagement without organization, and
action without consequence. This wasn’t and isn’t inevitable — there are more
thoughtful ways to structure platforms, which would help connect and root
people in their own communities instead of isolating them locally while
“connecting” them virtually.

Q32. With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been
made:

1. Social media has disturbed meaningful politics.

2. Physical organization is the best way for any meaningful discussion.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

While environmentally friendly biodegradable plastics are a desirable solution, it is essential that they
also fulfill required functional performance parameters (i.e. moisture barrier, heat scalability, etc.) for
them to see wide scale adoption. Such scaling up from the lab to commercial processes will be vital to
achieve cost reduction and widespread adoption. There is an urgent need to upgrade the infrastructure
of government and private testing laboratories so that they are well equipped to test plastics according
to Indian Standards (IS) as mentioned in Schedule I of PWM Rules. The manufacturers should also be
encouraged through appropriate measures to shift from conventional plastics to biodegradable plastics
across categories.

Q33. According to the passage, the following assumptions are made as to why environmentally friendly
plastic is not currently able to emerge as a desirable solution to the problem of plastic?

1. It is costlier than conventional plastic.

2. Lack of widespread adoption by the public because the public is not familiar with it.

3. There is not enough production of such plastic.

Which of the assumptions provided above are correct?

(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Plants could be selectively bred for certain qualities. In 1866, Gregor Mendel’s studies in
heredity were published in Austria. In experiments with pea plants, Mendel learned how traits
were passed from one generation to the next. His work paved the way for improving crops
through genetics. New crop rotation methods also evolved during this time. Many of these were
adopted over the next century or so throughout Europe. For example, the Norfolk four-field
system, developed in England, proved quite successful. It involved the yearly rotation of
several crops, including wheat, turnips, barley, clover, and ryegrass. This added nutrients to
the soil, enabling farmers to grow enough to sell some of their harvest without having to leave
any land unplanted. Most of the world was not affected by these developments, however.
Farmers in Asia, Australia, Africa, and South America continued to use old ways of agriculture.

Q34. With reference to the passage, the following assumptions have been made:

1. The Europeans introduced plants such as potatoes, tomatoes, corn and tobacco in Asia.

2. By channeling water from streams into their fields, the farmers were able to increase the food grain
production in Europe.

3. New agricultural methods have helped in increasing the soil fertility and production. Which of the
above assumptions is/are valid?

(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Biotechnology has brought advances in animal husbandry (ranching, or the raising of domestic animals). Today’s
farm animals are larger and grow faster than their ancestors. Cattle, for example, are grazing animals. Their digestive
system has evolved to process grasses and other crops. Corn and other grains cause a cow’s digestive system to
become acidic. That makes it easier for dangerous bacteria (such as E. coli) to develop. Bacterial infections can be
harmful to the cow and can also infect the milk and meat consumed by people. Antibiotics are spliced into the DNA
of feed corn to prevent such infection. Antibiotics have been used since the 1950s to stimulate cattle growth. Over
time, this practice has led to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in cattle and people. Many cattle are
also given anabolic steroids, or growth hormones, to make them get bigger, and faster.

Q35. Based on the passage given above, the following assumptions have been made:

1. Use of antibiotics among cattle should be reduced for preventing harmful effects on the population.

2. Reduced use of antibiotics will lead to reduction in milk production.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
The story of globalisation is a story of the capital’s enhanced capacity to flee from the shackles
of too much democracy to places that are well-controlled under a strong regime, where all
clearances are available at a ‘single window’. Investments moved to places where
environmental regulations are lax, wages are low, labour standards are weak, and dissent is
answered with an iron fist. This was working perfectly until its ripple effects reached the shores
of western democracies. Now the West is waking up to the challenge and the G7 move is an
acknowledgement of the crisis.

Q36. Which one of the following statements best reflects the crux of the passage?

(a) The problems created by weak regulations now have global implications.

(b) Countries under authoritarian rules are favoured by investors globally.

(c) G7 nations are restricting the flow of capital and pushing for better global standards in labour,
environment and taxation.

(d) Globalisation has led to the weakening of labour standards and reduction in wages in developing
countries.
India which will soon have twice the number of Internet users as the U.S. is a large market for
all kinds of new technologies. While this presents a huge opportunity, the domestic industry
has not yet managed to derive the benefits. For instance, the country is operating far below its
potential in electronic manufacturing. Electronic goods and components are the second largest
item, after oil, in India’s import bill. Also, the country’s imports are almost five times its exports
in this industry (based on 2020-21 data). High-value electronic components needed in the
manufacture of, say, mobile phones are technology and design-intensive. Big multinational
companies control these technologies and corner the bulk of the revenues. China has used its
large market size as a bargaining chip in negotiations with foreign firms: stay in our markets
only if you localize production and share technologies with the local firms.

Q37. Based on the above passage, the following assumptions and suggestions have been made:

1. Indians have a high rate of consumption of electronics.

2. India may use its large market size as a bargaining chip for the promotion of its electronics industry.

Which of the above assumptions and suggestions is/are valid?

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 2 (d) None
Universal and affordable access to quality education and healthcare must be the focus of our attention. Rural
India cannot be left behind in this mission. Improving rural infrastructure across the country must be
fasttracked and integrated into the larger development narrative. Promotion of the mother tongue will
revolutionize the educational landscape by making it more inclusive and equitable. With his unbounded
greed, man has caused irreversible damage to the environment. Today, climate change is a global
phenomenon. Conservation is our only hope for the survival of the planet and we must direct our collective
energies toward this end with missionary zeal. Our scriptures mirror the cosmic vision of our ancient culture.
They are replete with examples of the worship of the divine in the elements — rivers, mountains, holy plants
and trees. We only have to go back to our moorings to draw inspiration and strive to secure the future of
succeeding generations.

Q38. Consider the following:

1. Pollution 2. Non-discriminatory education
3. Irrigation 4. Quality healthcare
5. Human Survival 6. Avariciousness
Which of the above issues have been highlighted by the passage?
(a) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only (b) 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 only
(c) 3, 4, 5 and 6 only (d) 2, 4 and 5 only
AI systems can learn and adapt as they make decisions. In the transportation area, for example,
semiautonomous vehicles have tools that let drivers and vehicles know about upcoming congestion,
potholes, highway construction, or other possible traffic impediments. Vehicles can take advantage of
the experience of other vehicles on the road, without human involvement, and the entire corpus of their
achieved “experience” is immediately and fully transferable to other similarly configured vehicles. Their
advanced algorithms, sensors, and cameras incorporate experience in current operations and use
dashboards and visual displays to present information in real-time so human drivers can make sense of
ongoing traffic and vehicular conditions. And in the case of fully autonomous vehicles, advanced systems
can completely control the car or truck, and make all the navigational decisions.

Q39. Which of the following is/are the most rational and logical Inference/Inferences that can be made
from the passage?

1. AI makes fully autonomous vehicles safer than semi-autonomous vehicles.

2. Application of AI in vehicles will increase the cost of production of vehicles.

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 2 (d) None
It has been proven time and again that when more women enter the workforce, economies grow faster.
When women are empowered, the battle to eradicate poverty is more fruitful. Studies conducted in
various nations have proven that there is a direct correlation between greater gender diversity and higher
GDPs. We must ensure that all of India’s women get equal access to education, equal access to
opportunities, and equal pay at work. By empowering women, we increase their right to economic
resources, as well as their decision-making powers. This, in turn, benefits their households and their
communities. Women begin investing more in their children’s education, the quality of human capital
improves, and we as a nation reap the benefits of economic prosperity.

Q40. According to the author, how can we reap the benefits of economic prosperity?

1. By improving the quality of human resource

2. By increasing education penetration among both boys and girls

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 2

(d) None