At the 2026 ASEAN-India Summit, leaders agreed to elevate cooperation in which critical area to address regional challenges?
A Maritime Security and Blue Economy
B Space Technology and Remote Sensing
C Nuclear Energy and Non-Proliferation
D Agricultural Research and Development
Answer: A
Maritime security and the sustainable development of the blue economy were identified as crucial areas for elevated cooperation between ASEAN and India at the 2026 Summit, aiming to ensure regional stability and prosperity.
12.
A key outcome of the 2026 ASEAN-India Summit was the adoption of a new roadmap for cooperation. What is the primary focus of this roadmap?
A Strengthening Connectivity and Digital Economy
B Enhancing Cultural Exchange Programs
C Joint Disaster Management Initiatives
D Promoting Tourism and People-to-People Ties
Answer: A
The 2026 ASEAN-India Summit saw the adoption of a new roadmap emphasizing enhanced connectivity, including physical and digital infrastructure, and the development of a robust digital economy as key pillars of cooperation.
13.
The India-UAE strategic partnership expansion in 2026 also saw a renewed focus on collaboration in the defense sector. Which of the following areas is a priority for this cooperation?
A Joint Military Exercises and Technology Transfer
B Naval Patrols and Maritime Security
C Cybersecurity and Intelligence Sharing
D All of the above
Answer: D
The expanded strategic partnership between India and the UAE in 2026 includes a significant focus on defense cooperation, encompassing joint military exercises, technology transfer, naval patrols, maritime security, cybersecurity, and intelligence sharing.
14.
In early 2026, India and the UAE announced a joint initiative to boost cooperation in which key technological sector as part of their expanded strategic partnership?
A Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies
B Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals
C Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen
D Space Exploration and Satellite Technology
Answer: A
As part of the expanded strategic partnership in early 2026, India and the UAE have been focusing on collaboration in emerging technologies, with Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies being a prominent area of joint initiatives.
15.
Which of the following agreements was a significant outcome of the India-UAE strategic partnership expansion in early 2026, focusing on economic cooperation?
A Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
B Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
C Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT)
D Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA)
Answer: A
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and the UAE, which came into effect in May 2022 and saw further expansion and implementation in early 2026, is a cornerstone of their economic cooperation.
16.
To enhance transparency and voter awareness, the Supreme Court has consistently directed political parties and candidates to mandatorily disclose which crucial information?
A Their educational qualifications and past employment history.
B Their criminal antecedents, including pending cases and convictions.
C Their caste and religious affiliations.
D Their detailed financial statements for the last five years.
Answer: B
The Supreme Court has repeatedly emphasized the mandatory disclosure of criminal antecedents by candidates contesting elections. This is aimed at ensuring that voters are well-informed about the background of their representatives.
17.
As per a significant Supreme Court ruling (prior to 2026) regarding the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, which three officials were initially mandated to be part of the selection committee?
A Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and Chief Justice of India
B Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, and Union Law Minister
C President of India, Prime Minister, and Speaker of Lok Sabha
D Chief Justice of India, Attorney General, and Union Law Secretary
Answer: A
In March 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that the selection committee for the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners should comprise the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India. This was later altered by a parliamentary law, but the question refers to the SC's initial guideline.
18.
In a landmark judgment by 2026, the Supreme Court of India struck down which scheme, citing concerns over transparency in political funding?
A Electoral Bonds Scheme
B Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
C National Pension System
D Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme
Answer: A
The Supreme Court of India, in February 2024, unanimously struck down the Electoral Bonds Scheme, declaring it unconstitutional. The court ruled that the scheme violated the right to information of citizens regarding political funding.
19.
What is the primary objective of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), which is continuously expanding its reach and functionalities by 2026?
A To provide universal health insurance coverage to all citizens.
B To create a national digital health ecosystem for seamless online access to health records and services.
C To establish new government hospitals in every district of India.
D To regulate the prices of medicines and medical devices across the country.
Answer: B
The primary objective of ABDM is to develop the backbone necessary to support the integrated digital health infrastructure of the country. It aims to bridge the existing gap among different stakeholders of the healthcare ecosystem through digital highways.
20.
Which of the following is NOT a core building block or registry under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)?
A Health Facility Registry (HFR)
B Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR)
C Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA)
D National Education Policy Portal (NEPP)
Answer: D
The Health Facility Registry (HFR), Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR), and Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) are core components of the ABDM, designed to create a comprehensive digital health ecosystem. The National Education Policy Portal (NEPP) is unrelated to health infrastructure.
