12 September 2025 · Shift 3

Classical dances — chronology Bharatanatyam has the earliest references, tracing back to ancient Tamil Nadu and the Natya Shastra. Kathak follows, evolving from ancient northern storytellers through the Bhakti–Mughal era; Manipuri’s classical form developed with Vaishnavism from the 15th century. Mohiniyattam of Kerala is the most recent, codified mainly in the 18th–19th centuries — order 1-2-3-4; option (a).

Temple roof shapes Nagara shikharas have three modes: Latina (tall, curvilinear tower), Phamsana (broader, shorter — slabs rising with straight inclines) and Valabhi (rectangular, wagon-vaulted). Only the Phamsana description in option (a) is correctly matched. Options (b), (c) and (d) mix up Latina and Valabhi — hence (a).

Pongtu Festival — Tutsa Pongtu (April) is the main agricultural festival of the Tutsa tribe of Tirap/Changlang, Arunachal Pradesh. It is celebrated to seek the blessings of the deity Rangkhothak for a good millet harvest and community wellbeing. Hence option (d).

Teen Taal — Khali Teen Taal has 16 matras in four vibhags of 4 each. The taali fall on matras 1, 5 and 13, while the khali is shown on matra 9. Hence option (c).

Cricket ball standards A ball’s weight (155.9–163 g) and circumference (22.4–22.9 cm) directly govern its bounce, pace and swing. Standardisation ensures every match is played under the same fair physical conditions on standard pitches. Hence option (b).

Paris 2024 — archery gold At Paris 2024, Harvinder Singh won gold in the men’s individual recurve open archery event. He became the first Indian ever to win a Paralympic archery gold (he had won bronze at Tokyo 2020). Hence option (c).

BRICS FMs 2018 South Africa chaired BRICS in 2018. The formal Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs was held in Pretoria on 4 June 2018, ahead of the Johannesburg Summit. Hence option (a).

Book — Hot Stage Hot Stage, by renowned playwright and director Mahesh Dattani, is a collection of modern Indian plays. The plays delve into contemporary social themes, complex relationships and societal norms in India. Hence option (a).

Elements of weather The elements of weather are atmospheric conditions: temperature, humidity, wind, pressure, precipitation and cloudiness. Soil pH is a property of the soil, not of the atmosphere. Hence option (c).

61st National Chess C’ship GM Karthik Venkataraman won the 61st National Chess Championship title in Gurugram with the ₹6 lakh first prize — Statement 1 is correct. The runner-up detail in Statement 2 does not match the recorded result — it is incorrect. Hence Only 1 — option (a).

Electrical Safety Day 2025 On Electrical Safety Day 2025, MoS for Power Shri Shripad Naik unveiled the safety mascot "Suraksha Shakti". The mascot is aimed at spreading public awareness about electrical safety practices. Hence option (c).

Chotanagpur (A–R) The Chotanagpur Plateau (Jharkhand) is indeed treated as the eastern extension of the Peninsular Central Highlands — A is true. It is drained by the Damodar, Subarnarekha, North Koel and South Koel — not by the Chambal and Betwa (which drain Madhya Bharat) — R is false. Hence option (c).

BAS first module The Bharatiya Antariksh Station is India’s planned indigenous space station. As approved by the Union Cabinet, its first module (BAS-1) is targeted for launch in 2028, with the full station by 2035. Hence option (c).

Non-metallic minerals India has abundant non-metallic minerals — limestone, mica, gypsum, phosphate, dolomite. They are crucial inputs for cement, fertiliser, electrical, glass and ceramic industries. Hence option (a).

National Emergency — approval Under Article 352 (post 44th Amendment), a Proclamation of Emergency must be approved by both Houses. The approval must come within one month of its issue (by special majority). Once approved, it continues for six months at a time — hence option (b).

PSLV (A–R) PSLV is indeed called ISRO’s workhorse — A is true. It earned this name precisely because of its versatility across orbits and payloads and its outstanding success record (Chandrayaan-1, Mangalyaan, 104-satellite launch) — R is true and explains A. Hence option (a).

Anglo-Indian seats — 104th CAA Articles 331 and 333 earlier allowed nomination of Anglo-Indians to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. The 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019 (effective 25 January 2020) discontinued these nominated seats while extending SC/ST reservation. Hence option (c).

BNSS reform BNSS, 2023 replaces the CrPC and pushes technology into criminal procedure. A key reform is mandatory audio-video recording — including video-recorded statements/confessions and recording of search and seizure. IPC was replaced by the BNS (a separate law), not by BNSS — hence option (b).

IPPB — postmen banking India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), launched in 2018, works through the postal network. Postmen and Gramin Dak Sevaks deliver doorstep banking — accounts, deposits, transfers and DBT payments. Hence option (d).

Kalbelia dance Kalbelia is performed by the snake-charmer Kalbelia community of Rajasthan. The dancers’ swirling, serpentine movements imitate those of snakes; the dance is on UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage list. Hence option (d).

IMD Ranking 2025 In the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2025, Switzerland regained the overall top spot. In the Infrastructure dimension it held the 1st position in both 2024 and 2025. Hence option (c).

Mangrove Cell — Maharashtra Maharashtra set up India’s first dedicated Mangrove Cell (2012) within its forest department. It remains the flagship state initiative for mangrove protection and restoration along the Konkan coast. Hence option (b).

Iron & steel (A–R) Iron and steel is the classic heavy/basic industry — A is true. It uses heavy, bulky raw materials — iron ore, coking coal, limestone — not cotton or rubber; R is false. Hence option (c).

MISHTI Scheme MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes) promotes scientific mangrove plantation along the coastline — Statement 1 is correct. It was announced in the Union Budget 2023-24 — Statement 2 is correct. It involves conservation and livelihoods, NOT commercial leasing of mangroves — Statement 3 is wrong; hence option (a).

Article 370 abrogation On 5–6 August 2019, Presidential Orders C.O. 272 and C.O. 273 were issued. Acting under Article 370(3) with Parliament’s recommendation, the President declared Article 370 inoperative. It was not an Article 368 amendment — hence option (a).