16 September 2025 · Shift 3

Perini Shivatandavam Perini Shivatandavam is an ancient warrior dance performed by men before going to battle — revived in modern times by Nataraja Ramakrishna — Statement 1 correct. It belongs to TELANGANA and flourished under the KAKATIYA rulers, not the Cholas of Tamil Nadu — Statement 2 wrong. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva as Nataraja. Hence Only 1 — option (c).

Capuchin church style Capuchin churches follow the order’s vow of simplicity — plain facades with little ornament. Their hallmark is a flat arched doorway crowned by a simple triangular pediment. Elaborate rose windows, spires and domes belong to Gothic and Baroque styles. Hence option (b).

Teej — the insect The festival takes its name from the small red velvet insect (teej) that emerges from the soil with the first monsoon rains. Its appearance signals the arrival of rain and greenery, which the festival celebrates. Teej is chiefly linked to Parvati’s devotion to Shiva, not to a lunar goddess. Hence option (a).

Mahasandhivigrahika The title literally means the great (maha) officer of peace (sandhi) and war (vigraha). He was the minister for FOREIGN AFFAIRS — advising on treaties, alliances and war, and coordinating with the army. Harisena, who composed the Allahabad Prashasti, held this office under Samudragupta. Hence option (c).

Hafiz Nagma Hafiz Nagma is the dance performed by a female dancer (hafiza) to Sufiana Mausiqi — correctly matched. Sufiana Mausiqi is the CLASSICAL music of Kashmir (santoor, saz-e-Kashmir), not a folk melody. Chakri is the popular FOLK music with harmonium, rabab and garaha; Rouf is a women’s dance. Hence option (c).

Pole vault — 3 attempts In pole vault (as in high jump) an athlete gets three attempts at a height. Three CONSECUTIVE failures end the athlete’s participation. The best height cleared before that stands as the result. Hence 3 — option (b).

Palas — Bengal The Palas ruled Bengal and Bihar from the 8th to the 12th century — correctly matched. The Gurjara-Pratiharas held Gujarat–Rajasthan and Kannauj; the Rashtrakutas the western DECCAN. The Cholas ruled the far south from Tanjore. Hence option (c).

CWG 2026 — Glasgow Victoria (Australia) withdrew in 2023 citing rising costs. Glasgow, Scotland was then confirmed as host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Glasgow had also hosted the 2014 edition. Hence option (b).

INSTC via Chabahar The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) links India to Iran, Central Asia and Russia. Chabahar port in Iran is India’s gateway on this route, bypassing Pakistan. It shortens transit time and cost to Afghanistan and Central Asia. Hence option (c).

'Burnt Sugar' Burnt Sugar (published in India as Girl in White Cotton) follows Antara and her ageing mother Tara. It explores memory, resentment and the strained bond between mother and daughter. It reached the Booker Prize shortlist in 2020. Hence option (c).

Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0 The campaign Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, launched in 2024, entered its second phase in 2025. On World Environment Day 2025 the Education Ministry urged schools and colleges to join the 2.0 drive. Students plant a sapling in their mother’s name. Hence option (b).

Urban population 2011 Census 2011 counted about 37.7 crore urban residents out of 121 crore. That is roughly 31% (31.16%) of the population. The remaining 69% lived in rural areas. Hence option (c).

NGLV — 30 tonnes NGLV (Soorya) is ISRO’s heavy-lift, partly reusable rocket for future missions. It is designed to place about 30 tonnes in Low Earth Orbit — nearly three times LVM3’s capacity. It will support the Bharatiya Antariksh Station and crewed lunar plans. Hence option (c).

India Open 2025 The India Open 2025 was played at the K.D. Jadhav Indoor Hall, Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi. It ran from 14 to 19 January 2025 as a BWF World Tour Super 750 event. Super 750 is among the highest tiers of the BWF World Tour. Hence option (c).

Sindri — Jharkhand The Sindri fertilizer plant lies in the Dhanbad district of JHARKHAND, next to the Jharia coalfield. Commissioned in 1951, it was independent India’s first large fertilizer factory. It was revived as a modern urea unit in 2024. Hence option (c).

Central dogma This is the CENTRAL DOGMA of molecular biology, given by Francis Crick. DNA is transcribed into RNA, and RNA is translated into protein. So the flow is DNA → RNA → Protein. Hence option (c).

Article 268 Article 268 covers duties levied by the Union but collected and appropriated by the States. Stamp duties on bills of exchange, cheques, promissory notes etc. fall here. The proceeds do not form part of the Consolidated Fund of India. Hence option (c).

Wavelength = v/f Wave relation: v = f λ. λ = $\frac{v}{f}$ = $\frac{340}{680}$. = 0.5. Hence 0.5 m — option (a).

TIES scheme TIES (2017, Ministry of Commerce) funds export infrastructure — border haats, testing labs, cold chains for exports, trade promotion centres. It assists central and state agencies with grants for such projects. The aim is to close the last-mile gaps that raise export costs. Hence option (a).

Happiness Index (A–R) The World Happiness Report scores countries on GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity and corruption — A is true. It is published by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), not the UNDP — R is false. The Human Development Report is the UNDP publication. Hence option (c).

Carbon sinks A carbon sink absorbs more carbon than it releases — forests, soil and oceans are the main ones. India’s NDC promises an extra sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by 2030 through forest and tree cover. Deforestation and fossil fuels do the opposite. Hence option (b).

Import substitution (A–R) From the Second Plan onwards India replaced imports with domestic production behind high tariffs and quotas — A is true. The stated aim was to protect infant industries until they matured — R is true. That protection motive is exactly why import substitution was adopted, so R explains A. Hence option (a).

Black holes & pulsars Nothing — not even light — escapes from inside the event horizon; the X-rays come from the superheated ACCRETION DISC outside it — Statement 1 wrong. Pulsars are rapidly rotating neutron stars whose beams sweep past us like a lighthouse — Statement 2 correct. Some spin hundreds of times per second. Hence Only 2 — option (b).

Article 250 Article 250 lets Parliament legislate on State List subjects while a Proclamation of Emergency is in force. Such laws stay valid for six months after the Emergency ends. Article 352 declares the Emergency itself; Article 254 deals with repugnancy. Hence option (a).

Article 131A Article 131A, inserted by the 42nd Amendment (1976), gave the SUPREME COURT — not the High Courts — exclusive power over the constitutional validity of central laws — Statement 1 wrong. The 43rd Amendment Act, 1977 repealed Article 131A — Statement 2 correct. The repeal restored the High Courts’ power of judicial review. Hence Only 2 — option (b).