20 September 2025 · Shift 3

INSAT-3D INSAT-3D, launched in 2013, carries an imager and a sounder for weather observation. It tracks cyclones, monsoon movement and sea-surface temperature for IMD forecasts. Cartosat does mapping and Aryabhata was a scientific satellite of 1975. Hence option (b).

Suez Canal The Suez Canal in Egypt joins the Red Sea to the Mediterranean. Ships from the Indian Ocean reach Europe through it, avoiding the long route round Africa. It carries a large share of world trade. Hence option (b).

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Three new criminal laws came into force on 1 July 2024. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita replaced the IPC, 1860. The BNSS replaced the CrPC and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam the Evidence Act. Hence option (c).

Railway Board CEO Satish Kumar took charge as Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board on 1 September 2024. He succeeded Jaya Varma Sinha, who was the first woman to hold the post. He is also the first officer from the SC community to head the Board. Hence option (b).

Dhauli elephant At Dhauli, near Bhubaneswar, the rock above Ashoka’s edicts is carved as the forepart of an ELEPHANT. It is among the earliest Indian rock-cut sculptures. Dhauli is linked with the Kalinga war and Ashoka’s change of heart. Hence option (c).

Jawa festival In the Jawa festival unmarried tribal girls sow seeds in small baskets and tend the sprouts. The sprouted seeds and melons stand for fertility, growth and progeny. The baskets are later immersed with songs and dance. Hence option (c).

Silappadikaram Silappadikaram, the story of Kannagi and Kovalan, was composed by Ilango Adigal. It is one of the five great epics of Tamil literature. Tolkappiyar wrote the grammar Tolkappiyam and Kambar the Kamba Ramayanam. Hence option (a).

Kabaddi rules Kabaddi’s rules were framed in 1918, printed in 1923, and first used in a tournament at Baroda — Statement 2 correct. The name is generally traced to the Tamil expression "kai-pidi" (to hold hands), not to "Kaunbada" — Statement 1 wrong. The game entered the Asian Games in 1990. Hence Statement-2 only — option (a).

Vijayanagara chronology Harihara I founded the empire in 1336 (Sangama dynasty). Devaraya II ruled 1424-1446, still of the Sangama line. Krishnadevaraya of the Tuluva dynasty ruled 1509-1529, followed by Achyuta Deva Raya. Harihara I → Devaraya II → Krishnadevaraya — option (b).

Defence of India Act 1915 The Defence of India Act, 1915 was an emergency law aimed at revolutionary activity. It allowed preventive detention, internment without trial and trial by special tribunals. It was used against the Ghadar revolutionaries; the Rowlatt Act of 1919 continued such powers. Hence option (a).

London 1948 The 1948 London Olympics were India’s first as an independent nation. The hockey team beat Great Britain 4-0 in the final to win gold. Balbir Singh Sr. was among the scorers. Hence option (a).

India's Revolutionary Inheritance Chris Moffat’s book studies how Bhagat Singh continues to shape Indian politics long after his death. It looks at memory, obligation and the claims the dead make on the living. It is a work of political and cultural history, not of economics. Hence option (a).

Desert erosion features Pedestal rocks form where wind-blown sand abrades the base of a rock, leaving a narrow stem — Statement 3 correct. Mushroom rocks are made by WIND in deserts, not by running water in glaciated regions — Statement 1 wrong. A table rock (mesa) has a broad flat top, but the description given here matches the mushroom form instead. Hence Statement-3 only — option (a).

38th National Games The Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) topped the 38th National Games medal tally with 121 medals. Maharashtra finished second with the highest overall count of medals. The Games were held in Uttarakhand in early 2025. Hence option (b).

Article 275 Article 275 provides for statutory grants-in-aid from the Union to states in need of assistance. The Finance Commission recommends the sums and the principles for them. Article 282 covers discretionary grants for any public purpose. Hence option (a).

Geostationary orbit The Earth also takes 24 hours to rotate once on its axis. A satellite with the same period moves in step with the ground below it. So it appears to hang over one fixed point — a geostationary satellite. Hence option (b).

PM-KMY pension PM-KMY is a voluntary contributory pension scheme for small and marginal farmers. On turning 60 the farmer receives ₹3,000 a month. The government contributes an equal amount to the farmer’s share. Hence option (c).

Logistics Performance Index The LPI ranks countries on customs, infrastructure, shipments, logistics quality, tracking and timeliness. It thus measures how efficiently a nation moves goods across borders. India ranked 38th in the 2023 edition. Hence option (b).

Revenue deficit Revenue deficit = revenue expenditure − revenue receipts. It shows that the government’s day-to-day spending exceeds its regular income. Total expenditure minus total receipts gives the FISCAL deficit. Hence option (a).

Tamasha Tamasha is the folk theatre of Maharashtra, performed largely in villages, often around Shimga — Statement 1 correct. The Kolhati (and Mahar-Mang) communities have long supplied Tamasha performers — Statement 2 correct. Lavani songs and the dholki form its core. Hence Both — option (c).

Pingali Venkayya Pingali Venkayya designed the flag presented to Gandhi at Vijayawada in 1921. His design became the basis of the present Tiranga adopted in 1947. The national anthem was written by Rabindranath Tagore. Hence option (c).

K. Sivan K. Sivan was Chairman of ISRO from 2018 to 2022. The ISRO Chairman also serves as Secretary of the Department of Space. He is known as the "Rocket Man" for his work on cryogenic engines and the GSLV. Hence option (d).

Plan holiday After the 1965 war, drought and a funds crisis, planning was paused from 1966 to 1969. Three Annual Plans were run instead — this gap is the "plan holiday". The Fourth Five-Year Plan then began in 1969. Hence option (c).

AMOC slowdown A weaker AMOC carries less warm water north, so the North Atlantic COOLS and monsoon belts shift. Water piling up along the US east coast raises sea level there. Extra Arctic warming is driven by greenhouse gases and ice-albedo feedback, not by an AMOC slowdown — if anything the north would cool. Hence option (c).

Articles 310 & 311 Article 310 embodies the British "doctrine of pleasure" — Statement 1 correct. Article 311 lays down safeguards: no dismissal except after inquiry and a chance to be heard — Statement 3 correct. So the pleasure under Article 310 is NOT unrestricted — Statement 2 wrong. Hence 1 and 3 only — option (b).