The correct answer is (a) Chemical energy.

· In thermal power plants, the chemical energy stored in fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, or natural gas) is transformed into electrical energy. The process involves burning the fossil fuel to produce heat, which converts water into steam. The steam then drives a turbine connected to a generator, producing electricity.

Information Booster:

· Tidal Energy: Generated from the movement of tides, not related to fossil fuels.

· Hydroelectric Energy: Produced from the flow of water in dams, not from fossil fuels.

· Solar Energy: Generated from sunlight using solar panels, not related to fossil fuels.

Correct Answer: (b) Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Explanation:

· The 2nd India–AI Impact Summit 2026 was organized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in collaboration with NASSCOM and NITI Aayog.

· It marked the first major AI summit hosted in the Global South.

Information Booster:

· Dates: 16–20 February 2026

· Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi

· Inaugurated by: PM Narendra Modi

· Guiding Sutras:

· People

· Planet

· Progress

· Official Partner: USA–India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF)

· Key Launches:

· 6 AI Impact Casebooks (170+ AI innovations)

· SAHI (Safe & Accountable Healthcare AI framework)

· BODH (Health AI benchmarking platform by IIT Kanpur & NHA)

· Sectors covered: Health, Skills, governance, and AI innovation

The correct answer is (c) About 6,500.

Explanation:

· Around 6,500 letters and postcards were carried

· All items bore a special “First Aerial Post” stamp

· The successful delivery validated aircraft-based mail services

Information Booster:

· Postal stamps are official proof of postage payment

· Special commemorative stamps are often issued for historic events

· Airmail later became faster than surface mail worldwide

Additional Knowledge:

· Countries like the UK, USA, France, and Germany soon adopted airmail

· Today, airmail is integrated into global logistics networks

The correct answer is (A) Mizoram

Explanation:

• Pawl Kut is a thanksgiving harvest festival celebrated in Mizoram.

• It is observed for two days after the completion of the harvest season.

• The festival signifies gratitude to God for a good harvest.

• Celebrations include traditional Mizo dances, songs, feasts, and community gatherings.

Information Booster:

• Main harvest festivals of Mizoram: Chapchar Kut, Mim Kut, and Pawl Kut.

• “Kut” means festival in the Mizo language.

• Pawl Kut is believed to have originated when Mizos migrated to the Tiau River region.

• The first day is for feasting and merrymaking, while the second day is for community thanksgiving.

• It is one of the three major traditional festivals recognized by the Mizoram government.

Additional Knowledge:

• Telangana – Celebrates Bathukamma and Bonalu festivals.

• Arunachal Pradesh – Famous for Solung, Losar, and Nyokum festivals.

• Haryana – Known for Baisakhi, Teej, and Lohri festivals related to harvest and culture.

The correct answer is option (d) Regulate national air traffic control systems

Explanation

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) aims to:

· Promote the development and growth of international air transportation.

· Promote and guarantee collaboration between different international air transport companies.

· Strengthen safety within all areas of air transportation.

· Create international air traffic rules and regulations for better coordination and global air travel standards.

However, IATA does not regulate national air traffic control systems, as this is typically handled by individual countries or national aviation authorities.

Information Booster

· IATA is focused on global coordination in the aviation industry, ensuring airlines cooperate on safety, operations, and standards.

· The association plays a key role in setting international aviation standards, such as ticketing protocols, safety measures, and regulatory frameworks.

· National air traffic control systems fall under the jurisdiction of individual countries, while IATA provides global standards for safety, traffic coordination, and aviation regulations.

Additional Knowledge

1. IATA's Role in Global Air Travel IATA works to make air travel more efficient and cost-effective by standardizing practices such as ticketing, baggage handling, and cargo operations. Its role is crucial in fostering the collaborative environment necessary for airlines to operate smoothly across borders.

2. Safety Standards and Regulations IATA strengthens aviation safety by setting guidelines for airline operations, including maintenance, crew training, and emergency protocols. The organization’s efforts in safety have led to widespread international cooperation and reduced aviation accidents.

3. Air Traffic Rules and Global Cooperation IATA creates international air traffic rules to ensure seamless operations between airlines, airports, and air traffic control centers worldwide. These regulations help reduce delays, improve efficiency, and minimize the environmental impact of air travel.

The correct answer is: (C) 2000

Explanation:

• The Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) was introduced by the RBI in June 2000.

• It was implemented based on the recommendations of the Narasimham Committee on Banking Sector Reforms (1998).

• LAF allows commercial banks to borrow money through repurchase agreements (repos) or to lend money to the RBI through reverse repo agreements.

• It is a tool used by the RBI to manage day-to-day liquidity in the banking system.

• It helps the RBI signal the short-term interest rate (policy rate) to the market.

Information Booster:

• The primary component of LAF is the Repo Rate and the Reverse Repo Rate.

• In 2022, the RBI introduced the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) as the floor of the LAF corridor.

Additional Knowledge:

• 1998 (Option A): The year the second Narasimham Committee report was submitted.

• 1999 (Option B): An interim period where repo operations were refined before the full LAF launch.

• 2001 (Option D): By this year, the LAF was fully operationalized in phases to replace the general refinance facility.

The correct answer is (a) Fleming's Left Hand Rule, electrical, mechanical.

· An electric motor works on the principle of Fleming's Left Hand Rule, which states that when a current-carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field, the direction of the force (or motion) on the conductor can be determined using the left hand.

· According to this rule, if the thumb points in the direction of the motion (force), the index finger points in the direction of the magnetic field, and the middle finger points in the direction of the current.

· This interaction between the magnetic field and electric current results in the mechanical movement of the conductor.

· The motor converts electrical energy (from the power source) into mechanical energy (movement of the motor's rotor).

Information about other options:

· Fleming's Right Hand Rule, mechanical, electrical: This refers to the operation of a generator, where mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy. It does not apply to an electric motor.

· Fleming's Left Hand Rule, mechanical, electrical: This would be incorrect because Fleming's Left Hand Rule describes the motion of a conductor in a magnetic field, not the conversion of energy from mechanical to electrical.

· Fleming's Right Hand Rule, electrical, mechanical: This is incorrect because the Right Hand Rule applies to generators, where mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy, not to an electric motor.

Information Booster:

· Fleming’s LeftHand Rule specifically helps explain the operation of motors, where electrical energy is converted into mechanical energy by the interaction of electric current and magnetic fields.

· Electric motors are used in a variety of applications, from household appliances to industrial machinery, to convert electrical energy into useful mechanical motion.

The correct answer is (c) Vividata Mein Ekta – Unity in Diversity

Explanation:

· The parade was heralded by 100 cultural artists performing under the theme ‘Vividata Mein Ekta – Unity in Diversity’.

· This segment featured a grand presentation of various Indian musical instruments, symbolizing the country's pluralistic fabric.

· The theme highlights the cultural integration of different states and regions into a single national identity.

· Concurrent with the musical performance, four Mi-17 1V helicopters showered flower petals over the spectators.

· The overall celebration also commemorated 150 years of 'Vande Mataram', which was woven into various parts of the event.

Information Booster:

· Jan Bhagidari (People's Participation) was a core philosophy of the event, with 10,000 special guests invited from various social sectors.

· The 'Vande Mataram' theme was supported by a series of paintings from 1923 displayed as view-cutters along the path.

Additional Knowledge:

· Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Option b): While a major sub-theme for the tableaux, it was not the specific theme for the 100 heralding artists.

· Vande Mataram (Option a): This was the overarching theme for the 30 tableaux and the 150th-anniversary celebrations.

· Dhwaj Formation: The specific formation of helicopters that led the trooping of the National Flag.

The correct answer is (B) Central Pollution Control Board

Explanation:

• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is a statutory organization constituted in September 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

• It was later entrusted with powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

• The CPCB is responsible for establishing the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), which set limits for various pollutants like $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$, $SO_2$, $NO_2$, etc.

Information Booster:

• National Air Quality Index (AQI): Launched in 2014 with the tagline 'One Number- One Color-One Description' to inform the public about air quality status.

• SAMEER App: An application developed by CPCB to provide real-time updates on the AQI across various cities in India.

Additional Knowledge:

• National Green Tribunal (Option A): A specialized judicial body for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection; it adjudicates rather than sets monitoring standards.

• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Option C): The nodal ministry for environmental policy in India; CPCB works under this Ministry, but the technical standard-setting is the Board's primary task.

• Indian Meteorological Department (Option D): Responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting, and seismology, though it collaborates on air quality forecasting (like SAFAR).

The correct answer is (C) Madhya Pradesh

Explanation:

· Madhya Pradesh leads India in ginger production with over 692,000 tonnes annually.

· Its dominance is due to ideal agro-climatic conditions, particularly in districts like Chhindwara and Balaghat.

Information Booster:

· The state’s government has promoted ginger cultivation as part of its spice crop development strategy.

· Madhya Pradesh's spice output plays a significant role in the national supply chain.