Ans: A

Exp:

• Recently, the Extraordinary African Union Summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) concluded in Kampala, Uganda, with the adoption of the transformative Kampala Declaration for Africa’s agri-food systems from 2026 to 2035.

• The new declaration is the successor to the Malabo Declaration, whose implementation period concludes this year.

• It focuses on ‘Transformative agri-food systems for Africa’ and incorporates a broader agri-food systems approach moving beyond agriculture-led growth.Hence, option (a) is correct.
• It aligns with Agenda 2063 and the Africa Common Position on Food Systems.
  • Agenda 2063 is the AU’s plan to transform Africa into a global power & aims to achieve inclusive and sustainable development, political unity, and respect for human rights.

Ans: C

Exp:

• In a groundbreaking achievement for the Indian Army, Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest and coldest battlefield, has now been equipped with high-speed 4G and 5G connectivity. 

• This milestone, announced on the eve of Army Day, January 15, 2025, marks a significant leap in communications for soldiers deployed at this extreme and isolated location.

• Siachen Glacier is a Piedmont glacier; the Second-Longest glacier in the World’s Non-Polar areas after Fedchenko Glacier in Tajikistan.
• It is considered as the world’s highest and coldest battlefield.
• Statement 1 is correct: It is located in the Eastern Karakoram range in the Himalayas just northeast of Point NJ9842, where the LOC between India and Pakistan ends, forming part of the Union Territory of Ladakh
  • The entire Siachen Glacier, with all major passes, has been under the administration of India since 1984 (Operation Meghdoot).

• Statement 2 is correct: It lies immediately south of the great drainage divide that separates the Eurasian Plate from the Indian subcontinent in the extensively glaciated portion of the Karakoram sometimes called the Third Pole.

• Located North of Nubra Valley.
  • Nubra river, a tributary of the Shyok River, originates from Siachen Glacier. 
    • The Shyok River is part of the Indus River system.

Ans: A

Exp:

• For the first time in Indian Navy history, a frigate, a destroyer, and a submarine were commissioned on the same day, marking a significant leap toward achieving self-reliance under the “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” initiative.
• Pair 1 is not correctly matched: INS Nilgiri is a stealth frigate built under Project 17A, a follow-on project of the Shivalik-class frigates currently in service.
  • Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.

• It is critical for anti-surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare missions.

• Pair 2 is not correctly matched: INS Surat is guided missile destroyer
  • It is the fourth and final stealth guided missile destroyer under Project 15B, following INS Visakhapatnam, INS Mormugao, and INS Imphal.
  • It is the first Indian Navy warship to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) for enhanced operational efficiency.
• Pair 3 is correctly matched: INS Vaghsheer  is a Submarine of  Sixth and final submarine of the Kalvari-class built under Project 75.

• It was designed and developed by French defence major Naval Group and Spanish state-owned entity Navantia.
• It is named after Vaghsheer, a type of sandfish found in the Indian Ocean.

Ans: D

Exp:

Central Pay Commission

• Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the implementation of the 8th Pay Commission to revise salaries of nearly 50 lakh central government employees and allowances of 65 lakh pensioners. 
  • The 8th Pay Commission will not only lead to increased salaries of Central government employees but also have revised Dearness Allowance (DA).

• • Statement 1 is correct: The CPC is usually constituted every 10 years to review the salary structure of government employees.
  • Statement 2 is correct:  The recommendations of the CPC are not mandatory for the government to accept.
  • Statement 3 is correct: The Department of Expenditure under the Ministry of Finance implements the recommendations.
  • Since 1947, Seven Pay Commissions have been constituted, with the last one constituted in 2014 and implemented on January 1, 2016.

• Functions:

• • It reviews the bonuses, allowances and other benefits of the employees.
  • It recommends changes for central government employees and pensioners as well as the defence forces.

Ans: A

Exp:

• Banks in India added more deposits than loans last year, leading to a softening of the credit-deposit ratio. 
• Credit-Deposit Ratio is a financial metric used to assess a bank’s liquidity by comparing its total loans to total deposits for the same period.

• It Indicates the percentage of deposits utilized for issuing loans.
• No specific benchmark set by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI); banks manage the ratio based on liquidity and profitability considerations.
• Statement 1 is incorrect: Higher demand for loans can raise  the Credit-Deposit ratio.
• Statement 2 is correct: High Credit-Deposit Ratio indicates active lending, which may enhance profitability if loans are serviced on time.