1. With reference to "dark patterns" on the internet, consider the following statements:

1. They refer to design practices that manipulate users into making unintended choices.
2. The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has mandated penalties under the Consumer Protection Act for their usage.
3. The Department of Consumer Affairs released guidelines against dark patterns in 2023.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

• 1 and 3 only
• 2 and 3 only
• 1 and 2 only
• 1, 2 and 3

2. Consider the following statements regarding the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO):

1. MJO is an eastward-moving disturbance of clouds, rainfall, winds, and pressure near the equator.
2. It is a permanent feature of the Indian Ocean during the monsoon season.
3. It influences the Indian monsoon and cyclonic activity.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

• 1 and 2 only
• 2 and 3 only
• 1 and 3 only
• 1, 2 and 3

3. Which of the following correctly describes the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS), 2022?

• It provides credit-linked interest subsidies for microfinance borrowers in urban areas.
• It offers 1.5% interest subvention to all MSMEs on loans up to ?1 crore annually.
• It provides interest subsidy for crop loans up to ?3 lakh at 7% interest to farmers.
• It is a skill development scheme for interest subvention on education loans for SC/ST students.

4. With reference to the “Menstrual Hygiene Survey 2025” by the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), consider the following statements:

1. It recorded a significant rise in the use of hygienic menstrual protection methods among rural women.
2. Urban areas in southern India reported nearly universal adoption of safe menstrual hygiene practices.
3. The survey was conducted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

• 1 only
• 1 and 2 only
• 3 only
• 1, 2 and 3

5. Which of the following best explains the recent findings regarding India’s poverty reduction trends as reported by NITI Aayog (based on the MPI 2023 report)?

• India’s poverty headcount ratio has remained stagnant due to rising inequality.
• India has halved its multidimensional poverty between 2015–16 and 2019–21.
• The majority of India’s poor now reside in urban areas.
• Rural Bihar and Odisha are now completely free from multidimensional poverty.