Agriculture

• Statement 1 is correct: The New York Times editorial clarifies that while Chinese officials fear political instability, the "open-weight" structure (where rules are alterable) is the technical risk identified by analysts.

• Statement 2 is correct: CNN reported the U.S. military nearly intercepted a Chinese ship after AI misidentified its cargo as nuclear components (The Guardian).

• Statement 3 is incorrect: The Guardian reports that neither side is willing to accept controls, and current safety hotlines are "less than meets the eye."

Sugarcane thrives in hot, tropical to sub-tropical areas with a long, warm growing season, high solar radiation, and adequate soil moisture, either through rainfall or irrigation. Option B is incorrect as sugarcane requires a long, warm period, not a short, cold season. Option C is incorrect since a frozen climate cannot support sugarcane growth at all. Option D is incorrect because sugarcane requires sustained warmth, not extreme temperature fluctuation.

Kharif crops are sown with the onset of the southwest monsoon, typically around June–July, and harvested at the end of the monsoon around September–October, requiring hot, humid conditions and substantial rainfall. Option A is incorrect as winter is associated with the Rabi season, not Kharif. Option C is incorrect since Kharif specifically depends on monsoon rainfall, not a dry summer period. Option D is incorrect because Kharif sowing coincides with the monsoon's onset, not spring.

Rice, along with maize, cotton, soybean, and sugarcane, is a major Kharif crop, sown with the monsoon and requiring hot, humid, well-watered conditions. Option A is incorrect as wheat is a classic Rabi crop, sown after the monsoon in cooler conditions. Option B is incorrect since gram is also a Rabi season crop. Option C is incorrect because peas are similarly grown during the Rabi season, not Kharif.

In North Indian sugarcane-growing states, planting is commonly done in two main windows: the autumn planting around September–October and the spring planting around February–March. Option B is incorrect as peak monsoon is not a standard sugarcane sowing window in this region. Option C is incorrect since the depth of winter is not identified as a standard sowing season. Option D is incorrect because peak summer is too hot and is not a recognised sowing period for this crop.

Adopted at the Dryland Congress 2026 (ICAR-ICRISAT), the declaration calls for stronger South-South and triangular cooperation to advance sustainable dryland agriculture and climate resilience.

Both statements are correct, as the sowing method, seed size, and germination percentage all influence how much seed is needed per unit area to achieve the desired plant population. Option A is incorrect as it wrongly excludes the correct second statement. Option B is incorrect as it wrongly excludes the correct first statement. Option D is incorrect since both statements accurately describe factors affecting seed rate

Statement 1 is correct (27% decline). Statement 2 is incorrect; maize yields grew only 40%, failing to meet the 100% target. Statement 3 is correct; millet’s resilience is highlighted as a strategic defense against climate shocks.

Both statements are correct, as secondary tillage follows primary tillage to break clods and produce a fine seedbed, commonly carried out using implements such as harrows and cultivators. Option A is incorrect as it wrongly excludes the correct second statement. Option B is incorrect as it wrongly excludes the correct first statement. Option D is incorrect since both statements accurately describe secondary tillage.