In News: A recent study has revealed the existence of more than 100 active permafrost structures, identified as rock glaciers, in the Jhelum basin of the Kashmir Himalayas. 

Understanding Rock Glaciers

• Definition and Formation
• Rock glaciers are landforms composed of a mix of rock fragments and ice.
• They typically develop in mountainous areas with permafrost, rock debris, and ice.
• Permafrost is a permanently frozen layer consisting of soil, gravel, and sand bound together by ice.

• Formation Process
• Often, a pre-existing glacier accumulates debris and rocks as it moves.
• If the glacier recedes or thaws over time, the debris-covered ice transforms into a rock glacier.
• Found in highly elevated regions with steep slopes, requiring a geomorphological view for identification.

• Classification
• Classified as active or relict based on the presence of ice and movement.
• Active rock glaciers are dynamic and pose hazards, while relict ones are more stable.

• Importance
• Indicators of mountain permafrost, offering insights into high-altitude regions' frozen ground.
• Store significant water in frozen cores, presenting a potential resource amid water scarcity and glacial retreat.

Potential Impacts of Active Rock Glaciers

• Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)
• Active rock glaciers near glacial lakes may heighten the risk of GLOFs.
• Destabilization of slopes or dams of glacial lakes could lead to sudden and catastrophic floods.

• Landslides
• Melting permafrost from active rock glaciers weakens slope stability, triggering landslides.
• Release of water can act as a lubricant for sliding masses, posing risks to settlements and infrastructure.

• Thermokarst
• Active rock glaciers may contribute to the formation of thermokarst features.
• This includes irregular surfaces, marshy hollows, and hummocks formed by thawing ice-rich permafrost.

• Case Example - Nunavik, Quebec
• Melting permafrost in Nunavik, Quebec, due to global warming, has increased the frequency of mudslides and other dangers.
• Illustrates the instability of areas built on permafrost ground.

• Hydrological Changes
• Alterations in hydrology, ecology, and the carbon cycle in the region due to the formation of thermokarst features.

Jhelum Basin in the Kashmir Himalayas

• Geographical Context
• Drained by the upper Jhelum River, originating at Vernag in the Kashmir Valley.
• Flows through Srinagar, Wular Lake, and into Pakistan as a tributary of the Indus River.

• Significance
• Contributes to the larger river system in the Indian subcontinent.
• Key tributaries include the Kishenganga (Neelum) River and the Kunhar River.

Strategies for the Future

• Permafrost Research Importance
  • Emphasizes the critical role of permafrost research in understanding and mitigating climate change impacts in the Himalayan region.
• Resource Allocation
  • Allocate resources for further studies on the hydrological potential of active rock glaciers, exploring sustainable water use.
• Early Warning Systems
  • Develop and implement early warning systems in regions with identified active rock glaciers to alert communities and authorities about potential disasters.
• Integration into Climate Plans
  • Integrate findings from permafrost studies into regional and national climate change adaptation plans.
• Community Awareness
  • Raise awareness among local communities, planners, and policymakers about the risks associated with permafrost degradation.

The recent study in the Jhelum basin underscores the need for proactive measures to address the potential consequences of active rock glaciers in the region.

Source: DTE

In News: India's Prime Minister is set to inaugurate the nation's longest sea bridge, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), spanning 22 kilometers and officially named the Atal Setu Nhava Sheva Sea Link.

Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL): Enhancing Connectivity and Economic Development

• Introduction to MTHL
• The MTHL is a 22-km-long twin-carriageway six-lane bridge spanning Thane Creek in the Arabian Sea.
• It connects Sewri in Mumbai to Chirle in Raigad district, encompassing a 16.5 km sea link and viaducts on land.

• Project Overview
• The project engaged global engineers and experts, with a workforce primarily from states like Bihar, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Maharashtra.
• An average of 5,403 individuals worked daily on the project, divided into four packages.

• Objective and Purpose
• The primary aim is to enhance connectivity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, covering Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and Raigad districts.
• The project seeks to boost the economic development of the region.

• Historical Background
• Initially proposed in 1963 by Wilbur Smith Associates, the project faced delays until the late '90s.
• Anil Ambani's Reliance Infrastructure won the bid in 2008 but withdrew later, leading to multiple bidding processes.
• The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) took charge, securing funding from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in a PPP model.

• Project Execution
• Executed by MMRDA on an Engineering Procurement Contract (EPC) basis.
• The foundation stone was laid in 2016, with the deal and tendering completed in 2017, and work began in 2018.
• Total expenditure amounts to Rs 21,200 crore, with Rs 15,100 crore as a loan from JICA.

• Construction Challenges
• The marine portion involved digging as deep as 47 meters in the seabed, posing challenges near sensitive establishments like ONGC, JNPT, and BARC.
• Careful measures were taken to avoid damage to underwater installations such as pipelines and communication cables.
• Reports indicate seven laborers lost their lives in six accidents during the project.

• Anticipated Benefits of MTHL
• Reduction in travel time from 61 to less than 16 minutes between Sewri and Chirle.
• Decongestion of the existing Vashi bridge route.
• Greater economic integration of Navi Mumbai with Mumbai, extending benefits to Panvel, Alibaug, Pune, and Goa.
• Improved connectivity to under-construction Navi Mumbai International Airport, Mumbai Pune Expressway, Mumbai-Goa Highway, and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.

The MTHL project aims to revolutionize connectivity, reduce travel time, and foster economic growth in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, marking a significant milestone in infrastructure development.

Source: IE

In News: The President of India chaired a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan to confer the esteemed National Sports and Adventure Awards for the year 2023.

Awards Conferred in the Ceremony: Recognizing Excellence in Sports and Adventure 2023

• Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
  • India's premier sporting honor established in 1991-92.
  • Named after hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.
  • Awarded for exceptional performances over a four-year period.
  • 2023 awardees: Chirag Shetty and Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy (badminton).
• Arjuna Award
  • Instituted in 1961, it was India’s highest sporting honor before the Khel Ratna.
  • Named after the Mahabharata character Arjuna.
  • Awarded for consistent good performance over four years.
  • 2023 awardees: Aditi Gopichand Swami (archery), Mohammed Shami (cricket), Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar (shooting), among others.
• Dronacharya Award
• India's highest sports honor for coaches, established in 1985.
  • Named after Dronacharya, Arjuna's coach in Mahabharata.
  • Given for recent accomplishments and lifetime contributions.
  • 2023 awardees:
  • Regular Category: Lalit Kumar (wrestling), RB Ramesh (chess), among others.
  • Lifetime Category: Jaskirat Singh Grewal (golf), Bhaskaran E (kabaddi), among others.
• Major Dhyan Chand Award
  • Instituted in 2002, honors lifetime achievements in sports.
  • Recognizes contributions to the promotion of sports individually.
  • 2023 awardees: Manjusha Kanwar (badminton), Vineet Kumar Sharma (hockey), Kavitha Selvaraj (kabaddi).
• Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy (MAKA)
  • Oldest National Sports Award in India, established in 1956–1957.
  • Given to an institution or university for top performance in inter-university tournaments.
  • 2023 winners: Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (overall winner); Lovely Professional University, Punjab (first runner-up); Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra (second runner-up).
• Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar
  • Instituted in 2009.
  • Awarded to organizations and individuals for sports promotion and development.
  • Categories include talent identification, corporate social responsibility, employment of sportspersons, and sports for development.
  • 2023 recipients: JAIN (Deemed-to-be-University), Odisha Mining Corporation Limited.
• Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award
  • Presented since 1993-1994, named after Tenzing Norgay.
  • Equivalent status to the Arjuna Award in adventure activities.
  • 2022 awardees: Late Ms. Savita Kanswal (land), Shri Tulsi Chaitanya Mothukuri (water), Shri Anshu Kumar Tiwari (air).

Source: PIB

In News: Researchers at the University of Liège in Belgium have successfully identified thylakoid microstructures within fossilized cells, dating back an astonishing 1.75 billion years.

Thylakoid Membranes: Essential Components of Photosynthesis

• Overview
  • Thylakoids are minute sacs situated in plant chloroplasts.
  • These sacs store chlorophyll, the light-sensitive substance driving photosynthesis.
• Composition and Function
  • Dense galactolipid, protein-laden bilayers where photosynthesis occurs.
  • Crucial in harnessing sunlight for the photosynthetic process in plants.
• Origin and Significance in Cyanobacteria
  • Found in ancient light-sensitive cyanobacteria.
  • Cyanobacteria, existing billions of years ago, played a pivotal role in generating oxygen, a precursor to life.
  • Thylakoid membranes in cyanobacteria facilitated energy creation through sunlight, leading to oxygen release.

Cyanobacteria - Key Facts

• Also known as blue-green algae, these microscopic organisms inhabit various water types.
• Exist in fresh, brackish, and marine waters, utilizing sunlight for food production.
• Flourish in warm, nutrient-rich environments, forming surface blooms.
• Blooms, often in late summer or early fall, can occur in nutrient-rich waters due to fertilizer runoff or septic tank overflows.

Source: TH

In News: The inclusion of Udupi station within the Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. (KRCL) network in the Railway Ministry’s Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) for redevelopment has been recently announced.

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS): Transforming Indian Railways Infrastructure

Launched by the Ministry of Railways in February 2023, the ongoing Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) is a comprehensive mission aimed at redeveloping 1,309 railway stations across India. The scheme focuses on:

• Holistic Redevelopment
  • Launched to revamp and modernize railway stations nationwide.
  • Aims to enhance passenger experience and amenities.
• Master Planning Approach
  • Based on long-term master planning.
  • Implementation aligns with station needs and patronage.
• Amenities Introduction and Upgradation
  • Provides new amenities and upgrades existing ones.
  • Goal is to create vibrant city centers over the long term.
• Key Features
  • Modern Passenger Amenities
    • Focus on clean waiting areas, restrooms, amenities for the disabled, and food outlets.
  • Improved Traffic Circulation
    • Creation of separate entry/exit points, widened roads, footpaths, and enhanced parking facilities.
  • Inter-Modal Integration
    • Ensures seamless connectivity between railway stations and other transport modes.
  • Upgraded Signage
    • Clear, multilingual signage for passenger guidance.
  • Sustainability Measures
    • Implementation of energy-efficient lighting and appliances.
  • Eco-Friendly Initiatives
    • Adoption of rainwater harvesting, green spaces, and ballastless tracks to reduce noise and vibration.
    • Roof plazas utilized for commercial activities and additional passenger amenities.

ABSS stands as a transformative initiative, aiming to not only upgrade infrastructure but also create sustainable and eco-friendly railway hubs across the country.

Source: TH

In News: The Supreme Court recently sought to achieve a balance by stating that the purpose of Article 30 of the Constitution was not to isolate minorities by asserting they held dominance in the administration of institutions.

About Article 30

Article 30 is a constitutional provision designed to protect minority rights, particularly in the context of education. Enshrined in the Indian Constitution, this article grants minorities the right to establish and administer educational institutions according to their preferences. Adopted on December 8, 1948, Article 30 features several clauses that safeguard the rights of religious and linguistic minorities.

Key Features

• Establishment of Educational Institutions
• Article 30(1) affirms the right of all minorities, whether based on religion or language, to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.

• Types of Minorities
• The provision extends this right to two categories of minorities: religious and linguistic minorities.

• Acquisition of Property
• Article 30(1A) addresses the fixation of amounts for the acquisition of property related to educational institutions established by minority groups.

• Non-Discrimination
• Article 30(2) emphasizes that the government should not discriminate against educational institutions managed by minorities, based on religion or language, when providing aid.

Concept of Minorities

The term "minority" is used in the Constitution without a specific definition. Article 29, while using the word 'minorities' in its marginal heading, focuses on the rights of any section of citizens to protect their language, script, or culture. It also ensures the right of citizens to admission in state-maintained or state-funded educational institutions without discrimination based on religion, race, caste, language, or other factors.

Article 30 specifically addresses religious and linguistic minorities

• Religious Minority
• Determined by numerical strength, communities such as Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, and Zoroastrians (Parsis) are recognized as religious minorities under the National Commission of Minorities Act.

• Linguistic Minorities
• Groups with a mother language or tongue distinct from the majority are considered linguistic minorities. Article 350-A obliges states to provide facilities for instruction in the mother language at the primary level for children belonging to linguistic minority communities.

Source: TOI

In News: Recently, the Congo River reached its highest level in over six decades, resulting in widespread flooding across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Congo Republic. 

About Congo River

• Location
• The Congo River, also known as the Zaire River, is situated in west-central Africa.
• Length
• Spanning approximately 2,900 miles (4,700 km), it is the second-longest river in Africa and the ninth-longest globally, following the Nile.
• Name Origin
• The river derives its name from the ancient Kongo Kingdom located near its mouth.
• River System
• The Congo River system traverses through multiple countries, including the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, western Zambia, northern Angola, and parts of Cameroon and Tanzania.

Course

• Source
• Originating as the Chambeshi River in the highlands of northeastern Zambia, between Lakes Tanganyika and Nyasa (Malawi), at an elevation of 5,760 feet (1,760 meters).
• Flow
• The river follows a significant counterclockwise arc, coursing through the rainforest, crossing the equator twice, and ultimately draining into the Atlantic Ocean at Banana (Banane) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Depth
• Recognized as the deepest river globally, the Congo River reaches depths exceeding 750 feet (230 meters).
• Discharge and Watershed

• It boasts the second-largest flow worldwide, discharging 1.5 million cubic feet of water per second, surpassed only by the Amazon River.
• The Congo River has the second-largest watershed, covering 3.7 million square kilometers (1.4 million square miles), known as the Congo Basin.

• Ecosystem
• The basin encompasses rich tropical rainforests and swamps, constituting a substantial portion of Central Africa's rainforest—the world's second-largest rainforest after the Amazon Rainforest in South America.

Tributaries

• Main Tributaries
• Significant tributaries include the Ubangi, Sangha, and Kasai rivers.

Source: REUTERS

In News: Recently, the MSME Ministry announced that the Zero Effect, Zero Defect scheme (ZED) has reached a milestone of 1 lakh certifications.

About Zero Effect, Zero Defect Scheme (ZED)

• Launch and Revamp
• Launched in October 2016 and revamped in April 2022.

• Certification Levels
• Offers certification for environmentally conscious manufacturing.
• Three certification levels: Gold, Silver, and Bronze.
• Classification based on 20 performance-based parameters including quality management, timely delivery, process control, and waste management.

• Objectives
• Create awareness in MSMEs about ZED manufacturing.
• Motivate MSMEs for ZED rating assessment.
• Drive manufacturing with Zero Defect production processes (Zero Effect).
• Encourage constant upgrade of quality standards.
• Support the "Make in India" campaign.

• Financial Assistance
• Provides up to 75% of certification cost, with a maximum subsidy ceiling of Rs 50,000.
• Offers up to Rs 2 lakh for handholding/consultancy.
• Assistance of up to Rs 3 lakhs for technology upgradation towards zero effect solutions/pollution control/cleaner technology.

• Certification Costs
• MSMEs charged Rs 10,000 for bronze, Rs 40,000 for silver, and Rs 90,000 for gold certification.
• Made free for women-led MSMEs in December 2023.

• Government Support
• Guarantee payment of 100% financial support for certification costs.

• Certification Validity
• ZED certification valid for three years.
• MSMEs need to reapply as per the scheme's validity.

• Applicability
• Currently applicable for manufacturing MSMEs only.

Source: FE

In News: The article delves into different aspects of the logistics sector, examining both the Indian and global scenarios, and puts forward suggestions for essential reforms.

What is the Logistics Performance Index (LPI)?

• About
• The LPI is a benchmarking tool created by the World Bank Group, assessing the ease of establishing reliable supply chain connections and the structural factors supporting it.

• Parameter
• The LPI evaluates logistics performance based on six parameters, including customs performance, infrastructure quality, ease of arranging shipments, logistics services quality, consignment tracking, and timeliness of shipments.

• LPI 2023 Highlights
• LPI 2023, reported every two years, allows comparison across 139 countries.
• For the first time, LPI 2023 incorporates speed of trade indicators from big datasets.

What has Led to India’s Improved Performance in LPI Rankings?

• PM Gati Shakti Initiative
• Launched in 2021, aims at reducing logistics costs and stimulating economic growth by 2024-25.

• National Logistics Policy 2022
• Focuses on ensuring swift last-mile delivery, resolving transport-related challenges, and enhancing overall efficiency.

• Infrastructure Development and International Shipments
• Notable advancement in India's infrastructure score, moving up five places from 2018 to 2023.
• Government investments contribute to improvements in international shipments.

• Role of Technology in Logistics Improvement
• Implementation of a supply chain visibility platform.
• Introduction of radio frequency identification tags for end-to-end tracking.

• Dwell Time Improvement
• India showcases low dwell time of 2.6 days, surpassing industrialized countries like the US and Germany.

What are the Issues with India’s Logistics System?

• Logistics Cost in India
  • Ranges from 14-18% of GDP, higher than the global benchmark of 8%.
• Methodological Challenges in Estimating Logistics Costs
  • Variations in figures due to methodological challenges.
• Skewed Modal Mix
  • Heavy reliance on road transport (65%) leading to congestion, pollution, and cost escalation.
• Warehousing & Taxation Discrepancies
  • Logistics companies opt for warehousing, impacting transit time.

How do the States in India Stand in the Logistics Sector?

• State-Driven Logistics
  • LEADS 2023 categorizes states into achievers, fast movers, and aspirers based on perceptions.
• State-Level Logistics Policies
  • Coastal states like Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat excel, while West Bengal lags without a logistics policy.
• Performance Disparities Among States
  • Despite overall improvement, individual states exhibit disparities, emphasizing the need for ongoing efforts.

What Can be the Way Forward to Improve the Logistics Sector in India?

• Adopting Advanced Technologies
  • Increased adoption of technology-enabled solutions like blockchain, big data, and digital twins.
• Focus on Sustainable Logistics
  • Alignment with global regulations on sustainable practices.
• Attracting Investments and Investor Interest
  • Emphasis on private sector involvement and utilizing tools like the National Infrastructure Pipeline.

Conclusion

• Sector Evolution and Adaptation
  • The logistics sector in India is evolving, adapting to changing market dynamics and technological advancements.
  • Online commerce has triggered a paradigm shift, creating new opportunities in delivery models.
• Government Initiatives
  • The government's initiatives aim to create a conducive environment for the sector to thrive.
• Future Outlook
  • Continued growth expected, with technological advancements playing a crucial role.

Source: IE

1. Consider the following statements regarding Tapioca (Cassava) plant

Statement - I: Tapioca requires well-distributed rainfall not exceeding 100 cm annually.

Statement - II: Feeding tapioca crushed peels or leaves immediately after crushing, or without proper drying, poses a high risk of cyanide poisoning in animals

Select the correct answer using code given below:

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.

2. Consider the following statements regarding Indian economy after the 1991 economic liberalization

1. Worker productivity (Rs. per worker at 2004-05 prices) increased in urban areas while it decreased in rural areas
2. The percentage share of rural areas in the workforce steadily increased
3. In rural areas, the growth in non-farm economy increased

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

3. Consider the following statements regarding Bobbili veena

1. This large plucked string instrument holds significance in Hindustani music.
2. Recently the Bobbili Veena earned a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

4. Consider the following statements regarding ‘Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion’

1. This initiative aims to demonstrate the improved production and post-harvest technologies, and to demonstrate value addition techniques, in an integrated manner, with a cluster approach
2. Poor, small, marginal and tribal farmers have a larger stake in this scheme
3. An important objective of the scheme is to encourage farmers of commercial crops to shift to millet cultivation by offering them free kits of critical inputs of nutrients and micro irrigation equipment

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

5. With reference to Project Veer Gatha consider the following statements

1. Project 'Veer Gatha' is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Skill development
2. Gallantry awards are announced every year on Republic Day.

Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2 
4. Neither 1 nor 2

6. Consider the following statements regarding Indian Toy Industry

Statement-I: The Indian toy industry has witnessed substantial growth characterized by a notable 52% reduction in imports and a remarkable 239% increase in exports

Statement-II: Government initiatives have successfully fostered a conducive manufacturing ecosystem, evident in the doubling of manufacturing units over six years.

Select the correct answer using code given below:

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I 
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

7. Consider the following statements regarding Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956

1. The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (ITP), 1956, is designed to curb the commercialization of vices and the trafficking of females and outlaw sex work.
2. The act does not explicitly explain what a brothel is.
3. The Supreme Court recognizes sex work as a "profession," entitling practitioners to equal protection under the law

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one 
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

8. Consider the following statements regarding Sponge Farming

1. Sponges are present in tropical oceans and contribute significantly to the global silicon biological sink.
2. Sponges exhibit remarkable resilience to climate change, contrasting with traditional seaweed farming

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only 
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

9. Consider the following statements regarding Trichoderma

1. Trichoderma is a fungal biocontrol agent.
2. CSIR developed Tricholime integrates lime and Trichoderma to simplify the application process for farmers
3. Tricholime eliminates the need for a time-consuming two-step application, providing a more efficient solution for farmers.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two 
3. All three
4. None

10. With reference to Northeast African Cheetah consider the following statements

1. It is significantly different than the Sudan cheetah.
2. It is categorised as Endangered by IUCN

Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

1. 1 only 
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

11. Consider the following statements regarding K-Shaped Recovery

1. The emergence of new technologies and industries replacing older ones during a recession can halt a progressive K-shaped recovery
2. The differing effects of the initial recession on different sectors contribute to the K-shaped recovery pattern

Select the correct answer using code given below:

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct 

12. Consider the following statements regarding The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO

1. It is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission
2. It made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA
3. It made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit the Mars in its very first attempt

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two 
3. All three
4. None

13. Consider the following statements regarding PRITHVI

1. PRITHVI is an overarching scheme initiated by the Ministry of Science and Technology spanning from 2021 to 2026
2. The primary goal is to augment and sustain long-term observations of the Earth's vital signs, covering the atmosphere, ocean, geosphere, cryosphere, and solid earth

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only 
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

14. Consider the following statements regarding Space Sector

1. GSAT-20 provides comprehensive coverage across the country, including remote areas like Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands
2. NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) is a partially owned Government of India company, established on March 6, 2019, under the Companies Act, 2013
3. PSLVs launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two 
3. All three
4. None

15. With reference to National Legal Services Authority consider the following statements

1. Its objective is to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society on the basis of equal opportunity
2. It issues guidelines for the State Legal Services Authorities to implement the legal programmes and schemes throughout the country

Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2 

16. Consider the following statements regarding Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Act, 2016

Statement-I: Recognizing various disabilities like physical, intellectual, and sensory, the Act lays the foundation for protecting the rights of individuals across diverse impairments however mental illness is not explicitly covered under the act.

Statement-II: Ensuring access to affordable and quality healthcare services for persons with disabilities is a key focus of the Act

Select the correct answer using code given below:

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct 

17. Consider the following statements

1. The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Review Committee Report has recommended a debt to GDP ratio of 60% for the general (combined) government by 2023, comprising 40% for the Central Government and 20% for the State Governments
2. The Central Government has domestic liabilities of 21% of GDP as compared to that of 49% of GDP of the State Governments
3. As per the Constitution of India, it is mandatory for a State to take the Central Government’s consent for raising any loan if the former owes any outstanding liabilities to the latter

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two 
3. All three
4. None

18. Consider the following statements regarding INS Kabra

1. INS Kabra is a naval vessel named after an island in the Lakshadweep archipelago
2. With a top speed exceeding 35 knots, INS Kabra offers excellent manoeuvrability through water-jet propulsion

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only 
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

19. Consider the following statements regarding reasons for Antimicrobial Resistance

1. Genetic predisposition of some people
2. Taking incorrect doses of antibiotics to cure diseases
3. Using antibiotics in livestock farming

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two 
3. All three
4. None

20. With reference to Drishti 10 'Starliner' consider the following statements

1. Drishti 10 'Starliner' is an indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).
2. Equipped with advanced communication systems, including satellite communication and Line-of-Sight (LOS) data links, ensuring reliable and secure data transmission

Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

1. 1 only 
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2