Science & Technology

The availability of open APIs for Aadhaar means that the Aadhaar system can be easily integrated into various electronic devices, such as smartphones, laptops, point-of-sale terminals, etc. This allows these devices to leverage the Aadhaar platform for authentication and other services.

The Aadhaar APIs provide the capability to perform online authentication using biometric modalities like fingerprint and iris scans. This allows for secure identity verification and authentication through electronic devices and applications.

Therefore, both statements 1 and 2 are correct.

All of the listed factors - birds, dust blowing, rain, and wind blowing - can contribute to the spread of plant diseases

Statement 1 is correct: Birds can act as vectors, carrying and spreading plant pathogens from one location to another through their feathers, feet, or droppings.

Statement 2 is correct: Dust and soil particles blown by the wind can carry and spread plant diseases, especially fungal spores and bacterial cells.

Statement 3 is correct: Rain can splash and disperse plant pathogens, such as fungi and bacteria, from the soil or infected plant parts to uninfected plants.

Statement 4 is correct: Wind can transport and spread airborne plant pathogens, such as fungal spores and bacterial cells, over long distances.

Statement 1 is correct: According to Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, gravity can bend light. This phenomenon is known as gravitational lensing.

Statement 2 is correct: The General Theory of Relativity led to the prediction of an expanding universe, which has been confirmed by observational evidence.

Statement 3 is correct: According to the General Theory of Relativity, the presence of matter and energy warps the fabric of space and time around it, which is the underlying cause of the gravitational force.

So, all three statements are correct.

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file. It is used in a wide range of industries and has various applications.

It can be used to create intricate and customized shapes in confectionery items like chocolates, candies, and other desserts.

It has been used to create customized bionic ears for people with hearing impairments.

It is used in the automotive industry for rapid prototyping, manufacturing of customized parts, and even some production of vehicle components.

It is used in reconstructive surgeries to create patient-specific implants, prosthetics, and surgical guides.

It can be used to create specialized components and parts for data processing technologies, such as computer hardware.

Therefore, all the five statements are correct.

The scenario described involves various devices (smartphone, geyser, smart mirror, refrigerator, car, etc.) communicating with each other and with the user, and automatically performing tasks based on certain triggers. This is characteristic of the Internet of Things (IoT).


Option B is correct: Internet of Things (IoT) is a system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines, objects, animals or people that are provided with unique identifiers (UIDs) and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction.

Option A is incorrect: Border Gateway Protocol is a protocol used to exchange routing information across the internet and is not relevant to the scenario described.

Option C is incorrect: Internet Protocol is a set of rules for sending and receiving messages at the Internet address level, but it doesn't cover the broad range of device intercommunication described in the scenario.

Option D is incorrect: A Virtual Private Network is a technology for using the internet or another intermediate network to connect computers to isolated remote computer networks that would otherwise be inaccessible, which also doesn't fit the scenario.

* The terms 'Event Horizon', 'Singularity', 'String Theory' and 'Standard Model' are associated with the observation and understanding of the Universe, particularly in the field of cosmology and astrophysics.

* Event Horizon refers to the boundary around a black hole, beyond which nothing, not even light, can escape the black hole's gravitational pull.

* Singularity refers to a point in spacetime where the gravitational field becomes infinite, such as at the center of a black hole, where the laws of physics as we know them break down.

* String Theory is a theoretical framework in particle physics that attempts to unify all the fundamental forces of nature, including gravity, into a single coherent model.

* Standard Model is the most comprehensive and well-tested theory in particle physics, which describes the fundamental particles and their interactions, except for gravity.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Smart India Hackathon (SIH) is not a scheme for developing Smart Cities. Instead, it is a nationwide initiative aimed at identifying innovative digital technology solutions to solve real-world challenges across various sectors.

Statement 2 is correct: The Government of India launched the Smart India Hackathon to encourage students and professionals to develop innovative digital solutions for challenges in agriculture, health, education, energy, environment, and other domains. It serves as a platform for young minds to engage in problem-solving and contribute to technological advancements.

Statement 3 is incorrect: While the hackathon focuses on digital technology innovations, it is not specifically centered on digital financial transactions. Instead, it covers a wide range of sectors where technology can drive efficiency and innovation.

Hence, correct answer is option (B).

Pair 1 is correct: Lead is a heavy metal that has been found in some lipstick formulations, which is concerning due to its potential toxic effects.

Pair 2 is correct: Brominated vegetable oils (BVOs) are a type of food additive used in some soft drinks to help distribute flavours. BVOs have been controversial and banned in many countries due to potential health concerns.

Pair 3 is correct: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavour enhancer commonly used in Chinese and other Asian cuisines, including fast food. There have been concerns about the potential side effects of MSG consumption.

Therefore, all three pairs are correctly matched.

An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) is a light-emitting diode (LED) in which the emissive electroluminescent layer is a film of organic compound that emits light in response to an electric current.

Statement 1 is correct: One of the key advantages of OLED technology is that the organic light-emitting materials can be deposited on flexible plastic or metal foil substrates, enabling the creation of flexible and foldable displays.

Statement 2 is correct: The flexibility of OLED displays allows for the creation of roll-up or rollable displays, which can be integrated into clothing and other flexible surfaces.

Statement 3 is correct: OLED display technology can be used to create transparent displays, where the light-emitting pixels can be made semi-transparent, allowing the display to be integrated into various surfaces and objects.

Therefore, all three statements are correct.

Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) technology is primarily used for the purpose of reproductive cloning of animals.


SCNT can be used to create genetically identical copies of animals. This involves transferring the nucleus of a somatic (body) cell into an egg cell that has had its own nucleus removed. The egg cell is then stimulated to divide and develop into an embryo, which is then implanted into a surrogate mother to produce a cloned individual. This technique is called reproductive cloning.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The production of algae-based biofuels is not limited to seas only. It can be done on land, saline water, or wastewater.

Statement 2 is correct. Setting up and engineering the algae-based biofuel production does require a high level of expertise/technology, which might be a limitation for developing countries.

Statement 3 is also correct. Economically viable production of algae-based biofuels does necessitate the setting up of large-scale facilities, which may raise ecological and social concerns.


Statement 1 is correct. Genome sequencing can help identify specific genes or genetic markers associated with desirable traits like disease resistance and drought tolerance in crop plants, which can then be used for selective breeding and genetic improvement.

Statement 2 is correct. Genome sequencing can accelerate the process of developing new crop varieties by providing a better understanding of the genetic makeup and facilitating more targeted breeding programs, thereby reducing the time required for varietal development.

Statement 3 is correct. Genome sequencing can help researchers understand the genetic interactions between crop plants and their pathogens, which can aid in developing better strategies for disease management and resistance.

Therefore, all the statements regarding the use of genome sequencing in agriculture in the immediate future are correct.


India is a key participant in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), a global nuclear fusion research and engineering megaproject. ITER is set to become the world's largest magnetic confinement plasma physics experiment, aiming to demonstrate the feasibility of fusion as a large-scale, sustainable energy source.


India's involvement in ITER provides technological expertise, research collaboration, and industrial capabilities, which can significantly contribute to its future efforts in developing nuclear fusion reactors for commercial power generation. By participating in this international project, India gains access to cutting-edge advancements in fusion technology, potentially paving the way for its own fusion-based energy infrastructure. Hence, the correct answer is option D.

Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of spacetime, predicted by Einstein's theory of general relativity.

eLISA is a space-based gravitational wave observatory that can detect and study these gravitational waves.

It is a joint project of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). eLISA is designed to detect gravitational waves from astronomical sources such as merging black holes and neutron stars. It would use laser interferometry to measure the tiny distortions in spacetime caused by passing gravitational waves. Detecting gravitational waves would provide important insights into the nature of gravity and the evolution of the universe.


Statement 1 is correct: Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) utilizes light waves for data transmission. It uses rapid flickering of light, invisible to the human eye, to carry information.

Statement 2 is correct: Li-Fi is a wireless technology and has the potential to be significantly faster than Wi-Fi. While actual speeds depend on various factors, Li-Fi boasts theoretical speeds exceeding 100 Gbps compared to the current Wi-Fi standards offering up to 11 Gbps.

Hence, option C is the correct answer.

Project Loon was an ambitious initiative by Loon LLC, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. (Google's parent company), aimed at providing internet connectivity to remote and underserved regions worldwide.

The project deployed high-altitude balloons in the stratosphere, equipped with networking technology to create an aerial wireless network, functioning like floating cell towers. These balloons were designed to deliver internet access in disaster-hit areas and regions with poor infrastructure.

However, despite its technological success, Project Loon was discontinued in January 2021 due to difficulties in achieving commercial sustainability.

Hence, the correct answer is option B.

The movie The Man Who Knew Infinity is based on the life of the famous Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. It portrays his journey from India to England and his collaboration with the British mathematician G.H. Hardy.

The transcriptome refers to the complete set of RNA molecules present in a single cell or a population of cells at a given time. It can include all types of RNA or be limited to messenger RNA (mRNA), depending on the experiment's focus.


Unlike the exome, which represents only the protein-coding regions of DNA, the transcriptome captures the actively expressed genes by identifying RNA molecules and their relative abundance. This provides crucial insights into gene expression patterns, cellular functions, and responses to environmental changes.

INS Astradharini is India's first indigenously designed and built Torpedo Launch and Recovery Vessel (TLRV), commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2015. Developed with 95% indigenous content, it replaced the aging INS Astravahini. The vessel functions as a specialized platform for the technical trials of underwater weapons, such as torpedoes and mines, developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL). Its unique design includes a catamaran hull configuration, which provides significantly improved stability and speed during weapon recovery operations.

Statement 1 is incorrect: AstroSat is India's first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory aimed at studying celestial sources in X-ray, optical and UV spectral bands simultaneously. India is the 5th country to join the space observatory elite list after the USA, Russia, Japan, and Europe.

Statement 2 is incorrect: AstroSat with a lift-off mass of about 1513 kg was launched into a 650 km orbit inclined at an angle of 6 degrees to the equator by PSLV-C30.

Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

Statement 1 is correct: Viruses that infect bacteria are known as bacteriophages or phages. These viruses use bacterial cells as hosts to replicate and propagate.

Statement 2 is correct: Certain viruses, called mycoviruses, can infect and replicate within fungal cells, using them as hosts.

Statement 3 is correct: Viruses that infect plants are known as plant viruses. They can hijack the cellular machinery of plant cells to replicate and spread within the plant.

Hence, option D is the correct answer.

Statement 1 is correct: Mangalyaan is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM). This was its official designation.

Statement 2 is incorrect: India was not the second country to orbit Mars. Several countries had successfully sent spacecraft to Mars before Mangalyaan, including the USA, Russia, and the European Space Agency (ESA).

Statement 3 is correct: India was indeed the only country at that time to succeed in placing a spacecraft into Martian orbit on its very first attempt. This was a significant achievement for ISRO.

Hence, option C is the correct answer.

Statement 1 is correct: DigiLocker is a cloud-based digital locker system launched by the Government of India under the Digital India Programme. Its primary objective is to reduce reliance on physical documents by providing secure digital storage and access to e-documents issued by government departments, educational institutions, and other entities.

Statement 2 is correct: DigiLocker enables users to access their electronic documents (e-documents) anytime, anywhere, provided they have an internet connection. This enhances convenience, eliminates the need to carry physical documents, and ensures secure and verifiable digital storage.

Therefore, both statements are correct.

Scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have discovered a new species of banana, Musa indandamanensis, in the remote tropical rainforests of Little Andaman Island. This remarkable species stands out for its exceptional height, reaching up to 11 meters, nearly three times taller than common banana plants.

Located 16 km inside the Krishna Nalah forest, this species is globally distinct due to its unique green flowers, an unusually large fruit bunch axis (lux) thrice the size of regular banana species, and cylindrical-shaped flowers instead of the typical conical form. Additionally, the fruit pulp is orange, differing from the usual white or yellow found in common bananas.

This discovery adds significant value to botanical research and biodiversity conservation, highlighting the unique flora of the Andaman Islands.

Neem-coated Urea dissolves more slowly compared to normal Urea, which helps prevent leaching and ensures a gradual release of nitrogen into the soil. Neem has inhibitory properties that reduce nitrogen loss at multiple stages, including volatilization and denitrification. By slowing down the conversion of Urea into nitrate, it minimizes excess nitrate accumulation, reducing denitrification losses and improving nitrogen use efficiency in crops.

To curb misuse and diversion of highly subsidized Urea to the chemical industry, the Government of India made it mandatory for all Urea manufacturers to Neem-coat 100% of their production. This move not only ensures that Urea is used exclusively for agriculture but also enhances soil fertility and crop productivity by improving nitrogen retention.

Greased Lightning-10 (GL-10) is an experimental, hybrid-electric aircraft developed and tested by NASA as part of its research into advanced aeronautics.

Key Features of GL-10: 1. Hybrid-electric Design: The GL-10 is a subscale, remotely-piloted aircraft that integrates both electric and conventional propulsion for efficiency and flexibility. 2. VTOL Capability: It is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, meaning it can take off and land like a helicopter but transition into fixed-wing flight for greater range and efficiency. 3. Potential Applications: NASA is testing the GL-10 as a future unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), with potential applications in cargo transport, surveillance, and scientific research. 4. Distributed Electric Propulsion: The aircraft showcases distributed electric propulsion technology, which uses multiple electric motors and propellers to enhance thrust, control, and efficiency, paving the way for more advanced electric aircraft in the future.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Bitcoins are not tracked by central banks in the same way as traditional fiat currencies. Instead of a centralized tracking system, Bitcoin transactions are recorded on a decentralized public ledger called the blockchain. However, this ledger does not inherently link transactions to individual users, as Bitcoin addresses function pseudonymously rather than being tied directly to identities.

Statement 2 is correct: Anyone with a Bitcoin address can send and receive Bitcoins from another Bitcoin address. These addresses function similarly to account numbers but do not necessarily require identity verification, making transactions more accessible and less dependent on traditional banking systems.

Statement 3 is correct: Bitcoin enables online payments with a degree of anonymity. While all transactions are permanently recorded on the blockchain, the identities of the sender and receiver are not explicitly revealed, only their Bitcoin addresses appear. However, absolute anonymity is not guaranteed, as advanced blockchain analysis can sometimes trace transactions back to individuals.

Hence the correct answer is option B. 2 and 3 only.

Influenza (H1N1) virus is a subtype of influenza A virus that was the most common cause of human influenza (flu) in 2009 and is associated with the 1918 outbreak known as the Spanish Flu. It is an orthomyxovirus that contains the glycoproteins haemagglutinin and neuraminidase. For this reason, they are described as H1N1, H1N2 etc., depending on the type of H or N antigens they express with metabolic synergy.

- Haemagglutinin causes red blood cells to clump together and binds the virus to the infected cell. - Neuraminidase is a type of glycoside hydrolase enzyme which helps to move the virus particles through the infected cell and assist in budding from the host cells.

In June 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new strain of swine-origin H1N1 as a pandemic. This strain is often called swine flu by the public media.

Statement 1 is correct: Targeted drug delivery is a promising application of nanotechnology in medicine. Nanoparticles can be designed to carry drugs specifically to diseased cells, reducing side effects and improving treatment efficacy.

Statement 2 is correct: Nanotechnology is being explored for gene therapy by creating nanocarriers that can deliver genetic material (e.g., DNA or RNA) into specific cells. This holds the potential for treating various genetic disorders.

Therefore, both statements are correct.

The Goldilocks Zone, also called the habitable zone, refers to the region around a star where conditions might be just right for liquid water to exist on the surface of a planet.


Scientists believe liquid water is essential for life as we know it. So, when astronomers discover planets outside our solar system (exoplanets), they're particularly interested in those within the Goldilocks Zone of their host star.