2023

Statement 1 is not a deciduous tree: Jackfruit (*Artocarpus heterophyllus*) is a tropical evergreen tree native to the Western Ghats of India and other parts of Southeast Asia. It retains its foliage throughout the year and is typically found in regions with high rainfall.

Statement 2 is a deciduous tree: Mahua (*Madhuca indica*) is a common species found in tropical deciduous forests across the Indian subcontinent, particularly in central and northern India. It sheds its leaves during the dry season, usually between February and April.

Statement 3 is a deciduous tree: Teak (*Tectona grandis*) is the most dominant and economically important species of tropical deciduous forests (both moist and dry) in India. It is well-known for shedding its leaves during the dry season to conserve moisture.

Since only Mahua and Teak are deciduous trees, the correct answer is 'Only two'.

* Cobalt has emerged as a vital ingredient for the shift to a lower-carbon energy system, but reserves of the metal are concentrated heavily in just a single country.

* The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is home to half of the world's known resources and currently accounts for around 70% of global production.

* The metals used in electronic goods, particularly the rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles and other forms of energy storage means interest in it is growing as the electrification of the global energy system continues to gather pace.

* Cobalt is used in batteries, superalloys, catalysts, magnets, and pigments for various industries like electronics, aviation, and manufacturing.

* Democratic Republic of Congo (I), Indonesia (II), Russia (III), Australia (IV), and Madagascar (V) are the top 5 Cobalt-producing countries in the world.

* Small deposits of Cobalt are known to exist in Odisha & Jharkhand in India.

* Cobalt has also been classified as a critical mineral by the Government of India.

* Statement 1 is correct: Role of Biofilters in Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS): Biofilters provide waste treatment by removing uneaten fish feed. Biofilters in a RAS help in waste treatment by removing uneaten fish feed and other organic matter from the water. The biofilter media provide a surface for beneficial bacteria to grow, which help in breaking down and removing these wastes.

* Statement 2 is correct: Biofilters convert ammonia present in fish waste to nitrate. One of the primary functions of biofilters in a RAS is to convert toxic ammonia (produced from fish waste) into less harmful nitrate. Beneficial bacteria in the biofilter media perform nitrification, a process where ammonia is first converted to nitrite and then further converted to nitrate.

* Statement 3 is incorrect: Biofilters do not increase phosphorus as a nutrient for fish in the water. Their primary role is to remove wastes and convert ammonia to nitrate. Phosphorus levels in the water are managed through other means, such as fish feed formulation and water quality management.

Therefore, option (B) is the correct answer.

* Somalia has been experiencing civil war and instability since the early 1990s. This ongoing conflict has severely disrupted agricultural production, trade, and basic services, leading to food insecurity.

* Somalia is one of the countries most vulnerable to food insecurity due to a combination of factors like drought, conflict, and poverty.

* Somalia has faced several severe famines in recent decades, with the most recent one occurring in 2020-2021. The UN warned it was on the brink of "famine of unparalleled proportions" due to a perfect storm of drought, locust infestations, and economic hardship.

* The Congo Basin is a vast region in Central Africa that encompasses several countries. It is the sedimentary basin of the Congo River and is located in a region known as West Equatorial Africa.


* The Congo Basin spans across mainly six countries Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon.

Thus, Option A is correct.

* Statement 1 is correct. According to the United Nations World Water Development Report 2022, with an estimated 251 km3 annual withdrawal from an estimated 20 million wells and tube wells, India is the world's greatest groundwater user. This accounts for more than a quarter of the total groundwater extracted internationally.

* Statement 2 is incorrect. India uses about 89% of this groundwater for irrigation. Major share of total groundwater extracted by India is utilised for irrigation purposes and not for drinking and sanitation purposes.

Statement 1 is correct: While a Finance Bill (Category I under Art 117) is introduced only in the Lok Sabha (similar to a Money Bill), it is passed according to the ordinary legislative procedure. Therefore, the Rajya Sabha has the power to reject or amend it.

Statement 2 is correct: A Money Bill (Article 110) cannot be rejected or amended by the Rajya Sabha. It can only make recommendations which the Lok Sabha may accept or reject.

Statement 3 is incorrect: While a Joint Sitting is not provided for Money Bills, it is available for Finance Bills. However, it is not "necessary" (mandatory) to hold one. Under Article 108, the President "may" summon a Joint Sitting to resolve the deadlock, but is not obliged to do so; the bill could simply be allowed to lapse.

All three activities mentioned are indeed methods often considered and discussed for carbon capture and sequestration.

* Spreading finely ground basalt rock on farmlands extensively is known as enhanced weathering. The basalt reacts with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and forms stable carbonates, effectively storing the carbon dioxide and preventing it from contributing to global warming.

* Increasing the alkalinity of oceans by adding lime can help absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The increased alkalinity enhances the ocean's capacity to act as a carbon sink.

* Capturing carbon dioxide released by various industries and pumping it into abandoned subterranean mines in the form of carbonated waters is a direct method of carbon capture and sequestration where carbon dioxide is captured at its source and then stored in a way that prevents it from being released into the atmosphere.

* The Charter Act of 1833 was the final step towards centralisation in British India.

* It made the Governor-General of Bengal as the Governor-General of India and vested in him all civil and military powers. The act created, for the first time, the Government of India having authority over the entire territorial area possessed by the British in India.

* Lord William Bentick was the first Governor-General of India.

* It deprived the Governor of Bombay and Madras of their legislative powers. The Governor-General of India was given exclusive legislative powers for the entire British India.

Hence option (D) is the correct answer.

* Statement 1 is correct: As per Article 244(1) of the Constitution's Fifth Schedule, Scheduled Areas are areas that the President may declare to be such by order after consultation with the Governor of that State.

* Statement 2 is correct: District is considered as the largest administrative unit which forms the Scheduled Area while the lowest administrative unit is the cluster of villages in the Block.

* Statement 3 is incorrect: The Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of India states in para 3 that the Governor of each State having Scheduled Areas therein shall annually, or whenever so required by the President, make a report to the President regarding the administration of the Scheduled Areas in that State and the executive power of the Union shall extend to the giving of directions to the State as to the Administration of the said areas.

The Prisons Act 1894 is one of the oldest pieces of legislation in India dealing with laws enacted in relation to prisons in India.

* Statement 1 is correct: Prison is a State subject under List-II of the Seventh Schedule in the Constitution. States have the primary role, responsibility, and power to change the current prison laws, rules, and regulations. Hence it is true that prisons are managed by the state governments with their own rules and regulations.

* Statement 2 is correct: The management and administration of Prisons falls exclusively in the domain of the State Governments and is governed by the Prisons Act, of 1894 and the Prison Manuals of the respective State Governments.

* Hence it is true that the Prisons Act of 1894 kept the subject of prisons in the Provincial government (State governments) and this explains why State governments have the power to frame their own rules and regulations regarding prison management.

The 'Small Farmer Large Field' (SFLF) model is a participatory collective action model designed to help small and marginal farmers overcome constraints like low bargaining power and lack of economies of scale.

* Why Option B is correct: In the SFLF model, many marginal farmers in a contiguous area organize themselves into groups to synchronize and harmonize selected agricultural operations (such as land preparation, sowing, and harvesting). This allows them to achieve economies of scale in purchasing inputs and marketing produce without losing their individual land ownership. * Context: This model was adapted from the 'Large Field' model successfully implemented in Vietnam. In India, it was piloted (notably in Odisha) to address the challenges of land fragmentation. * Why other options are incorrect: * Option A describes a resettlement or rehabilitation program for displaced persons. * Options C and D describe variations of contract farming or corporate farming, where farmers either surrender land for a fixed term or produce specifically for a company's manufacturing needs. SFLF differs because it is a farmer-led collective model rather than a corporate-led one.

In finance, Beta is a measure of the volatility, or systematic risk, of a security or a portfolio in comparison to the market as a whole. It is a key component of the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM).

Key Interpretations of Beta: * Beta = 1: The stock's price moves in lockstep with the market. If the market rises by 10%, the stock is expected to rise by 10%. * Beta > 1: The stock is more volatile than the market. For example, a beta of 1.2 suggests the stock is 20% more volatile than the market. * Beta < 1: The stock is less volatile than the market. These are often considered 'defensive' stocks. * Beta = 0: The asset's price movement is uncorrelated with the market (e.g., cash or certain government bonds).

Analysis of other options: * Option A: Describes Arbitrage, which is the simultaneous purchase and sale of the same asset in different markets to profit from tiny differences in the asset's listed price. * Option C: Refers to Basis Risk, which arises when the investment or hedge does not move in perfect correlation with the underlying asset, making a perfect hedge impossible.

* Statement I is Incorrect : Earlier, InvITs offered some tax benefits to investors. However, the budget in 2023 changed the taxation structure. Currently, all income distributed by InvITs, including interest income, dividend income, and rental income, is taxable in the hands of the unitholders according to their income tax slab.

* Statement II is Correct : InvITs are indeed recognized as borrowers under the Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (SARFAESI Act). This Act allows InvITs to access various financing options and enforce security interests in case of defaults.

* The Rann of Kutch, located in the Thar Desert of Gujarat, India, is a vast seasonal salt marsh.

* Geological evidence suggests it was once a shallow extension of the Arabian Sea.

* Over time, due to a combination of factors like tectonic plate movement and climatic changes, the sea level receded repeatedly, leaving behind saline deposits and creating the marshland we see today.

* During the monsoon season, the Rann fills with water, transforming into a shallow lake, but dries up again in the summer, leaving behind a vast expanse of cracked white salt flats.

* Bhitarkanika Mangroves: Located in Odisha, Bhitarkanika Mangroves is a protected wetland area and a UNESCO Ramsar site. It is home to saltwater crocodiles, migratory birds, and various plant species. The mangroves provide coastal protection and support local fishing communities.

* Marakkanam Salt Pans: Marakkanam, in Tamil Nadu, is one of India's largest salt-producing regions. The salt pans are a major source of salt production, and the area also attracts migratory birds, including flamingos.

* Naupada Swamp: Located in Andhra Pradesh, is an important wetland for migratory birds and aquatic life. The swamp supports a wide variety of wildlife, including endangered species like the smooth-coated otter.

* Statement 1 is incorrect: NABARD began promoting self-help groups in 1991-1992. And it served as the actual launch pad for the SHG movement. The Reserve Bank of India additionally permitted SHGs to open savings bank accounts in 1993.

* Statement 2 is correct: The Banks provide the loan to the Self-Help Group as a whole and it is the collective responsibility of the SHG to repay that loan. Hence all members of a group take responsibility for a loan that an individual member takes. Further, the SHG may decide to not provide any share in further loans to the defaulter member.

* Statement 3 is correct: The Financial Inclusion Fund scheme to support Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) for enabling Dual Authentication options in the micro ATMs for SHG transactions is being launched to provide an enabling eco-system for the SHGs to seamlessly operate at Business Correspondent points with the proposed Dual Authentication feature. Thus, it can be said that SCBs and RRBs support the SHGs in availing the credits as per their needs.

The Assertion is Correct: Carbon markets, such as Cap-and-Trade systems and voluntary offset markets, are recognized under the Paris Agreement (Article 6) as essential market-based tools to incentivize emission reductions by putting a price on carbon.

The Reason is Correct: Carbon markets often involve the transfer of resources from the private sector to the State, especially when governments auction emission allowances or permits, thereby generating public revenue from private emitters.

Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I because the widespread adoption of carbon markets is driven by their ability to achieve climate targets at the lowest economic cost through market flexibility, rather than the specific fiscal mechanism of transferring funds to the State.

* Pair 1 is correctly matched: The Official Secrets Act, 1923 prohibits a person from using or wearing, without lawful authority, any naval, military, air force, police, or other official uniform, or any uniform so nearly resembling the same as to be calculated to deceive, or falsely represents himself to be a person who is or has been entitled to use or wear any such uniform

* Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: It is under The Official Secrets Act, 1923, that no person in the vicinity of any prohibited place shall obstruct, knowingly mislead, or otherwise interfere with or impede, any police officer, or any member of 21 [the Armed Forces of the Union] engaged on guard, sentry, patrol or other similar duty in relation to the prohibited place.

* Pair 3 is correctly matched: The Arms Act Amendment of 2019 adds news offenses such as forcefully taking a firearm from police or armed forces and using firearms in a celebratory gunfire which endangers human life or the personal safety of others.

* The Nagoya Protocol is an international agreement that addresses the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilisation of genetic resources. It is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and specifically focuses on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from their utilisation.

* Statement 1 is correct: In India, the Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) are indeed key to the realisation of the objectives of the Nagoya Protocol. The Nagoya Protocol aims at sharing the benefits arising from the utilisation of genetic resources in a fair and equitable way. BMCs play a crucial role in this by ensuring that local communities have a say in the access to and use of these resources.

* Statement 2 is correct: The Biodiversity Management Committees also have important functions in determining access and benefit sharing. They have the power to levy collection fees on the access of biological resources within their jurisdiction. This is part of their role in managing and conserving biodiversity, and ensuring that the benefits derived from the use of these resources are shared equitably.

Therefore, both statements are correct.

* Statement 1 is incorrect: So far only 163 countries have adopted the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), the United States, Hungary, Israel, Czech Republic and Poland are some of the countries that voted against the compact.

* Statement 2 is incorrect: The GCM is not legally binding on UN member countries. It's a non-legally binding framework for cooperation.

* Statement 3 is incorrect: The GCM primarily focuses on international migration, not internal displacement.

* Statement 1 is incorrect: The hoisting/use/display of the Indian National Flag is governed by the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, and the Flag Code of India, 2002. The flag code states that the tricolour can be of nine standard dimensions however 600mm x 400mm is not one of them.

* Statement 2 is correct: The National Flag shall be rectangular in shape and the ratio of the length to the height (width) of the Flag shall be 3:2.

Pair 1 is Incorrect: Donbas is a historical and industrial region in eastern Ukraine, comprising the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. It has been a primary theater of conflict between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists/Russian forces.

Pair 2 is Incorrect: Kachin State is the northernmost state of Myanmar. It has been the site of long-standing conflict between the Myanmar military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) seeking ethnic autonomy.

Pair 3 is Incorrect: Tigray is the northernmost region of Ethiopia. Since 2020, it has been the center of a major civil conflict involving the Ethiopian federal government, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), and neighboring Eritrea.

* Satellite navigation is based on the use of range measurements between navigational satellites and the user. Information about the satellite's coordinates is given to the user through a navigation signal. Range measurements are based on the calculation of the receiving signal time delay compared with the signals generated by the user equipment.

* Currently, there are four global systems viz., GPS from the USA, GLONASS from Russia, Galileo from the European Union, and BeiDou from China. In addition, there are two regional systems viz., NavIC from India and QZSS from Japan.

* Global navigation system caters to the users in the entire world, whereas the regional navigation system caters to the users in the limited service area.

Hence, option (D) is the correct answer.

* 'Vattakirutal' as mentioned in Sangam poems is best explained by a king defeated in a battle who commits ritual suicide by starving himself to death.

* Sangam poems reflect a strong warrior culture in ancient Tamil society. Kings and warriors were expected to display courage and honour.

* Defeat in battle was considered a significant dishonour. Hence, Vattakirutal allowed a defeated king to avoid the humiliation of capture by the enemy.

* This form of suicide through starving was a ritualistic act, demonstrating the king's commitment to his honour and his unwillingness to compromise his dignity.

Statement-I is incorrect: The temperature contrast between land and ocean is actually greater in winter, not in summer. In winter, land loses heat quickly and becomes much colder, while the ocean retains heat and stays relatively warm → large contrast. In summer, both land and ocean warm up, but the difference is less pronounced compared to winter → smaller contrast.

Statement-II is correct: Water has a higher specific heat capacity than land. It heats up and cools down more slowly, which explains why oceans have a moderating influence on temperature.

* The ruler of medieval Gujarat who surrendered Diu to the Portuguese was Sultan Bahadur Shah. Diu was an important port city strategically located on the western coast of India, and its surrender to the Portuguese in 1535 marked a significant event in the history of Portuguese colonial expansion in India.

* This was done to seek Portuguese military assistance against his rival Humayun, the Mughal emperor. As a result, the Portuguese established a strong foothold in Diu, turning it into a significant strategic and trading post.

National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports.

* Pair 1 is correctly matched: Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance over the previous four years.

* Pair 2 is not correctly matched: Arjuna Award for outstanding performance in Sports and Games is given for good performance over the previous four years and showing qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline.

* Pair 3 is correctly matched: Dronacharya Award is given to coaches for doing outstanding and meritorious work consistently and enabling sportspersons to excel in International events.

* Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sports and Games is given to honour sportspersons who have contributed to sports through their performance and continue to contribute to the promotion of sports events after their retirement.

* Pair 4 is not correctly matched: Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar is given to corporate entities (both in the private and public sector), sports control boards, and NGOs including sports bodies at the state and national level who have played a visible role in the area of sports promotion and development.

* Statement I is incorrect: The soil in tropical rainforests is not rich in nutrients. The heavy rainfall in these regions washes away the nutrients from the soil, preventing them from accumulating.

* Statement II is correct: In tropical rainforests, high temperature and humidity help dead plants and animals decompose quickly. The warmth and moisture create the perfect conditions for bacteria and fungi, which are tiny organisms that break down dead material. These decomposers work faster in such an environment, turning dead matter into nutrients that go back into the soil to support new plant growth.

Therefore, Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.

* Carbon fibres are highly valued for their unique properties like strength, lightness, and stiffness. They are widely used in the manufacturing of various components in automobiles and aircraft to reduce weight and improve performance.

* Carbon Fiber Recycling: While traditional carbon fibre recycling methods were limited, advancements are being made in this field. Here are some possibilities

1. Mechanical recycling - This process breaks down carbon fibres into smaller pieces for use in applications where their original form is not necessary.

2. Chemical recycling -This method dissolves the resin holding the fibres together, potentially allowing the extraction of reusable carbon fibres.

3. Thermal recycling - High temperatures are used to convert the resin into usable materials while recovering the carbon fibres.

* These recycling technologies are still evolving, but they offer a more sustainable approach to using carbon fibres. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

Statement 1 is correct: It was India's first time hosting the Chess Olympiad (held near Chennai/Mamallapuram, 28 July–9 August 2022). Supporting facts: first-ever Olympiad torch relay across multiple Indian cities; record participation with close to 190 teams in Open and over 160 in Women's; as host, India fielded multiple teams in each section.

Statement 2 is correct: The official mascot was 'Thambi' (Tamil for "younger brother"). Supporting facts: chosen to reflect Tamil Nadu's culture and hospitality; widely used in event branding, promotions, and public outreach.

Statement 3 is not correct: The Open section winners receive the Hamilton–Russell Cup, not the Vera Menchik Cup. Clarification: Hamilton–Russell Cup is the historic team trophy of the Open section (perpetual trophy retained by the winning federation until the next Olympiad).

Statement 4 is not correct: The Women's section winners receive the Vera Menchik Cup, not the Hamilton–Russell Cup. Clarification: the trophy honours Vera Menchik, the first Women's World Chess Champion; awarded to the Women's section winners.