Ans: d

Exp: 

Statement 1 is correct: Nipah Virus is a zoonotic virus. 

• The first outbreaks of the Nipah virus among humans was reported from Malaysia (1998) and Singapore (1999).
• The animal host reservoir for this virus is known to be the fruit bat, commonly known as flying fox. 

Statement 2 is correct: Currently, there are no approved vaccines for both humans and animals. 

• Intensive supportive care is given to humans infected by Nipah virus.

Ans. b

Exp: 

Under Operation ’Sadbhav’ the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force are helping countries severely hit by Typhoon Yagi. 

• Recently, India sent urgent relief materials to Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam under an operation ’Sadbhav’ to assist them in dealing with the impact of a major typhoon.

Ans: a

Exp: 

Dabba Calling is a new extortion technique in which gangsters are now allegedly placing extortion calls to the victims. 

• This method is now posing a major problem for cops in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi.
• In most of these cases, the henchman and the gang leader are allegedly in two different locations, even different countries, and make Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) — or simply Internet — calls.

Extortion is a criminal act in which someone threatens to harm someone else, their reputation, or their property unless a demand is met. 

• This demand is typically for money, but it can also be for other things, such as information or a favour.

Ans: d

Exp:

Delhi recently hosted a unique event focused on the conservation, restoration, and governance of common resources like forests, community lands, and water bodies.

About Commons:

• Commons are resources not owned by individuals or the government but shared by the community.
• Examples: Forests, ponds, grazing lands, rivers, sacred sites, and urban parks.
  
• Intangible Commons: Include language, folk art, traditions, and knowledge.
• Global Commons: Polar regions, outer space, and other planetary bodies are shared by all and not owned by any country. Option (d) is correct.
• Digital Commons: Internet resources and open-source software are also considered 
• • • Commons.
      

• Commons in India
  • About one-fourth of India’s land, roughly 205 million acres, is considered Commons.
  • These Commons support around 350 million rural people and generate an estimated Rs 6.6 lakh crore annually in economic value.

Ans: c

Exp: 

The GST Council constituted a 13-member Group of Ministers (GoM) to suggest a GST rate on premiums of various health and life insurance products and submit its report by October 30.

About GST Council

• Statement 1 is correct: It is a constitutional body formed under Article 279A(1), enacted by the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act.
• Statement 2 is correct: According to Article 279A(4), the GST Council recommends the GST rates for the Union and the States.
• Composition of GST Council (Article 279A(2)): The GST Council brings together representatives from the Centre and the States to oversee the nationwide implementation of GST. Its membership includes:
  • Chairperson: Union Finance Minister
  • Member: Union Minister of State in charge of Revenue or finance
  • Members nominated by each State Government, typically in charge of finance or taxation
  • Vice-Chairperson elected from among the Council members (Article 279A(3))
• : The GST rates are jointly determined by the states and the central government during GST Council meetings.
  • Statement 3 is correct: The GST Council requires at least half of its total members to be present to conduct a meeting. 
  • Decisions are made based on a majority of no less than three-fourths of the weighted votes of members present and voting. 
  • The central government’s vote carries a weight of one-third of the total votes cast, while all states collectively hold the remaining two-thirds weightage.