Ans: A

Exp: 

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the sixth Quad Leaders’ Summit in Wilmington, Delaware on 21 September 2024, hosted by the President of the United States of America

About Quad grouping:

• • Statement 1 is correct: The QUAD, short for the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, is a strategic forum comprising the United States, India, Japan, and Australia. 
    • This alliance focuses on maintaining a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. 
    • The QUAD countries collaborate on various issues, including security, economic development, and technological advancements.
  • Statement 2 is incorrect: Objective of the QUAD: To counterbalance the influence of China in the Indo-Pacific region and promote democratic values and principles.
  • Formation of the QUAD: Traced back to 2007 when the first informal meeting took place. 
    • However, it was in 2017 that the dialogue was formalized, giving it a more structured and consistent approach. 
  • Headquarters: The QUAD does not have a formal headquarters. 
    • The member countries host meetings and summits on a rotational basis.

• Summits:

• • Statement 3 is incorrect: The next Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting will be hosted by the United States in 2025 
  • The next Quad Leaders’ Summit hosted by India in 2025.

Ans: A

Exp:

The ongoing GDP series is due for revision. Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) is one of the key indicators of capital formation in an economy. 

About Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF):

• Statement 1 is correct: Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) refers to the growth in the size of fixed capital in an economy. 
  • Fixed capital refers to assets like buildings and machinery that require investment to be created. 
  • Government GFCF includes capital formation as a result of government investment.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Developed economies such as the U.S. possess more fixed capital per capita than developing economies such as India.

Ans: B

Exp:

Azerbaijan, the host of this year’s climate change conference, COP29, has proposed to launch a new climate fund for developing countries.

Loss and Damage Fund

• The ‘Loss and Damage’ (L&D) fund is a financial mechanism designed to address the irreversible consequences of climate change that cannot be avoided or mitigated through adaptation efforts. 
• Pair 1 is correctly matched: Created at COP27 at Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, in 2022.

Green Climate Fund (GCF)

• Green Climate Fund (GCF) was established to limit or reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in developing countries and to help vulnerable societies adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change.
• Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Created at COP 16 held in Cancun, Mexico in 2010.

Adaptation Fund:

• The Adaptation Fund was established to finance concrete adaptation projects and programmes in developing country Parties to the Kyoto Protocol that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
• Pair 3 is correctly matched: Created at COP7, held at Marrakech, Morocco in 2001.

Ans: C

Exp: 

The Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA) foundation recently announced that it has launched India’s first comprehensive cancer multi-omics data portal.

About ICGA cancer multi-omics data portal:

• The India Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA) Foundation has launched India’s first cancer multi-omics data portal. Option (a) is correct.
• This platform provides open access to data specifically from Indian cancer patients, making it a significant tool for cancer research in the country.
• The portal offers clinically correlated data aimed at advancing research and improving cancer treatments for Indian populations.
• It is the first of its kind in India to provide integrated DNA, RNA, and protein profiles of breast cancer patients, alongside their clinical outcomes.
• Initially, the platform hosts data from 50 breast cancer patients, with plans to expand the dataset to over 500 patients within a year.
• The data is accessible to researchers globally under India’s PRIDE guidelines, which foster ethical data sharing and collaboration in cancer research.

Ans: C

Exp:

President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the 16th Assembly of ASOSAI in New Delhi on September 24, 2024. 

About ASOSAI (Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions):

• • ASOSAI is one of the regional groups of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI).
    • It focuses on fostering cooperation and improving public audit standards in Asia.
  • Statement 1 is correct: Founded: Established in 1979, with 11 member SAIs; membership has since grown to 48 SAIs.
  • Proposal: First proposed by Mr. Tantuico, Chairman of the SAI of the Philippines, during the 9th INTOSAI Congress (October 1977, Lima, Peru).
  • Charter Signing: In September 1978, 9 Asian SAIs signed the ASOSAI Charter in Berlin, West Germany.
  • Statement 3 is correct: First Assembly: Held in May 1979 in New Delhi, India, where the rules and regulations were approved.

• Vision of ASOSAI:

• • Promote understanding and cooperation among member institutions through exchange of ideas and experiences in public audit.
  • Provide training and continuing education for government auditors to enhance quality and performance.
  • Serve as a center of information and as a regional link with other global audit institutions.
  • Foster closer collaboration and brotherhood among auditors in member institutions and regional groups.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: ASOSAI’s mission includes promoting research, education, and collaboration, but not providing financial aid to members.