Ans: A

Exp:

Recently, India signed a major currency swap agreement under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Currency Swap Framework, with the Maldives for $750 million to help the island nation tide over its current foreign currency crunch.

About South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Currency Swap Framework:

• • The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Currency Swap Framework is a financial arrangement between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and SAARC member countries to provide financial stability and support for short-term foreign exchange needs 
  • Statement 1 is correct: Objective: To provide a backstop line of funding for short-term foreign exchange liquidity requirements or balance of payment crises of member countries.
    • It also aims to strengthen economic ties and financial stability within the SAARC region.
  • Statement 2 is correct: Launched: First came into operation on November 15, 2012.
  • Statement 3 is not correct: The currency swap window will be available to all SAARC member countries, provided they sign bilateral agreements.
  • Statement 4 is not correct: Under the Framework for 2024-27, a separate INR Swap Window has been introduced with various concessions for swap support in Indian Rupee.
    • The RBI will continue to offer swap arrangements in US dollar and euro under a separate window with an overall corpus of $2 billion. 

• India-Maldives: 

• • Signed between the Reserve Bank of India and the Maldives Monetary Authority
  • Swap arrangement: $400 million and an additional ₹3,000 crore ($357 million). 
  • Availability: Available until 2027. 
  • It enables payments between the two countries to be made in different currencies.

Ans: B

Exp: 

Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun have been jointly awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology 2024 for the discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation.

About MicroRNA, or miRNA:

• • Statement 1 is not correct: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non‐coding Ribonucleic Acids (RNAs).
  • It is crucial for regulating gene expression.
    • Gene expression refers to the production of protein from a gene, which can be too much, too little, or at normal levels.

• Function: 

• • • Statement 2 is correct: miRNAs regulate gene expression by binding to complementary sequences in mRNA molecules. 
    • They can silence mRNA molecules by cleaving the mRNA strand, destabilising the mRNA, or reducing translation of the mRNA into proteins.

• Structure:

• • miRNAs are found in cells and bloodstream.
  • They consist of around 21 to 24 nucleotides, smaller than messenger RNAs (mRNAs), which guide protein synthesis.

Ans: C

Exp: 

The population of wild asses in Gujarat has been estimated at 7,672, as per the 10th Wild Ass Population Estimation (WAPE) conducted by the Gujarat government earlier this year. 

About Indian wild ass:

• • Statement 1 is correct: The Indian wild ass, also known as the Indian onager, is a subspecies native to Southern Asia, specifically from the onager family. 
  • In the local Gujarati dialect, it is commonly referred to as the Ghudkhur or Khur.
  • Distribution: In the past, they could be found in North-West India, Pakistan, and even in Central Asia. 
    • Statement 2 is not correct: Now they are found only in the Rann of Kutch (Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary).

• Conservation: 

• • Statement 3 is correct: Protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act.
  • IUCN Status: Near Threatened

Ans: D

Exp: 

India’s power regulator Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) recently appointed a Single Member Bench to look into aspects relating to preparedness of power managers and other stakeholders to meet the challenges arising on account of a sudden surge in power demand.

About Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC):

• • Statement 1 is not correct: CERC was initially constituted under the Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998 on 24th July, 1998.
    • It is a statutory body functioning under sec – 76 of the Electricity Act 2003.
  • Composition: A Chairperson and four other members including the Chairperson, Central Electricity Authority (ex-officio Member of the Commission).

• Functions:

• • Statement 2 is not correct: To regulates the tariffs of power generating companies in India, including govt owned and private companies;
  • to regulate the inter-State transmission of electricity ;
  • to determine tariff for inter-State transmission of electricity;
  • to issue licences to persons to function as transmission licensee and electricity trader with respect to their inter-State operations;
  • Improve access to information for all stakeholders.
  • to adjudicate upon disputes involving generating companies or transmission licensee
• Statement 3 is correct: CERC also frames appropriate regulation for facilitating cross border trade of electricity with neighbouring countries

Ans: B

Exp: 

Hurricane Milton went from barely hurricane strength to a dangerous Category 5 storm in less than 24 hours as it headed across the Gulf of Mexico towards Florida.

Rapid intensification (RI)

• Rapid Intensification (RI): Defined by the U.S. National Weather Service as an increase in a tropical cyclone’s maximum sustained wind speed by at least 30 knots (~35 mph) within 24 hours.
  • This can escalate a storm from Category 1 to Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale in a short period.

Causes of Rapid Intensification:

• Option 3 is correct: Ocean Heat:

• • • Warm sea surface temperatures, especially when warm water extends into deeper layers, provide energy for storms to intensify.
    • Example: In the Gulf of Mexico, sea surface temperatures were 30°C (86°F) during Hurricane Milton’s intensification.

• Option 1 is not correct: Wind Shear:

• • • Wind shear refers to changes in wind speed or direction with height. 
    • Low wind shear allows storms to organise and grow, while strong wind shear can disrupt them.

• Option 4 is not correct: Salinity:

• • • Warmer sea surface temperatures and lower salinity increase moisture availability for storms, fueling intensification.
    • Lower salinity traps heat at the surface, enhancing storm strength.

• Option 2 is correct: Thunderstorm Activity:

• • Bursts of intense thunderstorms within the cyclone can reorganise its circulation, accelerating intensification.

Hence, option B is correct.