Option (c) is correct.

Explanation:

Instead of improving the quality of all the indigenous breeds the Rashtriya Gokul Mission has ended up promoting only one indigenous variety, the Gir cow, across the country. 

The Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM):

• The Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) has been implemented for development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds. 
  • Bovines are a subfamily of bovids, which are a biological family that includes cows, oxen, goats, sheep, bison, and buffalo. 
• It is under the aegis of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
• The scheme is also continued under the umbrella scheme Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Yojna from 2021 to 2026. 
• The scheme comprises two components namely: National Programme for Bovine Breeding (NPBB) and National Mission on Bovine Productivity (NMBP).
• Objectives of Rashtriya Gokul Mission:
  • To enhance productivity of bovines and increasing milk production in a sustainable manner using advance technologies.
  • To propagate use of high genetic merit bulls for breeding purposes.
  • To enhance Artificial insemination coverage through strengthening breeding network and delivery of Artificial insemination services at farmers doorstep.
  • To promote indigenous cattle & buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and holistic manner.

Option (a) is correct.

Explanation:

The trilateral grouping of India, Iran and Armenia has the potential to balance the Pakistan-Azerbaijan-Turkey axis, which has gained momentum with several engagements between Islamabad and Baku.

• Armenia has proposed Persian Gulf-Black Sea corridor via Iran to connect Indian traders with Russia and Europe.
• Pakistan is also expanding its energy ties with Azerbaijan, which is rich in oil and natural gas resources. While Turkey and Azerbaijan share close political and military ties, Pakistan has been stepping up its engagement with Azerbaijan. This includes frequent exchange of high-level visits.

Option (d) is correct.

Explanation:

According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) latest World Energy Outlook (WEO), India will see the largest energy demand growth of any country or region in the world over the next three decades. 

• The IEA releases the WEO annually which provides in-depth analysis and strategic insights into every aspect of the global energy system. 
• The analysis explores different scenarios that reflect current real-world conditions
• The IEA was established in 1974 within the framework of the OECD. 
• Primary Mission: Promote energy security among its member countries, which are mostly industrialized and oil-importing nations. 

Option (c) is correct. 

Explanation:

 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $400-million loan to India for an urban infrastructure project as part of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (Amrut) 2.0.

• ADB assists its members, and partners, by providing loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments to promote social and economic development.

• Statement I is correct: Since its establishment in 1966 with 31 members, the ADB has expanded to include 68 members, which include India, China, Mongolia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka.
• Statement II is not correct: ADB has members from within Asia and outside Asia including Australia, North America, etc. Thus, the membership of ADB is also open to countries situated in continents other than Asia.

Option (b) is correct.

Explanation:

Cloud seeding experiments conducted in Maharashtra’s Solapur region resulted in 18% more rainfall than usual, as per a study published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society (BAMS). 

• Statement 1 is not correct: Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that improves a cloud’s ability to produce rain or snow by introducing tiny ice nuclei into certain types of subfreezing clouds. These nuclei provide a base for snowflakes to form. 
• Statement 2 is correct: Clouds are made up of tiny water droplets or ice crystals that form when water vapor in the atmosphere cools and condenses around a tiny particle of dust or salt floating in the atmosphere. 
  • Without these particles, known as condensation or ice nuclei, raindrops or snowflakes cannot form and precipitation will not occur.
  • Most cloud seeding operations use a compound called silver iodide (AgI) to aid in the formation of ice crystals. Silver iodide exists naturally in the environment at low concentrations.