Option (c) is correct

Explanation:

• River Krishna rises from the Western Ghats in the Satara district of Maharashtra near Mahabaleshwar. 
• Its left bank tributaries are Bhima, Dindi, Peddavagu, Musi, Paleru, Munneru, etc.
• Its right bank tributaries are Venna, Koyna, Panchganga, Dudhaganga, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Tungabhadra, etc.

Option (b) is correct

Explanation:

• The Wagner Group also known as PMC Wagner is a Russian Paramilitary Organisation.
• Dmitri Utkin, a former Russian army officer has been said to be the founder of this group. He is a Chechen wars veteran and a former special forces officer with the GRU, the military intelligence agency of Russia. 
• This group first witnessed action in 2014 during Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
• The symbol of the Wagner Group is the skull.
• The U.S. government has called Wagner a “proxy force” of Russia’s defence ministry.

Option (a) is correct

Explanation:

• In pursuance of the Clean Note Policy of the RBI, it has been decided to withdraw the Rs 2000 denomination banknotes from circulation.
• The Clean Note Policy was introduced in 1999 by the then RBI Governor Bimal Jalan.
• It seeks to give the public good-quality currency notes and coins with better security features, while soiled notes are withdrawn out of circulation.

Option (d) is correct

Explanation:

The Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET):

• Launched by India and the US in May 2022, and is being run by the National Security Councils of both countries.
• Under iCET, the both countries have identified six areas of cooperation which are scientific research and development, quantum and artificial intelligence, defense innovation, space, advanced telecom which would include things like 6G and semiconductors, which would include co-development and co-production, that would gradually be expanded to QUAD, then to NATO, followed by Europe and the rest of the world.

Option (c) is correct

Explanation:

• Both the given statements are correct. 
• The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, announced the First National Biotechnology Development Strategy in September 2007. The implementation of Biotech Strategy 2007 has provided an insight into the enormous opportunities.

• India’s Department of Biotechnology has released the 2021-2025 National Biotechnology Development Strategy, which envisions India as a global biomanufacturing hub by 2025. 

• While the strategy sets a target of $100 billion for the hub, it also identifies that India needs a biomanufacturing policy to achieve this aim. In designing such a policy, it will be important to recognise that India’s ambitions require external support, particularly through the Quad partners, to enable its initial development. 

Option (a) is correct

Explanation:

Option (b) is correct

Explanation:

• The INS Androth, second in a series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Shallow Water Craft. 
• It was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers. 
• Propelled by three diesel-driven water jets, these ships can attain a maximum speed of 25 knots. 
• Their primary role is to conduct anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, low intensity maritime operations and mine laying operations. 
• These ships are also capable of full-scale subsurface surveillance of coastal waters and various surface platforms and coordinated ASW operations with aircraft.

Option (b) is correct

Explanation:

• Karnataka is known as “Gandhadagudi- The Land of Sandalwood”.
• Karnataka state has a rich diversity of plant species and sandalwood is grown abundantly in the forests of Karnataka because of the ideal weather conditions. 
• Santalum album, commonly known as Indian Sandalwood, is a dry deciduous forest species native to China, India, Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines.
• It is in the vulnerable category of status in the IUCN Red List.

Option (c) is correct

Explanation:

• World Economic Outlook and Global Financial Stability Report are released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
• The Global Competitiveness Report is released by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
• The World Development Report is released by the World Bank.
• Global Wage Report Global Wage Report is released by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Option (b) is correct

Explanation:

• Swami Dayanand Saraswati was an Indian philosopher, social leader and founder of the Arya Samaj.
• Arya Samaj is a reform movement of Vedic dharma and he was the first to give the call for Swaraj as “India for Indian” in 1876.
• He took inspiration from the Vedas and considered them to be ‘India’s Rock of Ages’, the infallible and the true original seed of Hinduism. He gave the slogan “Back to the Vedas”.

Option (d) is correct

Explanation:

• Earthquake is a natural event, which is caused due to the release of energy.
• It generates waves that travel in all directions.
• The location below the earth’s surface where the earthquake starts is called the hypocentre, and the location directly above it on the surface of the earth is called the epicentre.

Option (d) is correct

Explanation:

• Sajibu Cheiraoba or Cheiraoba is considered one of the most important festivals of Manipur. 
• It is celebrated with great pomp and joy, especially by the Meiteis of the state. 
• It marks the beginning of the lunar new year for the Meiteis residing in Manipur and elsewhere.