Ans: C

Exp: 

The Union Home Ministry recently declared Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT) a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

About Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA):

• Statement 1 is correct: Section 38 of the UAPA requires a person who “associates himself, or professes to be associated, with a terrorist organisation with intention to further its activities, commits an offence relating to membership of a terrorist organisation” is punishable with imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years.
  • However, such individuals are exempted from the provision if they have been members before the organisation was declared a terrorist organisation and did not take part in any activities of the organisation at any time during its inclusion in the Schedule.
• Statement 2 is correct: The UAPA under Section 24A also provides for forfeiture of proceeds of terrorism. The law states that even if the person is not convicted for being associated with a terrorist organisation, “proceeds of terrorism” can be forfeited to the Central Government or the State Government.

Ans: D

Exp: 

Plant cover across the Antarctic Peninsula, a long, mountainous extension of Antarctica that points north towards South America, has increased more than 10 times over the past few decades due to rising temperatures, a new study says.

Factors contributing to the vegetation in the Antarctic:

• Statement 1 is correct: Decrease in sea ice extent: The reduction in sea ice has led to warmer, wetter conditions in the Antarctic Peninsula, which favours the growth of vegetation. 
  • Warmer open seas may increase moisture availability, promoting plant life, especially mosses and lichens. Therefore, this factor contributes to the increase in vegetation.
• Statement 2 is correct: Increase in air and ground temperatures: Rising temperatures in the Antarctic Peninsula, warming five times faster than the global average, are a key driver of vegetation growth. 
  • Higher temperatures create a more favourable environment for plant life to spread in regions that were previously too cold.
• Statement 3 is correct: Enhanced soil fertility due to warmer conditions: The increase in plant life, particularly mosses, leads to the accumulation of organic matter, which helps in soil formation. 
  • This soil formation, though still in its early stages, provides a better environment for plant growth, supporting further greening.

Ans: A

Exp: 

For over a decade, Shankar (a 29-year-old African elephant), a diplomatic gift from Zimbabwe,  lived a solitary life, spending his days in an enclosure at Delhi’s National Zoological Park, without the company of another elephant.

Pair 1 is correctly matched: African Savanna Elephant: IUCN Status: Endangered

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: African Forest Elephant: IUCN Status: Critically Endangered

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Asian Elephants: IUCN Status: Endangered

Ans: B

Exp: 

To encourage wider adoption of the unified payments interface (UPI), the RBI on Thursday announced an increase in transaction limits on UPI123 and UPI Lite.

About UPI 123: 

• Statement 1 is correct: UPI 123 was introduced to enable feature-phone users to make UPI transactions:
  • UPI 123 was launched in March 2022 to enable feature-phone users (those without smartphones) to use UPI for digital payments. This initiative aims to promote financial inclusion for users who do not have access to smartphones or internet connectivity.
• Statement 2 is not correct: The initial per-transaction limit for UPI123Pay was ₹10,000, which has now been increased to ₹20,000.

Ans: A

Exp:

World Post Day, celebrated annually on October 9, highlights the significant role of the postal system in daily life, global communication, and economic development. 

About World Post Day

• Statement 1 is correct: World Post Day is celebrated every year on October 9.
• Statement 2 is correct: World Post Day commemorates the establishment of the Universal Postal Union (UPU).
• Statement 3 is incorrect: The UPU was established in 1874, not 1974, and it was founded in Bern, Switzerland, not Geneva.