Ans: B

Exp:

The recent outbreak reported in the first week of December 2024 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has claimed over 400 lives and remains unclassified, has raised concerns that it could be an instance of Disease X. This unsettling event has reignited discussions about “Disease X.” 

• Statement 1 is correct: The World Health Organization (WHO) coined the term in 2018 to describe an unknown pathogen that could potentially unleash a devastating epidemic or pandemic. It was conceptualised by the WHO to prepare for future outbreaks that are difficult to predict or identify. 
  • In short, Disease X is a term used by the WHO to represent an unknown pathogen that could cause a future pandemic.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: While zoonotic diseases are a potential source of Disease X, the term also accounts for other types of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and prions.
• Statement 3 is correct: Disease X embodies both “known unknowns” (threats we are aware of but don’t fully understand) and “unknown unknowns” (threats we aren’t aware of).

Ans: C

Exp:

Recently, the Minister of Cooperation informed the Lok Sabha about the Yuva Sahakar Scheme.

• Statement 1 is correct: The scheme was launched in 2018 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
• Statements 2 and 3 are correct: “Yuva Sahakar – Cooperative Enterprise Support and Innovation Scheme” is being implemented by National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), a statutory corporation under the administrative control of the Ministry of Cooperation, across the country, with the aim to encourage newly formed cooperative societies with new and/or innovative ideas. 
  • The scheme aims to promote the formation of new cooperative societies and encourage innovative ideas from young entrepreneurs.
• Features and Provisions
  • Loan Tenure → Up to 5 years.
  • Interest Subvention → 2% subvention on the applicable interest rate for term loans related to project activities.
  • Subsidy Integration → Loans can be combined with subsidies available under other GOI schemes.
  • Provides more incentives to the cooperatives working in the North-Eastern region and the aspirational districts.

Ans: A

Exp: Recently, members of the Lingayat Panchamasali community staged roadblocks and demonstrations in the districts of Dharwad, Gadag and Haveri and also others condemning the police lathi-charge on the members of the community in Belagavi during a protest over reservation.

• Statement 1 is correct: The Lingayat community is officially classified as a Hindu sub-caste under the name ‘Veerashaiva Lingayats’.
  • Lingayat community consists of various sub-castes, with the agriculturalist Panchamasalis being the largest, making up nearly 70% of the Lingayat population and approximately 14% of Karnataka’s total population.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: The Lingayats challenged the idea of caste and the “pollution” attributed to certain groups by Brahmanas. 
  • They also questioned the theory of rebirth.
  • These are followers of Basavanna, a 12th century philosopher-saint who started a radical anti-caste movement which rejected orthodox ritualistic Hindu practices in favour of a more personal, affective relationship with God, specifically Lord Shiva.
• About Basavana
  • Hindu Shaivite social reformer during the reign of the Kalyani Chalukya/Kalachuri dynasty
  • Founder of Lingayatism.
  • In Kalyana → Kalachurya king Bijjala (1157-1167, AD) appointed Basaveshwara as a karanika (Accountant) in the initial stage, in his court and later as the Prime minister.
  • Main Teachings → His spiritual discipline was based on the principles of Arivu (true knowledge), Achara (right conduct), and Anubhava (divine experience) 
  • Advocates a holistic approach to Lingangayoga (union with the divine).
  • Comprehensive discipline encompasses bhakti (devotion), jnana (knowledge), and kriya (action) in a well-balanced manner.

Ans: A

Exp: Recently, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has highlighted significant delays, violations, and lapses in the enforcement of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011, in Tamil Nadu.

• Statement 1 is correct: CRZ-I covers ecologically sensitive areas like mangroves, coral reefs, and biosphere reserves.
• Statement 2 is correct: No new construction shall be permitted in CRZ-I except projects relating to the Department of Atomic Energy & Construction of trans-harbour sea link and roads without affecting the tidal flow of water, between Low Tide Line and High Tide Line etc.
• Between Low Tide Line and High Tide Line in areas which are not ecologically sensitive, the following may be permitted:
  • Exploration and extraction of natural gas
  • Construction of basic amenities  for traditional inhabitants living within the biosphere reserves;
  • Salt harvesting by solar evaporation of seawater
  • Desalination plants
  • Storage of non-hazardous cargo such as edible oil, fertilizers within notified ports
• Statement 3 is correct: CRZ-II → Areas which are developed up to the shoreline and falling within the municipal limits, includes built-up areas – Villages and Towns are that are already well established.
  • Buildings are permissible on the landward side of the hazardous line.
  • Other activities such as desalination plants are also permissible.
• Statement 4 is incorrect: CRZ-III → Areas that are relatively undisturbed and do not fall under either in Category I or II and also include rural and urban areas that are not substantially developed.
  • Between 0-200 metres from the High Tide Line is a No Development Zone where no construction shall be permitted.
• CRZ-IV → Aquatic area from low tide line up to territorial limits is classified as CRZ-IV including the area of the tidal influenced water body.
  • No restriction on the traditional fishing undertaken by local communities.
  • No untreated sewage or solid waste shall be let off or dumped in these areas.

Ans: B

Exp: According to the National Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Portal, from 2014 to 2023, ₹1.84 lakh crore of CSR funds were disbursed.

• Statement 1 is correct: India became the first country to legally mandate CSR (in 2014)
• Statement 2 is correct: Under the Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014, any activity benefiting employees of the company shall not be considered as eligible CSR activity. 
  • Any activity designed exclusively for the benefit of employees shall be considered as an “activity benefiting employees” and will not qualify as permissible CSR expenditure. 
• Statement 3 is incorrect: The Ministry of Corporate Affairs is the concerned ministry for CSR, not the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Statement 4 is incorrect: Section 135 of the Companies Act 2013 (Act), mandates that certain companies must allocate at least 2% of their average net profits from the preceding three financial years towards CSR activities.