Ans: A

Exp: 

The Group of Seven (G7) countries meet for the Leaders’ Summit in Italy’s Apulia region between June 13 and 15, with the Mediterranean nation assuming the group’s presidency earlier this year.

• Statement 1 is correct: The Group was established as a platform for economic and financial cooperation in response to the 1973 energy crisis. 
  • The G7 originated from a 1973 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors in Paris, France. 
  • This meeting was convened in response to major economic challenges of at time – an oil crisis, rising inflation and collapse of the Bretton Woods system. Under this, the value of the US dollar was fixed against gold.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Over the years, the G7 has evolved from an economic forum to a platform which aims to address a range of global challenges. While it lacks a permanent administrative structure, the G7 rotates its presidency annually and the presidency serves as a temporary secretariat. 
  • Since 1977, representatives of the European Economic Community, now the European Union, also participate in the work of the Group. The EU does not hold the rotating presidency of the G7. 
• Statement 3 is incorrect: The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal forum that brings together Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. 
  • The first Summit of Heads of State and Government was held in 1975 in Rambouillet, France. It included France, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and Italy.  
  • In 1976, with the admission of Canada, the G7 took its current configuration. The G7 expanded into the G8 between 1997 and 2013, with the inclusion of Russia. However, Russia’s participation was suspended in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea.  

Ans: D

Exp: 

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: In its latest Global Economic Prospects report, the World Bank has upwardly revised India’s GDP growth forecast for the current financial year 2024-25 by 20 basis points to 6.6 percent.

• Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: The World Economic Situation and Prospects is a report produced by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), in partnership with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the five United Nations regional commissions. 
• Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: The World Economic Outlook (WEO) is an extensive report issued biannually by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). 
  • The WEO offers comprehensive data on output, inflation, employment, fiscal balances, and debt for member countries. 

Ans: C

Exp: 

In a promising development for the environment, a new study has reported the first significant decrease in atmospheric concentrations of potent ozone-depleting substances (ODS) known as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). This important milestone demonstrates the benefits of the Montreal Protocol for mitigating climate change and stratospheric ozone layer loss.

• Option (c) is correct: The Montreal Protocol, finalized in 1987, is a global agreement to protect the stratospheric ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS). 
  • ODS are substances that were commonly used in products such as refrigerators, air conditioners, fire extinguishers, and aerosols.
• Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS) to the Convention on Biological Diversity is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
• Kyoto Protocol operationalizes the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by committing industrialized countries and economies in transition to limit and reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions in accordance with agreed individual targets. 
• Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity is an international agreement which aims to ensure the safe handling, transport and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health.

Ans: A

Exp:

President Droupadi Murmu has rejected a mercy petition filed by Pakistani national Mohammed Arif who was sentenced to death for the December 22, 2000 terrorist attack at the Red Fort in which three people including two Army jawans were killed.

• Statement 1 is correct: Article 72 of the Constitution empowers the President to grant pardons to persons who have been tried and convicted of any offence. 
  • The pardoning power of the President is independent of the Judiciary; it is an executive power. But, the President while exercising this power, does not sit as a court of appeal.

• • Statement 2 and 3 are incorrect: The Supreme Court examined the pardoning power of the President under different cases and laid down the following principles:

• The petitioner for mercy has no right to an oral hearing by the President.

• • • The President can examine the evidence afresh and take a view different from the view taken by the court.
    • The power is to be exercised by the President on the advice of the union cabinet.
    • The President is not bound to give reasons for his order.
    • The President can afford relief not only from a sentence that he regards as unduly harsh but also from an evident mistake.
    • There is no need for the Supreme Court to lay down specific guidelines for the exercise of power by the President.
    • The exercise of power by the President is not subject to judicial review except where the presidential decision is arbitrary, irrational, mala fide or discriminatory.

• Where the earlier petition for mercy has been rejected by the President, stay cannot be obtained by filing another petition.

Ans: A

Exp:

Context:

Recently, International Fatty Liver Day was celebrated,  Theme for 2024 – ‘Act Now, Screen Today‘.

• This special day highlights a fatty liver disease that impacts about 1 in 4 people worldwide.

About Fatty Liver Disease:

• Fatty liver disease occurs when fat accumulates in the liver.
• Excessive fat in the liver can lead to inflammation, causing damage and scarring.
• In severe situations, this scarring can result in liver failure.

Risk Factors for Fatty Liver Disease:  

• Fatty Liver Disease (FLD) is closely associated with several risk factors, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, genetic factors, and excessive alcohol consumption. 
• However, high blood pressure is not directly associated as a risk factor for FLD, thus option (a) is correct