Ans: D

Exp:

• The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) agreement presents a tremendous opportunity for President Donald Trump to solidify this multilateral partnership while advancing both the strategic interests of the U.S. and India.
• The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a connectivity project that seeks to develop a seamless infrastructure of ports, railways, roads, sea lines and pipelines to enhance trade among India, the Arabian Peninsula, the Mediterranean region and Europe. 
• It aims to capitalise on the existing trade routes between India and the Arab Gulf and the Eastern Mediterranean and Europe and build the missing infrastructure to link the Gulf and Mediterranean regions.

Ports to be Connected Under IMEC:

• India: Mundra (Gujarat), Kandla (Gujarat), and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (Navi Mumbai).
• Middle East: Fujairah, Jebel Ali, and Abu Dhabi in the UAE as well as Dammam and Ras Al Khair ports in Saudi Arabia.
• Israel: Haifa port.
• Europe: Piraeus port (Greece), Messina (Italy), and Marseille (France). Hence, Option (d) is correct.

Ans: A

Exp:

• Kerala’s martial art form Kalaripayattu has become a bone of contention ahead of the 38th edition of the National Games which is scheduled to commence from January 28 in Uttarakhand
  • The Indian Kalaripayattu Federation has accused the Indian Olympics Association (IOA) of “relegating” the martial art to the demonstration section of the event.
• Pair 1 is correctly matched: Kalaripayattu is one of the oldest martial arts in the world  with its origin in Kerala.
  • It combines combat techniques, physical training, and healing practices
  • Kalaripayattu is composed of two words:  Kalari means “Place of combat” and Payattu means “Fighting” in Malayalam.
• The Mythology credits the warrior sage Parasurama with its creation.
• Pair 2 is not correctly matched: Mardani Khel   is a martial art form of Maharashtra. It emphasises weaponry skills, especially swords, swift movements, and low stances suitable for hill ranges. 
  • Notable for using the unique Indian Pata (sword) and Vita (corded lance). It was used effectively by Shivaji against the Mughals.
• Pair 3 is not correctly matched: Cheibi Gad-ga is one of Manipur’s ancient martial arts involving sword and shield fighting. 
  • Its modified versions use a soft-leaf stick (Cheibi) encased as a sword and a leather shield. 
  • The contest occurs in a circle on a flat surface.

Ans: D

Exp:

• The Rubber Board launched iSNR (Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber) and INR Konnect during the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Rubber Act, 1947 in Kottayam, Kerala.

• These initiatives aim to enhance global competitiveness and improve domestic productivity in the rubber sector.

•  Rubber Plantation is native to the Amazon River Basin and was introduced to Asia and Africa by the British.

• Rubber is a rainfed plantation crop (except in nurseries where it needs to be regularly
• irrigated).
  • For Example: Indonesian and Malaysian archipelagos and Southern Sri Lanka have the most ideal rainfall pattern for rubber cultivation

• Statement 1 is correct: Equatorial monsoon climate prevailing in the tropics in between 10 S and 8 N latitudes is the best suited for rubber cultivation.
• Statement 2 is correct: The Rubber Board is a statutory body constituted by the Government of India.
  • Administrative Body: Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
• Statement 3 is correct: Kerala accounts for over 90% of India’s rubber production.
•  Rubber Extraction: 
  • Obtained as latex, a milky fluid tapped from the tree bark.
  • Latex is processed to produce natural rubber.

Ans: D

Exp:

The recent discovery of “dark oxygen” production in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone challenges conventional understanding of oxygen generation, which has long been tied to photosynthesis requiring sunlight. 

About Dark Oxygen:

• Oxygen that is being produced thousands of feet below the ocean surface, without any light or photosynthesis
• In July 2024 → Scientists discovered “dark” oxygen 13,100 feet deep in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean.
  • Challenges the belief → Photosynthesis is the sole source of oxygen and suggests oxygen-rich environments could exist on other planets, potentially supporting life.
  • Also hints that Oxygen production on Earth may have occurred before photosynthesis → Reshaping our understanding of life’s origins.
• Statement-I is Incorrect: Clarion-Clipperton Zone → Vast plain in the North Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Mexico, not in the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Known to hold large volumes of polymetallic nodules containing minerals used in electric vehicles and solar panels including manganese, nickel, copper, and cobalt.

• Statement-II is Correct: Polymetallic nodules contain minerals like manganese, nickel, copper, and cobalt, used in renewable energy technologies.
  • Metallic nodules on the seafloor, rich in manganese and iron → Were found to generate oxygen through electrochemical activity even in the absence of light BY splitting seawater (H2O molecules) into hydrogen and oxygen

Ans: D

Exp:

Recently, researchers from Sweden have discovered a method to reclaim infertile soil contaminated with DDT (Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane) by mixing it with biochar.

About Biochar:

• • Porous carbonaceous solid → Produced by Pyrolysis → Heating various biomass feedstocks under high temperatures in an oxygen-limited environment.
  • Statement 1 is Correct: Use in Vertical Farming → As biochar migrates vertically through the soil profile → Therefore can be used as a part of the growing medium in vertical farming. 

• Statement 2 is Correct: Prevent nitrate leaching and faecal bacteria into waterways

• Reduce  nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) emissions from soils.

• Statement 3 is Correct: When biochar is a part of the growing medium, it promotes the growth of nitrogen fixing microorganisms.

• Statement 4 is Correct: When biochar is a part of the growing- medium, it enables the growing medium to retain water for a longer time.

• • Due to its adsorption ability → Some biochars have the potential to immobilise heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, and hormones.
  • Biochar can help retain water and nutrients in the soil for the plants to take up as they grow.
• Statement 5 is Correct: It reduces soil emissions of nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄).
  • Hence, Option D is Correct.

About Di-Chloro-Di-Phenyl-Tri-Chloro-Ethane (DDT):

• • First modern synthetic insecticide → Introduced as an insecticide in 1939 → Which is a colourless, tasteless, and odourless compound → Widely used to combat agricultural pests and control diseases like malaria.
  • Impact → Degrades the soil and renders it infertile after prolonged usage
  • Recent Findings → In order to recover those infertile tracts → Swedish researchers have found that DDT-contaminated soils → When mixed with biochar → Tend to regain fertility. 

• Features and Impact:

• Persistent in the environment → Taking decades to degrade.
• DDT is a persistent organic pollutant (POP) → It was banned in the United States in 1972
• Fat-soluble → Leading to bioaccumulation in the food chain 
  • DDT tends to accumulate in the fatty tissues of both humans and animals, leading to long-term exposure
  • Played a significant role in reducing disease vectors like mosquitoes.
  • Some countries, primarily in Africa, still use DDT to control malaria and other insect-borne diseases.
• Indian scenario → India continues to produce and use DDT, primarily for controlling vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue.
  • Hindustan Insecticides Limited (HIL) is the sole manufacturer of DDT in India.
  • Found to degrade soil quality and harm ecosystems due to prolonged use.

Process → Method to Mix biochar DDT-contaminated soil

• • Contaminated soil is mixed with biochar.
  • Crops like pumpkins, legumes, and willows are planted to evaluate soil health.
  • Biochar binds DDT, preventing its entry into plants and soil organisms.

• Benefits:

• • • Restores fertility to DDT-contaminated lands → Making them cultivable.
    • Reduces ecological risks by limiting DDT exposure to organisms.
    • Economically and environmentally viable compared to conventional methods like soil removal.

• Enhances soil health and long-term carbon storage.

• Supports climate change mitigation efforts.

• • Enables growth of bioenergy crops → Addressing renewable energy needs.