Ans: A

Exp:

The Pragyan rover claims that the moon’s surface was composed of magma when it was first formed 4.5 billion years ago and lends credence to the Lunar Magma Ocean hypothesis.

About Lunar Magma Ocean: 

• The hypothesis describes a period early in the Moon’s history when its outer layer was predominantly molten. 
• This idea suggests that, soon after the Moon’s formation, its surface was covered by a global ocean of molten rock, which played a crucial role in shaping the Moon’s current structure and composition.
• Formation: Resulted from the heat generated by a Mars-sized body colliding with early Earth, leading to the Moon’s creation.
• Crystallization: As the LMO cooled, minerals crystallized, forming the Moon’s layered structure:
• Mantle: Formed by denser minerals sinking.
• Crust: Formed by lighter minerals floating, leading to the creation of the lunar highlands.
• Significance: LMO explains the Moon’s geological structure and early evolution, including volcanic activity and the formation of basins.
• Evidence: Supported by lunar rock samples from Apollo missions and remote sensing data showing a differentiated interior.

Ans: B

Exp:

The Supreme Court held in a recent judgement that not all insults and intimidatory comments aimed at a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe person would be an offence under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

SC/ST Act, 1989:

• Statement 1 is Correct: Objective: To protect the marginalised communities against discrimination and atrocities.
• Offences: The Act lists various offences relating to various patterns or behaviours inflicting criminal offences and breaking the self-respect and esteem of the scheduled castes and tribes community, which includes denial of economic, democratic, and social rights, discrimination, exploitation, and abuse of the legal process.
• Statement 2 is Incorrect: Under section 18 of the act, provision for anticipatory bail is not available to the offenders.
• Statement 3 is Correct: Punishment: Whoever, being a public servant but not being a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe, wilfully neglects his duties required to be performed by him under this Act, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to one year.

Ans: A

Exp: 

Since India is aspiring to both the ‘Bharatiya Antariksh Station’ and a full-fledged lunar programme, it requires a new launch vehicle that can deliver heavier payloads per launch than its PSLV or GSLV rockets. This is set to be the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV).

About Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk III:

• Statement 1 is Correct: Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk III is configured as a three stage vehicle with two solid strap-on motors (S200), one liquid core stage (L110) and a high thrust cryogenic upper stage (C25).
• It is the new heavy lift launch vehicle of ISRO for achieving a 4000 kg spacecraft launching capability to GTO (Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit) in a cost effective manner.

About Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV):

• Statement 2 is Incorrect: PSLV is the third generation launch vehicle of India. It is the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages. 
  • The vehicle has launched numerous Indian and foreign customer satellites. Besides, the vehicle successfully launched two spacecraft “Chandrayaan-1 in 2008 and Mars Orbiter Spacecraft in 2013” that later travelled to Moon and Mars respectively.
•  It is a four-stage vehicle with alternate solid and liquid stages.
• It has multiple satellite launch capabilities and multiple orbit capabilities.

Ans: B

Exp:

On National Space Day, it was highlighted that India’s space sector has contributed $24 billion to GDP, supported 96,000 jobs, and generated a $2.54 multiplier effect on the economy, being 2.5 times more productive than the broader industrial workforce.

About National Space Day:

• Statement 1 is Incorrect: National Space Day, observed on August 23rd, honours India’s remarkable space achievements, particularly Chandrayaan-3’s success. 
• Launched in 2023, Chandrayaan-3 marked India as the fourth nation to achieve a successful Moon landing and the first to reach its southern polar region. 
• This day underscores India’s advancements in space exploration and aims to inspire future generations to engage in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), supporting the nation’s continued space endeavours.
• Statement 2 is Correct: Theme for 2024: The 2024 theme for National Space Day is “Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga.”

Ans: D

Exp: 

This year’s Pacific Islands Forum takes place in Nuku’alofa, a breezy coastal capital still finding its feet after a calamitous volcanic eruption and tsunami in 2022.

About Pacific Islands Forum: 

• Statement 1 is Correct: The Pacific Islands Forum, established in 1971, stands as the leading political and economic policy organisation in the region. 
• Statement 2 is Correct: It includes 18 member countries: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
• The Forum’s vision is to create a Pacific region characterized by peace, harmony, security, social inclusion, and prosperity, ensuring that all Pacific people can lead free, healthy, and productive lives. It works towards this vision by promoting government cooperation, collaborating with international agencies, and representing its members’ interests.
• Statement 3 is Correct: Currently there are 21 Forum Dialogue Partners. The five founding Dialogue Partners were Canada, France, Japan, United Kingdom and the United States of America. A full list includes: Canada (1989), France (1989), Japan (1989), United Kingdom (1989), United States of America (1989), People’s Republic of China (1990), European Union (1991), Republic of Korea (1995), Malaysia (1996), Philippines (1999), Indonesia (2001), India (2002), Thailand (2004), Italy (2007), Cuba (2013), Spain (2014), Türkiye (2016), Germany (2016), Chile (2021), Norway (2021), Singapore (2021).
• The Pacific Islands Forum operates under the Framework for Pacific Regionalism, endorsed by Forum Leaders in 2014. This framework outlines the strategic vision, values, objectives, and methods to advance regionalism in the Pacific.