Ans: A

Exp:

Recently, the Centre amended the Conduct of Election Rules to restrict access for the public to a section of poll documents. This was done by the Union Law Ministry following a recommendation from the Election Commission (EC). 

• • The Conduct of Election Rules,1961, is a set of rules which provide for provisions on how to conduct the elections as per the Representation of People Act.
  • Representation of the People Act 1950: It governs elections to State Legislatures and Parliament, focusing on the preparation and revision of electoral rolls.
  • Statement 2 is not correct:Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2003 introduced electronic voting machines (EVMs) for conducting elections.

• Statement 1 is correct:  Part XV of the Indian Constitution deals with Elections.

• Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2010: It introduced the “None of the Above” (NOTA) option on electronic voting machines (EVMs)
• Election Laws (Amendment) Act 2021: It allows Electoral Registration Officers to request Aadhaar numbers from existing or prospective electors to establish identity on a voluntary basis
• Registration of Electors Rules 1960→ Made under the 1950 Act
  • Details the preparation, updating, and revision of electoral rolls
  • Provides for voter registration and issuance of photo electoral identity cards
  • Ensures inclusion, exclusion, and corrections to the rolls

Ans: C

Exp:

The 55th GST Council meeting, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, introduced significant changes to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework.

• Statement 1 is correct:The GST rate on FRK has been reduced to 5% when supplied through the Public Distribution System (PDS). This move is targeted at ensuring affordable nutrition for economically weaker sections of society.
• Statement 2 is correct:In a step toward making advanced medical treatments more accessible, gene therapy has been fully exempted from GST.
• Food Preparations for Free Distribution: Inputs supplied for food distribution under government schemes for the economically weaker sections will now attract a concessional 5% GST rate.
• Statement 3 is correct:Corporate Sponsorship Services have been brought under the Forward Charge Mechanism.
•  Pre-packaged and labelled ready-to-eat popcorn will now attract a 12% GST, while caramelised popcorn will be taxed at 18%.
  • Non-pre-packaged and labelled popcorn with the character of “namkeens” will continue to attract 5% GST.
• Definition of ‘Pre-Packaged and Labelled’: The definition has been updated to align with the Legal Metrology Act. It now covers commodities intended for retail sale, containing not more than 25 kg or 25 liters, and requiring mandatory labeling under the Act.

Ans: B

Exp:

• • The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with Citi Foundation, have officially launched the seventh edition of the Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge for 2024-2025.
    • National Innovation Challenge 2024-2025 focuses on empowering young entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs with disabilities
  • Aim: To empower youth and drive SDG implementation through social innovation and entrepreneurship. Option (b) is correct.

• Key Achievements:

• Since 2017, Youth Co:Lab has supported aspiring and inspiring young social entrepreneurs in 28 countries and territories in Asia and the Pacific. 
• Youth Co:Lab has also established a network of over 210 ecosystem stakeholders through a Youth Empowerment Alliance. 

Ans: B

Exp:

President Droupadi Murmu appointed former Supreme Court judge Justice (retd) V Ramasubramanian as the chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

• The NHRC of India is a statutory body under the provisions of the Protection of Human Rights Act(PHRA) of 1993.

• • The NHRC is responsible for the protection and promotion of “rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in the International Covenants”.
  • Selection Committee: The President of India appoints members of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) based on a recommendation of the selection committee, which includes:

• Prime Minister (Chairman)

• Speaker of Lok Sabha

• Union Home Minister

• Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha

• Leaders of the Opposition in both Houses of the Parliament.  Option (b) is correct.

• Membership: It consists of a chairperson, five full-time Members, and seven deemed Members. A person who has been the Chief Justice of India or a judge of the Supreme Court will be a chairman.
  • Two Members: One who is, or has been, a Judge of the Supreme Court of India and one member who is, or has been, the Chief Justice of a High Court.
  • Three Members: One shall be a woman from amongst persons having knowledge of, or practical experience in, matters relating to human rights.
  • Chairpersons of the National Commission for SC/ST/Minorities/Backward Classes/Women/Protection of Child Rights and the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities serve as ex officio members.

• Service and Removal: They serve for a term of three years or until they attain the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.

Ans: D
Exp: 

A recent study warns of a growing threat to the critically endangered liontailed macaque, endemic to the Western Ghats due to increasing human interaction

• • Habitat of Lion-tailed macaque:  In the wild, they are only native to India.
    • Native to the fragmented rainforests of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu in India’s Western Ghats
    • It prefers the upper canopy of primary tropical evergreen rainforest.

• Conservation status of Lion-tailed macaque

• • IUCN: Endangered
  • CITES : Appendix I 
• Statement 1 is correct:In the wild, they are only native to India.
• Statement 2 is correct: They are listed in  Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Statement 3 is correct: It prefers the upper canopy of primary tropical evergreen rainforest.

It is found in Kudremukh National Park (Karnataka), Periyar National Park (Kerala) & Silent Valley National Park (Kerala).