Ans: D

Exp:

Recently, SheSTEM 2024, an annual event organized by Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and the Office of Science and Innovation at the Embassy of Sweden.

• Statement 1 is incorrect: SheSTEM 2024 is an annual event organized by Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), under the NITI Aayog  and the Office of Science and Innovation at the Embassy of Sweden, in partnership with Nordic collaborators – Innovation Norway, Innovation Centre Denmark, and Business Finland.
• Statement 2 is incorrect:This annual initiative celebrates the contributions of women in STEM and serves as a catalyst to inspire the next generation of innovators by encouraging young minds to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
  • It aims to inspire youth and promote STEM careers, focusing on innovative solutions for sustainability.

Additional Information:

• • The SheSTEM 2024 challenge invited students from grades 6–12 across India to submit innovative ideas focused on Battery Technology and Energy Storage (BEST) systems. 
  • Part of the India-Nordic BEST project, the challenge aims to foster sustainability by advancing energy solutions. Participants were tasked with presenting their prototypes or concepts for energy storage and sustainability in a two-minute video format. 
  • More than just a competition, SheSTEM 2024 provided a platform for students to engage with critical STEM topics and contribute to global sustainability efforts. 

• The event highlighted the importance of collaboration and teamwork, underscoring the power of collective innovation in addressing today’s challenges.

• • However, the One Stop Centres (OSCs), popularly known as Sakhi Centres, aim to facilitate women affected by violence (including domestic violence) with a range of integrated services under one roof such as Police facilitation, medical aid, providing legal aid and legal counselling, psycho-social counselling, temporary shelter etc.

Ans: C

Exp:

Recently, the Union Minister of State for Forest, Environment and Climate Change launched ‘Nano Bubble Technology’ for cleaning and purifying water of National Zoological Park, Delhi to promote the health of aquatic animals.

• Statement 1 is correct: Nano Bubble Technology is a method to improve water quality by using incredibly tiny bubbles, called nanobubbles. 
  • Nanobubbles are 70-120 nanometers in size, 2500 times smaller than a single grain of salt. They can be formed using any gas and injected into any liquid. Due to their size, nanobubbles exhibit unique properties that improve numerous physical, chemical, and biological processes.
  • Nanobubbles have a strong surface charge that enables them to uniquely stimulate microbiology, making aeration processes, such as biological wastewater treatment, muck digestion in lakes, or even anaerobic processes like fermentation, more efficient.
• Statement 2 is correct: This technology can clean dirty pond water by removing algae and similar growths. 
  • The goal of this technology is to keep water clean, ensuring the health and well-being of aquatic creatures. Clean water prevents foul smells, algae buildup, and discoloration often caused by dirty pond water. This new technology will improve water quality and benefit the animals.
  • It is being tested in the zoo for the first time as a 15-day trial. If successful, it will be used in the zoo.

Ans: A

Exp:

The State Level Monitoring Committee (SLMC), Kerala, appointed by the National Green Tribunal, has recommended implementation of projects in a time-bound manner to check the illegal discharge of biowaste, including faecal sludge, into Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam district.

• A preliminary examination indicates the presence of excessive ‘algae bloom’, which is the direct result of discharge of biowaste, including septage into the waterbody

• Pair 1 is correct: Vembanad is the longest lake in India, as well as the largest in the state of Kerala. It is a brackish water lake located in Kerala. 
  • The lake is home to the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and is a popular venue for the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race.
• Pair 2 is correct: Jaisamand Lake, also known as Dhebar, is renowned for being the second largest artificial lake in Asia. 
  • Located at a distance of 48 kilometres from the city of Udaipur, Rajasthan. In 1685, Maharana Jai Singh built this lake during the construction of a dam on the Gomti River.
• Pair 3 is correct: Ashtamudi Lake was declared as a Ramsar wetland of International Importance in 2002, located in Kollam district, Kerala.
  • It is the second largest lake in Kerala, which has found its way into the sea through the Neendakara estuary.
• Pair 4 is incorrect: Wular Lake is a large fresh water lake in Bandipore district of Jammu and Kashmir. The lake basin was formed as a result of tectonic activity and is fed by the Jhelum River.

Ans: B

Exp:

Researchers in the CBL-I at Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, an autonomous institute of Department of Science and Technology, investigated the therapeutic potential of the seedpods from the traditional medicinal plant Subabul in managing insulin resistance related to type II diabetes and developed a marker-assisted fraction and four active compounds from it.

• Hence, option B is correct.

About Leucaena leucocephala (Subabul):

• • Fast-growing leguminous tree commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions.

• Origin from Mexico.

• Small, perennial, woody, highly branched to medium-sized tree with a short, clear bole
• Introduced as a cover crop in plantations and for fodder and fuel
• Valuable for its wood → Used to make good quality charcoal, small furniture and paper pulp. 
• Traditionally used by ethnic communities for its nutritional value → With leaves and seeds consumed raw or cooked, rich source of protein and fiber.

Ans: A

Exp:

Recently, India voted in favor of a United Nations General Assembly [UNGA] resolution that called for the withdrawal of Israel from the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, and reiterated the call for achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in West Asia.

• • Statement 1 is correct: Although the UN Charter and the General Assembly Rules of Procedure have no provisions related to granting observer status, the United Nations General Assembly may grant non-member states, international organizations and other entities observer status.
  • Statement 2 is correct: Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.
    • The United Nations General Assembly decided that observer status would be confined to States and intergovernmental organizations whose activities cover matters of interest to the Assembly.
  • Statement 3 is correct: Permanent Observers may participate in the sessions and workings of the United Nations General Assembly and maintain missions at the UN Headquarters.

• Statement 4 is incorrect: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is headquartered in New York City.

• • It is one of the Six principal organs of the UN that serves as the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Other Five  principal organs are Security Council (SC), Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice (ICJ), and UN Secretariat.