Ans: b

Exp: 

Recently, the Endangered Red Panda was spotted in Arunachal Pradesh’s Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary.

About Red Panda:

• • Statement 1 is incorrect: Red Panda is the state animal of Sikkim. The state animal of Arunachal Pradesh is the mithun (Bos frontalis), also known as the gayal. 
  • Habitat: Found in high-altitude forests of Nepal, India, Bhutan, Myanmar, and China. Mainly arboreal, often living close to water sources and in densely bamboo-covered areas. Nearly 50% of their habitat is in the Eastern Himalayas.

• Protection Status: 

• • CITES: Appendix I
  • Statement 2 is correct: It is given legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
  • Statement 3 is correct: Currently listed as an endangered species by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, with believed less than 10,000 individuals in the wild.

Ans: d

Exp: 

Insurance companies have issued about 700 insurance surety bonds valued about ₹3,000 crore after Centre makes the instrument on par with bank guarantees for all government procurements.

About Surety bond: 

• • A surety bond is a three-party guarantee agreement ensuring compliance, payment, or performance of a specific act. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
  • Surety bonds are an alternative to bank guarantees for contractors, offering financial flexibility.
  • Aim: Facilitate infrastructure development by reducing costs and offering options for contractors.

• Parties Involved:

• • Principal – The party that purchases the bond and undertakes an obligation to perform an act as promised. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
  • Surety – The insurance company or surety company that guarantees the obligation will be performed. If the principal fails to perform the act as promised, the surety is contractually liable for losses sustained.
  • Obligee – The party who requires, and often receives the benefit of the surety bond. For most surety bonds, the obligee is a local, state or federal government organization.

Ans: a

Exp: 

Recently, a Supreme Court bench passed the order while hearing the woman’s plea to allow termination of her pregnancy.

Key Provisions of Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act (MTPA), 2021:

• Increased Gestation Limit: Allows termination up to 24 weeks for special categories of women.
• Termination Due to Contraceptive Failure:
  • Statement 1 is correct: Allows termination up to 20 weeks in case of contraceptive method/device failure.
  • Applies to both married and unmarried women.

• Statement 2 is incorrect: The Medical Board will decide if a pregnancy may be terminated after 24 weeks due to substantial foetal abnormalities. The medical board is to provide a decision within three days of being approached.

Ans: c

Exp:

India saw 116 shutdowns in 2023, accounting for 41% of the 283 internet shutdowns globally, according to data analysed by Access Now, a not-for profit group that focusses on digital rights. 

Internet a Fundamental Right:

• In 2020, the Supreme Court declared access to the internet a fundamental right. 
  • A government cannot deprive the citizens of fundamental rights except under certain conditions explicitly mentioned in the Constitution.  
• It expanded the scope of the right to freedom of speech and expression under  Article 19 (1)(a) of the Constitution.
• Article 19 of the Constitution lists the following as fundamental rights under “Protection of certain rights”. It says: All citizens shall have the right

(a) to freedom of speech and expression;

(b) to assemble peaceably and without arms;

(c) to form associations or unions;

(d) to move freely throughout the territory of India;

(e) to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India; and

(f) omitted (the right to property)

(g) to practice any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business

Ans: c

Exp:

A study by World Weather Attribution found that climate change made the extreme heat in eastern and southern India this April about 45 times more likely.

About Heat Waves:

• Definition:  As per IMD definition of Heatwave conditions signify a certain amount of rising of temperature at a given place with respect to normal climatological value.  Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
• Criteria for Heat Waves: A heat wave is defined under Temperature Thresholds in the following conditions:

• For plains: The maximum temperature reaches at least 40°C.
• For hilly regions: The maximum temperature reaches at least 30°C.]

• High Temperature Exception: If the actual maximum temperature remains 45°C or more, a heat wave is declared regardless of the normal maximum temperature.
• Impact of heatwaves: Prolonged exposure to heat can result in dehydration and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and exacerbate existing weaknesses, even leading to sudden deaths. Hence statement 2 is correct.