Ans: D

Exp: 

The Ministry of Coal has initiated India’s first-ever pilot project for Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) at the Kasta coal block in Jamtara District, Jharkhand.

Underground Coal Gasification: 

• UCG is an industrialized process that converts coal into gas directly within unmined coal seams.
• Gaseous oxidizing agents (such as oxygen or air) are injected into the coal seams, and the resulting product gas is extracted through wells.
• UCG aims to revolutionize the coal industry by producing valuable gases (methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide).
• Production of Syngas: It produces Syngas which is a mixture consisting primarily of methane (CH4), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapour (H2O). Hence, Option (d) is correct.
• Syngas can be used to produce a wide range of fertilizers, fuels, solvent and synthetic materials.

Ans: C

Exp: 

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was appointed the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha.

About Leader of the Opposition (LOP):

• The Leader of the Opposition (LOP) is an elected Member of the Lok Sabha who leads the official opposition.
• Statement 1 is correct: The LOP is the parliamentary chairperson of the largest political party in the Lok Sabha that is not part of the government. This party must have at least 10% of the total seats in the Lok Sabha.
• The LOP plays a crucial role in various committees, including Public Accounts, Public Undertakings, and Estimates. They also participate in Joint Parliamentary Committees.
• Additionally, the LOP is involved in selecting heads of important statutory bodies such as the Central Vigilance Commission, the Central Information Commission, the CBI, the NHRC, and the Lokpal.
• Constructive criticism of government policies and providing an alternative perspective are key functions of the LOP.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: The position of the LOP is not explicitly mentioned in the Indian Constitution.
• Statement 3 is correct: The Salaries and Allowances of Leader of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977, provides statutory recognition to the LOP. As per this act, the LOP is entitled to a salary, allowances, and facilities equivalent to those of a cabinet minister.

Ans: A

Exp:

China’s Chang’e-6 became the world’s first spacecraft to bring back samples from the part of the Moon that the Earth never gets to see.

About Chang’e-6:

• Statement 1 is correct: Chang’e-6 is the first human sampling and return mission from the far side of the moon.
• Launch: It was launched by a Chinese Long March-5 rocket from Wenchang Space Launch Center on the southern island of Hainan 53 days ago.
• Components: Chang’e-6 consists of an orbiter, a returner, a lander, and an ascender.
• Landing Site: The craft successfully landed in the South Pole-Aitken Basin on the back of the moon.
• Sampling Methods: The probe was scheduled to complete sampling within two days. It has adopted two methods of moon sampling:
  • Using a drill to collect subsurface samples
  • Grabbing samples on the surface with a robotic arm
• Statement 2 is incorrect: This marks the second time a mission has successfully reached the far side of the moon. China first completed that historic feat in 2019 with its Chang’e-4 probe.

Ans: B

Exp:

Scientists have discovered a new tipping point toward “runaway melting” of Antarctic ice sheets, caused by warm ocean water intruding between the ice and the land it sits on.

About Pine Island glacier:

• It is located on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, flowing into Pine Island Bay in the Amundsen Sea.
• The Pine Island glacier, currently Antarctica’s largest contributor to sea-level rise, is at high risk of melting due to the slope of the land that allows in more seawater.
• Pine Island Glacier is one of the fastest-moving glaciers in Antarctica, with speeds exceeding 4,000 meters per year.

Ans: C

Exp: 

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), a scheme to enable affordable housing for the urban poor, would be revamped with new features based on learning from the past nine years since when it has been operational, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs said.

About PMAY-U (Urban):

• • Statement 1 is correct: Objective: Provide housing for all in urban areas. In 2022, Mission extended up to 31st December 2024.
    • The Mission addresses urban housing shortage among the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), Low-Income Group (LIG), and Middle-Income Group (MIG) categories including the slum dwellers by ensuring a pucca house to all eligible urban households
  • Statement 2 is correct: It was initiated in 2015 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

• Subsidy Schemes:

• • Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme: Offers interest subsidy on home loans for EWS, LIG, and MIG categories.
  • In-Situ Slum Redevelopment: Utilises land to provide houses for eligible slum dwellers.
  • Affordable Housing in Partnership: Promotes public-private partnerships for affordable housing.
  • Beneficiary-Led Construction: Provides financial assistance for self-construction or enhancement of houses.
• It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), except for Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS), which is a Central Sector Scheme.