Ans: (a)

Exp: The US has taken a significant step towards establishing a presence on the Moon by directing NASA to create a ‘Coordinated Lunar Time’ (LTC).  This directive tasks NASA with developing LTC by the end of 2026. 

• The proposed LTC system will be a time-keeping benchmark for all lunar activities. It will be crucial for secure data transfers between spacecraft, satellites, and lunar bases, and for synchronized communications. 
• Without LTC, discrepancies could lead to errors in mapping, navigation, and coordination of activities on the Moon.
• LTC is not exactly a time zone similar to Earth’s, but an entire frame of time reference for the moon. 

Statement 1 is correct: The Moon’s rotation and orbit around Earth result in a lunar day that lasts approximately 29.5 Earth days. 

Statement 2 is incorrect: Due to the moon’s lower gravity, time progresses slightly faster there, accelerating by 58.7 microseconds each day compared to Earth.

Statement 3 is incorrect:  Currently, spacecraft in low Earth orbit, like GPS satellites and the International Space Station, run on Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). 

Ans: (a)

Exp: Statement 2 is correct: India has achieved its target to eliminate visceral leishmaniasis, commonly known as kala-azar, according to data from the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC). 

• According to the most recent information from the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC), India recorded merely 520 instances of kala-azar in 2023 nationwide, fulfilling the elimination standards outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO). 
• India had initially aimed to eliminate kala-azar by 2010, but the target was extended until 2023 due to persistent challenges.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Kala-azar, a vector-borne disease caused by protozoan parasites transmitted through sandfly bites, has posed a significant health challenge for decades, particularly in states like Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The World Health Organisation (WHO) targets eliminating this disease under the Neglected Tropical Diseases Roadmap by 2030. 

Ans (c)

Exp:  India abstained on a resolution at the Human Rights Council that called on Israel for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and called on states to implement an arms embargo, which was adopted by the 47-member Human Rights Council.

Statement 1 is correct: The Council has 47 members elected for three years and are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms and membership is based on equitable geographical distribution.

Statement 2 is correct: It carries out the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of all UN member states.

The UPR is a mechanism that assesses the human rights situations in all UN member states on a regular basis.

Ans: Option (b)

Exp: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has turned down the request from small finance banks (SFB) to drop the “small finance” tag from their name, saying that SFBs are differentiated banks with specific objectives like financial inclusion.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Small finance banks must extend 75 per cent of their Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) to sectors eligible for classification as priority sector lending (PSL) by the Reserve Bank.

Statement 2 is correct: There is no restriction in the area of operations of small finance banks.

Statement 3 is correct: They are subject to all prudential norms and regulations of RBI as applicable to existing commercial banks, including the requirement of maintaining a Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) and a Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR).

Ans: Option (b)

Exp: The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has proposed changes in school textbooks about the additions of findings from the DNA analysis of skeletal remains found at the archaeological site of Rakhigarhi in Haryana and the dropping of references to how the Narmada Dam project adversely affected tribals and drew them to displacement leading to greater destitution.

• Pair 1 is correctly matched: Rakhigarhi village is situated in Hisar district of Haryana along the bank of the Ghaggar-Hakra river. 
• Pair 2 is correctly matched: Daimabad is located in Maharashtra along the Pravara River’s left bank, a Godavari River tributary.
• Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Balu is located in Haryana.
• Pair 4 is incorrectly matched: Hulas is located in Uttar Pradesh.