Ans: C

Exp:

• According to a new report by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)- Climate change and biodiversity loss are having catastrophic impacts on many migratory species populations, impacting their habitats, food availability and reproduction cycles. This is directly affecting the important ecosystem services they provide to humans.
  • Pair 1 is correct: Mammals like bats help to maintain biodiversity through seed dispersal.
  • Pair 2 is correct: Saiga antelopes help improve the resilience of grasslands by preventing wildfires
  • Pair 3 is correct: Vultures help reduce disease transmission and the risk of the spread of zoonotic disease spillover to humans. 
• Whales that have long life spans play a crucial role in carbon capture. It is estimated that during their lifespan they store massive amounts of carbon in their body and lock the carbon as their carcasses reach the bottom of the ocean after their death. As such, each whale has an estimated potential to sequester 0.062 megatonnes of carbon annually.

Ans: D

Exp:

10 years since the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 came into force. Some of the real challenges in protecting women from sexual harassment in workplaces are as follows:

1. Lack of awareness remains a concern: If the law is applied in its intended spirit, it would be beneficial for women to voice their concerns and for everyone to understand that the law is not against men. It is against sexual harassment and because women are more likely to have such experiences, such gender-specific legal provision has been in place.
2. There are no Internal Complaints Committee at most workplaces- some organisations follow the mandate in letter and spirit, while there are many who form an internal committee, without investing in preventing measures.
3. There is a need for training everyone in all sectors.
4. The POSH Act cannot be interpreted in isolation and must be interlinked to mental health and vulnerability. A victim facing domestic violence is vulnerable at the workplace too. The vigilance to ensure that every workplace is compliant has to be increased by the departments concerned.
5. The law provides protection against false complainants, wherein the committee may propose action against a complainant if it turns out to be false. The committee must examine it carefully, nevertheless, as the lack of evidence does not render a complaint baseless or malicious.

Ans: A

Exp:

• Arsenic & Metal Removal by Indian Technology (AMRIT) is an affordable solution for providing clean drinking water in arsenic-affected areas. It is a gravity-fed water purification unit in which arsenic and iron-containing water is passed through a composite filter unit to obtain water, conforming to international standards.
• Statement 1 is incorrect: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) – Madras has developed the technology for the removal of Arsenic and Metal ions from water. The technology uses nano-scale iron oxy-hydroxide, which selectively removes arsenic when water is passed through it. 
• Statement 2 is correct: This water purifier has been developed for both domestic as well as community levels. Also, the technology has been recommended by the erstwhile ‘Standing Committee’ of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation for the examination of the best technologies concerning water and sanitation.

Ans: B

Exp:

• NITI Aayog releases the 1st Delta Ranking of the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP).
• Statement 1 is correct: The Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP) was launched on January 7, 2023. ABP focuses on improving governance to enhance the quality of life of citizens in the most difficult and relatively underdeveloped blocks of India. 
• Statement 2 is incorrect: 500 blocks from 329 districts across 27 states and 4 Union Territories of India are part of the programme. The Programme strategy is based on the convergence of existing schemes, defining outcomes, and monitoring them constantly.
• Statement 3 is correct: The ranking of the blocks is calculated based on the performance of blocks and progress achieved in the Key Performance Indicators. Ranking the blocks based on KPIs is a core strategy of the Programme based on the spirit of competitive and cooperative federalism. 
• This is the first time that the ranking of blocks has been calculated as part of the Aspirational Blocks Programme. 
• Tiriyani Block of Komaram Bheem  Asifabad district, Telangana secured the top position in the first delta rankings of the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP) announced by NITI Aayog. The second position was bagged by the Kaushambi block of Kaushambi District, Uttar Pradesh. 

Ans: C

Exp:

• The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has moved a step forward by centralising the strike-off process of companies with the establishment of the Centre for Processing Accelerated Corporate Exit (C-PACE).  
• Statement 1 is correct: The Corporate Affairs Ministry operationalised the C-PACE on May 1, 2023, to facilitate and expedite the applications filed for voluntary exit of Companies.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: It is set up under the provisions of Section 248 (2) of the Companies Act, 2013 (not the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016)
• Statement 3 is correct: The applications for voluntary closure under C-PACE are processed in a centralised manner for an efficient and uniform outcome. 
• Since the setting up of C-PACE, the time taken under C-PACE for voluntary exit has been reduced to around 110 days during the current year.
• The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC): When insolvency is triggered under the IBC, there can be two outcomes: resolution or liquidation; all attempts are made to resolve the insolvency by either coming up with a restructuring or new ownership plan and if resolution attempts fail, the company’s assets are liquidated.