Ans: B

Exp:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: The Department of Science and Technology  (Ministry of Science and Technology) is implementing a dedicated scheme, ‘Women in Science and Engineering-KIRAN (WISE-KIRAN)’ to cater women of all walks of life in order to enhance their participation in the field of Science and Technology (S&T)with ultimate goal to bring gender parity. The WISE-KIRAN Scheme is a holistic approach addressing various challenges faced by women in their scientific journey through different kinds of programmes. The ‘Women Scientist Scheme’ is one of the flagship programmes of the Women in Science and Engineering-KIRAN (WISE-KIRAN) Scheme that provides opportunities to women scientists to pursue research careers in the field of Science & Technology (S&T), especially those who have had a career break.
• Statement 2 is correct: The ‘Women Scientist Scheme provides opportunities for women scientists to pursue research careers in the field of Science and technology (S&T), especially those who had a career break. Till now, this scheme has benefitted thirteen unemployed women scientists with an assistance of Rs.1.93 crores.  

Ans: C

Exp:

• On June 1, 2015, Taiwan and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding to establish the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF)—a platform to utilise Taiwan’s strengths and expertise to address global issues of mutual concern. The initiative assists countries in the Indo-Pacific with their capacity building efforts through training programs for officials and experts while also enhancing Taiwan’s multilateral cooperation throughout the region. The GCTF has allowed Taiwan to build up its partnerships with regional countries and further expand its international presence. 
• The full partners of the framework are:
  • Taiwan
  • United States
  • Japan
  • Australia
• India is not a full-time partner of the framework. Representatives from the United States, India, and Taiwan met in December to enhance operational expertise and share best practices on cybersecurity issues during a joint workshop convened under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF). They regularly hold GCTF Joint Committee meetings to review events of the year and decide on prospective areas of cooperation for the coming year.

Ans: D

Exp:

• Statement 1 is correct: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the second largest organisation after the United Nations, with a membership of 57 states spread over four continents. The Organization is the collective voice of the Muslim world. It endeavours to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world.
• Statement 2 is correct: In 1970, the first-ever meeting of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) was held in Jeddah, which decided to establish a permanent secretariat in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, headed by the organisation’s secretary general. The first OIC Charter was adopted by the 3rd ICFM Session held in 1972. The Charter laid down the objectives and principles of the organisation and fundamental purposes to strengthen the solidarity and cooperation among the Member States.
• Statement 3 is correct: Islāmic Development Bank, a Muslim bank directed toward financing the economic and social development of members in accordance with the principles of the Sharīʿah (Islāmic sacred law). Conceived by the Organization of the Islāmic Conference in 1973, the bank is headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and formally opened in October 1975. Its member nations are drawn from the ranks of those states belonging to the Organization of the Islāmic Conference.

Ans: C

Exp:

• Freshwater fish highlight escalating climate impacts on species – IUCN Red List
• Statement 1 is correct: Freshwater fishes make up more than half of the world’s known fish species, which is an incomprehensible diversity given that freshwater ecosystems comprise only 1% of aquatic habitat. This update completes the first comprehensive assessment of the world’s freshwater fish species. At least 17% of threatened freshwater fish species are affected by climate change, including decreasing water levels, rising sea levels causing seawater to move up rivers, and shifting seasons. 
• Statement 2 is correct: The IUCN Red List update, released at the COP28 UN climate conference in the United Arab Emirates, includes the first global freshwater fish assessment. This update completes the first comprehensive assessment of the world’s freshwater fish species, revealing that 25% (3,086 out of 14,898 assessed species) are at risk of extinction.

Ans: A

Exp:

• Statement 1 is correct: India is the world’s largest producer of milk, pulses and jute, and ranks as the second largest producer of rice, wheat, sugarcane, groundnut, vegetables, fruit and cotton. 
• Statement 2 is incorrect: In spite of being among the top producers of milk, fruits and vegetables, India ranked 15th last year in terms of revenue generated from the beverages sector.  India is not among the top 50 exporters of beverages and one of the reasons for this is that global demand is moving towards low-sugar and no-added-sugar drinks. Thus sugar subsidies of India do not incentivise the growth of investment in beverages. Further, Investment in the beverages industry is low as it faces one of the highest GST rates globally.