Option (d) is correct

Explanation:

Index of Industrial Production (IIP):

• IIP is an index which shows the growth rates in different industry groups of the economy in a stipulated period of time. 
• IIP is a composite indicator that measures the growth rate of industry groups classified under:
  • Broad sectors, namely, Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity
  • Use-based sectors, namely Basic Goods, Capital Goods and Intermediate Goods.
• Publication: It is  published monthly by the National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
• Base Year: 2011-12
• Eight Core Sectors:
  • The eight core sector industries comprise 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) which includes: 
  • Refinery Products, Electricity, Steel, Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Cement, Fertilisers.

Option (c) is correct

Explanation

• The Centre’s fiscal deficit increased to Rs 4.51 lakh crore in April-June from Rs 2.10 lakh crore in April-May, according to data released by the Controller General of Accounts.
• Fiscal deficit is the difference between the government’s total expenditure and its total revenue (excluding borrowings).
  • It is an indicator of the extent to which the government must borrow in order to finance its operations and is expressed as a percentage of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
• Governments often resort to borrowing or other financing methods to cover the fiscal deficit.
• Statement 1 is Correct: Fiscal deficit is calculated both in absolute terms and as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
• Statement 2 is Correct: A high Fiscal deficit at times emerges if the government is spending on developmental works like construction of highways, ports, roads, airports.

Option (b) is correct

Explanation

• The parliamentary standing committee on external affairs has recommended several measures to bolster India’s Neighbourhood First Policy.
• India shares it: 
  • Land Boundaries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, China, Myanmar.
  • Maritime Boundaries: Pakistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.
• Under its Neighbourhood First Policy, India strives to build cordial and synergetic relations with the South Asian neighbours  in various areas such as economy, science and technology, research and education.

Option (c) is correct

Explanation:

• The Government has brought a Bill to include four communities in the list of Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Jammu and Kashmir: “Gadda Brahmin”, “Koli”, “Paddari Tribe”, and “Pahari Ethnic Group”.
• The Paddari Tribe live in the remote Paddar area of the hilly Kishtwar district. 
• The 2011 census recorded the Paddari population at 21,548, comprising 83.6% Hindus, 9.5% Buddhists, and 6.8% Muslims

Option (c) is correct

Explanation:

• The Government of Odisha has notified three Biodiversity Heritage Sites(BHS) i.e. Mandasaru Hills, Mahendragiri Hills and Gandhamardan Hills.
• A Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) is a designated area that is recognized for its exceptional biodiversity value and is conserved to protect its ecological systems. 
• BHS is a concept that originated in India, specifically under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
• Statement 1 is Correct:Under Section-37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, the State Government, in consultation with local bodies, may notify areas of biodiversity importance as BHS.
• Statement 2 is Correct:In 2007, the Nallur Tamarind Grove in Bengaluru, Karnataka, was designated as India’s first BHS.
• Statement 3 is Correct: High endemism is one of the distinguished features of Biodiversity Heritage Sites.