Option (c) is correct

Explanation:

• Both the given statements are correct.

• Asian elephants have three sub-species i.e., the Indian, Sumatran and Sri Lankan in which the Indian subspecies has the widest range.
• They are under the endangered category in the IUCN Red List.
• They are under the Schedule I category in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• They are under the Appendix I category in the CITES List.

Option (b) is correct

Explanation:

• The Spitzer Space Telescope was launched in 2003.
• It is a space-borne observatory and is part of NASA’s Great Observatories. 
• NASA’s series of Great Observatories satellites are four large, powerful space-based astronomical telescopes.
  • These four are the Spitzer Space Telescope, the Hubble Space Telescope, Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, and the Chandra X-ray Observatory.
• It uses an ultra-sensitive infrared telescope to study asteroids, comets, planets and distant galaxies.
• One of the great achievements is that it is the first telescope which detected light from an exoplanet.
  • Astronomers using the Spitzer Space Telescope announce direct observation of infrared light from an exoplanet for the first time, from planets HD 209458 b and TrES-1.

Option (a) is correct

Explanation:

• A recent peer-reviewed study suggests that even low levels of arsenic consumption may impact cognitive function in children, adolescents, and young adults.
• Exposure to arsenic reduced grey matter (brain tissue that is vital to cognitive functions) and weaker connections within key regions of the brain that enable concentration, switching between tasks, and temporary storage of information.
• Arsenic is an odourless and tasteless metalloid widely distributed in the earth’s crust.

• It is naturally present at high levels in the earth crust and groundwater of a number of countries.
• Arsenicosis is the arsenic poisoning which occurs due to accumulation of large amounts of arsenic in the body.
• Long-term exposure to arsenic from drinking-water and food can cause cancer and skin lesions. It has also been associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Option (b) is correct

Explanation:

• Gujarat has set the ball rolling to become the country’s green hydrogen manufacturing hub and retain its dominance over the industrial sector.
• Depending on the nature of the method of its extraction, hydrogen is categorised into three categories, namely, Grey, Blue and Green.

1. 1. Grey Hydrogen: It is produced via coal or lignite gasification (black or brown), or via a process called steam methane reformation (SMR) of natural gas or methane (grey). These tend to be mostly carbon-intensive processes.
   2. Blue Hydrogen: It is produced via natural gas or coal gasification combined with carbon capture storage (CCS) or carbon capture use (CCU) technologies to reduce carbon emissions.
   3. Green Hydrogen: 

• • • It is produced using electrolysis of water with electricity generated by renewable energy. 
    • It is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, non-toxic and highly combustible gaseous substance.

Option (a) is correct

Explanation:

• The Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS) Programme is to improve the quality and governance of school education in six Indian states of Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Rajasthan through the Samagra Shiksha.
• One of the key components of the STARS program is strengthening of Vocational Education and School-to-Work Transition. 
• It is in line with the Sustainable Development Goal for education (SDG 4) and will help produce better data on learning levels by improving the National Achievement Survey (NAS).

Option (d) is correct

Explanation:

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Guwahati, Assam for the development of ‘Riverine Based Religious Tourism Circuit’ among Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Sagarmala Development Corporation Limited (SDCL), Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) and Department of Inland Waterways Transport (DIWT), and Government of Assam.
• Circuit proposes to connect seven historic temples Kamakhya, Pandunath, Ashwaklanta, Doul Govinda, Umananda, Chakreshwar and Auniti Satra on the banks of the Brahmaputra river.