Ans: C

Exp:

The Government of India has taken a number of steps from time to time as per need to create a conducive environment for sustainable energy growth, investment and to establish a more organised and equitable renewable market in the country. Some of these steps are enumerated below:

• The limit of open access has been reduced from 1 MW to 100 kW, paving the way for small consumers to purchase renewable energy (RE) and there is no limit for Captive Consumers. Hence, Statement 2 is correct

• • The Ministry of Power issued the revised scheme for ‘Flexibility in Generation and Scheduling of Thermal/ Hydro Power Stations through bundling with Renewable Energy and Storage Power’ with the objective of reducing dependence on fossil fuels, increasing RE capacity addition and increasing uptake of Renewable Energy by distribution licensees.

• To promote the addition of renewable energy generation in the country, waiver of Inter-State Transmission (ISTS) charges has been provided for electricity generated from solar, wind, hydro-pumped storage projects (PSP), and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for a fixed duration. Hence, Statement 1 is correct

• The Government has introduced the Real-Time Market (RTM), Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM), and Green Day Ahead Market (GDAM) to accommodate a greater amount of renewable energy sources and to promote competition along with the deepening of the electricity markets.
• The trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) up to the year 2029-30 has been specified, and penal provisions have been introduced for non-compliance under the Energy Conservation Act of 2001. For Renewable Energy (RE) procured beyond the obligation, tradable Renewable Energy Certificates can be issued. Hence, Statement 3 is correct

Ans: A

Exp:

The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has announced the National Sports Awards 2023. The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a function at Rashtrapati Bhavan. National Sports Awards are given every year to recognise and reward excellence in sports.

• Pair 1 is correctly matched: The Dronacharya Award for Outstanding Coaches in Sports and Games is given to coaches for doing outstanding and meritorious work on a consistent basis and for enabling sportspersons to excel in International events.
• Pair 2 is correctly matched: Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over the period of the previous four years.
  • Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2023 will be given to Chirag Chandrashekhar Shetty and Rankireddy Satwik Sai Raj.
• Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: The Arjuna Award for outstanding performance in Sports and Games is given for good performance over a period of the previous four years and for showing qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline.
  • 26 Sports persons will receive Arjuna Awards for outstanding performance in Sports and Games 2023
• The overall top performing university in inter-university tournaments is given the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy.

Ans: A

Exp:

The Terminal 2 of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru has been recognised as one of the world’s most beautiful airports and awarded the world special prize for interiors at the UNESCO’s 2023 Prix Versailles.

• Statement 1 is correct: The Prix Versailles has been announced each year at UNESCO since 2015. It is a series of architectural competitions that shine a light on the finest contemporary projects worldwide.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Prix Versailles is an international architecture and design award that recognises the best achievements in the field of architecture and design worldwide. 
  • The “World’s Most Beautiful” Achievements recognition, granted by the Prix Versailles, highlights the primary role of the Laureates in beautifying and improving the living environment.
  • These achievements, awarded each year by the Prix Versailles, are examples presented to the world, signs of exceptional architecture and design.

Ans: C

Exp:

• Statement 1 is correct: Project PRAYAAS (promoting Regular and assisted Migration for Youth and Skilled Professionals) was launched by the Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India to commemorate International Migrants Day on 18 December 2023. The project adheres to the objectives of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM) and the Migration Governance Framework (MiGOF).
• Statement 2 is correct:  This Project is assisted by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Development Fund and envisages the development of a roadmap for improved coordination between Central and State Governments to encourage sharing of best practices between States and enhanced engagement with the MEA on matters related to the international migration cycle. The project is a joint collaboration between the IOM India and the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA). Project PRAYAS not only aligns with the Goverment of India’s priorities for the promotion of safe and orderly migration but also aligns with Goal 10.7 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people.

Ans: B

Exp:

December 22, the birth anniversary of legendary mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887-1920), is celebrated as ‘National Mathematics Day’. Ramanujan left behind a legacy that continues to amaze and inspire mathematicians to date.

About Srinivasan Ramanujam:

• Srinivasa Ramanujan was an Indian mathematician whose contributions to the theory of numbers included pioneering discoveries of the properties of the partition function. Ramanujan was also recognised for his mastery of continued fractions and worked out the Riemann series, elliptic integrals, hypergeometric series, and the functional equations of the zeta function.
• In 1911 Ramanujan published the first of his papers in the Journal of the Indian Mathematical Society. His genius slowly gained recognition, and in 1913 he began a correspondence with the British mathematician Godfrey H. Hardy that led to a special scholarship from the University of Madras and a grant from Trinity College, Cambridge.