Option (a) is correct

Explanation:

• The Indian Ocean Dipole is a climate pattern affecting the Indian Ocean. 
• IOD is said to be positive when the western side of the Indian Ocean, near the Somalia coast, becomes warmer than the eastern Indian Ocean. 
  • It is negative when the western Indian Ocean is cooler.
• Statement 1 is Correct: A positive IOD event is often seen developing at times of an El Nino, while a negative IOD is sometimes associated with La Nina. During El Nino, the Pacific side of Indonesia is cooler than normal because of which the Indian Ocean side also gets cooler.
• Statement 2 is not Correct: A positive IOD helps rainfall along the African coastline and also over the Indian sub-continent while suppressing rainfall over Indonesia, southeast Asia and Australia. 

Option (c) is correct

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is not correct: India has ranked 40th  in the Global Competitiveness Index 2023 released by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD).
  • Key contributing factors to the country’s score were exchange rate stability, compensation levels and advancements in pollution control.
• India progressed in government efficiency but lagged in business efficiency, infrastructure and economic performance. 
• Statement 2 is  correct: Denmark, Ireland and Switzerland took the top three places in Global Competitiveness Index
• The Global Competitiveness Index 2023  added that the challenges facing India in 2023 are:
  • maintaining its high GDP growth
  • coping with financial market volatility
  • controlling inflation and fiscal deficit
  • accelerating digital transformation
  •  mobilizing resources for infrastructure development.

Option (b) is correct

Explanation:

• A GI or Geographical Indication is a name or a sign given to certain products that relate to a specific geographical location or origins like a region, town or country. 
• Statement 1 is not  Correct: GI tag is valid for a period of  10 years following which it can be renewed.
• Statement 2 is Correct:In India, Geographical Indications registration is administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 which came into force with effect from 15th September 2003. The first product in India to be accorded with GI tag was Darjeeling tea in the year 2004-05.

Option (d) is correct

Explanation:

• Recently, the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai has given GI tags to seven different products from Uttar Pradesh. 

Option (a) is correct

Explanation:

• The World Economic Forum ranked India at the 67th place globally on its Energy Transition Index and said it is the only major economy with energy transition momentum accelerating across all dimensions.
• Sweden topped the list and was followed by Denmark, Norway, Finland and Switzerland in the top five on the list of 120 countries

Option (c) is correct

Explanation:

• Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) is a country-wide campaign initiated by the Government of India in 2014 to eliminate open defecation and improve solid waste management.
• It is a restructured version of the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan launched in 2009.
• The mission aimed to achieve an “open-defecation free” (ODF) India by 2 October 2019, the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi through construction of toilets.
• The mission is split into two parts:
  1. Statement 1 is Correct:In rural areas “SBM – Gramin” is financed and monitored through the Ministry of Jal Shakti. 
  2. Statement 2 is Correct:In Urban areas “SBM – urban” is overseen by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.