Ans: C

Exp:

As the country approaches general elections to the next Lok Sabha,data on all the ‘starred’ (oral) questions asked during the last four Lok Sabha term are being evaluated.

• Statement 1 is incorrect: The “Question Hour” is not an Indian innovation, it is a common practice present in the parliamentary systems of several other nations such as U.K., Canada, Australia etc.
  • According to Rule 38 of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok sabha there is a mention of Question Hour.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: The zero hour starts immediately after the question hour and lasts until the agenda for the day (ie, regular business of the House) is taken up. 
  • In other words, the time gap between the question hour and the agenda is known as zero hour.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: Question Hour is the first hour of every parliamentary sitting. During this time, the members ask questions and the ministers usually give answers. In addition to the ministers, the questions can also be asked to the private members.
  •  Thus, a question may be addressed to a private member if the subject matter of the question relates to some Bill, resolution or other matter connected with the business of the House for which that member is responsible.

Ans: A

Exp:

The 125-foot statue depicts Lachit Borphukan, the iconic Ahom general revered for leading the Battle of Saraighat in 1671 to prevent the Mughal army from occupying Assam.

• Statement 1 is incorrect:  Chaolung Sukapha, a 13th-century emperor, established the Ahom kingdom, which controlled Assam for six centuries. 
  • Lachit Barphukon is the 17th-century commander of the Ahom army.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: In  August 1669, Barphukon and his army defeated the Mughal cavalry at the Battle of Alaboi, 
  • The battle  took place in the Alaboi Hills near Dadara in North Guwahati. 10,000 Ahoms had died in the conflict.
• Statement 3 is correct: During the Battle of Saraighat in 1671, the Ahoms, headed by Lachit Borphukan, overcame the Mughals.
  •  Borphukan is well renowned for his leadership throughout this battle. By 1682, the Mughal presence in the region had been completely eliminated.

Ans: D

Exp:

Recently, Mr. Jagjit Pavadia was re-elected to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) by secret ballot for the third term for five years from March 2025-2030.

• Statement 1 is incorrect: The INCB, established in 1968, is an independent and quasi-judicial monitoring organisation that oversees the execution of the United Nations’ international drug control conventions.
  • INCB was established by the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 by merging two bodies viz. the Permanent Central Narcotics Board and the Drug Supervisory Body.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: It is made up of 13 individuals elected by the Economic and Social Council to serve in their individual capacities rather than as government representatives.
  • INCB members may be re-elected. 
  • Ten of the members are elected from a list of persons nominated by Governments. 
  • The remaining three members are elected from a list of persons nominated by the World Health Organization (WHO) for their medical, pharmacological or pharmaceutical experience.

Ans: B

Exp:

Recently the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has said its PSLV- C58/XPoSathas practically left zero debris in earth’s orbit. 

• Statement 1 is correct:  PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM), is a platform for conducting in-orbit experiments with the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), the last stage of ISRO’s rocket. 
• The PSLV is a four-stage rocket with the first three spent stages falling back into the ocean and the last stage (PS4), which launches the satellite into orbit, ending up as space trash.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: POEM will get its power from solar panels fitted around the PS4 tank and a Li-Ion battery. 
• It will navigate with four sun sensors, a magnetometer, gyros, and NavIC or the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) 

Ans: C

Exp:

Recently, the Prime Minister aid that India is rapidly reducing its dependence on fossil fuels, and in that mission, sugarcane by-products have been of immense help due to Ethanol Blending.

• Statement 1 is correct: The amended National Biofuel Policy-2018 has now set the new target for 2025-26 instead of 2030. 
  • To achieve this target within the timeframe the central government announced premium rates for ethanol produced from sugar syrup, cane juice as well as B-heavy molasses.
• Statement 2 is correct: Ethanol is a biofuel produced naturally by yeast fermentation or through petrochemical processes such as ethylene hydration.
  • Ethanol has a high oxygen concentration, which allows an engine to burn fuel more thoroughly.
  • Ethanol blending is the process of blending a motor fuel that contains ethyl alcohol obtained from agricultural goods with petrol.
• Statement 3 is correct: In India, the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) is the nodal department for the promotion of fuel-grade ethanol-producing distilleries in the country. 
  • It launched the Interest Subvention Scheme for enhancement and augmentation of the ethanol production capacity.