Ans: D

Exp: 

Indian Institute of Science (IISc) researchers have developed a novel remediation process for removing heavy metal contaminants such as arsenic from groundwater.

About Central Ground Water Board:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: Central Ground Water Board was established in 1970 by renaming the Exploratory Tube wells Organization under the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. 
  • The Central Ground Water Board is a national apex organization with responsibility to carry out scientific surveys, exploration, monitoring of development, management and regulation  of the country’s vast groundwater resources for irrigation, drinking, domestic and industrial needs.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: It was merged with the GroundWater Wing of the Geological Survey of India during 1972. 
  • It functions under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

Ans: C

Exp: 

Elon Musk-owned SpaceX’s Starship rocket accomplished its first fully successful test flight last week, with both its booster and spacecraft making a gentle splashdown after an hour-long sub-orbital space flight.

About Starship:

• • Statement 1 is correct: Starship is designed to carry crew, cargo, and scientific payloads to various destinations, including Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
  • It aims to be a fully reusable spacecraft, significantly reducing the cost of space travel.

• Technical Details:

• • • The complete Starship system consists of two stages: the Super Heavy booster (first stage) and the Starship spacecraft (second stage).
    • The Super Heavy booster features 33 Raptor engines, capable of producing 74 meganewtons of thrust.
    • The Starship spacecraft has six Raptor engines and four landing fins.

• Reusability:

• • • Statement 2 is correct: Starship’s primary advantage lies in its reusability. Both the Super Heavy booster and the Starship spacecraft are designed to return to Earth and be used for multiple missions.
    • Statement 3 is correct: Refueling in Earth orbit: Starship’s upper stage can be refueled in orbit by other Starships, allowing it to operate like an airplane that can be quickly refueled and relaunched.
    • Unlike traditional rockets, which discard hardware after each launch, Starship’s components are brought back to the ground for reuse.

• Payload Capacity:

• • Starship is expected to carry up to 150 tonnes of payload to low-Earth orbit and at least 100 tonnes to the Moon and Mars.
  • This payload capacity surpasses any previous spacecraft, making it a game-changer for space exploration.

Ans: B

Exp:

President Draupadi Murmu administered oaths to the Central Council of Ministers of the new NDA government.

About Council of Ministers:

• ARTICLE 74: 

• • • There shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President who shall, in the exercise of his functions, act in accordance with such advice.
    • Statement 1 is correct: It is mandatory and in any case, the president cannot exercise the executive power without the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers .

• ARTICLE 75:

• • • The Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the PM.
    • The Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
    • Statement 2 is correct: The article mandates that the size of this council should not exceed 15% of the strength of the Lok Sabha, or the House of the people. Added in 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003

• ARTICLE 88:

• • Statement 3 is incorrect: Every minister shall have the right to speak and take part in the proceedings of either House, any joint sitting of the Houses and any Committee of Parliament of which he may be named a member.
  •  But he shall not be entitled to vote.

Ans: A

Exp:

Scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) have carried out a collaborative study of the behaviour of multi-drug resistant pathogens aboard the International Space Station (ISS). 

About Multi-drug-resistant pathogens:

• • When bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines.
  • Impact: Infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, disability and death.
  • Statement 1 is correct: Reason: It is facilitated by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics, for example, using antibiotics for viral infections such as the flu.

• Treatment:

• • Statement 2 is incorrect: Vaccination is one of the most effective strategies to fight antimicrobial resistance. Vaccines, unlike drugs, are less likely to produce resistance since they are precise to their target illnesses.
  • Statement 3 is incorrect: The development of new antibiotics is one of the solutions to the problem of MDR pathogens.

Ans: B

Exp: 

The launch of ‘Missile Cum Ammunition Barge, LSAM 13 (Yard 81)’, the fifth Barge of 08 x Missile Cum Ammunition Barge project for Indian Navy, was recently undertaken. 

About Missile Cum Ammunition Barge (LSAM 13):

• It is Fifth barge in a series of eight to support Indian Navy (IN) operations.
• Build by built by MSME Shipyard, M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd (SEPPL), Visakhapatnam under Naval Rules and Regulations of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS)
• Functionality: Facilitates transportation, embarkation, and disembarkation of articles and ammunition. Hence option (b) is correct.
  • Operates both alongside jetties and at outer harbours
• Impact: Provides impetus to the operational commitments of the Indian Navy
• Make in India Initiative: These barges are significant contributors to the Government of India’s Make in India initiative, showcasing indigenous manufacturing capabilities.
• Role in Indian Navy: Enhances logistical and operational efficiency by enabling seamless supply of ammunition and articles to naval ships.