Ans: C

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct: Hepatitis A is a highly contagious viral [Hepatitis A virus (HAV)] liver infection which is marked by inflammation of the liver.

Unlike hepatitis B and C, hepatitis A does not cause chronic liver disease, but it can cause debilitating symptoms and rarely fulminant hepatitis (acute liver failure), which is often fatal. 

Statement 2 is correct: Hepatitis A  primarily spreads through the faecal-oral route (i.e. it is transmitted by the ingestion of contaminated food and water).

The virus can also be transmitted through close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus. Though infrequent waterborne outbreaks (associated with contaminated sewage/inadequately treated water) of Hepatitis A have also been reported. 

Statement 3 is correct: India’s first indigenously developed ‘Hepatitis A vaccine- Havisure’ has been launched by Indian Immunologicals Ltd [wholly owned subsidiary of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)].

‘Havisure’ is a two-dose vaccine (recommended for children in routine immunisation) wherein the first dose is administered at above 12 months of age and the second dose is given at least after 6 months of the first dose. The vaccine is also recommended for individuals who are at risk of exposure or travel to regions with high hepatitis A prevalence. In addition to this, people with occupational risk of infection and suffering from chronic liver diseases also need Hepatitis A vaccination.

Ans: D

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct:  Green hydrogen (clean hydrogen) is produced by using clean energy from surplus renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, to split water into two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom through a process called electrolysis.

Statement 2 is correct: Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT): The Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme is a major financial measure with an outlay of ₹ 17,490 crore. The programme consists of financial incentive mechanisms to:

• Bolster domestic manufacturing of electrolysers.  
• Augment production of Green Hydrogen.

Depending upon the markets and technology development, specific incentive schemes and programmes will continue to evolve as the Mission progresses.

Ans: C

Exp:

Kuchipudi dancer Pendyala Lakshmi Priya to receive Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar by President Droupadi Murmu.

Statement 1 is correct: Kuchipudi is one of the classical styles of Indian dance. The music that accompanies the dance is according to the classical school of Carnatic music. The accompanying musicians, besides the vocalist, include: 

• A mridangam player provides percussion music.
• A violin or veena player or both for providing instrumental melodic music
• A cymbal player who usually conducts the orchestra and recites the sollukattu (mnemonic rhythm syllables).

Statement 2 is incorrect: Kuchipudi is a “dance-drama”  originating in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the oldest performing arts in this region. Earlier, it was also

known as Kuchipudi Bhagavatam, Kuchipudi Yakshaganam and Kuchipudi Bharatam.

Until a few decades ago, the enactment of both the male as well as female roles, was

done solely by male dancers. In this aspect, it resembles the other dance-drama style of

the south – Kathakali.

Statement 3 is correct: A major characteristic of the Kuchipudi dance is its strict adherence to the precepts of the Natyashastra in the articulation of all four abhinayas, which are:

• Angika – physical or body movements.
• Vaachika – the song being played, poetry.
• Aahaarya – ornamentation of a character/dancer e.g., jewellery, costume.
• Saattvika – involuntary movements, e.g., trembling, break of voice, tears.

And like in Kathakali, Kuchipudi also uses the traditional curtain- Yavanika – for the introduction of the characters.

Ans: B

Exp:

Statement 1 is incorrect: Gambusia fish has been recognised as one of the worst invasive species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). 

• In India, Gambusia Affinis and Gambusia Holbrooki have been listed as invasive species by the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA). 
• The World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, has stopped recommending Gambusia as a mosquito control agent.

Statement 2 is correct: Gambusia/ Mosquito Fish has been part of various malaria control strategies in India since 1928, including the Urban Malaria Scheme.

• • The fish are generally understood to be a good biological control method against mosquito breeding.

• In spite of being recognised as a highly invasive species, their use as biocontrol agents for mosquitoes (in freshwater bodies) continues in India.

Statement 3 is correct:  A few research indicate a correlation between the introduction of the Gambusia population and a decline in the population of other fishes. 

• Gambusia also displays aggressive behaviour like chasing other fish and fin nipping, thus injuring native fish that can suffer from bacterial infections and eventually die. 
• Additionally, Gambusia feed on zooplankton and aquatic insects, which may increase the marine algae population, thus disturbing the ecological balance of the freshwater body.

Ans: A

Exp:

Statement 1 is incorrect: Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) is a central public sector enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Mines. 

It is a Joint Venture Company among the three Government Enterprises: National Aluminium Company Ltd. (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) and Mineral Exploration & Consultancy Limited (MECL), in the ratio of 40:30:30, under the aegis of Ministry of Mines, Government of India.

Statement 2 is correct: The mandate of KABIL is to identify, explore, acquire, develop, mine, process, and procure strategic minerals outside India for supply primarily to India to meet domestic requirements.