Ans: (a)

Exp:

Statement 1 is incorrect:  The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted the landing experiment of Pushpak Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV)  at Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga district in Karnataka.

Statement 2 is correct:  Pushpak RLV is designed as an all-rocket, fully reusable Single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) Vehicle incorporating advanced elements from previous demonstrators like the X-33, X-34, and the upgraded DC-XA. 

Ans: (a)

Exp:

The principal bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in New Delhi has initiated action on the Netravati Waterfront Promenade Development Project in Mangaluru due to alleged violations of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms and environmental regulations. 

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Netravati River originates in the Western Ghats in the Bangrabalike forest Valley of Yellaner Ghats of the Kudremukha range in Karnataka. 

Statement 2 is incorrect:It merges with the Kumaradhara River, major left-bank tributary  at Uppinangadi before flowing to the Arabian sea.

Statement 3 is correct: Along its course, the Netravati also flows through the popular pilgrim place called Dharmasthala. 

Ans: (b)

Exp:

• Pair 1 is correctly matched: India launched ‘Operation Indravati‘ to evacuate its nationals from Haiti-where streets have been taken over by criminal gangs to Dominican Republic.
• Pair 2 is incorrectly matched:  Operation Kaveri (2023): Operation Kaveri was an operation conducted by the Indian Armed Forces to evacuate Indian citizens and foreign nationals from Sudan during the conflict.
• Pair 3 is correctly matched: Operation Dost (2023): Operation Dost was the search and rescue operation initiated by the government to aid Syria and Turkey after the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake devastated both countries in February.
• Pair 4 is incorrectly matched: Operation Ganga (2022): Operation Ganga was an evacuation mission carried out by the Indian government to rescue its citizens stranded in neighboring countries during the 2022 Russia-Ukraine war. 

Ans: (b)

Exp:

Australia is set to provide 4.6 billion Australian dollars ($3bn) to British industry to help support the construction of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS deal with the United Kingdom and the United States and ensure its new vessels arrive on time.

Statement 1 is correct: Leaders of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States announced the creation of an enhanced trilateral security partnership called “AUKUS.”

Statement 2 is incorrect: While Australia will receive nuclear-powered submarines, these will not be equipped with nuclear warheads. 

Ans: (d)

Exp:

There has been a reduction of 36.69% in the volume of coal imported for blending by thermal power plants, amounting to 19.36 million tons (MT) during April 2023 to January 2024, in contrast to the same period of the previous year. 

• Conversely, there has been an increase of 94.21% in coal imports by imported coal-based power plants during April 2023 to January 2024, compared to the corresponding period in the previous year

Statement 1 is incorrect:  Metallurgical coal or Coking coal has a low ash content, low moisture content and low sulfur and phosphorous contents. 

• This type of coal can produce strong and low-density coke when it is heated in the presence of a low oxygen environment.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Coking coal is mainly used in the process of creating coke necessary for iron and steel-making. 

• Thermal coal or steaming coal  is a type of coal that is mainly used for the generation of power. It can produce electricity upon heating.