Ans: A

Exp:

A five-member Pakistani delegation was flown to Jammu’s Kishtwar to inspect power projects set up on the rivers covered under the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) of 1960.

• Pair 1 is correctly matched: The Pakal Dul Hydro Electric Project (1,000 MW) is proposed on the Marusudar river, a tributary of the Chenab River, in Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir.   
• Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Ratle Hydro Electric Project is an 850 MW run-of-river hydroelectric power project being built on the Chenab River in the Kishtwar District of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project (900 MW), is a run-of-the-river power project on the Chenab River in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Ans: B

Exp: 

Recently, Kozhikode in north Kerala, known for its rich cultural heritage, was officially declared as India’s first UNESCO ‘City of Literature‘.

UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network:

• Launched in 2004, UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network promotes international cooperation among cities that invest in creativity for sustainable urban development, social inclusion, and cultural vibrancy.
• It recognizes cities within seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music.
• The network facilitates cooperation among cities that acknowledge creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable development, encompassing economic, social, cultural, and environmental aspects.
• Currently, the network comprises  350 cities in more than a hundred countries.
• Other Indian cities which are included in the UCCN list.
  • Srinagar – Craft and Folk Art (2021).
  • Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Hyderabad – Gastronomy (2019).
  • Mumbai – Film (2019).
  • Pair 2 is correctly matched: Chennai – Creative city of Music (2017).
  • Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Jaipur – Crafts and Folk Arts (2015).
  • Varanasi – Creative city of Music (2015).
  • Gwalior – Creative city of Music (2023)
  • Pair 4 is correctly matched: Kozhikode – Literature

Ans: D

Exp: 

A recent study published in the Journal Nature suggests that Earth’s inner core began slowing its rotation in 2010, potentially altering the length of a day by fractions of a second.

About Earth’s inner core: 

• It is the innermost layer of the Earth. It is a hot iron ball of the size of Pluto.
• Statement 1 is correct: The Earth’s inner core is primarily composed of iron (Fe) and nickel (Ni).
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Temperature of the inner core is higher than the outer core. The inner core is solid due to the immense pressure at the Earth’s center. Despite the high temperatures, the pressure is sufficient to keep the inner core in a solid state.
• It is surrounded by the liquid outer core, which has a radius of about 2,300 kilometers (1,430 miles).
• The temperature of the inner core ranges between 5,000°C to 7,000°C.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: The boundary between the inner and outer core is known as the Lehmann discontinuity.
• Statement 4 is correct: Seismic waves travel faster through the inner core than through the outer core due to its density.
• The inner core is believed to rotate slightly faster than the rest of the Earth, a phenomenon known as super-rotation.

Ans: A

Exp: 

Recently, health officials are concerned about the outbreak of “flesh-eating bacteria,” known as Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS), in Japan, where almost 1,000 cases have been reported nationwide.

About Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS):

• Statement 1 is correct: Causes: STSS is a rare but severe bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. 
  • It occurs when these bacteria enter deep tissues and the bloodstream, releasing toxins that cause a rapid and dangerous response in the body.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Transmission: While it is rare for someone with STSS to spread the infection to others directly, less severe infections with group A strep can progress to STSS if untreated.
• Symptoms: STSS starts with initial symptoms like fever, chills, muscle aches,
• Prevention: Preventing STSS involves practising good hygiene, like washing hands regularly and covering your mouth while you cough and sneeze. 
• Statement 3 is incorrect: Treatment: Treating STSS involves giving strong antibiotics through an IV to kill the bacteria.
  • Patients also receive fluids to stabilise their blood pressure and help their organs work properly. 
  • In severe cases, surgery might be needed to remove infected tissue and prevent further problems.

Ans: B

Exp: 

Recently, the World Economic Forum (WEF) ranked India at the 63rd place globally on its Energy Transition Index. However, in 2023, India was at 67th place.

About Energy Transition Index:

• Published by: The World Economic Forum in collaboration with Accenture.
• Performance Track: It tracks the performance of energy systems of countries across:
  • Economic development and growth
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Energy security
  • Access indicators and their readiness for transition to secure, sustainable, affordable and inclusive energy systems.
  • Top Position Holders: European nations dominated the top ranks in the following given order:
• Sweden

• • Denmark
  • Finland
  • Switzerland
  • France