Ans: B

Exp:

India has achieved an outstanding outcome in the Mutual Evaluation conducted during 2023-24 by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

About Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

• Foundation: FATF was founded in 1989 through the initiative of the G7 nations. Hence, Statement 1 is Incorrect.
• Secretariat: The FATF Secretariat is headquartered at the OECD headquarters in Paris, France. Hence, Statement 2 is Correct.

India’s Engagement with FATF

• Observer Status: India became an Observer at FATF in 2006, marking the beginning of its association with the organization.
• Full Membership: On June 25, 2010, India officially became the 34th country to attain full membership in FATF, signifying its active participation and commitment to the organization’s objectives.

Ans: C

Explanation:

Recently, 17 people arrested in attempted coup that shook Bolivia.

About Bolivia:

• Bolivia, landlocked country of west-central South America. E
• Bolivia is bordered to the north and east by Brazil, to the southeast by Paraguay, to the south by Argentina, to the southwest and west by Chile, and to the northwest by Peru. 
• Bolivia shares Lake Titicaca, the second largest lake in South America (after Lake Maracaibo), with Peru. 
• Uruguay & Colombia don’t share the border with Bolivia.

Ans: A

Exp:

Mars is bombarded with basketball-sized meteorites on a nearly daily basis, fives times more often than previously estimated, seismic recordings from a NASA spacecraft have revealed.

About Given terms:

• Meteoroids: These rocks still are in space. Meteoroids range in size from dust grains to small asteroids. Hence, Statement 2 is Incorrect.
• Meteors: When meteoroids enter Earth’s atmosphere (or that of another planet, like Mars) at high speed and burn up, the fireballs or “shooting stars” are called meteors. Hence, Statement 1 is Incorrect.
• Meteorites: When a meteoroid survives a trip through the atmosphere and hits the ground, it’s called a meteorite.Hence, Statement 3 is Correct.

Ans: D

Exp:

The Tourism Department in Karnataka has plans to promote the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Somanathapur as part of Mysuru tourism circuit in a big way before Dasara this year.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India:

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India hold a position of utmost significance due to their unique cultural or physical importance, making them of exceptional value to humanity. 
• Recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, these sites are emblematic of the global efforts to conserve and safeguard natural and cultural heritage.
• There are 42 sites from India. Some of the sites under the list are

1. Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area, Himachal Pradesh
2. Kaziranga National Park, Assam
3. Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan
4. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam
5. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks, Uttarakhand
6. Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal. Statement 4 is Correct.
7. Western Ghats (includes multiple states)
8. Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim
9. Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana
10. Dholavira, Gujarat Statement 2 is Correct.
11. Shantiniketan: Cultural and educational hub founded by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in West Bengal. Statement 1 is Correct.
12. Hoysala Temples: Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala, the famed Hoysala temples of Belur, Halebid and Somananthpura in Karnataka. Statement 3 is Correct.

Ans: C

Exp:

As part of memorandum of understanding signed between the National Botanical Research Institute and Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, the national institute started growing endangered flower plants to cater the need of flower for Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri throughout the year. 

About Council of Scientific and Industrial Research:

• Established- 1942.
• Headquarters- New Delhi.
• Autonomous body- CSIR is operated under Societies Registration Act, 1860. Statement 1 is Correct.
• President– Prime Minister of India Statement 2 is Correct.
• Vice President- Ministry of Science and Technology
• Mission- To provide scientific industrial research and development that maximizes the economic, environmental and societal benefits for the people of India.