Ans: B

Explanation:

A new study finds that a crater in Gujarat may have been caused by the largest meteorite to strike the planet in the last 50,000 years whose impact spread through the area where people from the Indus Valley civilization lived thousands of years ago.

Statement 1 is correct: Researchers along with Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have established that human remains discovered at an ancient site of Rakhigarhi (Haryana) date back around 8,000 years.

• According to Scientists a large burial ground was found here and it had human traps as well as animal traps.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The excavation at Kunal in Haryana has revealed the remains of “three successive occupational phases of the pre, early and mature Saraswati-Indus civilisation“ which had a large expanse. 

 Ans: A

Explanation:

According to recent studies, Western Ghats in Gujarat record 119% rise in soil erosion in 30 years.

Statement 1 is correct: Increasing rainfall erosivity factor during the subsequent vears was a reason for the massive soil erosion in the Western ghats 

Statement 2 is correct: During the monsoon season between June and September, the unbroken Western Ghats chain acts as a barrier to the moisture-laden clouds. The heavy, eastward-moving rain-bearing clouds are forced to rise and in the process deposit most of their rain on the windward side. Rainfall in this region averages 3,000–4,000 mm.

Statement 3 is incorrect:  The first-time study conducted by IIT Bombay between 1990 and 2020 has found that portions of the WGR in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat registered 121% and 119% increase in soil erosion respectively since 1990. 

• The WGR portion in Gujarat experienced staggering soil erosion, with soil loss reaching 75.3 tonnes per hectare per year by 2020. 
• Tamil Nadu fared the worst with a 121% increase, and soil loss reaching a troubling 68.3 tonnes per hectare per year in 2020.

Answer:  A

Explanation:

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recently extended the validity of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration of non-government organizations (NGOs) and associations. 

Statement 1 is correct: Members of the legislatures and political parties, government officials, judges and media persons are prohibited from receiving any foreign contribution under FCRA.

However, in 2017 the FCRA was amended through the Finance Bill. This amendment allowed political parties to receive funds from,

• The Indian subsidiary of a foreign company or
• A foreign company, in which an Indian holds 50% or more shares

Statement 2 is incorrect: The registration, mandatory to receive foreign funds, is renewed every five years. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has  extended the validity of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registration of non-government organisations (NGOs) and associations till June 30 2024.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Registered associations can receive foreign contribution for social, educational, religious, economic and cultural purposes. 

Answer: A

Exp:

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO)’s Executive Board has approved the addition of 18 new sites to the UNESCO Global Geoparks network. 

Statement 1 is correct: One of the main goals of UNESCO Global Geoparks is to provide an integrated sustainable development for the direct benefit of its local population. 

• Promotion and transmission of traditional knowledge, valorization of local products, development of respectful outdoor activities through Geotourism, empowering local people and ethnic groups are one of the keys to what must be a sustainable development in UNESCO Geoparks.

Statement 2 is incorrect: UNESCO Global Geopark status does not imply restrictions on any economic activity inside a UNESCO Global Geopark where that activity complies with indigenous, local, regional and/or national legislation.

Answer: C

Exp:

The Foreign portfolio Investors investments into Indian securities and other financial instruments during FY24 stood at record ₹339,066 crore, as per NSDL data. 

Option (a), (b) and(d) are correct: 

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued the SEBI (Foreign Portfolio Investors) Regulations, 2019, and operational guidelines which govern foreign portfolio investors (FPIs).
• FPI holdings can include stocks, ADRs, GDRs, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange traded funds. Foreign Portfolio Investors have only passive ownership. Investors have no control over ventures or direct ownership of property or a stake in a company. 
• Investments of NRIs don’t come under FPI.

Option (c) is incorrect: Sebi has said FPIs holding more than 50 per cent of their Indian equity assets under management (AUM) in a single Indian corporate group or holding over Rs 25,000 crore of equity AUM in the Indian markets are required to disclose details. 

• FPIs who are sovereign wealth funds (SWFs), listed companies on certain global exchanges, public retail funds, and other regulated pooled investment vehicles with diversified global holdings, are exempted from making enhanced disclosures.