Ans: D

Exp:

CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is a technology that research scientists use to selectively modify the DNA of living organisms.

The CRISPR-Cas system is effective and easy to manipulate. Researchers have adapted it as a tool to: 

• Cut, delete, or add DNA sequences at precise locations

• Opening different windows to treat genetic disorders

• Develop drought-resistant plants

• Modify food crops
• Experiment with de-extinction projects involving the woolly mammoth and the dodo.

Ans: B

Exp:

Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD) is caused by the Kyasanur Forest Disease Virus (KFDV), a member of the virus family Flaviviridae. KFDV was identified in 1957 when it was isolated from a sick monkey from the Kyasanur Forest in Karnataka. Since then, between 400-500 human cases per year have been reported.

Statement 1 is correct: The disease spreads through ticks. Primates that come in contact with infective ticks contract the disease. Human beings who visit the forest area either for livelihood, to graze cattle, or to collect firewood contract the disease. Normally, the transmission begins from late November to June. It peaks between December and March, according to studies. A blood test is done to identify if someone has KFD.

Statement 2 is correct: Transmission to humans may occur after a tick bite or contact with an infected animal, most importantly a sick or recently dead monkey. No person-to-person transmission has been established yet.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD), a tick-borne viral hemorrhagic fever, is endemic to the Karnataka state, India.

Ans: D

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct: In a groundbreaking development for India’s aerospace research and defence capabilities, the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) has successfully established and tested the nation’s first Hypervelocity Expansion Tunnel Test Facility, known as S2.

• • It was indigenously designed and developed over three years

• S2 is capable of generating flight speeds ranging from 3 to 10 kmps

• It can effectively simulate the extreme hypersonic conditions.

Statement 2 is correct: The development of the facility was supported by the Fund for Improvement in S&T Infrastructure (FIST) of the Department of Science & Technology (DST).

• The facility consists of 4 major sections: free-piston driver, compression tube, shock /acceleration tube and test section with a high vacuum system for generating and sustaining the hypersonic flow.
• The complete instrumentation of the facility, pressure sensors and associated equipment/instruments for acquiring and processing the data and the vacuum system with test section and associated instrumentation were acquired through the DST- FIST program.

Ans: B

Exp:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Indian Ocean Conference is a flagship consultative forum for countries in the Indian Ocean Region, organised annually by the Ministry of External Affairs in association with the India Foundation.

The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime cooperation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region

Statement 2 is correct: Since its debut in 2016 in Singapore, the Indian Ocean Conference has played an important role in bringing together countries and principal maritime partners of the region on a common platform to deliberate upon the prospects of regional cooperation for Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)

Ans: D

Exp:

Statement 1 is incorrect: GACERE is being established by the European Commission on behalf of the European Union (EU), and by the United Nations Environment Programme, in coordination with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).  

Statement 2 is incorrect: The International Resource Panel (IRP) is a global science-policy platform established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2007 to build and share knowledge needed to improve our use of natural resources. It includes scientists and governments from both developed and developing regions, civil society, industrial and international organisations.

 The Government of India is a member of the Steering Committee of the International Resource Panel (IRP). The Panel aims to provide independent, coherent and authoritative scientific assessments of policy relevance on the sustainable use of natural resources.