Ans: D

Exp:

The composition of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation’s governing board and executive council shows that it could become just another government department.

About Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF):

• The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has been established with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) 2023 Act. 
• Statement 1 is correct: ANRF will forge collaborations among the industry, academia, and government departments and research institutions, and create an interface mechanism for participation and contribution of industries and State governments in addition to the scientific and line ministries.
• The ANRF aims to seed, grow and promote research and development (R&D) and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories. 
• Statement 2 is correct: With the establishment of ANRF, the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) established by an act of Parliament in 2008 has been subsumed into ANRF.  
• Statement 3 is correct: ANRF will act as an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country as per recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP).

Ans: A

Exp: 

The appointment of a new Additional National Security Advisor (ANSA) along with a restructuring of reporting relationships both within the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and between the National Security Advisor (NSA) and the Union ministries has not attracted the attention it deserves.

About National Security Advisor (NSA):

• • The National Security Advisor (NSA) in India holds a critical role as the chief advisor to the Prime Minister on national security policy and international affairs.

• Role and Responsibilities:

• • • Statement 1 is correct: The NSA regularly advises the Prime Minister on matters related to both internal and external threats and opportunities for India.
    • They oversee strategic and sensitive issues on behalf of the Prime Minister.
    • The NSA serves as the Prime Minister’s Special Interlocutor with China and acts as an envoy to Pakistan and Israel on security affairs.
    • They receive and coordinate intelligence reports from various agencies (such as R&AW, IB, NTRO, MI, DIA, NIA) to present before the Prime Minister.

• Background and Evolution:

• • Statement 2 is correct: The post of NSA was created in 1998 by the government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
  • Initially, Brajesh Mishra served as the first National Security Advisor.
  • Over time, the role has evolved, with subsequent NSAs coming from either the Indian Foreign Service or the Indian Police Service.
  • The current NSA, Ajit Doval, holds the rank of a Union Cabinet Minister and ranks seventh in the Indian Order of Precedence.

About National Security Council

• The NSC was established in 1998 by the government of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee following nuclear tests by India and Pakistan.
• NSC of India is a three-tiered organisation that oversees political, economic, energy and security issues of strategic concern.
  • Strategic Policy Group (SPG), the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) and the National Security Council Secretariat.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: The NSC is headed by the Prime Minister of India. The NSA acts as the secretary of the NSC and also as the primary advisor to the prime minister. 

Ans: C

Exp: 

The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, on the occasion of the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting, which is being held in New Delhi from 21st-31st July 2024, has initiated Project PARI (Public Art of India).

About Project PARI:

• Project PARI (Public Art of India) is an ambitious initiative by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, executed in collaboration with Lalit Kala Akademi and the National Gallery of Modern Art. 
• This transformative project aims to infuse Delhi’s public spaces with the rich and diverse artistic heritage of India while embracing contemporary themes and expressions.
• Project PARI draws inspiration from India’s ancient artistic traditions (lok kala/lok sanskriti) while incorporating modern techniques and themes.
• It celebrates the intrinsic value of art in Indian society, serving as a testament to the nation’s enduring commitment to creativity and artistic expression.

Ans: B

Exp: 

Amid a clamour for classical status for many languages, the Central government has decided to tweak the criteria for giving this special tag.

Criteria for declaring a language as classical in India:

1. Statement 1 is correct: High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years;
2. Statement 2 is correct: A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers;
3. Statement 3 is correct: The literary tradition be original and not borrowed from another speech community;
4. Statement 4 is incorrect: The classical language and literature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots.

India has six classical languages as of now – Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Odia. It was in 2014 that the government last granted the special tag.

Ans: A

Exp: 

Electric vehicles are the site of many of these changes, aided by state-led incentives and subsidies. Regenerative braking is an important mechanism in these vehicles that increases their energy use efficiency.

About Regenerative braking:

• • Regenerative braking is a technology used in hybrid and electric vehicles to recover energy during braking.

• How It Works:

• • • In an electric vehicle, a battery onboard draws electric power from the grid and stores it.
    • Statement 1 is correct: When the vehicle brakes, the electric motor (traction motor) operates as a generator. The motor converts mechanical energy back to electrical energy. This electric current is stored separately in a battery. In some cases (e.g., trains), the current is fed back into the traction motor.

• Benefits:

• • • Improves energy-use efficiency by recovering energy that would otherwise be wasted.
    • Especially useful in stop-start traffic.
    • Works alongside conventional braking systems.

• Downsides:

• • Statement 2 is incorrect: Alone, regenerative braking may not bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Requires additional conventional braking to prevent backsliding downhill.
  • Energy recovery decreases as vehicle velocity drops