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The correct answer is Article 74(1).

Key Points

• Article 74(1) of the Indian Constitution provides that there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister as its head to aid and advise the President in the exercise of his functions.
• According to this article, the President shall act in accordance with the advice tendered by the Council of Ministers, emphasizing the parliamentary form of government where the executive is responsible to the legislature.
• The 42^nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, made the advice of the Council of Ministers binding on the President, ensuring that the President remains a constitutional or titular head.
• The 44^th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978, introduced a provision allowing the President to return the advice for reconsideration once; however, the President is bound to follow the advice given after such reconsideration.
• The nature of the advice tendered by the ministers to the President is protected from judicial scrutiny and cannot be inquired into in any court of law, as per Article 74(2).

 Additional Information

• Article 52
• States that there shall be a President of India, who serves as the Head of State and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
• The executive power of the Union is vested in the President and is exercised by him either directly or through officers subordinate to him.
• Article 76
• Deals with the office of the Attorney-General for India, the highest law officer in the country.
• The Attorney-General is appointed by the President and holds office during the pleasure of the President.
• Article 70
• Provides for the discharge of the President’s functions in other contingencies not specifically mentioned in the Constitution.
• It empowers Parliament to make such provisions as it thinks fit for the discharge of the functions of the President in such cases.

The correct answer is 6^th edition.

Key Points

• The 6^th edition of the joint military exercise Dharma Guardian between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) is scheduled to be conducted from 25 February to 9 March 2025.
• This iteration of the annual exercise is being hosted by Japan at the training areas located around Mount Fuji, providing a unique high-altitude and rugged terrain for operational training.
• The Indian contingent for the 2025 exercise is represented by a battalion from the Rajputana Rifles, while the Japanese side is represented by troops from the 1^st Division of the Eastern Army, JGSDF.
• The primary objective of this exercise is to enhance interoperability and promote military cooperation between the two nations, focusing on tactical-level operations in sub-conventional environments.
• The training curriculum includes joint planning, tactical drills, and the execution of integrated maneuvers under a United Nations Mandate (Chapter VII), specifically focusing on counter-terrorism and peacekeeping scenarios.

 Additional Information

• Evolution and History:
• The first edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian was held in 2018 at the Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS) in Vairengte, Mizoram, India.
• The exercise alternates annually between India and Japan to familiarize troops with varying climatic and geographical conditions; the 5^th edition (2024) was held at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan, India.
• This series of exercises is a cornerstone of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, aimed at ensuring a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).
• Other Bilateral Exercises:
• JIMEX: A biennial maritime exercise conducted between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
• SHINYUU Maitri: A bilateral exercise involving the Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).
• Veer Guardian: A combat air exercise between the two air forces, which debuted in 2023 at Hyakuri Air Base, Japan.

The correct answer is option 2.

Key Points

Top 5 Electricity-Consuming Districts in Bihar:

• According to recent data:
• Patna – ~5,211 MU
• Gaya – ~2,031 MU
• Muzaffarpur – ~1,444 MU
• Rohtas – ~1,360 MU
• Nalanda – ~1,295 MU
• Per capita energy consumption to increase from 134 kilowatt-hours (2012–13) to 363 kilowatt-hours (2023–24).

The Correct answer is Madhubani.

Key Points

• Saurath Mela is a renowned gathering held in the district of Madhubani, located in the state of Bihar, India.
• This mela (fair) has a unique cultural significance as it is primarily organized for marriage matchmaking among the Maithil Brahmins of the region.
• The tradition of matchmaking at Saurath Mela is based on ancient customs where genealogical records are meticulously maintained by pundits (priests) called Panjikars.
• The mela serves as a platform where families consult these Panjikars to verify ancestral records and ensure there are no common lineage connections, thus avoiding prohibited marital alliances.
• It is held annually and attracts a large number of people from the region and beyond, making it a significant event for the Maithil community.
• Madhubani district is also famous for its Madhubani paintings, which are an integral part of the cultural heritage of the region.
• Saurath Mela not only promotes the tradition of arranged marriages but also serves as a hub for social and cultural interactions.

 Additional Information

• Vaishali
• Vaishali is a district in Bihar known for its historical and archaeological significance.
• It was an important center of the Buddhist and Jain religions and is considered one of the earliest republics in the world.
• The district houses the Vaishali Stupa and the Ashokan Pillar, which are key tourist attractions.
• Muzaffarpur
• Muzaffarpur is famous for its Shahi Litchis, which are among the best litchis grown in India.
• The district is a prominent center for agriculture and trade in Bihar.
• It is also home to various educational institutions and serves as a gateway to other tourist destinations in the region.

The correct answer is Mawsynram.

Key Points

• Mawsynram is located in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya state in Northeastern India and is officially recognized as the place with the highest average annual rainfall on Earth.
• The region receives an astounding average annual precipitation of approximately 11,872 millimeters (about 467.4 inches), securing its place in the Guinness World Records.
• This extreme rainfall is caused by the geographical alignment of the Khasi Hills, which creates a funneling effect for the moisture-laden winds blowing from the Bay of Bengal.
• As these warm, moist winds hit the steep hills, they are forced to rise rapidly (a process known as orographic lift), leading to cooling, condensation, and consistent, heavy downpours.
• The wettest month in Mawsynram is typically July, and the village remains a primary area of interest for climatologists studying the Southwest Monsoon patterns.

 Additional Information

• Cherrapunji (Sohra)
• Located very close to Mawsynram, it historically held the title of the wettest place and remains one of the rainiest locations globally with an average of about 11,430 millimeters of rain annually.
• It is famous for its Double Decker Living Root Bridges, which are bio-engineered from the roots of Ficus elastica trees to withstand the heavy moisture.
• Bhubaneswar
• The capital city of Odisha is known as the Temple City of India and experiences a tropical savanna climate.
• While it receives significant rainfall during the monsoon months (June to September), its annual average is roughly 1,400 to 1,500 millimeters, which is considerably lower than the Meghalayan plateau.
• Bangalore (Bengaluru)
• The capital of Karnataka, situated on the Deccan Plateau at an elevation of about 900 meters, is known as the Silicon Valley of India.
• It features a moderate tropical savanna climate with distinct wet and dry seasons, receiving an average annual rainfall of approximately 900 to 1,000 millimeters.

The correct answer is Operation Urja Suraksha.

In News

• The Indian Navy launched ‘Operation Urja Suraksha’ to provide a security umbrella for Indian-flagged energy vessels in the West Asia region.

Key Points

• The operation involves the deployment of over five frontline warships around the Strait of Hormuz to secure the transit of LNG, LPG, and crude oil.
• Recent successes include the safe escort of LPG carriers like Pine Gas and Jag Vasant, carrying nearly 92,000 tonnes of fuel.
• The Navy has identified 22 India-bound vessels for protected transit to ensure supply chain resilience.
• Operation Details
• Focus Region - Strait of Hormuz
• Target Cargo - LNG, LPG, and Crude Oil
• Coordination - Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

Additional Information

• Strait of Hormuz
• It is a vital maritime chokepoint between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, essential for global energy supplies.
• Energy Security
• Refers to the uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price, which is the primary goal of this naval mission.
• Indian Navy
• Chief of the Naval Staff - Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi (As of 2024-25)
• HQ - New Delhi

The correct answer is Only 1 and 2.

Key Points

• The Ratapani Tiger Reserve has been officially designated as the 57^th Tiger Reserve of India following the final approval from the Madhya Pradesh state cabinet in 2024. This follows the in-principle approval granted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in 2008. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• Madhya Pradesh is known as the Tiger State of India. With the notification of Ratapani, the state now boasts a total of 8 Tiger Reserves, adding to the existing list of Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Satpura, Pench, Panna, Sanjay-Dubri, and Veerangana Durgavati. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The reserve is geographically spread across the Raisen and Sehore districts. Crucially, these districts are located within the state of Madhya Pradesh, not Chhattisgarh. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

 Additional Information

• Geographical and Cultural Significance:
• The reserve is situated in the Vindhyachal Mountain Range and serves as a vital corridor for tiger movement between Bhopal and Hoshangabad.
• It houses the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which contains ancient rock paintings dating back to the Paleolithic era.
• The ecosystem is dominated by Dry Deciduous Forests, with Teak (Tectona grandis) being the primary floral species.
• The Dahod Reservoir and Ratapani Dam are major water bodies located within or adjacent to the sanctuary area, supporting diverse aquatic life.

The correct answer is Nucleotides.

Key Points

• Nucleic acids, including DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (Ribonucleic acid), are the primary information-carrying biopolymers found in all living cells and viruses.
• The monomer units that link together to form these long-chain polymers are known as nucleotides.
• Each nucleotide is composed of three essential chemical components: a phosphate group, a pentose sugar (five-carbon sugar), and a nitrogenous base.
• The pentose sugar is deoxyribose in DNA and ribose in RNA; these sugars differ by the presence of a hydroxyl group at the 2' carbon in ribose.
• There are five main nitrogenous bases: the purines (Adenine and Guanine) and the pyrimidines (Cytosine, Thymine in DNA, and Uracil in RNA).
• Nucleotides are connected by phosphodiester bonds, which form between the 3' hydroxyl group of one sugar and the 5' phosphate group of the next, creating a sugar-phosphate backbone.
• The specific linear sequence of these nucleotide monomers encodes the genetic information required for protein synthesis and cellular regulation.

 Additional Information

• Amino acids:
• These are the monomers used to build proteins.
• Each amino acid consists of a central alpha-carbon bonded to an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a variable R-group (side chain).
• They are linked together via peptide bonds to form polypeptide chains.
• Monosaccharides:
• These are the simplest carbohydrate units, such as glucose, fructose, and galactose.
• They serve as the building blocks for polysaccharides like cellulose, starch, and glycogen, joined by glycosidic linkages.
• Fatty acids:
• These are long hydrocarbon chains with a terminal carboxylic acid group.
• They act as components for lipids, including triglycerides and phospholipids, which are vital for energy storage and the structure of cell membranes.

The correct answer is option 2.

Key Points

• The average elevation of the Kosi Plain above mean sea level is approximately 30 meters. This low-lying region is part of the larger Indo-Gangetic Plain and is characterized by its flat topography. Hence option 2 is the correct answer.
• The Kosi River, originating from the Himalayas, descends rapidly to this plain, contributing to its relatively low elevation. The river's dynamics and the plain's topography have significant implications for agriculture, settlement patterns, and flood management in the region.

The correct answer is Option 2

In News

• Recent discussions involving Atlantic island territories and international health screening measures renewed attention on the geographical location of major island groups.

Key Points

• Tristan da Cunha is a remote volcanic island group located in the South Atlantic Ocean.It is one of the most isolated inhabited archipelagos in the world. Hence, Pair I is correctly matched.
• The Canary Islands are situated in the North Atlantic Ocean off the northwestern coast of Africa. They are an autonomous community of Spain. Hence, Pair II is correctly matched.
• The Maldives are located in the Indian Ocean southwest of India and Sri Lanka. They are not situated in the Mediterranean Sea. Hence, Pair III is incorrectly matched.

Additional Information

• The Atlantic Ocean contains several volcanic island groups formed due to tectonic and volcanic activity.
• Island ecosystems often support endemic species and unique biodiversity.
• Ocean currents significantly influence the climate, fisheries, and ecology of island regions.
• Many island groups possess strategic maritime and geopolitical significance.