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The correct answer is Option 2.

Key PointsSonepur Mela:

• Location: Sonepur, Bihar (at the confluence of the Ganga and Gandak rivers). Hence, option 2 is correct.
• Duration: It is held annually during the month of Kartik (November-December) and lasts for nearly a month.
• Significance:
• It is one of the largest cattle fairs in Asia.
• The fair features the sale of animals like elephants, horses, cattle, and birds.
• Cultural Importance:
• The fair also includes religious rituals, trade, cultural programs, and entertainment activities.
• It has historical roots dating back to the Mauryan Empire and has religious connections to Harihar Nath Temple in Sonepur.

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• Authority of the Governor:
• Under Article 192 of the Indian Constitution, the Governor decides on the disqualification of a member of the State Legislative Assembly when the matter is not related to defection (Tenth Schedule). Hence, option 1 is correct.
• Procedure:
• If a question arises regarding the disqualification of a member, the matter is referred to the Governor.
• The Governor takes the decision after obtaining the opinion of the Election Commission of India. The Governor is bound by the advice provided by the Election Commission.
• Grounds for Disqualification (Article 191):
• Holding an office of profit.
• Being of unsound mind or undischarged insolvent.
• Not being a citizen of India.
• Violation of other provisions related to qualifications for membership.
• Tenth Schedule Exception:
• Matters related to defection (anti-defection law) under the Tenth Schedule are decided by the Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly.

The correct answer is Option 2.

Key Points

Human-Made Causes:

• Burning of Fossil Fuels:
• Power generation, heating, and cooking using coal, oil, and gas release greenhouse gases and particulate matter.
• Example: Thermal power plants, households using biomass.
• Industrial Emissions:
• Industries release pollutants like sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• Example: Factories, power plants.
• Vehicle Emissions:
• Exhaust from vehicles contributes to pollutants like carbon monoxide (CO), NOx, hydrocarbons, and PM2.5.
• Example: Motor vehicles running on petrol and diesel.
• Construction and Demolition Activities:
• Dust and particulate matter generated during construction add to air pollution.
• Crop Burning and Biomass Burning:
• Agricultural residue burning releases PM2.5, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and methane (CH₄).
• Example: Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana.
• Waste Burning:
• Open burning of solid waste emits harmful chemicals like dioxins, furans, and black carbon.
• Deforestation:
• Reduces the natural ability of forests to absorb CO₂, leading to increased air pollution.
• Household Sources:
• Use of wood, coal, or dung cakes for cooking generates indoor air pollution.
• Mining Activities:
• Mining releases dust and harmful gases into the atmosphere.

Natural Causes:

• Wildfires:
• Forest fires emit smoke, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter into the air.
• Volcanic Eruptions:
• Volcanic activities release sulfur dioxide, ash, and other pollutants.
• Dust Storms:
• Natural dust storms, especially in arid regions, increase particulate matter in the air.
• Pollen and Microbial Decay:
• Organic compounds like pollen and spores also contribute to air pollution.

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• The Munger Hilly region is located in the southern part of Bihar. Hence, option 1 is correct.
• It is a part of the Southern Hilly Region, which forms a boundary between the Gangetic plains and the Chotanagpur Plateau.
• The region is known for its hilly terrain and is distinct from the Chotanagpur Plateau.

The correct answer is Option 4.

Key Points

Developments in Atomic Models:

• J.J. Thomson (1897):
• Proposed the Plum Pudding Model, where electrons are embedded in a positively charged "pudding."
• Ernest Rutherford (1911):
• Proposed the Nuclear Model, where the atom has a small, dense, positively charged nucleus surrounded by electrons.
• Niels Bohr (1913):
• Developed the Bohr Model, where electrons orbit the nucleus in discrete energy levels.
• Modern Quantum Mechanical Model:
• Based on principles by Schrödinger and Heisenberg, describing the atom with electron clouds rather than fixed orbits.

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• The representation of the Anglo-Indian community in the Lok Sabha was abolished through the 104^th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019, which came into effect on January 25, 2020. Hence, option 1 is correct.
• Earlier Provision:
• Under Article 331 of the Indian Constitution, the President could nominate two members of the Anglo-Indian community to the Lok Sabha if they were not adequately represented.
• 104^th Amendment Act (2019):
• This amendment abolished the nomination of Anglo-Indians to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
• The provision was deemed unnecessary as the Anglo-Indian community's population had significantly reduced, and their representation was not considered inadequate.
• Current Position:
• As of now, there is no reserved or nominated representation for the Anglo-Indian community in the Lok Sabha.

The correct answer is Option 2.

Key Points

• In 2015, the Bihar government issued a notification reclassifying the Tanti-Tantwa community from the Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) to the Scheduled Castes (SC) list. Hence, option 2 is correct.
• However, in July 2024, the Supreme Court of India quashed this notification, ruling that state governments lack the authority to alter the SC list as defined under Article 341 of the Constitution.
• The Court emphasized that any modifications to the SC list can only be enacted through legislation passed by Parliament, not through state-level decisions.
• This judgment underscores the constitutional mandate that only Parliament holds the power to amend the SC list, ensuring uniformity and preventing unilateral state actions in such sensitive classifications.

The correct answer is Option 4.

Key Points

French Open 2024:

• Men's Singles: Carlos Alcaraz defeated Alexander Zverev. Hence, option 4 is correct.
• This victory marked Alcaraz's first French Open title and his third Grand Slam overall.
• Women's Singles: Iga Świątek secured her fourth French Open title by defeating Jasmine Paolini.
• This win solidified Świątek's dominance on clay courts, as she became the youngest woman to win four French Open titles.

French Open:

• Location: Paris, France
• Surface: Clay courts
• Inception: 1891

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• Indian mountaineer Satyadeep Gupta achieved the distinction of being the first person to scale both Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse twice in a single season. Hence, option 1 is correct.
• Additionally, he set a record as the first Indian to traverse between these two peaks in 11 hours and 15 minutes.
• Gupta's remarkable achievement, known as the Double Dual Ascent, involved summiting Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse on two separate occasions within the same climbing season.
• His rapid traverse between the peaks further underscores his exceptional mountaineering skills and endurance.

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• According to the 2011 Census of India, the sex ratio of Bihar was reported to be 918 females per 1000 males. Hence, option is correct.
• The sex ratio is calculated by dividing the number of females by the number of males and multiplying the result by 1000.
• A sex ratio below 1000 implies a higher proportion of males in the population.
• The sex ratio is an important demographic indicator that provides insights into the gender composition of a region.
• A lower sex ratio can be indicative of various factors such as gender-based discrimination, social norms, and cultural practices.
• It is essential to monitor and address such imbalances to ensure gender equality and the well-being of the population.