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The correct answer is The use of antibiotics as a preventive hygiene measure is recommended to reduce bacterial infections in community settings..

Key Points

• Regular handwashing with soap and water is a fundamental hygiene practice that physically removes and inactivates pathogens. It is a highly effective intervention that reduces diarrheal disease episodes by nearly one-quarter and respiratory infections like the common cold or flu. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• Antibiotics are therapeutic drugs used to treat existing bacterial infections and are not categorized as hygiene measures. Prophylactic or preventive use of antibiotics in general community settings is medically discouraged as it leads to the development of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and destroys beneficial gut microbiota. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• Sanitation infrastructure, such as functional sewage systems and safe waste disposal, prevents the fecal-oral route of transmission. This is vital for eradicating waterborne diseases like Cholera, Typhoid, and Dysentery by ensuring that water sources remain uncontaminated. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• Vaccination acts as a biological shield by providing active immunity against specific pathogens. It works in tandem with hygiene; while hygiene lowers the volume of environmental pathogens, vaccines prepare the immune system to neutralize those that are encountered. Hence, statement 4 is correct.

 Additional Information

• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR):
• It occurs when microorganisms evolve mechanisms that protect them from the effects of antimicrobials.
• Misuse of antibiotics in humans and the agricultural sector is a primary driver of this global health crisis.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that without effective antimicrobials, the success of modern surgery and cancer chemotherapy would be at risk.
• WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene):
• A collective term for interventions designed to improve health through clean water and proper waste management.
• The Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.

The correct answer is Disinvestment and reduced state role in business.

Key Points

• The New Economic Policy (NEP) of 1991, introduced by the P.V. Narasimha Rao government, marked a paradigm shift from a state-controlled economy to a market-oriented economy.
• The philosophy of Minimum Government, Maximum Governance is rooted in Privatization, which involved disinvestment of government equity in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to encourage private participation.
• The 1991 reforms aimed to dismantle the License-Permit Raj, thereby reducing the bureaucratic hurdles and the state's footprint in sectors where the private sector could operate more efficiently.
• By reducing its role as a commercial producer, the government shifted its focus toward becoming a facilitator and regulator, ensuring a competitive environment rather than managing day-to-day business operations.
• This transition allowed the state to concentrate its limited resources on strategic sectors, public administration, and essential infrastructure, which is the core essence of administrative efficiency and governance.

 Additional Information

• LPG Framework of 1991:
• Liberalization: The removal of entry barriers and price controls, allowing the market forces of demand and supply to determine economic outcomes.
• Privatization: The transfer of ownership, management, and control of public sector entities to the private sector through strategic sales or initial public offerings (IPOs).
• Globalization: The integration of the Indian economy with the global economy by reducing import duties and encouraging Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
• Incorrect Options Context:
• Nationalization: This was the hallmark of the pre-1991 era, such as the 1969 Nationalization of Banks, which represented Maximum Government intervention.
• Social Sector Expenditure: While crucial for development, the immediate focus of 1991 was fiscal consolidation and structural adjustment to resolve the Balance of Payments (BoP) crisis.
• Welfare Capitalism: The 1991 reforms specifically moved away from state-sponsored capitalism toward a liberal market economy to boost GDP growth and productivity.

The correct answer is B.R. Ambedkar.

Key Points

• Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar served as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly and is widely recognized as the Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution.
• He was a leading social reformer who dedicated his life to the upliftment of Dalits and the eradication of the caste system in India, promoting the philosophy of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.
• In 1924, he founded the Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha to improve the education and socio-economic status of the depressed classes and launched the Mahad Satyagraha in 1927 to secure the right of untouchables to use public water resources.
• He represented the depressed classes in all three Round Table Conferences (1930−1932) and signed the Poona Pact with Mahatma Gandhi in 1932 to ensure reserved seats for the depressed classes in provincial legislatures.
• Ambedkar served as independent India’s first Minister of Law and Justice and played a crucial role in the introduction of the Hindu Code Bill, which aimed to reform personal laws and empower women.

 Additional Information

• Mahatma Gandhi:
• Known as the Father of the Nation, he led the Indian independence movement through Non-violence (Ahimsa) and Satyagraha.
• He established the Harijan Sevak Sangh to work for the removal of untouchability, though his approach differed from Ambedkar’s emphasis on legal and political rights.
• Rajendra Prasad:
• He was the President of the Constituent Assembly and subsequently became the first President of India (1950−1962).
• He was a staunch supporter of Gandhi and a key leader in the Salt Satyagraha and Quit India Movement.
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel:
• Known as the Iron Man of India, he served as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of independent India.
• He is celebrated for the political integration of over 560 princely states into the Indian Union.

The correct answer is Creating a trade route connecting India to Europe via Middle East.

Key Points

• The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) was officially launched during the G20 Summit held in New Delhi in September 2023 through a Memorandum of Understanding.
• The primary objective of the corridor is to foster economic integration and provide a seamless trade route involving ship-to-rail transit networks.
• The project is divided into two distinct segments: the East Corridor, which links India to the Arabian Gulf, and the Northern Corridor, which connects the Arabian Gulf to Europe.
• It aims to enhance global supply chain resilience by providing an alternative to traditional maritime routes like the Suez Canal, potentially reducing transit times by 40% and costs by 30%.
• Beyond logistics, the corridor incorporates infrastructure for clean hydrogen export, undersea telecommunication cables, and high-voltage electricity grids to ensure energy security and digital connectivity.

 Additional Information

• Participating Nations:
• The signatories of the IMEC include India, the United States, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy, and the European Union.
• This initiative is seen as a strategic alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), focusing on transparent and sustainable infrastructure development.
• Infrastructure Features:
• The corridor utilizes railway lines to connect major ports such as Jebel Ali (UAE) and Haifa (Israel).
• It supports the PGII (Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment), an initiative by G7 countries to fund infrastructure in developing nations.

The correct answer is 2015.

Key Points

• In 2015, following the conclusion of the 35^th National Games in Kerala, Goa was officially designated to host the 36^th National Games, initially scheduled to take place in November 2016.
• The state government won the bid with the intention of leveraging the existing infrastructure from the 2014 Lusofonia Games, but significant administrative delays and a lack of specialized venues led to multiple extensions.
• Critical infrastructure delays were observed in the construction and renovation of stadiums like the Tilak Maidan Stadium and the development of facilities for niche sports like rowing and cycling, which were not locally available.
• Due to the state's inability to meet deadlines, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) imposed a penalty of 10 crore rupees on the Goa Government in 2019 for the recurring postponements.
• The event was pushed forward through 2018, 2019, and 2020; eventually, the COVID-19 pandemic and the state's unreadiness forced the IOA to relocate the 36^th edition to Gujarat in 2022.

 Additional Information

• Indian Olympic Association (IOA):
• The IOA is the governing body responsible for selecting host cities and overseeing the National Games, which are designed to identify and nurture athletic talent for the Olympics.
• It works in coordination with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and respective State Sports Councils.
• 37^th National Games (Goa 2023):
• After nearly a decade of delays following the 2015 bid transition, Goa finally hosted the 37^th National Games in 2023.
• The event featured over 10,000 athletes competing across 28 venues in Goa, with Services Sports Control Board topping the medal tally.
• The official mascot was Moga, an Indian Bison, which symbolizes the strength and cultural identity of the coastal state.
• Host City Timeline:
• 2011: The 34^th National Games were held in Jharkhand, specifically in Ranchi.
• 2022: The 36^th National Games were hosted by Gujarat across six cities including Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Surat, filling the gap left by Goa.

The correct answer is Dhyan Chand.

Key Points

• The Government of India officially renamed the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award on August 6, 2021, to honor the legacy of India's greatest hockey icon.
• The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is the highest sporting honor in India, administered annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
• Recipients are selected by a specialized committee for their spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports over a period of four years at the international level.
• The award was originally instituted in 1991–92, and the first sportsperson to receive this prestigious honor was the Chess Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand.
• As of the latest revisions, the award includes a medallion, a certificate, and a significant cash prize of 25 lakh rupees.

 Additional Information

• Major Dhyan Chand:
• Widely known as the The Wizard of hockey, he led India to three consecutive Olympic gold medals in 1928 (Amsterdam), 1932 (Los Angeles), and 1936 (Berlin).
• His birth anniversary, August 29, is celebrated across the country as National Sports Day.
• Milkha Singh:
• Commonly referred to as The Flying Sikh, he was a legendary track and field sprinter who won four Asian Games gold medals and finished fourth in the 400m final at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
• Dhanraj Pillay:
• A former captain of the Indian National Hockey Team, he is the only player to have participated in four Olympic Games, four World Cups, and four Asian Games. He was the first hockey player to receive the Khel Ratna in 1999–2000.
• Major Somnath Sharma:
• An officer of the Kumaon Regiment who was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military decoration, awarded posthumously for his valor during the 1947 Indo-Pakistani War.

The correct answer is Indira Gandhi Canal.

Key Points

• The Indira Gandhi Canal, originally known as the Rajasthan Canal, is the longest irrigation canal in India and one of the largest projects of its kind in the world.
• It originates from the Harike Barrage, situated at the confluence of the Sutlej and Beas rivers in the Punjab state of India.
• The total length of the canal system is approximately 650 kilometers, designed to provide irrigation and drinking water to the vast Thar Desert region.
• The project was conceptualized by hydraulic engineer Kanwar Sain in the late 1940s to transform the arid landscape of Northwestern Rajasthan into productive agricultural land.
• It facilitates the cultivation of major crops such as wheat, cotton, and mustard in districts including Sri Ganganagar, Bikaner, and Jaisalmer.

 Additional Information

• East Kosi Canal:
• This canal originates from the Kosi Barrage at Hanuman Nagar on the Indo-Nepal border and primarily serves the irrigation requirements of Bihar.
• Sirhind Canal:
• Inaugurated in 1882, it is one of the oldest and largest irrigation works in the Indus river system, drawing water from the Sutlej River at Ropar in Punjab.
• Yamuna Canal:
• The system consists of the Western Yamuna Canal (Haryana) and the Eastern Yamuna Canal (Uttar Pradesh), which utilize water from the Yamuna River for agricultural purposes in the Indo-Gangetic Plain.

The correct answer is Concerns over media autonomy, harassment of journalists, and online censorship.

Key Points

• The World Press Freedom Index 2024, released by the international non-profit organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF), placed India at the 159^th position out of 180 countries.
• A primary reason for India's low ranking is the erosion of media autonomy, often linked to the concentration of media ownership by large conglomerates with political affiliations.
• The report highlights the frequent harassment of journalists, including physical violence, legal threats, and the misuse of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to detain reporters.
• Online censorship and frequent internet shutdowns, particularly in sensitive regions, have severely hampered the free flow of information and independent digital journalism.
• India's environment for journalism is categorized as 'very serious', indicating a structural decline in the safety and freedom afforded to the fourth estate.

 Additional Information

• Reporters Without Borders (RSF):
• Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Paris, it is an independent NGO with consultative status at the United Nations.
• The index is calculated based on five distinct indicators: political, legal framework, economic, sociocultural, and safety.
• Global Rankings 2024:
• Norway retained its 1^st rank, followed by Denmark and Sweden, showcasing high levels of transparency and legal protection for the press.
• Among India's neighbors, Pakistan was ranked 152^nd, while Sri Lanka stood at 150^th, and China remained near the bottom at 172^nd.
• Legal and Regulatory Impact:
• The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules have been cited by critics as a tool that grants the government excessive power over digital content.

The correct answer is Their preservation inside Buddhist rock-cut caves.

Key Points

• The Ajanta Caves comprise 29 to 30 Buddhist rock-cut monuments located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, dating from the 2^nd century BCE to the 6^th century CE.
• The architectural significance stems from their excavation into a horseshoe-shaped basaltic cliff along the Waghora River, showcasing the pinnacle of rock-cut architecture in ancient India.
• These murals are housed within two main types of structures: Viharas (monasteries for residence and study) and Chaityas (prayer halls containing stupas), which provided a protected environment for the art.
• The paintings primarily illustrate the Jataka tales (previous lives of the Buddha) and significant events from the life of Lord Buddha, reflecting the transition from Hinayana to Mahayana Buddhism.
• Unlike traditional frescoes where pigment is applied to wet lime, Ajanta artists used the Fresco-secco technique, applying colors to a dry surface composed of clay, hay, and dung covered with lime.
• The secluded location of these caves in the Sahyadri hills led to their abandonment and subsequent accidental discovery by British officer John Smith in 1819, which ensured the preservation of the delicate murals.

 Additional Information

• Islamic Miniature Style:
• This style flourished much later during the Medieval period under the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire.
• It is characterized by small-scale illustrations on paper or cloth, often featuring Persian influence, which differs fundamentally from the large-scale mural tradition of Ajanta.
• Structural vs. Rock-cut:
• While temple courtyards are common in Dravidian or Nagara structural architecture, Ajanta represents a monolithic tradition where entire shrines were carved out of living rock.
• The caves are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983 for their immense contribution to Indian art history and religious iconography.

The correct answer is VELC.

Key Points

• The Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) is the primary and largest payload on board India's maiden solar mission, Aditya-L1, designed to study the solar corona from the Lagrangian Point 1 (L1).
• Developed by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, VELC is a reflective coronagraph that uses an internal occulter to block light from the solar disk, allowing the study of the much fainter corona.
• It is capable of observing the corona starting from a very close distance of 1.05 solar radii, which is a significant technical achievement compared to other space-based coronagraphs.
• The instrument performs simultaneous spectroscopy in three visible and near-infrared emission lines and high-resolution imaging in one continuum channel to understand coronal heating and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs).
• By monitoring the solar atmosphere at high temporal resolution, it provides critical data on the velocity, density, and magnetic field structures of the solar corona.

 Additional Information

• SUIT (Solar Ultra-violet Imaging Telescope):
• Another key payload of Aditya-L1 that images the Solar Photosphere and Chromosphere in the near Ultraviolet wavelength range (200-400 nm).
• It helps in understanding the spatio-temporal variations of the Sun's atmosphere.
• XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite):
• India's first dedicated mission to study the polarization of cosmic X-rays from sources like Black Holes and Pulsars, launched by ISRO in 2024.
• RHESSI (Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager):
• A former NASA mission launched in 2002 to investigate the physics of particle acceleration and energy release in solar flares.
• Aditya-L1 Mission:
• Launched on September 2, 2023, via the PSLV-C57 rocket, it carries seven scientific payloads to observe various solar phenomena.