Answer: C

Explanation:

Recently, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has expressed deep concern over the death of at least 32 children as well as many arrests and detentions in last month's violence in Bangladesh. The United Nations Children's Fund, initially known as the International Children’s Emergency Fund (ICEF), is an agency of the United Nations. It provides humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

UNICEF was established on December 11, 1946, by the United Nations General Assembly and Ludwik Rajchman. Its mission is to ensure special protection for the most disadvantaged children including victims of war, disasters, extreme poverty, all forms of violence and exploitation and those with disabilities. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

UNICEF became a permanent part of the United Nations in 1953 and began its work in India in 1949. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Recently, the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has procured 33 lakh bales of cotton at Minimum Support Price (MSP) from farmers during the current cotton season that will end next month. The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) is a public sector undertaking (PSU) of the Government of India that is involved in cotton trade, procurement, and exports.  Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

The Cotton Corporation of India was established on 31st July 1970 under the administrative control of Ministry of Textiles, under the Companies Act 1956.  It also helps cotton growers sell their produce at competitive prices in various market yards across cotton-growing states. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: A

Explanation:

Recently, Unified Payments Interface-based transactions surged in July, reaching 20.64 lakh crore rupees, according to data released by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), showing a 35% year-on-year increase. Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a real-time payment system that allows users to transfer funds between bank accounts through a single mobile app. It was launched in 2016 by the National Payments Corporation of India as a public-private partnership with 21 member banks. Hence, statement I is correct.

Unified Payments Interface system is an advanced version of Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) that combines multiple banking features into one app, including fund routing and merchant payments. It allows users to make payments directly from their bank account to merchants without needing to enter their net banking password, credit card details or IFSC code. Hence, statement II is correct.

Here, statements I and II both are correct and statement II is the correct explanation of statement I. Hence, option (a) is correct.

Answer: C

Explanation:

The Indian Navy’s submarine, INS Shalki, arrived on August 2, 2024, on a two-day visit to Colombo. INS Shalki (S46) is a diesel-electric submarine of the Indian Navy's Shishumar class. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

INS Shalki was the first submarine ever built in India, launched in 1987 by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, and commissioned into the Indian navy in 1992. The 64.4-meter-long submarine has a crew of 40 and is commanded by Commander Rahul Patnaik. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Yesterday on 2nd of August, the Prime Minister of India remembered and paid tribute to Pingali Venkayya (2nd August1876-4th July1963) on his birth anniversary. He was an Indian freedom fighter, author, geologist and the designer of the Indian National Flag (Tricolour), was born in a Telugu Brahmin family at Bhatlapenumarru, near Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh. He was the follower of Gandhian principles and it was upon the request of Mahatma Gandhi that he designed the Indian National Flag with saffron, white and green colours with chakra in the middle. Tiranga Utsav is celebrated on August 2nd every year to honor of Pingali Venkayya. Hence, option (b) is correct.