Answer: A

Explanation:

Recently, the Centre is expected to finalize the third phase of the FAME India Scheme within a month or two. The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid and) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) Scheme was launched in 2011 under the National Mission on Electric Mobility and the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan 2020. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

The aim of the FAME India Scheme is to promote the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles in India. The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) formulated the FAME India scheme in 2015. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

Phase I of the FAME India Scheme, which started in 2015 and operated until 31st March 2019, focused on demand creation, technology platforms, pilot projects, and charging infrastructure. Phase II, which began in April 2019 and has been extended to 31st March 2024, emphasizes the electrification of public and shared transportation. Phase III will replace the temporary Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme (EMPS) 2024, which expires in September 2024. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

Answer: D

Explanation:

Recently, the Union Labour Ministry has cleared a proposal for Centralised Pension Payment System (CPPS) for about 78 lakh pensioners. The Centralised Pension Payment System is a new system for disbursing pensions to employees under the Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Centralised Pension Payment System offers several benefits, including the elimination of branch visits for pension verification and immediate credit of pensions after release, reduced disbursement costs. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Recently, environmentalists and civil society members in Haryana released a 'Haryana Green Manifesto 2024' addressing urgent issues such as air pollution, waste management, groundwater depletion and the protection of the Aravallis. The 'Haryana Green Manifesto 2024' is a first-of-its-kind initiative created by environmentalists, ecologists and civil society members in Haryana to address critical environmental issues in the state. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

The central demand of the manifesto is the legal designation of the Aravallis as Critical Ecological Zones (CEZs) to ensure the protection and conservation of the essential ecosystem services they provide. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: A

Explanation:

Today, the President of India will confer National Awards to 82 teachers at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (5 September 1888-17 April 1975), an educationist and former President was born as Sarvepalli Radhakrishnayya in the erstwhile Madras Presidency (now in Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu). In 1952, he became the first Vice President of India and in 1962, he assumed the role of the second President of India, serving until 1967. Every year, India celebrates 5th September, the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, as National Teacher's Day. Hence, option (a) is correct.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Recently, the Andhra Pradesh government introduced GO 43, which withdrew previous sand policies (New Sand Mining Policy 2019 and Upgraded Sand Policy 2021) and replaced them with an Interim Mechanism for Sand Supply until the Sand Policy 2024 is formulated. Sand Mining involves the extraction of sand from riverbeds, beaches or ocean floors.  It is a critical activity for several construction and industrial purposes. There are some methods of Sand mining including Riverbed mining, Beach mining, Dredging mining and In-Stream mining. Riverbed mining extracts sand from riverbeds and floodplains, causing riverbank erosion and disruption of river ecosystems. Hence, pair 1 is correctly matched.

Dredging mining removes sand from the seabed or ocean floor using dredgers, affecting marine environments, often used for large-scale projects. Hence, pair 2 is not correctly matched.

In-Stream mining extracts sand directly from river channels, disrupting natural river flow and harming aquatic life. Hence, pair 3 is not correctly matched.