Answer: C

Explanation:

Recently, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in collaboration with the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) South Asia Regional Office hosted a Workshop on Safe, Trusted and Ethical Artificial Intelligence in New Delhi. UNESCO is a specialized agency of the United Nations. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

It was established on 16th November 1945 with the aim of promoting peace and security through international cooperation in education, science, culture and communication. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

The first session of the General Conference of UNESCO was held in Paris during November-December of 1946. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

UNESCO has 193 Members and 11 Associate Members (as of April 2020) and is run by the General Conference and Executive Board. Its headquarter is located in Paris, France. Hence, statement 4 is correct.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Recently, The Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army celebrated World Environment Day with “Go Green Initiatives” in North Bengal and Sikkim, including inaugurating a plastic waste management and Recycling plant in Changgu, East Sikkim. The plant aims to improve waste management practices, promote sustainability by transforming plastic waste into usable materials and benefit the local economy. The plant will convert plastic waste into materials that can be used for road construction and brick-making. Hence, all statements are correct.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Recently, for World Environment Day 2024, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in Delhi NCR organized an awareness campaign for employees in the State Trading Corporation building. The Commission for Air Quality Management is a statutory body established by the Government of India. The commission has the authority to formulate policies, issue directions and take measures to mitigate air pollution and ensure compliance with air quality standards. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

It was established by an ordinance promulgated by the President of India in October 2020, which was later replaced by an act of Parliament in August 2021. It has jurisdiction over the National Capital Region (NCR) and its adjoining areas in the states of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

The composition includes a Chairperson, five ex officio members from the states' environmental departments, and three full-time technical members, three members from non-government organizations and technical representatives from CPCB, ISRO, and NITI Aayog. The chairperson will hold the post for three years or until s/he attains the age of 70 years. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Recently, at least 11 people lost their lives in coal mine due to inhaling methane gas inside a coal mine in the Sanjdi area in Pakistan’s Balochistan. Balochistan is a province in Pakistan, located in the southwestern region of the country. Balochistan shares its borders with Iran to the west, Afghanistan to the north and the Arabian Sea to the south. Quetta is the capital of this province. The highest point in Balochistan is Zarghoon Mountain, also known as Zarghoon Ghar, located near the provincial capital, Quetta. The Gwadar Port, located in Balochistan, is a key project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and serves as a major hub for trade and commerce. Hence, option (b) is correct.

Answer: A

Explanation:

The fractured mandate in the General Elections may reignite demands for special category status for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh by Nitish Kumar's JD(U) and Chandrababu Naidu's TDP. Special Category Status initially granted in 1969 by the Fifth Finance Commission to Jammu and Kashmir (now union territories), Assam and Nagaland.

Special Category Status justification based on social, economic and geographic backwardness. Its criteria include hilly terrain, low per capita income, tribal populations, and economic backwardness. It emerged due to constitutional changes, not explicitly stated in the Constitution. It is administered by the central government.

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