Answer: D

Explanation:

During a meeting with delegates from Ladakh, a region currently experiencing unrest, Union Home Minister Amit Shah proposed the extension of Article 371-like safeguards to the area. Article 371-like safeguards would provide protections to Ladakh's local population without granting the extensive autonomy enjoyed by areas under the Sixth Schedule. These protections aim to ensure representation and participation of locals through hill councils and offer up to 80% reservation in public employment. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

Article 371 and its subsequent sections provide special provisions for specific states, aimed at granting representation to particular religious and social groups while allowing them autonomy over their affairs. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: D

Explanation:

Recently, 18 scientists voted against declaring the beginning of the Anthropocene, or the "Human Epoch," in geological time. Geoscientists use the Geological Time Scale (GTS) to measure Earth's history, which spans approximately 4.54 billion years. The term "Anthropocene" was coined in 2000, suggesting a new geological epoch defined by significant human impact on the Earth's systems.

The proposal was voted down by the Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy (SQS) due to insufficient evidence and criteria for defining a new epoch. Critics argue that the proposal risked oversimplifying the complex history of human impact on the Earth and lacked consensus among geoscientists. While the SQS vote rejected the proposal for a defined Anthropocene epoch, the concept of significant human impact on the planet remains relevant. Some scientists suggest viewing the Anthropocene as an "event" rather than a distinct epoch, acknowledging the transformative nature of human activity on Earth. Regardless of formal classification, evidence of human impact on the planet will endure in the geological record for future generations to interpret. Hence, option (d) is correct.

Answer: C

Explanation:

The International Women’s Day is observed every year on March 8, to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. This day serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about gender equality issues and advocates for progress towards a more equitable world. The United Nations has designated this year's theme as ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’ with a focus on addressing economic disempowerment, while the campaign theme for this year is ‘Inspire Inclusion’. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

The first National Women’s Day was observed in the United States on February 28, 1909, which was organised by the Socialist Party of America to commemorate the 1908 garment workers’ strike in New York, where women protested against working conditions. Later in 1910, Clara Zetkin proposed International Women’s Day at the International Women’s Conference in Copenhagen. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: D

Explanation:

Govind Ballabh Pant (10 September 1887- 7 March 1961), an Indian freedom fighter and the prominent leader was born at Khoont village near Almora in Uttrakhand. Pant served as the first Chief Minister of the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) from 1937 to 1939 and later from 1946 to 1954. He was appointed as the Union Home Minister from 1955 to 1961, Pant played a crucial role in the re-organisation of states along linguistic lines. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

He advocated for the establishment of Hindi as an official language. He promoted cottage industries and protested the coolie-beggar law, which exploited porters to carry heavy luggage without any payment. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

He actively participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement and was imprisoned in 1930 for organizing a Salt March. Pant was awarded the Bharat Ratna (India's highest civilian honor) in 1957. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

Answer: D

Explanation:

Recently, the Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET) analysis revealed that green harvests in Angola are projected to be slightly below average, posing challenges in combating acute food insecurity. Luanda is the capital of this country. Angola is a country on the west-central coast of Southern Africa. Angola shares its border with Zambia to the East, the Atlantic Ocean to the West, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the North and Namibia to the South. The highest point in Angola is Mount Moco. Some major rivers in Angola include the Cuanza (longest river), Zambezi, Kwango, Cuando and Cunene Rivers. Angola is rich in natural resources, including oil, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite and uranium. According to the 2023 Global Hunger Index, Angola’s hunger level is rated as serious with a score of 25.9. Hence, option (d) is correct.