Answer: C

Explanation:

Recently, India hosted BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers amid the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a regional multilateral organization comprising seven member states bordering the Bay of Bengal: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It was initially formed with four member states (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand) on June 6, 1997, as a result of the Bangkok Declaration. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

It operates through summits, ministerial meetings, senior officials' meetings, and working groups to facilitate cooperation and coordination. BIMSTEC serves as a bridge between South and Southeast Asia, enhancing connectivity and economic integration in the region. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

The principles of BIMSTEC include sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in internal affairs, peaceful co-existence, and mutual benefit. Its permanent secretariat is located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Answer: C

Explanation:

According to the UN's World Population Prospects 2024 report, there is an 80% probability that the world's population will peak within this century, up from 30% a decade ago. The world's population is expected to peak at around 10.3 billion by the mid-2080s, followed by a gradual decline to 10.2 billion by the end of the century. This projection marks a significant decrease from earlier estimates, reflecting substantial declines in fertility rates worldwide. Hence, statement I is correct.

One in four people live in countries where populations have already peaked, with another 48 countries expected to reach peak population between 2025 and 2054. India is projected to maintain its status as the world's most populous country throughout the century, facing unique demographic challenges. Hence, statement II is incorrect.

Answer: D

Explanation:

Recently, the Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), linked with the RSS, proposed a 'robot tax' to fund retraining programs for workers displaced by AI technologies. Robot Tax refers to a proposed tax on companies that adopt automation technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics, with the aim of offsetting the potential societal costs, such as job displacement. This tax is proposed to mitigate the negative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption on employment.  Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Robot Tax aims to levy taxes on companies using AI and automation to subsidize employees who may lose jobs due to technological advancements. The proposal also includes tax incentives for industries that prioritize higher employment-output ratios. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Recently, the US President urged NATO members to enhance their industrial capabilities to counter Russia, citing Russia's increased defense production supported by China, Iran, and North Korea. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an international military alliance that was established in 1949. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

NATO’s primary goal is to protect the freedom and security of its members through political and military means. It is made up of 32 countries from North America and Europe, including the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Turkey. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

A crucial aspect of NATO is Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, which enshrines the principle of collective defense. Its headquarter is located at Brussels in Belgium. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Recently, the US government blocked a British court hearing in the British Indian Ocean Territory, citing security concerns regarding a case of allegedly unlawful migrant detention on Diego Garcia. Diego Garcia is located in the Indian Ocean, approximately 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) south of the southern coast of India. Diego Garcia was discovered by Portuguese explorers in the early 16th century and named after the navigator Diego Garcia de Moguer.  It is an atoll, the largest island of the Chagos Archipelago, with a lagoon surrounded by a coral reef. It consists of a V-shaped sand-fringed cay and its lagoon is open at the north end. It is part of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), a British Overseas Territory. It was separated from Mauritius in 1965 as part of the newly created British Indian Ocean Territory. Hence, option (c) is correct.