Answer: A

Explanation:

Recently, the Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal stated that the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) was part of the Narendra Modi government’s agenda. The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) refers to the formulation of one law for India, which would be applicable to all religious communities in matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption and maintenance. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Article 44 of the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution directs the state to strive for the implementation of a UCC throughout the territory of India. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, while formulating the Constitution had said that a Uniform Civil Code is desirable but for the moment it should remain voluntary and thus the Article 35 of the draft Constitution was added as a part of the Directive Principles of the State Policy in part IV of the Constitution of India as Article 44. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

The concept of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) traces its origins back to colonial India during the British rule. The Supreme Court of India has, in various judgments, emphasized the need for a UCC, notably in cases like Shah Bano (1985) and Sarla Mudgal (1995). Goa is the only state in India that has a form of a Uniform Civil Code applicable to all its residents, regardless of religion. Hence, statement 4 is incorrect.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Recently, it has been seen that the water level in the Malampuzha dam is rapidly receding due to the absence of rainfall this ongoing monsoon. The Malampuzha Dam is a masonry and earthen dam in the Palakkad district of Kerala. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

It is the second largest dam and reservoir in Kerala and is located in the Western Ghats. The dam was built in 1955 by the Madras state after India's independence. The dam impounds the Malampuzha River, a tributary of the Bharathappuzha (Kerala's second longest river). Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: A

Explanation:

Researchers from IIT-Madras and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) are conducting a pivotal study on a multidrug-resistant 'superbugs' found on the International Space Station (ISS). Superbugs, also known as multidrug resistant microbes, are bacteria or other infectious agents that have developed resistance to multiple types of antibiotics or other treatments. This resistance can happen naturally, but it can also be caused by overprescribing antibiotics. Hence, statement I is correct.

Superbugs can cause a variety of infections, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and skin infections. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 2 million people in the United States are infected by drug-resistant bacteria each year and at least 23,000 die from them. The morbidity rate from superbugs can also increase in people with immune-deficiencies, such as those with HIV, diabetes or COVID-19. 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:

Rajeev Taranath (17 October 1932-11 June 2024), an Indian classical musician who played the Sarod was born in Bangalore, Karnataka. He composed music for many internationally acclaimed Kannada films including Samskara, Kanchana Sita and Kadavu. He served as the head of the Indian music programme at the World Music department of the California Institute of the Arts. He received Padma Shri award in 2019. Hence, option (c) is correct.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Recently, Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera confirmed that Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others perished in a military plane crash. Malawi is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa. Malawi shares its borders with Mozambique to the east, west and south, Tanzania to the northeast and Zambia to the northwest. Lilongwe is the capital of Malawi. Lake Malawi (also known as Lake Nyasa) is the third-largest lake in Africa. The Shire River flows from Lake Malawi and is a major river in the country. The Mulanje Massif, also known as Mount Mulanje, is the highest point in Malawi. Malawi has a tropical climate. Hence, option (c) is correct.