Answer: B

Explanation:

Recently, a report by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) informed the Supreme Court that over 308 hectares of the ecologically sensitive Delhi Ridge area have been encroached upon and another 183 hectares have been diverted for "non-forestry purposes." The Central Empowered Committee is a national-level body that monitors the implementation of the Supreme Court's orders related to environmental conservation. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

It is a panel of experts established by the Supreme Court of India on 9th May 2002 to monitor compliance with the court's orders and directives related to environmental conservation. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

In August 2023, the Supreme Court allowed the government to make the CEC a permanent body. It was reconstituted on December 8, 2023 to improve its effectiveness in safeguarding the environment. It's made up of a group of experts and officials, including retired IAS and Forest Service officers, environmentalists and legal experts. The members are nominated by the Central government for tenure of three years. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully tested the new liquid rocket engine at Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu.  The PS4 engine is a crucial component of India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). It serves as the fourth stage propulsion system, responsible for placing satellites into their intended orbits. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

It operates on a bipropellant combination comprising nitrogen tetroxide (N₂O₄) as the oxidizer and mono-methyl hydrazine as the fuel. The number of parts has been minimized from 14 to a single piece, eliminating 19 weld joints. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

The PS4 engine is manufactured using Additive Manufacturing technology, also known as 3D printing. Apart from its primary function in the PS4 stage, the engine also powers the Reaction Control System (RCS) of the first stage (PS1) of the PSLV. Metal powder consumption has been reduced from 565 kgs to 13.7 kgs per engine. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Surjit Patar (14 January 1945-11 May 2024), a renowned Punjabi writer and poet was born in Jalandhar, Punjab. Surjit Patar's notable poetic works include "Hawa Vich Likhe Harf," "Hanere Vich Sulagdi Varanmala," "Patjhar Di Pazeb," "Lafzaan Di Dargah" and "Surzameen." He also served as the president of the Punjab Arts Council. He wrote dialogues for the Punjabi films Shaheed Udham Singh and Videsh.  Surjit Patar honoured with Sahitya Akademi Award for Hanare Vich Sulghadi Varanmala in 1993. He was conferred with the Padma Shri award for Literature and Education in 2012. Hence, option (b) is correct.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Red-hued Aurora lights graced Ladakh's clear skies late at night, bridging the gap between Friday (May 10) and Saturday. Aurora lights, also known as the northern lights (aurora borealis) or southern lights (aurora australis), are natural light displays in the Earth's sky. They are caused by the interaction of the Earth's magnetosphere with charged solar winds from the sun. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Auroras appear as curtains, rays, spirals, or flickers of bright, swirling lights in a range of colors, including blue, red, yellow, green and orange. They are primarily visible near the poles of both hemispheres all year round, but can sometimes expand to lower latitudes. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Recently, Nepal’s legendary mountaineer Kami Rita Sherpa made history by breaking his record for the highest number of ascents of Mt. Everest as he scaled the world’s highest peak for the 29th time. Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia. Nepal shares its borders with India to the east, west and south and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north. Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal. The world's highest peak, Mount Everest (8,848 meters), also known as Sagarmatha in Nepali and Chomolungma in Tibetan, lies on the Nepal-China border in the Himalayas. Major rivers in Nepal include the Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali, which originate in the Himalayas and flow southwards through the country. Hence, option (b) is correct.