Answer: B

Explanation:

The Udupi station under the Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. (KRCL) network was recently included in the Railway Ministry’s Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) for redevelopment. It is an ongoing Indian Railways mission launched in February 2023 by the Ministry of Railways to redevelop 1,309 stations nationwide. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

The scheme aims to transform railway stations into modern, well-equipped hubs with improved passenger amenities, better traffic circulation, inter-modal integration, and enhanced signage. It is based on Master Planning for the long term and the implementation of the elements of the Master Plan as per the needs and patronage of the station. The scheme shall cater for the introduction of new amenities as well as the upgradation and replacement of existing amenities. The ultimate goal is to transform these stations into vibrant city centres over the long term. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: D

Explanation:

Congo River is a River in west-central Africa. It is also called the Zaire River.

With a length of 2,900 miles (4,700 km), it is the continent’s second-longest river, after the Nile, and the ninth-longest in the world. The river gets its name from the ancient Kongo Kingdom, which existed near the mouth of the river. The Congo River system runs through the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, western Zambia, northern Angola, and parts of Cameroon and Tanzania. Its course through the rainforest causes it to cross the equator twice. It is the deepest river in the world. The river also has the second-largest flow in the world, with a discharge of 1.5 million cubic feet of water per second, trailing only the Amazon, and the second-largest watershed of any river. The main tributaries of this River are the Ubangi, Sangha, and Kasai. Hence, option (d) is correct.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Recently, the Prime Minister of India visited the Kalaram Mandir situated in Nasik district of Maharashtra. The Kalaram temple derives its name from a black statue of the Lord - Kala Ram translates literally to "Black Ram". Kala Ram Temple is situated on the banks of the Godavari River in Panchvati area of Maharashtra. The name Panchavati comes from the existence of five banyan trees in the area. The temple is also the site of a land mark agitation led by Babasaheb Ambedkar, demanding temple entry rights for Dalits more than 90 years ago. The temple was built in 1792 with the efforts of one Sardar Rangarao Odhekar. Hence, option (b) is correct.

Answer: C

Explanation:

The Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) is a lunar rover developed by NASA. It is scheduled to land on the moon's south pole in November 2024. VIPER is NASA's first mobile robotic mission to the Moon.

Its drill and onboard instruments are specifically designed to study ice at various depths and temperatures, particularly in the permanently shadowed craters near the South Pole. Hence, all statements are correct.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Thylakoids are little pouches located in the chloroplasts of plants. They store chlorophyll, the substance in plant that reacts to sunlight and triggers photosynthesis. These membranes are dense, mostly galactolipid, protein-containing bilayers in which photosynthesis occurs in photosynthetic organisms. They are found in ancient, light-sensitive bacteria called cyanobacteria. The cyanobacteria multiplied in the oceans billions of years ago, and are believed to be responsible for the vast stores of oxygen that are found in the atmosphere and thus, a precursor to life. It is now believed that thylakoid membranes in cyanobacteria were what made them capable of using sunlight to create energy and release oxygen. Hence, both statements are correct.