Answer: A

Explanation:

Astra is a beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile designed to be mounted on fighter aircraft. The missile is designed to engage and destroy highly manoeuvring supersonic aircraft. It is the best in its class of weapon systems in the world in the category of air-to-air missiles. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

It is indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Ltd. (BDL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

The ASTRA Mk-I Weapon System, integrated with SU-30 Mk-I aircraft, is being inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Features of ASTRA Mk-I:

·         It has a range of 80 to 110 km in a head-on chase and can travel at 4.5 Mach speed (almost hypersonic).

·         The missile also has a locally developed Ku-band active radar guidance system and a 15-kg warhead.

•          It offers the pilot the option to choose between “Lock on Before Launch – LOBL” and “Lock on After Launch – LOAL” and later allows the aircraft to shoot and scoot to safety after firing the missile in the direction of the target.


•        It is based on advanced solid-fuel ducted ramjet (SFDR) engine technology.


•          It is capable of operating under all weather conditions, both day and night, and offers high overall reliability and a very high “Single Shot Kill Probability – SSKP”.

Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Cultural celebrations are held across many states of India under different names – Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Magh Bihu, etc. on January 14. It marks the Sun changing directions and shifting its trajectory towards the north, therefore, entering the Makara or Capricorn zodiac sign. The day is a marker for a change of season – warmer months are close and we are moving away from winter, which is seen as a period of inactivity in many ways. It is said that the northward journey of the sun (Uttarayan) begins on this day. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Unlike most festivals that follow the lunar cycle, Makar Sankranti follows the solar cycle and thus, is celebrated almost on the same day every year. It is also called as – Paush Parbon in Bengal, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Uttarayan in Gujarat, Bhogali Bihu in Assam, Lohri in Punjab and Jammu, Makar Sankramana in Karnataka, Saen-kraat in Kashmir and Khichdi Parwa in parts of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Answer: B

Explanation:

1. Adi Kekir (Ginger): Adi Kekir is a variety of ginger produced in East Siang, Siang and Upper Siang districts of Arunachal Pradesh. It is known for its taste and size. Hence, pair 1 is correctly matched.

2. Kalonunia Rice:  It is one of the most sought after rice variety in north Bengal. Kalonunia is a traditional black-husked non-Basmati type scented rice of Tarai region (foothills of eastern Himalayas) of West Bengal, India. Hence, pair 2 is correctly matched.

3. Dhenkanal Magji: It is a famous and unique sweet of the Dhenkanal district of Odisha. Its taste, flavor, and method of preparation have made it unique. The buffalo milk cheese gives it a unique flavor and cardamom powder adds to its unique aroma. Hence, pair 3 is not correctly matched.

4. Kachchhi Kharek: They are a variety of dates grown in the Kutch region of Gujarat, India. They are highly regarded for their taste, texture, and nutritional value. Kutchi Kharek dates have a soft and chewy texture. They are known for their natural sweetness and rich, caramel-like flavor. Hence, pair 4 is correctly matched.

5. Ramban Anardana:  Anardana (Punica granatum) is a small wild fruit-bearing tree of Jammu & Kashmir. The fruits are harvested for its fleshy seeds, which are sundried to make anardana, a product of commerce used in medicinal and culinary preparations. Hence, pair 5 is not correctly matched.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Recently, the Delhi Police has arrested nine people, including four Bangladeshi nationals for sending people to European countries on the basis of illegal documents through 'donkey' route. The "Donkey" route also known as donkey flight, is an illegal immigration technique used for unauthorised entry into foreign countries like the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. The term Dunki is the Punjabi pronunciation of a donkey, which means “hopping from one place to another”. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

The first step in the most popular donkey route from India is to reach a Latin American country like Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Brazil and Venezuela. The reason behind choosing a Latin American country for transit is that reaching these countries is easier for Indians. It is a contemporary issue related to illegal immigration and human trafficking. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Standing at just around 70-90 cm tall and weighing less than 200 kg, it is among the world’s most dwarf cattle breeds. It is native to Punganur village in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. It has high resilience to drought and can adapt to low-quality feed. It is also prized for its milk, which boasts a higher fat content, making it ideal for producing ghee. A Punganur cow can give around 1 to 3 litres a day, and the milk fat content is 8 percent as compared to 3 to 4 percent in other native breeds. The milk is also rich in nutrients such as Omega fatty acids, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Punganur cows are considered eco-friendly, requiring less water, feed, and space compared to hybrid breeds. Even today, many temples in Andhra Pradesh, including the famous Tirupati Thirumala Temple, use the milk of a Punganur cow for Ksheeraabhishekam (milk offering to the deity). Hence, all statements are correct.