Answer: B

Explanation:

According to defence officials, two South American countries have shown interest in the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers. Pinaka is a Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL). The Pinaka MBRL is designed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), a laboratory of the DRDO. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

It was first used during the Kargil War, where it successfully neutralised Pakistan Army positions on the mountain tops. It delivers lethal and responsive fire against a variety of area targets, such as exposed enemy troops, armoured and soft-skin vehicles, communication centres, air terminal complexes, and fuel and ammunition dumps. It has a range of 60 to 75 kilometers. The system is mounted on a Tatra truck for mobility. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: A

Explanation:

Panama Canal is an artificial waterway that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. The canal cuts across the Isthmus of Panama and is a conduit for maritime trade. It was cut through one of the narrowest saddles of the isthmus that joins North and South America. It is one of the two most strategic artificial waterways in the world, the other being the Suez Canal. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

It is approximately 80 kilometers long. It consists of a series of locks that raise and lower the water level to facilitate the passage of ships through the continental divide. France began work on the canal in 1881, but financial troubles and diseases made the initiative fail. The United States took over the project on May 4, 1904, and opened the canal on August 15, 1914, and then managed the waterway until 1999.  On December 31, 1999, Panama took over full operation, administration, and maintenance of the Canal, in compliance with the Torrijos-Carter Treaties negotiated with the United States in 1977. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: D

Explanation:

Scientists recently discovered a new species of fungus in Kerala, named ‘Paramyrothecium indicum’. It is a new species of phytopathogenic fungus. Phytopathogens are parasites surviving on a plant host.  Most of Paramyrothecium are phytopathogens. They are responsible for “serious plant diseases which might negatively affect crop productivity. Hence, option (a) is correct.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Guru Angad Dev, second of the 10 gurus, invented and introduced the Gurmukhi (written form of Punjabi) script. He compiled the writings of Nanak Dev in Guru Granth Sahib in Gurmukhi Script. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Guru Ram Das, fourth of the 10 gurus, founded the city of Amritsar. He started the construction of the famous Golden Temple at Amritsar, the holy city of the Sikhs. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Guru Gobind Singh Sahib became Guru after the martyrdom of his father Guru Tegh Bahadur. He created the Khalsa in 1699, changing the Sikhs into a saint-soldier order for protecting themselves. Last Sikh Guru in human form and he passed the Guruship of the Sikhs to the Guru Granth Sahib. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Guru Arjan Dev compiled the Adi Granth, the scriptures of the Sikhs. He completed construction of Sri Darbar Sahib also known as Golden Temple in Amritsar. He founded the town of Tarn Taran Sahib near Goindwal Sahib. He became the first great martyr in Sikh history when Emperor Jahangir ordered his execution. Thus, he was hailed as Shaheedan-de-Sartaj. Hence, statement 4 is not correct.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Recently, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) launched the MPLADS e-SAKSHI Mobile Application.

MPLAD Scheme was first introduced in 1993. It is a central sector scheme. Its aim is to provide funds to MPs to execute certain developmental projects to meet the urgent needs of their constituents. An MP is entitled to Rs. 5 crore per annum to identify and fund developmental projects. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

The funds released under the Scheme are non-lapsable, i.e., the entitlement of funds not released in a particular year is carried forward to the subsequent years, subject to eligibility. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation launched a new app called eSakshi to track the fund flow under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) for 2023. The app aims to capture the entire MPLADS fund allocation cycle and provide greater convenience and accessibility in monitoring the scheme. Hence, statement 3 is correct.