Answer: C

Explanation:

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) recently issued instructions for Residential Private Schools interested in joining Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA). The scheme aims to provide access to the best private residential schools for meritorious students from Scheduled Caste (SC) communities. It will provide scholarships to meritorious students from SC communities to study in private and NGO-run residential schools for Classes 9-12. The scheme is expected to provide admissions to around 3,000 students in Classes 9 and 11 each year. The core objectives of the scheme are to enhance the reach of the development initiatives of the government and fill in the gap in service-deprived SC dominant areas in the education sector. The scheme will collaborate with voluntary organisations to provide an environment that can help create conditions for socio-economic upliftment and the overall development of the SC communities. The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is the implementing agency of this scheme. Hence, both statements are correct.

Answer: A

Explanation:

The Forest Department of Tamil Nadu has cleared 356.50 hectares of invasive growth of Senna spectabilis that posed a threat to biodiversity conservation in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR).

Senna spectabilis is a species of the legume family. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

It is native to South and Central America and is grown as an ornamental plant as it has bright yellow flowers. It was introduced as shade trees for coffee and firewood in the country; it soon became a threat to native tree species as its dense foliage prevented the growth of other indigenous trees and grass species. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

It is considered as Least Concern under the IUCN Red List. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Answer: D

Explanation:

The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh will unveil the Statue of Social Justice, a 125-foot statue of Dr B.R. Ambedkar at Swaraj Maidan in Vijayawada. The Statue of Social Justice, a non-religious statue is a 206-foot-tall monument (stands on an 81-foot pedestal) located in the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Smriti Vanam, Andhra Pradesh. It is the second tallest standing statue in India and the fourth tallest overall. This towering statue reflects Dr. Ambedkar’s immense contribution to India’s social, economic, political and gender landscapes. The statue is made of a steel frame with bronze cladding, entirely manufactured in India. Hence, option (d) is correct.

Answer: B

Explanation:

The Indian Vice President recently inaugurated the 12th General Assembly of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace in New Delhi. Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP) was founded in 1970 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, as a voluntary movement of followers of Buddhism with both monastic (monks) and lay members. Its aim is to bring together the efforts of Buddhists in support of consolidating universal peace, harmony, and cooperation among people in Asia. It is currently headquartered at the Gandanthegchenling Monastery in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and the Supreme Head of Mongolian Buddhists is the ABCP President. It drew active participation from Mongolia, Japan, India, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bhutan, Russian Far East, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and other regional countries. Hence, option (b) is correct.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Some of Africa’s dry areas face serious water shortages due to minimal rainfall. An ancient system of drawing water from aquifers, the “qanat system”, could help. It is an ancient type of water-supply system, developed and still used in arid regions of the world. It taps underground mountain water sources trapped in and beneath the upper reaches of alluvial fans and channels the water downhill through a series of gently sloping tunnels. The qanats have been used for centuries in arid and semi-arid parts of North Africa, the Middle East and Asia, where water supplies are limited. It is known by a variety of names, “foggara” in North Africa, “falaj” in Oman and “qarez” in parts of Asia. The qanat is sustainable as it works with gravity and no electricity is needed. It can even be used to create clean energy. Hence, both statements are correct.