Answer: C

Explanation:

Today (April 22, 20224), the President Droupadi Murmu will present the Padma Awards at the Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi. Padma Awards are among the highest civilian honors in India, recognizing outstanding contributions and motivating individuals to excel and is announced annually on Republic Day. Padma Awards are conferred in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. Awards cover various fields such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports and civil service. Notable recipients include former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Bharatnatyam dancer Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam and philanthropist Dr. Sitaram Jindal, among others. Hence, statements 1 and 2 both are correct.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Recently, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) made a significant decision, eliminating the age limit for purchasing health insurance policies, effective from April 1. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) is a government agency that regulates and promotes the insurance business in India. The IRDAI is a statutory body established by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999 (IRDA Act, 1999). Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Its primary objective is to protect the interests of policyholders and to regulate, promote and ensure the orderly growth of the insurance industry in India. It comprises a 10-member body, including a Chairman, five full-time members, and four part-time members appointed by the Government of India. It operates under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India. Its headquarter is located in Hyderabad. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: A

Explanation:

Recently, the Indian Navy conducted the 'Poorvi Leher' exercise along the east coast of India to bolster its preparedness for maritime security challenges. 'Poorvi Leher' is the name of the exercise conducted by the Indian Navy. The primary objective of 'Poorvi Leher' was to assess and validate the Indian Navy's preparedness to meet maritime security challenges in the region. The exercise witnessed the participation of various assets, including ships, submarines, aircraft and special naval forces. 'Poorvi Leher' aimed to validate procedures for assessing the readiness of the Indian Navy to handle maritime security challenges effectively.

Here, statements I and II both are correct and Statement –II is the correct explanation of Statement-I. Hence, option (a) is correct.

Answer: D

Explanation:

In a recent study, the scientists reported the specific genomic regions in the mpox virus family where evolutionary changes occur, allowing it to adapt through gene duplication, mutation accumulation, deletion, or inactivation.  Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a rare viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus. It can spread from person to person and from the environment to people. It's a zoonosis, which means it can be transmitted from infected animals to humans. It is endemic in densely forested regions of west, central and east Africa. Symptoms of MPox include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, exhaustion, swollen lymph nodes, rash starting on the face and spreading and chills. Mpox genomes can be categorized into two broad clades: I and II, each with distinct sub-clades or lineages. Clade IIb was implicated in the 2022 outbreak and demonstrated high human-to-human transmission, indicating adaptability. Hence, all statements are correct.

Answer: D

Explanation:

Recently, the President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti. Mahavira was born as Vardhamana in 540 BC in Vaishali, Bihar to King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

He is considered as the 24th Tirthankara (spiritual teacher). Hence, statement 2 is correct.

He preached the principles of ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (chastity) and Aparigraha (non-attachment) as the path to spiritual liberation. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

After 12 years of rigorous penance and meditation, he attained enlightenment, known as kevala jnana, at the age of 42 under a Sal tree on the banks of the Rijubalika river. Hence, statement 4 is correct.

His teachings were delivered in Prakrit, a vernacular language of the time, making them accessible to the common people. Hence, statement 5 is correct.

He passed away at the age of 72 in 468 BC in Pavapuri, Bihar. In Jainism, individuals who have conquered their passions are called Jins, while those who have founded religious orders are known as Tirthankaras. Hence, statement 6 is correct.