Answer: (B)

Explanation: The concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) serves as the foundation for Battery Waste Rules, 2022. Under the Rules, the battery manufacturers, importers and automakers that produce products with batteries have the obligation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). The Rules have mandated that EPR registration system to be managed online on a portal by the Central Pollution Control Boards (CPCB). The collecting, recycling, and refurbishing of used batteries is the responsibility of battery manufacturers, including importers.
The rules include all types of batteries regardless of chemistry, shape, volume, weight, material composition and use. The Rules bring within its ambit all manufacturers, producers, collection centres, importers, re-conditioners, refurbishers, dismantlers, assemblers, dealers, recyclers, auctioneers, vehicle service centres, consumers and bulk consumers. The rules cover the battery manufacturers, importers and automakers that produce products with batteries. The Rules have for the first time defined measurable targets for collection and recycling within a compliance timeframe. The rules have set the target of 90% recovery of the battery material. 70 % of battery recovery by 2024-25, then 80 % by 2026, and 90 % after 2026-27 onwards. The “Fit for 55” package – Is a set of legislative proposals by the European Union (EU) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Answer: (C)

Explanation:India in recent times have attempted to transform Indian rupee (INR) into a hard currency. Hard currencies are widely accepted around the world for international transactions and are considered a reliable and stable store of value. The presence of a currency as a hard currency reflects perceived stability, reliability and economic strength of its issuing country. A hard currency is expected to remain relatively stable through a short period of time, and to be highly liquid in the forex or foreign exchange (FX) market. Transforming a currency into a hard currency is a complex process that hinges on several pivotal factors. The process requires significant systemic changes, which could, potentially, destabilise country’s economy. India should work to make local currency settlements more robust which would allow the economy to stabilise and strengthen, making the transition smoother and less risky. The US Dollar is the most dominant hard currency, often considered the world’s primary reserve currency. The most tradable currencies in the world are the U.S. dollar (USD), European euro (EUR), Japanese yen (JPY), British pound (GBP), Swiss franc (CHF), Canadian dollar (CAD) and the Australian dollar (AUD). Within the hard currency group, the Canadian and Australian dollars are sensitive to commodity prices. Hence, both statements are correct.

Answer: (C)

Explanation: In animal husbandry, cattle that are born exhibiting characteristics of both sexes are called freemartins. Freemartins are sterile female cattle that result from the twinning of a male and a female within the same uterus. This phenomenon occurs in approximately 90% of such twin pregnancies in cattle. The key reason is the exchange of blood between the male and the female foetuses during gestation. Genetically, freemartinism is attributed to the sharing of cells carrying the Y chromosome from the male twin with the female twin. This chromosome triggers the development of male reproductive organs in the male foetus, while the female foetus, affected by the presence of male hormones, experiences incomplete development of its reproductive system. The end result is that the freemartin has an underdeveloped or non-functional reproductive tract. Hence, statement (c) is correct.

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Most nitrogen comes as the isotope Nitrogen-14, with 7 protons and 7 neutrons. But Scientists recently discovered hints of the new isotope, called nitrogen-9, by smashing beams of oxygen isotopes into beryllium atoms in the U.S. National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. Nitrogen-9 nucleus is characterised by 7 protons and 2 neutrons – which is an unusually high proton-to-neutron ratio. This disparity has a critical effect on the isotope’s stability, influencing its decay processes as well as overall behaviour. For one, the high proton content places nitrogen-9 atoms beyond the conventional stability thresholds. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Answer: (B)

Explanation: In recent times the rhododendron’s development and blooming schedules are affected by rising temperatures and changed precipitation patterns. Rhododendron is a genus of flowering plants that includes over a thousand species, including trees, shrubs and creepers. Rhododendron, meaning rose tree in Greek, is considered an indicator species for climate change. Rhododendrons were first recorded by Captain Hardwick in Jammu and Kashmir in 1776 where he spotted the Rhododendron arboreum. Rhododendrons are native chiefly in the North Temperate Zone, especially in the moist acidic soil of the Himalayas and into Southeast Asia to the mountains of New Guinea.
Rhododendrons are not endemic to North Temperate Zone of the Himalayas and can be found across the world. Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas comprise only 0.3% of India’s geographical area but the region is home to 1/3rd (34%) of all Rhododendron types. The most characteristic aspect of the rhododendron is its vivid and striking flowers in red, pink, white, and purple hues. The rhododendron blossom is one of the Uttarakhand’s numerous jewels and it is a representation of grace, tenacity and cultural value. The rhododendron’s development and blooming schedules are affected by rising temperatures and changed precipitation patterns. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.