Answer: B

Explanation:

Recently, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation opened a new well in its deep-sea project in the Krishna Godavari basin to boost crude oil and natural gas production. The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is a public sector undertaking that is wholly owned by the Indian government. It is the largest crude oil and natural gas Company in India, contributing around 71 per cent to Indian domestic production. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation was conferred with 'Maharatna' status by the Government of India in November 2010. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

The company's operations are managed by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. It was established in 1956 and is involved in a variety of business ventures, including exploration, production, refining, and distribution of petroleum products. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Sonoluminescence is a phenomenon where small bubbles in a liquid emit flashes of light when subjected to powerful sound waves. The phenomenon was first observed in 1934 by German engineers who were investigating sonar technology. Hence, statement I is correct.

There are two types of sonoluminescence including Multiple-bubble sonoluminescence (MBSL) and Single-bubble sonoluminescence (SBSL). Sonoluminescence occurs when sound waves cause bubbles in a liquid to rapidly expand and collapse, generating extreme temperatures that ionize gases and emit light for a trillionth of a second. The pistol shrimp is a natural example of sonoluminescence. Hence, statement II is incorrect.

Answer: D

Explanation:

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recently completed polygraph tests on seven people in connection with the rape and murder of a resident doctor at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. A polygraph test, also known as a lie detector test, is a procedure that measures a person's physiological responses to questions to determine if they are lying. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Polygraph tests are often used for event-specific investigations, such as crime investigations or for employee or pre-employment screenings. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

The Indian Evidence Act of 1871 also does not allow the results of polygraph tests to be used as evidence. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Violation of Article 20(3) occurs when polygraph, narco-analysis and brain mapping tests are conducted without the accused's consent, as this Article safeguards the right against self-incrimination. Hence, statement 4 is correct.

Answer: C

Explanation:

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Mumbai is scheduled to arrive today at the port of Colombo, Sri Lanka, for a three-day visit maiden visit to Sri Lanka. INS Mumbai, a frontline warship of the Indian Navy, is a guided-missile destroyer in the Indian Navy's Eastern Naval Command. It is the third ship in the Delhi-class destroyers and was built in Mumbai in 1995. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

The ship was commissioned in 2001 and completed a mid-life upgrade in 2023. On December 8, 2023, INS Mumbai joined the Eastern Naval Command to replace the Rajput-class destroyers. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: C

Explanation:

The Union Cabinet approved the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), ensuring government employees receive a guaranteed pension post-retirement. Under the Unified Pension Scheme, employees are entitled to receive a pension amounting to 50% of their average basic pay from the last 12 months before retirement. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

The scheme guarantees a minimum pension of ₹10,000 per month for employees who have completed at least 10 years of service. The pensions under this scheme will be indexed to inflation, using the All-India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW), to help maintain the purchasing power of the pension over time. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.