Answer: C

Explanation:

The Union Cabinet recently, expanded the scope of the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF). The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund is a Central Sector Scheme in India that provides medium-term debt financing for agriculture infrastructure projects. The scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2020 and will be operational from 2020–2021 to 2032–2033. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

The scheme aims to support agricultural development, improve productivity and address challenges faced by farmers, agribusinesses and the agricultural industry. It provides financial support to farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, farmer groups (FPOs, SHGs, JLGs), individuals, firms, companies, corporations and NGOs. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Its main focus areas are post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets. The scheme also requires that 24% of total grants-in-aid be used for SC/ST entrepreneurs, with 16% for SC and 8% for ST. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Recently, the 17th Paralympic Games opened with a grand ceremony at Place de la Concorde and Champs-Élysées in Paris, where approximately 50,000 people gathered to witness the event. The Paralympics is a major international multi-sport event involving athletes with various physical, visual and intellectual disabilities. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

First Paralympics was held in Rome, Italy, in 1960, following the 1960 Summer Olympics. It evolved from the Stoke Mandeville Games, which began in 1948 in England for World War II veterans with spinal cord injuries. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

International Paralympic Committee (IPC), founded in 1989 headquartered in Bonn, Germany. Boccia is the only sport in the Paralympic programme that does not have an Olympic counterpart. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Answer: B

Explanation:

A study published in the Emerging Contaminants journal recently revealed that microplastics, particularly polyethylene (PE), are prevalent in Personal Care Products (PCPs) like face washes, scrubs, and shower gels in India. Microplastics are plastic particles under 5 mm in size, including microbeads used in personal care products (PCPs). They have been detected in the human brain, blood, lungs, colon, placenta, testicles and stool. Hence, statement I is correct.

Polyethylene (PE) is the most common polymer in microbeads, which are used for exfoliation and active ingredient delivery in personal care products, while about 23.33% of products contain cellulose microbeads with uncertain biodegradability. Countries like the U.S., U.K., Canada, France, and New Zealand have banned microbeads in Personal Care Products. Hence, statement II is correct.

Here, statements I and II both are correct and statement II is not the correct explanation for statement I. Hence, option (b) is correct.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya paid a floral tribute to Major Dhyan Chand on his birth anniversary (National Sports Day) at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi today in morning. Major Dhyan Chand (29 August 1905 – 3 December 1979), an Indian greatest field hockey player and the Wizard of Hockey was born in Allahabad (Now Prayagraj), Uttar Pradesh. Major Dhyan Chand led India to win gold medals in field hockey at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, and the 1936 Berlin Olympics.  Hence, option (c) is correct.

Answer: A

Explanation:

Yesterday on 28th of August, the 17th India-Israel Foreign Office Consultations were held in New Delhi. Israel is situated in the Southern Levant region of Western Asia, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. Israel shares its borders with Jordan to the east, Mediterranean Sea to the west, Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast and Egypt to the southwest. The highest point in Israel is Mount Hermon, located in the northern part of the country. Hence, option (a) is correct.