Answer: B

Explanation:

Recently, scientists have discovered that North Atlantic right whales are getting smaller, which is impacting their ability to breed.

These whales are migratory animals, spending the winter in warmer waters and migrating to the poles for cooler waters in late summer. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

These whales inhabit the temperate and subpolar waters of the north Atlantic and north Pacific oceans. These are generally restricted to the coastal waters of the East coast of the United States and Canada. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

These are listed as critically endangered in the IUCN Red List. There are three recognized species of right whales that occur in different parts of the world. These are Southern right whales (Eubalaena australis), North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) and North Pacific right whales. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

Answer: A

Explanation:

The State Bank of India (SBI) is unlikely to utilize the enabling provision to raise nearly Rs 11,900 crore through additional tier-I (AT-1) bonds due to pricing issues in the current fiscal.

AT-1 bonds are perpetual bonds with no maturity date. Due to the perpetual nature of AT-1 bonds, these are often treated and viewed as equity, not debt.  Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Investors in these bonds do not get their principal back. However, the interest continues forever. AT-1 bonds have a higher interest rate than other bonds. Hence, statement 2 and 3 are incorrect.

AT-1 bonds are issued by banks in accordance with the directions of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Financial institutions usually issue such bonds to fulfil their capital adequacy requirements (CAR). AT-1 bonds have a call option, which allows the banks to buy back the bonds from the investors. These bonds provide high returns but also carry greater risk.

Answer: C

Explanation:

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) started its largest military exercise in Europe, the Steadfast Defender 2024, recently. It is NATO’s most extensive military exercise since the Cold War era. It involves 90,000 forces from 31 member countries and NATO partner Sweden and is conducted across various NATO nations. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

The exercise will feature an impressive array of military hardware, including over 50 naval vessels ranging from aircraft carriers to destroyers, and a formidable air contingent of more than 80 units comprising fighter jets, helicopters, and drones. The purpose of Steadfast Defender 2024 is to put NATO's new regional defense plans to the test. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: C

Explanation:

The Supreme Court recently held that the information disclosing the commission of the cognizable offence needs to be recorded as a First Information Report ("FIR") in the form of a book and not in the General Diary maintained by the Police under the Police Act, 1861.

A copy of each FIR is sent to the superior officers and to the concerned Judicial Magistrate. A copy of GD is not sent to the Judicial Magistrate, though its copy is sent to a superior police officer.  The Magistrate of the district shall be at liberty to call for any inspection of such GD. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

The signature of the complainant is obtained in the FIR Book as and when the complaint is given to the police station. On the other hand, there is no such requirement of obtaining signature of the complainant in the general diary. The general diary is an internal police record, while in the case of FIR, a copy of these will be provided to the complainant. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: D

Explanation:

Morarji Desai was a freedom fighter and former Indian Prime Minister born in Bhadeli village, Gujarat. He joined the Congress during the Civil Disobedience Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930. He imprisoned multiple times during the freedom struggle, participated in individual Satyagraha and supported the Quit India Movement in 1942. He was arrested during the Emergency in 1975 and supported the Nav Nirman Andolan in Gujarat. He served as the 4th Prime Minister of India. Morarji Desai was honoured with Nishaan-e-Pakistan in Pakistan in 1990 and Bharat Ratna in 1991. Hence, option (d) is correct.