Answer: (c)

Explanation:

Russia is actively working towards a formidable new development in space technology, focusing on creating a nuclear anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon. Anti-Satellite Weapon is designed to debilitate and/or destroy satellites that are already in orbit and operational. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

All of these attacks can be launched from the air, low orbit, or even ground installations. These can even undertake pellet cloud attacks on enemy's low orbit satellites. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

There are many countries which have this capability, but only four countries — including India — have demonstrated their ASAT capabilities. India’s anti-satellite (ASAT) test in March 2019 made it the fourth country (after the United States, Russia, and China) to have a demonstrated ASAT capability. ‘Mission Shakti’ is the India’s first ever Anti-Satellite Missile test. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Answer: (c)

Explanation:

Urdu poet and Bollywood personality Gulzar, and the distinguished Sanskrit scholar and spiritual leader Jagadguru Rambhadracharya awarded Jnanpith Award 2023. The Jnanpith Award is India's highest literary award, given annually to an author for their "outstanding contribution towards literature". It is presented by the Bharatiya Jnanpith, which was established in 1944 and first awarded in 1965. The Jnanpith Award is given to Indian writers who have made significant contributions to Indian literature in any of the languages listed in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India. These languages include Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, and English. Hence, all statements are correct.

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

Recently, India and Colombia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the field of Sharing Successful Digital Solutions Implemented at Population Scale which intends to promote digital transformation via India Stack. It is a set of Application Programming Interface (APIs) that allows governments, businesses, startups and developers to utilise a unique digital Infrastructure. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

India Stack consists of three layers of open APIs: identity, payments, and data. Although the name of this project bears the word India, the vision of India Stack is not limited to one country. It can be applied to any nation, be it a developed one or an emerging one. Some of the APIs that are a central part of India Stack: are Aadhaar Proof, Aadhaar e-KYC, e-Sign, Digital Locker, and Unified Payment Interface. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology recently released the theme for the "National Science Day 2024", titled "Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat". Hence, statement 2 is correct.

It is celebrated every year on February 28 to mark the contributions of scientists towards the development of the country. On this day, in 1928, Indian Physicist Sir CV Raman made an important discovery in the field of spectroscopy, which was later named after him: the Raman Effect. For this discovery, he was also awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

Answer: (c)

Explanation:

World leaders gather for the sixtieth Munich Security Conference with growing concerns about a continued war in Ukraine and threats to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) cohesion. It is the world's leading forum for debating international security policy. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

It has been held in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, since 1963. The conference is held annually in February. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

It’s objective is to build trust and contribute to the peaceful resolution of conflicts by sustaining a continuous, curated, and informal dialogue within the international security community. It brings together security experts, politicians, military leaders, and the defence industry from around the world. Hence, statement 3 is correct.