Answer: A

Explanation:

• Statement 1: Correct. The 4th edition of Exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI commenced at the Bentong camp in Pahang, Malaysia. This marked an important milestone in strengthening the military ties between India and Malaysia.


• Statement 2: Correct. The exercise is held annually on a rotational basis between India and Malaysia, with the primary aim of enhancing the joint military capabilities of both countries in counter-insurgency operations, particularly in jungle terrain. This aligns with Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate.


• Statement 3: Incorrect. The exercise does not focus on urban warfare in the first phase. The first phase primarily deals with cross-training, which includes lectures, demonstrations, and jungle terrain drills. Urban warfare is not a primary focus during this exercise.


• Statement 4: Correct. The last edition of Exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI was indeed conducted in November 2023 at Umroi Cantonment, India, with a strong emphasis on deepening military cooperation and enhancing counter-insurgency capabilities.

Answer: B

Explanation:

• Statement 1: Correct. Arjun Erigaisi, from Warangal, Telangana, became the second Indian to achieve a 2800 ELO rating, following Viswanathan Anand, who was the first.


• Statement 2: Incorrect. While Erigaisi did achieve a rating of 2801, he is fourth in the world, not third. His ranking places him just behind Hikaru Nakamura (2802 rating), who is ranked third in the world.


• Statement 3: Correct. Arjun Erigaisi is the 16th player globally to reach the 2800 ELO rating milestone, an achievement that highlights his impressive skills and consistency.


• Statement 4: Correct. Magnus Carlsen of Norway remains the world number one player with a rating of 2831, continuing his dominance in the chess world.

Answer: A

Explanation:

• Statement 1: Correct. A male spade-toothed whale washed up on the shore in Otago in July, and it is the first complete specimen to be examined, providing a unique opportunity for scientists.


• Statement 2: Incorrect. The spade-toothed whale is named for its spade-shaped teeth, but it is known to live in deep ocean waters, not shallow waters. It primarily hunts squid and small fish.


• Statement 3: Correct. The dissection is taking place at the Invermay Agresearch Centre in Mosgiel, where scientists are studying various aspects of the whale’s biology, including its stomach and sound-making abilities.

Answer: B

Explanation:

• Statement 1: Correct. The Ministry of External Affairs has indeed approved the establishment of nine One-Stop Centres (OSCs) to assist women in vulnerable situations abroad, offering immediate and comprehensive support. The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) plays a key role in supporting these centres by providing a variety of services, including emergency aid, legal support, medical care, and repatriation.


• Statement 2: Incorrect. While seven of the proposed centres will be in Gulf countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia), two centres will be in Saudi Arabia (Jeddah and Riyadh), not one in each Gulf country.


• Statement 3: Incorrect. The centres in Toronto and Singapore will not have shelter facilities. They will provide assistance, but not in the form of shelter.

Answer: B

Explanation:

The PRAGATI platform was launched in 2015 with the aim of accelerating project implementation, fostering collaboration, and strengthening governance by addressing bottlenecks and delays in infrastructure and social development projects.