Answer: C

Explanation:

The “Free to Think 2024” annual report, published by the Scholars at Risk (SAR) Academic Freedom Monitoring Project, reveals a significant decline in academic freedom in India over the past decade. Thus 1st statement is correct. 

India's academic freedom score has drastically fallen from 0.6 points in 2013 to 0.2 points in 2023. This significant drop categorizes India as "completely restricted" in the Academic Freedom Index, representing the lowest score since the mid-1940s. Thus 2nd statement is correct. 

The report is backed by SAR, a global network of 665 universities, including prominent institutions like Columbia University and Duke University. This network aims to promote and protect academic freedom worldwide. Thus 3rd statement is correct. 

Answer: B

Explanation:

The recent visit of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu to India was a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations. To address the Maldives' growing economic crisis, India extended two currency swap agreements worth $760 million, comprising a $360 million currency swap in Indian Rupees and a $400 million agreement in US dollars. Thus 1^st statement is correct and 2^nd is incorrect.

A currency swap is when two people or businesses exchange equal amounts of money in two different currencies. They agree to give the money back to each other on a specific date in the future. Thus 3rd statement is correct.

Answer: A

Explanation:

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

Launched: 2016

Objective: Provides comprehensive risk cover to farmers against non-preventable natural risks from pre-sowing to post-harvest.

Goal: Offer simple and affordable crop insurance to farmers.

  Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

Launched: February 24, 2019

Objective: Supplements the financial needs of landholding farmers.

Support: Eligible farmers receive ₹6,000 per year in three equal installments.

 National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM)

Launched: August 2020

Context: Part of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.

Objective: Promotes scientific beekeeping to achieve the "Sweet Revolution."

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

Launched: September, 2020

Objective: Focuses on the sustainable development of the fisheries sector.

Goals: Enhance fish production, improve quality, and double fish exports

Answer: B

Explanation:

The Second Hanle Dark Sky Reserve Star Party took place in Ladakh, India, organized by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. The event attracted approximately 30 amateur astronomers who gathered to observe and photograph the night sky with their telescopes and cameras. Thus 1^st and 2^nd statement is correct. 

Hanle Dark Sky Reserve is India's first designated dark sky region, centered around the Indian Astronomical Observatory. Thus 3^rd statement is incorrect.

The first star party for experienced amateur astronomers was organised by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in collaboration with Department of Wildlife Protection, UT Ladakh at Hanle Dark Sky Reserve in eastern Ladakh, from October 12-15, 2023. Thus 4th statement is incorrect.

Answer: D

Explanation:

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton for their pioneering contributions to artificial intelligence (AI) and artificial neural networks (ANNs). Thus 1st statement is correct.

John J. Hopfield is known for developing the Hopfield network, a type of artificial neural network. His work demonstrated how interconnected nodes could store and recall information efficiently. Thus 2nd statement is correct.

Geoffrey E. Hinton built upon Hopfield’s work to create the Boltzmann machine. This development introduced key concepts of machine learning, showing how ANNs can learn from data. Thus 3rd statement is correct.