Answer: B

Explanation:

The MPC has indeed kept the repo rate unchanged at 6.5% for the 10th consecutive time, citing inflation control as a priority. Thus 1^st statement is correct.

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das characterized the RBI's monetary policy stance as a "neutral" monetary policy stance, signaling balanced efforts between managing inflation and supporting growth.  Thus 2nd statement is incorrect.

The RBI projects real GDP growth at 7.2% and CPI inflation at 4.5% for 2024-25, unchanged from previous estimates. Favourable agricultural output may ease food inflation, but risks like weather remain. Thus 3rd statement is correct.

Answer: B

Explanation:

The World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature has released its Living Planet Report (LPR) 2024, revealing a staggering 73% decline in the average size of monitored wildlife populations globally from 1970 to 2020. Thus 1st statement is correct.

Ecosystem-specific Declines:

Freshwater ecosystems: Declined by 85%.

Terrestrial ecosystems: Declined by 69%.

Marine ecosystems: Declined by 56%.

Thus 2^nd statement is correct.

Habitat loss and degradation is the most significant threat, primarily driven by unsustainable agricultural practices and food consumption patterns. Other threats include over-exploitation, invasive species, and diseases. Thus 3rd statement is incorrect.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Rice fortification refers to the deliberate increase of essential micronutrients in rice to enhance its nutritional quality and provide public health benefits. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) define it as ‘a method of improving the food’s nutritional profile’ while posing minimal health risks. Thus1st statement is correct.

 Average per capita rice consumption in India is 6.8 kg per month, fortifying rice provides an accessible means to enhance nutritional intake, particularly for economically disadvantaged groups. Thus 2nd statement is incorrect.

Fortification technologies include coating, dusting, and extrusion. The extrusion is the most effective method for producing fortified rice kernels (FRKs) and is considered the best technology for India. Thus 3rd statement is correct.

Answer: A

Explanation:

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to three distinguished scientists—David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John M. Jumper—for their transformative contributions to the study of proteins. Thus 1st statement is correct.

 David Baker will receive half of the prize for his pioneering work in computational protein design. Thus 2nd statement is incorrect.

Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper will share the other half of the prize for their development of AlphaFold, an artificial intelligence model that predicts protein structures with exceptional accuracy. Thus 3rd statement is incorrect.

Answer: B

Explanation:

India has officially been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) for eliminating trachoma as a public health issue. This achievement is significant, as trachoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide, affecting approximately 150 million people globally. Thus 1st statement is correct.

India was declared free of infective trachoma in 2017, based on the National Trachoma Survey Report (2014-17). Thus 2nd statement is correct.

WHO Definition of Elimination of Trachoma:

Trachoma is deemed eliminated as a public health problem based on the following criteria:

•  The prevalence of trichiasis must be less than 0.2% in individuals aged 15 years and above.


•  The prevalence of active trachoma must be less than 5% in children aged 1-9 years.

Thus 3rd statement is incorrect.

The SAFE strategy adopted by India includes surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness, and environmental improvements. Thus 4th statement is correct.