Answer: C

Explanation:

Mission Mausam is indeed a government initiative aimed at enhancing India's weather forecasting capabilities and climate resilience, with a budget of Rs. 2,000 crore over two years( 2024-26). Thus 1^st statement is correct.

The mission does not focus exclusively on agricultural weather forecasting. Instead, it has a broader scope, addressing:

1.    Improving weather forecasting for various sectors (agriculture, disaster management, defense, aviation, etc.)

2.    Enhancing climate resilience

3.    Addressing climate change impacts

4.    Predicting and mitigating extreme weather events (cyclones, floods, droughts, etc.)

Thus 2^nd statement is incorrect.

Extra:

Mission Mausam will be primarily implemented by three institutes under the Ministry of Earth Sciences: the India Meteorological Department, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, and the National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting.

Answer: A

Explanation:

Diamond dust has been identified as the most efficient material for reflecting solar radiation among several compounds. Diamond dust stood out due to its high albedo (reflectivity), meaning it can reflect a significant amount of solar radiation back into space. This makes it a promising candidate for solar radiation management (SRM) strategies aimed at cooling the Earth. Thus 1^st statement is correct.

The study suggests that spraying five million tonnes of diamond dust annually could lead to a temperature reduction of approximately 1.6 degrees Celsius. The study proposes an ambitious plan where large quantities of diamond dust would be released into the upper atmosphere. Thus 2^nd statement is correct.
The research indicates that diamond dust is actually less environmental concern than traditional materials, such as sulphur or calcium, which have also been considered for SRM. Sulphur, for example, can reflect sunlight but has associated with more environmental risks and less durability compared to diamond dust. Thus 3^rd statement is incorrect.

Answer: D

Explanation:

India’s GDP is indeed projected to grow at 7% in FY 2024-25, making it the fastest-growing major economy (world bank report). Thus 1^st statement is correct.

UPI transactions surged from 92 crore to 13,116 crore, indicating rapid digital growth. Thus 2^nd statement is correct.

India has approximately 151,000 recognized startups, not over 200,000, making it the third-largest startup ecosystem globally. Thus 3rd statement is incorrect.

Answer: A

Explanation:

The country's target of installing 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030 may push solar equipment import bill to about USD 30 billion per year and increase dependence on Chinese goods, according to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). Thus 1^st statement is correct.

India added 15 GW of solar capacity in 2023-24, increasing its total to 90.8 GW by September 2024, a significant rise from 2.8 GW in 2014. Thus 2nd statement is correct.

The report notes that about 90% of India’s solar manufacturing involves assembling modules from imported components, with only 15% local value addition. Thus3rd statement is incorrect.

Answer: C

Explanation:

The Information Technology Act, 2000, indeed addressed cybersecurity and cybercrimes. However, it is noted that the Act may not fully address newer challenges posed by advancements in technology and evolving cyber threats. Thus 1^st statement is correct.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has been established to handle issues related to cybercrime in a comprehensive and coordinated manner. Thus 2^nd  statement is correct.