Answer: B

Explanation:

Laser-based DEWs like India’s Mk-II(A) offer a non-kinetic, clean, and instantaneous way to neutralize aerial threats, especially small drones and projectiles. Their low cost-per-shot, silent operation, and precision make them ideal for base defense and border security without the noise, debris, or high cost of missiles. Unlike conventional weapons, DEWs leave no explosive residue, making them well-suited for urban or populated zones. They also reduce the need for large manpower or logistics, as energy-based targeting can be managed by automated systems. This makes DEWs a transformative and scalable defense technology for the future.

Answer: B

Explanation:

The Cheetah Project Steering Committee was constituted in May 2023 under the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). It plays a pivotal role in overseeing the implementation of Project Cheetah, which aims to reintroduce cheetahs into India's wild habitats. The committee is tasked with monitoring the project's progress, addressing emerging challenges such as mortality, habitat readiness, and protocol violations, and advising on policy decisions to ensure the project's success. While it engages with aspects of conservation and training, it is not directly responsible for planning wildlife tourism, which is generally handled by separate state and central tourism or forest departments.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Silicon photonics offers several advantages over traditional electronic data transfer. It enables faster data transmission by using photons, which travel faster than electrons and can carry more information. It also leads to lower energy consumption, as light-based systems generate less heat and energy loss compared to electrical circuits. Additionally, silicon photonics holds potential for quantum computing, where precise control of light particles is crucial. However, one key limitation is thermal sensitivity—the new integrated lasers on silicon showed performance decline above 55°C, unlike some optical chips that operate well up to 120°C. Hence, statement 3 in the question is incorrect.

Answer: C

Explanation:

In its 2024 judgment, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of sub-classifying Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) within the existing reservation framework, provided it is based on empirical evidence reflecting varying levels of backwardness. The Court also extended the 'creamy layer' principle—previously applicable only to Other Backward Classes (OBCs)—to SCs and STs, allowing exclusion of the socially and economically advanced among them from reservation benefits. However, such sub-categorization does not require a constitutional amendment, making Statement 3 incorrect. Thus, only Statements 1 and 2 are correct, ensuring fairness and targeted upliftment within the SC community.

Answer: A

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct as the Naxalite movement began in 1967 in Naxalbari, inspired by Mao's protracted people's war. Statement 2 is accurate, as socio-economic underdevelopment, tribal alienation, and weak governance have fueled LWE in the Red Corridor. Statement 3 is incorrect since Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have largely controlled Maoist activity through counter-insurgency efforts.