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The Neolithic Age saw the man turning into food producer from food gatherer. It also witnessed the use of pottery for the first time. People used microlithic blades in addition to tools made of polished stone. The use of metal was unknown. Agriculture: The people of Neolithic Age cultivated ragi, horse gram, cotton, rice, wheat, and barley and hence were termed as food producers. They domesticated cattle, sheep, and goats. Agriculture and animal domestication were the main economic activity of early Neolithic cultures.
Tools: The people used microlithic blades in addition to tools made of polished stones. They used stone hoes and digging sticks for digging the ground. They also used tools and weapons made of bone; found in Burzahom (Kashmir) and Chirand (Bihar).
Weapons: The people primarily used axes as weapons. The North-western part of Neolithic settlement used rectangular axes having curved cutting edge. The Southern part used axes with oval sides and pointed butt while polished stone axes with rectangular butt and shouldered hoes used in the north-eastern part.
Housing: The people of the Neolithic Age lived in rectangular or circular houses which were made of mud and reed. The people of Mehrgarh lived in mud-brick houses while pit-dwelling is reported from Burzahom, the Neolithic site found in Kashmir.
Pottery: The pottery first appeared in the Neolithic Age. The pottery of the period was classi fi ed under grey ware, black-burnished ware, and mat-impressed ware.
Architecture: The Neolithic Age is significant for its Megalithic Architecture.
Technology: In the initial stage of the Neolithic Age, hand-made pottery was made but later on the foot-wheels were used to make pots.
Community Life: Neolithic people had common rights over the property. They led a settled life.

VP was announced in the Union Budget FY 2022-23.
VVP is aiming at enhancing infrastructure in villages along India’s border with China, in states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Activities under the VVP include building infrastructure such as housing, tourist centres, road connectivity, providing decentralised renewable energy, direct-to-home access for Doordarshan and educational channels, and support for livelihood generation.

The religious beliefs of the Indus Valley Civilization are not well understood, but some features have been identified:
A Great Male God and a Mother Goddess. Deification or veneration of animals and plants. A symbolic representation of the phallus (linga) and vulva (yoni) Use of baths and water in religious practice Worshipping of trees and snakes Naga cult Linga worship If the Indus valley civilization is considered to be the earliest source of Hindu traditions, then Hinduism is the oldest living religion on Earth.
 

National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013
Notified on: 10th September, 2013.
Objective: To provide for food and nutritional security in the human life cycle approach, by ensuring access to adequate quantities of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a life with dignity.
Coverage: 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population for receiving subsidized foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
Overall, NFSA caters to 67% of the total population.
Eligibility: Priority Households to be covered under TPDS, according to guidelines by the State government and Households covered under existing  Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY).
Provisions:
5 Kgs of foodgrains per person per month at Rs. 3/2/1 per Kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains.
The existing AAY household will continue to receive 35 Kgs of foodgrains per household per month.
Meal and maternity benefit of not less than Rs. 6,000 to pregnant women and lactating mothers during pregnancy and six months after the child birth.
Meals for children upto 14 years of age.
Food security allowance to beneficiaries in case of non-supply of entitled foodgrains or meals.
Setting up of grievance redressal mechanisms at the district and state level.

Explanation: Both statements are correct
-    The most famous Kushana ruler was Kanishka, who ruled around 1900 years ago. He organised a Buddhist council, where scholars met and discussed important matters. Ashvaghosha, a poet who composed a biography of the Buddha, the Buddhacharita, lived in his court. Ashvaghosha and other Buddhist scholars now began writing in Sanskrit.
-    A new form of Buddhism, known as Mahayana Buddhism, now developed. This had two distinct features. Earlier, the Buddha’s presence was shown in sculpture by using certain signs. For instance, his attainment of enlightenment was shown by sculptures of the peepal tree. Now. under Mahayana influence statues were started to be built showing full Buddha images.
-    The second change was a belief in Bodhisattvas which was not popular earlier. These were supposed to be persons who had attained enlightenment.
-    Once they attained enlightenment, they could live in complete isolation and meditate in peace. However, instead of doing that, they remained in the world to teach and help other people.
-    The worship of Bodhisattvas became very popular, and spread throughout Central Asia, Tibet, China, and later to Korea and Japan. Thus, Mahayana version attained popularity here.
-    Buddhism also spread to western and southern India, where dozens of caves were hollowed out of hills for monks to live in.
-    Buddhism also spread south eastwards, to Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and other parts of Southeast Asia including Indonesia. The older form of Buddhism, known as Theravada Buddhism was more popular in these areas.

The Election Commission of India has developed a prototype for a Multi-Constituency Remote Electronic Voting Machine which would enable remote voting by migrant voters.
Remote Electronic Voting Machines (RVM) can handle multiple constituencies from a single remote polling booth. Among the laws and rules which would need an amendment to implement remote voting is The Representation of People’s Act of 1950 and 1951, The Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 and The Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

The Kushans controlled the Silk Route, which started from China and passed through their empire in Central Asia and Afghanistan to Iran, and western Asia which formed part of the Roman Empire in the eastern Mediterranean zone. This route was a source of substantial income for the Kushans, and they built a large prosperous empire on the strength of the tolls levied from traders.
It is significant that the Kushans were the first rulers in India to issue gold coins on a wide scale.
The Kushan rulers worshipped both Shiva and the Buddha, and the images of these two gods appeared on the Kushan coins. Several Kushan rulers were worshippers of Vishnu, as was certainly the case with the Kushan ruler Vasudeva, whose very name is a synonym for Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu.
Kanishka was the most famous Kushan ruler. He is known to history for two reasons.
First, he started an era in AD 78, which is now known as the Shaka era and is used by the Government of India.
Secondly, Kanishka extended his wholehearted patronage to Buddhism. He held a Buddhist council in Kashmir, where the doctrines of the Mahayana form of Buddhism were finalized. Kanishka was also a great patron of art and architecture.
Menander was the most famous Indo-Greek and also known as Milinda. He was converted to Buddhism by Nagasena. The questions and Nagasena’s answers were recorded in the form of a book known as Milinda Panho or the Questions of Milinda.

The Niger River is the main river of West Africa, extending about 4,180 km (2,600 mi). Its drainage basin is 2,117,700 km2 in area. Its source is in the Guinea Highlands. It runs in a crescent shape through Mali, Niger, on the border with Benin and then through Nigeria, discharging through a massive delta, known as the Niger Delta, into the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean. The Niger is the third-longest river in Africa, exceeded by the Nile and the Congo River. Its main tributary is the Benue River.

The Indo-Greeks were the first rulers in India to issue coins (gold, silver, copper and nickel). The coins of the Shakas, Parthians and the Kshatrapas followed the basic features of the Indo-Greek coinage, including the bilingual and bi-script legends. These coins provide important information about the religious sects and cults of that era (especially Shaiva and Bhagavata sects).
The Indo-Greeks introduced Gandhara art in the north-west frontier of India, which was the outcome of the intermingling and influence of both Indian and central Asian contacts.
The Indo-Greeks also introduced the practice of military governorship, and the Governors were called satraps.
The Hellenistic Greeks are well known for their monumental buildings and finely crafted objects. Excavation of the cities reveals a great talent in urban planning.
During the main Indo-Greek period after 165 BCE, i.e. the rule of Menander, the practice of minting bi-lingual coins continued in India. 
Display of Greek deities, along with Indian animals, were shown in the coins. They included Bull, Lion, Elephant, etc. these animals' representation had religious overtones.
Buddhist symbols such as Dharmachakra (the Wheel of Dharma) are also represented by Menander.
In 115 BCE, Greek ambassador Heliodorus erected a pillar dedicated to lord Vishnu in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh. He was in the court of Shunga Kind Bhagabhadra. It is considered one of the earliest inscriptions of Vaisnavism in India. 

Indian Patents Act, 1970: It replaced the Indian Patents and Designs Act 1911.
The Act was amended by the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2005, wherein product patent was extended to all fields of technology including food, drugs, chemicals and microorganisms.
After the amendment, the provisions relating to Exclusive Marketing Rights (EMRs) have been repealed, and a provision for enabling grant of compulsory license has been introduced. The provisions relating to pre-grant and post-grant opposition have also been introduced.
Article 3(d) of the Indian Patent Act prevents the mere discovery of any new property or new use for a known substance from being patented as an invention unless it enhances the efficacy of the substance repetitively. This prevents what is known as “evergreening” of patents.
In respect of each of the main areas of intellectual property covered by the TRIPS Agreement, the Agreement sets out the minimum standards of protection to be provided by each Member.

Momentariness in Buddhism is not about dividing time into discrete moments; instead, it dissects phenomena into a succession of momentary entities.
These entities arise and cease almost instantly, like a series of interconnected instants. The fundamental proposition is that everything passes out of existence as soon as it originates, making it inherently momentary. Soul is also considered to be changing. The "eternal, unchangeable, and happy" Soul (which is called atman) is denied in Buddhism. And such monistic Soul is not required for re-birth to function. When being disintegrate it is causally condition birth of new being. Thus, even though there is no constant Soul, two beings are related to each other causally by means of karma. So, instead of Constant-Soul (and re-incarnation) Buddhism believes in Karma (and re-birth).
The doctrine of Pratitya-samutpada is Buddhism’s primary contribution to metaphysics and philosophy. Common to all Schools of Buddhism, it states that phenomena arise together in a mutually interdependent web of cause and effect. Buddhism is strictly non-fatalistic religion and believes that events arise due to causation by something. If cause is removed the effect shall disappear. If attachment to anything is removed, then dukho (pain) shall be removed. Thus, statement 3 is incorrect.

Countries considered as safe haven for supporting terror funding and money laundering are put in the FATF grey list. While the words ‘grey’ and ‘black’ list do not exist in the official FATF lexicon, they designate countries that need to work on complying with FATF directives and those who are non-compliant, respectively.
At the end of every plenary meeting, FATF comes out with two lists of countries.
The grey countries are designated as “jurisdictions under increased monitoring”, working with the FATF to counter criminal financial activities. For such countries, the watchdog does not tell other members to carry out due-diligence measures vis-a-vis the listed country but does tell them to consider the risks such countries possess.

Amoghavarsha I ruled for 64 years but by temperament he preferred the pursuit of religion and literature to war. He defeated the invading Eastern Chalukyas at Vingavalli and assumed the title Viranarayana. It is interesting to note that unlike his father, he preferred to maintain friendly relations with his neighbours, the Gangas, the Eastern Chalukyas and the Pallavas with whom he also cultivated marital ties.

Why does the Yamuna froth every year around Chhath Pooja?
The reason behind the foaming is usually the presence of phosphates from detergents, and anaerobic bacteria in the water that falls from a height at the Okhla barrage.
The foam is a year-round phenomenon in the river. It sees an upward trend around this time because winter sets in and the oxygenation of river water is reduced.
At this time of the year, the river is in a lean phase and the water flow is less. Pollutants, therefore, are not diluted, causing foaming. The defoamer neutralizes the phosphates.
How does the defoaming work? The defoamer is a solution which can suppress the foam. The spraying of the defoamer has been approved by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).

The Turkish Conquest of North India
After the Ghaznavids conquest of Punjab, 2 type of relations emerged with the Muslims and Hindu’s.
One was the lure of plunder which resulted in raids to the Gangetic valley and Rajputana by the successors of the Mahmud.
At the 2nd level the, Muslim traders were allowed, even welcomed in the country, since they helped in strengthening the India’s trade with the Central and West Asia.
After this the Muslim religious preachers came to North India called the Sufi’s.
Meanwhile the Chauhans steadily grows in Northern India and they defeated many Turks and they also captured Delhi from the Tomars around the middle of the cent.
Thus, it brought them into the conflict with the Ghaznavids rulers of the area.

What would a Uniform Civil Code mean in India?
A UCC would provide for one law for the entire country, applicable to all religious communities in their personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, etc. Article 44 of the Indian constitution says, “The state shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code for the citizens throughout the territory of India.”
Article 44 is one of the Directive Principles of State Policy, described in Part IV of the Constitution. According to Article 37, “The provisions contained in this Part shall not be enforceable by any court, but the principles therein laid down are nevertheless fundamental in the governance of the country and it shall be the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws.”

Dholavira is located on Kadir Island in the Runn of Kutch in Gujarat. The city had an impressive and unique water harvesting and management system. It is one of the most remarkable and well-preserved urban settlements in South Asia. It was discovered in 1968 by archaeologist Jagat Pati Joshi. The site contains ruins of an ancient IVC/Harappan city. It comprises two parts: a walled city and a cemetery to the west of the city. The walled city consists of a fortified Castle with attached fortified Bailey and Ceremonial Ground, and a fortified Middle Town and a Lower Town. A series of reservoirs are found to the east and south of the Citadel. 

What is the ‘Pusa Decomposer’? It is essentially a fungi-based liquid solution that can soften hard stubble to the extent that it can be easily mixed with soil in the field to act as compost. This would then rule out the need to burn the stubble, and also help in retaining the essential microbes and nutrients in soil that are otherwise damaged when the residue is burned. The Pusa Decomposer is developed by The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The decomposer takes time to work, around 20-25 days.

The first statement is incorrect. The Konyak tribe is not the largest tribe in Nagaland. As of my last update in January 2022, the Angami tribe is the largest tribe in Nagaland. The second statement is correct. Aolingmonyu is indeed a significant festival celebrated by the Konyak tribe in the first week of April. 

A small river which stopped flowing 70 years ago in Odisha’s Cuttack district is set to be rejuvenated as the State government has started working on its revival plan following a recent direction from the National Green Tribunal (NGT). This is probably the first serious attempt being made to restore a river to its original shape in Odisha.
The Sukapaika River originated from another river, the Mahanadi, near Ayatpur village. It flowed 27.50 km before meeting the Mahanadi again at Bankala.

Explanation: Sher Shah’s empire was divided into forty-even sarkars.
Chief Shiqdar (law and order) and Chief Munsif (judge) were the two officers in charge of the administration in each sarkar. Each sarkar was divided into several Parganas. Shiqdar (military officer), Amin (land revenue), Fotedar (treasurer) Karkuns (accountants) were in charge of the administration of each pargana.
There were also many administrative units called iqtas.
The land revenue administration was well organized under Sher Shah. A land survey was carefully done. All cultivable lands were classified into three classes – good, middle, and bad. The state’s share was one-third of the average production and it was paid in cash or crop.
His revenue reforms increased the revenue of the state. Sher Shah introduced new silver coins called “Dam” and they were in circulation till 1835.
The military administration was also efficiently reorganized and Sher Shah borrowed many ideas like the branding of horses from Alauddin Khalji.

Currently, six languages enjoy the ‘Classical’ status: Tamil (declared in 2004), Sanskrit (2005), Kannada (2008), Telugu (2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014).
Guidelines for declaring a language as ‘Classical’ are:
High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years.
A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers.
The literary tradition be original and not borrowed from another speech community.
The classical language and literature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots.

Explanation: Option (c) is correct: Bahlol Lodhi laid the foundation of the Lodhi dynasty in India in 1451 after defeating Alauddin Alam Shah of the Sayyid dynasty.

Ethylene glycol is a colourless and odourless alcoholic compound that can be fatal if consumed in high concentrations. The sweet-tasting ethylene glycol is a syrupy or viscous liquid at room temperature.
It is mostly used as an automotive antifreeze and as a raw material for manufacturing polyester fibres. It is also found in several products such as hydraulic brake fluids, stamp pad inks, ballpoint pens, solvents, paints, cosmetics and plastics, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• Mahmud ascended the throne (998-1030) at Ghazni.
• He is considered a hero of Islam because he protected Ghazni empire from the Central Asian Turkish Tribal invaders who were not Muslims.
• In India his memory is that of a plunderer and destroyer of temples. He made 17 raids to India.
• The initial raids were against the Hindushahi rulers who at the time held Peshwar and Punjab.
• His most daring raid was against the Kanauj in 1018 and against the Somnath in Gujarat in 1025.
• In Kanauj he sacked and plundered both Mathura and Kanauj and returned via Bundelkhand
• No attempt was made by the Mahmud to annex these areas.
• He marched from Multan across Rajputana in order to raid the rich temple at Somnath.
   

The first statement is correct. Hoysala temples do exhibit influences from the Nagara traditions of northern and western India, particularly in their architectural style and ornamentation.
The second statement is also correct. Hoysala temples are indeed laid out in the shape of intricately-designed stars, which is a distinctive feature of their architecture.
 

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect - Dharmapala once occupied Kanauj and held a grand durbar over there however, he could not hold the control.
statement 2 is correct: Bihar and Bengal were remained under the control of Palas for most of the time.
statement 3 is correct: Although the Palas were supporters of Buddhism, they also extended their patronage to Saivism and Vaishnavism. In fact, they gave grants to large numbers of brahmans from north India who flocked to Bengal.

Tamil Nadu government launched Nilgiri Tahr conservation project, an initiative for the conservation of the Nilgiri Tahr, the State animal.
Under the Nilgiri Tahr project, the government plans to develop a better understanding of the Nilgiri Tahr population through surveys and radio telemetry studies; reintroduce the Tahrs to their historical habitat; address proximate threats; and increase public awareness of the species. The project is to be implemented from 2022 to 2027.
According to the order, there are multiple references to the Nilgiri Tahr in Tamil Sangam literature dating back to 2,000 years. The late Mesolithic (10,000-4,000 BC) paintings highlight the significance of the Tahr in folklore, culture and life. It was designated as the State animal in recognition of its ecological and cultural significance.
The animal is endemic to the Western Ghats. It is protected under Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972.

-    The first statement is generally correct. Kathak did originate as a temple dance form and later evolved to be performed in the royal courts as well as in village settings. However, the aspect of dancers narrating stories might not be accurate in all cases, as Kathak can involve various themes and expressions beyond storytelling.
-    The second statement is not correct. While the Bhakti movement did contribute to the evolution of many art forms in India, including music and dance, Kathak's evolution cannot be solely attributed to the spread of the Bhakti movement. Kathak's development is influenced by various factors including historical, social, and cultural changes over time.
 

The Non-nuclear aggression agreement is a bilateral and nuclear weapons control treaty between the two South Asian states, India and Pakistan, on the reduction (or limitation) of nuclear arms and pledged not to attack or assist foreign powers to attack on each’s nuclear installations and facilities.

The people of the Chalcolithic phase use different types of pottery, one of which is called black-and-red and seems to have been widely prevalent from nearly 2000 BC onwards and OCP (Ochre-Colored Pottery) which is a red- slipped ware often painted in black and largely in vase forms.
In Maharashtra, people buried their dead in urns beneath the floor of their house in the north-to-south position. They did not use separate cemeteries for this purpose, as was the case with the Harappans. Pots and some copper objects were deposited in the graves obviously for the use of the dead in the next world.
Terracotta figures of women suggest that the Chalcolithic people venerated the mother goddess, and some unbaked nude clay figurines were also used for worship.

The Black Sea is a marginal mediterranean sea of the Atlantic Ocean lying between Europe and Asia, east of the Balkans, south of the East European Plain, west of the Caucasus, and north of Anatolia. It is bounded by Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine. The Black Sea is supplied by major rivers, principally the Danube, Dnieper, and Don.
The Colorado River is a major river in the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

The first mention of Varna is found in the Purusha Suktam verse of the ancient Sanskrit Rig Veda. Purusha is the primordial being, constituted by the combination of the four Varnas. Brahmins constitute its mouth, Kshatriyas its arms, Vaishyas its thighs, and Shudras its feet. Likewise, a society, too, is constituted by these four Varnas, who, through their obedience to the Varna rules, are provisioned to sustain prosperity and order.
However, this segregation was to be made not only based on birth but also on deeds.
The underlying reason for adhering to Varna duties is the belief in the attainment of moksha on being dutiful. Belief in the concept of Karma reinforces the belief in the Varna life principles. As per the Vedas, it is the ideal duty of a human to seek freedom from subsequent birth and death and rid oneself of the transmigration of the soul, and this is possible when one follows the duties and principles of one's respective Varna. According to the Vedas, consistent encroachment on others' life responsibilities engenders an unstable society. Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras form the fourfold nature of society, each assigned appropriate life duties and ideal disposition. Men of the first three hierarchical castes are called the twice-born; first, born of their parents, and second, of their guru after the sacred thread initiation they wear over their shoulders. The Varna system is seemingly embryonic in the Vedas, later elaborated and amended in the Upanishads and Dharma Shastras.

To bolster investments in solar power projects, the International Solar Alliance (ISA), in its General Assembly meeting, approved the ‘Solar Facility’, a payment guarantee mechanism expected to stimulate investments into solar projects through two financial components — a Solar Payment Guarantee Fund and Solar Insurance Fund.
The thrust of the facility is to attract private capital to flow into “underserved markets” in Africa. The ISA would aim to crowdsource investments from various donors across the globe and proposed projects in Africa would be able to purchase payment guarantees or partial insurance premium from these funds.
“With the Solar Facility ISA is looking to support projects by reducing lenders’ apprehensions and enabling finance to flow for projects that otherwise may not have received funding.

-    The first statement is correct. Maharaja Surajmal is indeed often described as the Plato of the Jat people due to his political acumen, steady intellect, and clear vision.
-    The second statement is incorrect. Maharaja Surajmal did not play a key role in the Third Battle of Panipat. The major players in the Third Battle of Panipat were the Marathas, led by Sadashivrao Bhau, and the Durrani Empire, led by Ahmad Shah Durrani (Ahmad Shah Abdali).
 

Pradesh and also in some parts of Nepal. It is celebrated six days after Deepavali, on the sixth day of the lunar month of Kartika (October–November) in the Hindu calendar. This day is observed by offering prayer to Lord Sun and taking dips into the holy waters of the Ganga.

-    Statement 1 is correct. Saint Ramanujacharya is revered as a Vedic philosopher and social reformer for his contributions to philosophy and society.
-    Statement 2 is incorrect. Ramanujacharya was not inspired into the Bhakti Movement by Thyagaraja and Kabir. He was influenced by his own spiritual experiences and the teachings of his guru, Yamunacharya
-   Statement 3 is correct. Ramanujacharya is indeed the chief proponent of the Vishishtadvaita subschool of Vedanta, which emphasizes the concept of qualified non-dualism.

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) is an international financial institution owned by central banks that “fosters international monetary and financial cooperation and serves as a bank for central banks”.
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) is a committee of banking supervisory authorities that was established by the central bank governors of the Group of Ten countries in 1974. The committee expanded its membership in 2009 and then again in 2014. In 2019, the BCBS has 45 members from 28 Jurisdictions, consisting of Central Banks and authorities with responsibility of banking regulation. The Committee’s Secretariat is located at the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) in Basel, Switzerland.

Statement 1 is correct. The Chalcolithic period, also known as the Copper Age, marks the transition between the Neolithic (Stone Age) and the Bronze Age in India.
Statement 2 is also correct. Wheel-made pottery, often of red and orange colors, is characteristic of the Chalcolithic period.
Statement 3 is correct. Inamgaon and Eran are indeed important archaeological sites associated with the Chalcolithic period in India
 

Yellow rust or stripe rust is a fungal disease which attacks the leaves of wheat crop by forming yellow stripes and affects their photosynthesis that causes shrivelling of grain size. It is a disease of cool weather in the northern hills and north- western plains zone.

Statement 1 is correct. Apatani textile products indeed come from the Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. Statement 2 is also correct. The traditional handloom of the Apatani tribe is called Chichin.
Statement 3 is correct. Apatani textiles are known for their geometric and zigzag patterns as well as angular designs

The regions bordering Gilgit - Baltistan are:
1. Xinjiang Autonomous Region
2. Afghanistan
3. Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
4. Union Territory of Ladakh

Statement 1 is correct. Adi Shankaracharya indeed propounded the Doctrine of Advaita (Monism), which emphasizes the non-dual nature of reality.
Statement 2 is also correct. Adi Shankaracharya is credited with establishing four Mathas (monastic institutions) at Shingeri, Puri, Dwaraka, and Badrinath, each of which is associated with one of the cardinal directions.
Statement 3 is correct. Adi Shankaracharya was indeed opposed to Buddhist philosophers and engaged in debates with them to establish the supremacy of Vedanta.
Statement 4 is incorrect. While Adi Shankaracharya authored numerous works, including commentaries on the Brahmasutras, his major works include commentaries on the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and the Brahma Sutras. The Bhajagovinda Stotra is not attributed to him

Statement 1 is correct. The Konark Sun Temple was indeed built in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
Statement 2 is correct. The Konark Sun Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its architectural and cultural significance.
Statement 3 is correct. The Konark Sun Temple is also known as the Black Pagoda due to its dark-colored stone construction

Statement 1 is correct. Sikhism advocates the 'Nirguna' form of bhakti, which means devotion to a formless divine entity.
Statement 2 is correct. Sikhism lays down rules for congregational worship, especially in Gurudwaras where Sikhs gather for communal prayers and rituals.
Statement 3 is correct. The hymns in Sikhism are indeed called 'Gurbani', which are compositions found in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism.
 

During the Vedic period, the term "Vidhata" does not specifically refer to an assembly debating military matters. Instead, Vidhata primarily means "the ordainer" or "the creator" in Vedic literature.
Furthermore, there is limited evidence to suggest that women participated in assemblies such as Vidhata during the Vedic period. In Vedic society, political and religious activities were predominantly male- dominated.
 

Administration under Satavahanas
- The Satavahanas retained some of the administrative units found in Ashokan times.
- Their district was called Ahara, as it was known in the time of Ashoka. Their officials were known as Amatyas and Mahamatras.
- There were certain military and feudal traits in the administration of the Satavahanas.
- The administration in the rural areas was placed in the hands of Gaulmika.
- He was the head of a military regiment consisting of 9 chariots, 9 elephants, 25 horses and 45 foot-soldiers.
- The military character of the Satavahana rule is also evident from the common use of such terms as Kataka and Skandhavaras in their inscriptions.

The principle of collective responsibility is the basic principle of parliamentary form of government. The essence of parliamentary system of government is its responsibility to the legislature. Under the principle of Collective responsibility, individual members of the government are held accountable for the actions and decisions of government as a whole.

Pochampally is indeed referred to as the silk city of India. Statement 1 is correct.
Ikat, a unique style of weaving sarees in Pochampally, has received the Geographical Indication (GI) status. Statement 2 is correct.
The statement regarding the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) selecting Pochampally as one of the best tourism villages is not widely documented or known. There's no evidence to support this statement.
 

Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Cambodia and one of the largest religious monuments in the world.
It was originally constructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire, it was gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple towards the end of the 12th century.
It was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in Yasodharapura (present-day Angkor), the capital of the Khmer Empire, as his state temple and eventual mausoleum. The temple is constructed in the Dravidian style and the sculptures depict episodes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

The people were engaged in various economic activities such as agriculture, crafts, and trade. Rice was the most important crop. It formed the main part of peoples’ diet and also served as a medium of barter exchange for inland trade . The most important feature of the Sangam economy was flourishing trade with the Roman world. The best account of Indo-Roman trade is given in the book called the Periplus of the Erythrean Sea, which was written in the first century CE by an anonymous author

FAO is the custodian UN agency for 21 SDG indicators and is a contributing agency for a further 5. In this capacity, FAO is supporting countries’ efforts in monitoring the 2030 Agenda.

The Mauryan Empire was indeed one of the most powerful empires in ancient India, and it did bring a significant portion of the Indian - subcontinent under a single rule. However, it wasn't the first empire to do so. Prior to the Mauryan Empire, there were other powerful empires like the Nanda Empire. Therefore, Statement 1 is incorrect.
Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Mauryan Empire, did expand his empire's boundaries into Central Asia, but there's no substantial evidence to suggest that it reached as far as Persia. Therefore, Statement 2 is partially correct.
Bindusara, the son and successor of Chandragupta Maurya, did expand the Mauryan Empire's territory to include most of present-day India, excluding regions like Kalinga. This statement is correct.
 

Anticipatory bail can be granted under Section 438 of CrPC, 1973, when “any person has reason to believe that he may be arrested on an accusation of having committed a non-bailable offence”. It can be granted by the High Court or the Court of Session, under this section, for non-bailable offenses for which one anticipates arrest, even if the actual arrest has not happened or the FIR has not been registered.
While granting anticipatory bail, the Sessions Court or High Court can impose the conditions laid down in sub-section (2) like,
- the person shall make himself available for interrogation by a police officer as and when required.
- the person cannot make any inducement, threat, or promise, directly or indirectly, to any person acquainted with the facts of the case to dissuade him from disclosing them to the court or the police.
- the person shall not leave India without the previous permission of the court.
- such other conditions may be imposed under sub-section (3) of section 437 “as if the bail were granted under that section”.

The Jagannath Temple in Odisha was indeed constructed by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty in the 12th century. This statement is correct.
The term "Black Pagoda" is historically associated with the Sun Temple at Konark, not the Jagannath Temple. The Jagannath Temple is often referred to as the White Pagoda due to its whitewashed appearance. Sailors used the term "Black Pagoda" for the Konark Sun Temple due to its dark color and the magnetism of its stone, which supposedly affected compass readings. 

Therefore, Statement 2 is incorrect in relation to the Jagannath Temple
 

Explanation: The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the "COVAX Humanitarian Buffer" initiative in April 2022 to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for vulnerable populations in humanitarian settings.
 

UNESCO defines cultural heritage as including tangible and intangible aspects of heritage. Intangible cultural heritage refers to practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, and skills that communities, groups, and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage. Based on this definition, all the given options can be considered as aspects of cultural heritage.

United Nations Security Council (UNSC):
- The Security Council was established by the UN Charter in 1945. It is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations.
- Its primary responsibility is to work to maintain international peace and security. The council is headquartered at New York.
- The council has 15 members:
- Five (5) permanent members
- Ten (10) non-permanent members elected for two-year terms
- Each year, the General Assembly elects five non-permanent members (out of ten in total) for a two-year term. The ten non-permanent seats are distributed on a regional basis.
- The council’s presidency is a capacity that rotates every month among its 15 members.
- Permanent members: United States, the Russian Federation, France, China and the United Kingdom

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect: The First Battle of Panipat marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire. Statement 2 is incorrect: In the Battle of Chausa Humayun escaped from the battle field to save his life. Sher Shah was victorious and crowned himself as the emperor.

Black’s Law Dictionary describes ‘bail’ as procuring “the release of a person from legal custody, by undertaking that he shall appear at the time and place designated and submit himself to the jurisdiction and judgment of the court.” Although “bail” has not been expressly defined in Indian statutes, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) differentiates between “bailable” and “non-bailable” offenses. It also defines three kinds of bail that can be granted — regular bail under Sections 437 and 439. Interim bail is nowhere defined in CrPC. The concept of interim bail was started by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in 2009 (Lal Kamlendra Pratap Singh vs State of U.P., 2009), stating that interim bail be granted pending disposal of bail application because arrest and detention of a person may cause irreparable loss.
The provision for “anticipatory bail” was introduced under Section 438 of the CrPC after the 41st Law Commission Report in 1969 recommended the need for a measure that protects against arbitrary violation of one’s personal liberty, such as when politicians detain their opponents in false cases.

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect: He gave high offices to people on the basis of merit, irrespective of whether they belonged to noble families or not

The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972, implemented on April 1, 1976, defined “antiquity” as “any coin, sculpture, painting, epigraph or other work of art or craftsmanship; any article, object or thing detached from a building or cave; any article, object or thing illustrative of science, art, crafts, literature, religion, customs, morals or politics in bygone ages; any article, object or thing of historical interest” that “has been in existence for not less than one hundred years.”
For “manuscript, record or other document which is of scientific, historical, literary or aesthetic value”, this duration is “not less than seventy-five years.”

- The ancient text that mentions republics in India is the Arthashastra, attributed to Chanakya (Kautilya). It discusses various aspects of governance, including the functioning of republics or ganas. Therefore, option 1 is correct.
- The Mahanibbana Sutta is a Buddhist text that primarily discusses the events surrounding the Buddha's death. It does not specifically mention republics in India. Therefore, option 2 is incorrect.
- The Avadana Shataka is a collection of Buddhist stories and legends. While it contains valuable insights into ancient Indian society, it does not specifically focus on republics. Therefore, option 3 is incorrect.
- The Ashtadhyayi is a foundational text on Sanskrit grammar written by Panini. It does not mention republics in India. Therefore, option 4 is incorrect.
 

Explanation: NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission was carried by the European Space Agency's spacecraft named Hera, which aimed to collide with the moon of the asteroid Didymos to test planetary defense techniques.

The successor of Ali Adil Shah, Ibrahim Adil Shah II (1580-1627), ascended the throne of the Sultanate of Bijapur at the age of nine.
He was very solicitous to the poor and had the title of ‘abla baba’ or ‘Friend of the Poor’ and 'Jagat Guru' or 'Saint of the World'. He was deeply interested in music and composed a book called Kitab-i-Nauras in modes or ragas. He built a new capital, Nauraspur, in which a large number of musicians were invited to settle.

Census:
- The census provides information on size, distribution and socio-economic, demographic and other characteristics of the country’s population.
- The Census was first started under British Viceroy Lord Mayo in 1872.
- It helped in framing new policies, government programs to uplift areas of improvement in the community. The first synchronous census in India was held in 1881.
- Since then, censuses have been undertaken uninterruptedly once every ten years.
- The responsibility of conducting the decennial Census rests with the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

Atthamahathanani are eight great holy places associated with the life of Buddha.  These include four pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha viz. Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Sarnath and Kushinagara and four other sites viz. Sravasti, Sankasya, Rajgir and Vaishali.

The issue of the old pension scheme (OPS) versus the new pension scheme (NPS) has dominated news since a long time now. Some state governments recently announced their plan to implement the old pension scheme (OPS) by replacing the National Pension Scheme (NPS). Earlier, the shift to NPS was undertaken due to concerns over the coverage, sustainability, and scalability of the old pension framework.
National Pension System (NPS) is a pension cum investment scheme launched by Government of India to provide old age security to Citizens of India. It brings an attractive long-term saving avenue to effectively plan your retirement through safe and regulated market-based return. The Scheme is regulated by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). National Pension System Trust (NPST) established by PFRDA is the registered owner of all assets under NPS.
Any individual citizen of India (both resident and Non-resident) in the age group of 18-70 years (as on the date of submission of NPS application) can join NPS.

Gaudiya Vaishnavism is indeed a religious movement inspired by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a 15th-century saint and social reformer, emphasized the importance of devotion to Krishna and the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra. He is considered an incarnation of Lord Krishna by his followers. Therefore, Statement 1 is correct.
However, Gaudiya Vaishnavism focuses on the devotional worship of Radha and Krishna, not Vitthala. Radha-Krishna devotion, particularly in the mood of divine love (prema), is central to the theology and practices of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Therefore, Statement 2 is incorrect

The Operation Jackpot was a codename for three operations undertaken by Bengali Mukti Bahini in former East Pakistan against the Federation of Pakistan during the Bangladesh Liberation War.

The Shankhalipi Script was indeed first deciphered by the English scholar James Prinsep in the 19th century. He made significant contributions to the understanding of ancient Indian scripts. So, Statement 1 is correct.
The inscriptions with Shankhalipi Script are not confined only to northern India; they have been found in various parts of India, including central, western, and eastern regions. Therefore, Statement 2 is incorrect

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had given the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for several capital acquisition projects of the Indian defence forces. This includes the procurement of next-generation Corvettes for the Indian Navy.
A Corvette is the smallest class of naval ships and it falls below the warship class of a frigate. These are highly agile ships and are categorised as missile boats, anti-submarine ships, coastal patrol crafts and fast attack naval vessels. The word corvette itself is derived from French and Dutch origin. Corvettes date back to the 18th and the 19th century when they were extensively used in the naval warfare duels that were fought at high seas.

The Lord Vishnu is indeed found in the Anantha Shayana posture in the temple. Anantha Shayana refers to Lord Vishnu reclining on the divine serpent Ananta (Shesha) in a relaxed posture, symbolizing the cosmic sleep.
However, the first statement is incorrect. The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is not built in the Chera style of architecture. It is primarily built in the Dravidian style of architecture, which is characteristic of many temples in the southern part of India
 

Red Sanders is a flora-species that is endemic to a distinct tract of forests in Eastern Ghats region of Andhra Pradesh and fall under ‘endangered list’ in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Red Sanders is also listed in Appendix-II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wildlife Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Its rich hue and therapeutic properties are responsible for its high demand across Asia, particularly China, for use in cosmetics, medicinal products and high-end furniture/woodcraft.
The export of Red Sanders from India is prohibited as per the Foreign Trade Policy.

He indeed propounded the Doctrine of Advaita (Non-dualism), which emphasizes the unity of the individual soul (Atman) with the Supreme Reality (Brahman) as the ultimate truth. So, Statement 1 is correct.
Brahmasutrabhasya (Commentary on the Brahma Sutras) and Bhajagovinda Stotra are indeed major works attributed to Shankaracharya. Brahmasutrabhasya is a significant commentary where Shankaracharya presents his philosophical interpretation of the Brahma Sutras, while Bhajagovinda Stotra is a devotional hymn. So, Statement 2 is correct.
While Shankaracharya was a prominent figure in  Hindu  philosophy  and  played  a  significant  role  in revitalizing Hinduism, the statement suggesting he revived Hinduism when Buddhism was gaining popularity is a bit simplistic and doesn't fully capture the historical context. Shankaracharya lived in the early medieval period when Buddhism had already begun to decline in India due to various factors, including the revival of Hinduism and the growth of other philosophical schools. While he contributed to the resurgence of Hindu thought, the decline of Buddhism in India was a multifaceted  process  influenced  by  social,  political,  and cultural factors. Therefore, Statement 3 is not entirely accurate
 

- It is a regional grouping that promotes economic, political, and security cooperation.
- It was established in August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the founding fathers of ASEAN, namely Indonesia, - Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
- Its chairmanship rotates annually, based on the alphabetical order of the English names of Member States.
- Members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Fall of the Roman empire did not seriously affect India’s trade with the West since two large empires, the Byzantine empire with its base in Constantinople, and the Sassanid empire based in Iran rose during the subsequent period. Both of them took keen interest in trade with India and the Indian Ocean region. After the rise of the Arab empire in the seventh century, the Arabs expanded the trade of the West to India, Southeast Asia and China. Hence, gold and silver continued to come to India in return for its favourable trade. That is why India continued to be considered a country full of gold and silver, and hence an attractive prize for foreigners to invade and trade with Tamralipta or Tamralipti was an ancient port city and capital of Suhma Kingdom (Suhma Kingdom was an ancient kingdom during the Late Vedic period on the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent, which originated in the region of Bengal. The kingdom included present day districts of Midnapore and parts of Hoogly and Howrah of West Bengal.This kingdom was mentioned in the epic Mahabharata along with its neighbouring kingdom Prasuhma in ancient India, located on the coast of the Bay of Bengal). The Tamluk town in present-day Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, is generally identified as the site of Tamralipti.
It was located near the Rupnarayan river. It gets its name from the Sanskrit term "Tamra," or copper, which was mined nearby at Ghatsila in the Singbhum region of the Chota Nagpur Plateau and traded through this port. During the Gupta dynasty, Tamralipta was the main emporium, serving as a point of departure for trade with Ceylon, Java, and China, as well as the west. It was linked by roads with the major cities of ancient India of that time, i.e., Rajagriha, Shravasti, Pataliputra, Varanasi, Champa, Kaushambi, and Taxila.

The Fundamental Rights lie at the heart of the Constitution, and are justiciable — that is, they are legally enforceable in a court of law.
In its landmark Minerva Mills judgment (1980), the Supreme Court held: “Indian Constitution is founded on the bedrock of the balance between Parts III (Fundamental Rights) and IV (Directive Principles). To give absolute primacy to one over the other is to disturb the harmony of the Constitution.”
By 25th Constitutional Amendment, 1971 Article 31C was inserted. Article 31C says that if a law is made to implement any of the Directive Principles, it cannot be challenged on the ground of being violative of the Fundamental Rights under Articles 14 and 19. However, Supreme Court in Sanjeev Coke Mfg. Co vs. Bharat Coking Coal Ltd., Case, 1983 stated that Article 31(C) was unconstitutional and against the fundamental rights. The court opined that there should be no conflict arising out of the issue involving the DPSP and the fundamental rights. The court also pointed out in this case, that the fundamental rights and the directive principles of state policy should be companions and amplify each other. Thus, Article 31(C) is not part of the constitution anymore.

A number of important changes took place in Indian society during early medieval period. One of these was the growing power of a class of people who are variously called samanta, rana, rautta (rajput), etc., by the contemporary writers. Their origins were very different. Some were government officers who were increasingly paid not in cash but by assigning to them revenue-bearing villages. Others were defeated rajas and their supporters who continued to enjoy the revenue of limited areas. Still others were local hereditary chiefs or military adventurers who had carved out a sphere of authority with the help of armed supporters. Still others were tribal or clan leaders. Thus, there was a hierarchy among them.

The Emissions Gap Report 2022: The Closing Window – Climate crisis calls for rapid transformation of societies was released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The annual report assesses the gap between the pledges taken by different countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the estimated reduction required to maintain the average global temperature rise to below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C, by the end of this century.
The flagship report is managed by the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre. It serves as a “scientifically authoritative source of timely and policy-relevant information to key decision-makers,” guiding the UNFCCC process and implementing the Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement, adopted by 196 countries in 2015 at COP 21, was aimed at limiting global warming and maintaining the average global temperature rise, ideally, to below 1.5°C.

Dravidian languages are indeed primarily spoken in India, particularly in the southern part of the country. However, they are not limited to India and Sri Lanka. Dravidian languages are also spoken in other countries, such as Nepal, where Kurukh is spoken. So, Statement 1 is incorrect.
Kurukh is not a Dravidian language; it belongs to the Munda branch of the Austroasiatic language family. It is spoken primarily by the Oraon tribe in India, especially in the states of Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal. It is not spoken in Andhra Pradesh. So, Statement 2 is incorrect.
 

In contrast to humans and other animals, plants can produce glucose through a process known as photosynthesis. The green parts of plants use sunlight, water, and the gas carbon dioxide from the air to produce glucose and oxygen.

Basavakalyan, also known as Basavanna or Basava, was indeed a 12th-century philosopher who is regarded as the founding saint of the Lingayat sect in Hinduism.
The Anubhava Mantapa (also known as the "Anubhava Mantap" or "Anubhava Mantapa") was indeed established by Basavakalyan. It was a gathering place for spiritual discussions, where people from all walks of life, irrespective of caste or creed, could participate.
Basavakalyan emphasized the principles of Kayak (work) and Dasoha (charity) as essential components of his socio-economic philosophy. He advocated the idea of social equality through labor and service.

- In India, Item-67 of the Union List, Item-12 of the State List, and Item-40 of the Concurrent List of the Constitution deal with the country’s heritage.
- Before Independence, an Antiquities (Export Control) Act had been passed in April 1947 to ensure that “no antiquity could be exported without license.” In 1958, The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act was enacted. Then in 1971, Parliament saw an uproar over the theft of a bronze idol from Chamba and some important sandstone idols from other places.
- This, along with the UNESCO convention, prompted the government to enact The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972 (AATA), implemented from April 1, 1976.
- The AATA states, “it shall not be lawful for any person, other than the Central Government or any authority or agency authorised by the Central Government in this behalf, to export any antiquity or art treasure… No person shall, himself or by any other person on his behalf, carry on the business of selling or offering to sell any antiquity except under and in accordance with the terms and conditions of a licence.”
- This licence is granted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). After the AATA was implemented, the Centre asked traders in antiquities and art objects to declare their possessions of antiquities.

In Varada Mudra, the gesture of the hand does indeed signify the dispensing of boons or blessings. This mudra is commonly seen in depictions of various Buddhas and bodhisattvas in Buddhist iconography.The Vajrayana phase of Buddhism is indeed known as tantric Buddhism. Vajrayana is a form of Buddhism that emerged in India around the 6th or 7th century CE and later spread to Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, and other regions. It emphasizes the use of tantra, rituals, and esoteric practices to achieve enlightenment quickly.

The spaghetti bowl effect is the multiplication of free trade agreements (FTAs), supplanting multilateral World Trade Organization negotiations as an alternative path toward globalization.
The term was first used by Jagdish Bhagwati in 1995 in the paper: “US Trade policy: The infatuation with free trade agreements”, where he openly criticized FTAs as being paradoxically counter-productive in promoting freer and more opened global trades. According to Bhagwati, too many crisscrossing FTAs would allow countries to adopt discriminatory trade policies and reduce the economic benefits of trade.

Anangpal II was indeed a ruler in the region of present-day Delhi and Haryana between the 8th and 12th centuries.However, he was not defeated by Ghurid forces in the Battle of Tarain. It was his successor, Prithviraj Chauhan, who faced defeat at the hands of Muhammad Ghori in the Battle of Tarain. Anangpal II is credited with founding the city of Dhillika Puri, which later came to be known as Delhi. So, the statement is correct

Manikaran is famous for its hot springs. Manikaran at an altitude of 1,829 m and 40 kms from Kullu has the finest hot water springs.
 

Crafts production had started growing in this period with tremendous impetus, as trade and commerce, both the internal and the foreign, were dependent greatly on the craft activities. The text work ‘Milindapanho’ has mentions of 75 types of occupations of which 60 were solely associated with crafts. The level of specialization in crafts was very high and there were separate distinct artisans working in materials like gold, silver, precious stones etc. Cloth-making, silk weaving and the making of arms and luxury articles also made progress.

- Cooperatives are organisations formed at the grassroots level by people to harness the power of collective bargaining in the marketplace. This can mean different kinds of arrangements, such as using a common resource or sharing capital, to derive a common gain that would otherwise be difficult for an individual producer to get.
- In agriculture, cooperative dairies, sugar mills, spinning mills etc. are formed with the pooled resources of farmers who wish to process their produce.
- Cooperatives are a state subject under the Constitution, meaning they come under the state governments’ jurisdiction, but there are many societies whose members and areas of operation are spread across more than one state.
- In the Constitution of India (Part IV, Directive Principles of State Policy, Article 43B) talks about the promotion of co-operative societies. —The State shall endeavour to promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control and professional management of co-operative societies.

Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism, was born in Kundagrama, which is believed to be located near Vaishali, in present-day Bihar, India. So, statement 1 is incorrect.The teachings of Mahavira are not called Jain Agamas. Instead, Jain Agamas are the canonical texts of Jainism, containing the teachings of Lord Mahavira and earlier Jain Tirthankaras. So, statement 2 is also incorrect.Therefore, the correct answer is option D. Neither 1 nor 2

- The New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Act, 2019, provides for the establishment of an institution of national importance, namely the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre for creating an independent and autonomous body for facilitating institutional arbitration.
- It is mandated to be a seven-member body that is headed by a former Judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court or an eminent person.
- The NDIAC shall, inter alia, provide facilities and administrative assistance for conciliation, mediation and arbitral proceedings, maintain panel of arbitrators, both at national and international level; promote research and study, provide teaching and training and organize conferences and seminars in arbitration, conciliation, mediation and other alternative dispute resolution matters.

The Lingaraj Temple, located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, indeed belongs to the Kalinga architecture style, which is a regional style of the Nagara architecture, not the Dravidian style. Therefore, statement 1 is correct. However, the statement that the temple was built by the Satavahana rulers is incorrect. The Lingaraj Temple was built during the 11th century by the rulers of the Somavamsi dynasty, particularly by King Jajati Keshari. So, statement 2 is incorrect.
Therefore, only statement 1 is correct, making option A the correct answer.

- The United Nations Conference on the Environment 1972 is also known as the Stockholm It was the first world conference to make the environment a major.
- The conference aimed at creating a common governance framework for the planetary environment and natural The countries agreed to not harm each other’s environment or the areas beyond national
- One of the major results of the Stockholm conference was the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
- The participants adopted a series of principles for sound management of the environment including the Stockholm Declaration and Action Plan for the Human Environment and several resolutions.

The Kalinga style of temples does indeed come under the Nagara style of architecture. Kalinga architecture, which flourished in the region of Odisha (formerly Kalinga), is a regional variant of the Nagara style characterized by its unique features such as the presence of a curvilinear spire (rekha deul), multiple tiers, and richly carved exteriors. In Kalinga architecture, the hall of the temple is indeed called jagamohana. The jagamohana is a component of the temple structure that serves as the assembly or congregation hall for devotees. It is typically located in front of the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha) and is used for various rituals and ceremonies.
Therefore, both statements are correct, making option C the correct answer

The Antarctic Treaty and related agreements, collectively known as the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS), regulate international relations with respect to Antarctica, Earth’s only continent without a native human population. It was the first arms control agreement established during the Cold War, setting aside the continent as a scientific preserve, establishing freedom of scientific investigation, and banning military activity; for the purposes of the treaty system, Antarctica is defined as all the land and ice shelves south of 60°S latitude (but not the surrounding waters).
The treaty aims at prohibiting nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes in Antarctica.

The ‘Hindu College’, established in 1817, was transformed into the ‘Presidency College of Bengal’ in 1855. Hindu College was the earliest institution of higher learning in the modern sense in Asia.

Jainism indeed teaches utmost importance to Ahimsa, or nonviolence. Ahimsa is one of the fundamental principles of Jainism, central to its ethical and spiritual teachings.The teaching of Brahmacharya in Jainism was indeed given by the first Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha (also known as Adinatha). Brahmacharya refers to the practice of celibacy or chastity, which is emphasized in Jainism as a means of spiritual progress. Jainism does indeed condemn the varna system. Jainism advocates for the equality of all beings and rejects the caste-based hierarchy present in the varna system of Hinduism. Jain teachings emphasize that spiritual purity and merit are not determined by one's caste or social status.Therefore, all three statements are correct, making option D the correct answer

The Alvars were not Shaivite poets; they were Vaishnavite saints and poet-saints in the Bhakti tradition of South India. They composed devotional hymns dedicated to Lord Vishnu and are considered to be the pioneers of the Bhakti movement in South India.The Nalayira Divyaprabandham is indeed a composition of devotional hymns, but it is not by the Alvars. Rather, it is a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses composed by the 12 Alvars and the Vaishnavite saint Nammalvar. These hymns are considered sacred texts in South Indian Vaishnavism.Therefore, neither statement 1 nor 2 is correct, making option D the correct answer.

Commercial Banks: All commercial banks including branches of foreign banks functioning in India, local area banks and regional rural banks are insured by the DICGC.
Cooperative Banks: All State, Central and Primary cooperative banks, also called urban cooperative banks, functioning in States / Union Territories are covered by the DICGC.
Primary cooperative societies are not insured by the DICGC.