Answer: B

Explanation:

The Indian Army contingent departed recently took part in the fifth edition of India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise DUSTLIK at Termez in Uzbekistan and it will be till 28th April 2024.  Exercise DUSTLIK is an annual joint military exercise between India and Uzbekistan. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

The Indian contingent comprises 60 personnel, while Uzbekistan side will have 100 personnel participating. It aims to foster military cooperation between India and Uzbekistan and enhance combined capabilities for executing joint operations, particularly in mountainous and semi-urban terrain. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Key areas of focus during the exercise include high physical fitness, joint planning, tactical drills and basics of special arms skills. It facilitates the sharing of best practices and enhances interoperability between the armed forces of India and Uzbekistan for future joint operations. The exercise alternates between India and Uzbekistan, with the previous edition held in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, India, in February last year. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Recently, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has organised a daylong National Workshop on Environment and Forest Clearance including Eco-friendly Mitigation Measures in New Delhi. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is a government agency that manages India's national highways. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Its goal is to oversee the development and maintenance of a safe, efficient and high-quality highway network across India. It was constituted under National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988 and it became an autonomous agency in 1995. It is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: A

Explanation:

Recently, it has been recognized that rights secured under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) surpass mere "enjoyment rights," highlighting the misinterpretation of forest title deeds as a barrier to the entitlements of title holders. The Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006 is a landmark legislation that recognizes the rights of traditional forest-dwelling communities over forest land and resources. Its primary aim is to recognize and secure the individual and community rights of tribals and forest dwellers over forest lands. Hence, statement I is correct.

Titles are issued to individuals for habitation and self-cultivation and to Gram Sabhas for community rights and community resource rights. Rights recognized under FRA are heritable but not alienable or transferable, ensuring their intergenerational continuity within communities. Hence, statement II is correct.

Here, statements I and II both are correct and Statement –II is the correct explanation of Statement-I. Hence, option (a) is correct.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement and often leads to immobility and dementia. Over a million people in the United States are affected by Parkinson's disease, with increasing numbers globally. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

Symptoms of Parkinson's disease include tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement) and postural instability. Parkinson's disease has both genetic and environmental components.  Recent research has identified a new genetic variant, RAB32 Ser71Arg, associated with Parkinson's disease, this variant impacts dopamine levels and cellular functions, providing insights into the disease's pathology. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: A

Explanation:

The BJP referencing Thiruvalluvar in its manifesto aims to connect with Tamil culture and voters in Tamil Nadu. The Pandian kingdom is legendary for hosting all three Sangam institutions: the initial assembly, followed by the second and third academies. The Sangam literature we have today dates from the third and post-Sangam periods. Sangam literature was preserved as palm leaf manuscripts in Tamil academic houses and Shaiva Aatheenams near Kumbakonam before being lost by the second millennium CE. Thiruvalluvar, also known as Valluvar, was not only a philosopher and poet but also an accomplished administrator. His most famous work, Tirukkural, is not only a literary masterpiece but also a profound philosophical and ethical guide for life. Thiruvalluvar's teachings emphasize the importance of ethics, self-discipline, honesty, and equality, making them relevant across generations and cultures. Despite the lack of concrete biographical information, Thiruvalluvar's influence on Tamil literature, culture, and society remains profound, with his legacy enduring through the ages. Tirukkural, Thiruvalluvar's primary work, consists of 1330 couplets divided into 133 sections. Many communities in South India consider Thiruvalluvar a god and saint, with temples dedicated to him, notably in Mylapore and Tiruchuli. Hence, option (a) is correct.