Answer: A

Explanation:

Axiom-4 was launched by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and carried astronauts from the US, India, Poland, and Hungary. However, it was not funded by NASA as part of its international astronaut programme. In fact, NASA has stopped sponsoring foreign astronaut missions, which is why India used commercial services for this mission. So, only statements 1 and 2 are correct.

Answer: D

Explanation:

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the dhole as Endangered. The reasons include dramatic habitat loss, depletion of wild prey populations, disease transmission from domestic dogs, and retaliatory killing by humans. Their fragmented distribution and declining numbers make them one of Asia’s most threatened carnivores.

Answer: B

Explanation:

The National Statistical Office (NSO) works under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. It is not under the Ministry of Finance or NITI Aayog. The NSO is the central agency responsible for coordinating the statistical system in India. It sets standards and methods for data collection and dissemination. This ensures uniformity and credibility of official statistics. NSO was formed by merging the Central Statistical Office (CSO) and the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO).

Answer: C

Explanation:

The establishment of the Center for South Asia Regional Center (CSARC) will provide India with access to the International Potato Center’s (CIP) world’s largest germplasm collection, promoting domestic seed production and reducing dependency on seed imports. This statement is accurately reflected in option C. 

• Option A is incorrect because the center is not limited to Uttar Pradesh alone; it will benefit farmers in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab, as well as other South Asian countries. 


• Option B is incorrect because CIP’s headquarters is already in Lima, Peru, and the center in Agra is CIP’s second major unit outside Peru, not its headquarters. 


• Option D is incorrect because the center will not focus solely on sweet potato cultivation but will promote both potato and sweet potato cultivation.

Answer: C

Explanation:

The functions of the Reserve Bank of India are to issue Indian currency, control banks, maintain financial stability and act as a banker to the government. Passing money bills in the Parliament is the function of the Parliament, not the RBI.