✅ Correct Answer: C. Research on its venom may help in developing targeted antivenoms and pharmaceuticals.

Explanation:

The new study on its venom lays the groundwork for species-specific antivenom and potential pharmaceutical applications.

Pope’s Pit Viper (Trimeresurus popeiorum) is not part of the “Big Four”, which include Russell’s Viper, Saw-Scaled Viper, Spectacled Cobra, and Common Krait.

It is found in northern and northeastern India, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya, and prefers dense forests.

India’s current commercial antivenoms do not cover this species, leaving victims vulnerable.

✅ Correct Answer: C. It operates stations in Antarctica, Arctic, and the Himalayas, and also manages a floating research vessel.

Explanation:

Himadri is the Arctic station, not a ship.

The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (not Environment Ministry).

It oversees Indian scientific missions and strategic activities in Antarctica (Maitri, Bharati), Arctic (Himadri), and the Himalayas (Himansh).

It also operates “Sagar Kanya”, a floating oceanographic platform used for marine research.

✅ Correct Answer: C. They are Australia’s territory, host active volcanoes, and form one of the few pristine ecosystems on Earth.

Explanation:

They are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, protected under Australian environmental laws.

Heard and McDonald Islands are uninhabited, remote volcanic islands located in the Southern Indian Ocean and are part of Australia’s external territories.

They are the only volcanically active sub-Antarctic islands, with Big Ben volcano on Heard Island.

The ecosystem is pristine and free from introduced species, making it a globally important scientific and conservation site.

✅ Correct Answer: B. Only three

🧭 Explanation:

1. ✅ Correct. The India–Thailand Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) was signed for 2022–2027.

2. ✅ Correct. India and Thailand signed the MoU on Defence Cooperation on January 25, 2012.

3. ✅ Correct. Thailand is a member of both Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) and BIMSTEC, along with India.

4. ❌ Incorrect. In 2024, India was Thailand’s 11th largest trading partner, not the largest.

✅ Correct Answer: B. Only three

🧭 Explanation:

1. ✅ Correct. India was granted access to Chittagong and Mongla ports in 2023 for transit cargo to the Northeast region.

2. ❌ Incorrect. The Ganges Water Sharing Treaty was signed in 1996 but it was for 30 years, not 50.

3. ✅ Correct. The 1974 Land Boundary Agreement was fully ratified and implemented in 2015.

4. ✅ Correct. Bangladesh is India’s biggest trade partner in South Asia.

✅ Correct Answer: B) Only 2 is correct

🧭 Explanation:

Statement 2 is correct: The South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) is a program under the Asian Development Bank, and includes both India and Bangladesh, along with other South Asian nations, to enhance regional connectivity and economic collaboration.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The BBIN initiative originally involved all four countries, but Bhutan has opted out of the implementation phase due to environmental and political concerns. Only India, Bangladesh, and Nepal are currently engaged.

✅ Correct Answer: B) Only three

🧭 Explanation:

Statement 4 – Incorrect. India proposed establishing a BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce, but it was not launched during this summit.

Statement 1 – Correct. The BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030 was indeed adopted, focusing on prosperity, safety, trade, and connectivity goals by 2030.

Statement 2 – Correct. India will host the first BIMSTEC Games in 2027 and also proposed a BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival.

Statement 3 – Correct. PM Modi proposed UPI connectivity with BIMSTEC countries to enhance digital payments and trade.

✅ Correct Answer: B) 2, 3 and 4 only

🧭 Explanation:

Statement 4 – Correct. Maharashtra, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu together accounted for more than 50% of remittance inflows in FY24.

Statement 1 – Incorrect. The United States overtook the UAE as the top remittance source in FY21, and its share has only increased since then.

Statement 2 – Correct. Advanced Economies now contribute over 50% of India’s remittances, led by the U.S., U.K., Singapore, and Canada.

Statement 3 – Correct. GCC remittances have declined due to nationalisation policies such as “Saudisation” and the post-Covid economic slowdown.

✅ Correct Answer: B) Only three

🧭 Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Correct. Coal powers over 74% of electricity generation and accounts for 55% of the energy mix in India.
• Statement 2 – Incorrect. Both production (1047.57 MT) and dispatch (1024.99 MT) crossed the one billion tonne milestone in FY 2024–25.
• Statement 3 – Incorrect. The Coal Mitra Portal is meant for coal allocation to power plants, not for direct benefit transfers to workers.
• Statement 4 – Correct. The Government has offered a 50% revenue share rebate and ₹8,500 crore incentive for promoting coal gasification.

Thus, Statements 1 and 4 are correct. Statement 2 is partially correct but fails on dispatch. Statement 3 is incorrect.
✅ Total correct = 2.

✅ Correct Answer: D) All Four

🧭 Explanation: Syngas (short for synthesis gas) is a fuel gas mixture primarily composed of hydrogen (H₂) and carbon monoxide (CO), along with some carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other trace gases. It is produced through the gasification of carbon-containing materials such as coal, natural gas, biomass, or waste. Syngas (H₂ + CO) is a key feedstock in the production of methanol, ammonia (for ammonium nitrate and fertilizers), and Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG).

1. Methanol Production

Syngas is catalytically converted into methanol (CH₃OH) via the following reaction:CO+2H₂→CH₃OH

(Additional H₂ may come from the water-gas shift reaction: CO + H₂O → CO₂ + H₂)

• Uses of Methanol:
  • Fuel blending (e.g., biodiesel, M85 gasoline)
  • Feedstock for formaldehyde, acetic acid, and plastics
  • Solvent and antifreeze

2. Ammonia (NH₃) & Fertilizers (Ammonium Nitrate, Urea)

Syngas is first processed to extract hydrogen (H₂) via the water-gas shift reaction:CO+H₂O→CO₂+H₂

The purified H₂ is then used in the Haber-Bosch process to make ammonia (NH₃):N2+3H₂→2NH₃N_2​+3H₂​→2NH₃​

• Ammonia is used to produce:
  • Ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) – Explosives & fertilizers
  • Urea (CO(NH₂)₂) – Major nitrogen fertilizer
  • Other fertilizers like ammonium sulfate, NPK blends

3. Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG)

Syngas undergoes methanation to produce methane (CH₄), the main component of natural gas:CO+3H₂→CH₄+H₂O

• Uses of SNG:
  • Substitute for natural gas in heating & power generation
  • Storable and transportable energy carrier