Explanation : 

d. All four

• Some mushrooms do have medicinal properties, such as immune system support and anti-cancer effects.
• Some mushrooms also have psycho-active properties, like psilocybin mushrooms, which cause hallucinations.
• Some mushrooms have insecticidal properties, like certain entomopathogenic fungi that can kill or disable insects.
• Lastly, some mushrooms have bioluminescent properties, like the “glow-in-the-dark” mushrooms that emit light through a process called bioluminescence.

Explanation : 

c. Honeybees

Honeybees

Honeybees perform the waggle dance to communicate with their fellow bees about the location of a food source. The dance consists of a series of movements and vibrations that encode information about the direction and distance to the food source. This helps the colony to efficiently gather nectar and pollen from flowers.

Explanation : 

Correct Answer – a. The International Union for Conservation of Nature

Invasive Species Specialist Group

The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) is a part of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The IUCN is a global organization that focuses on the conservation of nature and the sustainable use of natural resources. The ISSG is a specialist group within the IUCN that specifically works on addressing the threat of invasive species to biodiversity and ecosystems. They develop the Global Invasive Species Database, which is a comprehensive resource on invasive species and their impacts on native ecosystems.

Explanation : 

c. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

Marsupials and Their Habitat

Statement-I: Marsupials are not naturally found in India. They are primarily native to Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands, with some species also found in the Americas.

Statement-II: Marsupials can thrive in various habitats, not just montane grasslands, and they do face predators in their natural environments. For example, kangaroos, which are marsupials, inhabit a wide range of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and deserts, and have predators such as dingoes and eagles. The statement that marsupials can thrive only in montane grasslands with no predators is incorrect.

Explanation : 

c. Statement-I is correct Statement-II is incorrect

Energy Sources and Uranium Enrichment

Statement-I : India does have uranium deposits, but it primarily depends on coal for most of its electricity production. Coal is abundant and relatively cheaper in India, making it the dominant source of energy for electricity generation.

Statement-II : Uranium enriched to the extent of at least 60% is not required for the production of electricity. In fact, commercial nuclear power plants typically use uranium enriched to about 3-5% for fuel. Uranium with a higher enrichment level, such as 60%, is not necessary for electricity production and is generally used for other purposes, such as nuclear weapons or research reactors.

Explanation : 

b. Only three

Criteria for Horizontal Tax Devolution

The Fifteenth Finance Commission used several criteria other than population, area, and income distance for horizontal tax devolution. These criteria are:

1. Demographic Performance

This criterion rewards states with lower fertility rates with a higher share of tax revenue, considering their efforts to control population growth.

2. Forest and Ecology

States with a larger forest cover receive a higher share of tax revenue to compensate for the environmental services they provide.

3. Tax and Fiscal Efforts

Efficiency in tax collection and efforts to improve revenue-generating capacity are considered in this criterion. States with better tax collection performance receive a higher share of tax revenue.

The other two factors, governance reforms and stable government, were not used as criteria by the Fifteenth Finance Commission for horizontal tax devolution.

Press Information Bureau (pib.gov.in)

Explanation : 

c. Only three

Intangible Investments

1. Brand recognition is an intangible investment because it represents the value of a company’s reputation, name, and image in the market, which cannot be physically touched or seen.

2. Inventory is not an intangible investment, as it consists of physical goods and materials that a company holds for sale or production.

3. Intellectual property, such as patents, copyrights, and trademarks, is an intangible investment because it represents the legal rights and protections granted to a company’s creations, which cannot be physically touched or seen.

4. Mailing list of clients is an intangible investment because it represents the value of a company’s relationship with its customers, which cannot be physically touched or seen.

Explanation : 

c. All three

1. The Government of India provides Minimum Support Price (MSP) for various agricultural commodities, including niger seeds, to ensure a guaranteed price for farmers and to protect them from price fluctuations in the market.

2. Niger is cultivated as a Kharif crop, which is sown during the monsoon season (June to September) in India.

3. Some tribal people in India use niger seed oil for cooking as it is rich in nutrients and has a unique flavor. The oil is also used in traditional medicine and for making soaps and paints.

Explanation : 

b. Many marginal farmers in an area organize themselves into groups and synchronize and harmonize selected agricultural operations

The concept of “Small Farmer Large Field” refers to a situation where many small or marginal farmers in a particular area come together and organize themselves into groups to better manage their agricultural operations. By working together, these farmers can synchronize and harmonize their farming activities, which can lead to increased efficiency, reduced costs, and improved productivity. This approach allows small farmers to take advantage of economies of scale and can help them compete more effectively in the market.

Explanation : 

Correct Answer – a. Conducting ‘Open Market Operations’

Sterilization and Open Market Operations

Sterilization refers to the process of managing the impact of foreign currency inflows on the domestic money supply. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) achieves this through conducting ‘Open Market Operations’ (OMOs). OMOs involve the buying and selling of government securities in the open market to adjust the money supply in the economy. When the RBI wants to reduce the money supply, it sells government securities, and when it wants to increase the money supply, it buys government securities. This helps in maintaining price stability and controlling inflation.