Explanation : 

Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023

1. Joint Military Exercise: The statement that Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023 was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh is incorrect. It was actually conducted between India and Sri Lanka.

2. Location: The exercise commenced in Aundh (Pune), which is correct.

3. Counter-Terrorism Operations: The goal of the exercise included joint responses during counter-terrorism operations, making this statement correct.

4. Indian Air Force Participation: The Indian Air Force did participate in the exercise, with 15 personnel involved.

Based on this analysis, the correct statements are 2, 3, and 4. Therefore, the answer is: (d) 2, 3 and 4

Explanation : 

Greenfield Airport Projects : Donyi Polo & Kushinagar Airport

Among the three airports mentioned, only Donyi Polo Airport and Kushinagar International Airport are Greenfield projects.

Donyi Polo Airport, inaugurated on November 19, 2022, is Arunachal Pradesh’s first Greenfield airport. It was built completely from scratch on previously undeveloped land.

Kushinagar International Airport, inaugurated on October 20, 2021, is also classified as a Greenfield project. It was developed to boost tourism and connectivity in the Buddhist circuit.

Vijayawada International Airport is not a Greenfield project as it was developed by upgrading and expanding an existing airport facility.

Therefore, the correct answer is option (a) 1 and 2 only.

Explanation : 

Statement 1: “It is a gas, the amount of which decreases with altitude.”

– Water vapor is indeed a gas in the atmosphere
– As altitude increases, both temperature and pressure decrease
– Cold air can hold less water vapor than warm air
– Therefore, water vapor concentration generally decreases with altitude
– This statement is CORRECT

Statement 2: “Its percentage is maximum at the poles.”

– Water vapor distribution is primarily dependent on temperature
– Warmer air can hold more water vapor than colder air
– The poles are the coldest regions on Earth
– Maximum water vapor content is found in warm, tropical regions near the equator
– The poles, being very cold, have very low water vapor content
– This statement is INCORRECT

Therefore, the correct answer is (a) 1 only.

Explanation : 

1. Low annual and daily temperature range

– This suggests a moderating influence, typically from a large water body
– Eliminates continental climates which have high temperature ranges

2. Precipitation throughout the year

– No dry season
– Consistent rainfall pattern
– Rules out climates with distinct wet and dry seasons

3. Precipitation between 50-250 cm

– Moderate to high rainfall
– Broader range typical of mid-latitude climates

Looking at the options:

– Equatorial climate: Has year-round rainfall but typically higher precipitation
– China type climate: Has distinct seasonal variations
– Humid subtropical climate: Has more seasonal variation
– Marine West coast climate: ✓
– Moderated by oceans (low temperature range)
– Year-round precipitation
– Precipitation range matches
– Found along western coasts of continents in middle latitudes

The answer is (d) Marine West coast climate, as it perfectly matches all three characteristics mentioned in the description.

Explanation : 

1. First, let’s recall the Coriolis force formula:
Fc = 2mΩv sin(φ)
where:
– m = mass of the moving object
– Ω = Earth’s angular velocity
– v = velocity of the moving object
– φ = latitude

2. Statement 1: “It increases with increase in wind velocity”

– Looking at the formula, we can see that velocity (v) is directly proportional to the Coriolis force
– When wind velocity increases, Coriolis force increases proportionally
– Therefore, statement 1 is CORRECT

3. Statement 2: “It is maximum at the poles and is absent at the equator”

– At poles (90° latitude), sin(90°) = 1, giving maximum Coriolis force
– At equator (0° latitude), sin(0°) = 0, making Coriolis force zero
– Therefore, statement 2 is CORRECT

The answer is (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation : 

1. June 21 is the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere (winter solstice in Southern Hemisphere)

2. On June 21:
– Sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N)
– Northern Hemisphere experiences its longest day
– Southern Hemisphere experiences its shortest day

3. Let’s analyze each location:

– Equator (0°):

Always experiences exactly 12 hours of daylight throughout the year
On June 21, still gets 12 hours

– Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N):

Being summer solstice and sun directly overhead
Will experience more than 12 hours of daylight

– Tropic of Capricorn (23.5°S):

Being in Southern Hemisphere during winter solstice
Will experience less than 12 hours of daylight

– Arctic Circle (66.5°N):

Being in Northern Hemisphere during summer solstice
Experiences 24 hours of daylight (midnight sun)
Definitely more than 12 hours

The answer is (d) 2 and 4

Explanation : 

Congo Basin peatlands:

In 2017, scientists discovered an enormous peatland complex in the Congo Basin
It covers an area larger than England
It stores approximately 30 billion tonnes of carbon
This is equivalent to about three years of global fossil fuel emissions

Comparing with other options:
Amazon Basin: Has peatlands but not as extensive as Congo
Kikori Basin (Papua New Guinea): Has some peatlands but much smaller
Rio de la Plata Basin: Not known for significant peatlands

Therefore, the answer is (b) Congo Basin.

Explanation : 

1. “PFAS are found to be widespread in drinking water, food and food packaging materials.”

– This is correct. PFAS are extensively used in food packaging (like grease-resistant paper and containers), and due to their widespread use and persistence, they have contaminated drinking water sources and food supply chains.

2. “PFAS are not easily degraded in the environment.”

– This is correct. PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” because of their extremely strong carbon-fluorine bonds that resist breakdown. They persist in the environment for very long periods, which is a major environmental concern.

3. “Persistent exposure to PFAS can lead to bioaccumulation in animal bodies.”

– This is correct. PFAS are lipophilic (fat-loving) compounds that can accumulate in the tissues of living organisms over time. They tend to biomagnify up the food chain, meaning higher concentrations are found in predators compared to prey species.

Since all three statements are correct, the answer is (d) 1, 2 and 3.

This is what makes PFAS particularly concerning from an environmental and health perspective – they’re widespread in use, extremely persistent in the environment, and can accumulate in living organisms, potentially causing various health effects over time.

Explanation : 

Parasitoid species

1. Carabid beetles – Most are predatory, but some species are parasitoids (like Brachinus species)

2. Centipedes – These are predators, not parasitoids

3. Flies – Many parasitoid species exist among flies (particularly in families like Tachinidae)

4. Termites – These are social insects that feed on wood/cellulose, not parasitoids

5. Wasps – Many parasitoid species exist among wasps (like Ichneumonidae, Braconidae)

So, parasitoids are found in:
– Carabid beetles ✓
– Flies ✓
– Wasps ✓

Therefore, the answer is (b) Only three.

Explanation : 

1. Statement I claims: “The atmosphere is heated more by incoming solar radiation than by terrestrial radiation”

– This is actually incorrect
– The atmosphere is heated primarily by terrestrial (long-wave) radiation and other processes like conduction and convection
– Most solar (short-wave) radiation passes through the atmosphere and heats the Earth’s surface instead

2. Statement II claims: “Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are good absorbers of long wave radiation”

– This is correct
– Greenhouse gases like CO2, water vapor, and methane effectively absorb long-wave (infrared) radiation emitted by Earth’s surface
– This is a key mechanism in the greenhouse effect