Genetic engineering aims to modify the genes to enhance the capabilities of the organism beyond what is normal.

Birbal Sahni is known as the father of Paleobotany in India. He discovered fossils of Williamsonia sewardi. 

Study of nuclear cytology is called as karyology. It deals with the structure and function of the cell nucleus, specifically the chromosomes.

Study of neurons is called as neurology.

Kazakhstan is a country of Central Asia.

It is bounded on the northwest and north by Russia, on the east by China, and on the south by Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, the Aral Sea, and Turkmenistan; the Caspian Sea bounds Kazakhstan to the southwest.

Assertion (A): Termites and ants are social insects.

Reason (R): Both establish fungus garden in their nests to feed on fungus.

This is also a correct statement but the reason for being a social insect is not because they feed on fungus and build nest garden.

But because they live in colonies and divide their work.

The first World Solar Technology Summit (WSTS) is being organized by the International Solar Alliance (ISA) on 8th September 2020.

More than 26000 participants from 149 countries have registered to join the virtual Summit which is expected to bring the spotlight on accelerating affordable and sustainable clean green energy. Therefore, statement 1 is correct.

A tripartite agreement between India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the World Bank and the International Solar Alliance are also set to be inked.

ISA’s technology journal, Solar Compass 360 will also be launched during the summit. Therefore, statement 2 is correct.

According to a UNICEF report, India’s child mortality rate has declined substantially between 1990 and 2019. Therefore, statement 1 is correct.

The number of under-five deaths in India dropped from 3.4 million in 1990 to 824,000 in 2019. Therefore, statement 2 is correct.

Smallpox is a disease caused by a poxvirus (also called variola) that is transmitted from person to person that causes high fever, characteristic rash, and may kill about one-third of those infected.

Smallpox is the only disease that has been completely wiped out throughout the world.

Konark Sun Temple is situated in Konark, a town in the district of Puri in Odisha.

The Dashavatara Temple is an early 6th century Vishnu Hindu temple located at Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh which is 125 kilometers from Jhansi, in the Betwa River valley in northern-central India.

Meenakshi Amman Temple, also known as Minakshi-Sundareshwara Temple, is one of the oldest and most important temples in India. Located in the city of Madurai, the temple has a great mythological and historical significance.

​The Vishvanatha Temple is a Hindu temple in Madhya Pradesh, India. It is located among the western group of Khajuraho Monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

At Bharhut, narrative panels are shown with fewer characters but as the time progresses, apart from the main character in the story, others also start appearing in the picture space.

The narrative art of Bharhut, depicting Jatakas of Buddha's previous birth in sculptures, the decorative art of Sanchi and the Jain Stupa of Mathura belong to the same tradition. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

At times more than one event at one geographical place is clubbed in the picture space or only a single main event is depicted in the pictorial space.

Calcium hypochlorite is commonly known as Bleaching powder. Its formula is Ca(ClO)₂. It is a pale yellow coloured powder with a strong smell of chlorine.

Uses of bleaching powder - 

• For bleaching dirty clothes in the laundry.
• As a bleaching agent for cotton and linen in the textile industry also as a decolorizing agent for various designs.

Baking Soda is commonly known as sodium bicarbonate. Its formula is NaHCO₃. Sodium bicarbonate is a white crystalline solid. It can used as a neutralizer or antacid for quick relief in stomach acidity but only for temporary as it may be harmful. It is used in baking products like cakes, cookies, etc.

Washing Soda is commonly known as Na₂CO₃ or sodium carbonate. It is used in the softening of hard water. It is commonly used as a cleaning agent for domestic purposes. It is also used in the manufacturing of glass, paper, soap, textiles, paints, etc.

Plaster of Paris (POP), quick-setting gypsum plaster consisting of a fine white powder (calcium sulfate hemihydrate), which hardens when moistened and allowed to dry.

• It is used as a building material as a protective coating on walls and ceilings.
• It is used to create toys as it can mould into different shapes.

The 3rd Rashtriya Poshan Maah is being celebrated during the month of September 2020. Therefore, statement 1 is correct.

Ministry of Women and Child Development, being the nodal Ministry for POSHAN Abhiyaan, is celebrating the Poshan Maah in convergence with partner Ministries and departments, at the National, States/UTs, Districts, and grass-root level. Therefore, statement 2 is correct.