The correct answer is option 1.

In News

• Down to Earth: Cotton Curse: Bt Cotton losses by pink bollworm pushing farmers to brink of suicide.

Key Points

Pink Bollworm:

• It is one of the most destructive pests of cotton. Hence option 1 is correct.
• Scientific name: Pectinophora gossypiella
• Distribution: Originally native to India, it is now recorded in nearly all the cotton-growing countries of the world.
• The adults are small moths about 3/8 inch long and are dark brown with markings on the fore wing.
• The larval stage is the destructive and identifiable stage.
• The larvae have distinctive pink bands and can reach a length of ½ inches right before they pupate.
• Adults only last for 2 weeks, but females will lay 200 or more eggs.
• Adults lay eggs on cotton bolls; once hatched, the larvae eat the seeds and damage the fibers of the cotton, reducing the yield and quality
• When the larvae mature, they cut out the boll and drop to the ground and cocoon near the soil surface. 
• It has also been observed to attack hibiscus, okra, and hollyhock plants.

The correct answer is It is a persistent fall in the general price level of goods and services.

Key Points

• Deflation- It is a persistent fall in the general price level of goods and services.
• When the overall price level decreases so that the inflation rate becomes negative, it is called deflation. It is the opposite of the often-encountered inflation.
• A reduction in money supply or credit availability is the reason for deflation in most cases.
• Reduced investment spending by the government or individuals may also lead to this situation.
• Deflation leads to a problem of increased unemployment due to slack in demand.

Additional Information

• Inflation - It is a persistent rise in the general price level of goods and services.
• Stagflation- A condition of slow economic growth and relatively high unemployment. 
• Reflation - A fiscal or monetary policy designated to expand a country's output and curb the effects of deflation.
  • It includes reducing taxes, changing the money supply, and lowering interest rates.
• Disinflation - A slowing in the rate of price inflation.
  • Disinflation is used to describe instances when the inflation rate has reduced marginally over the short term.
  • Although it is used to describe periods of slowing inflation, disinflation should not be confused with deflation.
• Currency depreciation - It is a sudden fall in the value of a currency against other currencies.

The correct answer is In the 1930s.

Key Points

• A peasants organization All India United Kisan Sabha (AIUKS) was founded around the late 1930s by Swami Sahajanand Saraswati.
• Sahajanand Saraswati formed a smaller Kisan Sabha in the Patna district in association with a formal organizational structure.
• Later in 1929, he established the Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha (BPKS).
• With this Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha, he emerged as the foremost Kisan leader in India.
• AIUKS demanded comprehensive agrarian reform, redistribution of lands to poor peasants, and the nationalization of waterways, lands, and 'all sources of energy and wealth'.

Additional Information

• The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) was formed with some Congress Socialists at the Lucknow session of the Indian National Congress on 11 April 1936.
• Sahajanand was elected as its first President. With the formation of the All India Kisan Sabha, the Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha became one of its provincial units.
• The Sabha demanded the abolition of the zamindari system and the cancellation of rural debts. Thereafter, in October 1937, it adopted the red flag as its banner.
• Sahajanand organized the Anti-Compromise Conference with Subhas Chandra Bose against the British and Congress.
• He even worked with the Communist Party of India during World War II. 
• Bihar Kishan Sabha was formed in 1933.
• The Bihar Kishan Sabha was mainly responsible for the rural base of congress in Bihar.

The Correct answer is ​(A) - (IV), (B) - (I), (C) - (II), (D) - (III).

Explanation:​

Iron - Anaemia:

• Iron is a crucial mineral for the formation of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Hemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to various tissues and organs in the body. When there is a deficiency of iron in the diet, it leads to a condition known as anemia. Anaemia is characterized by a decrease in the number of red blood cells or a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin in the blood.
• This results in reduced oxygen-carrying capacity, leading to symptoms like fatigue, weakness, pale skin, and shortness of breath.

Vit. B1 - Beri beri:

• Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system and the metabolism of carbohydrates. When there is a deficiency of vitamin B1 in the diet, it leads to a condition called beri beri. Beri Beri is a neurological disorder and is commonly seen in populations that heavily consume polished rice, which lacks thiamine. Symptoms of beri beri include weakness, loss of appetite, nerve damage, muscle pain, and cardiovascular issues.

Vit. C - Scurvy:

• Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential vitamin that plays a crucial role in collagen synthesis and acts as an antioxidant. When there is a deficiency of vitamin C in the diet, it leads to a condition known as scurvy. Scurvy is characterized by weakened blood vessels, gum disease, joint pain, fatigue, and the development of small, red, and swollen spots on the skin. It was historically common among sailors on long voyages who lacked fresh fruits and vegetables in their diet.

Iodine - Goiter:

• Iodine is an essential mineral required for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. These hormones are crucial for regulating metabolism and the proper functioning of various organs in the body. When there is a deficiency of iodine in the diet, it leads to a condition known as goiter. Goiter is characterized by the enlargement of the thyroid gland in the neck. It occurs as the thyroid gland tries to compensate for the lack of iodine by increasing in size. However, despite the enlargement, the gland cannot produce sufficient thyroid hormones, leading to hypothyroidism.

Additional Information

The correct answer is South Korea.

In News

• India beat South Korea to win gold in compound men event in archery

Key Points

• India won the gold medal in archery in the compound men’s event in Asian Games 2023.
• The team, comprising Ojas Pravin Deotale, Abhishek Verma and Prathamesh Samadhan Jawkar, helped India beat S Korea 235-230.
• It also meant India won their 21st gold medal in the ongoing tournament in Hangzhou.
• Ojas, Abhishek, and Prathamesh are renowned figures in the world of archery.

A treaty is an agreement or arrangement made by negotiation.

Important Points

• The Treaty of Allahabad and Kara:
  • ​The Treaty of Allahabad was signed in August 1765 AD between Robert Clive, Shuja-Ud-Daulah and Shah Aam-II as a result of the Battle of Buxar.
  • According to this treaty, Nawab Shuja-Ud-Daulah agreed to surrender Allahabad and Kara to Emperor Shah Alam II. 
  • He also agreed to pay Rs 50 lakh to the Company as war indemnity.
• The Treaty of Srirangpattanam:
  • ​The Treaty of Srirangpattanam was signed in 1792 AD after the Third Anglo-Mysore War.
  • Under this treaty, Tipu Sultan surrendered nearly half of Mysore territories to the Britishers.
  • Besides, a war damage of three crore rupees was also taken from him.
• The Treaty of Bassien (Vasai):
  • ​After the defeat in the Battle of Poona, Peshwa Bajirao II rushed to Bassien (Vasai) to seek the help of the Britishers.
  • He signed a treaty with the English over there in December 1802 AD.
  • The Treaty of Bassien (Vasai) brought the Marathas under the Subsidiary Alliance initiated by Lord Wellesley on behalf of the East Indian Company.
• The Treaty of Lahore:
  • ​The end of the First Anglo-Sikh War forced the Sikhs to sign a humiliating treaty with English East India Company in March 1846 AD.

  • The annexation of Jalandhar doab by British and payment of war indemnity of more than one crore to Britishers were some of the features of this treaty.

Hence we can conclude that the correct chronological order of treaties starting from the earliest is:

(D) The Treaty of Allahabad and Kara

(A) The Treaty of Srirangpattanam

(C) The Treaty of Bassien (Vasai)

(B) The Treaty of Lahore

The correct answer is A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1.

Key Points

• Kachhua/Turtle Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh.
  • It was established in the year 1989.
  • Total Area: 7 sq km.
• Mahavir Swami Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Lalitpur district of Uttar Pradesh.
  • ​It was set up in 1977.
  • Total Area: 5.4 sq km.
• Sohagibarwa Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Maharajganj district of Uttar Pradesh.
  • ​It was set up in 1987.
  • Total Area: 428 sq km.
• Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Behraich district of Uttar Pradesh.
  • It was set up in 1975.
  • Total Area: 550 sq km.

Additional Information

•  There are 24 Wildlife Sanctuaries in Uttar Pradesh.
• The first wildlife sanctuary in the state is Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • It was set up in 1957 in the Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh.
  • Total Area: 78 sq km
• The largest wildlife sanctuary is Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • It was set up in 1986.
  • Total Area: 2073 sq km
• The smallest wildlife sanctuary is Mahavir Swami Wildlife Sanctuary.

The correct answer is Armenia.

Key Points

• Armenia does not have direct access to the sea/ocean.
  • It is a landlocked country bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, and Azerbaijan.
  • The capital of Armenia is Yerevan.
  • Its currency is Armenian Dram.

Additional Information

• Syria is located to the east of the Mediterranean sea and is bordered by Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel.
• Jordan is bounded by Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and to the West, it is attached to the Dead Sea.
• Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea to the east, Georgia and Russia, Iran, and Armenia. A small part of it also borders Turkey.

The Correct Answer is Aditya Bhushan.

In News

• Anshuman Gaekwad launched his semi-autobiographical book "Guts Amidst Bloodbath" authored by Aditya Bhushan on 19 May 2023.

Key Points

• Anshuman Gaekwad, a former Indian Test cricketer, released his semi-autobiographical book titled “Guts Amidst Bloodbath” at the Cricket Club of India (CCI).
  The occasion was graced by six former India cricket captains, namely Sachin Tendulkar, Gundapa Vishwanath, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Ravi Shastri, and Kapil Dev. These legendary cricketers shared anecdotes and praised Gaekwad for his contributions to the sport.
• Gaekwad began his First-Class career as an off-spinner and lower-order batsman but went on to become a successful Test opener for India.

The correct answer is Pseudomonas Putida.

Key Points

• Pseudomonas:
  • ​It is a gram-negative bacteria possessing a high potential for hydrocarbon degradation.
  • The reasons for this are listed below:
    • ​metabolic diversity
    • abundance in microbial communities
    • resistance to chemical remediation agents present at contamination sites
  • Pseudomonas shows microbial community differentiation in response to oil contamination.
  • Pseudomonas putida is a successfully genetically altered bacteria by plasmid transfer for degradation of spilled hydrocarbon.