Answer: (B)

Explanation:

• All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi has been witnessing an increase in conjunctivitis cases recently. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the transparent membrane that lines the eyelid and eyeball. This membrane is called the conjunctiva. It is also called Pink eye infection. It can be transmitted directly and indirectly.
• Causes of Conjunctivitis:-

• Viruses
• Bacteria
• Allergies
• A chemical splash in the eye
• A foreign object in the eye
• In newborns, a blocked tear duct

Hence, both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.

Answer: (A)

Explanation: NASA’s IXPE Mission unveils twisted mysteries of the Supermassive Black Hole Markarian 421. Markarian 421 is a supermassive black hole that is firing high energy particles directly towards Earth. It is situated about 400 million light years from Earth. It is located in the constellation Ursa Major and is a strong source of gamma rays. They are also often exceptionally bright since particles approach the speed of light. Hence, option (a) is correct.

Answer: (D)

Explanation: Economists are urgently discussing the merits of Full-Reserve Banking as opposed to Fractional-Reserve Banking.

Full-Reserve Banking:

• Banks are prohibited from lending out demand deposits received from customers, reducing the risk of bank runs.
• 100% Reserve Requirement: Banks must always hold 100% of these deposits in their vaults, acting merely as custodians.
• Banks can only lend money received as time deposits.
• Banks serve as safe-keepers of depositors' money and charge fees for this service.

Fractional-Reserve Banking:

• The fractional-reserve banking system allows banks to lend more money than the cash they hold in their vaults.
• This system relies heavily on electronic money for lending purposes.
• Central Bank Intervention: Central banks can provide emergency cash to avert immediate crises in the fractional-reserve banking system.
• Bank runs are a potential risk if many depositors simultaneously demand cash.

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

Dhala Crater:

• The Dhala crater holds the distinction of being India's oldest and largest impact crater.
• It is believed to have formed approximately 2500 million years ago.
• Named after the village Dhala, the crater remains as an eroded remnant of its original impact structure.
• Situated in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district, the crater spans a massive 11 km in diameter, making it the largest in Asia.

Lonar Crater:

• Lonar Crater is in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra, India.
• It is a highly saline and alkaline water lake with no outflow, leading to mineral concentration.
• Created by a meteorite impact around 570,000 to 47,000 years ago.
• It is a hover-backed protrusion in volcanic rock, forming an endorheic or closed basin.
• Declared a wildlife sanctuary due to its diverse wildlife, including 160 bird species, 46 reptile species, and 12 mammal species like the endangered Asian woolly neck and grey wolf.

Ramgarh Crater:

• Ramgarh crater formed around 150 million years ago in Rajasthan's Baran district.
• The crater is about three kilometers in diameter and resulted in a lake measuring one kilometer in length and 250 meters in width.
• First found by the Geological Survey of India in 1869, it shows all the signs of an impact crater.
• Geo-scientists from GSI and INTACH conducted additional research on the crater before the COVID pandemic.
• Rajasthan's mines and geology department plans to recommend it as an international geo-heritage site to IUGH.

Answer: (D)

Explanation:

• The Centre has announced a series of events across the country under the banner of the 'Meri Maati Mera Desh' campaign to mark the anniversary of India's independence in August. The campaign aims to celebrate the diversity and unity of the nation, as well as to honour the sacrifices and contributions of freedom fighters and martyrs.
• Key Components of the Campaign:

• Shilaphalakam: memorial plaque in every gram panchayat or village,
• Vasudha Vandhan: Planting 75 saplings of indigenous species in every gram panchayat or village,
• Veeron Ka Vandan: Saluting the freedom fighters and their families,
• Collection of Soil: Collecting soil from every gram panchayat or village by young volunteers and others
• Amrit Vatika: garden will be made with soil brought from all parts of the country, representing the different regions, cultures and traditions of India.

Hence, all are correct.