Answer: (B)

Explanation: Recently the Cybersecurity experts have found hackers using Quick response (QR) codes for phishing activities. A quick response (QR) code is a type of barcode that can be read easily by a digital device and which stores information as a series of pixels in a square-shaped grid. QR codes are frequently used to track information about products in a supply chain and often used in marketing and advertising campaigns. It was invented by Masahiro Hara, a Japanese engineer in 1994. An enhancement on traditional barcodes, QR codes can store vastly more information and are used in a variety of applications from supply chain management to cryptocurrency wallet addresses. QR codes have become more widespread in facilitating digital payments and in cryptocurrency. The Trellix Advanced Research Centre recently noticed an attack campaign with an acute spike of phishing emails that uses QR codes. Phishing is an attempt by cybercriminals posing as legitimate institutions, usually via email, to obtain sensitive information from targeted individuals. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) recently conducted a meeting in Nairobi to gauge progress on Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. It is an open-ended intergovernmental scientific advisory body established by the article 25 of the Convention on Biological Diversity. It provides the Conference of the Parties (COP) and its other subsidiary bodies, with timely advice relating to the implementation of the Convention. It is a subsidiary body of the COP that report regularly to the COP on all aspects of its work. SBSTTA comprises government representatives competent in the relevant field of expertise. It functions includes:

• Providing assessments of the status of biological diversity,
• Providing assessments of the types of measures taken in accordance with the provisions of the Convention and
• Responding to questions that the COP may put to the body.

The 25th meeting of SBSTTA was held at Nairobi, Kenya. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The Union Cabinet recently approved royalty rates in respect of 3 critical and strategic minerals, namely, lithium, niobium, and Rare Earth Elements. It is a rare, soft, malleable, ductile, gray-white metal. It must be placed in a protective atmosphere when processed at even moderate temperatures because it tends to react with oxygen, carbon, halogens, nitrogen, and sulfur. It is not found free in nature but in minerals such as columbite and tantalite. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

It has the property of becoming superconducting at low temperatures. Brazil is the world's largest supplier of this metal. It is used for the production of high-temperature-resistant alloys and special stainless steels. It is also used in its pure form to make superconducting accelerating structures for particle accelerators. Niobium alloys are used in surgical implants because they do not react with human tissue. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Signalling a road map for India’s future space ambitions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed the Indian Space Agency (ISRO) to set up an Indian crafted, indigenous space station by 2035 and land an Indian on the moon by 2040. This follows preparations for the Gaganyaan mission — India’s first manned mission to space, scheduled for 2025. The International Space Station or ISS, orbiting in low earth orbit (LEO), developed and maintained by the U.S., Russia, Canada, Japan, and European agencies, is the largest space station but is expected to be decommissioned by 2030. Hence, both statements are correct.

Answer: (D)

Explanation: The Amur falcons are expected to arrive in the in many parts of north east India from the second week of October. Amur falcon is a small but long distant migrant bird of prey that breeds in Eastern Russia and China. It is the small raptor of the falcon family. They are locally known as ‘Akhuipuina’ in the north east region. It annually flies around 22,000 km all the way across Asia, over the Indian Ocean to wintering grounds in Southern Africa. Amur falcon is the world’s longest travelling raptors. It is protected under Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Hence, option (d) is correct.