Answer: (A)

Explanation: Few countries involved in a committee tasked with designing a "loss and damage" have recently agreed to meet in November before the COP 28 to address the issues with the fund. Loss and Damage Fund (L&D fund) is a financing mechanism to compensate the most vulnerable countries from climate-linked disasters. Loss and Damage refers to impacts of climate change that cannot be avoided either by mitigation or adaptation. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
In the 1990s, the Alliance of Small Island States began calling for the establishment of a loss and damage fund. The G-77 (India is part of the group) and China had called for the immediate creation of an L&D fund at COP 27 which was agreed. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
The fund will initially draw on contributions from developed countries and other private and public sources with an option for other major economies to join down the line. The fund will aid developing countries that are vulnerable to adverse effects of climate change. The middle-income countries that are severely affected by climate disasters are also eligible. The COP is yet to finalize on the authority to oversee the Loss and Damage Fund. There is still no clear affirmation on which entity should oversee the fund, who should pay and which countries would be eligible to receive funding. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Answer: (C)

Dust suppressants are salts of calcium or magnesium that can absorb moisture. Magnesium chloride absorbs moisture. The use of dust suppressant along with water is relatively more effective in control of pollution than conventional methods of dust control that is plain water spraying. The use of dust suppressants in water can be more effective than plain water sprinkling as it shows more efficiency to reduce particulate matter emission. About 30% reduction in dust concentration (PM10, PM2.5 and PM1) was observed up to 6 hours for construction sites as well as roads with the use of dust suppressant. This is not the first time it has been used in the Capital and parts of NCR to reduce the Delhi pollution. In 2019, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee had also issued directions that all construction agencies to use dust suppressants to control dust emissions and road-owning agencies. The effort by the Delhi government aids Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and seeks to improve Air Quality Index. Hence, both statements are correct.

Answer: (D)

Explanation: After Israel imposed a complete siege of the Gaza Strip in response to the deadly attack by Hamas, the strip’s border crossing with Egypt became even more critical. The Rafah border is the only point not controlled by Israel where civilians can enter and leave Gaza by land. The border connects the Gaza Strip and Egypt. The demand to open it has grown as Israel prepares for a possible ground invasion of Gaza and living conditions in the Gaza Strip have worsened dramatically in the face of heavy Israeli bombings, some of which have also damaged the border. Restrictions on the movement of persons and products to and from Gaza enforced by both Israel and Egypt have harmed Palestinians’ living circumstances in the Gaza Strip. Both Israel and Egypt have made entry from Gaza contingent on acquiring permission from one of their respective governments. Hence, option (d) is correct.

Answer: (C)

Explanation: SIM card is an integrated circuit or a microchip that identifies the subscriber on a given network. In order for a mobile phone to connect to any cellular network that follows the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) standard, a SIM card is mandatory. Until 2G networks, the term ‘SIM card’ denoted both the hardware and the corresponding software. This changed with the advent of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System with 3G networks. In the 3G network the ‘SIM’ became only the software, the hardware was called the Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC). The software was also upgraded to an application called Universal SIM or USIM. USIM could be modified to be compatible with the identification and security requirements of 3G, 4G, and 5G networks. UICC loaded with both SIM and USIM applications can work with networks of all generations. Over the years, the SIM card has shrunk from the SIM to the mini SIM to the micro SIM to the nano SIM and latest on this path is the eSIM. In eSIM the SIM software is loaded to a UICC that is permanently installed in the mobile equipment in the factory itself and it cannot be removed which is called eUICC. It is environmentally friendly and there is no need of more plastic and metal for a new SIM. A malicious person won’t be able to separately access the SIM application nor duplicate it. eSIMs can be programmed by subscribers themselves. eSIM can in theory allow network operators to track subscribers’ data, including inside apps on the device and especially in the absence of data privacy laws. The International Organization for Standardisation and the International Electrotechnical Commission maintain the ISO/IEC 7816 international standard for SIM cards. Hence, all statements are correct.

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk III (GSLV Mk III), also known as Launch Vehicle MarkIII (LVM-3), will be used as a launch vehicle in Gaganyaan mission. The Central Hub of the Gaganyaan Mission, Orbital Module (OM), which will orbit the Earth, will comprise a Crew Module (CM) and Service Module (SM). The Crew Module will have an Earth-like environment in space for the crew. Hence, both statements are correct.