Correct Answer: Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Solution : The correct option is the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The group of islands that form part of India and lie to the southeast of the Indian mainland in the Bay of Bengal are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

This island comprises 572 islands, of which only about 38 are permanently inhabited. These islands are known for their rich biodiversity, tropical rainforests, diverse indigenous tribes, and pristine beaches. The capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is Port Blair.

Correct Answer: Smothering

Solution : The correct choice is the third option.

"Asphyxiating" means to cause someone or something to suffocate or be deprived of air, resulting in a feeling of being unable to breathe. In the passage, it is used metaphorically to describe the feeling of being held back or suffocated by the existing hierarchy or constraints.

The meanings of the other options are as follows:

• "Emancipating" and "liberating" both have the opposite meaning of "asphyxiating". They imply freedom and release from constraints, which is the opposite of what is described in the passage.
• "Unfettering" also implies the removal of constraints, so it is not a suitable synonym for "asphyxiating" in this context.

Correct Answer: Deccan Plateau

Solution : The correct answer is Deccan plateau.

Dry farming is practised in areas with low and scanty rainfall usually in the areas which have annual rainfall less than 75 cm and in the regions which have high rainfall variability. It is extensively practised in the region of Deccan plateau. In these areas cereals, pulses, oilseeds and millets are grown. In dry farming many agricultural practices are used like mulching, zero tillage, contour binding etc. which helps plants to retain moisture and sustain the arid temperatures.

Correct Answer: Rajasthan

Solution : The correct answer is Rajasthan.

Any piece of land which is left uncultivated for 5 years is known as wasteland in geography. Rajasthan is the state with the most waste land in the country. It accounts for 18% of total wasteland of India. Presently 25% of the total area in Rajasthan comes under wasteland category. 

Correct Answer: 24th December

Solution : The correct answer is 24th December.

Every year on December 24, India celebrates National Consumer Rights Day, also known as National Consumer Day, in remembrance of the day in 1986 when the President of India signed the Consumer Protection Act.

Correct Answer: Harrod-Domar model

Solution : The correct option is Harrod-Domar model

The primary sector's development was the main focus of the first five-year plan. With few changes, the Harrod-Domar model served as the foundation for the First Five-Year Plan.  In the year 1951, the Indian government launched it. Actual growth was 3.6% compared to the target growth rate of 2.1%. The model was Harrod-Domar. 

Correct Answer: Roger Binny

Solution : The correct answer is Roger Binny.

Former cricket player Roger Binny is serving as the 36th President of the Indian Cricket Board or BCCI. He is one of the players from the 1983 World Cup-winning team. Roger Binny was a lower-order batsman and swing bowler. He took over for Saurav Ganguly, who led the BCCI as president starting in 2019.

Correct Answer: Statement 1 is true, Statement 2 is true, and Statement 2 is the correct explanation of Statement 1.

Solution : The correct option is:
(a) Statement 1 is true, Statement 2 is true, and Statement 2 is the correct explanation of Statement 1.

Statement 1 is true. The rural-urban population division is generally more pronounced in Pakistan compared to India. Pakistan has a higher rural population percentage compared to India, and the disparity between rural and urban populations is often more significant in Pakistan.

Statement 2 is also true. Factors such as limited employment opportunities and urban migration do contribute to the rural-urban population division in Pakistan. Limited employment opportunities in rural areas can lead to a higher rate of urban migration as individuals seek better economic prospects in urban areas. This contributes to the concentration of population in urban areas and a more pronounced rural-urban divide in Pakistan.

Therefore, both statements are true, and Statement 2 is the correct explanation of Statement 1. Factors such as limited employment opportunities and urban migration contribute to the rural-urban population division in Pakistan, which is more pronounced compared to India.

Correct Answer: Charminar, Hyderabad

Solution : The correct answer is Charminar, Hyderabad.

Qutb Minar, Delhi; Agra Fort, Agra; and Red Fort, Delhi, are part of the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. Charminar was built in 1591 in Hyderabad. A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection under an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Correct Answer: 2015

Solution : The Startup India initiative was launched in (b) 2015.

The Startup India initiative was unveiled by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, on January 16, 2016. It marked a significant step towards fostering entrepreneurship and supporting the growth of startups in the country. The initiative aims to create a conducive ecosystem for startups, provide them with various benefits, and promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in India. Since its launch, the Startup India initiative has witnessed several policy interventions, regulatory reforms, and support programs to nurture and accelerate the startup ecosystem in the country.