Answer: (a)
Only statement 1 is correct.
It was conceived by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to enable India attain self-sufficiency in field of missile technology.
It was approved by Government of India in 1983 and completed in March 2012. The 5 missiles (P-A-T-N-A) developed under this program are –
1. Prithvi: Short range surface to surface ballistic missile.
2. Agni: Ballistic missiles with different ranges,
3. Trishul: Short range low level surface to air missile.
4. Nag: 3rd generation anti-tank missile.
5. Akash: Medium range surface to air missile

Answer: (c)
Both statements are correct.
Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT)
• It is a provision in the Income Tax Act of India. It primarily applies to companies and is designed to ensure that companies that report substantial book profits but pay little to no income tax due to various exemptions and deductions are subject to a minimum level of taxation.
• The primary objective behind the MAT tax in India is to curb tax avoidance by companies that manipulate their financial statements to reduce their taxable income artificially. With the introduction of MAT, companies have to pay a fixed percentage of their profits as MAT.
• MAT is applicable to all companies, including foreign companies.
• However, it does not apply to companies that have been granted exemption under Section 10AA of the Income Tax Act, which pertains to Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

Answer: (b)
Statement 1 is not correct.
India ranked as the world’s largest arms importer during the period 2019-23, witnessing a 4.7% increase compared to 2014-18.
India reclaimed its position as the top arms importer, surpassing Saudi Arabia, with Pakistan also witnessing a significant increase in arms imports, primarily from China.
While Russia remained India’s primary arms supplier, the share of deliveries from Russia decreased, marking the first time since 1960-64 that it accounted for less than half of India’s arms imports.

Answer: (a)
The Kochrab/Bungalow Ashram was the first ashram in India organized by Mohandas Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement, and was given to him by his friend, the barrister Jivanlal Desai. Founded on 25 May 1915, Gandhi’s Kochrab Ashram was located near the city of Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat. On 20 July, 1915 Gandhi and his followers formally took over this building.

Answer: (a)
India signed the Additional Protocol (AP) to the IAEA safeguards agreement on May 15, 2009.
An Additional Protocol (AP) to the Safeguards Agreement between the Government of India and the IAEA for the Application of Safeguards to Civilian Nuclear Facilities entered into force on 25 July 2014.
The ratification of additional protocol will ensure the collection of data of India’s nuclear exports, to guarantee that the material is not diverted for unauthorised use.