Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is not correct.
Diphtheria
• It is a contagious bacterial infection of the nose and throat.
• Cause: It is caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae that make a toxin.
• Transmission:
1. It can spread from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets, like from coughing or sneezing.
2. People can also get sick from touching infected open sores or ulcers.
• The bacteria can also infect the skin, causing open sores or ulcers. However, diphtheria skin infections rarely result in severe disease.
• Although diphtheria can be treated with medications, in advanced stages, the bacterial infection can damage the heart, kidneys and nervous system.
• Symptoms: A thick, gray membrane covering the throat and tonsils, sore throat and hoarseness, swollen glands (enlarged lymph nodes) in the neck and difficulty breathing etc.
• Mission Indradhanush provides vaccination against eight life-threatening diseases (diphtheria, whooping cough, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) causing pneumonia and meningitis, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B) in the entire country.

Answer: (b)
Statement 1 is not correct, 2 and 3 are correct.
Gulf Stream:
• It is a swift and warm ocean current that flows along the eastern coast of North America and crosses the Atlantic Ocean towards Europe.
• This extension towards Europe is known as the North Atlantic drift.
• The Gulf Stream transports more water than all the world’s rivers combined.
• It originates in the Gulf of Mexico.
• It then travels northward along the eastern coast of the United States. It follows a north-eastward path across the western North Atlantic Ocean.
• The two equatorial sources of the Gulf Stream are the North Equatorial Current (NEC), which flows generally westward along the Tropic of Cancer, and the South Equatorial Current (SEC), which flows westward from southwestern Africa to South America and then northward to the Caribbean Sea.
• Together, these two warm currents, along with waters from the Gulf of Mexico, form the Gulf Stream.

Answer: (b)
Statement 1 is not correct, 2 is correct.
Coal Gasification
• Coal gasification is a process in which coal is partially oxidized with air, oxygen, steam or carbon dioxide to form a fuel gas.
• This gas is then used instead of piped Natural Gas, methane and others for deriving energy.
• In-situ gasification of coal – or Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) – is the technique of converting coal into gas while it is still in the seam and then extracting it through wells.
• It produces Syngas which is a mixture consisting primarily of methane (CH4), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapour (H2O).
• Syngas can be used to produce a wide range of Fertilizers, Fuels, solvents and synthetic materials.

Answer: (d)
Kanha National Park
• Location: Kanha National Park is located in the Maikal Hills of the Satpura Range in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India.
• Establishment: It was established in 1955 and later designated as a tiger reserve under Project Tiger in 1973. Kanha was also the inspiration behind Rudyard Kipling’s famous novel “The Jungle Book.”
• Area: The park covers an area of approximately 940 square kilometers (363 square miles), making it one of the largest national parks in India.
• Biodiversity: Kanha National Park is renowned for its rich biodiversity. It is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, barasingha (swamp deer), Indian wild dogs, Indian gaur (bison), and various species of birds and reptiles.
• Barasingha Conservation: Kanha is particularly famous for its efforts in conserving the rare hard-ground swamp deer, also known as barasingha. The park has played a crucial role in the successful recovery of the barasingha population, which was once on the brink of extinction.
• Landscapes: The landscape of Kanha National Park varies from dense forests and lush meadows to gently rolling hills and rocky plateaus, providing diverse habitats for its wildlife.
• Tourism: The park is a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and nature lovers. It offers wildlife safaris, both on elephant back and in open jeeps, allowing visitors to explore its pristine wilderness and observe its wildlife up close.

Answer: (c)
Funds from green deposits are directed towards projects promoting non-renewable energy sources.
Green Deposits
• Green deposits are fixed-term investments tailored for individuals and entities seeking to support environmentally friendly initiatives.
• These deposits align with the principles of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing, reflecting a growing trend towards sustainable finance.
• Funds from green deposits are directed towards projects promoting renewable energy, clean transportation, pollution control, green infrastructure, and sustainable water management.
• Project Allocation: Green deposits allocate funds to specific environmentally friendly projects, unlike regular deposits.
• Interest Rates: Interest rates on green deposits are determined by lenders and are currently comparable to those offered on conventional deposits.