Answer: (b)
A leap second is a one-second adjustment that is occasionally applied to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) in order to synchronize atomic time with astronomical time, particularly with the Earth’s rotation.
The purpose of adding or subtracting a leap second is to keep International Atomic Time (IAT) (which is extremely precise) in close alignment with astronomical time, which is based on the Earth’s rotation and is subject to slight variations.

Answer: (d)
Paradip Port
• Paradip Port is situated at the confluence of the Mahanadi River and the Bay of Bengal in the Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha.
• It has a natural deep-water harbor, allowing it to accommodate large vessels and handle bulk cargo efficiently.
• The port was commissioned in 1966 to serve as a gateway for the maritime trade of eastern India.
• Paradip Port Trust, a statutory body under the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963, manages and operates the port.

Answer: (b)
Statement 2 is not correct.
• SCORES 2.0 refers to the upgraded version of the SEBI Complaint Redress System (SCORES) launched by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
• SCORES is an online platform designed to facilitate the lodging and resolution of complaints by investors in the securities market.
• Complaints can be lodged for any issues covered under the:
1. SEBI Act, 1992
2. Securities Contract Regulation Act, 1956
3. Depositories Act, 1966
4. Companies Act, 2013
• SCORES 2.0 implements reduced and standardized timelines for addressing investor grievances, ensuring a maximum redressal period of 21 calendar days from the date of complaint receipt.

Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is not correct.
Kallakkadal
• Kallakkadal refers to coastal flooding during the (April-May) pre-monsoon season.
• It is caused by ocean swell waves on the southwest coast of India.
• The term “Kallakkadal” originates from Malayalam, combining “Kallan” (thief) and “Kadal” (sea), denoting the sea’s unexpected intrusion akin to a thief.
• In 2012, the term was formally approved by the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).
• These waves stem from distant storms, such as hurricanes, generating significant energy transfer from the atmosphere to the water.
• Kallakkadal typically results from strong winds in the southern Indian Ocean, generating ocean swells that travel northward towards the Kerala coast.

Answer: (c)
Both statements are correct.
Zero FIR
• Provision and Purpose: Zero FIR allows any police station to register an FIR for a cognisable offence without assigning a regular FIR number initially.
• No diary: Whereas FIRs have serial numbers assigned to them, zero FIRs are assigned the number ‘0’. Hence the name.
Features of a Zero FIR:
1. Swift Action: The relevant police station subsequently registers a fresh FIR and commences the investigation.
2. Focus on Victims: It is designed to expedite complaint lodging, particularly for serious crimes involving women and children, without the need to approach multiple police stations.
3. Preserving Evidence: Early registration helps prevent the loss or tampering of crucial evidence and witnesses.
4. Transferred Jurisdiction: The Zero FIR is later transferred to the relevant police station where the offence occurred or where the investigation should be conducted.