Answer: C
Explanation:
About UNFCCC
● The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), signed in 1992 at
the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (also known as the
Rio Earth Summit), constitutes the foundational climate agreement that has provided
the platform for most subsequent international climate agreements.
● The UNFCCC entered into force in 1994. Today, it has near-universal membership. The
198 countries (including India) that have ratified the Convention are called Parties to the
Convention. Hence statement 1 is correct.

● The ultimate objective of the Convention is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations at
a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.
● The UNFCCC endorses the concept of common but differentiated responsibility (CBDR)
in the climate context. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
○ This means that while developing country parties are expected to contribute to
climate mitigation, because of superior capacity to undertake mitigation and greater
contribution to the problem of climate change as a result of historical emissions,
developed countries are expected to take the lead in combating climate
change and the adverse effects thereof.

Outcomes of COP 29
● New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG):
○ The NCQG is the amount that must be mobilised by developed countries every
year from 2025 onward to finance climate action in developing countries.
○ Developed countries have agreed to triple finance to developing countries, from
the previous goal of USD 100 billion annually, to USD 300 billion annually by
2035.
● Carbon Markets:
○ COP 29 agreed on the rules and methodologies for the international carbon
trading system envisioned by Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
■ Article 6 sets out a system in which countries can trade emission reduction
credits between themselves so that an emission reduction in one country can
be counted against the emissions generated in another country.

● Baku Workplan:
○ The Baku Workplan adopted at COP29 aims to elevate the voices of Indigenous
Peoples and local communities in climate action. Hence statement 3 is
incorrect.

● COP29 Hydrogen Declaration:
● It endorsed the commitment to scale up renewable, clean/zero-emission and
low-carbon hydrogen production and accelerate the decarbonisation of existing
hydrogen production from unabated fossil fuels.

● COP 29 Declaration on reducing methane from organic wastes:
○ Around 30 countries, collectively responsible for nearly 50% of global methane
from organic waste emissions, endorsed the COP29 declaration on reducing
methane from organic waste.
○ It aims to set sectoral targets to reduce methane from organic waste.
■ India is not a signatory to the Declaration.

3. Consider the following statements about Antimicrobial resistance.
1) Antimicrobial Resistance can occur when microbes evolve to become resistant to the drugs
designed to kill them.
2) Misuse of antibiotics in animals can contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
3) To contain Antimicrobial resistance, patients must be advised to complete prescribed
antibiotic courses.

Answer: C
Explanation:
● Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when microbes, including bacteria, viruses, fungi,
and parasites, evolve to become resistant to the drugs designed to kill them, rendering
these medications ineffective. Hence statement 1 is correct.
Causes for AMR
● Irrational Use of Drugs: Overuse or misuse of antibiotics in humans, animals, and
agriculture. Over-the-counter availability of antibiotics without prescriptions helps this
overuse of antibiotics. Hence statement 2 is correct.
● Incomplete Treatment: Patients not completing prescribed antibiotic courses and
stopping antibiotics after the subsidence of symptoms. Hence statement 3 is correct.
● Environmental Contamination: Effluents from healthcare facilities and pharmaceutical
manufacturing units contaminating water sources can lead to AMR.
● Lack of Infection Control: Poor sanitation, hygiene, and infection control measures such as
disease surveillance in healthcare facilities and communities.

4. Consider the following statements with reference to the Biodiversity Beyond National
Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.
1. BBNJ is a treaty under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
2. BBNJ emphasizes long-term protection of marine biodiversity in the high seas.
3. India is not a signatory to the treaty.

Answer: B
Explanation:
● The BBNJ Agreement, or the ‘High Seas Treaty’, is an international treaty under the
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Hence statement 1 is
correct.
○ ‘High Seas’ are sea areas beyond national jurisdiction and are global common
oceans open to all for internationally lawful purposes such as navigation, overflight,
laying submarine cables and pipelines, etc.

● It aims to address the growing concerns over the long-term protection of marine
biodiversity in the high seas. Hence statement 2 is correct.
● It sets precise mechanisms for the sustainable use of marine biological diversity through
international cooperation and coordination.
● Parties cannot claim or exercise sovereign rights over marine resources derived from
the high seas and ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits.
● It follows an inclusive, integrated, ecosystem-centric approach based on the precautionary
principle and promotes using traditional knowledge and the best available scientific
knowledge.
● It helps minimise impacts on the marine environment through area-based management
tools and establishes rules for conducting environmental impact assessments.

● It would also contribute to achieving several SDGs, particularly SDG14 (Life Below Water).
● The BBNJ Agreement was agreed upon in March 2023 and is open for signature for two
years starting September 2023.
● It will be an international legally binding treaty after it enters force 120 days after the 60th
ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.
● As of October 2024, 105 countries have signed this agreement and 15 countries have
ratified it.
● India has signed the treaty in September 2024. Hence statement 3 is incorrect.

5. Consider the following statements about The Asian Development Bank.
1. The Bank is headquartered in Wuhan, China.
2. China is the largest shareholder of the bank.

Answer: D
Explanation:
● The Asian Development Bank (ADB) was founded in 1966 with the primary mission of
fostering growth and cooperation among countries in the Asia-Pacific Region.
● ADB assists its members, and partners, by providing loans, technical assistance, grants, and
equity investments to promote social and economic development.
● It is headquartered in Manila, Philippines. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
Members & Shareholding
● At present, ADB comprises 68 members (including India) - of which 49 are from within
Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside.
● The ADB was modeled closely on the World Bank, and has a similar weighted voting
system where votes are distributed in proportion with members' capital subscriptions.
● ADB’s five largest shareholders are Japan and the United States (each with 15.6% of
total shares), the People’s Republic of China (6.4%), India (6.3%), and Australia (5.8%).
Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
● ADB is an official United Nations Observer.

1. Strait of Gibraltar connects

Answer: D

Answer: C
Explanation:
● The Ninety Ninth Amendment Act, 2014: This act sought to replace the collegium system
of appointment of Supreme Court and High Court judges by establishing a National Judicial
Appointment Commission (NJAC). Hence pair 1 is incorrectly matched.
● The Hundred First Amendment Act, 2016: This act brought the GST regime in existence
under the 'One Nation One Tax' slogan. Hence pair 2 is incorrectly matched.
● The Hundred Sixth Amendment Act, 2023: This has finally paved the way for 33 per cent
reservation for women in both Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Hence pair 3 is incorrectly matched.

3. Consider the following statements about the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM).
1) National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) aims at creating a unified national market for agricultural commodities.
2) e-NAM is completely funded by the Central Government.
3) National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) abolishes all the existing Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis.

Answer: B
Explanation:
● National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) is a pan-India electronic trading portal which
networks the existing Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis to create a
unified national market for agricultural commodities. Hence statement 1 is correct
and statement 3 is incorrect.
● It provides the farmers access to nationwide market, with prices commensurate with the
quality of their produce.
● Launched in 2016, e-NAM is completely funded by the Central Government and is
implemented by Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC), under the aegis of
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. Hence statement 2 is correct.
● e-NAM portal enables farmers to trade their produce through their nearby e-NAM
mandis and facilitate traders to bid online from any location.
● The e-NAM portal provides single window services for all APMC related information and
services such as commodity arrivals, quality & prices and buy & sell offers, etc.

4. Consider the following statements with reference to the Supreme Court.
1. The Constitution of India originally provided for a maximum of 30 judges for the Supreme
Court.

2. The maximum possible number of judges for the Supreme Court can only be altered by a
constitutional amendment.
3. Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and
seal.