Sol. Ans (d) A question from “Constitution and Law” and “Indian Polity”. India follows the “First Past the Post” system of elections and winning more than 50% is not the criterion, but getting the most is. There is no constitutional provision regarding Deputy Speaker, but it is a convention that an opposition party gets the post. Hence, 1 and 2 are both wrong. So, option (d) is our desired answer!

Sol. Ans (b) Solution : (b) A question from “Indian Economy” and “Current Affairs”. We know very well that agriculture’s share as a % of our GDP has dropped continuously. Hence, 1 is wrong. Hence, options (a) and (d) are wrong. Now just check statement 4 to ge the final answer. Our forex reserves indeed grew post economic liberalization due to many factors. Hence, options (b) is the desired answer. A very easy question.

Sol. Ans (c) A question from “Science and Technology”. You just had to have read it once earlier! Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Technology is used for reproductive cloning of animals. Answer is (c). (Reference link : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3539358)

Sol. Ans (c) A question from “Government Schemes” A tough one, as the “financial inclusion” part confused many. Its official site says : “The NPCI is an umbrella organization for all retail payments system in India. It was set up with the guidance and support of RBI and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA). The core objective was to consolidate and integrate the multiple systems with varying service levels into nation-wide uniform and standard business process for all retail payment systems. The other objective was to facilitate an affordable payment mechanism to benefit the common man across the country and help financial inclusion.” Hence, 1 is correct. Also, RuPay is a new card payment scheme launched by the NPCI, so statement 2 is correct. Hence, answer is option (c). (Reference link : http://www.npci.org.in/aboutus.aspx)

Sol. Ans (b) An easy abbreviation-based question from “Environment Ecology and Climate Change”. “MSTrIPES” stands for “Monitoring System for Tigers – Intensive Protection & Ecological Status”. Hence, answer is option (b). (Reference link : http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/mstripes-ppt.pdf )

Sol. Ans (a) A question from “Indian Economy” and “Taxation – GST”. An easy one, perhaps as most are upset or scared about GST launch so soon! Statements 2 and 3 are absurd as they make extreme claims, mostly hypothetical and futuristic. But 1 is definitely correct! Best answer is option (a). Here is a comprehensive article on GST for your reference – http://www.bodhibooster.com/2016/12/GST-India-Council-Taxation-Direct-Indirect-Reform-States-GSTN-GSTCouncil-demonetisation.html

Sol. Ans (b) A direct question from “India’s International Affairs” and “Global trade”. Since 2007, when the India-EU BTIA negotiations started, 16 rounds of negotiations have been held at the level of Chief Negotiators. The last round of negotiations was held in 2013 and thereafter negotiations had been suspended. (Reference link : http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=147137)

Sol. Ans (a) A question from “Global current affairs”. Perhaps one of the easiest questions, as the TFA came into effect from February 2017 itself! It was widely covered by us in all sessions. So statement 3 is wrong, hence options (b), (c) and (d) are wrong! Hence, (a) is the answer required! (Reference link : https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news17_e/fac_31jan17_e.htm)

Sol. Ans (c) Another question from “India’s international affairs” and “Global current affairs”. Again, a sitter if only you followed this news carefully. In context of CPEC and Gwadar deep sea port, and also Iran’s objections to slow movement from India on Chabahar, you must know that options (a) and (b) are irrelevant to it. They are continuing even now. Option (d) is going against the grain of this issue. Best answer is (c), as Chabahar port allows an entry into Central Asia and Afghanistan to India, though with SCO membership that too may slowly become less of an issue. Best answer is (c). (Reference link : http://saar.bodhibooster.com/2017/04/India-INSTC-OBOR-Russia-Lapis-Lazuli-Chabahar.html)

Sol. Ans (d) In light of the cyber security concerns, ATM hacking incidents, and ransomware, this was an expected question from “Science and Technology” and “Governance”. The Information Technology Rules 2013 (The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team and Manner of Performing Functions and Duties) called the CERT Rules also impose an obligation on service providers, intermediaries, data centres and body corporates to report cyber incidents within a reasonable time so that CERT-In may have scope for timely action. Answer is (d). (Relevant link : https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/incident-response-requirements-in-indian-law

Sol. Ans (c) One of the most tricky questions! Multiple judicial pronouncements over the decades have culminated in a 2015 SC case called “Rajbala & Ors vs State Of Haryana & Ors on 10 December, 2015” in a bench of Justices Chelameswar, and Abhay Manohar Sapre which concluded that “In the light of aforementioned two authoritative pronouncements, we are of the considered opinion that both the rights namely "Right to Vote" and "Right to Contest" are constitutional rights of the citizen”. The tortuous history of this issue – (1) Article 326 of the Constitution provides for adult suffrage, but does not mention “the right to vote”, (2) The Sixty-first Amendment' of the Constitution of India, lowered the voting age from 21 years to 18 years, (3) SC held that rights that are not explicitly set out in the Constitution, such as the right to privacy, have routinely been impliedly read into the text, and the SC also said that “…but that treatment did not come to “the right to vote” and it was not always upheld as an inalienable constitutional right”, (4) Then the SC says “…It is disconcerting that the court still does not clearly acknowledge a constitutional right to vote. Participation in the electoral process is often seen as a gateway right, or a ‘right of rights’”, (5) This SC bench also spoke of “The Supreme Court, in its hearings in the N.P. Ponnuswami v. Returning Officer, Namakkal Constituency, Namakkal, Salem, AIR 1952 SC 64 and Jyoti Basu & Others v. Debi Ghosal & Others, (1982) 1 SCC 691, recorded the categoric conclusion that the “right to vote” if not a fundamental right is certainly a “constitutional right” and “it is not very accurate to describe it as a statutory right, pure and simple, and it said that the freedom of voting as distinct from right to vote is a facet of the fundamental right enshrined in Article 19(1)(a)”, (f) It also said that “Following the PUCL case, one of the SC judges held in Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) & Another v. Election Commission of India, (2012) 7 SCC 340: “…… every citizen of this country has a constitutional right both to elect and also be elected to any one of the legislative bodies created by the Constitution …….”. This should settle this question (of Prelims 2017) too! Best answer is (c). (Reference link : http://www.bodhibooster.com/p/legalreferences.html)

Sol. Ans (b) A question from “Current Affairs”. Evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (eLISA) has been developed to detect gravitational waves, tiny ripples in the fabric of space-time — from astronomical sources. LISA would be the first dedicated space-based gravitational wave detector. It aims to measure gravitational waves directly by using laser interferometry. Best answer is (b). (Reference link : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_Interferometer_Space_Antenna)

Sol. Ans (a) A question from “Government Schemes”. Vidyanjali is an initiative to enhance community and private sector involvement in Government run elementary schools across the country under the overall aegis of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. Through this initiative people from the Indian Diaspora, retired teachers, retired government officials including retired defense personnel, retired professionals and women who are home makers can volunteer at a school that requests for one. So statement 1 is ruled out, and 3 too is wrong as the scheme nowhere focuses on financial help and donations from private organizations. Answer is (a). (Reference link : http://vidyanjali.mygov.in/index.php/frontend/guideline )

Sol. Ans (b) A question from “Government Schemes”. This aims to involve professional and other higher educational institutions of the country in the process of indigenous development of self-sufficient and sustainable village clusters in tune with the notion of 'Gram Swaraj' propounded by Mahatma Gandhi. It proposes to reorient the ethos, the academic curricula and research programs in professional institutions to make these more compatible with the national needs including those of rural areas, etc. Clearly option (b) is the correct answer. (Reference link : http://unnat.iitd.ac.in/index.php/en/)

Sol. Ans (d) A question from “Indian Polity” and “Governance and Institutions”. The Election Commission is a 3 member body, and decides all election schedules. The Home Ministry helps arrange the paramilitary and CAPF troops (central forces). Hence, statements 1 and 2 are wrong, making options (a), (b), (c) wrong, hence (d) is the answer! Best answer is (d).
(Reference and download links : http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/the_setup.aspx#appointment-tenure,http://resources.bodhisaar.com/p/home.html and http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/the_function.aspx#schedulingelec)

Sol. Ans (a) As the tiger is a species listed in the Schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife Act 1972, it means if a species of tortoise is declared protected under schedule 1, it will enjoy same level of protection the tiger does. Option (b) is wrong for obvious reasons, (c) is not related to wildlife act and (d) is wrong as (b) is wrong. Hence answer is (a). (Reference link : http://www.bodhibooster.com/p/legalreferences.html#post-page-number-2 )

Sol. Ans (a) Another one from “Indian Polity” and “Constitution and Law”. Judicial Review is the strongest element in maintaining “checks and balances” in Indian system. It refers to the constitutional power given to judiciary to check if laws made, or executive actions taken, are within the constitutional boundaries or not. Option (b) uses the wrong words. Option (c) is absurd and factually wrong. Option (d) is not what this system is primarily about. Hence (a) is the answer. (Reference link : http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/essay/judicial-review-in-india-concept-provisions-amendments-and-other-details/24911/ )

Sol. Ans (c) A simple one from “Modern Indian History”. If you knew that the RIN revolt (statement 1) was the final nail in the British Raj’s coffin in India, you’d know that 3-2-1 is the answer, hence option (c). Now, the problem is (a) has 1-2-3 as the sequence. But we assume that “chronological sequence” will mean time going forward, not backward, hence option (c).

Sol. Ans (d) A direct one from “Indian Economy”. Tax Revenue of India has not grown continuously over the past decade but has either remained stable, or dropped in some years. That is the bane of our government revenue system, leading to many moves, including the urgency in GST implementation etc.Fiscal deficit luckily has been managed well, starting 2003 due to the FRBM framework (it slipped post 2007 GFC, but that’s another story). Hence, both statements 1 and 2 are wrong. Correct answer is (d). (Reference links and images : http://saar.bodhibooster.com/2017/02/India-tax-to-gdp-ratio-GST-direct-indirect-taxes.html and http://saar.bodhibooster.com/2017/02/India-tax-to-gdp-ratio-GST-direct-indirect-taxes.html)

Sol. Ans (b) A direct one from “Current Affairs”. The group called Wildlife Institute of India (Dehradun) had proposed that 40 lions from Gujarat be shifted to Madhya Pradesh’s KunoPalpur Wildlife sanctuary, as per SC order not executed since 3 years! Correct answer is (b). (Reference links and images : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/No-sign-of-Gir-transfer-MP-seeks-to-shift-zoo-lions-to-Kuno/articleshow/45379624.cms)

Sol. Ans (b) A direct one from “Indian Polity”. When President’s rule is imposed in a state, the Council of Ministers is removed immediately. But when the President’s Rule is removed, the Assembly may come reconvene for a session again. Local Bodies remain unaffected from all this. So, statements 1 and 3 are correct, and answer is option (b)

Sol. Ans (c) A direct one from “Indian Polity”. If you read the fundamental rights chapter properly, you’d surely know that untouchability (Article 17 – Right to Equality) and minority interests (Article 29 – Cultural and Educational Rights) are covered by other fundamental rights, and not Right against Exploitation (Articles 23 and 24 – which covers human trafficking and child labour). Best answer is (c). (Reference link : http://indiacode.nic.in/coiweb/coifiles/p03.htm)

Sol. Ans (a) A direct one from “Geography”, which expected you to know the relative placement of regions on a map (you surely cannot remember all “distances” but can memorise the general broad placement of regions). The Great Nicobar island is the southernmost island in Andaman and Nicobar chain, and lies right next to Sumatra island of Indonesia. Java comes after that, and Borneo much beyond (and north) to that. Sri Lanka is too far off! Best answer is (a). (Reference link : http://www.bodhibooster.com/p/geographyinputs.html)

Sol. Ans (c) In light of what’s happening in India today, this is an interesting question! Options (a) and (d) are not how it was conceptualized originally! Hence, wrong. Option (b) looks correct, but the technical idea is covered in option (c). Entire council of ministers (Cabinet form of government) has to resign if any one member’s bill in Lok Sabha fails to get approval. Do not get confused between “Council of Ministers” versus “Cabinet (as a part of CoM)” because the question mentioned “Cabinet form of Government” which means “Our present system of CoM based government of collective responsibility”. Best answer is (c). (Reference link : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Council_of_Ministers)

Sol. Ans (d) Another one from “Indian Polity” and “Current Affairs”, with a clear political tone to it, as allegations by some States against the present government of excessive concentration of power at Centre are common. It is obvious that Indian judiciary is almost independent. That is strictly speaking not a defining part of “federalism”, but of “checks and balances” in the system. However, since (d) is completely wrong (factually) as our states (federating units) did not even form finally at the time the constitution and quasi-federal structure was created. That had happened in USA in the 18th century, not here! Hence, (d) is wrong. That is our answer. (Reference link : an interesting insight comes from the definition of various States in our Constitution’s First Schedule, here, http://www.lawmin.nic.in/coi/FIRST-SCHEDULE.pdf)

Sol. Ans (b / c) A question from “Ancient History”. Both the options (b) and (c) seem correct as both qualify to be “a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom” if one checks multiple sources, old and contemporary. Answer is ambiguous. (Relevant link : Chakravarti 1991, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakatiya_dynasty)

Sol. Ans (a) A question from “Environment Ecology and Climate Change”. The Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) is an initiative of the European Union (EU) to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on climate change with developing countries most vulnerable to climate change. The initiative was launched in 2007 and is coordinated by the European Commission (EC). Both 1 and 2 are correct, and answer is (a). (Relevant link : http://www.gcca.eu/about-the-gcca/what-is-the-gcca)

Sol. Ans (b) A question from “Religion” and “Ancient History”. The Sautrāntika were an early Buddhist school generally believed to be descended from the Sthavira nikāya by way of their immediate parent school, the Sarvāstivādins. So statement 1 is wrong. The Sarvāstivāda were an early school of Buddhism that held to the existence of all dharma in the past, present and future, which can be interpreted as statement 2, hence 2 is correct. So our answer is (b).
(Relevant links : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarvastivada#Early_history and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sautrāntika )

Sol. Ans (c) A question from “Geography” and “Current Affairs”. Mediterranean Sea (incubator of western civilisation and a "sea between the lands") stretches from the Atlantic Ocean on the west to Asia on the east and separates Europe from Africa. It forms the border for Lebanon and Syria, but not Jordan or Iraq. The trend in past few years has been to ask geography questions in context of hot current affairs – and the Middle East and Iraq/Syria surely qualify for that! Answer is (c). (Relevant link : http://www.bodhibooster.com/p/geographyinputs.html)

Sol. Ans (d) A question from “Governance” and “Government Schemes”. Statement 2 is incorrect because the corpus it has is around Rs.40,000 crore not Rs.4,00,000 crore. That was a fine distinction, a huge one actually, and you should have read the figures carefully. Statement 1 is incorrect because is it a fund created by the government of India, and the NITI AAYOG is nowhere related to it. Answer is (d).

Sol. Ans (b) A question from “Infrastructure”. The Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF) is a global, open platform that facilitates the preparation and structuring of complex infrastructure public-private partnerships (PPPs), to enable mobilization of private sector and institutional investor capital. It is in collaboration with World Bank. So clearly the correct answer is (b). (Relevant link : http://www.globalinfrafacility.org/what-is-the-gif)

Sol. Ans (c) Another question from “Polity” and “Constitution and law”. Option (a) is wrong as there can be aliens too. Article 84 (Part V—The Union) of Indian Constitution sets qualifications for being a member of Lok Sabha, which tell us that (a) and (d) are wrong or incomplete. Now the option (b) isn’t a necessary condition to be fulfilled, the best answer here remains (c). “He / She should have his/her name in the electoral rolls in any part of the country.” The ECI states that – “Q 4. I am registered as a voter in Delhi. Can I contest election to Lok Sabha from Haryana or Maharashtra, or Orissa? Ans. Yes. If you are a registered voter in Delhi, you can contest an election to Lok Sabha from any constituency in the country except Assam, Lakshadweep and Sikkim, as per Section 4 (c), 4 (cc) and 4 (ccc) of the R. P. Act, 1951.” Answer is (c). (Relevant link : http://www.bodhibooster.com/p/legalreferences.html#post-page-number-3)

Sol. Ans (b) A tough question, that looks simple, from “Physical Geography”. The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is the section of the Himalayas within India, spanning multiple states – Jammu & Kashmir (41%), Himachal Pradesh (10%), Uttarakhand (10%), Sikkim (1%), West Bengal hills (0.59%), Meghalaya (4%), Assam hills (2.8%), Tripura (1.9%), Mizoram (3.95%), Manipur (4.18%), Nagaland (3%), and Arunachal Pradesh (15.6%). So 1 is wrong. Western Ghats are spread over 6 states, Gujarat, Maharashta, Goa, Karnataka, Kerela and Tamil Nadu. So 2 is wrong. Pulicat Lake is the second largest brackish water lake, after Chilika, and straddles the border of Andhra Pradesh (40%) and Tamil Nadu (60%), on the Coromandal Coast in South India. Only possible solution is (b). (Relevant link : http://www.bodhibooster.com/p/geographyinputs.html)

Sol. Ans (c) A straight and simple question from “Environment, Ecology and Climate Change” (simple because the options could be easily eliminated). The BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand) is the measure of oxygen required by bacteria and other unwanted species to oxidize organic matter in an aquatic ecosystem(aerobic), so it is a standard criterion for pollution assay in aquatic ecosystem. More BOD means more polluted water source. Answer is (c). (Relevant link : https://realtechwater.com/biochemical-oxygen-demand

Sol. Ans (b) A question from “International Organisations”. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN–Habitat) is the United Nations agency for human settlements and sustainable urban development. The twin goals of the Habitat Agenda are adequate shelter for all and the development of sustainable human settlements in an urbanizing world. The mandate of UN-Habitat is further derived from other internationally agreed development goals, in particular the target on water and sanitation of the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, which sought to halve, by the year 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. So 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect as there is no such talk of partnering with either governments or local urbans authorities only. Hence, answer is (b). (Relevant link : https://unhabitat.org/about-us/un-habitat-at-a-glance/)

Sol. Ans (b) One more question from “Government Schemes”. The National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) is a competency-based framework that organizes all qualifications according to a series of levels of knowledge, skills and aptitude. Under NSQF, the learner can acquire the certification for competency needed at any level through formal, non-formal or informal learning. So 1 is wrong (use of “only”). Mobility between vocational and general education by alignment of degrees with NSQF is fluid. So, clearly statement 1 is incorrect and 2 is correct. Answer is (b). (Relevant link : http://www.skilldevelopment.gov.in/nsqf.html )

Sol. Ans (d) Another question from the “Indian History” domain. Dyarchy was a system of double government introduced by the Government of India Act (1919) for the provinces of British India. It was introduced as a constitutional reform by Edwin Samuel Montagu (secretary of state for India, 1917–22) and Lord Chelmsford (viceroy of India, 1916–21). In this, the multiple subjects of administration were divided between the councillors and the ministers, and called reserved and transferred subjects, respectively. Do not confuse “diarchy” with “bicameralism” (two houses of a legislature) or with “federalism” (Centre and State governments). Best answer is (d).
(Reference link : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_India_Act,_1919)

Sol. Ans (b) Another question from “Government Schemes” based on skills development. The NCS is an initiative of the Ministry of Labour and Employment so Statement 1 is wrong. ‘A National ICT based portal is developed primarily to connect the opportunities with the aspirations of youth. This portal facilitates registration of job seekers, job providers, skill providers, career counsellors, etc.’ so Statement 2 is correct (skill providers means uneducated youth also involved). Best answer is (b). (Relevant link : https://www.ncs.gov.in/pages/about-us.aspx)

Sol. Ans (b) A much expected question on NPA, from the “Indian Economy” domain! The huge NPA problem facing public sector banks in India witnessed an “alphabetical soup” of schemes proposed over the past few years. The SSSSA (S4A) was one such scheme by the RBI, launched in June 2016, as part of its effort to resolve the NPA crisis. It failed to do so substantially, and finally the insolvency route is being taken in 2017. Answer is (b). (Reference link : https://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/BS_PressReleaseDisplay.aspx?prid=37210)

Sol. Ans (b) A straight and simple question from “Environment, Ecology and Climate Change”. The Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (CCAC) was launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and six countries—Bangladesh, Canada, Ghana, Mexico, Sweden, and the United States—on 16 February 2012. So Statement 1 is wrong. CCAC focuses on methane, carbon and hydrofluorocarbons. So 2 is correct. Hence answer is (b).
(Reference links :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_and_Clean_Air_Coalition_to_Reduce_Short-Lived_Climate_Pollutants#Founding_Partners, and
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_and_Clean_Air_Coalition_to_Reduce_Short-Lived_Climate_Pollutants )

Sol. Ans (b) A from “Geography”. The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), also known as the Indian Niño, is an irregular oscillation of sea-surface temperatures in which the western Indian Ocean becomes alternately warmer and then colder than the eastern part of the ocean. So Statement 1 is incorrect, as it uses the term "Eastern Pacific Ocean" whereas it is Eastern Indian Ocean. So a play on the words! Monsoon in India is generally affected by the temperature between bay of Bangal in the east and the Arabian sea in the west. So statement 2 is correct.Hence, answer is (b). (Relevant link : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Ocean_Dipole)

Sol. Ans (b) A question from “Environment Ecology and Climate Change”. A pretty straight question, factual. Answer is (b). (Reference link : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chambal_River)

Sol. Ans (b) A question from “Defence and Military”, especially in light of the Chinese thrust into the IOR. The inaugural IONS-2008 was held in New Delhi, India on 14 Feb 2008. So statement 1 is wrong. The ‘Indian Ocean Naval Symposium’ (IONS) is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime co-operation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region by providing an open and inclusive forum for discussion of regionally relevant maritime issues. So 2 is correct. Hence, best answer is (b). (Reference link : http://www.bodhibooster.com/p/special-groupings.html)

Sol. Ans (a) A factual question from “Ancient Indian History”. The famous painting of the Bodhisattva Padmapani in Ajanata caves (a world Heritage site) is one of the best paintings remaining from the Pre historic era when Buddhism was at its peak. Best answer is (a). (Reference link : https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bodhisattva_Padmapani,_Ajanta,_cave_1,_India.jpg)

Sol. Ans (a) A factual question from “Art and Culture”. The Chaliha is an important festival celebrated by the Sindhis wherein they pray to their God, Jhulelal. Hence statement 1 is correct. But statements 2 and 3 are factually wrong. The three-week-long Nanda Devi Raj Jat is a pilgrimage and festival of Uttarakhand in India, not of the Gonds. And, Varkari ("a pilgrim") is a sampradaya (religious movement) within the bhakti tradition, in Maharashtra and northern Karnataka (and not Santhals). So 3 is also wrong. Hence answer is (a).

Sol. Ans (d) A factual question from “Agriculture”. No-till farming (also called zero tillage or direct drilling) is a way of growing crops or pasture from year to year without disturbing the soil through tillage. No-till is an agricultural technique which increases the amount of water that infiltrates into the soil. So statement 1 is correct. Gypsum has been used for many years to improve aggregation and inhibit or overcome dispersion in sodic soils as it improves soil structure. It also improves water infiltration. Gypsum improves the ability of soil to drain and not become waterlogged due to a combination of high sodium, swelling clay and excess water. Gypsum also helps reduce runoff and erosion. So 2 is also correct. Statement 3 is correct for sure. Hence, best answer is (d).
(Relevant link : http://www.croplife.com/crop-inputs/micronutrients/the-role-of-gypsum-in-agriculture-5-key-benefits-you-should-know)

Sol. Ans (b) A factual question from “Government Schemes” and “Agriculture”. The soil health card scheme aims at promoting soil-test-based and balanced use of fertilisers to enable farmers realise higher yields at lower cost. So statement 3 is correct. The scheme does not talk about statements 1 and 2. Best answer is (b). (Relevant links : FAQ English - https://goo.gl/jfw5dn, FAQ Hindi - https://goo.gl/Lfu1X5)

Sol. Ans (d) A factual question from “Current Affairs”. Related to controversial issues recently! Answer is (d).
(Relevant links : http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/regulations/us-laws/lead-in-lipstick,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brominated_vegetable_oil)

Sol. Ans (c) A factual question from “Science and Technology”. OLED displayes are fabricated using flexible plastic substrates (FOLED). Clothing is already been embedded in roll up displayes. So statements 1 and 2 are correct, and only possible answer is (c).
(Relevant links : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OLED, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flexible_organic_light-emitting_diode)

Sol. Ans (a) A factual question from “Ancient Indian History”. Arasavalli Sun Temple is a 7th-century AD Sun Temple at Arasavalli in Andhra Pradesh, India. No prominent sun temples are present in Amarkantak and Omkareshwar. So statements 2 and 3 are wrong. Hence, answer is (a). (Relevant link : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suryanarayana_Temple,_Arasavalli)