18th December 2025

Explanation - Post-independence, first three gallantry awards namely the Param Vir Chakra, the Maha Vir Chakra and the Vir Chakra were instituted by the Government of India on 26th January, 1950 (not 1965) which were deemed to have effect from the 15th August, 1947 (statement 1 is incorrect). The Ashoka Chakra Class-I, the Ashoka Chakra Class-II and the Ashoka Chakra Class-III were instituted by the Government of India on 4th January, 1952, which were deemed to have effect from the 15th August, 1947. These awards were renamed as the Ashoka Chakra, the Kirti Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra respectively in January, 1967. These gallantry awards are announced twice in a year - first on the occasion of the Republic Day and then on the occasion of the Independence Day. Order of precedence of these awards is Param Vir Chakra, Ashoka Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Vir Chakra, Shaurya Chakra. Selection Process - Ministry of Defence invites recommendations twice in a year from the Armed Forces and Union Ministry of Home Affairs for gallantry awards. Recommendations in respect of civilian citizens (other than Defence personnel) are received from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Recommendations received from the Armed Forces and MHA are considered by the Central Honours & Awards Committee (CH&AC) comprising of Raksha Mantri, three Service Chiefs & Defence Secretary. Home Secretary is also member for the cases recommended by the Ministry of Home Affairs (statement 2 is incorrect as awards are not announced by the President based on Union Cabinet recommendation, but through the CH&AC process). 

Explanation - National Digital Livestock Mission was launched by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India for creating a digital database of livestock and related services across the country. Aims: To enhance livestock productivity and breed improvement, strengthen disease surveillance and control, enable traceability of livestock products and create a farmer-centric digital ecosystem for efficient service delivery. It has been implemented across all States in India (not just selected high milk-producing states, so statement 2 is incorrect). Key objectives of the NDLM — Improving breeding outcomes suited to India's diverse agro-climatic conditions. Enabling real-time disease monitoring and control, and establishing a robust traceability mechanism for livestock products. The mission also focuses on empowering farmers by providing easy access to information on government schemes and livestock-related services. The digital backbone of the mission is the 'Bharat Pashudhan' platform. Bharat Pashudhan' platform includes mobile and web-based applications used by field workers to record livestock-related activities. Under this each animal is assigned a unique 12-digit bar-coded ear tag, which serves as its digital identity. Using this system, field workers capture data on animal registration, artificial insemination and breeding, ownership changes, vaccinations, disease reporting, milk recording, ration balancing and e-prescriptions. 

Explanation - Nitrofurans are synthetic broad-spectrum antibiotics (not natural, so statement 1 is incorrect). There are four parent compounds that comprise the nitrofuran class: furazolidone, furaltadone, nitrofurazone, and nitrofurantoin. The defining structural component is a furan ring with a nitro group. Key features of Nitrofurans — These are synthetic chemotherapeutic agents with a broad antimicrobial spectrum. They are active against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including Salmonella and Giardia spp, trichomonads, amebae, and some coccidial species. They are much more active in acidic environments (a pH of 5.5 is optimal for nitrofurantoin activity), not alkaline (statement 2 is incorrect). They are primarily bacteriostatic, but at high doses they are also bactericidal. These were once widely used in poultry, pigs, shrimp and other livestock because they are cheap and highly effective. Impacts on human health — Carcinogenic potential: Some nitrofurans have shown carcinogenic effects in animal studies. Toxicity concerns: Potential toxicity and side effects in humans, particularly with prolonged use or high doses (statement 5 is incorrect). 

Explanation - Natyashastra - It is an ancient Sanskrit treatise on performing arts. The title is a combination of two Sanskrit words – Natya and Shastra. Natya refers to the technique of dance and drama, and shastra refers to science. It was composed by the sage Bharata Muni. It has been dated to between the second century BCE and the second century CE. It is the earliest known treatise on performative arts in South Asia. It comprises verses detailing drama (natya), performance (abhinaya), music (sangita), emotions (bhava), and aesthetic experience (rasa) (statement 2 is incorrect as it does include music and rasa). One of the text's most profound contributions is the articulation of the concept of Rasa, the essential emotional essence that lies at the heart of any great work of art. Bharata Muni identified eight primary Rasas - Shringara (love), Hasya (humor), Karuna (compassion), Raudra (anger), Veera (heroism), Bhayanaka (fear), Bibhatsa (disgust), and Adbhuta (wonder). He also explained how the skilled performer, through the skillful deployment of bhava (emotional expression), could evoke these sentiments in the audience. UNESCO added Natyashastra to its Memory of the World Register, recognising its global cultural significance. 

Explanation - While the Bill provides an opportunity to be heard, compliance with IRDAI's binding directions is mandatory (statement 1 is incorrect). The search and seizure powers are triggered by suspicion of actions like concealing information or destroying records, not specifically by mis-selling. The power to disgorge wrongful gains from mis-selling is a separate enforcement power mentioned under the penalty framework (statement 2 is incorrect). The Bill's changes apply to a wide range of intermediaries, including agents, brokers, web aggregators, and TPAs (statement 3 is correct).