21st December 2024

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Siddha medicine originated in South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, not North India. Statements 2 and 3 are correct. The Siddha system is indeed based on the balance of three humors: Vali (Vatham), Azhal (Pitham), and Iyyam (Kapham). Siddha practitioners use both herbal preparations (Mooligai vakuppu) and mineral-based preparations (Thathu vakuppu) in their treatments, as well as animal products (Jeeva vakuppu).

Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Varmam therapy is indeed based on the manipulation of 108 vital energy points (varmam points) identified by Siddhars in the human body. These points are considered to be intersections of bones, muscles, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels. Statement 2 is incorrect. Varmam therapy is a drugless, non-invasive therapy primarily used for pain management and treating musculoskeletal and neurological disorders, not psychological disorders. It does not involve the use of herbal medications.

Explanation: The Supreme Court's ruling emphasized that coconut oil should be classified based on its predominant use as an edible oil, rather than on the size of its packaging. The court rejected the application of the "Common Parlance Test" (option a) for products clearly defined under the law. It did not state that small packages should always be classified as hair care products (option b). The court actually stressed the importance of following international Harmonised System of Nomenclature norms in product classification, contrary to option c. The judgment clarified that the ability of coconut oil to serve as a cosmetic or hair product does not exclude it from being primarily classified as an edible oil, aligning with option d.

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. The Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 initially did not classify coconut oil under "Products of the Chemical or Allied Industries". Statement 2 is correct. In 2005, coconut oil was indeed reclassified under "Animal or Vegetable Fats and Oils" in the Central Excise Tariff Act. Statement 3 is incorrect. The 2009 circular by the Central Board of Excise and Customs classifying coconut oil in small containers as hair oil was withdrawn in October 2015. Statement 4 is correct. Under the current GST regime, coconut oil (as an edible oil) is taxed at 5%, which is lower than the 18% rate for hair care products.

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. The Protected Area Regime (PAR) is established under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, not the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963. The latter deals with Restricted Areas, which are different from Protected Areas. Statement 2 is correct. Bhutanese citizens are indeed exempt from obtaining a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to enter PAR regions, as per the special provisions of the India- Bhutan friendship treaty.

Explanation: The satellite tagging of the Ganges River Dolphin is indeed part of the larger Project Dolphin initiative. The tagging was not carried out by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, but by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. While the project aims to study the dolphins' habitat and behavior, it does not specifically focus on their response to climate change. Lightweight satellite tags compatible with Argos systems were used, not heavy GPS collars, to ensure minimal interference with the dolphins' movement.