26th October 2024

Explanation - Cyclones originate and intensify over warm tropical oceans. These are ferocious storms that originate over oceans in tropical areas and move over to the coastal areas causing violent winds, very heavy rainfall, and storm outpourings. They are known as - Cyclones in the Indian Ocean; Hurricanes in the Atlantic; Typhoons in the Western Pacific and the South China Sea, and; Willy-willies in Western Australia.
Formation of a cyclone - The energy that strengthens the cyclonic storm comes from the condensation process in the towering cumulonimbus clouds, surrounding the centre of the storm. With an uninterrupted supply of moisture from the sea, the storm is again strengthened. On reaching the terrestrial region the moisture supply is cut off and the storm dissipates. The place where a tropical cyclone cuts the coast is called the landfall of the cyclone. Eye - A mature tropical cyclone is characterised by the strong spirally circulating wind around the centre which is called the eye. The eye is an area with calm weather descending air. It is characterised by light winds and clear skies.

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect; the Asiatic Golden Cat is classified as Near Threatened, not Vulnerable, on the IUCN Red List.
Statement 2 is correct; the species occurs from sea level to elevations of 3,738 meters.
Statement 3 is incorrect; it is protected under Schedule I, not Schedule II, of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Statement 4 is correct; the cat exhibits six coat morphs, including melanistic and gray
variants.

Explanation - ICCR was founded in 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Independent India’s first Education Minister. It is an autonomous organisation and works closely with the Ministry of External Affairs. ICCR has been assigned the responsibility of facilitating the celebration of the International Day of Yoga by Indian Missions/Posts abroad since 2015.

Explanation: The IMF has maintained its GDP growth estimate for India at 7% for 2024, followed by 5% in 2025.

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect as UDAN was initially launched for a 10-year period in 2016, not 5 years.
Statement 2 is correct; the scheme is jointly funded by central and state governments.
Statement 3 is correct; airlines are selected through acompetitive bidding process.
Statement 4 is incorrect; the scheme provides subsidy forboth fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter operations.