2nd April 2026

Explanation - Bio bitumen is manufactured using renewable organic materials, such as plant based oils, agricultural waste, or biomass. These materials undergo a special processing method to create a high-quality binder that is similar to traditional bitumen. It is an alternative to petroleum-based bitumen that lowers both carbon emissions and import dependency. Bio bitumen production involves multiple steps, depending on the source material used. The key processes include: Biomass Collection & Processing: Raw materials such as plant-based oils, lignin, or algae are collected and pre-processed. Pyrolysis & Bio-Oil Extraction: Thermal decomposition of biomass at controlled temperatures produces bio-oil, which serves as a precursor for bio bitumen. Refining & Modification: Bio-oil undergoes refining and polymer modification to enhance its viscosity, thermal stability, and adhesive properties. Blending & Finalisation: In some cases, bio bitumen is blended with conventional bitumen to improve performance characteristics while maintaining sustainability benefits. Significance of Bio-bitumen — Its production results in significantly lower carbon emissions, making it ideal for eco-friendly projects.

Explanation - Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) was set up as autonomous body under the IRDA Act, 1999. It is mandated to protect the interests of policyholders, to regulate, promote and ensure orderly growth of the insurance industry and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. IRDA is the apex body that supervises and regulates the insurance sector in India. It functions under the Ministry of Finance. Functions — To safeguard the policyholder's interest while ensuring a fair and just treatment. To have a fair regulation of the insurance industry while ensuring financial soundness of the applicable laws and regulations. Registering and regulating insurance companies. Licensing and establishing norms for insurance intermediaries. Promoting professional organisations in insurance. Regulating and overseeing premium rates and terms of non-life insurance covers. Specifying financial reporting norms of insurance companies. Regulating investment of policyholders' funds by insurance companies. Ensuring the maintenance of solvency margin by insurance companies. Ensuring insurance coverage in rural areas and of vulnerable sections of society.

Explanation - With a vision to strengthen digitalisation in Panchayats for the purpose of empowering rural India, a unified tool e-Gram SWARAJ portal has been developed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj for effective monitoring and evaluation of works taken up in the Gram Panchayats. e-Gram SWARAJ unifies the planning, accounting and monitoring functions of Gram Panchayats. It's combination with the Area Profiler application, Local Government Directory (LGD) and the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) renders easier reporting and tracking of Gram Panchayat's activities. It provides a single window for capturing Panchayat information with the complete Profile of the Panchayat, details of Panchayat finances, asset details, activities taken up through Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP), Panchayat information from other Ministries/Departments such as Census 2011, SECC data, Mission Antyodaya survey report etc.

Explanation - Pair 1 and 3 are correctly matched. Artemis I (2022) was an uncrewed test mission around the Moon. Chandrayaan-3 was an uncrewed mission; it is not crewed, and it was not part of the Artemis programme. Apollo missions focused on brief landings, distinct from the long-term habitation goal of the current Artemis programme.

Explanation - The planned human Moon landing is scheduled for 2028, while Artemis II will send astronauts around the Moon but not land. Artemis II will travel up to 6,500 km beyond the Moon's far side, which is farther than the Apollo missions (which stayed about 110 km above the lunar surface). Saturn V (used in Apollo missions) remains the most powerful rocket ever built, while the Space Launch System (SLS) is NASA's current most powerful rocket.