9th May 2026

Explanation: The gut microbiome refers to the trillions of microbes — including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites — that live in the human gut. Therefore, Statement 1 is incorrect, as it is not limited to bacteria alone. The gut microbiota assists in harvesting energy from food, protecting against pathogens, regulating immune function, and strengthening the biochemical barriers of the gut. Research confirms that low microbial diversity is linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes (Statement 2 ✓). Disturbing the microbiota through antibiotic use can also lead to infections that become resistant to antibiotics (Statement 3 ✓).

Explanation: PMEGP is a central sector scheme launched in 2008, administered by the Ministry of MSME and implemented by KVIC, making Statement 1 correct. Statement 2 is incorrect because there is no income ceiling for assistance under PMEGP — any individual above 18 years of age is eligible regardless of income. However, beneficiaries must have at least Class VIII educational qualification for projects above ₹10 lakh (manufacturing) or ₹5 lakh (services/business). Statement 3 is correct — existing units that have already availed government subsidy under any other Central or State Government scheme are not eligible.

Explanation: The AMOC is a large system of ocean currents — not a nuclear fusion project. It is the Atlantic branch of the ocean conveyor belt or Thermohaline Circulation (THC), and distributes heat and nutrients throughout the world's ocean basins. AMOC carries warm surface waters from the tropics towards the Northern Hemisphere, where the water cools and sinks, then returns to the tropics and the South Atlantic as a bottom current. From there, it is distributed to all ocean basins via the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. (Note: The descriptions in Statements 1 and 2 actually refer to ITER — the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor — located at Cadarache, France.)

Explanation: In Bengal Immunity Co. Ltd. vs State of Bihar (1955), a seven-judge Constitution Bench held that a legal fiction is created for a definite purpose, must be limited to that purpose, and must not be extended beyond its legitimate field. In East End Dwellings Co. Ltd. vs Finsbury Borough Council (1952), Lord Asquith stated that one must imagine the necessary consequences of a fiction but must not let imagination "boggle" beyond them. The Indian Supreme Court adopted (not rejected) this formulation in J.K. Cotton Spinning and Weaving Mills Ltd. vs Union of India (1987), confining a deeming fiction in the Central Excise Rules to its stated purpose. Therefore, Statement 2 is incorrect.

Explanation: Legal fiction is a device in law where something is assumed to be true even though it may not be factually accurate, for the purpose of applying a legal rule. Common examples include treating an adopted child as the natural child of adoptive parents, or recognising a registered company as a legal "person" capable of suing and being sued. Sir Henry Maine, in his classic work Ancient Law (1861), described legal fiction as one of the three great agencies — alongside equity and legislation — through which law adapts to changing societies. However, Lon Fuller, in his 1967 Stanford monograph Legal Fictions, argued that a fiction is legitimate only when its falsity is openly acknowledged. Once people begin treating the pretence as fact, it becomes dangerous and loses its utility. Therefore, Statement 3 is incorrect.