17th September 2026

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 3 are correct: Lunar water ice is found primarily inside ultra-cold, permanently shadowed craters at the poles. It is a critical logistics asset because it can be converted via electrolysis into liquid hydrogen (LH_2) and liquid oxygen (LOX) for rocket propellants and life-support systems.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The 1967 Outer Space Treaty (Article II) forbids national appropriation of outer space by claim of sovereignty, use, occupation, or any other means. It does not establish a commercial leasing framework for lunar resources.

Explanation: A "Heckler's Veto" describes situations where the state or private platforms silence lawful, constitutionally protected speech because intolerant groups threaten unrest or claim their feelings have been hurt, allowing public intolerance to override fundamental free-expression protections.

Explanation:

o   Statement 1 is correct: Pure anhydrous ethanol has approximately 33% lower energy density by volume than conventional motor gasoline, which causes lower engine mileage in vehicles not calibrated for high-ethanol blends.

o   Statement 2 is incorrect: If mileage drops by more than 4% in non-optimized engines, the additional volume of blended fuel burned per kilometre can lead to higher overall lifecycle CO2 emissions.

o   Statement 3 is correct: India's ethanol roadmap has diversified beyond B-heavy molasses and sugarcane juice to include surplus grains like maize and damaged food grains to meet supply targets.

Explanation:

o   Statements 1 and 3 are correct: Porcula salvania is the only surviving species of the genus Porcula. It builds unique grass nests and serves as an umbrella species for the health of dense alluvial grasslands.

o   Statement 2 is incorrect: The Pygmy Hog is endemic to the sub-Himalayan alluvial grasslands of the Terai and Dooars (currently found almost exclusively in protected pockets in Assam like Manas National Park) and is not native to the Western Ghats or the Deccan plateau.

Explanation:

o   Statement 1 is incorrect: All Person-to-Person (P2P) transfers remain free of charge and are completely exempt from MDR, regardless of the amount transferred.

o   Statement 2 is correct: Small merchants in the P2PM category receiving up to ₹1 lakh per month are protected under the zero-MDR framework to keep entry barriers low for small vendors.

o   Statement 3 is correct: Selected essential utility transactions, fuel, and rail travel above ₹2,000 are subject to a flat processing fee of ₹5 rather than the 0.4% ad-valorem MDR rate.