(b) 2 only
The Index is an annual assessment released by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). It was started in 2018-19 to create a competitive and positive change in the food safety ecosystem in the country. (Statement 1 is incorrect)
The index will help in providing safe and nutritious food to our citizens. This index is based on the performance of the State/ UT on five significant parameters, namely,
Human Resources and Institutional Data, Compliance, Food Testing, Infrastructure and Surveillance, Training and Capacity Building and Consumer Empowerment
In the 2023 index, a new parameter called ‘Improvement in SFSI Rank’ was added.
The Index is a dynamic quantitative and qualitative benchmarking model that provides an objective framework for evaluating food safety across all States/UTs.
The States/UTs are classified into 3 categories, namely large states, small states, and UTs, for evaluation and assessment.

(c) Bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal infection
Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause serious illness, including salmonellosis, a gastrointestinal infection that causes fever. Salmonella can be found in the intestines of animals, including birds, and humans can contract it by eating foods contaminated with animal feces. These foods include chicken, beef, pork, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and processed foods.

(a) Transparency International
India ranked 93 out of 180 countries in the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). The CPI is a scale from 100 (very clean) to 0 (highly corrupt). The 2022 CPI was published in January 2023 and ranks countries based on the situation between May 1, 2021 and April 30, 2022. Transparency International, a non-governmental organization based in Berlin, has published the CPI annually since 1995. The organization’s purpose is to combat global corruption and prevent criminal activities arising from corruption.

(b) Only two
Forests form an intricate element of the social and cultural life of tribals, and it is estimated that in India, about 300 million tribal and other local people depend on forests for their subsistence and livelihood. India has an estimated diversity of 3,000 plant species from which NTFPs (non-timber forest produce), generally known as Minor Forest Produces (MFP).
The forest dwellers are legally empowered with the ownership and governance of the MFP through PESA (Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, and the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
Under Forest Rights Act, 2006, “minor forest produce” includes all non-timber forest produce of plant origin including bamboo, brush wood, stumps, cane, tussar, cocoons, honey, wax, lac, tendu or kendu leaves, medicinal plants and herbs, roots, tubers and the like.
The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, gives the “right of ownership, access to collect, use and dispose of minor forest produce which has been traditionally collected within or outside village boundaries”. The Act was enacted to protect the marginalised socio-economic class of citizens and balance the right to environment with their right to life and livelihood. However, several problems abound. The tribal and other local people dependent on forests still remain underprivileged and poor and are deprived of fair returns.
The Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Minor Forest Produce (MFP) is revised every three years by the Pricing Cell of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

(d) France
On Republic Day, the French President visited India, discussing bilateral cooperation and expressing satisfaction with the increasing complexity and interoperability in joint defence exercises.
Exercise Shakti, Exercise Varuna, and Exercise Garuda are military exercises between India and France.
Exercise Shakti: This exercise is for the Indian Army. The 6th edition of this exercise, EX SHAKTI 2021, was held in France from November 15–26, 2021.
Exercise Varuna: This exercise is for the Indian Navy. The 21st edition of this exercise was held in 2023, and included the French Navy’s aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle, frigates, and other vessels.
Exercise Garuda: This exercise is for the Indian Air Force and the French Air and Space Force. The 7th edition of this exercise was held in 2022 at Air Force Station Jodhpur.