(b) 2 Only
Auroras are luminous phenomena that occur near the North (Aurora Borealis) and South Poles (Aurora Australis) (Statement 1 is incorrect)
The sun is ejecting charged particles from its corona, creating solar wind. When that wind slams into Earth’s ionosphere, the aurora is born.
The hemispheric asymmetry of the aurora is due in part to the sun’s magnetic field interfering with Earth’s magnetic field.

(b) 2 Only
Operation Dhvast is a nationwide initiative that seeks to break the backbone of terrorism in India. It specifically targets and disrupts activities such as targeted killings, terror financing, extortion, and illicit arms and drug trafficking.
• The National Investigation Agency (NIA) spearheaded Operation Dhvast, conducting extensive raids to dismantle a widespread network of terrorists, gangsters, and drug smugglers. (Statement 1 is incorrect)
• The operation covered a broad geographic area, with 129 locations raided across Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chandigarh, and Madhya Pradesh.

(b) Only two
The National Energy Management Centre (NEMC) is a centralized hub that manages and monitors energy procurement for Indian Railways at a national level.
It was established by the Railway Energy Management Company (REMC), a subsidiary of RITES Ltd. (Statement 1 is incorrect)
The NEMC’s features include:
• Single-window service: Offers a convenient service to Indian Railways
• Scheduling and forecasting: Optimizes scheduling and forecasting
• Power source integration: Integrates the generation profiles of both renewable and conventional power sources
• Real-time schedule advice: Provides real-time schedule advice
• Capacity revisions: Announces capacity revisions
• Power exchange: Facilitates power exchange
• Data collection: Collects energy data from the 17 State Energy Management Centres (SEMCs) operating across the Railways

(c) Persistent geopolitical tensions coupled with high policy uncertainty
According to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) “Global Trade Outlook and Statistics” report, the biggest risks to global trade stability and forecasts in the coming years are regional conflicts, geopolitical tensions, and economic policy uncertainty. The WTO also says that a rise in protectionism could undermine trade recovery in 2024 and 2025

(a) World Bank
The World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, IBRD) has issued the Wildlife Conservation Bond (WCB) to support of South Africa’s efforts to conserve endangered species of Black Rhino. Wildlife Conservation Bond (WCB) is also known as “Rhino Bond”. It is a five-year $150 million Sustainable Development Bond. It includes a potential performance payment from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The bond will contribute to protecting and increasing black rhino populations in two protected areas in South Africa namely the Addo Elephant National Park (AENP) and the Great Fish River Nature Reserve (GFRNR).