(c) All three
PRITHVI stands for “Promoting Research in Earth Systems Science, Technology, & Human Resource Development”. The scheme aims to improve the understanding of Earth System Sciences and provide reliable services for the country. PRITHVI holistically addresses the five components of the earth system: Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Geosphere, Cryosphere and Biosphere.
The government stated that PRITHVI stands for “Promoting Research in Earth Systems Science, Technology, & Human Resource Development,” and includes five existing sub-schemes i.e. ACROSS (Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services) that focuses on long-term observations and advanced modelling systems for weather and climate predictions, O-SMART (Ocean Services, Modelling Application, Resources and Technology which targets sustainable exploration and utilization of marine resources, utilizing cutting-edge technology, PACER (Polar Science and Cryosphere Research) which aims to explore the mysteries of the Earth’s poles and glacial regions, contributing to a deeper understanding of global climate changes, SAGE (Seismology and Geosciences) aiming to strengthen earthquake monitoring and research on the Earth’s solid components and REACHOUT (Research, Education, Training, and Outreach) which fosters talent development and ensures effective translation of research into services directly benefiting society.

(b) Only two
The bubonic plague, also known as the “Black Death,” claimed the lives of up to 50 million people in Europe between 1346 and 1353.
The plague is caused by Yersinia pestis, a zoonotic bacteria (bacteria that can spread between animals and people). Y pestis is usually found in small animals and their fleas. (Statement 1 incorrect)
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), humans can be infected in one of three ways (i) Bite of infected vector fleas,
(ii) Unprotected contact with infectious bodily fluids or contaminated materials (like bitten by an infected rat), and (Statement 2 is correct)
(iii) Inhalation of respiratory droplets/small particles from a patient with pneumonic plague.
Bubonic plague specifically refers to cases where bacteria gets into the lymph nodes. According to the United States’ Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it can cause fever, headache, weakness and painful, swollen lymph nodes, and usually happens from the bite of an infected (Statement 4 is correct)
US confirmed the first case of bubonic plague in the state since 2005. According to various reports, the person probably got the disease from a sick pet cat. Hence, (statement 3 incorrect)

(a) Bluetooth uses 2.4 GHz radio frequency band, whereas-Wi-Fi can use 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequency band.
Bluetooth and Wifi provide wireless communication and uses radio signals.
Bluetooth uses the 2.4 GHz band frequency, whereas Wi-Fi can use the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequency band. (Statement 1 is correct)
The communication distance of Bluetooth is around 10 m or less, whereas the communication distance of Wi-Fi is several hundred meters.
Both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technology does not need a direct line of sight for information transmission. (Statement 3 is incorrect)
Bluetooth works by using radio frequencies, rather than the infrared spectrum used by traditional remote controls. As a result, Bluetooth eliminates the need not only for a wired connection but also for maintaining a clear line of sight to communicate between devices. (Statement 2 is incorrect).

(b) Only two
The human genome is the entire set of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) residing in the nucleus of every cell of each human body. It carries the complete genetic information responsible for the development and functioning of the organism. The DNA consists of a double-stranded molecule built up by four bases – adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G) and thymine (T). Every base on one strand pairs with a complementary base on the other strand (A with T and C with G). In all, the genome is made up of approximately 3.05 billion such base pairs.
The process of deciphering the order of base pairs, to decode the genetic fingerprint of a human is called genome sequencing.
Human Genome Project (HGP): In 1990, a group of scientists began to work on determining the whole sequence of the human genome under the Human Genome Project. The project released the latest version of the complete human genome in 2023, with a 0.3% error margin. The process of whole-genome sequencing, made possible by the Human Genome Project, now facilitates the reading of a person’s individual genome to identify differences from the average human genome. These differences or mutations can tell us about each human’s susceptibility or future vulnerability to a disease, their reaction or sensitivity to a particular stimulus, and so on.
The Genome India Project is a gene mapping project sanctioned by the Department of Biotechnology. It was launched with the goal of creating a comprehensive database of genetic variations among the Indian population. The project aims to sequence the genomes of over 10,000 Indians from different regions of the country and establish a reference genome for the Indian population. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

(d) All four
The Kerala government announced the country’s first Graphene Innovation Centre, a joint venture of Digital University of Kerala, Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET) and Tata Steel Limited. (Statement 4 is correct)
The project would significantly benefit both scientific research and the state’s industrial sector. Apart from Tata Steel Limited, the venture’s principal stakeholder, other industrial businesses would also assist the Innovation Centre.
Graphene is a one-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. (Statement 1 is correct)
It is the building-block of Graphite, but graphene is a remarkable substance on its own with a multitude of astonishing properties. It is the thinnest, most electrically and thermally conductive material in the world, while also being flexible, transparent and incredibly strong. (Statement 2 is correct)
Graphene is also known as a wonder material due to its vast potential in the energy and medical world. (Statement 3 is correct)