(a)
Murshid Quli Khan introduced the system of revenue farming, also known as the Ijara system, in Bengal. The system was based on contracts, and the highest bidder was given the right to collect revenue. Khan was appointed as the Diwan of Bengal by Aurangzeb. He reorganized the finances of Bengal by transferring large parts of jagir lands into Khalisah lands. He also took security bonds from the contractors or ijardaars who collected the land revenue. Khan was the first independent Nawab of Bengal, and he established an efficient administration and revenue system. He also introduced agricultural loans, known as Taccavi, to support poor farmers (Statement 1 is incorrect)
Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1792-1839) set up modern foundries to manufacture cannons at Lahore and employed Muslim gunners to man them. He also set up factories to manufacture guns and gunpowder and shot. Ranjit Singh was the ruler of Punjab from the beginning of the 19th century until his death in 1839. His reign brought reforms, modernization, and investment into infrastructure and general prosperity. His Khalsa army and government included Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims, and Europeans.
Sawai Jai Singh II (1688-1743) had Euclid’s Elements of Geometry translated into Sanskrit. Sawai Jai Singh was a Rajput king and a scholar of mathematics and astronomy. He was also known for his study of logarithms and for detecting errors in the positions of stars.
Sultan Tipu of Mysore donated money for the construction of the Goddess Sarda idol in the Shringeri temple after it was looted by Maratha horsemen.

(b) Only two
The Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) is the first scientific exercise to estimate the population of snow leopards in India. The SPAI used a two-step approach to map the snow leopard’s habitat and distribution across 120,000 square kilometers. The second step involved estimating abundance through camera traps in specific areas.
The SPAI found that India has 718 snow leopards, which is about 10–15% of the global population.
Estimated state-wise population is: Ladakh – 477; Uttarakhand – 124; Himachal Pradesh – 51; Arunachal Pradesh – 36; Sikkim – 21; Jammu and Kashmir – 9. (Statement 3 is incorrect)
The report highlights the need for a dedicated snow leopard cell at the Wildlife Institute of India under the Ministry to ensure regular monitoring and long-term conservation.
It suggests states adopt assessments every 4 years. Regular range-wide surveys will help address threats and devise effective protection strategies tailored to regional priorities.

(a) Only one
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have abruptly withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), citing it as a “sovereign decision.”
The military regimes in these Sahel nations, grappling with jihadist violence and economic challenges, have strained relations with ECOWAS since recent coups. Facing suspensions and sanctions, the three nations have solidified their stance and formed an “Alliance of Sahel States.”
Previously, ECOWAS had suspended members like Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso following coups in those countries, refusing to recognize their new governments.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional bloc established in 1975 with the goal of promoting economic integration among its 15 member countries in West Africa. (Statement 1 is incorrect)
These countries include Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger (all three now left it), Cape Verde, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Togo.
ECOWAS aims to achieve a single common currency and create a large trading bloc in various sectors like industry, transport, telecommunications, energy, finance, and culture.

(c) Both 1 and 2
Researchers recently discovered a previously unidentified protein named mitochondrial coxiella effector F (MceF) with antioxidant properties produced by Coxiella burnetii, a Gram-negative intracellular bacterium.
Mitochondrial coxiella effector F (MceF) is a bacterial protein capable of keeping human cells healthy even when the cells have a heavy bacterial burden.
It is produced by Coxiella burnetii, a Gram-negative intracellular bacterium.
After invading host cells, Coxiella burnetii releases MceF into cells.
MceF interacts with glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), an antioxidant enzyme located in the mitochondria, to improve mitochondrial function by promoting an anti-oxidizing effect that averts cell damage and death, which may occur when pathogens replicate inside mammalian cells.

(c) New Zealand
New Zealand was the first self-governing country to grant women the right to vote in parliamentary elections in 1893. On September 19, 1893, Governor Lord Glasgow signed the Electoral Act into law, granting women the right to vote. Although New Zealand was the first self-governing country to grant women the right to vote, Wyoming was the first place in the world to incorporate women’s suffrage. In 1869, Wyoming’s first territorial legislature voted to give women the right to vote.