1. Consider the following statements regarding the ‘Sungrazing Comet’ which was discovered during the total solar eclipse recently:

1. Sungrazing comets are a special class of comets that go very far from the sun at their nearest approach, a point called aphelion.
2. A comet needs to get within about 850,000 miles from the sun at perihelion, to be considered a sungrazer.
3. Many sungrazing comets follow a similar orbit, called the Kreutz Path.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

• Only one
• Only two
• All three
• None of the above

2. Consider the following statements regarding the 'Mange Disease,' which has raised concerns among officials of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in the Nilgiris:

1. Mange is a skin condition that's caused by mites in animals.
2. The two most common forms of mange in dogs are Sarcoptic mange and Demodectic mange in which the former is highly contagious.
3. Mange in dogs is a treatable condition when detected early and managed appropriately.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

• 1 and 3 only
• 2 and 3 only
• 2 only
• 1, 2 and 3

3. With reference to the ‘World Cybercrime Index’ consider the following statements:

1. The World Cybercrime Index is a collaborative effort between the University of Oxford and UNSW Canberra that identifies global cybercrime hotspots by ranking countries based on their contribution to cybercrime.
2. North Korea tops the list in the World Cybercrime Index.
3. India ranks 10th in the index, with a balanced distribution of cybercrime types but a notable specialization in scams.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

• Only One
• Only two
• All three
• None of the above

4. Consider the following statements regarding the 'Mercenary Spyware Attack,' for which Apple warned its users in India and 92 other countries about the threat.

1. Mercenary spyware attacks are highly complex, targeting specific individuals with exceptional resources, surpassing regular cybercriminal activity and consumer malware.
2. They are difficult to detect & prevent due to their substantial investment & short lifespan.
3. This spyware is designed to remotely infiltrate and compromise smartphones and other devices without the knowledge or consent of the users.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

• 1 and 2 only
• 2 and 3 only
• 1, 2 and 3
• 1 and 3 only

5. Mount Etna volcano has been releasing volcanic vortex rings, a rare phenomenon, for the last few weeks. In this context, consider the following statements:

1. Vortex rings are generated when gas, predominantly water vapor, is released rapidly through a vent in the crater.
2. The rings can remain in the air for up to 24 hours but tend to disintegrate quickly if conditions are windy and turbulent.
3. Mount Etna is an extinct volcano on the east coast of Sicily, Italy.

Which of the above are examples of invasive wildlife in India?

• Only one
• Only two
• All three
• None of the above