1. With reference to "functional de-extinction" as demonstrated by Colossal Biosciences, consider the following statements:

1. It involves reviving extinct species by directly cloning preserved fossil DNA.
2. The dire wolf project recreated genetically and ecologically similar organisms, not exact replicas.
3. Gene editing and surrogacy were key components in creating the new wolf pups.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

2. Consider the following statements about Theobaldius konkanensis:

1. It is endemic to the Konkan region of Maharashtra.
2. The species is active throughout the year, especially in dry months.
3. It belongs to a genus that includes species distributed in India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

3. Which of the following features correctly describe the ESA Biomass Satellite Mission?

1. It is the first satellite to use P-band radar for Earth observation.
2. It aims to directly measure underground root biomass.
3. It will help monitor climate change by estimating above-ground forest carbon storage.

Select the correct answer using the code below:

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

4. Quantum supremacy, as demonstrated in the recent odd-cycle game experiment, is significant because:

• It uses superconducting qubits to solve classical encryption problems.
• It applies quantum computing to solve large-scale climate models.
• It surpasses classical computing limits using entangled qubits in a coordination game.
• It employs boson sampling to simulate quantum many-body systems.

5. With reference to the India Skills Accelerator Initiative 2025, consider the following statements:

1. It is launched by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in partnership with the World Economic Forum.
2. It exclusively targets the skilling of India’s rural informal workforce.
3. It aims to promote sectoral priorities such as AI, robotics, cloud computing, and Global Capability Centres.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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