1. Wallacea, often in news, is best described as:

• A tectonic plate boundary between Asia and Australia.
• A transitional biogeographic region of islands between Borneo–Java and Australia–New Guinea.
• A coral reef system stretching from Indonesia to Papua New Guinea.
• A chain of volcanic islands forming the Pacific “Ring of Fire.”

2. Consider the following statements regarding SHRESTH:

1. It has been launched by NITI Aayog to benchmark health infrastructure of Indian states.
2. It assesses states on parameters such as licensing, surveillance, and responsiveness.
3. It functions as a gap-assessment tool to improve drug regulatory systems.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

3. With reference to the Equator Initiative Award, consider the following statements:

1. It is awarded annually by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
2. It recognizes community-led solutions for biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction.
3. The 2025 theme was “Women and Youth Leadership for Nature-Based Climate Action.”

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

4. The 18th IOAA, hosted in Mumbai, is significant because:

1. It is the largest-ever edition with participation from 64 countries.
2. It highlights India’s scientific legacy from Aryabhatta to Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1.
3. It promotes hands-on STEM learning through initiatives like Atal Tinkering Labs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

5. Chagas disease, often in news, is caused by:

• Trypanosoma cruzi transmitted by triatomine bugs.
• Leishmania donovani transmitted by sandflies.
• Plasmodium falciparum transmitted by mosquitoes.
• Wuchereria bancrofti transmitted by filarial worms.