(d) Statement 1 and Statement 2 denote EPC Model. Statement 3 denote Hybrid Annuity Model. Why in news? Recently, Minister of Road Transport and Highways in India, has suggested the revival of the Build Operate Transfer (BOT) model for road construction projects. ■ Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Model : Private players build, operate and maintain the road for a specified number of years before transferring the asset back to the government. The private player bears construction and O&M costs. Private player owns the project for the concession period, then transfers to NHAI. ■ Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) Model : The government pays private players to lay roads. The private player has no role in the road’s ownership, toll collection or maintenance (it is taken care of by the government) . NHAI bears the full cost . NHAI owns the project from beginning. ■ Hybrid Annuity Model : A mix of EPC and BOT . NHAI releases 40 per cent of the total project cost. The balance of 60 per cent is arranged by the developer. NHAI and private player share construction and O&M costs. Private player owns the project for 15 years, then transfers to NHAI.

(b) Statement 3 is not correct. Why in news? Recently , French government announced that the practice of wearing abaya would be banned in state-run schools as it violated the principle of Laïcité. ■ Laïcité, the French principle of secularism, involves the complete separation of religious values from the public sphere, emphasizing the promotion of secular values like liberty, equality, and fraternity. ■ Its aim is to encourage tolerance and assimilation, with religion reserved for the private sphere. ■ The state plays a crucial role in enforcing Laïcité principles.

(a) Statement 1 and Statement 2 are incorrect. Why in news? The latest Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) report, “Assessment Report on Invasive Alien Species and their Control’’ has said that 37,000 alien species have been introduced by humans, including 3,500 invasive species, are linked to 60% of extinctions of global plant and animals ■ Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) was founded in 2012 . ■ IPBES is an intergovernmental organization established to improve the interface between science and policy on issues of biodiversity and ecosystem services. It was formed on the basis of the Busan outcome document. ■ The founders of IPBES are : UNEP, UNDP and FAO ■ The secretariat of IPBES is at : Bonn, Germany. ■ IPBES has 143 member States including India.

(a) Only Statement 3 is correct. Why in news? Approximately six billion tonnes of sand are extracted annually from the world’s oceans, causing irreversible damage to benthic life, according to a new global data platform called Marine Sand Watch. ■ Sand is categorized as a “minor mineral” under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulations) Act, 1957, and its control lies with the State Governments. ■ The primary sources of sand are rivers and coastal areas, and its demand has surged due to India’s construction and infrastructure development activities. ■ The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change has issued “Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines 2016” to promote environmentally friendly sand mining practices.

(c) Status of hunger and malnutrition in India : ■ In the 2022 Global Hunger Index (GHI), India ranked 107th out of 121 countries, behind Nigeria and Pakistan. ■ Over the past five years, India’s GHI score has worsened primarily due to the rising prevalence of calorie undernourishment. ■ The 2022 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report revealed that India has over 224 million ( over 22 crore) undernourished individuals. ■ India faces significant challenges in child nutrition, with high rates of stunting, underweight children, and wasting.