• Solution: (b) 

Explanation:

• (Strobilanthes alternata), locally called murikooti pacha, is traditionally applied on cuts and wounds in Kerala.
• It contains acteoside, a bioactive compound with antimicrobial and healing properties.

• Solution: (a) 

Explanation:

• Wolbachia is a naturally occurring bacterium introduced into Aedes mosquitoes.
• It limits replication of viruses like dengue, Zika, and chikungunya inside the mosquito, thereby reducing disease transmission.

What is Wolbachia and how it works for disease control

• Wolbachia pipientis is a naturally occurring intracellular bacterium present in many insect species—but not originally in Aedes aegypti, the main mosquito vector for dengue, Zika, chikungunya, yellow fever.
• Scientists infect Aedes aegypti mosquitoes with Wolbachia in laboratory settings and then release them into the wild. These Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes breed with the wild population. Over generations, the proportion of mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia rises. Once sufficiently established, most mosquitoes in that locality carry the bacterium.
• Two key effects help reduce transmission of viruses:
  1. Virus-blocking: Wolbachia interferes with the ability of viruses (dengue, Zika etc.) to replicate and/or spread inside the mosquito, reducing viral load and infectivity.
  2. Cytoplasmic incompatibility: A reproductive phenomenon – if a Wolbachia-infected male mates with an uninfected female, the eggs fail to develop. In contrast, infected females produce infected offspring whether mating with infected or uninfected males. This gives a reproductive advantage to the Wolbachia‐infected females, helping the infection spread through the mosquito population.
• This method is not genetic modification. It is self-sustaining once Wolbachia becomes widespread in mosquito population.
• Real-world trials (e.g., in Yogyakarta, Indonesia) show large reductions in dengue incidence and hospitalisations in areas where Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes have been released.
• Considerations include: establishing Wolbachia at high enough frequency to be self-sustaining, monitoring for any evolution of virus or mosquito that may reduce effectiveness, and ensuring community acceptance.

• Solution: (c) 

Explanation:

• Statement 1: While drawing from Advaita Vedanta, Vivekananda stressed practical Vedanta, teaching that service to man is service to God. Hence the statement is Correct
• Statement 2: He envisioned nationalism as spiritual awakening and social reform, inspiring Indians with self-confidence and cultural pride, not mere political struggle. Hence the statement is Correct

Statement 3: He defined education as “the manifestation of perfection already in man”, highlighting its transformative role for both individuals and the nation. Hence the statement is Correct

• Solution: (d) 

Explanation:

• Statement 1: Perseverance landed in Jezero Crater in February 2021, chosen for its ancient river delta deposits. Hence the statement is Correct
• Statement 2: Its mission includes astrobiology research, searching for past life signs, and caching samples for future return. Hence the statement is Correct
• Statement 3: It carried Ingenuity, the first rotorcraft on Mars, which achieved controlled flight beyond Earth. Hence the statement is Correct

• Solution: (b) 

Explanation:

• Statement 1: All five islands lie to the east of mainland Africa. Hence the statement is Correct
• Statement 2: Seychelles and Maldives are north of the Equator; Mauritius, Reunion, and Comoros are south. Hence the statement is Incorrect

Statement 3: Maldives lies north of Mauritius, making it tricky for candidates who only consider “Indian Ocean islands south of India.” Hence the statement is Correct