• Solution: (b) 

Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Incorrect: Marine product exports in 2024–25 actually declined by -19.45% due to weaker global demand, particularly from the EU and U.S., and increased competition from countries like Vietnam.

Statement 2 – Correct: Non-basmati rice exports rose by 11.54% over the previous year despite restrictions on certain grades, due to strong demand from African and Middle Eastern markets.

• Solution: (c) 

Explanation:

• Saudi Arabia: Yes — part of the land railway segment from UAE to Israel passes through Saudi territory.
• Jordan: Yes — the corridor continues through Jordan en route to Israel.
• Israel: Yes — Haifa is the terminal point on the western side.

Egypt: No — Egypt is not on the direct IMEC land route; the corridor bypasses Egypt, going north through Jordan into Israel instead of transiting via the Sinai.

• Solution: (a) 

Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Incorrect: KLIP is located on the Godavari River, not the Krishna River.
• Statement 2 – Incorrect: It lifts water from the Godavari River to irrigate drought-prone areas of Telangana.

Statement 3 – Correct: The project indeed uses a multi-stage pumping system to transfer water to reservoirs at higher elevations.

• Solution: (c) 

Explanation:

• Statement 1 (Correct): The Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) is indeed protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, granting it the highest level of protection in India. It is also classified as Endangered by the IUCN.

Statement 2: Correct. Asiatic lions differ morphologically from African lions — they have shorter, sparser manes, making their ears more visible, and a distinct belly skin fold which is absent in African lions. These differences are adaptations to their drier Gir Forest habitat.

• Solution: B

Explanation:

• Option A: Incorrect – While both statements are correct, the reason given (R) is not the direct explanation of A.
• Option B: Correct – The shift of education to the Concurrent List (Entry 25) in 1976 indeed empowered both Union and States to legislate. The RTE Act applies nationwide, but states can adapt rules (e.g., pupil–teacher ratio, neighbourhood school definition) under Section 38 of the Act. This shows federal flexibility but does not directly explain the legislative sharing.
• Option C: Incorrect – R is factually correct.
• Option D: Incorrect – A is correct.