Explanation:

• ISRO recently used the first homegrown cosmic dust detector, the Dust EXperiment, to confirm that a cosmic dust particle hits Earth’s atmosphere approx. every thousand seconds. It is the first Indian-made instrument to hunt for these high speed Interplanetary Dust Particles (IDPs). Hence, statement 1 is correct.

• It is developed by the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad. It was flown on PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) of the PSLV-C58 XPoSat Mission on January 1, 2024. It is the first-of-its-kind instrument designed to detect such high-transient particles. It is a blueprint of the detector which can study the cosmic dust particle at any planet having an atmosphere or no atmosphere. Hence, statements 2 and 3 are correct.

Explanation:

• Sagar Island is located in the Ganges delta, in West Bengal. It is about 100 km south of Kolkata. It is part of the South 24 Parganas district. It lies at the mouth of the Hooghly River (a major distributary of the Ganges), an arm of which separates it from the mainland to the east. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

It is also known as Gangasagar or Sagardwip. Although Sagar Island is a part of Sundarbans, it does not have any tiger habitation or mangrove forests or small river tributaries as is characteristic of the overall Sundarban delta. Hence, statements 2 and 3 are correct.

Explanation:

Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Bargur Hills of the Erode district in Tamil Nadu, at the junction of the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats. The sanctuary covers an area of 80,114.80 hectares (approximately 801 sq km). It is a vital tiger corridor identified by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), linking the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve and the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Tiger Reserve. It also connects the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve with the Cauvery South Wildlife Sanctuary, facilitating the safe movement of wildlife. Hence, option b is the correct answer.

Explanation:

• SHINE (Standards Help Inform & Nurture Empowered Women) Scheme aims to empower women with knowledge of safety, quality standards, and consumer protection. It positions women as “quality ambassadors” to ensure the safety of products in households and communities. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

It is a flagship women-centric initiative by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. It is conducted through partnerships with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and NGOs via structured training and grassroots literacy programs. Hence, statement 2 is INCORRECT.

Explanation:

• The Sports Authority of India (SAI) is a registered society fully funded by the Government of India. It is the apex national sports body of India, established by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Its primary efforts include widespread talent scouting and training of selected individuals by providing vital inputs like coaching, infrastructure, equipment support, sports kits, competitive exposure, etc. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

It was set up in 1984 to carry forward the legacy of the IXth Asian Games held in New Delhi in 1982 under the Department of Sports. It has been entrusted with the twin objectives of promoting sports and achieving sporting excellence at the national and international level. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.