Explanation

• Case 1 is correct – In Balaji versus State of Mysore (1962), the SC noted that reservations under Articles 15 and 16 for backward classes should be ‘within reasonable limits’.
• It should be adjusted with the interests of the community as a whole.
• The court further ruled that such special provisions for reservation should not exceed 50%.
• Case 2 is correct – In Indra Sawhney case (1992), a nine-judge Bench upheld the 27% reservation for OBCs.
• It opined that caste is a determinant of class in the Indian context.
• Further, in order to uphold the equality of opportunity,it reaffirmed the cap of 50% for reservation as held in the Balaji case, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
• Case 3 is correct – In Janhit Abhiyan case (2022), the court by a majority of 3:2 upheld the constitutional validity of the EWS reservation.
• Case 4 is incorrect – In Menaka Gandhi case 1978, the Court ruled that any law depriving a person of their "personal liberty" under Article 21 must not only be according to a procedure established by law but must also be just, fair, and reasonable.
• It also held that executive actions affecting these rights must follow the rule of natural justice, ensuring a right to be heard (audi alteram partem), even if a post-decisional hearing is provided.

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Explanation

• Option a is correct – Recently, a device called CEREBO was developed to diagnose Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
• It is a novel hand-held, portable non-invasive brain injury diagnostic tool.
• It is developed by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Medical Device & Diagnostics Mission Secretariat (MDMS), AIIMS Bhopal, NIMHANS Bengaluru, and Bioscan Research.
• The device can detect intracranial bleeding and edema within a minute.
• It is safe for infants and pregnant women, and can be used by paramedic staff as well as unskilled personnel.

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Explanation

• Recently, National Annual Report & Index on Women’s Safety released based on a survey of 12,770 women across 31 cities.
• Statement 1 is incorrect – The report was released by  National Commission for Women (NCW) (not ministry of women and child welfare)
• It aims to capture unreported harassment, lived experiences, and perceptions of safety beyond official crime figures.
• Statement 2 is correct – Kohima, Vishakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Aizawl, Gangtok, Itanagar, and Mumbai lead national safety rankings.
• Top-ranked cities were associated with stronger gender equity, civic participation, policing and women-friendly infrastructure.
• Statement 3 is correct – Patna, Jaipur, Faridabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Srinagar, and Ranchi were placed at the bottom of the index.
• Bottom ranked cities faced challenges due to weak institutional responsiveness, deep-rooted patriarchal norms, deficient urban safety infrastructure.

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Explanation

• Union Railway Minister announced that the Indian Railways has successfully tested the country's First hydrogen-powered coach at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai.
• Statement 1 is correct – The proposed route of  the hydrogen powered  train scheduled to carry passengers between Jind and Sonipat on an 89-km route in Haryana.
• The design, validation and testing are done by Indian Railways Research Design & Standards Organisation (RDSO).
• Statement 2 is incorrect – Hydrogen for Heritage is an initiative by Indian Railways (not ministry of Science and technology).
• It aims to deploy 35 hydrogen-powered trains on heritage and hill routes to reduce emissions and diesel dependency.
• It is estimated that the initial running cost of Hydrogen fuel train-set will be higher which will subsequently reduce with increase in number of trains.
• Further, the use of Hydrogen as fuel provides larger benefits in the direction of green transportation technology to support zero carbon emission goals as a clean energy source.

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Explanation

• Statements 1 and 2 are correct – IPPB was launched by department of posts, Ministry of Communication
• Its objectives include to build the most accessible, affordable and trusted bank for the common man.
• To remove barriers for the unbanked & underbanked, especially in rural, semi-urban and remote regions.
• It facilitates the direct disbursements of welfare benefits to beneficiaries' accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• Statement 3 is incorrect – It offers multiple types of savings accounts that can be opened with zero balance and without a minimum monthly balance requirement

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