Explanation

• Statements 1 and 2 are correct – It is a urban waste management mentorship initiative and launched by Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
• It is implemented under Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM-U).
• The program pairs high-performing "mentor" cities with lower-ranked "mentee" cities to facilitate knowledge sharing and replicate best practices.
• Statement 3 is incorrect – Selection of mentor & mentee cities under this initiative will be based on their performance in the Swachh Survekshan (SS) rankings.
• Both mentor and mentee cities may utilize the Capacity Building (CB) Funds allocated to each State/UT as part of SBM-U 2.0.

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Explanation

• Option a is correct – Pallikaranai Marshland is a freshwater marsh and partly saline wetland and located at Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
• It is one of the 94 wetlands identified under the National Wetland Conservation and Management Programme (NWCMP).
• In 2022, this marsh was recognized as a Ramsar Site.
• It has a diverse habitat including large and deep reservoirs with several inlets and surrounding irrigated agricultural fields, which provide good nesting and foraging habitats for birds.
• It serves as an aquatic buffer of the flood-prone Chennai and Chengalpattu districts.
• Recently, the southern bench of the National Green Tribunal has ordered a halt in all construction activity within 1 km of the Pallikaranai Marshland.

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Explanation

• Bharatanatyam is not in the list – Although a classical Indian dance form with immense cultural importance, Bharatanatyam has not been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage List to date.
• Ramlila – It is the traditional theatrical enactment of the Ramayana and has been a part of the UNESCO list since 2008, recognized for its rich cultural heritage.
• Kalbelia dance – This dance of the Kalbelia community of Rajasthan was included in the UNESCO list in 2010, highlighting its unique folk tradition and cultural value.
• Garba – It is a traditional folk dance from Gujarat and was inscribed in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2023 for its cultural significance.

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Explanation

• Statements 1 and 2 are correct – Chhath Mahaparva is a 4-day festival that comes after Diwali and dedicated to Sun god and goddess Chhati maiya.
• The festival is primarily observed in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and parts of West Bengal and by diaspora communities across the world.
• The rituals include fasting, bathing in rivers or ponds, and making offerings to the setting and rising sun on the banks of water bodies.
• Statement 3 is correct – One thing that distinguishes Chhath from other festivals is that instead of idol or image worship, Chhath is about worshipping the elements of nature.
• The Union Ministry of Culture has initiated the process to nominate Chhath Mahaparva, in the UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

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Explanation

• Recently, The Election Commission rejected the Opposition's demand to count the postal ballots before the EVM counting.
• Current system allows postal ballots counted after EVM counting at counting centers.
• Postal ballots has legal basis under Rule 54A, Conduct of Elections Rules 1961.
• These service is provided to – Armed forces, government employees on election duty,
  • Essential service personnel (railways, media, etc.),
  • Senior citizens 85+,
  • Persons with disabilities.

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