Explanation

• Option b is correct – ANEEL (Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life) is a thorium-based advanced nuclear fuel designed for use in India’s Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).
• It is developed by Clean Core Thorium Energy (CCTE), in collaboration with National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).
• Thorium blended with small amounts of enriched uranium (HALEU) and it can be deployed directly in India’s existing PHWRs.

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Explanation

• Statement 1 is Incorrect – While the Speaker is indeed elected by the members of the Lok Sabha, the date of the election is determined by the President of India.
• Statement 2 is Incorrect – The Speaker's term is not strictly coterminous with the Lok Sabha.
• Under Article 94, the Speaker does not vacate their office when the Lok Sabha is dissolved; they continue to hold office until immediately before the first meeting of the newly elected Lok Sabha.
• Statement 3 is Correct – According to Article 96, when a resolution for the Speaker's removal is under consideration, they can speak and take part in the proceedings.
• They can vote in the first instance (like any other member), but they cannot vote in the case of an equality of votes (no casting vote).
• Statement 4 is Correct – To date, no Speaker of the Lok Sabha has been successfully removed from office through a formal resolution.
• While motions have been moved against Speakers like G.V. Mavalankar and Hukam Singh, none were passed.

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Explanation

• Statement 1 is correct – The Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) is renamed as Digital Bharat Nidhi under the Telecommunications Act 2023, is a government of India mechanism.
• It is funded by a 5% levy on telecom service providers' Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR).
• It finances the expansion of rural, remote, and underserved telecom infrastructure, including 4G mobile services, broadband, and, previously, Village Public Telephones (VPTs).
• Statement 2 is correct – BharatNet project aims to bridge the digital divide by providing high-speed broadband connectivity to rural India and funded by USOF.
• It was launched in October 2011 and Ministry of Communications is acting as its nodal agency.

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Explanation

• Option a is correct – Chabahar Port is notable as Iran’s only oceanic and deep-water port, offering direct access to the Indian Ocean.
• India committed $120 million for development, completing payment before the expiry of the US sanctions waiver.
• A 10-year MoU was signed in May 2024 to ensure continued cooperation.

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Explanation

• Articles 23 and 24 of the Indian Constitution are fundamental rights that form the Right Against Exploitation,
  • Prohibiting human trafficking and forced labor (Article 23) and
  • Banning child labor in hazardous jobs for children under 14 years (Article 24),
• Both ensuring human dignity and protecting vulnerable populations from exploitation by both the State and private individuals.