BMSAT Kozhikode 2025

The sentences below have words that are missing. Choose the best option from those given below to complete the sentence.

The Central Statistical Office (CSO) recently reported adding 4.1 million jobs in the formal sector, defined as those with government-mandated social security benefits like the Employees' Provident Fund. Over the past few months, similar estimates have been released by NITI Aayog and official economists, provoking scepticism from informed observers. $\newline$ The reliability of the official estimates is questionable for two reasons. First, they are based on administrative records from social security schemes, whose completeness and accuracy are uncertain. Second, formal sector workers can access multiple schemes, creating a risk of double counting. As the report fails to clarify how this issue is managed, leading experts sought to release administrative data for independent verification. $\newline$ Furthermore, the official data faces a conceptual issue. The social schemes outlined previously apply only to establishments that meet a specific employment threshold and pertain to certain types of enterprises. For example, companies with 20 or more employees in the manufacturing sector must provide the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) to all workers. Consequently, if a factory's workforce increases from 19 to 20 employees, it will fall under the purview of the EPF regulations. Herein lies the fault. $\newline$ The formal sector stands at the apex of India's labour market pyramid, with agriculture at the bottom, employing 50% of the workforce. The remaining workers are in the non-farm informal sector, spread across rural and urban areas. This sector has grown in recent decades at the expense of the other two above mentioned sectors. Moreover, nearly half of the informal labour workers are self-employed in household (or own account) enterprises, often engaging in unpaid family labour. A defining characteristic of informal labour markets is varying degrees of underemployment or disguised unemployment. $\newline$ Since 1972-73, the five-yearly Employment-Unemployment Surveys (EUS) by the National Sample Survey (NSS) have been essential for analysing labour market trends. While infrequent, these surveys have offered valuable insights into the complexities of the labour market; access to household-level data lately has spawned rich and granular analyses of the informal economy. $\newline$ The last EUS was conducted in 2011-12, leaving no reliable means to update employment trends. An annual Periodic Labour Force Survey has replaced the EUS. Still, it will take time for these new datasets to provide stable estimates. Meanwhile, the Labour Bureau has conducted household surveys since 2010-11, revealing a decline in the worker-population ratio between 2013-14 and 2015-16, indicating a deteriorating employment situation.

During the bleak winter months, when gardens lie dormant, and trees are bare, the vibrant green of houseplants can be a soothing balm for our spirits. Many people visit garden stores to reconnect with nature and breathe in the freshness that reminds them of spring.

With growing awareness about the harmful chemicals we introduce into our homes, like those from dry cleaning and various cleaners, there's an increasing need for plants that can improve indoor air quality. Many household products release chemicals such as formaldehyde, chlorine, and benzene, which can mimic allergy symptoms during winter when windows are shut. This reaction may stem from Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Fortunately, research shows that certain houseplants can help filter these harmful substances, promoting a healthier living environment.

Ferns and palms are effective at removing chemicals from the air in homes. They release moisture during photosynthesis, drawing pollutants into their leaves. NASA has even found that palms can eliminate traces of formaldehyde quickly in controlled environments. Both plants are ancient, over a hundred million years old, and can live for 100 years or more. Their longevity and ability to grow tall (up to 65 feet) may enhance their environmental purifying qualities.

During the bleak winter months, when gardens lie dormant, and trees are bare, the vibrant green of houseplants can be a soothing balm for our spirits. Many people visit garden stores to reconnect with nature and breathe in the freshness that reminds them of spring. $\newline$ With growing awareness about the harmful chemicals we introduce into our homes, like those from dry cleaning and various cleaners, there's an increasing need for plants that can improve indoor air quality. Many household products release chemicals such as formaldehyde, chlorine, and benzene, which can mimic allergy symptoms during winter when windows are shut. This reaction may stem from Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Fortunately, research shows that certain houseplants can help filter these harmful substances, promoting a healthier living environment. $\newline$ Ferns and palms are effective at removing chemicals from the air in homes. They release moisture during photosynthesis, drawing pollutants into their leaves. NASA has even found that palms can eliminate traces of formaldehyde quickly in controlled environments. Both plants are ancient, over a hundred million years old, and can live for 100 years or more. Their longevity and ability to grow tall (up to 65 feet) may enhance their environmental purifying qualities.

During the bleak winter months, when gardens lie dormant, and trees are bare, the vibrant green of houseplants can be a soothing balm for our spirits. Many people visit garden stores to reconnect with nature and breathe in the freshness that reminds them of spring.

With growing awareness about the harmful chemicals we introduce into our homes, like those from dry cleaning and various cleaners, there's an increasing need for plants that can improve indoor air quality. Many household products release chemicals such as formaldehyde, chlorine, and benzene, which can mimic allergy symptoms during winter when windows are shut. This reaction may stem from Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Fortunately, research shows that certain houseplants can help filter these harmful substances, promoting a healthier living environment.

Ferns and palms are effective at removing chemicals from the air in homes. They release moisture during photosynthesis, drawing pollutants into their leaves. NASA has even found that palms can eliminate traces of formaldehyde quickly in controlled environments. Both plants are ancient, over a hundred million years old, and can live for 100 years or more. Their longevity and ability to grow tall (up to 65 feet) may enhance their environmental purifying qualities.

During the bleak winter months, when gardens lie dormant, and trees are bare, the vibrant green of houseplants can be a soothing balm for our spirits. Many people visit garden stores to reconnect with nature and breathe in the freshness that reminds them of spring. $\newline$ With growing awareness about the harmful chemicals we introduce into our homes, like those from dry cleaning and various cleaners, there's an increasing need for plants that can improve indoor air quality. Many household products release chemicals such as formaldehyde, chlorine, and benzene, which can mimic allergy symptoms during winter when windows are shut. This reaction may stem from Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Fortunately, research shows that certain houseplants can help filter these harmful substances, promoting a healthier living environment. $\newline$ Ferns and palms are effective at removing chemicals from the air in homes. They release moisture during photosynthesis, drawing pollutants into their leaves. NASA has even found that palms can eliminate traces of formaldehyde quickly in controlled environments. Both plants are ancient, over a hundred million years old, and can live for 100 years or more. Their longevity and ability to grow tall (up to 65 feet) may enhance their environmental purifying qualities.

Despite technological advances and sufficient food production, one in three people globally lacks access to proper nutrition, with around 800 million going to bed hungry each night. Poor diets are now the leading risk factor for global disease, surpassing the combined impacts of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol.
Women and children are especially affected, with 156 million stunted children in the world, two-fifths of women anaemic, and millions facing malnutrition.
To address these issues, the third target of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 aims to halve global food waste and reduce losses along the supply chain. The Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates global food loss at $1 trillion, enough to feed those hungry, particularly in countries like India, which produces enough food for its population of 1.3 billion.

The SDGs have spotlighted food loss and waste, and we are beginning to see more attentive discussion on the subject. At the recently held Food Congress in Dusseldorf in early May 2017, the focus was on identifying possible solutions through better farming practices, the use of technology, better information, changes in consumer behaviour, etc. Estimates of "food waste and food loss" range between 30% and 50% for developed and emerging countries.

Due to poor infrastructure, food waste is prevalent at home in developed nations and during harvesting and transport in developing countries. In India, inadequate cold storage contributes to significant food loss, emphasising the need for investment in this area. This wastage squanders resources, depletes nutrition, and affects the economy, with a 40% food loss of about $7.5 billion. The Global Nutrition Report 2016 has highlighted India's overall tardy progress in addressing chronic undernutrition, manifest in stunting (low weight for age), wasting (low weight for height) and micronutrient deficiency or "hidden hunger".

India, home to a quarter of the world's undernourished, faces challenges in workforce productivity and economic potential. To enhance agricultural growth, India must increase investment in research, diversify crops, and adopt technological innovations. Addressing food loss through better infrastructure, information systems, and public-private partnerships is crucial for transforming the agricultural landscape and improving food security.

Despite technological advances and sufficient food production, one in three people globally lacks access to proper nutrition, with around 800 million going to bed hungry each night. Poor diets are now the leading risk factor for global disease, surpassing the combined impacts of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol.
Women and children are especially affected, with 156 million stunted children in the world, two-fifths of women anaemic, and millions facing malnutrition.
To address these issues, the third target of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 aims to halve global food waste and reduce losses along the supply chain. The Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates global food loss at $1 trillion, enough to feed those hungry, particularly in countries like India, which produces enough food for its population of 1.3 billion.

The SDGs have spotlighted food loss and waste, and we are beginning to see more attentive discussion on the subject. At the recently held Food Congress in Dusseldorf in early May 2017, the focus was on identifying possible solutions through better farming practices, the use of technology, better information, changes in consumer behaviour, etc. Estimates of "food waste and food loss" range between 30% and 50% for developed and emerging countries.

Due to poor infrastructure, food waste is prevalent at home in developed nations and during harvesting and transport in developing countries. In India, inadequate cold storage contributes to significant food loss, emphasising the need for investment in this area. This wastage squanders resources, depletes nutrition, and affects the economy, with a 40% food loss of about $7.5 billion. The Global Nutrition Report 2016 has highlighted India's overall tardy progress in addressing chronic undernutrition, manifest in stunting (low weight for age), wasting (low weight for height) and micronutrient deficiency or "hidden hunger".

India, home to a quarter of the world's undernourished, faces challenges in workforce productivity and economic potential. To enhance agricultural growth, India must increase investment in research, diversify crops, and adopt technological innovations. Addressing food loss through better infrastructure, information systems, and public-private partnerships is crucial for transforming the agricultural landscape and improving food security.

Despite technological advances and sufficient food production, one in three people globally lacks access to proper nutrition, with around 800 million going to bed hungry each night. Poor diets are now the leading risk factor for global disease, surpassing the combined impacts of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol.
Women and children are especially affected, with 156 million stunted children in the world, two-fifths of women anaemic, and millions facing malnutrition.
To address these issues, the third target of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 aims to halve global food waste and reduce losses along the supply chain. The Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates global food loss at $1 trillion, enough to feed those hungry, particularly in countries like India, which produces enough food for its population of 1.3 billion.

The SDGs have spotlighted food loss and waste, and we are beginning to see more attentive discussion on the subject. At the recently held Food Congress in Dusseldorf in early May 2017, the focus was on identifying possible solutions through better farming practices, the use of technology, better information, changes in consumer behaviour, etc. Estimates of "food waste and food loss" range between 30% and 50% for developed and emerging countries.

Due to poor infrastructure, food waste is prevalent at home in developed nations and during harvesting and transport in developing countries. In India, inadequate cold storage contributes to significant food loss, emphasising the need for investment in this area. This wastage squanders resources, depletes nutrition, and affects the economy, with a 40% food loss of about $7.5 billion. The Global Nutrition Report 2016 has highlighted India's overall tardy progress in addressing chronic undernutrition, manifest in stunting (low weight for age), wasting (low weight for height) and micronutrient deficiency or "hidden hunger".

India, home to a quarter of the world's undernourished, faces challenges in workforce productivity and economic potential. To enhance agricultural growth, India must increase investment in research, diversify crops, and adopt technological innovations. Addressing food loss through better infrastructure, information systems, and public-private partnerships is crucial for transforming the agricultural landscape and improving food security.