With reference to the World Bank’s findings on inequality in India (2022–23), consider the following statements: 1. India’s Gini Index score of 25.5 places it among the world’s most equal countries, ranking just behind Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Belarus. 2. The Gini Index ranges from 0 (perfect equality) to 100 (perfect inequality), and India’s score is significantly lower than both China and the USA. 3. India has already entered the “low inequality” category, defined as countries with a Gini Index score below 25. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

• Statement 1 is correct: India’s Gini Index is 25.5, making it the fourth-most equal country globally, just after the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Belarus. • Statement 2 is correct: The Gini Index indeed ranges from 0 (equality) to 100 (inequality). India’s score of 25.5 is much lower than China (35.7) and the USA (41.8), showing comparatively less inequality. • Statement 3 is incorrect: India is close to entering the “low inequality” category (Gini < 25) but has not yet entered it. Its current status is moderately low inequality. Thus, the correct answer is (a) 1 and 2 only