Step 1: Examine Statement (a).
Statement (a):
“Startups are innovation-driven businesses and aim at scalability.”
A startup is generally established around a new idea, innovation, product, or business model with the objective of rapid growth and expansion.
Therefore, Statement (a) is:
\[
{\text{Correct}}
\]
Step 2: Examine Statement (b).
Statement (b):
“Securities and Exchange Board of India regulates stock markets and protects investors.”
SEBI is the statutory regulatory authority responsible for:
• Regulating the securities market
• Protecting investor interests
• Promoting fair market practices
Hence, Statement (b) is:
\[
{\text{Correct}}
\]
Step 3: Examine Statement (c).
Statement (c):
“GST is an indirect tax applicable across India and is collected only once at the final stage of the transaction.”
Although GST is an indirect tax applicable throughout India, the statement becomes incorrect because GST is not collected only at the final stage.
GST is a multi-stage tax levied at every stage of value addition. The Input Tax Credit (ITC) mechanism prevents double taxation.
Therefore, Statement (c) is:
\[
{\text{Incorrect}}
\]
Step 4: Examine Statement (d).
Statement (d):
“Blinkit operates in quick commerce, which focuses on fast delivery using dark stores.”
Quick commerce companies maintain local fulfillment centres known as dark stores to enable extremely fast deliveries.
Blinkit is one of the leading quick-commerce companies in India.
Hence, Statement (d) is:
\[
{\text{Correct}}
\]
Step 5: Identify the correct combination.
The correct statements are:
\[
(a),\ (b),\ (d)
\]
while Statement \((c)\) is incorrect.
Therefore, the correct option is:
\[
{\text{Option (B)}}
\]
Conclusion:
Statements \((a)\), \((b)\), and \((d)\) are correct, whereas Statement \((c)\) is incorrect.
Hence, the correct answer is:
\[
{\text{Option (B)}}
\]