Explanation:

Option 1st is correct.

"It is a statutory body." This is correct. The MPC was established under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, making it a statutory body.

• "Its task is to fix the benchmark policy rate required to contain inflation within the specified target level."

This statement is accurate. The primary objective of the MPC is to determine the policy interest rate required to achieve the inflation target. "It has been given the additional role of debt Management of Government."

This is incorrect. The MPC's mandate is primarily focused on fixing the benchmark policy rate to control inflation and does not include debt management of the government.

"Meetings of the MPC shall be held at least once a year."

• This statement is also incorrect. The MPC is required to meet at least four times a year.

"Finance Secretary will be the ex-officio chairperson of the committee."

• This is incorrect. The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India is the ex-officio Chairperson of the MPC.

Given these clarifications, the correct statements are 1 and 2 only.