14 July 2026

Quiz — 14 July 2026

Every prelims question from this edition. Tap an option to check it; what you answer is remembered on this device.

Questions

1. Which of the following best describes the primary reason for the shift in India's crude oil import strategy in 2026?

   1. A A trade agreement with the European Union
   2. B A sudden decline in global oil prices
   3. C The discovery of new domestic oil reserves
   4. D The closure of the Strait of Hormuz

2. Which of the following best describes the primary fuel used in India's indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR)?

   1. A Enriched Uranium
   2. B Thorium-232
   3. C Natural Uranium
   4. D Plutonium-239

3. The 'administrative arrangements' between India and Australia primarily facilitate:

   1. A The transfer of nuclear enrichment technology
   2. B The joint development of Small Modular Reactors
   3. C The export of uranium for peaceful purposes under IAEA safeguards
   4. D The construction of nuclear power plants by Australian firms in India

4. The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) Bill, 2025, intends to replace which of the following bodies?

   1. A AICTE, NCTE, and CSIR
   2. B UGC, NCTE, and ICSSR
   3. C UGC, AICTE, and NAAC
   4. D UGC, AICTE, and NCTE

5. What is the medium-term retail inflation target set by the Reserve Bank of India?

   1. A 2%
   2. B 4%
   3. C 5%
   4. D 6%

6. Which of the following factors was identified as a primary contributor to the rise in the 'personal care and miscellaneous goods' inflation segment in June 2026?

   1. A Rising prices of gold and silver
   2. B Increased demand for digital services
   3. C Higher education costs
   4. D Increased expenditure on social protection schemes

7. Which of the following best describes the Supreme Court's recent stance on the citizenship determination process by Foreigners' Tribunals?

   1. A The burden of proof in citizenship cases lies solely with the state.
   2. B Citizenship determination must be a fair, lawful, and reasoned process.
   3. C Tribunals must prioritize state security over individual evidence.
   4. D High Court judgments on citizenship are final and cannot be remanded.

8. Which of the following best describes the mechanism of a synthetic gene drive?

   1. A It suppresses the immune system of the host to allow for rapid viral replication.
   2. B It uses CRISPR/Cas9 to cut a homologous chromosome and copy itself into the site to bias inheritance.
   3. C It prevents the transmission of genetic material by silencing transposable elements in the genome.
   4. D It relies on natural selection to increase the frequency of a trait over thousands of years.

9. What is the primary purpose of 'reversal drives' in the context of genetic engineering?

   1. A To undo the spread of a gene drive if unintended consequences arise.
   2. B To force the mutation of transposable elements into beneficial genes.
   3. C To enhance the virulence of the malaria parasite.
   4. D To increase the reproductive rate of the target organism.

10. In the context of ongoing trade discussions between India and the U.S., what is the primary objective of seeking 'comparative advantage' in a trade deal?

    1. A To secure preferential market access relative to competing trade partners
    2. B To eliminate all customs duties on agricultural imports
    3. C To establish a common currency for bilateral transactions
    4. D To mandate the immediate removal of all U.S. trade investigations

11. Which of the following components typically constitutes the largest share of 'committed expenditure' in state government budgets in India?

    1. A Salaries, pensions, and interest payments
    2. B Capital expenditure on infrastructure
    3. C Grants-in-aid to local bodies
    4. D Subsidies for agricultural inputs

12. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, was primarily enacted to address which of the following?

    1. A Prevention of child marriage and related social evils
    2. B Provision of free and compulsory education to children
    3. C Protection of children from sexual assault and sexual exploitation
    4. D Regulation of child labor in hazardous industries

13. Which of the following bodies is primarily responsible for issuing alerts and assisting organizations in India with fixes for cybersecurity vulnerabilities?

    1. A UIDAI
    2. B CERT-In
    3. C TRAI
    4. D NITI Aayog

14. The 8th India-Japan Defence Policy Dialogue was held to prepare for which of the following upcoming engagements?

    1. A The India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) review
    2. B The Quad Leaders' Summit
    3. C The G20 Summit
    4. D The India-Japan 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Dialogue

15. Which of the following is the primary purpose of the Post Enumeration Survey (PES) conducted after the Census in India?

    1. A To update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in real-time
    2. B To identify the exact number of illegal migrants in border states
    3. C To estimate coverage error and reasons for measurement errors in the Census
    4. D To verify the religious composition of border districts

16. Based on Census data trends between 1991 and 2011, what has been the observed trend regarding the Bangladesh-born population residing in India?

    1. A A decline in the overall migrant stock, with the population being largely elderly
    2. B A consistent increase across all Indian states
    3. C A significant surge in the younger age-group population
    4. D No change in the total number of Bangladesh-born residents

17. Which of the following acts is being extended to all seven districts of Ladakh to strengthen grassroots governance?

    1. A Sixth Schedule of the Constitution
    2. B District Councils Act of 1952
    3. C Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996
    4. D Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Act

18. Under which Article of the Indian Constitution can the President refer the matter of the removal of a Chairman of a State Public Service Commission to the Supreme Court for an inquiry?

    1. A Article 316
    2. B Article 317
    3. C Article 315
    4. D Article 320

19. Which of the following best describes the composition and production process of Compressed Biogas (CBG)?

    1. A A gaseous fuel produced by the gasification of wood at high temperatures.
    2. B A mixture of methane and CO2 produced by anaerobic digestion of organic matter.
    3. C A liquid biofuel produced by the transesterification of vegetable oils.
    4. D A synthetic fuel produced by the catalytic hydrogenation of coal.

20. The GOBARdhan scheme is primarily aimed at:

    1. A Providing direct cash transfers to farmers for crop insurance.
    2. B Developing large-scale solar power grids in agricultural districts.
    3. C Promoting the use of chemical fertilizers in rural areas.
    4. D Increasing Compressed Biogas (CBG) production through a 'waste to wealth' approach.

21. Which of the following is the primary objective of the RBI's foreign currency swap initiatives for NRIs as described in recent reports?

    1. A To increase domestic retail lending rates
    2. B To mandate the conversion of all NRI deposits into equity
    3. C To strengthen foreign currency inflows and reinforce the external sector
    4. D To reduce the fiscal deficit through direct taxation

22. Which of the following factors is identified as a significant barrier to industrialisation in West Bengal according to the provided text?

    1. A Absence of mineral resources
    2. B Lack of interest from foreign investors
    3. C High population density and small average land holdings
    4. D Strict adherence to environmental regulations

23. The Supreme Court recently categorized the issue of minors' access to online pornography as one of:

    1. A Paramount public importance
    2. B Legislative discretion
    3. C Fundamental Right to Privacy
    4. D State-level administrative concern

24. The Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, is primarily concerned with which of the following sectors?

    1. A Maritime transport
    2. B Telecommunications
    3. C Railway infrastructure
    4. D Civil aviation

25. Under the latest CBSE guidelines, what is the consequence for a Class 10 student who fails the school-based third language (R3) assessment?

    1. A The student is ineligible for the Secondary School Examination pass certificate.
    2. B The student must repeat the entire academic year.
    3. C The student is automatically promoted to Class 11.
    4. D The student is exempted from the requirement if they pass the Board exam.

26. Which constitutional provision allows both the Union and State governments to legislate on matters related to education?

    1. A Union List
    2. B State List
    3. C Concurrent List
    4. D Residuary Powers

27. Under the Indian Constitution, which authority is primarily responsible for the creation of a new Union Territory?

    1. A The State Legislative Assembly
    2. B The Inter-State Council
    3. C The Parliament of India
    4. D The Supreme Court of India

28. The 'Dust Portal 2.0' initiative is designed to monitor dust pollution at construction and demolition sites of what minimum size?

    1. A 1000 square yards
    2. B 100 square yards
    3. C 250 square yards
    4. D 500 square yards

29. Under the Election Commission of India's rules, which of the following criteria determines the eligibility of a homeless person to be enrolled in the electoral roll for a specific area?

    1. A Possession of a permanent land ownership certificate in that area
    2. B Possession of a government-issued birth certificate from that district
    3. C Regularly sleeping at a location within that area
    4. D Continuous residence in the area for a minimum of five years

30. Under the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, what is the maximum annual family income threshold for a woman to be eligible for the monthly financial assistance?

    1. A ₹3.0 lakh
    2. B ₹2.0 lakh
    3. C ₹2.5 lakh
    4. D ₹1.5 lakh

31. Which of the following is a criterion for exclusion from the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana?

    1. A Being the eldest woman in the family
    2. B Ownership of a four-wheeler by the family
    3. C Residency in Delhi for 12 years
    4. D Age between 21 and 60 years

32. Under the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958, which of the following conditions allows for the slaughter of a cow?

    1. A If the animal is slaughtered in a private residence during a festival.
    2. B If the animal is over 10 years of age and declared unfit for work or breeding by a competent authority.
    3. C The Act imposes a complete, unconditional ban on the slaughter of all cattle.
    4. D If the animal is over 5 years of age and healthy.

33. What is the primary objective behind HCL Tech's recent investment in the full-stack AI market?

    1. A To exclusively provide hardware for government agencies
    2. B To acquire international AI startups for market dominance
    3. C To utilize opportunities arising from demand for AI-led services and solutions
    4. D To divest from software operations and focus solely on data centres

34. In the context of India's trade data for June 2026, which of the following statements is correct?

    1. A The widening trade deficit was primarily driven by increased imports of crude oil, gold, and electronics.
    2. B Total imports declined while total exports saw a marginal increase.
    3. C The services trade surplus increased significantly compared to the previous year.
    4. D Merchandise exports grew at a faster rate than merchandise imports.

35. Which of the following bodies is responsible for the regulation of civil aviation in India, including the oversight of airline operations and passenger protection?

    1. A Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
    2. B Airports Authority of India (AAI)
    3. C National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)
    4. D Ministry of Civil Aviation

36. The Bhojshala complex, which is currently a subject of legal dispute, is located in which Indian state?

    1. A Uttar Pradesh
    2. B Rajasthan
    3. C Gujarat
    4. D Madhya Pradesh

37. Which government body is responsible for the protection of the Bhojshala complex?

    1. A State Department of Archaeology
    2. B Ministry of Culture
    3. C National Monuments Authority
    4. D Archaeological Survey of India

38. Which of the following is the highest point on the traditional parikrama route of Mount Kailash?

    1. A Ngari Prefecture
    2. B Darchen
    3. C Lake Manasarovar
    4. D Dolma La Pass

39. Mount Kailash is considered a sacred site by followers of which of the following religions?

    1. A Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon
    2. B Hinduism, Jainism, and Islam
    3. C Buddhism, Jainism, and Taoism
    4. D Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism

40. The Assam Rifles, often referred to as the 'Sentinels of the North East', functions under the administrative control of which of the following?

    1. A Ministry of External Affairs
    2. B Ministry of Defence
    3. C Ministry of Home Affairs
    4. D Nagaland State Government

41. Under the recent ordinance introduced in Punjab regarding private school fees, what is the maximum annual fee hike threshold beyond which schools are required to refund the excess amount?

    1. A 5%
    2. B 3%
    3. C 10%
    4. D 7%

42. What is the primary purpose of the Tele MANAS service mentioned in the context of student welfare?

    1. A Providing legal aid to students in distress
    2. B Offering mental health support and counseling
    3. C Facilitating academic grievances redressal
    4. D Monitoring student attendance in medical colleges

43. What is the primary stated objective of the Government of India's ethanol-blending policy?

    1. A To eliminate the role of oil marketing companies in the fuel supply chain
    2. B To replace all petrol-based vehicles with ethanol-based ones
    3. C To increase the export of crude oil
    4. D To reduce pollution and the crude oil import bill

44. Which of the following agencies is primarily responsible for investigating money laundering and violations of foreign exchange laws in India?

    1. A Serious Fraud Investigation Office
    2. B Directorate of Enforcement
    3. C Central Bureau of Investigation
    4. D Financial Intelligence Unit

45. Which agency was tasked by the Delhi High Court to investigate the administrative lapses related to the deaths of students in a coaching centre basement in July 2024?

    1. A Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)
    2. B Delhi Police
    3. C Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
    4. D National Investigation Agency (NIA)

46. What is the primary challenge in separating tritiated water (HTO) from regular water?

    1. A Tritium has a boiling point identical to that of heavy water.
    2. B Tritium is chemically almost identical to regular hydrogen.
    3. C Tritium is not radioactive and does not react with oxygen.
    4. D Tritium is significantly heavier than hydrogen atoms.

47. What is the function of the metal-organic framework (MOF) NH2-MIL-101(Cr) in the context of the recent study?

    1. A It converts tritiated water into oxygen and hydrogen gas through electrolysis.
    2. B It serves as a passive filter to trap heavy metals in wastewater.
    3. C It acts as an active packing material to facilitate the swapping of tritium atoms with hydrogen atoms.
    4. D It acts as a catalyst to neutralize the radioactivity of tritium.

48. In the context of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, what has been a notable recent strategic shift in Ukrainian military operations?

    1. A The total withdrawal of forces from the eastern border regions
    2. B A formal declaration of a maritime blockade in the Baltic Sea
    3. C Increased targeting of Russian infrastructure contributing to fuel shortages
    4. D A complete cessation of all drone-based reconnaissance missions

49. Which country is the largest importer of Australian Merino wool?

    1. A India
    2. B Vietnam
    3. C China
    4. D Bangladesh

50. Aditya Birla Renewables Ltd. (ABRen) recently signed an agreement to acquire the Sprng Energy group from which of the following entities?

    1. A Tata Power
    2. B Reliance Industries
    3. C Shell Overseas Investment B.V.
    4. D Adani Green Energy

51. What is the total renewable energy capacity being acquired by Aditya Birla Renewables Ltd. in the deal with Sprng Energy?

    1. A 10 GWp
    2. B 1.7 GWp
    3. C 5 GWp
    4. D 3.3 GWp

52. According to the study by Graff et al., what is the primary effect of sustained population contact and migration on linguistic features?

    1. A No significant impact on linguistic structure
    2. B Increased linguistic divergence
    3. C Linguistic homogenization
    4. D The creation of entirely new language families

53. Which term is used in the study to describe regions that have historically experienced significant population movements, such as empire-building and colonialism?

    1. A Accumulation zones
    2. B Genetic hotspots
    3. C Linguistic fossils
    4. D Spread zones

54. Which ecological phenomenon, described by Rachel Carson, refers to the increasing concentration of toxic substances, such as pesticides, at successive trophic levels in a food chain?

    1. A Biomagnification
    2. B Ecological succession
    3. C Bioaccumulation
    4. D Eutrophication

55. Which insecticide served as the primary symbol of the environmental hazards highlighted in Rachel Carson's 'Silent Spring'?

    1. A Aldrin
    2. B Malathion
    3. C Parathion
    4. D DDT

56. Who is the author of the philosophical text 'Srivachana Bhushanam'?

    1. A Vedanta Desika
    2. B Manavala Mamunigal
    3. C Pillai Lokachariar
    4. D Azhvar

57. The Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) is responsible for the management of temples in which Indian state?

    1. A Uttar Pradesh
    2. B Himachal Pradesh
    3. C Jammu and Kashmir
    4. D Uttarakhand

58. Under the Indian Penal Code, which of the following charges relates to the act of inciting or promoting hatred between different religious, racial, or linguistic groups?

    1. A Section 144 (Unlawful assembly)
    2. B Section 153A (Promoting enmity between different groups)
    3. C Section 302 (Murder)
    4. D Section 124A (Sedition)

59. Under the Indian Penal Code, which of the following sections pertains to the offence of sexual harassment?

    1. A Section 376
    2. B Section 354A
    3. C Section 354
    4. D Section 509

60. Under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which of the following grounds can lead to the disqualification of a member of a State Legislative Assembly?

    1. A Resignation from the party leadership
    2. B Failure to attend sessions for 30 consecutive days
    3. C Defection from a political party
    4. D Conviction for certain criminal offenses

61. Which of the following best describes the primary objective of establishing specialised geriatric clinics within public health infrastructure?

    1. A To provide emergency trauma care for all age groups
    2. B To replace general practitioner services for the elderly population
    3. C To offer dedicated and organised medical services for senior citizens
    4. D To exclusively focus on geriatric research and clinical trials

62. In the context of deaths occurring within seven years of marriage due to dowry-related harassment, which official is typically mandated to conduct an inquest under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC)?

    1. A Sub-Divisional Magistrate
    2. B Chief Judicial Magistrate
    3. C Superintendent of Police
    4. D District Magistrate

63. What is the current pecuniary jurisdiction threshold for civil disputes to be heard by the Delhi High Court?

    1. A ₹1 crore
    2. B ₹10 crore
    3. C ₹2 crore
    4. D ₹50 lakh

64. Which of the following bodies is responsible for the administration and management of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra?

    1. A Ministry of Culture
    2. B Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust
    3. C Archaeological Survey of India
    4. D Uttar Pradesh State Religious Endowment Board