16 July 2026

Quiz — 16 July 2026

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

Questions

1. Under the Indian Constitution, what is the primary requirement for passing a Constitutional Amendment Bill in Parliament?

   1. A A majority of the total membership and a two-thirds majority of members present and voting in each House
   2. B A two-thirds majority of the total membership of both Houses
   3. C A simple majority of the total membership and a two-thirds majority of the total membership
   4. D A simple majority of the total membership of both Houses

2. Under the India-U.K. Double Contribution Convention (DCC), what is the maximum duration for which temporary workers are exempt from paying social security contributions in the host country?

   1. A 60 months
   2. B 24 months
   3. C 12 months
   4. D 36 months

3. Which organization is responsible for issuing the 'certificate of coverage' required for Indian workers to claim social security exemption in the U.K. under the new DCC?

   1. A Ministry of Commerce and Industry
   2. B Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)
   3. C Ministry of External Affairs
   4. D Directorate General of Foreign Trade

4. Which of the following best describes the 'Hybrid Annuity Model' (HAM) mentioned in the context of highway projects?

   1. A A model where the government provides a portion of the project cost while the developer arranges the remaining finance and operates the asset.
   2. B A model where the government bears 100% of the project cost upfront.
   3. C A model exclusively for the maintenance of existing highways without new construction.
   4. D A model where the private developer bears 100% of the construction risk without government support.

5. What is the primary objective of the National Investment Policy for Urea (NIPU 2026)?

   1. A To ban the import of urea to protect domestic farmers.
   2. B To achieve self-reliance in urea production by setting up new gas-based plants.
   3. C To transition all fertilizer production to organic-only methods.
   4. D To privatize all existing government-owned fertilizer plants.

6. What is the primary objective of the PLI scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) batteries?

   1. A To regulate the pricing of electric vehicles in the domestic market
   2. B To reduce dependence on imported batteries and strengthen domestic manufacturing
   3. C To provide direct electricity subsidies to rural households
   4. D To phase out all existing thermal power plants in India

7. What is the total targeted manufacturing capacity for ACC batteries under the 2021 government-approved PLI scheme?

   1. A 100 GWh
   2. B 40 GWh
   3. C 10 GWh
   4. D 50 GWh

8. Which government cloud platform is designated for storing data under the new digital criminal justice system?

   1. A NIC Cloud
   2. B MeghRaj
   3. C DigiLocker
   4. D Bharat Cloud

9. Under the new criminal laws, forensic examination of crime scenes is mandatory for offences punishable with imprisonment of:

   1. A Three years or more
   2. B Five years or more
   3. C Seven years or more
   4. D Ten years or more

10. The 'Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin' (VB-G RAM G) came into effect on which date?

    1. A April 1, 2026
    2. B July 1, 2026
    3. C October 1, 2026
    4. D January 1, 2026

11. The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, proposes to replace which of the following existing regulatory bodies?

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

12. Which of the following factors was identified as a primary contributor to the increase in India's merchandise imports in June 2026?

    1. A A significant contraction in the electronics manufacturing sector
    2. B A sharp decline in global crude oil prices
    3. C A reduction in gold import duties
    4. D Increased domestic demand for fertilizers due to supply constraints

13. Under the revised 2026 SEBI Code of Conduct for Board Members, which of the following is classified as a 'non-permitted' investment?

    1. A Units of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
    2. B Regulated pooled investment vehicles like SIPs
    3. C Units of Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InVITs)
    4. D Equity and convertible-to-equity instruments

14. Which of the following is a primary objective of the RBI's 'Guidance on Regulatory Expectations for Data Governance'?

    1. A To replace the Banking Regulation Act with new digital standards
    2. B To restrict the use of cloud computing in the banking sector
    3. C To improve data quality, accountability, and risk management in Regulated Entities
    4. D To mandate the privatization of public sector banks

15. According to the Commission for Air Quality Management, what is the primary source of particulate pollution in Delhi during winter?

    1. A Construction dust
    2. B Industrial emissions
    3. C Transport sector
    4. D Biomass burning

16. Under the Delhi Electric Vehicles Policy 2026, what is the deadline for the mandatory registration of only electric two-wheelers?

    1. A January 1, 2028
    2. B January 1, 2029
    3. C January 1, 2026
    4. D January 1, 2027

17. Which of the following best describes the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) in the Indian context?

    1. A It is the primary index used by the Reserve Bank of India to determine the repo rate.
    2. B It measures the change in prices of goods at the producer or wholesale level.
    3. C It measures the change in prices of goods and services at the retail level.
    4. D It includes the price changes of services but excludes manufactured goods.

18. According to the new guidelines for highway projects, which of the following stakeholders must be consulted for greenfield projects in addition to those required for brownfield projects?

    1. A District Magistrate and State PWD
    2. B NHAI regional officers and contractors
    3. C Local MLA and MP
    4. D Village Sarpanch and Mayor

19. What is the threshold for sub-contractors to mandatorily register with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) as per the latest directives?

    1. A 8% or more of the total project cost
    2. B 15% or more of the total project cost
    3. C 5% or more of the total project cost
    4. D 10% or more of the total project cost

20. Which of the following best describes the current status of patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in certain sectors of eastern Ladakh following the 2020 border tensions?

    1. A A moratorium on patrolling implemented after the June 2020 clashes
    2. B Full restoration of pre-2020 grazing rights for all nomadic tribes
    3. C Unrestricted movement for all civilians and military personnel
    4. D A complete withdrawal of all military forces from the region

21. The proposed U.S. Bill targeting countries for purchasing Russian oil includes an exemption for which of the following groups?

    1. A BRICS member nations
    2. B All landlocked nations in Central Asia
    3. C 15 European nations importing Russian gas
    4. D Members of the G7

22. Which of the following security measures is currently primarily used by the BSF to secure the riverine areas of the Sundarbans border?

    1. A High-altitude surveillance drones
    2. B Permanent concrete border walls
    3. C Floating Border Outposts (FBOPs)
    4. D Underground sensor networks

23. Under the current administrative framework of a Union Territory with a Legislative Assembly in India, which of the following best describes the role of the Lieutenant Governor?

    1. A The Lieutenant Governor acts solely as a ceremonial head with no executive powers.
    2. B The Lieutenant Governor retains significant authority over the bureaucracy, police, and public order.
    3. C The Lieutenant Governor is appointed by the State Legislative Assembly.
    4. D The Lieutenant Governor is subordinate to the elected Chief Minister in all administrative matters.

24. The Mullaperiyar Dam, which is a subject of inter-state water sharing concerns, is primarily located in which state?

    1. A Tamil Nadu
    2. B Andhra Pradesh
    3. C Kerala
    4. D Karnataka

25. Which of the following bodies is responsible for the implementation of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award?

    1. A Central Ground Water Board
    2. B Cauvery Water Regulation Committee
    3. C National Water Development Agency
    4. D Inter-State River Water Disputes Tribunal

26. According to the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development (UMEED) Act, 2025, which of the following is a mandatory requirement for the composition of a State Waqf Board?

    1. A Equal representation of all religious denominations within the state
    2. B Inclusion of at least five members from the minority community only
    3. C Mandatory appointment of a retired High Court judge as chairperson
    4. D Inclusion of two non-Muslim members and one Shia member

27. Which of the following best describes the primary focus of India's foreign policy engagement with Iran in recent years?

    1. A Transactional relationship centered on energy security and trade corridors
    2. B Strategic partnership for nuclear technology transfer
    3. C Full alignment with Western sanctions regimes
    4. D Military alliance against regional powers

28. What is the primary function of the Strait of Hormuz in the context of global trade?

    1. A A protected zone for international fishing rights
    2. B A major land route for Central Asian minerals
    3. C A critical maritime chokepoint for global oil and gas flows
    4. D A primary corridor for trans-Atlantic container shipping

29. Under the proposed Delhi (Right of Citizen to Time Bound and Ease of Delivery of Service) Bill, 2026, what is the maximum penalty that can be imposed on an official for a delayed service?

    1. A ₹200
    2. B ₹5,000
    3. C ₹10,000
    4. D ₹250

30. With reference to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, consider the following statements: 1. It utilizes VVER reactor technology. 2. It is a collaborative project with Russia. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. A Both 1 and 2
    2. B 1 only
    3. C Neither 1 nor 2
    4. D 2 only

31. Which of the following best describes the primary objective of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)?

    1. A To formalize a military alliance between Iran and the P5+1 nations
    2. B To establish a framework for the inspection and regulation of Iran's nuclear program
    3. C To mandate the immediate disarmament of all nuclear-armed states
    4. D To facilitate the expansion of nuclear energy in the Middle East

32. Who is the head of the one-member probe committee appointed to investigate the technical defects in the CBSE On-Screen Marking (OSM) system?

    1. A Tushar Mehta
    2. B Surya Kant
    3. C S. Radha Chauhan
    4. D Joymalya Bagchi

33. The M.P. Bezbaruah Committee, often cited in the context of protecting the rights of people from North-East India, was primarily constituted to address which of the following issues?

    1. A Economic integration of the North-East with the mainland
    2. B Border infrastructure development in the North-East
    3. C Racial discrimination and targeted violence against people from the North-East
    4. D Implementation of the Sixth Schedule in North-Eastern states

34. Which of the following best describes the primary objective of the proposed coordinated mechanism among southern States regarding drug trafficking?

    1. A To replace state-level anti-narcotics laws with a single regional legislation.
    2. B To create a joint task force that operates independently of state police jurisdiction.
    3. C To establish a unified intelligence and information sharing framework between state police forces.
    4. D To centralize all drug-related judicial proceedings under a single tribunal.

35. What is the primary objective of the 'Supreme Court Action for Mediated Adjudication and Disputes Harmonisation Across Nation' (SAMADHAN) initiative?

    1. A To bypass the district court system for all civil litigation
    2. B To mandate arbitration for all Waqf property disputes
    3. C To promote the settlement of outstanding cases prior to a special Lok Adalat
    4. D To provide direct government funding for religious site restoration

36. Which Article of the Indian Constitution is primarily invoked when a court addresses the illegal curtailment of personal liberty by state authorities?

    1. A Article 14
    2. B Article 21
    3. C Article 32
    4. D Article 19

37. Which of the following bodies is responsible for the conduct of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in India?

    1. A Ministry of Law and Justice
    2. B Election Commission of India
    3. C State Election Commission
    4. D Office of the Registrar General of India

38. What is the primary role of a Booth Level Officer (BLO) during the electoral roll revision process?

    1. A To oversee the digitisation of state-wide voter data
    2. B To adjudicate on claims and objections filed by voters
    3. C To conduct the final publication of the electoral rolls
    4. D To perform physical verification of enumeration forms

39. The 'straw checkerboard' technique, often used in large-scale desert control projects, is primarily designed to:

    1. A Create artificial water reservoirs in arid regions
    2. B Stabilize sand dunes against wind and aid plant root establishment
    3. C Prevent the migration of invasive plant species
    4. D Increase soil nitrogen content for agriculture

40. With reference to ecological studies, what is the significance of 'cradles' and 'museums' in the context of biodiversity?

    1. A They refer to artificial breeding centers and natural history archives respectively.
    2. B They are terms used to classify invasive species based on their rate of spread.
    3. C They represent protected areas and community-managed forests, respectively.
    4. D They describe areas where new species originate and where ancient lineages persist, respectively.

41. Which of the following best describes the 'free-ranging dog' management challenge in Indian cities as discussed by ecologists?

    1. A It is a purely public health issue requiring only vaccination programs.
    2. B It is primarily a wildlife management issue that can be solved by relocation.
    3. C It is a problem that can be effectively solved using artificial intelligence and predictive modeling alone.
    4. D It is a complex interdisciplinary issue linked to urban waste management and municipal governance.

42. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a critical maritime chokepoint connecting which two bodies of water?

    1. A Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea
    2. B Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean
    3. C Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
    4. D Red Sea and Gulf of Aden

43. The India-Japan Fund (IJF), which recently invested in Ather Energy, is a joint initiative involving the Government of India and which of the following institutions?

    1. A Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC)
    2. B Development Bank of Japan
    3. C Tokyo Stock Exchange
    4. D Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

44. Which of the following sectors has been identified as the primary contributor to the current economic slowdown in China?

    1. A Real estate and property investment
    2. B High-tech manufacturing
    3. C Service sector exports
    4. D Agricultural production

45. In the context of the Bhagavad Gita's principles for management, what does the term 'nirmana moha' signify?

    1. A Freedom from pride and illusion in decision-making
    2. B Rising above the pairs of opposites like success and failure
    3. C The ability to remain anchored in a higher purpose
    4. D Commitment to the mission regardless of the outcome

46. Under which legal framework does the Election Commission of India adjudicate disputes between rival factions of a political party regarding the party symbol?

    1. A Article 324 of the Constitution
    2. B Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968
    3. C Anti-Defection Law (Tenth Schedule)
    4. D Representation of the People Act, 1950

47. Which Article of the Indian Constitution empowers citizens to move the Supreme Court for the enforcement of fundamental rights?

    1. A Article 141
    2. B Article 32
    3. C Article 13
    4. D Article 226

48. The Ceasefire Monitoring Group is primarily tasked with:

    1. A Negotiating political settlements between the state and insurgent factions
    2. B Observing, verifying, and reporting compliance with ceasefire agreements
    3. C Managing the administrative governance of designated conflict zones
    4. D Directing military operations against insurgent groups

49. Which of the following best describes the primary mandate of a judicial commission of inquiry established by a state government in India?

    1. A To replace the functions of the state legislature in financial oversight
    2. B To act as a permanent investigative agency for all state-level police departments
    3. C To provide binding judicial verdicts on criminal cases pending in lower courts
    4. D To investigate specific instances of institutional corruption and recommend legal action

50. Which of the following best describes the primary objective of the Transformation Committee appointed for Sri Lanka Cricket?

    1. A To manage the recruitment of foreign-born athletes for the national team
    2. B To restructure administration and address issues like political interference and financial mismanagement
    3. C To exclusively promote women's cricket at the international level
    4. D To facilitate the hosting of the T20 World Cup in collaboration with India

51. Which of the following best describes the nature of the Indian Gas Exchange (IGX) IPO as per the recent filing?

    1. A A private placement to institutional investors
    2. B A fresh issue of equity shares for capital expenditure
    3. C A combination of fresh issue and Offer For Sale
    4. D An Offer For Sale (OFS) by the promoter

52. Semaglutide, recently in the news regarding generic manufacturing, is primarily used for the treatment of which of the following conditions?

    1. A Hypertension
    2. B Type 2 diabetes mellitus
    3. C Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
    4. D Cardiovascular arrhythmia

53. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in India functions under the administrative control of which of the following?

    1. A Ministry of Civil Aviation
    2. B Ministry of Home Affairs
    3. C Directorate General of Civil Aviation
    4. D Supreme Court of India

54. The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, often cited in the context of regional autonomy demands, primarily deals with:

    1. A The reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Lok Sabha
    2. B The official languages of the Indian Union
    3. C The distribution of legislative powers between the Union and the States
    4. D The administration of tribal areas in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram

55. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) functions under the administrative control of which of the following ministries?

    1. A Ministry of Home Affairs
    2. B Ministry of Law and Justice
    3. C Ministry of Finance
    4. D Ministry of External Affairs

56. Which of the following measures is included in the Gujarat government's rehabilitation package for flood-hit traders in Surat?

    1. A A one-year waiver of municipal property tax
    2. B Full waiver of all outstanding commercial bank loans
    3. C Permanent exemption from Goods and Services Tax
    4. D Direct cash transfers of ₹5 lakh to all residents

57. The Rath Yatra festival, which involves the movement of deities from the main temple to the Gundicha Temple, is primarily associated with which state in India?

    1. A Andhra Pradesh
    2. B Chhattisgarh
    3. C West Bengal
    4. D Odisha

58. According to standard medical protocol mentioned in the context, what is the minimum observation period required for acute renal failure before it is categorized as end-stage renal disease?

    1. A Two years
    2. B One month
    3. C Three to six months
    4. D Six to twelve months

59. Which of the following best describes the role of a State government in investigating allegations of financial irregularities within an independent religious trust?

    1. A The State government can constitute an investigative body to probe allegations if requested by the trust or under specific legal provisions.
    2. B The State government must seek prior approval from the Supreme Court before initiating any inquiry into a religious trust.
    3. C The State government is constitutionally prohibited from investigating any financial matters related to religious institutions.
    4. D The State government has automatic jurisdiction to take over the management of any religious trust upon receiving complaints.

60. The 'Traffic Pathshala' initiative, recently in the news, is primarily aimed at:

    1. A Implementing automated surveillance systems at major intersections
    2. B Promoting behavioural change regarding road safety through counselling
    3. C Providing emergency medical assistance to road accident victims
    4. D Increasing the revenue generated from traffic challans

61. Which of the following best describes the legal status of a person who has been 'remanded in judicial custody'?

    1. A The person is under the custody of the police for interrogation.
    2. B The person is detained in a jail under the orders of a magistrate.
    3. C The person is released on bail pending trial.
    4. D The person has been convicted of a crime and is serving a sentence.

62. Which of the following best describes the concept of 'e-mulakat' in the context of the Indian prison system?

    1. A A digital platform for filing bail applications in district courts
    2. B An online portal for legal aid services provided by the National Legal Services Authority
    3. C A biometric system for tracking the movement of inmates within prison premises
    4. D A facility for prisoners to have supervised video interactions with their families

63. The Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) is primarily responsible for:

    1. A Managing the administration and financial affairs of the Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines
    2. B Managing the state-level distribution of government grants to religious trusts
    3. C Overseeing the archaeological restoration of all Himalayan temples
    4. D Regulating the flow of pilgrims through the Char Dham Yatra route

64. Which of the following best describes the primary function of the Standing Committee in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi?

    1. A Directly appointing the Mayor of the city
    2. B Approving major financial and budgetary proposals
    3. C Conducting judicial inquiries into municipal corruption
    4. D Drafting the state legislative assembly bills

65. With reference to fire safety in urban residential buildings, which of the following factors is most commonly identified as a primary trigger for rapid fire spread in ground-floor parking areas?

    1. A Inadequate ventilation systems
    2. B Lack of emergency exit staircases
    3. C Short circuits in electrical charging points
    4. D Absence of fire hydrants on the ground floor

66. Which of the following legislations is primarily invoked for the protection of children against sexual offences in India?

    1. A The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act
    2. B Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act
    3. C Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita only
    4. D Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act