17 July 2026

Quiz — 17 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 factors is identified as a primary driver of the recent rise in India's retail inflation?

   1. A A decrease in import duties on gold and silver
   2. B A significant appreciation of the Indian rupee
   3. C Excessive domestic agricultural production
   4. D Rising global crude oil prices and fuel costs

2. The 'valley of death' in the context of the NITI Aayog biotechnology roadmap refers to:

   1. A The lack of skilled labor in the pharmaceutical sector
   2. B The decline in funding for basic academic research
   3. C The gap between proof-of-concept research and commercial-scale manufacturing
   4. D The regulatory hurdles in international patent filing

3. Which of the following is NOT one of the six proposed National BioMissions mentioned in the NITI Aayog roadmap?

   1. A AgriBio 2.0
   2. B GeneIndia
   3. C SpaceBio Dynamics
   4. D One Health Grid

4. With reference to the recent Supreme Court observations on 'bulldozer justice', which of the following statements is correct?

   1. A The Supreme Court directed that contempt petitions involving disputed facts be heard by the respective State High Courts.
   2. B The Supreme Court has permanently barred all property demolitions by state authorities.
   3. C The Supreme Court declared that property demolition is a valid tool for immediate criminal justice.
   4. D The Supreme Court has mandated that all demolition cases must be heard exclusively by the Supreme Court to ensure uniformity.

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

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

6. The CAFE III norms, as proposed in the latest draft, aim to regulate which of the following?

   1. A Fuel efficiency and tailpipe carbon dioxide emissions of passenger vehicles
   2. B Maximum retail price of electric vehicles
   3. C Mandatory blending percentages for petrol and diesel
   4. D Import duties on luxury automotive components

7. Under the proposed CAFE III framework, what is the primary purpose of 'Carbon Neutrality Factors' (CNFs)?

   1. A To increase the tax burden on heavy SUV manufacturers
   2. B To provide subsidies for the export of fuel-efficient vehicles
   3. C To mandate the exclusive use of electric batteries in new vehicles
   4. D To recognise the lower lifecycle carbon footprint of biofuels like ethanol and CBG

8. Which of the following is a primary objective of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana?

   1. A Subsidizing agricultural inputs for women farmers
   2. B Promoting economic independence and health of women
   3. C Providing interest-free loans for women entrepreneurs
   4. D Providing free education to girl children

9. According to the CAG report, what is a major concern regarding the financial management of the scheme?

   1. A Unjustified excess expenditure and parking of funds in VPDA
   2. B Lack of Aadhaar integration in the database
   3. C Under-utilization of allocated funds
   4. D Failure to reach the target of 2.43 crore beneficiaries

10. Which of the following agreements between India and Pakistan continues to be operational despite periods of high bilateral tension?

    1. A The 1971 Shimla Agreement on Trade
    2. B The 1947 Ceasefire Agreement
    3. C The 2015 Regional Connectivity Pact
    4. D The 2005 Nuclear Confidence-Building Agreement

11. Which body filed the petition that led to the Supreme Court's directive regarding the premature release of elderly and terminally ill prisoners?

    1. A Law Commission of India
    2. B National Human Rights Commission
    3. C National Legal Services Authority
    4. D Bureau of Police Research and Development

12. According to the Supreme Court's recent directive, what is the deadline for States and Union Territories to formulate a uniform policy for the premature release of elderly and terminally ill prisoners?

    1. A One year
    2. B Six months
    3. C Three months
    4. D One month

13. Under the Constitution of India, which body is empowered to conduct the delimitation of constituencies?

    1. A The Parliament of India
    2. B The Ministry of Law and Justice
    3. C The Delimitation Commission
    4. D The Election Commission of India

14. Which of the following legal provisions is primarily associated with the government's power to issue directions for blocking public access to information?

    1. A Article 21 of the Constitution
    2. B Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000
    3. C Rule 3(1)(a) of the IT Rules, 2021
    4. D Section 66A of the IT Act, 2000

15. Which of the following organizations is primarily responsible for the construction and maintenance of strategic infrastructure in India's border areas?

    1. A Military Engineering Services
    2. B Border Roads Organisation
    3. C Central Public Works Department
    4. D National Highways Authority of India

16. What is the primary byproduct of the chemical reaction used in hydrogen-powered fuel cell trains?

    1. A Hydrogen peroxide
    2. B Nitrogen oxides
    3. C Water vapour
    4. D Carbon dioxide

17. Which of the following is the primary objective of the proposed 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill mentioned in the legislative agenda?

    1. A Delimitation of Lok Sabha seats for women's reservation
    2. B Automatic removal of public officials jailed for 30 days
    3. C Regulation of foreign contributions to educational institutions
    4. D Increasing the number of judges in the Supreme Court

18. The recent Ordinance mentioned in the context of FIIs and the Bank of International Settlements (BIS) primarily relates to which of the following?

    1. A Exemption from capital gains tax and tax on interest from government securities
    2. B Mandatory disclosure norms for foreign institutional investors
    3. C Exemption from Goods and Services Tax on financial services
    4. D Regulation of foreign direct investment in the banking sector

19. Under which framework does India receive information from over 100 countries regarding foreign assets and income of taxpayers?

    1. A Common Reporting Standard (CRS) Agreement
    2. B Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) Framework
    3. C Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Framework
    4. D Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA)

20. Where can Indian taxpayers currently view the information received by the CBDT regarding their foreign financial assets?

    1. A Through the Ministry of Finance's public transparency dashboard
    2. B Directly via email notifications from the CBDT
    3. C Through the Annual Information Statement (AIS) on the Income Tax e-Filing portal
    4. D By requesting a physical copy from the local Assessing Officer

21. With reference to the Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) on fuel exports in India, consider the following statements: 1. It is adjusted on a fortnightly basis. 2. It is primarily aimed at taxing windfall gains of domestic fuel producers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

22. What is the primary reason for 'phase separation' in E20 fuel storage tanks?

    1. A Chemical reaction between ethanol and mild steel
    2. B Incompatibility between petrol and ethanol at high pressures
    3. C Hygroscopic nature of ethanol leading to water-ethanol binding
    4. D High evaporation rate of ethanol in coastal temperatures

23. What is the interest rate approved for the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) deposits for the financial year 2025-26?

    1. A 8.25%
    2. B 8.10%
    3. C 8.00%
    4. D 8.50%

24. Which project enabled the EPFO to credit interest to all 34 crore accounts simultaneously?

    1. A Centralised IT Enabled Services
    2. B Unified Member Portal
    3. C Digital India Pension Portal
    4. D National Social Security Database

25. Which of the following is a primary objective of the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya scheme as discussed in the context of national educational frameworks?

    1. A To mandate the study of Hindi in all non-Hindi speaking states
    2. B To enforce a uniform two-language policy across all Union Territories
    3. C To provide quality residential education to meritorious students from rural areas
    4. D To replace state-level education boards with a single national board

26. The Chhattisgarh Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026, primarily focuses on which of the following mechanisms for business approvals?

    1. A Risk- and trust-based approval framework
    2. B Abolition of all state-level industrial inspections
    3. C Mandatory central government oversight
    4. D Direct foreign investment subsidies

27. What has been the observed impact of the Priyadarshini free travel scheme on KSRTC Ordinary bus services in Kerala?

    1. A An 87% increase in the average daily ridership of women passengers
    2. B A reduction in the total number of operational Ordinary buses
    3. C A significant decline in male ridership due to overcrowding
    4. D A shift of passengers from private transport to KSRTC buses at the expense of male commuters

28. What is the primary target of the Delhi Start-up and Incubation Policy regarding the number of start-ups to be facilitated by 2035?

    1. A 10,000
    2. B 1,000
    3. C 5,000
    4. D 2,500

29. Which body is responsible for overseeing the implementation and ensuring transparent governance of the Delhi Start-up and Incubation Policy?

    1. A State Startup Regulatory Authority
    2. B State Incubation Policy Monitoring Committee
    3. C Delhi Innovation Council
    4. D Ministry of Education Oversight Board

30. Which of the following best describes the 'Balance of Plant' (BoP) in the context of a nuclear power project?

    1. A The administrative and financial records of the plant operator
    2. B The core nuclear reactor and fuel enrichment systems
    3. C The security protocols governing the nuclear island
    4. D Supporting infrastructure and auxiliary systems excluding core generating equipment

31. What is the primary role of CERT-In in the context of cybersecurity in India?

    1. A To oversee the export of nuclear technology to foreign nations
    2. B To regulate the insurance policies of private infrastructure contractors
    3. C To manage the construction of nuclear power plants
    4. D To serve as the national nodal agency for responding to computer security incidents

32. Which of the following bodies is responsible for the final counselling and seat allocation for undergraduate medical courses in India?

    1. A Medical Counselling Committee (MCC)
    2. B National Testing Agency (NTA)
    3. C University Grants Commission (UGC)
    4. D Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

33. In the context of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination results, which demographic category accounted for the highest number of qualified candidates?

    1. A General-Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
    2. B Scheduled Caste (SC)
    3. C Other Backward Classes-Non Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL)
    4. D General

34. Which of the following regions in Iran is noted in the report as being a center for ballistic missile production and space programs?

    1. A Ahvaz
    2. B Bandar Abbas
    3. C Semnan
    4. D Qeshm

35. Which specialized unit, originally raised for anti-Maoist operations, has been recently inducted into Manipur to assist in security operations?

    1. A National Security Guard (NSG)
    2. B Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA)
    3. C Special Frontier Force (SFF)
    4. D Rapid Action Force (RAF)

36. Which of the following bodies is responsible for issuing the recent advisory regarding the deployment of Indian sailors through the Strait of Hormuz?

    1. A Directorate General of Maritime Administration
    2. B Ministry of External Affairs
    3. C Indian Navy
    4. D Ministry of Defence

37. Which of the following landmark Supreme Court judgments laid down specific guidelines to be followed by the police during arrest and detention to prevent custodial torture?

    1. A D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal
    2. B Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala
    3. C Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India
    4. D Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan

38. As per the recent memorandum issued by the Department of Space, which category of personnel is restricted from routine resignation or voluntary retirement?

    1. A Only contractual employees working on private-public partnership projects
    2. B Group A scientific and technical personnel associated with critical missions
    3. C All personnel regardless of their role or project association
    4. D All administrative staff across all government departments

39. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) is responsible for the management of temples in which of the following states?

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

40. With reference to the North Eastern Coalfields, which of the following statements is correct?

    1. A It is a private sector entity regulated by the Ministry of Mines.
    2. B It is a subsidiary of Coal India Limited.
    3. C It is responsible for all coal mining operations in the entire Northeast region.
    4. D It is an independent statutory body under the Ministry of Environment.

41. Under which section of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, can a Judicial Magistrate issue an injunction to prevent a child marriage?

    1. A Section 5(1)
    2. B Section 10(2)
    3. C Section 18(4)
    4. D Section 13(1)

42. What is the legal status of a child marriage solemnized in contravention of a court-issued injunction under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006?

    1. A Void ab initio
    2. B Voidable at the option of the parties
    3. C Voidable only if reported within one year
    4. D Valid but subject to a fine

43. Which of the following bodies is primarily responsible for investigating corruption cases involving public servants in the National Capital Territory of Delhi?

    1. A Anti-Corruption Branch
    2. B Central Bureau of Investigation
    3. C Central Vigilance Commission
    4. D National Investigation Agency

44. According to Supreme Court observations in the 'In Re: Ramlila Maidan Incident' case, under what circumstances can the state legally disrupt a protest?

    1. A When the protest is directed against the policies of the ruling government
    2. B When the protest causes inconvenience to the general public
    3. C When the protest continues for more than 15 days
    4. D When there is a genuine threat to communal harmony, social disorder, or public tranquility

45. According to Kamban's Ramayana, what is the etymological origin of the name 'Sita'?

    1. A A term for a sacrificial fire
    2. B A term for a radiant light
    3. C A term for the earth goddess
    4. D A term referring to the edge of a plough

46. How many stanzas are contained in Kamban's Ramayana?

    1. A 10,000
    2. B 10,569
    3. C 12,569
    4. D 11,000

47. Which of the following statements regarding Cyclosporiasis is correct?

    1. A It is primarily transmitted through direct person-to-person contact.
    2. B It is a viral infection that spreads primarily through respiratory droplets.
    3. C It is a bacterial infection that can be cured through a single dose of antibiotics.
    4. D It is caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis and spreads via the faeco-oral route.

48. Which of the following best describes the primary clinical indication for GLP-1 based medicines?

    1. A Cosmetic facial rejuvenation and skin tightening
    2. B Prevention of hair loss and nail brittleness
    3. C Management of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiometabolic risk
    4. D Primary treatment for chronic autoimmune skin disorders

49. What is the phenomenon of 'telogen effluvium' often associated with in the context of GLP-1 treatment?

    1. A Permanent cessation of hair growth
    2. B Temporary hair shedding following rapid weight loss or nutritional stress
    3. C Increased skin pigmentation in folds
    4. D Autoimmune destruction of hair follicles

50. The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), recently in the news regarding U.S. arms sales, is primarily categorized as:

    1. A A naval submarine detection technology
    2. B A laser-guided air-to-ground rocket system
    3. C A strategic cyber-warfare defense suite
    4. D A long-range ballistic missile system

51. Under the newly finalized U.S. immigration rules, what is the maximum duration of stay for foreign students on a standard academic visa?

    1. A Four years
    2. B Two years
    3. C Three years
    4. D Five years

52. What is the specific duration of stay permitted for Chinese journalists under the updated U.S. immigration policy?

    1. A 90 days
    2. B 240 days
    3. C 180 days
    4. D 365 days

53. Which of the following regions in Russia reported casualties due to recent cross-border shelling from Ukraine?

    1. A Belgorod
    2. B Bryansk
    3. C Rostov
    4. D Kursk

54. Which of the following best describes the recent $650 million debt issuance by the Shapoorji Pallonji Group?

    1. A A debut dollar-denominated debt issuance by an SP Group subsidiary
    2. B An equity-linked convertible debenture offering for retail investors
    3. C A rupee-denominated masala bond issued in the domestic market
    4. D A sovereign bond issue backed by the Reserve Bank of India

55. With reference to the Q1 FY27 financial performance of major Indian IT firms, which of the following statements is correct?

    1. A Wipro's IT services revenue guidance suggests a potential sequential decline in constant currency terms.
    2. B Tech Mahindra reported a decline in net profit compared to the previous year.
    3. C Tech Mahindra reported an increase in total headcount for the first quarter.
    4. D Wipro reported a double-digit growth in net profit for the first quarter.

56. Which of the following best describes the physiological mechanism of Type 1 diabetes?

    1. A The kidneys fail to filter glucose, leading to its accumulation in the blood.
    2. B The body becomes resistant to the insulin produced by the pancreas.
    3. C The liver overproduces glucose regardless of insulin levels.
    4. D The pancreas is unable to produce sufficient insulin due to the destruction of beta-cells.

57. What is the primary function of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) devices?

    1. A To automatically inject insulin whenever blood sugar levels rise.
    2. B To provide real-time updates on glucose levels via sensors inserted under the skin.
    3. C To permanently cure hyperglycaemia by regulating pancreatic function.
    4. D To replace the need for dietary management in diabetic patients.

58. The initiative to export handloom products to the U.S. through a joint sector company aims primarily to achieve which of the following?

    1. A Eliminate middlemen to improve direct market access for handloom goods
    2. B Increase the role of international middlemen in the supply chain
    3. C Reduce the export of finished goods in favor of raw material exports
    4. D Nationalize the handloom sector under the Textile Development Corporation

59. The Dzukou lily, known for its unique floral display, is primarily associated with which of the following regions in India?

    1. A Western Himalayas
    2. B Aravalli Range
    3. C Deccan Plateau
    4. D Eastern Himalayas

60. The Rath Yatra, a major annual religious event, is traditionally held in which of the following Indian states?

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

61. Which of the following best describes the role of the Supreme Court in the context of the ongoing trial proceedings mentioned in the report?

    1. A The Court has taken over the investigation from the state police to ensure impartiality.
    2. B The Court is monitoring the progress of the trial and receiving status reports from investigating authorities.
    3. C The Court has dismissed all charges against the accused based on the police status report.
    4. D The Court is conducting the trial directly as a court of first instance.

62. According to the Hindu lunar calendar, the Rath Yatra at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri is traditionally held in which month?

    1. A Magha
    2. B Kartika
    3. C Phalguna
    4. D Asadha

63. Which of the following is considered one of the four sacred 'Dhams' in India?

    1. A Ayodhya
    2. B Badrinath
    3. C Varanasi
    4. D Haridwar

64. Which of the following bodies is the primary agency responsible for the development and maintenance of national highways and infrastructure projects, including tunnels, in India?

    1. A Central Public Works Department (CPWD)
    2. B National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
    3. C National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL)
    4. D Border Roads Organisation (BRO)

65. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is responsible for the management of which of the following?

    1. A The Padmanabhaswamy Temple
    2. B The Lord Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala
    3. C The Meenakshi Amman Temple
    4. D The Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple

66. In the context of wildlife management in India, what is a 'kumki'?

    1. A A trained elephant used to assist in operations involving wild elephants
    2. B A traditional method of tracking wildlife migration patterns
    3. C A specialized tranquilizer dart used for large mammals
    4. D A forest corridor designated for the movement of endangered species

67. Under the Indian legal framework, which authority primarily holds the jurisdiction to adjudicate election petitions challenging the results of a Legislative Council election?

    1. A The High Court of the respective state
    2. B The Election Commission of India
    3. C The Governor of the state
    4. D The Supreme Court of India

68. What does the term 'custody parole' imply in the context of the Indian criminal justice system?

    1. A The suspension of a criminal sentence pending an appeal in a higher court.
    2. B The permanent transfer of a prisoner to a different facility for security reasons.
    3. C The temporary release of a prisoner on personal bond without police supervision.
    4. D The attendance of a prisoner at a specific event while being escorted by armed police personnel.

69. Which of the following best describes the legal framework under which the deportation of foreign nationals residing illegally in India is typically processed?

    1. A The Foreigners Act, 1946
    2. B The Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920
    3. C The Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939
    4. D The Citizenship Act, 1955

70. Which region emerged as the primary contributor to the Delhi Development Authority's (DDA) housing sales in the first quarter of 2026-27?

    1. A Dwarka
    2. B Vasant Kunj
    3. C Narela
    4. D Rohini

71. Which of the following best describes the primary responsibility of a Booth Level Officer (BLO) during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls?

    1. A Supervising the counting of votes at the constituency level
    2. B Conducting the actual polling on election day
    3. C Managing the security arrangements at the polling station
    4. D House-to-house verification and updating of electoral rolls