19 July 2026

Quiz — 19 July 2026

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

Questions

1. What is the primary focus of the 28nm semiconductor chips currently being targeted by the India Semiconductor Mission?

   1. A Legacy process nodes used in everyday electronics
   2. B High-end smartphone processors exclusively
   3. C Frontier-grade chips for advanced AI computing
   4. D Experimental quantum computing processors

2. Which of the following is a key change introduced in the second phase of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM 2.0)?

   1. A Exclusion of chip design talent from the scope
   2. B Reduction of capital subsidies to 30-40%
   3. C Increase in capital subsidies to 75%
   4. D Mandatory land provision by the Union government only

3. Under the India-U.K. Double Contribution Convention (DCC), what is the maximum duration for which Indian workers in the U.K. can be exempted from paying social security in the U.K. if they are already contributing in India?

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

4. Which of the following sectors has India agreed to open up to U.K. firms under the CETA, allowing them to offer services without establishing a local presence?

   1. A Retail and E-commerce
   2. B Space and Defence
   3. C Agriculture and Dairy
   4. D Accounting and Financial Services

5. The NITI Aayog Investment Friendliness Index 2026 evaluates states based on how many indicators?

   1. A 56
   2. B 17
   3. C 84
   4. D 8

6. Under the PM e-Drive Scheme, what is the maximum financial assistance provided for a 12-metre electric bus?

   1. A ₹20 lakh
   2. B ₹30 lakh
   3. C ₹25 lakh
   4. D ₹35 lakh

7. What is the primary objective of deploying 9-metre electric buses in urban transport planning as per the recent policy initiatives?

   1. A To improve last-mile connectivity in narrow and rural areas
   2. B To increase the speed of transit on main highways
   3. C To reduce the overall cost of the PM e-Drive Scheme
   4. D To replace all existing diesel buses with high-capacity electric models

8. Which of the following is the primary by-product of the electrochemical reaction in a hydrogen fuel cell used in the newly launched Indian hydrogen train?

   1. A Nitrogen and oxygen
   2. B Water vapour and heat
   3. C Carbon dioxide and water
   4. D Hydrogen peroxide and electricity

9. What is the primary method used at the Jind facility to produce hydrogen for the train's operations?

   1. A Coal gasification
   2. B Steam methane reforming
   3. C Biomass fermentation
   4. D Electrolysis of water

10. What was the total CSR expenditure by Corporate India in the financial year 2025 as per the recent report?

    1. A ₹56.47 lakh crore
    2. B ₹7,123 crore
    3. C ₹2.61 lakh crore
    4. D ₹40,794 crore

11. Which company emerged as the highest CSR spender in India for the financial year 2025?

    1. A Tata Consultancy Services
    2. B Reliance Industries Ltd.
    3. C Infosys Ltd.
    4. D HDFC Bank Ltd.

12. What is the primary function of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) in the Indian legislative system?

    1. A To pass bills without debate in the Parliament
    2. B To provide detailed scrutiny of specific bills or issues referred to it
    3. C To appoint members of the Union Cabinet
    4. D To override the decisions of the Supreme Court

13. Which authority is responsible for issuing official circulars regarding the party-wise strength and seating arrangements of members in the Lok Sabha?

    1. A The Parliamentary Standing Committee
    2. B The Election Commission of India
    3. C The Lok Sabha Secretariat
    4. D The Ministry of Law and Justice

14. Which of the following best describes the configuration of the Vikram-1 orbital rocket?

    1. A A two-stage rocket using exclusively liquid fuel.
    2. B A four-stage rocket with three solid-fuel stages and one liquid-fuel stage.
    3. C A three-stage rocket using cryogenic engines for all stages.
    4. D A single-stage rocket designed for suborbital flight only.

15. What is the primary objective of the IN-SPACe institution in the context of India's space sector?

    1. A To facilitate and promote private sector participation in space activities.
    2. B To regulate the launch of military satellites only.
    3. C To replace ISRO as the primary national space agency.
    4. D To manage international space treaties and diplomatic relations.

16. Which of the following are considered Non-Animal Testing Models (NAMs) in the context of modern pharmaceutical development?

    1. A Clinical trials on human volunteers only
    2. B Traditional in-vivo animal toxicology studies
    3. C Large-scale field testing on wild populations
    4. D Organoids and organ-on-chip platforms

17. What is the primary reason cited for the high attrition rate of drug candidates in phase I clinical trials?

    1. A Inaccurate prediction of human biological response by animal testing models
    2. B Strict international bans on all forms of drug testing
    3. C Over-reliance on AI-generated data without human oversight
    4. D Lack of funding for pharmaceutical companies

18. According to the study on the dietary patterns of coastal Asiatic lions, which species contributes the highest percentage of biomass to their diet?

    1. A Cattle
    2. B Goats
    3. C Blue bull (nilgai)
    4. D Wild pigs

19. As per the 2025 population estimation, what is the total number of Asiatic lions in Gujarat?

    1. A 920
    2. B 750
    3. C 674
    4. D 891

20. Which body is responsible for issuing the recent circular regarding the regulation of social media conduct for advocates and law students in India?

    1. A Law Commission of India
    2. B Supreme Court of India
    3. C Ministry of Law and Justice
    4. D Bar Council of India

21. What is the total length of the international border shared between India and Bangladesh?

    1. A 4,096 km
    2. B 2,216 km
    3. C 3,323 km
    4. D 4,500 km

22. Which of the following is a primary geographical challenge mentioned for border fencing in West Bengal?

    1. A Dense mangrove forests and river channels
    2. B Arid desert conditions
    3. C High-altitude mountain passes
    4. D Deep urban congestion

23. The Ken-Betwa Link Project, which has recently faced protests regarding rehabilitation, is primarily located in which region?

    1. A Vidarbha region of Maharashtra
    2. B Marathwada region of Maharashtra
    3. C Telangana plateau region
    4. D Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh

24. Which of the following best describes the Supreme Court's recent observation regarding the demolition drive in Rajasthan?

    1. A The Court ordered a permanent injunction against all demolition activities in the state.
    2. B The Court declared that national security concerns override all property rights in border districts.
    3. C The Court ruled that the demolition drive was a violation of the fundamental right to religion.
    4. D The Court held that disputes involving contested questions of fact are best adjudicated by the jurisdictional High Court.

25. The Strait of Hormuz connects which of the following two bodies of water?

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

26. Which of the following critical infrastructure sectors has been specifically targeted by both U.S. and Iranian strikes according to recent reports?

    1. A Agricultural irrigation networks
    2. B Public transportation and railway hubs
    3. C Water desalination and power generation plants
    4. D Telecommunications and satellite arrays

27. What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes 'agentic AI' from traditional AI systems?

    1. A The focus on increasing the scarcity of information
    2. B The capacity to pursue goals and sequence decisions autonomously over time
    3. C The ability to perform manual labor in industrial settings
    4. D The requirement for constant human supervision for every task

28. In the context of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in India, what is the primary distinction between a 'fresh issue' and an 'Offer for Sale' (OFS)?

    1. A OFS is mandatory for all listed companies, while fresh issues are optional.
    2. B Fresh issues are regulated by the RBI, while OFS is regulated by the Ministry of Finance.
    3. C Fresh issues are for retail investors, while OFS is exclusively for institutional investors.
    4. D Fresh issues raise capital for company development, whereas OFS proceeds go to existing shareholders.

29. Which of the following best describes the 'Net Interest Margin' (NIM) in banking?

    1. A The ratio of non-performing assets to the total advances provided by a bank
    2. B The total profit earned by a bank after accounting for all operational expenses and taxes
    3. C The minimum capital a bank must hold as a percentage of its risk-weighted assets
    4. D The difference between the interest income generated by banks and the amount of interest paid out to their lenders

30. Under Basel III guidelines, what is the primary objective of the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR)?

    1. A To protect depositors and promote the stability and efficiency of financial systems by absorbing losses
    2. B To mandate the maximum interest rates banks can charge on agricultural loans
    3. C To ensure banks have sufficient liquidity to meet daily withdrawal demands
    4. D To regulate the total number of branches a bank can open in rural areas

31. The 'Prajavani' programme, as mentioned in the context of local governance, is primarily associated with:

    1. A A central government scheme for urban housing
    2. B A state-level grievance redressal mechanism for citizens
    3. C A judicial committee for environmental protection
    4. D A national-level digital literacy campaign

32. Which authority is primarily responsible for the preparation and revision of electoral rolls for Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies in India?

    1. A Election Commission of India
    2. B Chief Electoral Officer of the State
    3. C State Election Commission
    4. D District Magistrate

33. Based on the 2024-25 data for Kerala State schools, which factor accounted for the highest number of student dropouts?

    1. A Lack of interest in studies
    2. B Children of migrant workers
    3. C Dysfunctional family backgrounds
    4. D Poor financial condition of the family

34. Under the recent policy change by the National Medical Commission (NMC), which body is primarily responsible for determining the eligibility of candidates for teaching positions in medical colleges?

    1. A The respective medical institution or university
    2. B The State Medical Council
    3. C The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
    4. D The Post Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) for all cases

35. What is the prescribed fee for referring a complicated faculty eligibility case to the NMC under the new guidelines?

    1. A ₹10,000
    2. B ₹15,000
    3. C ₹20,000
    4. D ₹25,000

36. Which body is responsible for the management of the Ram temple in Ayodhya?

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

37. Under which jurisdiction does a High Court take cognizance of a matter on its own motion without a formal petition being filed by an aggrieved party?

    1. A Appellate Jurisdiction
    2. B Advisory Jurisdiction
    3. C Original Jurisdiction
    4. D Suo Motu Jurisdiction

38. Which of the following is a primary objective of social security pension schemes for the elderly and widows in India?

    1. A To provide full employment opportunities to the elderly
    2. B To replace the need for the Public Distribution System
    3. C To provide health insurance coverage for all citizens
    4. D To ensure a minimum level of financial support for basic subsistence

39. The Rural Development Fund (RDF) in the context of state-center fiscal relations is primarily intended to support which of the following?

    1. A Infrastructure development in rural areas and agricultural procurement support
    2. B Subsidies for industrial manufacturing units
    3. C Funding for national defense modernization
    4. D Direct cash transfers to urban households

40. Which of the following best describes the primary objective of establishing dedicated women-only police stations in urban districts?

    1. A To completely replace the role of local police stations in all criminal investigations.
    2. B To provide a specialized and sensitive environment for handling crimes against women.
    3. C To eliminate the need for judicial intervention in marital disputes.
    4. D To increase the sanctioned strength of the police force by 50 percent.

41. The Kheria Sabar community, often highlighted in the works of Mahasweta Devi, belongs to which category of tribes?

    1. A Scheduled Castes
    2. B Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
    3. C Denotified Tribes
    4. D Nomadic Pastoralists

42. Which of the following literary works is authored by Mahasweta Devi?

    1. A Aranyer Adhikar
    2. B The Man in the High Castle
    3. C Godan
    4. D Gitanjali

43. What is the primary cause of geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) in power grids?

    1. A Temporary disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field caused by charged solar particles
    2. B Interconnection of national power grids leading to voltage instability
    3. C Solar flares interacting with the Earth's atmosphere
    4. D Fluctuations in the ionospheric current wedge due to human-made electromagnetic interference

44. In the context of geomagnetic storms, what does the parameter 'H'' represent?

    1. A The conductivity of the local ground surface
    2. B The duration of the current flow through a transformer
    3. C The intensity of the ring current in space
    4. D The rate of change of the Earth's horizontal magnetic field

45. Which chemical compound is primarily responsible for the distinct body odour associated with the ageing process?

    1. A Palmitoleic acid
    2. B Tannin
    3. C 2-nonenal
    4. D Omega-7 aldehyde

46. Why is 2-nonenal difficult to remove through standard hygiene practices?

    1. A It binds permanently to skin proteins
    2. B It is highly volatile and evaporates quickly
    3. C It is produced deep within the dermis layer
    4. D It is an unsaturated aldehyde that repels water

47. Which region is traditionally referred to as the 'rice bowl' of Tamil Nadu?

    1. A Thanjavur
    2. B Salem
    3. C Coimbatore
    4. D Madurai

48. In the context of rural governance in India, which of the following best describes the role of community participation in maintaining local public services?

    1. A It is restricted solely to the maintenance of irrigation and water supply projects.
    2. B It replaces the state's constitutional obligation to provide essential services.
    3. C It is legally mandated under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act for all postal services.
    4. D It acts as a supplementary mechanism to ensure the continuity and accessibility of public infrastructure.

49. The Factories Act, 1948, which governs safety standards in industrial units like sponge iron factories, is primarily enforced by which of the following?

    1. A The State Government through the Chief Inspector of Factories
    2. B The National Disaster Management Authority
    3. C The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
    4. D The Ministry of Commerce and Industry

50. Which organization is responsible for providing the weather forecasts that led to the suspension of the Amarnath and Vaishno Devi yatras?

    1. A Central Water Commission
    2. B India Meteorological Department
    3. C National Disaster Management Authority
    4. D Geological Survey of India

51. Which of the following invasive plant species is noted for its multi-coloured inflorescences that serve as visual cues for foraging butterflies?

    1. A Mikania micrantha
    2. B Ageratum conyzoides
    3. C Chromolaena odorata
    4. D Lantana camara

52. In the context of butterfly ecology, what is the primary distinction between larval host plants and nectar plants?

    1. A Larval host plants provide nutrition for adults, while nectar plants support larvae.
    2. B Larval host plants are native, while nectar plants are always invasive.
    3. C Larval host plants provide food for larvae, while nectar plants provide nutrition for adult butterflies.
    4. D Larval host plants are used for camouflage, while nectar plants are used for nesting.

53. Which of the following best describes the objective of 'Operation Hard Ball' as mentioned in recent reports?

    1. A A judicial reform program aimed at reducing the backlog of criminal cases in Indian courts.
    2. B A domestic initiative to modernize the Punjab Police force.
    3. C A coordinated international crackdown against India-based transnational organized crime groups.
    4. D A bilateral trade agreement focused on cybersecurity between India and the United States.

54. Which of the following agencies is primarily responsible for investigating cases related to terrorism and insurgency under the NIA Act, 2008?

    1. A National Investigation Agency (NIA)
    2. B Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO)
    3. C Intelligence Bureau (IB)
    4. D Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

55. Under which primary legislation are offences related to the unauthorised manufacturing and storage of explosives typically prosecuted in India?

    1. A The Explosives Act, 1884
    2. B The Disaster Management Act, 2005
    3. C The Factories Act, 1948
    4. D The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) exclusively

56. Which Act provided the legal framework for the reorganization of Indian states along linguistic lines in 1956?

    1. A Government of India Act, 1935
    2. B States Integration Act, 1950
    3. C Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956
    4. D States Reorganisation Act, 1956

57. Which authority is primarily responsible for the enforcement of food safety standards and the suspension of canteen licences in the state of Maharashtra?

    1. A Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
    2. B Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration
    3. C Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai Health Department
    4. D Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

58. Under the current administrative framework of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, to whom does the Commissioner of Police primarily report?

    1. A The Union Home Secretary
    2. B The Lieutenant-Governor of Delhi
    3. C The Union Minister of Law and Justice
    4. D The Chief Minister of Delhi

59. Which film was awarded the 'Best Feature Film' at the 72nd National Film Awards?

    1. A Article 370
    2. B Kalki 2898 AD
    3. C Bramayugam
    4. D Amaran

60. Who among the following was awarded the Best Male Actor at the 72nd National Film Awards?

    1. A Sivakarthikeyan
    2. B Karthi
    3. C Mammootty
    4. D Arvind Swamy