12 August 2026

Quiz — 12 August 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 objective of the Green Energy Corridor (GEC) scheme?

   1. A To provide financial incentives for rural electrification through off-grid solutions
   2. B To replace all conventional power plants with wind energy farms
   3. C To provide direct subsidies to solar panel manufacturers
   4. D To facilitate the evacuation of renewable energy from resource-rich areas to the national grid

2. Which of the following has been identified as a challenge affecting the implementation of the Green Energy Corridor projects?

   1. A Absence of solar and wind potential in Indian states
   2. B Excessive production of renewable energy beyond grid capacity
   3. C Lack of interest from international investors
   4. D Right of Way (RoW) issues and environmental clearances

3. According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for the April-June 2026 quarter, what was the unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above?

   1. A 4.8%
   2. B 5.4%
   3. C 8.7%
   4. D 6.7%

4. Which ministry is responsible for the release of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)?

   1. A Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
   2. B Ministry of Labour and Employment
   3. C Ministry of Finance
   4. D Ministry of Rural Development

5. What is the primary unit of measurement used to assess the output of rural employment guarantee schemes?

   1. A Mandays-per-hectare
   2. B Person-day
   3. C Labour-hour
   4. D Worker-shift

6. The National Tribunals Commission, as proposed in the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026, is to be composed of:

   1. A A chairperson and five members
   2. B A chairperson and four members
   3. C A chairperson and six members
   4. D A chairperson and three members

7. Who is eligible to head the proposed National Tribunals Commission?

   1. A The Union Law Minister
   2. B A senior bureaucrat with judicial experience
   3. C A retired Supreme Court judge or a retired Chief Justice of a High Court
   4. D Any sitting judge of the Supreme Court

8. Under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, which of the following is the primary authority responsible for the verification and approval of claims for forest rights?

   1. A District Forest Officer
   2. B Central Empowered Committee
   3. C Gram Sabha
   4. D State Revenue Department

9. The Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve spans across which of the following states?

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

10. Which region does China refer to as 'Zangnan' in the context of its territorial claims with India?

    1. A Ladakh
    2. B Sikkim
    3. C Aksai Chin
    4. D Arunachal Pradesh

11. What was Russia's share in India's total crude oil imports in June 2026?

    1. A 66%
    2. B 48%
    3. C 40%
    4. D 25%

12. According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, how has India sought to mitigate potential sanctions exposure regarding oil imports?

    1. A By utilizing ship-to-ship transfer operations in international waters
    2. B By imposing counter-tariffs on U.S. goods
    3. C By switching entirely to renewable energy sources
    4. D By increasing domestic production

13. National Handloom Day is celebrated in India on August 7 to commemorate which historical event?

    1. A The first session of the Indian National Congress
    2. B The launch of the Swadeshi Movement
    3. C The formation of the All India Spinners' Association
    4. D The Dandi March

14. Which organisation is responsible for the implementation and oversight of the Nurses Registration and Tracking System (NRTS) in India?

    1. A State Nursing Registration Councils
    2. B Indian Nursing Council
    3. C National Medical Commission
    4. D Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

15. Which authority has been requested by the Supreme Court to constitute special courts for the Manipur violence cases?

    1. A The Union Ministry of Law and Justice
    2. B The Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court
    3. C The Chief Justice of India
    4. D The Manipur State Legal Services Authority

16. Which Act is proposed to be amended by the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to allow for the notification of charges on electronic payment modes?

    1. A Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934
    2. B Information Technology Act, 2000
    3. C Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007
    4. D Banking Regulation Act, 1949

17. Which writ is primarily invoked to challenge the unlawful detention or confinement of an individual by either the state or private persons?

    1. A Certiorari
    2. B Quo Warranto
    3. C Mandamus
    4. D Habeas Corpus

18. Which of the following bodies is responsible for the implementation of the Cauvery water sharing decision as mentioned in the context?

    1. A Inter-State Council
    2. B Central Water Management Authority
    3. C National Water Development Agency
    4. D Cauvery River Basin Authority

19. What is the significance of the 'Biligundulu' point in the context of the Cauvery water dispute?

    1. A It is the primary irrigation canal head for Tamil Nadu.
    2. B It is the site of the main dam in Karnataka.
    3. C It is the location of the Cauvery tribunal headquarters.
    4. D It is the inter-State point used to measure water flows between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

20. The 1601-series number, as per the recent TRAI directive, is intended for which of the following purposes?

    1. A International roaming and data connectivity services
    2. B Emergency communication services for the general public
    3. C Promotional voice calls for all sectors
    4. D Transactional and service calls for non-BFSI and non-government entities

21. What is the current limit for aggregate airline ownership in the airport operator for the Delhi and Mumbai airports as per their concession agreements?

    1. A 51%
    2. B 10%
    3. C 26%
    4. D 49%

22. What is the scientific name of the Asiatic Lion subspecies found in India?

    1. A Panthera pardus fusca
    2. B Panthera leo persica
    3. C Panthera leo leo
    4. D Panthera tigris tigris

23. Which of the following is a primary objective of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism in social welfare schemes?

    1. A To replace the need for Aadhaar-based authentication
    2. B To increase the role of local intermediaries in fund distribution
    3. C To eliminate leakages and prevent fraudulent payments
    4. D To mandate that all welfare payments be made in physical cash

24. Which of the following bodies is responsible for the constitution of the High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes (HLCDC) for the border areas of Jammu?

    1. A National Commission for Population
    2. B Ministry of External Affairs
    3. C Ministry of Home Affairs
    4. D NITI Aayog

25. Under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, which authority is primarily responsible for the preparation and revision of electoral rolls for assembly constituencies in a state?

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

26. According to the Ministry of Heavy Industries data as of July 2024, which state has the highest number of electric vehicle charging stations in India?

    1. A Tamil Nadu
    2. B Uttar Pradesh
    3. C Karnataka
    4. D Maharashtra

27. Under the Indian Constitution, which article provides the framework for states to borrow upon the security of the Consolidated Fund of the State, subject to conditions imposed by the Union government?

    1. A Article 280
    2. B Article 246
    3. C Article 293
    4. D Article 266

28. The 7.5% horizontal reservation in Tamil Nadu medical admissions is specifically targeted at which of the following groups?

    1. A Students from backward classes in private schools
    2. B Students from rural areas regardless of school type
    3. C Students from government schools
    4. D Students from economically weaker sections (EWS)

29. Which of the following countries were specifically mentioned as facing unusually high temperatures despite not being traditionally accustomed to such heat in the recent European heatwave reports?

    1. A Switzerland, Austria, and Hungary
    2. B Norway, Sweden, and Finland
    3. C Germany, Poland, and Czech Republic
    4. D Spain, Italy, and Portugal

30. What does the term 'under-recovery' signify in the context of the domestic LPG sector in India?

    1. A The profit margin earned by private distributors per cylinder
    2. B The total tax revenue collected by the state government on fuel sales
    3. C The difference between the cost of production/procurement and the retail selling price
    4. D The amount of subsidy provided by the consumer to the government

31. What was the primary reason cited by Google for the rollback of its AI-powered image generation feature in Google Earth?

    1. A Legal challenges from urban planning authorities
    2. B Violation of company policies through the creation of misleading or violent imagery
    3. C Technical failure of the Nano Banana technology
    4. D Lack of user interest in the creative features

32. Which of the following best describes the primary reason states often comply with international law, according to scholars Abram and Antonia Chayes?

    1. A The influence of dynamics created within treaty regimes
    2. B The constant threat of military intervention by global powers
    3. C The fear of immediate economic sanctions by the UN
    4. D The lack of alternative methods for conducting foreign policy

33. The Indus Waters Treaty is frequently cited as an example of:

    1. A The necessity of UN Security Council intervention in regional conflicts
    2. B The failure of bilateral agreements in the face of territorial disputes
    3. C The transition from colonial-era laws to modern international standards
    4. D The efficacy of legal frameworks in maintaining engagement during political discord

34. Which of the following statements regarding the status of English in India is correct based on the constitutional framework?

    1. A The Constituent Assembly adopted a resolution recognizing Hindi as the Official Language while retaining English for official purposes.
    2. B English is recognized as one of the scheduled languages under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
    3. C English is legally defined as an indigenous language of India by the Supreme Court.
    4. D The Constitution designates English as the sole official language of the Union.

35. In the context of Indian political thought, what did B.R. Ambedkar identify as a 'sure road to degradation and to eventual dictatorship'?

    1. A Bhakti or hero-worship in politics
    2. B The lack of a strong central executive
    3. C The absence of a uniform civil code
    4. D The influence of foreign ideologies on the Constitution

36. Which of the following best describes the objective of the proposed sea rescue mechanism in Kerala?

    1. A To restrict the movement of fishing vessels during monsoon
    2. B To establish a new maritime border security force
    3. C To privatize the fishing industry in the state
    4. D To enhance safety protocols and rescue capabilities for fishermen

37. With reference to agricultural pricing in India, what is the 'Fair and Remunerative Price' (FRP) mechanism primarily associated with?

    1. A Paddy
    2. B Wheat
    3. C Cotton
    4. D Sugarcane

38. The newly formed Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) in Tamil Nadu is to be headed by an officer of which rank?

    1. A Deputy Inspector General of Police
    2. B Director General of Police
    3. C Additional Director General of Police
    4. D Inspector General of Police

39. Which of the following best describes the concept of an 'echo chamber' in the context of social media?

    1. A A platform that provides news from diverse and opposing political viewpoints.
    2. B A digital environment where users are exposed primarily to information that reinforces their existing beliefs.
    3. C A technical tool used by journalists to verify the authenticity of viral social media posts.
    4. D A government-regulated space for public debate and policy discussion.

40. Which of the following best describes the legal status of abortion in India under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971?

    1. A Abortion is legal under specific conditions and must be performed by authorised medical practitioners.
    2. B Abortion is legal only if the pregnancy is less than 12 weeks.
    3. C Abortion is a fundamental right without any conditions or restrictions.
    4. D Abortion is illegal under all circumstances.

41. Based on the study by IIT-Madras and Okapi Research and Advisory, what is the primary impact of rooftop gardens on indoor thermal comfort?

    1. A They increase humidity levels to improve air quality.
    2. B They eliminate the need for mechanical ventilation entirely.
    3. C They increase solar energy absorption by the roof surface.
    4. D They reduce ceiling temperatures by 2°C to 4°C.

42. Which of the following is a primary objective of the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) as proposed by the Greater Chennai Corporation?

    1. A To exclusively fund the construction of private residential complexes
    2. B To focus on 'Cities as Growth Hubs', 'Creative Redevelopment', and 'Water and Sanitation'
    3. C To provide direct cash transfers to urban poor households
    4. D To replace all existing state-level municipal funding schemes

43. What is the primary purpose of the 'Credit Repayment Guarantee Sub-Scheme' within the Urban Challenge Fund?

    1. A To act as a safety net for debt servicing
    2. B To provide salary increments for municipal employees
    3. C To fund the drafting of detailed project reports
    4. D To provide direct subsidies for pet vaccination drives

44. Which of the following bodies is primarily responsible for coordinating the legislative agenda and managing the business of the Lok Sabha, including scheduling debates?

    1. A Public Accounts Committee
    2. B Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs
    3. C Privileges Committee
    4. D Business Advisory Committee

45. What is the primary function of the CTD tags used on sharks in the described research?

    1. A To measure ocean conductivity, temperature, and depth for hurricane modeling
    2. B To track the migration patterns of sharks across the Atlantic
    3. C To monitor the health and stress levels of shark populations
    4. D To identify the breeding grounds of protected marine mammals

46. In the context of hurricane intensity, what is the significance of the ocean's 'mixed layer'?

    1. A It is the deepest part of the ocean column unaffected by surface winds
    2. B It is the layer where salinity is at its lowest point
    3. C It contains the heat energy that fuels the intensity of hurricanes
    4. D It acts as a barrier that prevents the formation of tropical cyclones

47. Which of the following inventions, patented in 1888, was instrumental in the widespread adoption of alternating current (AC) power systems?

    1. A Induction motor
    2. B Cotton gin
    3. C Electrophotography
    4. D Handheld roll-film camera

48. Stephanie Kwolek is credited with the discovery of which high-strength polymer fiber, originally described as optically anisotropic aromatic polyamide dopes?

    1. A Nylon
    2. B Kevlar
    3. C Rayon
    4. D Polyester

49. Which of the following countries are signatories to the recent trilateral defence pact mentioned in the context of shifting regional security perceptions?

    1. A Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan
    2. B Pakistan, Turkiye, and Iran
    3. C Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Pakistan
    4. D Turkiye, Iran, and Saudi Arabia

50. The 'Han Kuang' exercise, recently in the news, is an annual military drill conducted by which of the following?

    1. A Philippines
    2. B Taiwan
    3. C South Korea
    4. D Japan

51. Purvah Green Power Pvt. Ltd., which recently entered into a solar portfolio acquisition agreement, is a subsidiary of which group?

    1. A Adani Green Energy
    2. B RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group
    3. C Reliance Industries
    4. D Tata Power

52. What was the growth rate of new business premium (NBP) for life insurers in India during the month of July?

    1. A 25%
    2. B 16%
    3. C 20%
    4. D 23%

53. What is the typical duration of the journey for a company to reach the IPO stage, culminating in SEBI approval?

    1. A 1-2 years
    2. B 7-8 years
    3. C 5-6 years
    4. D 3-4 years

54. With the recent addition of 11 new entry points, what is the total number of international ports authorized for the entry of e-visa holders in India?

    1. A 100
    2. B 88
    3. C 99
    4. D 77

55. Who was the author of the Peria Puranam?

    1. A Sundarar
    2. B Somasimaara Nayanar
    3. C Sekkizhaar
    4. D Kulothunga Chola II

56. The Peria Puranam chronicles the lives of how many Nayanmars?

    1. A 108
    2. B 12
    3. C 63
    4. D 64

57. The Mettur Dam, a significant water resource in Tamil Nadu, is constructed across which of the following rivers?

    1. A Vaigai River
    2. B Bhavani River
    3. C Cauvery River
    4. D Palar River

58. Which of the following best describes the 'Vetri Thari' initiative mentioned in the context of the handloom sector?

    1. A A government subsidy scheme for raw material procurement
    2. B A digital platform for international export of textiles
    3. C A training program for traditional weavers
    4. D A new retail concept aimed at younger consumers

59. The Juvvaladinne harbour, recently in the news regarding inter-state fishing disputes, is located in which Indian state?

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

60. Who is the author of the Tamil Thai Vazhthu, which was penned in 1891?

    1. A Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai
    2. B K. Veeramani
    3. C Subramania Bharati
    4. D Thiruvalluvar

61. According to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, what is the prescribed order when the national song and the national anthem are performed together?

    1. A National song followed by the national anthem
    2. B National anthem followed by the national song
    3. C Both simultaneously
    4. D No specific order is prescribed