13 August 2026

Quiz — 13 August 2026

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

Questions

1. Which Supreme Court judgment first recommended the creation of an independent, statutory National Tribunals Commission (NTC)?

   1. A Rojer Mathew (2019)
   2. B Madras Bar Association (2025)
   3. C L. Chandra Kumar (1997)
   4. D S.P. Sampath Kumar (1987)

2. According to the Supreme Court, why are tribunal decisions subject to the review of High Courts?

   1. A Because tribunals lack the power to interpret statutes.
   2. B Because the Finance Act of 2017 mandates such oversight.
   3. C Because tribunals are not constitutional bodies.
   4. D Because judicial review is a part of the basic structure of the Constitution.

3. Which of the following best describes the primary objective of the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)?

   1. A Providing direct cash transfers to rural households
   2. B Subsidizing agricultural equipment for small farmers
   3. C Skill training and placement for rural youth
   4. D Infrastructure development in rural industrial clusters

4. The relief and rehabilitation amounts under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules were last set in which year?

   1. A 2016
   2. B 2018
   3. C 2020
   4. D 2014

5. Which of the following best describes the current constitutional basis for the number of seats allocated to states in the Lok Sabha?

   1. A The 1971 Census
   2. B The 2011 Census
   3. C The 1991 Census
   4. D The 2001 Census

6. What is the primary requirement for passing a constitutional amendment bill in the Indian Parliament?

   1. A A simple majority of the total membership of the House
   2. B A two-thirds majority of members present and voting, and a majority of the total membership of the House
   3. C A simple majority of the total membership and a two-thirds majority of those present and voting
   4. D A unanimous vote of all members present

7. Which of the following best describes the primary function of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) in the Indian legislative process?

   1. A To directly implement administrative changes in the functioning of NGOs.
   2. B To provide a platform for detailed scrutiny and consultation on complex or contentious legislation.
   3. C To replace the role of the Supreme Court in interpreting the constitutionality of a Bill.
   4. D To pass the final version of a Bill without further debate in the Houses.

8. Which body is primarily responsible for the regulation and implementation of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award as modified by the Supreme Court?

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

9. Which of the following best describes the 'circular economy' hierarchy as discussed in the context of India's EV transition?

   1. A Recycle, Reduce, Reuse
   2. B Recycle, Reuse, Reduce
   3. C Reuse, Recycle, Reduce
   4. D Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

10. Under the proposed national vehicle hierarchy, which category of vehicle is most suitable for 'retrofitment'?

    1. A Vehicles that are already compliant with the latest emission standards and are highly efficient.
    2. B Vehicles that have reached the end of their useful life due to severe structural degradation.
    3. C Vehicles that are new and require high-performance electric powertrains.
    4. D Vehicles that possess sound structural integrity but have inefficient or polluting powertrains.

11. What is the current sovereign credit rating assigned to India by Fitch Ratings?

    1. A BB+
    2. B BBB
    3. C BBB-
    4. D BBB+

12. According to the RBI's stance on AI in banking, which of the following is considered a mandatory design principle for financial institutions?

    1. A Outsourcing of AI governance to third-party technology providers
    2. B Prioritizing algorithmic efficiency over board-level accountability
    3. C Complete automation of all customer-facing financial decisions
    4. D Meaningful human oversight including the ability to override AI models

13. The 'Glomerular Filtration Rate' (GFR), often discussed in the context of public health, is used to measure:

    1. A The level of glucose in the blood
    2. B The oxygen saturation levels in the lungs
    3. C The rate of blood flow through the heart
    4. D The functional capacity of the kidneys

14. The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission is a collaborative effort focused on which of the following?

    1. A Earth observation and remote sensing
    2. B Mars rover navigation and landing technology
    3. C Establishing a permanent human base on the Moon
    4. D Deep space communication and signal processing

15. The India-U.S. Civil Space Joint Working Group (CSJWG) recently met to discuss cooperation under which initiative?

    1. A Global Space Sustainability Framework
    2. B Lunar South Pole Exploration Pact
    3. C Artemis Accords
    4. D Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology Initiative

16. Under the amended River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, which zone is defined as the area that submerges at least once every five years?

    1. A Active flood plain
    2. B Buffer zone
    3. C Regulatory zone
    4. D Warning zone

17. The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, grants legal protection to which of the following?

    1. A The National Emblem
    2. B The National Animal
    3. C The National Flag
    4. D The National Song

18. Which of the following bodies has the Supreme Court asked to examine the plea for an emergency response mechanism against online threats?

    1. A Election Commission of India and NITI Aayog
    2. B Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Finance
    3. C Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate
    4. D Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

19. Under the Tamil Nadu Advance Medical Directive Guidelines, 2026, when does an Advance Medical Directive (AMD) formally take effect?

    1. A Immediately upon registration with the Joint Director of Health Services
    2. B When the executor is diagnosed with a terminal illness by a single physician
    3. C When the executor becomes incapable of making or communicating informed medical decisions
    4. D Upon the approval of the High Court in all cases

20. What is the primary objective of declaring a disease as 'notifiable' by the State government?

    1. A To ensure early detection and systematic tracking of disease prevalence
    2. B To restrict the movement of patients across state borders
    3. C To mandate free treatment for all citizens in government hospitals
    4. D To automatically qualify patients for insurance coverage under national schemes

21. Under the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution, 'Education' is currently placed in which of the following lists?

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

22. The 'Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination' (WMCC) is a bilateral platform established between India and which of the following countries?

    1. A Pakistan
    2. B Bhutan
    3. C China
    4. D Nepal

23. Which of the following factors primarily contributes to the 'proximity pricing' advantage of West Asian LPG supplies for India compared to U.S. supplies?

    1. A Lower production costs at the source
    2. B Fixed-price contracts under the Strategic Partnership Agreements
    3. C Lower geopolitical risk premiums in the Gulf region
    4. D Significantly shorter shipping distances and transit times

24. What has been the primary strategy adopted by Indian public sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to mitigate the impact of reduced LPG imports during recent supply chain crises?

    1. A Reducing the number of active domestic LPG customers
    2. B Diverting propane and butane streams to maximize domestic LPG production
    3. C Shifting all energy imports to the Indo-Pacific region
    4. D Increasing the retail price of LPG to match global benchmarks

25. Which of the following best describes the trend of vote share for regional parties in Lok Sabha elections over the last four cycles?

    1. A A complete loss of relevance in the national political landscape
    2. B A steady increase in every election
    3. C A consistent decline since 2009
    4. D Consistently securing approximately one-third of the total votes cast

26. The Aravalli mountain range spans across which of the following states/union territories?

    1. A Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh
    2. B Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat
    3. C Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra
    4. D Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi

27. Which of the following statements regarding the 'Privilege Motion' in the Indian Parliament is correct?

    1. A It can only be moved by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
    2. B It can only be moved against members of the ruling party.
    3. C It is a device used by a member to draw the attention of the House to a breach of privilege of the House or of any of its members.
    4. D It is mandatory for the President to preside over the discussion on a Privilege Motion.

28. Which of the following countries are signatories to the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed on August 7?

    1. A Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Pakistan
    2. B Türkiye, Pakistan, and Qatar
    3. C Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt
    4. D Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan

29. Which of the following bodies is primarily responsible for the preparation and revision of electoral rolls in India?

    1. A The Ministry of Law and Justice
    2. B The Election Commission of India
    3. C The State Election Commission
    4. D The Supreme Court of India

30. The high-level committee constituted by the Centre to study demographic changes in India is headed by:

    1. A A retired IAS officer
    2. B The Census Commissioner
    3. C A retired Supreme Court judge
    4. D A renowned economist

31. Which of the following acts provides statutory protection and welfare measures for gig workers in Karnataka?

    1. A The Gig Economy Regulation Act, 2024
    2. B The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
    3. C The Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Act, 2025
    4. D The Urban Transport and Welfare Act, 2025

32. Which of the following constitutional objectives is primarily cited by the judiciary when ordering the removal of caste-based appellations from public spaces?

    1. A Promotion of federalism
    2. B Protection of minority rights
    3. C Implementation of uniform civil code
    4. D Creation of a casteless society

33. Which of the following components is typically categorized under 'Revenue Expenditure' in a state budget?

    1. A Salaries and pension payments
    2. B Construction of new highways
    3. C Purchase of land for industrial parks
    4. D Repayment of long-term loans

34. The Lar Gibbon (Hylobates lar) is listed under which Appendix of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)?

    1. A Appendix I
    2. B Appendix II
    3. C Not listed under CITES
    4. D Appendix III

35. Which of the following best describes the 'Drug and Tobacco-Free Campus' initiative launched in Tamil Nadu?

    1. A A policy to ban all tobacco sales within a 500-meter radius of educational institutions.
    2. B A scheme providing financial aid to students who complete de-addiction programs.
    3. C A mandatory orientation program for students covering NDPS Act penalties and counselling options.
    4. D A legislative act that grants police the power to search student hostels without warrants.

36. Which of the following best describes the primary mechanism behind the observed slowdown of glaciers in the Zanskar region?

    1. A Changes in the chemical composition of glacial ice
    2. B Increased snowfall leading to higher friction at the glacier bed
    3. C Expansion of proglacial lakes causing increased basal sliding
    4. D Glacier thinning resulting in decreased driving stress

37. The Zanskar region glaciers primarily receive their winter snowfall from which of the following?

    1. A South-west monsoon winds
    2. B North-east monsoon winds
    3. C Tropical easterly jet streams
    4. D Mid-latitude westerly disturbances

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

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

39. The Bab al-Mandeb Strait connects which of the following bodies of water?

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

40. As of August 10 in the current fiscal year, which component of direct tax revenue recorded the highest percentage growth?

    1. A Net corporate tax
    2. B Gross direct tax
    3. C Non-corporate tax
    4. D Securities Transaction Tax (STT)

41. Under which section of the RBI Act, 1934, does the Reserve Bank of India derive the authority to propose the design and material of banknotes?

    1. A Section 32
    2. B Section 28
    3. C Section 21
    4. D Section 25

42. What is the primary function of the AI-based surveillance system being deployed at non-interlocked level crossing gates by the Indian Railways?

    1. A To provide real-time monitoring and generate alerts for gate status to railway officials
    2. B To replace the role of the Station Master in train operations
    3. C To automate the physical closing of railway gates without human intervention
    4. D To track the speed of incoming trains at unmanned crossings

43. Which of the following bodies has been issued a notice by the Supreme Court in the context of the petition regarding the commercial exploitation of judicial remarks?

    1. A National Human Rights Commission
    2. B Press Council of India
    3. C Election Commission of India
    4. D Bar Council of India

44. What is the total allocation for the Member of Legislative Assembly Constituency Development Scheme (MLACDS) in Tamil Nadu for the 2026-27 period?

    1. A ₹3.54 crore
    2. B ₹234 crore
    3. C ₹828.36 crore
    4. D ₹54 crore

45. Which of the following best describes the primary objective of the newly established Anti-Corruption Special Unit by the Greater Chennai Police?

    1. A To provide legal aid to police officers facing departmental inquiries.
    2. B To investigate historical cases of police misconduct dating back a decade.
    3. C To prevent and address instances of corruption and bribery among police personnel.
    4. D To monitor the licensing process for all commercial establishments in the city.

46. Which of the following best describes the 'Abelian' property in the context of the Abelian sandpile model?

    1. A The final shape of the pile is independent of the sequence in which grains topple.
    2. B The model is only applicable to systems with a finite number of particles.
    3. C The pile grows indefinitely without ever reaching a critical state.
    4. D The system requires external energy to maintain its critical state.

47. The ICTP Dirac Medal is awarded to physicists who have made outstanding contributions to theoretical physics, with the specific exclusion of which of the following?

    1. A Recipients of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize.
    2. B Recipients of the Boltzmann Medal.
    3. C Recipients of the Nobel Prize.
    4. D Recipients of the Padma Bhushan.

48. Which property of activated charcoal primarily enables it to effectively remove toxins and pollutants from air and water?

    1. A Low density and high buoyancy
    2. B Ability to dissolve in aqueous solutions
    3. C Intricate microscopic pore structure
    4. D High chemical reactivity

49. According to recent UNESCO data, which country is currently the only nation globally to formally ban girls and women from secondary and higher education?

    1. A Syria
    2. B Iran
    3. C Afghanistan
    4. D Pakistan

50. Based on the report regarding the earthquake in Colombia, which of the following sectors are primarily impacted in terms of service disruption?

    1. A Judiciary, defense, retail, and e-commerce
    2. B Transportation, education, banking, and agriculture
    3. C Electricity, water, healthcare, and telecommunications
    4. D Manufacturing, tourism, aviation, and mining

51. Which of the following regions in Russia has been identified as a site where North Korean troops have reportedly been deployed to assist in military operations?

    1. A Donetsk
    2. B Crimea
    3. C Belgorod
    4. D Kursk

52. With reference to the dollar bond issuance by Indian banks, what does the term 'basis points over U.S. Treasuries' signify?

    1. A The mandatory reserve requirement set by the Reserve Bank of India
    2. B The tax rate levied by the U.S. government on foreign debt
    3. C The commission fee paid to international merchant bankers
    4. D The interest rate premium offered above the risk-free rate of U.S. government debt

53. Which judicial body was responsible for the permanent dismissal of the criminal charges against the Adani Group executives in the United States?

    1. A U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
    2. B U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
    3. C International Court of Justice
    4. D Supreme Court of the United States

54. Which of the following factors was cited by MRF Ltd. as a primary reason for firm input prices in their Q1 financial results?

    1. A Domestic supply chain disruptions
    2. B Ongoing conflict in the Middle East
    3. C Fluctuations in the Indian Rupee
    4. D Increased government taxation on raw materials

55. Which category of mutual funds recorded the highest net inflows in July 2026 according to the data provided?

    1. A Largecap funds
    2. B Smallcap funds
    3. C Overnight funds
    4. D Liquid funds

56. Which of the following legislations is primarily concerned with regulating financial transactions to prevent the conversion of illegally obtained money into legitimate assets, as referenced in the context of the recent sports event controversy?

    1. A Companies Act, 2013
    2. B Public Financial Management System (PFMS)
    3. C Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)
    4. D Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA)

57. Which of the following authorities is primarily responsible for the administrative oversight and safety standards of government schools at the district level in India?

    1. A State Education Minister
    2. B National Disaster Management Authority
    3. C District Collector
    4. D University Grants Commission

58. Which of the following factors is primarily cited as a cause for the delay in road relaying tenders in the Chennai Metropolitan Area?

    1. A Insufficient funds allocated in the state budget
    2. B Non-publication of revised Schedule of Rates for bitumen
    3. C Legal disputes regarding land acquisition
    4. D Lack of available labor for construction

59. Under which legal framework are the current restrictions on the use of drones and aerial objects in the Greater Chennai Police limits being enforced?

    1. A Information Technology Act, 2000
    2. B Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
    3. C Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023
    4. D The Aircraft Act, 1934