20 August 2026

Quiz — 20 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 of the following schemes is associated with the transition of agricultural feeders to solar energy to incentivize efficient water and energy use?

   1. A Mera Pani Meri Virasat
   2. B Pani Bachao, Paisa Kamao
   3. C Suryashakti Kisan Yojana (SKY)
   4. D PM-KUSUM

2. Which of the following factors is explicitly cited by the MPC as a contributor to the potential hardening of interest rates in 2026-27?

   1. A The need to stimulate industrial growth through lower borrowing costs
   2. B A decline in global oil price futures
   3. C The persistence of high fuel prices leading to second-round inflation
   4. D A decrease in core inflation projections below 2%

3. Which of the following Supreme Court cases established that a second marriage by a Hindu man after converting to Islam, without dissolving the first marriage, is void?

   1. A Sarla Mudgal v. Union of India
   2. B Shah Bano Begum v. Mohd. Ahmed Khan
   3. C Shayara Bano v. Union of India
   4. D Lily Thomas v. Union of India

4. What does the term 'curtailment' refer to in the context of India's renewable energy sector?

   1. A The legal process of acquiring land for transmission line construction
   2. B The mandatory reduction of electricity production due to grid congestion or oversupply
   3. C The temporary suspension of Power Purchase Agreements by distribution companies
   4. D The cancellation of government subsidies for solar power projects

5. Which of the following best describes 'Temporary General Network Access' (T-GNA) in the Indian power sector?

   1. A A permanent regulatory framework for the distribution of electricity to rural areas
   2. B A long-term contract ensuring fixed revenue for renewable energy developers
   3. C A financial incentive provided to states for upgrading their intra-State grid infrastructure
   4. D A short-term arrangement allowing projects to use available inter-State transmission capacity

6. Which of the following cases established that secularism is a part of the 'basic structure' of the Indian Constitution?

   1. A Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India
   2. B Mithu v. State of Punjab
   3. C Shreya Singhal v. Union of India
   4. D S.R. Bommai v. Union of India

7. Under the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution, 'Criminal Law' falls under which list?

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

8. Who coined the concept of the 'ideal victim' in the context of criminology?

   1. A Nils Christie
   2. B Vishakha
   3. C Mathura
   4. D B.R. Gavai

9. Which of the following areas is part of the Agasthyamalai landscape mentioned in the context of recent Supreme Court directives regarding forest encroachments?

   1. A Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
   2. B Anamalai Tiger Reserve
   3. C Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
   4. D Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

10. As per the CEC report, the Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve is ecologically significant because it serves as the upper catchment of which river?

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

11. What is the primary objective of 'zero-based budgeting' in the context of government fiscal management?

    1. A To eliminate all welfare schemes to reduce the fiscal deficit
    2. B To automatically increase budget allocations by a fixed percentage annually
    3. C To ensure that all government expenditures are funded through debt
    4. D To justify every allocation in each budget cycle rather than relying on previous year's figures

12. How many 'specified disabilities' are recognized under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016?

    1. A 9
    2. B 7
    3. C 15
    4. D 21

13. Which of the following bodies was constituted by the Supreme Court to monitor the status of solid waste management infrastructure in India?

    1. A A committee headed by the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
    2. B A committee of five Union Secretaries and the Member-Secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board
    3. C A special task force under the NITI Aayog
    4. D The National Green Tribunal monitoring cell

14. Under the proposed NMC draft regulations, which body is responsible for the initial scrutiny of applications and granting of medical licenses?

    1. A The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
    2. B The State Medical Council
    3. C The Ethics and Medical Registration Board
    4. D The National Medical Register

15. The recent bilateral defence discussions between India and Japan emphasized collaboration under which of the following frameworks?

    1. A Atmanirbhar Bharat
    2. B Make in India
    3. C Digital India
    4. D Skill India

16. Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between the National Population Register (NPR) and the Census in India?

    1. A The Census is a preparatory step for the creation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) through the NPR.
    2. B The NPR is a register of usual residents of the country, while the Census is a comprehensive demographic and socio-economic survey.
    3. C The NPR is a subset of the Census and is conducted simultaneously every ten years.
    4. D The NPR and the Census are governed by different legislative acts with no overlap in data collection.

17. Which Act provides the statutory basis for the establishment of Zonal Councils in India?

    1. A States Reorganisation Act, 1956
    2. B Government of India Act, 1935
    3. C Seventh Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956
    4. D Inter-State Council Act, 1990

18. What is the nature of the recommendations made by the Zonal Councils?

    1. A Mandatory for all member States
    2. B Binding on the Union Government
    3. C Advisory in nature
    4. D Binding on the State Governments

19. According to the CAQM classification, which of the following defines a 'smaller light goods vehicle' (Category N1)?

    1. A Gross vehicle weight up to 2.5 tonnes
    2. B Gross vehicle weight above 7.5 tonnes
    3. C Gross vehicle weight between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes
    4. D Gross vehicle weight up to 3.5 tonnes

20. What is the primary justification provided by the CAQM for the phased restriction of light goods vehicles in the NCR?

    1. A They are the only source of nitrogen oxide emissions in the region
    2. B Their contribution to PM emissions is disproportionately higher than their share in total vehicle stock
    3. C They are responsible for over 50% of total PM emissions
    4. D They constitute the majority of the vehicle stock in the NCR

21. The National Testing Agency (NTA) was approved by the Union Cabinet as an autonomous and self-financing body in which year?

    1. A 2017
    2. B 2016
    3. C 2015
    4. D 2018

22. Under government financial rules, what is the standard timeframe for submitting utilization certificates for non-recurring grants?

    1. A Within 12 months of the close of the financial year
    2. B Within 36 months of the close of the financial year
    3. C Within 6 months of the close of the financial year
    4. D Within 24 months of the close of the financial year

23. In which region of the West Bank is India constructing a new 200-seat super-specialty hospital?

    1. A Arrabeh, Jenin
    2. B Ramallah
    3. C Bethlehem
    4. D Jericho

24. What is the primary objective of the Closing Auction Session (CAS) introduced by SEBI?

    1. A To mandate a 24-hour trading window for retail investors
    2. B To increase the total volume of derivatives trading
    3. C To determine stock market closing prices with better detection of manipulation
    4. D To replace the electronic trading system with manual floor trading

25. According to SEBI's regulatory framework for the Closing Auction Session, what is the maximum permissible deviation from the reference price?

    1. A 5%
    2. B 2%
    3. C 1%
    4. D 3%

26. The India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) was established in which year?

    1. A 2020
    2. B 2022
    3. C 2023
    4. D 2021

27. Under which rule of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy (Application to Adjudicating Authority) Rules, 2016, can an applicant withdraw an insolvency petition before the NCLT?

    1. A Rule 5
    2. B Rule 12
    3. C Rule 15
    4. D Rule 8

28. The Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) are governed under which of the following legislative frameworks?

    1. A Scientific and Industrial Research Organizations Act, 1986
    2. B Institutes of National Importance Act, 1961
    3. C University Grants Commission Act, 1956
    4. D National Institutes of Technology, Science Education and Research Act, 2007

29. Which of the following acts provides the legal basis for holding celebrity endorsers liable for misleading advertisements in India?

    1. A Food Safety and Standards Act 2006
    2. B Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA)
    3. C Advertising Standards Council of India Act
    4. D Consumer Protection Act 2019

30. The Andhra Pradesh Municipal Laws (Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2026, amends which of the following acts?

    1. A The Andhra Pradesh Local Governance Act of 2000 and the Municipal Corporations Act of 1955
    2. B The Municipal Corporations Act of 1955 and the Municipalities Act of 1965
    3. C The Urban Local Bodies Act of 1992 and the Municipal Corporations Act of 1955
    4. D The Municipalities Act of 1965 and the Nagar Panchayat Act of 1990

31. Which of the following best describes the Supreme Court's approach in the case concerning the deportation of Bengali-speaking individuals to Bangladesh?

    1. A It declared the deportation process unconstitutional for all future cases.
    2. B It upheld the Centre's deportation order as final and binding.
    3. C It disposed of the petition after the Centre brought the individuals back, while keeping the question of law open.
    4. D It ordered the immediate granting of citizenship to all individuals involved in the petition.

32. Which of the following best describes the concern raised by the Delhi High Court regarding the requirement of an MP/MLA endorsement for a social welfare scheme?

    1. A The requirement is not mentioned in the scheme's eligibility conditions and may lead to arbitrary discretion.
    2. B The requirement violates the fundamental right to freedom of speech.
    3. C The requirement is unconstitutional as it contradicts the Directive Principles of State Policy.
    4. D The requirement is prohibited under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

33. The recent extension of airspace restrictions between India and Pakistan was triggered by the aftermath of which event?

    1. A The 2019 Balakot airstrikes
    2. B The revocation of Article 370
    3. C The Pahalgam terrorist attack in April 2025
    4. D A bilateral trade dispute

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

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

35. Which of the following bodies provided the estimates regarding the financial costs incurred by the U.S. administration in the Iran conflict?

    1. A Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
    2. B International Monetary Fund
    3. C United Nations Security Council
    4. D World Bank

36. Which of the following best describes the constitutional status of the Election Commission of India?

    1. A An executive department under the Ministry of Law and Justice
    2. B A non-governmental advisory body for electoral reforms
    3. C A constitutional body established to oversee national and state elections
    4. D A statutory body established by the Representation of the People Act

37. Which of the following best describes the current U.S. travel advisory status for Jammu and Kashmir as mentioned in the report?

    1. A Level 2: Exercise increased caution
    2. B Level 4: Do not travel
    3. C Level 1: Exercise normal precautions
    4. D Level 3: Reconsider travel

38. The Ken-Betwa river-linking project is primarily designed to provide water to which of the following regions?

    1. A Rayalaseema
    2. B Bundelkhand
    3. C Marathwada
    4. D Vidarbha

39. Which of the following bodies is responsible for the approval of major railway infrastructure projects as mentioned in the recent government announcement?

    1. A NITI Aayog
    2. B Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
    3. C Railway Board
    4. D Ministry of Finance

40. The PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan primarily focuses on which of the following?

    1. A Digital literacy in rural areas
    2. B Enhancing multimodal connectivity and logistical efficiency
    3. C Privatization of railway station management
    4. D Subsidizing passenger fares for long-distance travel

41. Under the Indian legal framework, which body is typically responsible for reviewing remission pleas for life convicts before a final decision is made by the executive?

    1. A The Sentence Review Board
    2. B The State Legislative Assembly
    3. C The National Human Rights Commission
    4. D The Supreme Court of India

42. Which of the following measures has the Jharkhand government proposed to address irregularities in recruitment examinations?

    1. A Direct recruitment through the Union Public Service Commission
    2. B Dissolution of the JPSC and JSSC boards
    3. C Requesting the High Court to constitute a fast-track court for recruitment-related cases
    4. D A complete ban on private agencies conducting state examinations

43. Which form is used by an individual to apply for inclusion in the electoral roll in India?

    1. A Form 1
    2. B Form 6
    3. C Form 8
    4. D Form 12

44. In the context of electoral rolls, what does the acronym 'ASDD' stand for?

    1. A Absent, Stated, Dead and Disenfranchised
    2. B Absent, Shifted, Dead and Duplicate
    3. C Active, Suspended, Deleted and Disqualified
    4. D Authorized, Shifted, Deceased and Duplicate

45. Which project is intended to facilitate the diversion of Godavari river water to Visakhapatnam to support industrial and urban requirements?

    1. A Narmada Valley Project
    2. B Polavaram Project
    3. C Kaleshwaram Project
    4. D Jal Jeevan Mission

46. According to the recent MHA circular regarding the performance of State songs at official events, which authority holds the discretion to decide the order of the song's performance?

    1. A The respective State governments
    2. B The Union Ministry of Home Affairs
    3. C The President of India
    4. D The Supreme Court of India

47. Operation Toofan, recently in the news, is an initiative primarily focused on:

    1. A Agricultural reform and crop diversification
    2. B Digital literacy for rural populations
    3. C Disaster management in coastal regions
    4. D Anti-drug enforcement and rehabilitation

48. Which of the following best describes the enforcement mechanism for the Marathi language requirement for commercial drivers in Maharashtra?

    1. A A voluntary incentive program with no punitive measures for non-compliance.
    2. B Immediate cancellation of driving licences for all non-Marathi speakers.
    3. C A mandatory one-month grace period followed by potential suspension and cancellation of licences.
    4. D Compulsory imprisonment for drivers failing to pass a proficiency test.

49. What is the current mandated limit for the number of voters per polling station as per the recent rationalisation exercise mentioned by the Election Commission?

    1. A 1,200 voters
    2. B 1,000 voters
    3. C 1,500 voters
    4. D 2,000 voters

50. Which of the following best describes the role of 'pioneer species' in the context of Amazon rainforest recovery?

    1. A They facilitate forest recovery by improving soil organic matter and reducing canopy temperatures.
    2. B They are exclusively non-native species introduced to restore degraded pastures.
    3. C They are a diverse group of thousands of species that regenerate simultaneously.
    4. D They are species that only thrive in mature, primary forest conditions.

51. Which rocket was used by China in its first successful land-based recovery of a first stage?

    1. A Zhuque-3
    2. B Long March-10B
    3. C Long March-5
    4. D Zhuque-2

52. In the context of financial regulations, what does 'round-tripping' of funds typically refer to?

    1. A The legal practice of issuing preferential shares to existing shareholders to raise capital.
    2. B The movement of funds out of a country and back into it to disguise the original source or nature of the capital.
    3. C The process of converting unsecured loans into equity shares to increase dividend payouts.
    4. D The systematic reduction of corporate debt through the sale of non-core assets.

53. Which of the following factors were cited by Hyundai Motor India as reasons for the proposed vehicle price hike?

    1. A Increased labor union demands and wage inflation
    2. B Reduction in export demand and currency devaluation
    3. C Rising input costs, operational expenses, and macroeconomic uncertainties
    4. D Government regulatory changes and new emission standards

54. The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) functions under the administrative control of which of the following ministries?

    1. A Ministry of Finance
    2. B Ministry of Commerce and Industry
    3. C Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
    4. D Ministry of Power

55. The Battle of Wandiwash (1760 AD) was a decisive conflict between which two colonial powers?

    1. A British and Dutch
    2. B British and Hyder Ali
    3. C French and Portuguese
    4. D British and French

56. Which of the following agreements is credited with establishing the framework for mutual recognition between the Palestine Liberation Organization and Israel?

    1. A UN Resolution 2803
    2. B Abraham Accords
    3. C Balfour Declaration
    4. D Oslo Accords

57. Which of the following best describes the modus operandi of the human trafficking network identified by the CBI in recent investigations involving Southeast Asian scam compounds?

    1. A Trafficking of individuals for organ harvesting in conflict zones.
    2. B Illegal migration through maritime routes for domestic labor.
    3. C Luring individuals with fake overseas job offers to operate cyber-fraud scams.
    4. D Forced labor in the agricultural sector of neighboring countries.

58. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) operates under the administrative control of which of the following?

    1. A Ministry of Law and Justice
    2. B Cabinet Secretariat
    3. C Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
    4. D Ministry of Home Affairs

59. Which of the following bodies is primarily responsible for the development of school textbooks in India?

    1. A University Grants Commission
    2. B National Council of Educational Research and Training
    3. C Ministry of Culture
    4. D Central Board of Secondary Education

60. The Mid-Day Meal Scheme, which aims to improve the nutritional status of school-age children nationwide, is implemented under the aegis of which Union Ministry?

    1. A Ministry of Rural Development
    2. B Ministry of Women and Child Development
    3. C Ministry of Education
    4. D Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

61. In the context of Indian mythology, what does the 'Urdhva Tandava' pose of Lord Siva traditionally symbolize?

    1. A A dance competition between Siva and Kali
    2. B The union of the sun and the moon in the sky
    3. C The creation of the 27 stars represented by Daksha's daughters
    4. D The destruction of the universe at the end of a cosmic cycle

62. As per the University Grants Commission data mentioned in the recent government outreach initiative, which of the following is the correct composition of universities in India?

    1. A 57 Central universities and 1,300 State universities
    2. B 1,300 Central universities and 57 State universities
    3. C 522 Central universities and 57 State universities
    4. D 57 Central universities and 522 State universities

63. Which of the following best describes the current constitutional status regarding the delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies in India?

    1. A Delimitation is conducted every 5 years based on the latest census.
    2. B The number of seats is adjusted annually based on population growth.
    3. C The Supreme Court mandates a mandatory redistribution of seats every decade.
    4. D Delimitation of constituencies has been frozen until the first census after 2026.

64. What does 'E20' fuel refer to in the context of India's energy policy?

    1. A A standard for 20% reduction in carbon emissions for heavy industries.
    2. B A new grade of electric vehicle battery technology.
    3. C A fuel additive designed to increase engine life by 20%.
    4. D A blend of 20% ethanol and 80% gasoline.

65. Which of the following best describes the legal status of alcohol in the state of Gujarat?

    1. A Permitted only for medicinal purposes under strict supervision
    2. B Taxed heavily with limited private retail licenses
    3. C Complete ban on manufacturing, sale, and consumption
    4. D Regulated sale permitted only in designated urban zones

66. Under the current legal framework in India, which of the following is mandatory in cases of custodial death?

    1. A The police officer involved is automatically suspended for five years
    2. B The victim's family must be provided with immediate legal immunity
    3. C The case must be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation
    4. D A magisterial inquiry is mandatory

67. What is the current total fleet size of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) following the recent addition of 200 electric buses?

    1. A 6,600
    2. B 5,000
    3. C 7,000
    4. D 6,800

68. Under which legal framework are fire safety violations in West Bengal primarily addressed, as mentioned in the context of the recent Kolkata hotel fire?

    1. A The West Bengal Fire Services Act
    2. B The Disaster Management Act, 2005
    3. C The Indian Penal Code only
    4. D The Municipal Corporation Act of 1950

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

    1. A Serious Fraud Investigation Office
    2. B Central Bureau of Investigation
    3. C Enforcement Directorate
    4. D Anti Corruption Branch