1 September 2026

Quiz — 1 September 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 is NOT one of the six pillars of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM 2.0)?

   1. A Packaging and testing
   2. B Retail distribution
   3. C Design
   4. D Talent development

2. What is the maximum subsidy percentage provided for R&D projects under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM 2.0)?

   1. A 40%
   2. B 50%
   3. C 75%
   4. D 60%

3. Which Article of the Indian Constitution directs the State to make effective provision for securing the right to work, within the limits of its economic capacity?

   1. A Article 21
   2. B Article 41
   3. C Article 23
   4. D Article 39

4. In the case of Sanjit Roy vs State of Rajasthan (1983), the Supreme Court observed that payment of wages below the minimum wage is equivalent to:

   1. A Violation of the right to equality
   2. B Forced labour
   3. C An infringement of the right to form associations
   4. D Violation of the right to property

5. Which organization is responsible for the operation and infrastructure of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI)?

   1. A National Payments Corporation of India
   2. B Reserve Bank of India
   3. C State Bank of India
   4. D Ministry of Finance

6. What was the foundational system upon which the UPI was built to enable interoperable, round-the-clock fund transfers?

   1. A National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT)
   2. B Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS)
   3. C Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS)
   4. D Immediate Payment Service (IMPS)

7. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5, what is the approximate Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in India?

   1. A 2.4
   2. B 2.0
   3. C 3.0
   4. D 1.5

8. Which of the following statements regarding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is correct according to the recent ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration?

   1. A The treaty has been terminated due to regional security concerns.
   2. B The Neutral Expert's decision is the only legally binding mechanism for all disputes.
   3. C The treaty remains fully in force and binding on the parties.
   4. D The World Bank has the authority to unilaterally suspend the treaty.

9. Which body is responsible for upholding the recommendations regarding the flow of water in the Cauvery river dispute as mentioned in the recent proceedings?

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

10. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, what percentage of India's daily waste production is currently unaccounted for?

    1. A 50%
    2. B 17%
    3. C 22%
    4. D 39%

11. Which of the following is identified as the most expensive component in the waste management chain, particularly in rural areas?

    1. A Administrative costs of local committees
    2. B Secondary sorting at material recovery facilities
    3. C Primary collection and transportation
    4. D Repair of material collection facilities

12. With reference to the Index of Services Production (ISP) released by the Ministry of Statistics, consider the following statements: 1. It currently uses 2024-25 as the base year. 2. It covers 19 distinct sub-sectors of the services industry. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

13. Which of the following best describes the role of the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) in the Indian economy?

    1. A A commercial bank focused on retail infrastructure loans
    2. B A regulatory body for infrastructure development projects
    3. C A government department responsible for direct infrastructure construction
    4. D A sovereign-anchored alternative asset manager

14. What was the Centre's fiscal deficit target as a percentage of GDP for the financial year 2026-27?

    1. A 4.8%
    2. B 4.3%
    3. C 4.0%
    4. D 3.5%

15. As per the data released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) for the period ending July 2026, what percentage of the full-year fiscal deficit target was reached?

    1. A 32.9%
    2. B 29.9%
    3. C 29.5%
    4. D 26.8%

16. Which of the following bodies is primarily responsible for the regulation of the Indian System of Medicine?

    1. A University Grants Commission
    2. B National Medical Commission
    3. C National Commission for Indian System of Medicine
    4. D Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

17. What is the primary objective of the AYURGYAN scheme as mentioned in the context of AYUSH education?

    1. A Infrastructure development and capacity building
    2. B Standardization of allopathic medical curriculum
    3. C International promotion of AYUSH products
    4. D Direct financial aid to private medical students

18. Which of the following sectors recorded a contraction in the first quarter of FY 2026-27?

    1. A Construction
    2. B Mining and Quarrying
    3. C Financial and IT Services
    4. D Manufacturing

19. What does the term 'Gross Fixed Capital Formation' (GFCF) primarily measure in the context of National Income Accounting?

    1. A Government expenditure on social welfare schemes
    2. B Net exports of goods and services
    3. C Investment in physical assets like infrastructure, machinery, and equipment
    4. D Total household consumption expenditure

20. Which of the following best describes the 'green-blue infrastructure' approach proposed in the Master Plan for Delhi 2047?

    1. A A strategy to integrate water bodies and green spaces into a single connected ecological system.
    2. B A policy to exclusively increase the number of urban parks and gardens.
    3. C A framework focused solely on the restoration of historical monuments and their surrounding gardens.
    4. D A plan to replace traditional concrete drainage systems with underground green tunnels.

21. What is the primary objective of 'adaptive reuse' in the context of Delhi's heritage conservation under MPD-2047?

    1. A To convert all heritage sites into government-run administrative offices only.
    2. B To freeze heritage buildings in time by restricting all public access.
    3. C To demolish dilapidated heritage structures and rebuild them with modern materials.
    4. D To repurpose historic buildings for contemporary use while preserving their architectural character.

22. Which of the following fundamental rights is most directly invoked in debates surrounding anti-conversion legislation in India?

    1. A Right to Freedom of Religion
    2. B Right to Constitutional Remedies
    3. C Right to Property
    4. D Right to Equality

23. Which of the following is the final appellate authority for a citizen whose name has been removed from the electoral roll during the Special Intensive Revision process?

    1. A Booth Level Officer (BLO)
    2. B Electoral Registration Officer (ERO)
    3. C Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)
    4. D District Election Officer (DEO)

24. What is the primary objective of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise conducted by the Election Commission?

    1. A To conduct a national census of the population
    2. B To redraw the boundaries of parliamentary constituencies
    3. C To update and refine the accuracy of electoral rolls
    4. D To implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC)

25. Which of the following is the primary legal basis cited by civil society groups in Manipur for the demand to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC)?

    1. A 1971 as the base year
    2. B 1951 as the base year
    3. C 1947 as the base year
    4. D 2001 as the base year

26. Which of the following regions was specifically highlighted by India during the SCO summit regarding the safety of commercial shipping and seafarers?

    1. A Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden
    2. B Strait of Hormuz and the Black Sea
    3. C Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea
    4. D South China Sea and Strait of Malacca

27. What is the primary objective of ONGC's investment plan announced for 2030?

    1. A Development of domestic coal-bed methane projects
    2. B Drilling of 87 deepwater and ultra-deepwater wells
    3. C Privatization of existing oil refineries
    4. D Expansion of renewable energy infrastructure in coastal regions

28. Which of the following factors is cited as a primary mitigation strategy for leadership transition risks in systemically important banks?

    1. A An orderly succession process and continuity in strategy execution
    2. B Government intervention in board appointments
    3. C Immediate liquidation of non-performing assets
    4. D Mandatory rotation of external auditors

29. Which of the following non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been banned by the Indian government to protect vulture populations?

    1. A Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, and Aspirin
    2. B Aceclofenac, Paracetamol, and Ketoprofen
    3. C Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen
    4. D Diclofenac, Aceclofenac, and Ketoprofen

30. Under the recent MoU signed between Bihar and Jharkhand regarding the Sone river, what is the total volume of water allocated to the state of Jharkhand?

    1. A 7.75 MAF
    2. B 3.75 MAF
    3. C 5.75 MAF
    4. D 2 MAF

31. Which body is responsible for adjudicating personal insolvency cases under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC)?

    1. A National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)
    2. B High Court
    3. C Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT)
    4. D Supreme Court

32. Under the Indian legal framework, the requirement for 'prior sanction' for the prosecution of a public servant is primarily intended to:

    1. A Mandate that all criminal cases against public servants must be tried exclusively by military tribunals.
    2. B Ensure that public servants are protected from malicious or frivolous prosecution while performing official duties.
    3. C Grant the executive branch the power to override judicial decisions in criminal matters.
    4. D Provide absolute immunity to all government employees from criminal prosecution.

33. What is the primary objective of the Samudra Manthan scheme?

    1. A Offshore hydrocarbon exploration
    2. B Marine biodiversity conservation
    3. C Deep-sea mineral mining
    4. D Coastal infrastructure development

34. The Bannerghatta National Park, often cited in environmental conservation disputes, is located in which Indian state?

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

35. What is the primary legal justification provided by the Karnataka High Court for quashing the land acquisition for the Suryanagar 4th phase project?

    1. A Proximity to an Eco-Sensitive Zone and elephant corridors
    2. B Failure to obtain central government clearance for urban development
    3. C Lack of adequate compensation for land owners
    4. D Violation of the State Housing Board Act procedures

36. Which of the following bodies facilitated the conciliation meeting that led to the settlement between the Kerala government and the Governor regarding V-C appointments?

    1. A Supreme Court Mediation Centre
    2. B District Legal Services Authority, Thiruvananthapuram
    3. C National Legal Services Authority
    4. D Kerala State Higher Education Council

37. The AstroRad vest, designed for space radiation protection, primarily utilizes which of the following materials to block radiation?

    1. A Lead-based composites
    2. B Hydrogen-rich polymers
    3. C Carbon-fiber reinforced steel
    4. D High-density tungsten alloys

38. Which of the following is a noted limitation of the AstroRad vest as described in recent studies?

    1. A It fails to protect the bone marrow in the pelvic region.
    2. B It is too heavy for practical use in long-duration space missions.
    3. C It is ineffective against galactic cosmic rays originating beyond the solar system.
    4. D It cannot be worn during ordinary activities inside a crew capsule.

39. Larak Island, recently in the news due to military strikes, is located in which of the following strategic waterways?

    1. A Suez Canal
    2. B Strait of Malacca
    3. C Strait of Hormuz
    4. D Bab-el-Mandeb Strait

40. INS Nipun, recently commissioned by the Indian Navy, is primarily categorized as which of the following?

    1. A Aircraft Carrier Support Ship
    2. B Guided Missile Destroyer
    3. C Diving Support Vessel
    4. D Submarine Rescue Submersible

41. INS Nipun was indigenously designed and built by which of the following organizations?

    1. A Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
    2. B Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers
    3. C Goa Shipyard Limited
    4. D Hindustan Shipyard Limited

42. Which of the following are considered the four pillars of life as described in the Tirukkural?

    1. A Aram, Porul, Inbam, Veedu
    2. B Samsara, Maya, Karma, Dharma
    3. C Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha
    4. D Truth, Compassion, Justice, Patience

43. What is the primary objective of the proposed 'Future Circular Collider' (FCC) project by CERN?

    1. A To map the dark matter distribution across the entire Milky Way galaxy
    2. B To serve as a successor to the Large Hadron Collider for advanced particle physics research
    3. C To replace the current internet infrastructure with quantum communication
    4. D To provide a sustainable energy source through controlled nuclear fusion

44. Which of the following statements regarding the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is correct based on recent reports?

    1. A The LHC is a 91-km ring designed to collide electrons and positrons exclusively
    2. B The LHC was permanently decommissioned in 2026
    3. C The LHC is currently operational and discovering new subatomic particles
    4. D The LHC is undergoing a shutdown until 2030 to facilitate upgrades to a High-Luminosity version

45. Which of the following factors contributed to the concentration of rainfall in the Indo-Gangetic Plains during August 2026 despite overall dry conditions?

    1. A Increased cyclonic activity in the Arabian Sea
    2. B Shift in the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) to the southern hemisphere
    3. C La Niña conditions
    4. D Persistent low-pressure systems and interaction with Western Disturbances

46. Which body is primarily responsible for the recommendation of appointments and transfers of judges to the High Courts in India?

    1. A The Supreme Court Collegium
    2. B The Union Ministry of Law and Justice
    3. C The President of India in consultation with the Governor
    4. D The Parliament of India

47. Under which Article of the Indian Constitution is the establishment of a State Public Service Commission provided?

    1. A Article 315
    2. B Article 323
    3. C Article 320
    4. D Article 312

48. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, was enacted to protect children from which of the following?

    1. A Malnutrition and lack of healthcare services
    2. B Sexual assault, sexual harassment, and pornography
    3. C Lack of access to free and compulsory education
    4. D Child labor and exploitation in hazardous industries

49. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, what was the primary cause of the catastrophic flooding on the Nepal-China border on August 26?

    1. A Cloudburst
    2. B Glacial collapse
    3. C Earthquake-induced landslide
    4. D Dam failure

50. Under which legislation are preventive actions like prohibitory orders typically issued in the current Indian legal framework?

    1. A Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC)
    2. B Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)
    3. C National Security Act (NSA)
    4. D Indian Penal Code (IPC)

51. The 'constitution for the oceans,' which defines territorial waters and economic rights of coastal nations, refers to which of the following?

    1. A The Global Oceans Governance Accord
    2. B The Geneva Convention on Maritime Borders
    3. C The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982)
    4. D The International Maritime Organization Treaty

52. The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) is a body associated with which of the following?

    1. A The International Criminal Court
    2. B The World Bank
    3. C The United Nations
    4. D The African Union

53. What is the primary objective of the business combination between Happiest Minds Technologies and ITC Infotech?

    1. A To consolidate the domestic hardware manufacturing market
    2. B To facilitate the privatization of public sector technology firms
    3. C To establish a government-led digital infrastructure project
    4. D To create a scaled, AI-first global technology services enterprise

54. Mahindra Aerostructures has recently entered into a contract to supply fuselage components for which specific aircraft models?

    1. A Boeing 777 and 747
    2. B Airbus A320neo and A321XLR
    3. C Boeing 737 and 787
    4. D Airbus A350 and A380

55. What does the term 'E20' refer to in the context of the Indian automotive industry?

    1. A A fuel blend consisting of 20% ethanol and 80% petrol
    2. B A government subsidy scheme for two-wheeler manufacturers
    3. C An electric vehicle battery capacity rating
    4. D A new emission standard for heavy commercial vehicles

56. Which of the following best describes the current trend in the Indian banking sector regarding branch expansion as highlighted by recent industry developments?

    1. A Physical branches are being maintained to support specific segments like retail, agriculture, and MSMEs.
    2. B Banks are completely phasing out physical branches in favor of 100% digital-only operations.
    3. C Branch expansion is no longer a metric used to evaluate the total business volume of scheduled commercial banks.
    4. D The Banking Regulation Act prohibits private sector banks from opening new branches in metropolitan areas.

57. Who was the first Indian to be conferred with the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1958?

    1. A Aruna Roy
    2. B Jayaprakash Narayan
    3. C Vinoba Bhave
    4. D M.S. Subbulakshmi

58. Which legislation was the result of the National Campaign for the People’s Right to Information led by activists like Aruna Roy?

    1. A National Food Security Act
    2. B Public Services Guarantee Act
    3. C Right to Education Act
    4. D Right to Information Act

59. Which region in Sikkim is primarily identified as the ancestral home of the Lepcha community?

    1. A Namchi
    2. B Tingbhum
    3. C Gangtok
    4. D Dzongu

60. The 'Baltic Way' was a historic human chain organised to protest against the legacy of which agreement?

    1. A Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact
    2. B Warsaw Pact
    3. C Treaty of Versailles
    4. D Yalta Agreement

61. Which of the following countries were involved in the 1989 'Baltic Way' human chain?

    1. A Finland, Estonia, and Latvia
    2. B Poland, Lithuania, and Belarus
    3. C Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania
    4. D Latvia, Lithuania, and Kaliningrad

62. Which of the following entities is responsible for operating the examination centres where the AIIMS CRE-5 and NEET-PG 2026 disruptions occurred?

    1. A Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
    2. B Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
    3. C Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
    4. D National Testing Agency (NTA)

63. Which of the following best describes the Supreme Court's recent stance on the petition regarding mandatory ethanol disclosure at fuel pumps?

    1. A The court dismissed the petition on the grounds that it lacked constitutional merit.
    2. B The court advised the petitioner to approach the competent authority to address the grievance.
    3. C The court referred the matter to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas for a mandatory policy change.
    4. D The court mandated that all fuel stations must display ethanol content immediately.

64. Which of the following acts governs the regulation of entry into restricted areas in states like Mizoram for foreign nationals?

    1. A Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958
    2. B Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967
    3. C National Security Act, 1980
    4. D Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920

65. Under which section of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) are the accused in the aforementioned case charged?

    1. A Section 15
    2. B Section 20
    3. C Section 10
    4. D Section 18

66. Which of the following bodies is empowered to take cognisance of human rights violations and issue notices to authorities for the protection of victims?

    1. A Law Commission of India
    2. B Central Bureau of Investigation
    3. C National Commission for Women
    4. D National Human Rights Commission

67. The 'Visit My State Uttar Pradesh' campaign primarily aims to promote tourism by:

    1. A Developing new infrastructure in the Bundelkhand and Terai regions
    2. B Launching a centralized mobile application for international tourists
    3. C Engaging Gen Z content creators to showcase local heritage and culture
    4. D Providing direct financial subsidies to local travel agencies

68. Which of the following constitutional provisions or bodies is primarily responsible for the recruitment and service conditions of All India Services officers?

    1. A The State Public Service Commission
    2. B The Election Commission of India
    3. C Article 312 of the Constitution
    4. D Article 370 of the Constitution

69. Which of the following agencies are typically involved in disaster response operations in India during major industrial accidents?

    1. A The Ministry of Finance and the Reserve Bank of India
    2. B National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF)
    3. C The Election Commission of India and the Judiciary
    4. D Only the local municipal corporation and private security firms