2 September 2026

Quiz — 2 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 statements regarding the Construction and Infrastructure Equipment (CIE) sector in India is correct?

   1. A The CIE scheme aims to increase reliance on international supply chains.
   2. B The sector currently provides direct employment to approximately 10 lakh people.
   3. C India is currently the world's largest construction equipment market.
   4. D The industry is projected to reach a valuation of ₹5 lakh crore by 2029-30.

2. Which of the following statements regarding Article 17 of the Indian Constitution is correct?

   1. A It provides a comprehensive definition of untouchability to ensure legal certainty.
   2. B It abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form, including enforcement of disabilities.
   3. C It is enforceable only against State actors and government institutions.
   4. D It was introduced through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act.

3. The Supreme Court judgment in 'Sukanya Shantha v Union of India (2024)' primarily addressed which of the following?

   1. A The regulation of religious rituals in private temples.
   2. B The constitutional validity of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
   3. C Caste-discriminatory provisions in prison manuals and the broader interpretation of Article 17.
   4. D The reservation policy for Scheduled Castes in private educational institutions.

4. Which of the following documents provides the official definition of a 'gig worker' in India?

   1. A The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2025
   2. B The e-Shram Portal Guidelines
   3. C The Code on Social Security, 2020
   4. D The NITI Aayog Report on India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy (2022)

5. What is the primary purpose of the e-Shram portal as described in the context of the unorganised workforce?

   1. A To provide direct cash transfers to all unemployed citizens
   2. B To serve as a national database for unorganised workers including gig workers
   3. C To monitor the daily attendance of workers in the manufacturing sector
   4. D To regulate the minimum wages of workers in the private sector

6. Which of the following factors is cited as a contributor to the recent growth in India's manufacturing sector?

   1. A Cumulative interest rate cuts by the RBI in 2025
   2. B Increased reliance on imported chemical fertilizers
   3. C Lowering of the repo rate to zero percent
   4. D A significant rise in global demand for traditional services

7. What is the primary concern regarding the impact of the Hormuz region's instability on the Indian economy?

   1. A An increase in the cost of imported oil
   2. B A sudden appreciation of the Indian Rupee
   3. C A decline in the export of Artificial Intelligence services
   4. D A decrease in domestic capital creation

8. As per the annual report of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) for 2025, what was the conviction rate in CBI cases?

   1. A 67.90%
   2. B 71.71%
   3. C 75.50%
   4. D 69.14%

9. Which of the following bodies is primarily responsible for exercising superintendence over the functioning of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (CBI) in relation to the Prevention of Corruption Act?

   1. A Lokpal
   2. B Central Vigilance Commission
   3. C Department of Personnel and Training
   4. D Ministry of Home Affairs

10. Which of the following best describes the legal significance of the Ninth Schedule of the Indian Constitution?

    1. A It contains provisions related to the disqualification of members of Parliament.
    2. B It outlines the procedure for the impeachment of the President of India.
    3. C It defines the powers and functions of the State Public Service Commissions.
    4. D It lists laws that are immune from judicial review.

11. What is the current judicial position regarding the reservation ceiling in India as established by the Supreme Court?

    1. A There is no fixed ceiling for reservation in India.
    2. B The ceiling is fixed at 50% for all states.
    3. C The ceiling is fixed at 75% for all states.
    4. D The ceiling is fixed at 65% for all states.

12. The Public Insurance Registry (PIR), as proposed by the IRDAI, is intended to function as:

    1. A A centralized fund for disaster management in insurance
    2. B A population-scale, interoperable, and non-exclusionary digital public infrastructure
    3. C A private database for insurance companies only
    4. D A regulatory body for monitoring insurance premiums

13. Which of the following components contributed to the widening of India's Current Account Deficit in Q1 FY27 according to RBI data?

    1. A Decrease in merchandise trade gap
    2. B Increase in merchandise trade gap
    3. C Significant increase in net FPI inflows
    4. D Decrease in net services receipts

14. In the context of India's Balance of Payments for Q1 FY27, which of the following statements is correct regarding financial account flows?

    1. A FPI recorded a net inflow of $9.6 billion
    2. B Net inflows under External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs) moderated
    3. C Net FDI inflows declined compared to the previous year
    4. D Foreign exchange reserves increased by $8.1 billion

15. What is the primary reason for the curtailment of renewable energy in India as highlighted by recent grid data?

    1. A Lack of sufficient renewable energy generation capacity
    2. B Inadequate transmission infrastructure and grid connectivity
    3. C High cost of solar and wind power production
    4. D Government policy mandating the use of coal-based power

16. According to the study cited, what is the observed impact of data centres on the local environment?

    1. A Increase in groundwater recharge rates
    2. B Reduction in local humidity levels
    3. C Decrease in peak electricity demand for cooling
    4. D Rise in land surface temperatures in the surrounding vicinity

17. Which of the following best describes the concept of 'urban mining' as discussed in the context of e-waste management?

    1. A The use of electronic waste to create new land for urban infrastructure development.
    2. B The extraction of minerals from deep-earth deposits using advanced urban technology.
    3. C The relocation of mining industries from rural areas to urban industrial zones.
    4. D The process of recovering valuable materials from discarded electronic equipment.

18. The Sarkaria Commission, appointed in 1983, was primarily tasked with examining which of the following?

    1. A Delimitation of parliamentary constituencies
    2. B Centre-State relations
    3. C Electoral reforms for Lok Sabha
    4. D Implementation of the Gadgil Formula

19. Which article of the Indian Constitution provides special provisions for the state of Nagaland, under which the FNTA Bill is proposed?

    1. A Article 371A
    2. B Article 371B
    3. C Article 370
    4. D Article 371C

20. Which of the following is a primary objective set for defence PSUs by the Ministry of Defence to enhance national security?

    1. A Prioritizing the privatization of all defence assets
    2. B Reducing import dependence and strengthening R&D
    3. C Focusing exclusively on domestic consumer goods production
    4. D Increasing reliance on foreign technology transfers

21. The 'Suspension of Operation' (SoO) agreement, often cited in the context of internal security in Manipur, is primarily an arrangement between:

    1. A The Central Government and various militant groups
    2. B The State Government and the Judiciary
    3. C The Election Commission and local political parties
    4. D The National Human Rights Commission and tribal councils

22. Which of the following bodies recommended the selective use of 'totalisers' in the electoral process?

    1. A Law Commission of India
    2. B Supreme Court of India
    3. C NITI Aayog
    4. D Election Commission of India

23. What is the primary function of a 'totaliser' in the context of EVM vote counting?

    1. A To automatically transmit results to the central server in real-time
    2. B To consolidate votes from multiple control units to mask booth-wise trends
    3. C To verify the identity of voters at the polling booth
    4. D To prevent the use of VVPAT machines

24. The safety evaluation of the Mullaperiyar Dam is being conducted under the directives of which of the following?

    1. A Ministry of Jal Shakti
    2. B Supreme Court of India
    3. C Central Water Commission
    4. D National Disaster Management Authority

25. What is the primary objective of Section 9D introduced in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026?

    1. A To invalidate unrecovered taxes or cesses on mineral rights not collected before the Act's commencement.
    2. B To increase the royalty rates on all major minerals across India.
    3. C To mandate the transfer of all mining revenue directly to the Consolidated Fund of India.
    4. D To provide a legal framework for the mandatory refund of all mineral-related taxes collected by states.

26. In the context of the Election Commission's electoral roll revision, what does the acronym 'ASDD' stand for?

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

27. Which of the following countries assumed the chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) for the 2026-27 term?

    1. A India
    2. B Pakistan
    3. C China
    4. D Kyrgyz Republic

28. Under which Article of the Indian Constitution does the Supreme Court derive the power to pass any decree or order necessary for doing 'complete justice' in any cause or matter pending before it?

    1. A Article 32
    2. B Article 142
    3. C Article 136
    4. D Article 226

29. What is the primary reason cited for the structural imbalance leading to a sharp increase in domestic GST refunds?

    1. A Reduction in export subsidies
    2. B Increased corporate tax compliance
    3. C Inverted duty structures
    4. D High inflation rates

30. On which date did the interim government of India begin its formal functioning?

    1. A January 26, 1947
    2. B September 2, 1946
    3. C August 15, 1946
    4. D December 9, 1946

31. Which of the following acts provides the primary legal protection for the Indian elephant as an endangered species?

    1. A Biological Diversity Act, 2002
    2. B Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
    3. C Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960
    4. D Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

32. Which of the following are stated objectives of the fisheries infrastructure projects under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana?

    1. A Direct cash transfers to all registered fishermen in the country
    2. B Reduction of post-harvest losses and promotion of systematic auctioning
    3. C Complete privatization of all state-owned fishing harbours
    4. D Mandatory export of all seaweed production to international markets

33. Under the recent government notification regarding sugar, what is the maximum duration a dealer is permitted to hold stock from the date of receipt?

    1. A 15 days
    2. B 30 days
    3. C 60 days
    4. D 45 days

34. Which city is exempted from the reduced sugar stock holding limit of 2,000 quintals as per the recent Ministry of Consumer Affairs order?

    1. A Delhi
    2. B Chennai
    3. C Kolkata
    4. D Mumbai

35. India and Russia are set to commemorate a significant diplomatic milestone in 2027. What does this milestone represent?

    1. A 50 years of the Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation
    2. B 60 years of military cooperation
    3. C 80 years of diplomatic relations
    4. D 100 years of cultural exchange

36. The Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026, has been referred to which of the following parliamentary panels for review?

    1. A Public Accounts Committee
    2. B Department-Related Standing Committee on Finance
    3. C Joint Committee on Offices of Profit
    4. D Estimates Committee

37. Which constitutional body is primarily responsible for the superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for elections to Parliament and State Legislatures in India?

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

38. The Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, seeks to allow the alienation of what percentage of park and garden land for public infrastructure?

    1. A 2%
    2. B 5%
    3. C 10%
    4. D 15%

39. The proposed Haryana State Commission for Minorities is designed to have which of the following statuses?

    1. A Advisory non-statutory status
    2. B Executive order status
    3. C Constitutional status
    4. D Statutory status

40. Which of the following best describes the primary objective of the Ayushman Bharat scheme?

    1. A To nationalize all private hospitals to ensure affordable healthcare.
    2. B To provide direct cash transfers to all citizens below the poverty line.
    3. C To provide health coverage for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to vulnerable families.
    4. D To provide universal basic income for the elderly population.

41. Under the Constitution of India, which article mandates that no money shall be appropriated from the Consolidated Fund of a State except in accordance with law?

    1. A Article 202
    2. B Article 266(3)
    3. C Article 280
    4. D Article 266(1)

42. Under the amended Delhi Solar Energy Policy, 2023, what is the maximum capacity of the rooftop solar system provided to eligible consumers?

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

43. What is the target for additional rooftop solar capacity set by the Delhi government to be achieved by 2027?

    1. A 200 MW
    2. B 1000 MW
    3. C 750 MW
    4. D 500 MW

44. Which of the following best describes the official position of India regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict as mentioned in the context?

    1. A Complete support for the one-state solution
    2. B Support for the two-state solution
    3. C Exclusive support for the Palestinian Authority
    4. D Neutrality with no diplomatic ties to either party

45. Which body is responsible for hearing appeals against the orders passed by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)?

    1. A High Court of the respective state
    2. B National Company Law Appellate Tribunal
    3. C Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India
    4. D Supreme Court of India

46. Qeshm Island, recently mentioned in the context of military strikes, is located in which of the following bodies of water?

    1. A Caspian Sea
    2. B Red Sea
    3. C Gulf of Oman
    4. D Persian Gulf

47. Which of the following best describes the term 'gray zone' attacks in the context of modern international relations?

    1. A Diplomatic negotiations conducted in secret between two warring nations.
    2. B Coercive actions that fall below the threshold of conventional warfare to avoid direct military retaliation.
    3. C Direct military invasion by a state actor against another state's capital.
    4. D Economic sanctions imposed by international organizations to isolate a country.

48. Which statutory body is primarily responsible for setting standards for articles of food and regulating their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import in India?

    1. A Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
    2. B Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
    3. C Ministry of Consumer Affairs
    4. D Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

49. Which institution acts as the debt manager for State governments in India during the issuance of market securities?

    1. A Ministry of Finance
    2. B Reserve Bank of India
    3. C Securities and Exchange Board of India
    4. D NITI Aayog

50. Which of the following bodies are respondents in the Delhi High Court petition regarding maternity policy for athletes?

    1. A Wrestling Federation of India, Sports Authority of India, and the National Human Rights Commission
    2. B The Centre, Wrestling Federation of India, and Indian Olympic Association
    3. C Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Indian Olympic Association, and the Supreme Court
    4. D Ministry of Women and Child Development, Sports Authority of India, and WFI

51. Which of the following is a primary consequence of delaying local body elections in Indian states regarding financial governance?

    1. A Automatic dissolution of the State Finance Commission
    2. B Suspension of the state's constitutional status under Article 356
    3. C Ineligibility for receiving grants recommended by the Finance Commission
    4. D Direct intervention by the Election Commission of India in state affairs

52. Which of the following organizations is leading the pilot project for the robotic harvesting of water hyacinth in Vembanad Lake?

    1. A Centre for Water Resources Development and Management
    2. B Chamber of Vembanad Hotels and Resorts
    3. C State Wetland Authority Kerala
    4. D Foundation for Environmental Research and Innovation

53. Which of the following is a key feature of the master plan for the Noida International Airport (Jewar) regarding its connectivity?

    1. A Exclusive reliance on private taxi operators
    2. B Restriction of public transport to local bus services only
    3. C A multimodal transport hub integrating road, metro, and high-speed rail
    4. D Exclusion of rail-based connectivity to prioritize road infrastructure

54. Which of the following meteorological factors is primarily responsible for the recent heavy rainfall and subsequent flood risks in Odisha as reported?

    1. A Cyclonic storm
    2. B Low pressure system
    3. C Western Disturbance
    4. D Retreating Monsoon

55. Which of the following is a mandatory safety requirement for buses in Delhi as per recent government directives?

    1. A Exclusive use of electric-only propulsion systems
    2. B Mandatory use of curtains for privacy
    3. C Installation of tinted window films
    4. D Installation of location tracking devices and SOS buttons

56. In the context of wakefield particle accelerators, what is the role of plasma?

    1. A It provides the medium to create travelling patterns of alternating electric fields.
    2. B It acts as a vacuum seal to prevent particle collision with air molecules.
    3. C It serves as the source of protons to be accelerated to the speed of light.
    4. D It acts as a cooling agent for the superconducting magnets.

57. The IAEA safeguards agreements are primarily designed to:

    1. A Provide financial subsidies for the construction of nuclear power plants
    2. B Regulate the disposal of conventional industrial waste in member states
    3. C Ensure that nuclear material is not diverted from peaceful nuclear activities to nuclear weapons
    4. D Facilitate the trade of nuclear weapons between member states

58. Which of the following authorities is primarily responsible for disaster risk reduction and management in Nepal as per the recent reports?

    1. A Himalayan Disaster Response Force (HDRF)
    2. B National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA)
    3. C Nepal Disaster Management Agency (NDMA)
    4. D Nepal Ministry of Home Affairs and Relief (MHAF)

59. The flash floods in Nepal on August 26 were primarily triggered by which of the following phenomena?

    1. A Breaching of glacial lakes
    2. B Collapse or avalanche of ice and rock near the Nepal-Tibet border
    3. C Seismic activity causing river damming
    4. D Monsoon-induced cloudbursts

60. According to recent provisional government data, which of the following factors primarily contributed to the rise in diesel consumption in August?

    1. A A significant increase in industrial production
    2. B A sharp decline in the price of crude oil
    3. C Higher usage of irrigation equipment due to a below-normal monsoon
    4. D The complete transition of the transport sector to diesel-based engines

61. Which of the following factors was specifically cited as a reason for the decline in exports for major Indian automobile manufacturers in August?

    1. A Global semiconductor shortage
    2. B Domestic regulatory changes in emission standards
    3. C Geopolitical conflict in West Asia
    4. D High interest rates in European markets

62. What is the primary function of the 'heme' component within the haemoglobin molecule?

    1. A To regulate the production of red blood cells in bone marrow
    2. B To contain the iron atom that binds and carries oxygen
    3. C To transport carbon dioxide from tissues to the lungs
    4. D To provide structural stability to the protein chains

63. Which of the following is identified as a primary structural factor contributing to the depoliticisation of youth in contemporary society?

    1. A The expansion of mandatory civic education in schools
    2. B The treatment of citizens as consumers under neoliberal capitalism
    3. C Increased participation in local government bodies
    4. D The rise of traditional community-based political organisations

64. Which authority is primarily responsible for disaster management at the district level in India?

    1. A National Disaster Management Authority
    2. B Municipal Corporation
    3. C District Disaster Management Authority
    4. D State Disaster Management Authority

65. What is the primary stated reason for the recent hike in commercial LPG prices according to industry analysts?

    1. A To discourage the use of commercial LPG in the restaurant sector
    2. B To increase the profit margins of oil marketing companies
    3. C To offset under-recoveries incurred on domestic LPG cylinders
    4. D To align domestic prices with the global gold standard

66. In the context of the Mahabharata, what is the primary focus of 'Vidura Neethi'?

    1. A Dharma, righteousness, and conduct
    2. B Genealogy of the Kuru dynasty
    3. C Military strategy and warfare tactics
    4. D Economic policies and taxation systems

67. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is responsible for the oversight of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Which of the following best describes the primary objective behind the proposed creation of a CEO position within such a trust?

    1. A To oversee the judicial proceedings of the Ayodhya land dispute
    2. B To transfer ownership of the temple to the Union Government
    3. C To formalize administrative and financial supervisory responsibilities
    4. D To provide a constitutional status to the religious site

68. The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) is primarily advocating for which of the following changes in the banking sector?

    1. A Reduction of daily working hours
    2. B Implementation of a five-day banking week
    3. C Abolition of the Banking Regulation Act
    4. D Privatization of public sector banks

69. According to the joint study by the Kerala government and ICMR, what is the primary risk factor associated with the transmission of Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (AME)?

    1. A Consumption of contaminated food
    2. B Use of non-chlorinated well water for bathing or face washing
    3. C Airborne transmission in humid environments
    4. D Direct contact with infected livestock

70. Under which legal framework has the case regarding the theft of weapons from the Secunderabad Army base been registered?

    1. A National Security Act (NSA)
    2. B Indian Penal Code (IPC)
    3. C Arms Act, 1959
    4. D Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)

71. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which section pertains to negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter?

    1. A Section 287
    2. B Section 326(g)
    3. C Section 125(a)
    4. D Section 105

72. Under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which of the following is a primary consideration for a court while deciding on the cancellation of bail?

    1. A The likelihood of the accused tampering with evidence or intimidating witnesses
    2. B The socioeconomic status of the victim
    3. C The political affiliation of the accused
    4. D The duration of the trial proceedings

73. The Stanley Reservoir, often in the news for irrigation management in the Cauvery delta, is located on which river?

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

74. Which statutory body is primarily responsible for the development, maintenance, and management of national highways in India?

    1. A Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
    2. B Border Roads Organisation (BRO)
    3. C National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
    4. D National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL)

75. Which department in Bihar issued the advisory regarding the consumption of fish caught from floodwaters originating in Nepal?

    1. A Department of Disaster Management
    2. B Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Resources Department
    3. C Department of Health and Family Welfare
    4. D Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

76. Under the Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana mentioned in the report, what is the maximum health insurance coverage provided per beneficiary?

    1. A ₹15 lakh
    2. B ₹5 lakh
    3. C ₹2 lakh
    4. D ₹10 lakh

77. Which of the following landmark Supreme Court judgments laid down specific guidelines for the police to follow during the arrest and detention of individuals to prevent custodial torture?

    1. A Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala
    2. B D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal
    3. C Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India
    4. D Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan