3 September 2026

Quiz — 3 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 initiatives is currently being implemented in India to expand access to mental healthcare services across all States and Union Territories?

   1. A Tele-MANAS
   2. B Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
   3. C Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi
   4. D National Mental Health Mission

2. As per the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, which of the following is a key objective regarding health insurance?

   1. A Restricting mental health coverage to government hospitals only
   2. B Ensuring insurance parity for mental illness as compared to physical illness
   3. C Excluding mental health from private insurance coverage
   4. D Mandating free mental healthcare for all citizens

3. Which legislation provides the primary legal framework for the adjudication of inter-State river water disputes in India?

   1. A The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
   2. B The Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956
   3. C The River Boards Act, 1956
   4. D The National Water Policy, 2002

4. Which agreement serves as the foundational document for the 'package settlement' approach regarding the India-China boundary?

   1. A 1993 Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility
   2. B 1890 Anglo-Chinese Convention
   3. C 2005 Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles
   4. D 2012 Common Understanding between Special Representatives

5. The 'watershed principle' is a central point of contention in which sector of the India-China boundary?

   1. A Sikkim Sector
   2. B Northern Sector
   3. C Western Sector
   4. D Eastern Sector

6. What does the 'overshoot, peak, and decline' pathway, as proposed by the UNEP, primarily aim to achieve?

   1. A To allow temperatures to rise above 1.5 degrees Celsius temporarily before bringing them back down by 2100.
   2. B To ensure global temperatures remain strictly below 1.5 degrees Celsius through immediate policy changes.
   3. C To replace emission reduction mandates with nature-based carbon removal exclusively.
   4. D To permanently abandon the 1.5 degrees Celsius target of the Paris Agreement.

7. According to the UNEP report, which of the following is considered a potential irreversible tipping point resulting from prolonged global warming?

   1. A The stabilization of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation.
   2. B The collapse of the West Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets.
   3. C The expansion of the Sahara desert.
   4. D The increase in global biodiversity in tropical regions.

8. Which organization is responsible for the collection of wind velocity, geo-technical, and geo-physical data for offshore wind projects in India?

   1. A National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE)
   2. B Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA)
   3. C Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)
   4. D Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)

9. What is the primary purpose of the RBI's 'short forward dollar' positions?

   1. A To directly finance the government's fiscal deficit.
   2. B To increase the supply of foreign currency in the spot market immediately.
   3. C To defend the rupee without drawing down spot reserves immediately.
   4. D To provide long-term loans to Foreign Portfolio Investors.

10. Which of the following instruments were covered under the RBI's special USD-INR forex swap facility introduced on June 8?

    1. A Government securities, Treasury bills, and Gold bonds.
    2. B Equity shares, Debentures, and Mutual funds.
    3. C FCNR(B) deposits, OFCBs, and ECBs.
    4. D Repo rate, Reverse repo rate, and Marginal Standing Facility.

11. Which article of the Indian Constitution allows for the appointment of a 'distinguished jurist' as a judge of the Supreme Court?

    1. A Article 123
    2. B Article 124(3)
    3. C Article 143
    4. D Article 217

12. Which constitutional amendment introduced the 'distinguished jurist' category for appointment to the High Courts, which was later omitted?

    1. A 99th Amendment
    2. B 1st Amendment
    3. C 42nd Amendment
    4. D 44th Amendment

13. Under the proposed FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026, what is the primary role of the 'Designated Authority'?

    1. A To manage and dispose of foreign contributions and assets in case of registration cessation
    2. B To grant new FCRA registrations to NGOs
    3. C To audit the annual tax returns of foreign-funded entities
    4. D To negotiate foreign aid agreements with international governments

14. Which of the following best describes the 'GTAP' model mentioned in the context of trade analysis?

    1. A A regulatory mechanism for monitoring crude oil refining standards
    2. B A global general equilibrium model used to analyze trade linkages and economic shocks
    3. C A domestic policy framework for agricultural subsidies
    4. D A bilateral agreement protocol between India and the European Union

15. What has been a primary driver for Russia to import refined petroleum products from India recently?

    1. A A trade agreement requiring India to balance its crude oil imports with refined exports
    2. B Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries leading to domestic supply shortages
    3. C A surplus in Indian refining capacity and a global shortage of crude oil
    4. D The imposition of U.S. sanctions on Russian refined product exports

16. Which of the following is identified as a primary structural challenge contributing to the volatility of onion prices in India?

    1. A Excessive reliance on imported onion varieties
    2. B Consistent overproduction leading to market saturation
    3. C Complete lack of domestic demand during the festive season
    4. D High post-harvest losses and inadequate storage infrastructure

17. Which of the following bodies is responsible for the final recommendation on cadre review proposals for the Central Armed Police Forces?

    1. A Cadre Review Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary
    2. B Union Public Service Commission
    3. C Union Home Ministry
    4. D Department of Expenditure

18. Which constitutional body is primarily responsible for the recognition of political parties and the allotment of election symbols in India?

    1. A Ministry of Law and Justice
    2. B Election Commission of India
    3. C Parliamentary Committee on Privileges
    4. D Supreme Court of India

19. Under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, which of the following best describes the employer's obligation when a woman returns from maternity leave?

    1. A The employer is only required to provide the same salary, regardless of the role assigned.
    2. B The employer may assign any role as long as it is within the same company.
    3. C The employer is exempt from providing the same role if the woman requested flexible working hours during her maternity period.
    4. D The employer must restore the woman to her previous position, or an equivalent one in terms of status, pay, and responsibilities.

20. The Ganga Water Treaty, which is currently under discussion for renewal, was originally signed in which year?

    1. A 1996
    2. B 1971
    3. C 2006
    4. D 1986

21. Who is the current chairman of the comprehensive safety panel inspecting the Mullaperiyar Dam?

    1. A A.K. Singh
    2. B R.K. Gupta
    3. C Balraj Joshi
    4. D S.K. Sharma

22. Which of the following best describes the 'Exclusive Economic Zone' (EEZ) in the context of maritime law?

    1. A The area exclusively reserved for international shipping transit.
    2. B The area within 12 nautical miles from the baseline.
    3. C The area of the high seas where no nation has any jurisdiction.
    4. D The area extending up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline where a nation has sovereign rights for resource exploration.

23. The Polavaram Left Main Canal is primarily designed to divert water from which of the following rivers?

    1. A Vamsadhara
    2. B Tungabhadra
    3. C Godavari
    4. D Krishna

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

    1. A Absent, Shifted, Dead, Duplicate
    2. B Authorized, Scrutinized, Digitized, Deleted
    3. C Active, Suspended, Deleted, Defunct
    4. D Absent, Struck-off, Deceased, Disqualified

25. Which form is primarily used for the inclusion of a new name in the electoral roll in India?

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

26. Which of the following is designated as the nodal agency for business approvals under the proposed Delhi Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026?

    1. A Ministry of Commerce and Industry
    2. B Delhi Municipal Corporation
    3. C Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation
    4. D Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade

27. Which of the following factors was specifically cited by the Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) as a reason for upgrading India's credit rating?

    1. A Reduction in the fiscal deficit to zero
    2. B A significant increase in foreign direct investment in the defense sector
    3. C Implementation of GST and digital public infrastructure
    4. D Complete privatization of the banking sector

28. What is the primary economic benefit of an improved sovereign credit rating for a country?

    1. A Immediate increase in domestic tax revenue
    2. B Lower borrowing costs on international markets
    3. C Mandatory increase in public sector wages
    4. D Automatic appreciation of the national currency

29. Which government body is responsible for providing strategic policy advice to the state and central governments regarding urban development and planning in India?

    1. A Finance Commission
    2. B National Development Council
    3. C NITI Aayog
    4. D Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

30. What does the term 'blue carbon' refer to in the context of coastal ecosystems?

    1. A Carbon emissions resulting from industrial coastal shipping
    2. B Carbon sequestered by deep-sea coral reefs
    3. C Carbon captured by ocean-dwelling phytoplankton
    4. D Carbon stored in coastal and marine ecosystems like mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes

31. Which of the following is a primary ecological service provided by mangrove forests?

    1. A Generation of hydroelectric power
    2. B Reduction of oceanic salinity
    3. C Prevention of soil erosion and coastal protection
    4. D Regulation of atmospheric nitrogen levels

32. Which authority is responsible for the preparation and revision of electoral rolls in India?

    1. A Ministry of Law and Justice
    2. B State Election Commission
    3. C Chief Electoral Officer of the State
    4. D Election Commission of India

33. Which of the following measures is being considered by the Delhi government to disrupt the influence of organised crime syndicates within its prison complexes?

    1. A Mandatory life imprisonment for all members of identified criminal gangs
    2. B Privatisation of prison security operations
    3. C Transfer of hardened undertrials and convicts to prisons in other states
    4. D Complete ban on all visitor access to high-security wards

34. Which of the following is considered a primary strategy for long-term mitigation of urban waterlogging in rapidly developing cities?

    1. A Increasing the height of residential buildings
    2. B Replacing natural soil with impermeable concrete surfaces
    3. C Expansion of industrial zones near water bodies
    4. D Restoration of natural drainage systems and groundwater recharge

35. Who among the following are ex-officio members of the Bar Council of India?

    1. A The Chairperson of the Law Commission and the Attorney-General
    2. B The President of the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Law Secretary
    3. C The Chief Justice of India and the Law Minister
    4. D The Attorney-General and the Solicitor-General

36. What is the primary advantage of 'reverse vaccinology' over traditional vaccine development methods?

    1. A It uses only human-derived proteins to ensure safety.
    2. B It relies entirely on clinical trials rather than laboratory analysis.
    3. C It eliminates the need to culture germs in large bioreactors.
    4. D It guarantees 100% immunity against all viral infections.

37. Why do current pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) sometimes become less effective over time?

    1. A The carrier proteins used in PCVs are incompatible with human biology.
    2. B The bacteria mutate to become invisible to the immune system.
    3. C The vaccines contain toxic substances that weaken the immune system.
    4. D Non-vaccine serotypes multiply and replace the targeted serotypes.

38. Which of the following bodies is the appellate authority for orders passed by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016?

    1. A High Court of the respective state
    2. B Supreme Court of India
    3. C National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT)
    4. D Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT)

39. Which of the following government bodies in Nepal is primarily responsible for coordinating emergency response operations during natural disasters?

    1. A Nepal Hydropower Regulatory Board
    2. B Himalayan Disaster Management Authority
    3. C National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC)
    4. D Central Relief and Rehabilitation Commission

40. Which of the following factors has been identified as a primary driver for the recent surge in cotton prices?

    1. A Government-mandated reduction in cotton exports
    2. B Higher demand from China and lower output expectations from the U.S. and China
    3. C A significant decrease in global demand for textile yarn
    4. D Increased domestic production of cotton in India

41. What is the primary function of an Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) in the Indian financial market?

    1. A To provide short-term loans to telecom operators
    2. B To pool investments from various investors to fund infrastructure projects
    3. C To regulate the pricing of mobile data services
    4. D To manage the spectrum allocation process for 5G

42. The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) was enacted in which year?

    1. A 1996
    2. B 2006
    3. C 2001
    4. D 1992

43. Under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), what is the primary legal obligation of a police officer upon receiving information regarding the commission of a cognisable offence?

    1. A To conduct a preliminary inquiry for a minimum of 15 days
    2. B To refer the matter to the Central Vigilance Commission
    3. C To register an FIR immediately upon receipt of information
    4. D To seek permission from the state government before filing an FIR

44. In the context of Indian National Income Accounting, what is the primary purpose of revising GDP data from previous years?

    1. A To incorporate more accurate and updated data sources into the estimation process
    2. B To eliminate the influence of inflation on the nominal GDP
    3. C To ensure that the GDP growth rate always remains above 7%
    4. D To artificially inflate the current year's growth rate for political gains

45. What is the total number of members in the Manipur Legislative Assembly?

    1. A 70
    2. B 50
    3. C 60
    4. D 40

46. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil transit, connects which two bodies of water?

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

47. Which of the following factors is identified as a primary driver for the increased frequency of human-bear encounters in Japan?

    1. A Strict government bans on all forms of wildlife management
    2. B Increased hunting of bears by local communities
    3. C The introduction of invasive species into forest ecosystems
    4. D Rural depopulation and the loss of managed buffer zones

48. Which of the following is a leading theoretical mechanism proposed for the mood-stabilizing effects of Lithium?

    1. A Direct stimulation of the mitochondrial complex I
    2. B Activation of the serotonin reuptake pump
    3. C Suppression of the gut microbiome
    4. D Inhibition of the GSK-3 enzyme

49. Which drug, originally used as a surgical anesthetic, is noted for its ability to rapidly alleviate symptoms of severe depression at sub-anesthetic doses?

    1. A Metformin
    2. B Lithium
    3. C Ketamine
    4. D Phencyclidine

50. The current Ebola outbreak, which has been declared a global health emergency, is primarily centered in which country?

    1. A Sierra Leone
    2. B South Sudan
    3. C Democratic Republic of Congo
    4. D Nigeria

51. In the context of recent international maritime security operations, which of the following substances was seized in a joint operation involving U.S. and Sri Lankan authorities?

    1. A Heroin
    2. B Crystal methamphetamine
    3. C Cocaine
    4. D Synthetic opioids

52. Which of the following countries has recently advocated for a permanent mechanism to ensure the safety of commercial maritime transport in the Black Sea to prevent a grain crisis?

    1. A Ukraine
    2. B Bulgaria
    3. C Turkiye
    4. D Russia

53. Novonesis, which recently announced a major investment in Maharashtra, is a company primarily associated with which sector?

    1. A Biosolutions and enzyme production
    2. B Automobile manufacturing
    3. C Semiconductor fabrication
    4. D Renewable solar energy infrastructure

54. Which of the following best describes the recent operational decision taken by the Vietnamese automaker VinFast regarding its Indian market strategy?

    1. A Expansion of production capacity for all existing SUV models
    2. B Transition from electric vehicle production to internal combustion engine vehicles
    3. C Suspension of manufacturing plans for three specific EV models
    4. D Full exit from the Indian automotive sector

55. The 'Simple Wave' electric scooter range, recently in the news, is manufactured by which of the following companies?

    1. A Ola Electric
    2. B TVS Motor Company
    3. C Simple Energy
    4. D Ather Energy

56. What is the claimed Indian Driving Cycle (IDC) range of the newly launched Simple Wave electric scooter?

    1. A Up to 200 km
    2. B Up to 150 km
    3. C Up to 243 km
    4. D Up to 300 km

57. What was the reported cost of production for sugar per kilogram for the 2025-26 season as per industry estimates?

    1. A ₹39.5
    2. B ₹42.0
    3. C ₹49.0
    4. D ₹41.0

58. Which of the following best describes the stated primary objective behind PayPal's recent global restructuring and workforce reduction?

    1. A A complete exit from the Indian digital payments market
    2. B Relocation of all operations to the United States
    3. C Simplifying global operations and accelerating AI adoption
    4. D Compliance with new international labor regulations

59. Which of the following best describes the primary reason for the population discrepancies observed in the 1872 census of Bastar as noted by J.W. Neill?

    1. A A complete lack of cooperation from the local tribal leadership
    2. B Mass migration of the population to neighboring provinces
    3. C Systemic administrative failures and inconsistent enumeration methods
    4. D The total destruction of census records by natural disasters

60. The Kalyanasundarar Temple, recently in the news for the recovery of historical bronze idols, is located in which state?

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

61. The 'Environmental Security Sub-Directorate' is an organ of which of the following international organizations?

    1. A United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
    2. B World Customs Organization (WCO)
    3. C International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol)
    4. D World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

62. The MLA Local Area Development (MLALAD) fund is primarily intended for:

    1. A Providing direct cash transfers to students in government schools
    2. B Funding the construction of durable community assets and infrastructure
    3. C Paying salaries for temporary teachers in rural areas
    4. D Subsidizing the cost of textbooks and uniforms for primary students

63. Which of the following bodies is primarily responsible for the audit of government expenditure in India to ensure financial accountability?

    1. A National Investigation Agency
    2. B Central Vigilance Commission
    3. C Public Accounts Committee
    4. D Comptroller and Auditor General of India

64. Which of the following agencies is primarily responsible for conducting the investigation into the theft of weapons from the 20 Madras Regiment in Secunderabad?

    1. A National Investigation Agency
    2. B State Anti-Terrorism Squad
    3. C Central Bureau of Investigation
    4. D Military Intelligence

65. Which of the following acts primarily regulates the manufacture, sale, and distribution of drugs in India, including the monitoring of substances prone to misuse?

    1. A The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985
    2. B The Pharmacy Act, 1948
    3. C The Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988
    4. D The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940

66. Which of the following best describes the legal status of the 'Goondas Act' in the context of Indian administration?

    1. A It is a central legislation governing all states uniformly.
    2. B It is a judicial directive issued by the Supreme Court to regulate industrial land acquisition.
    3. C It is a preventive detention law enacted at the state level to maintain public order.
    4. D It is a constitutional amendment protecting the right to protest.

67. Which of the following bodies is responsible for the recruitment of junior assistant typists in the state of Uttar Pradesh as mentioned in the recent protests?

    1. A Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission
    2. B Staff Selection Commission
    3. C Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission
    4. D Uttar Pradesh Staff Recruitment Board

68. The Subarnarekha river, which often causes flooding in Odisha, originates in which of the following states?

    1. A Chhattisgarh
    2. B West Bengal
    3. C Jharkhand
    4. D Bihar

69. Which of the following best describes the primary objective of the state in providing compensation to victims of communal violence?

    1. A To replace the need for judicial prosecution of the accused
    2. B To influence electoral outcomes in specific regions
    3. C To provide immunity to those involved in the violence
    4. D To provide financial relief and facilitate the rehabilitation of affected families

70. Which of the following statements regarding the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is correct?

    1. A The CBI derives its power from the Constitution of India under Article 312.
    2. B The CBI can initiate an investigation into any state-level matter without the consent of the concerned State Government.
    3. C The CBI was originally set up by the Government of India to investigate cases of bribery and governmental corruption.
    4. D The CBI functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs.