9 September 2026

Quiz — 9 September 2026

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

Questions

1. The Biligundlu gauge, often mentioned in the context of the Cauvery water dispute, is located at the border of which two states?

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

2. What is the primary objective of the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) project in India?

   1. A To reduce the number of railway employees
   2. B To increase the speed of passenger trains only
   3. C To separate freight traffic from passenger traffic to improve operational efficiency
   4. D To privatize the entire Indian railway network

3. Which of the following is identified as the primary driver for the dramatic reduction in glacial area on the Tibetan Plateau over the past six decades?

   1. A Global warming
   2. B Deforestation in the plateau region
   3. C Tectonic plate movement
   4. D Increased volcanic activity

4. What is the primary disaster risk associated with the rapid expansion of glacial lakes on the Tibetan Plateau?

   1. A Desertification of the plateau
   2. B Permanent loss of permafrost
   3. C Increased seismic activity
   4. D Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)

5. Which of the following has been identified as a key priority for the development of India's fintech sector in the context of consumer safety?

   1. A Complete deregulation of digital lending
   2. B Transition to a purely cash-based economy
   3. C Development of a FinTech Consumer Protection Index
   4. D Mandatory foreign data storage

6. Which of the following products can be derived from coal gasification processes as mentioned in recent government initiatives?

   1. A Synthetic Natural Gas, Compressed Natural Gas, and Bitumen
   2. B Urea, Syngas, and Synthetic Natural Gas
   3. C Methanol, Coal Tar, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas
   4. D Direct Reduced Iron, Ethanol, and Hydrogen

7. Which of the following best describes the primary objective of a population census according to the United Nations?

   1. A To generate demographic, economic, and social statistics for policy and planning
   2. B To verify the citizenship status of every individual residing in the country
   3. C To maintain a permanent registry of all personal identification documents
   4. D To create a comprehensive database for law enforcement and surveillance

8. Under the Census Act, 1948, who is primarily responsible for the appointment of census enumerators?

   1. A The State Governments
   2. B The Ministry of Home Affairs
   3. C The Election Commission of India
   4. D The National Statistical Office

9. Which of the following states are the leading producers of sugarcane and sugar in India?

   1. A Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
   2. B Maharashtra and Karnataka
   3. C Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra
   4. D Maharashtra and Bihar

10. What is the primary reason cited for the recent tightening of domestic sugar availability in India?

    1. A Increased export quotas
    2. B Significant decline in actual production compared to initial estimates
    3. C Total failure of the monsoon across all states
    4. D Complete ban on ethanol production

11. What is the primary objective of the UNICORN project in the context of India-Japan defence cooperation?

    1. A Joint development of a nuclear-powered submarine
    2. B Establishment of a joint military base in the Indian Ocean
    3. C Co-production of long-range ballistic missiles
    4. D Transfer of an integrated communications antenna system

12. Which of the following best describes the focus of the 'Veer Guardian' exercise between India and Japan?

    1. A Joint naval blockade operations
    2. B Cybersecurity and intelligence sharing
    3. C Bilateral fighter aircraft training
    4. D Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief

13. Which of the following best describes the constitutional status of the right to peaceful assembly in India?

    1. A A privilege granted by the state executive
    2. B A directive principle of state policy
    3. C An absolute right with no scope for regulation
    4. D A fundamental right subject to reasonable restrictions

14. Which ministry is designated as the nodal ministry for the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006?

    1. A Ministry of Tribal Affairs
    2. B Ministry of Rural Development
    3. C Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
    4. D Ministry of Panchayati Raj

15. Which of the following constitutional provisions is primarily designed to protect the rights of tribal populations through the establishment of Autonomous District Councils?

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

16. Which of the following bodies is primarily responsible for examining the audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to ensure financial accountability of the executive?

    1. A Committee on Public Undertakings
    2. B Finance Commission
    3. C Estimates Committee
    4. D Public Accounts Committee

17. Which of the following best describes the current status of the BRICS grouping as per the recent diplomatic interactions mentioned?

    1. A It is a formal military alliance designed to counter Western influence.
    2. B It is primarily focused on the internal security of the Eurasian region.
    3. C It is a grouping of countries that share a common outlook and is not inherently anti-western.
    4. D It has successfully eliminated all internal policy differences among its member states.

18. Which of the following best describes the constitutional position regarding the taxation of mineral-bearing lands in India, as highlighted by recent judicial interpretations?

    1. A Taxation of mineral resources is solely under the jurisdiction of the local Panchayati Raj institutions.
    2. B The Union government has exclusive authority to levy all taxes on mineral resources.
    3. C The Supreme Court has ruled that mineral resources are exempt from all forms of state-level taxation.
    4. D States possess the constitutional right to levy taxes on lands containing mineral resources.

19. What is the primary concern raised regarding the 'Open-Column Method' in the context of census data collection?

    1. A It violates the privacy rights of the respondents under the Census Act.
    2. B It leads to ambiguity as it relies on respondent self-declaration rather than pre-defined lists.
    3. C It prevents the inclusion of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the census.
    4. D It is too expensive to implement at the national level.

20. The IRDAI (Outsourcing of Activities by Indian Insurers) Regulations, 2017, are primarily aimed at:

    1. A Mandating the merger of public sector insurance companies
    2. B Increasing the foreign direct investment limit in the insurance sector
    3. C Ensuring operational risk management and oversight of outsourced activities by insurers
    4. D Setting the minimum capital requirements for new insurance entrants

21. Which of the following best describes the 'liberty model' of university governance as discussed in the context of higher education?

    1. A A governance structure that emphasizes student participation in academic, administrative, and financial decision-making.
    2. B A model where the Vice-Chancellor holds absolute authority over all faculty appointments and disciplinary actions.
    3. C A top-down administrative approach focused on strict surveillance and control of student activities.
    4. D A system where the government dictates curriculum and research agendas to ensure national standards.

22. Which of the following authorities has the final power to decide on the expunction of unparliamentary or objectionable remarks from the records of the Legislative Assembly?

    1. A The Governor of the State
    2. B The Leader of the Opposition
    3. C The Chief Minister
    4. D The Speaker of the Assembly

23. Under the current legal framework as mentioned in the report, which authority is empowered to handle the compounding of offences under Sections 21 and 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025?

    1. A The Supreme Court of India
    2. B Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO)
    3. C The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court
    4. D The Ministry of Home Affairs

24. The Assam Education (Provincialisation of Services of Teachers and Re-Organisation of Educational Institutions) Act, 2017, was recently scrutinized by the Supreme Court for:

    1. A Violating the fundamental right to freedom of speech of teachers
    2. B Mandating the privatization of all government-aided educational institutions
    3. C Excluding minority-run institutions from state funding
    4. D Allowing the absorption of teachers into government service without meeting Central qualification standards

25. Under the Indian legal framework, which of the following is the primary criterion for awarding the death penalty as established by the Supreme Court?

    1. A The number of witnesses who testify
    2. B The 'rarest of rare' doctrine
    3. C The severity of the crime alone
    4. D The recommendation of the local police

26. The 'Cosmic Dark Ages' refers to which period in the history of the universe?

    1. A The period when dark matter first began to form
    2. B The era after the death of the last galaxy
    3. C The period before the Big Bang
    4. D The time between the Big Bang and the formation of the first stars

27. Why is the far side of the moon considered an ideal location for radio astronomy?

    1. A It has a stronger gravitational pull for satellite stability
    2. B It provides a natural shield against radio interference from Earth
    3. C It is the only place where neutral hydrogen exists
    4. D It is closer to the center of the galaxy

28. What is the primary objective of the 21-cm signal detection in cosmology?

    1. A To map the surface topography of the moon
    2. B To measure the exact speed of light in a vacuum
    3. C To study neutral hydrogen from the early universe
    4. D To detect radio signals from extraterrestrial civilizations

29. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait serves as a strategic maritime connection between which of the following bodies of water?

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

30. Based on the current coal stock of 123.7 MT and a daily consumption rate of 2.4 MT by the power sector, for how many days can the current stock meet the demand?

    1. A 60 days
    2. B 45 days
    3. C 30 days
    4. D 51 days

31. Which of the following factors is primarily cited as a reason for the recent decline of the Indian Rupee against the U.S. Dollar?

    1. A Increased foreign institutional investment in domestic equities
    2. B A decrease in domestic interest rates
    3. C Rising Brent crude oil prices due to geopolitical tensions
    4. D A surplus in the balance of trade

32. What is the primary reason cited by domestic notebook manufacturers for the emergence of an 'inverted duty structure' in their sector?

    1. A Reduction of GST on finished notebooks to Nil while input costs remain taxed
    2. B Removal of export subsidies for finished notebook products
    3. C Imposition of high anti-dumping duties on domestic paper mills
    4. D Increase in Basic Customs Duty on imported raw pulp

33. Which of the following best describes the sociological perspective on culture as discussed in the context of social change?

    1. A A singular, homogenised entity that remains immune to caste and class.
    2. B A dynamic reaction to the changing conditions of common life.
    3. C A fixed and unalterable set of values passed down through generations.
    4. D A set of religious dictates that must serve as the foundation for modern law.

34. Under which section of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (or the erstwhile Indian Penal Code) is criminal defamation primarily addressed in India?

    1. A Section 499
    2. B Section 124A
    3. C Section 144
    4. D Section 377

35. The TRISHNA mission, a collaboration between ISRO and CNES, is primarily designed for which of the following purposes?

    1. A Monitoring Earth's surface temperature and radiation variables
    2. B Establishing a global satellite-based internet network
    3. C Deep space exploration of the Martian atmosphere
    4. D Testing new cryogenic engine technology in vacuum conditions

36. Which of the following best describes the United Naga Council (UNC) in the context of Manipur?

    1. A A statutory authority for the administration of Hill Areas
    2. B A constitutional body established under Article 371C
    3. C A state-level law enforcement agency
    4. D The apex body representing Naga communities in Manipur

37. The 'Correct the Map' resolution, supported by India at the United Nations, primarily focuses on which of the following objectives?

    1. A Correcting distortions in map projections to better represent equatorial regions
    2. B Mandating the use of specific cartographic software for all member states
    3. C Demarcating all international borders with precise GPS coordinates
    4. D Establishing a new global standard for maritime boundary disputes

38. Which of the following bodies is typically responsible for reviewing the remission petitions of convicts in Indian states?

    1. A Sentence Review Board
    2. B State Human Rights Commission
    3. C State Law Commission
    4. D High Court Advisory Committee

39. Under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, what is the judicial stance regarding procedural defects in a complainant's affidavit?

    1. A Such defects are considered curable, and the court must allow the complainant to rectify them.
    2. B Such defects mandate the immediate dismissal of the complaint.
    3. C The court is prohibited from taking cognizance of any complaint with a technical error.
    4. D The court must transfer the case to the High Court for review of the affidavit.

40. Which department is primarily responsible for monitoring and reporting on the flood situation in Bihar as per the provided information?

    1. A Ministry of Jal Shakti
    2. B Central Water Commission
    3. C National Disaster Response Force
    4. D Disaster Management Department

41. What is the primary purpose of the Tele MANAS helpline mentioned in the context of social distress?

    1. A To register complaints against public officials
    2. B To report illegal drug trafficking activities
    3. C To coordinate agricultural subsidies
    4. D To provide mental health and distress support

42. Under which legislation are the electoral rolls for parliamentary and assembly constituencies prepared and revised in India?

    1. A Representation of the People Act, 1951
    2. B The Constitution (Sixty-first Amendment) Act, 1988
    3. C Registration of Electors Rules, 1960
    4. D Representation of the People Act, 1950

43. Which form is primarily used for the registration of a new voter in the electoral roll in India?

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

44. Which of the following bodies are mandated by the Delhi High Court to submit status reports on the vaccination and sterilisation of stray dogs?

    1. A Delhi Development Authority and Municipal Corporation of Delhi
    2. B Municipal Corporation of Delhi and New Delhi Municipal Council
    3. C Delhi Government and Animal Welfare Board of India
    4. D New Delhi Municipal Council and Delhi Pollution Control Committee

45. Which of the following factors is primarily identified as a cause for the structural vulnerability of older buildings in urban areas during unauthorized modifications?

    1. A Regular maintenance of the foundation by civil engineers
    2. B Installation of modern fire suppression systems
    3. C Excessive use of glass facades
    4. D Adding floors to structures originally designed with load-bearing walls without structural reinforcement

46. With reference to the regulation of building safety in India, which of the following statements best describes the current judicial approach as indicated by recent Supreme Court deliberations?

    1. A The Supreme Court has mandated that all private hostels must be registered under a central ministry.
    2. B The judiciary has delegated the responsibility of building safety entirely to the municipal corporations without further intervention.
    3. C The Supreme Court is considering expanding its oversight of illegal constructions to include safety audits for student accommodations.
    4. D The Supreme Court has declared that building bylaws are exclusively a matter of state legislative competence, barring any central or judicial interference.

47. Which of the following bodies has the authority to issue directives to the UGC and state governments regarding the protection of student rights in public universities?

    1. A University Grants Commission
    2. B Delhi Development Authority
    3. C National Human Rights Commission
    4. D Ministry of Education

48. Which of the following distinguishes soft corals from hard corals?

    1. A Soft corals rely on internal fluid pressure for structural support.
    2. B Soft corals are immune to changes in water salinity.
    3. C Soft corals possess a rigid calcium carbonate skeleton.
    4. D Soft corals do not exhibit bleaching or color loss.

49. What is the primary cause of the 'slumping' phenomenon in soft corals as identified by marine researchers?

    1. A Invasive species competing for space on the ocean floor.
    2. B Disruption of internal fluid pressure due to environmental stressors.
    3. C Excessive accumulation of calcium carbonate in the surrounding water.
    4. D Over-harvesting of marine resources by local divers.

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

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

51. Which of the following are identified as key pillars for strengthening India's energy security by the ONGC leadership?

    1. A Technology, innovation, and efficient resource deployment
    2. B Privatization, deregulation, and foreign direct investment
    3. C Subsidies, price controls, and import diversification
    4. D Renewable energy mandates, carbon taxes, and grid modernization

52. The recently inaugurated HCLTech Advanced Semiconductor Lab in Bengaluru is primarily designed to focus on which of the following areas?

    1. A Development of open-source semiconductor architecture
    2. B Post-silicon engineering, advanced testing, and failure analysis
    3. C Mass production of consumer-grade microprocessors
    4. D Raw silicon wafer extraction and purification

53. Which of the following bodies is responsible for the administration of the performance-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for public sector bank employees?

    1. A Reserve Bank of India
    2. B Indian Banks' Association
    3. C Ministry of Finance
    4. D Department of Personnel and Training

54. What is the primary reason for the recent decline in local bond yields in India, as noted in the context of corporate fundraising?

    1. A A reduction in the fiscal deficit target by the Union Government
    2. B A significant increase in the repo rate by the Reserve Bank of India
    3. C Substantial dollar inflows under RBI-subsidised schemes
    4. D Increased demand for foreign currency assets by domestic institutional investors

55. Which of the following best describes the 'New Business Premium' (NBP) in the context of the Indian life insurance industry?

    1. A The total value of assets managed by life insurance companies.
    2. B The premium income generated from new policies sold during a specific period.
    3. C The total premium received from all policies, including renewals, during a financial year.
    4. D The premium due in the first year of a life insurance contract.

56. Which of the following methods is mentioned as being utilized in India to manage low-level liquid radioactive wastes?

    1. A Chemical neutralization and filtration
    2. B Solar evaporation plants
    3. C High-temperature incineration
    4. D Deep geological repository storage

57. Which of the following best describes the findings of recent studies regarding the political ideology of the younger generation globally?

    1. A A universal decline in voter turnout among all youth cohorts.
    2. B A widening gender gap in political ideology with varying trends across different nations.
    3. C A complete lack of ideological alignment with older generations.
    4. D A uniform shift toward left-wing political ideologies across all demographics.

58. Orangutans, which were recently found in Odisha, are naturally native to which of the following regions?

    1. A Central Africa
    2. B The Amazon Basin
    3. C Indonesia and Malaysia
    4. D Northern Australia

59. The 'Kamasikashtakam' is a literary work dedicated to which deity?

    1. A Lord Narasimha
    2. B Lord Rama
    3. C Lord Krishna
    4. D Lord Shiva

60. The sacred shrine of Tiruvelukkai is located on the banks of which river?

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

61. The Special Police Unit for North-Eastern Region (SPUNER) was established in Delhi to primarily address which of the following?

    1. A Monitoring of cultural exchange programs in educational institutions
    2. B Border security management with neighboring countries
    3. C Grievances and safety concerns of people from the Northeast living in the capital
    4. D Coordination of inter-state trade between Northeast states and Delhi

62. Under the constitutional framework of India, who possesses the authority to assign the functions of a Lieutenant-Governor of one Union Territory to the Lieutenant-Governor of another during a temporary vacancy or absence?

    1. A The President of India
    2. B The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
    3. C The Union Home Minister
    4. D The Parliament of India

63. The 'Biotech Conclave 2026' focuses on which of the following emerging fields in biotechnology?

    1. A Renewable energy grid management
    2. B Gene editing and precision medicine
    3. C Space exploration and satellite manufacturing
    4. D Artificial intelligence in financial markets

64. Under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which body is primarily responsible for the rehabilitation and social reintegration of children in need of care and protection?

    1. A District Magistrate Office
    2. B National Commission for Protection of Child Rights
    3. C Child Welfare Committee
    4. D State Labour Department

65. In the context of the Indian legal system, which of the following best describes the role of a Public Prosecutor?

    1. A An officer appointed by the court to defend the accused.
    2. B An agent of the State responsible for conducting criminal proceedings on behalf of the government.
    3. C A private lawyer hired by the victims to lead the prosecution.
    4. D A judicial officer tasked with presiding over criminal trials.

66. Under the Indian Constitution, which authority is primarily responsible for maintaining order and decorum within the proceedings of a State Legislative Council?

    1. A The State Home Minister
    2. B The Chairman of the Legislative Council
    3. C The Governor of the State
    4. D The Chief Minister

67. Under which section of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) can the Enforcement Directorate share information or evidence with other law enforcement agencies?

    1. A Section 12(a)
    2. B Section 50(3)
    3. C Section 44(1)
    4. D Section 66(2)

68. The 'Special Intensive Revision' (SIR) of electoral rolls is primarily aimed at:

    1. A Ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the voter list by identifying and correcting discrepancies
    2. B Registering new political parties for upcoming state elections
    3. C Redrawing the boundaries of parliamentary constituencies
    4. D Increasing the number of polling stations in rural areas

69. The Public Safety Act (PSA), often cited in the context of administrative detention in Jammu and Kashmir, is primarily a:

    1. A Constitutional provision under Article 370
    2. B State-specific preventive detention law
    3. C Judicial order issued by the Supreme Court
    4. D Central legislation enacted by the Parliament of India

70. Under which legislation are the preventive sections 126 and 135, often used by Executive Magistrates to maintain public order, contained?

    1. A Code of Criminal Procedure
    2. B Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam
    3. C Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
    4. D Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita