12 September 2026

Quiz — 12 September 2026

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

Questions

1. With reference to India's strategy for critical minerals, consider the following statements: 1. India is currently negotiating for lithium blocks with Australia, Chile, and Argentina. 2. E-waste recycling is estimated to potentially meet up to 30% of India's critical mineral requirements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

2. Which of the following is the primary objective of the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA)?

   1. A To provide a common currency for all member nations
   2. B To offer a $100 billion pool of foreign exchange reserves to help members weather financial crises
   3. C To act as a military alliance against external threats
   4. D To replace the World Trade Organization in regulating global trade

3. What is the primary focus of India's 2026 BRICS Presidency agenda?

   1. A Building resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability
   2. B Military integration and collective defense
   3. C Establishing a single political union for the Global South
   4. D Exclusively focusing on the expansion of the G-7

4. According to the 2024 Road Transport Ministry data, which group accounts for the highest percentage of road traffic fatalities in India?

   1. A Car occupants
   2. B Public transport passengers
   3. C Two-wheeler riders
   4. D Pedestrians

5. Which of the following best describes the primary objective of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's proposal regarding the 60-day grace period for H-1B visa holders?

   1. A To restore a direct relationship between non-immigrant status and specific employment.
   2. B To increase the number of H-1B visas issued to foreign workers annually.
   3. C To extend the grace period for workers transitioning between different industries.
   4. D To provide permanent residency pathways for skilled technology workers.

6. Which of the following measures was primarily credited with attracting over $136 billion in new capital inflows to boost India's forex reserves since June?

   1. A Concessional forex swap initiatives
   2. B Reduction in repo rates
   3. C Increase in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limits
   4. D Direct purchase of gold reserves

7. Which of the following factors is primarily cited as a source of potential inflationary pressure in the recent RBI MPC outlook?

   1. A Excessive liquidity in the banking system
   2. B Decrease in Foreign Direct Investment
   3. C Domestic agricultural output decline
   4. D Rising crude oil prices due to geopolitical tensions

8. What is the correct procedural sequence for the conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and a third country?

   1. A European Commission proposal, followed by European Council signature, then European Parliament consent.
   2. B European Parliament consent, followed by European Commission proposal, then European Council signature.
   3. C European Council signature, followed by European Parliament consent, then European Commission proposal.
   4. D European Parliament consent, followed by European Council signature, then European Commission proposal.

9. With reference to 'Agentic AI' in the context of modern financial systems, which of the following best describes its primary characteristic?

   1. A It is a legacy system designed to increase the number of intermediaries in asset transfers.
   2. B It exclusively provides data-driven recommendations to human analysts.
   3. C It moves beyond recommendations to taking autonomous actions to complete processes.
   4. D It operates by replacing all human decision-making with automated logic.

10. Which of the following statements regarding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is correct?

    1. A A JPC is constituted by a motion in one House and concurred by the other to examine specific bills or issues.
    2. B A JPC has the power to override the decisions of the Supreme Court of India.
    3. C The members of a JPC are appointed exclusively by the Prime Minister.
    4. D A JPC is a permanent committee constituted only for financial matters.

11. As per the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) (Amendment) Rules, 2026, what is the stipulated timeline for a grievance officer to acknowledge a consumer complaint?

    1. A 24 hours
    2. B 48 hours
    3. C 15 days
    4. D 7 days

12. When do the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) (Amendment) Rules, 2026 become operational?

    1. A October 1, 2026
    2. B September 9, 2026
    3. C January 1, 2027
    4. D April 1, 2027

13. Which of the following best describes the primary objective of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)?

    1. A To regulate the registration of non-governmental organizations
    2. B To provide for the more effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of individuals and associations
    3. C To monitor the financial transactions of political parties
    4. D To oversee the functioning of the National Human Rights Commission

14. Which of the following best describes the current status of the India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations?

    1. A The agreement is limited only to the nuclear energy sector.
    2. B The agreement was signed in 2024.
    3. C The fourth round of discussions is scheduled to take place in Delhi.
    4. D Negotiations have been permanently suspended.

15. What is the primary significance of the CANDU model in the context of India-Canada relations?

    1. A It is a framework for student exchange programs.
    2. B It represents a joint security initiative against cybercrime.
    3. C It is a trade agreement regarding the export of Canadian potash.
    4. D It refers to the nuclear reactor technology used in many of India's power plants.

16. Which of the following nutrients are currently identified by the FSSAI as 'nutrients of concern' in the context of front-of-pack warning labels?

    1. A Added fat, added sugar, and salt
    2. B Vitamin C, calcium, and potassium
    3. C Carbohydrates, trans-fats, and minerals
    4. D Protein, fiber, and iron

17. Which of the following statements regarding the Census in India is correct?

    1. A The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India functions under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
    2. B The Census is a state subject under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
    3. C The Constitution of India mandates the inclusion of caste-based data in every decennial census.
    4. D The Census is conducted under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948.

18. Which of the following best describes the 'One Health' approach in the context of biotechnology and public health?

    1. A A framework designed to prioritize AI-driven drug discovery over traditional wet-lab research.
    2. B A policy mandating that all biotech startups must be registered under a single national regulatory body.
    3. C A strategy focused exclusively on the development of low-cost vaccines for domestic use.
    4. D An integrated approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and environmental factors.

19. What is the primary implication of the Reserve Bank of India partially canceling a government security auction?

    1. A To increase the total money supply in the economy
    2. B To reduce the fiscal deficit target for the year
    3. C To curb a spike in bond yields
    4. D To lower the interest rates on personal loans

20. Which of the following entities are classified as Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs) under SEBI's regulatory framework?

    1. A Mutual funds, venture capital funds, and hedge funds
    2. B Credit rating agencies, merchant bankers, and stock brokers
    3. C Stock exchanges, depositories, and clearing corporations
    4. D Commercial banks, non-banking financial companies, and insurance firms

21. When did the tenure of the previous Delhi Waqf Board expire?

    1. A December 10, 2024
    2. B August 23, 2023
    3. C September 8, 2024
    4. D January 10, 2024

22. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was enacted in which year?

    1. A 2010
    2. B 2005
    3. C 2012
    4. D 2015

23. In the context of biological research, what does the term 'gain-of-function' refer to?

    1. A Genetically altering an organism to create a new or enhanced biological property.
    2. B The legal framework governing the storage of biological samples in laboratories.
    3. C The process of reducing the virulence of a virus to create vaccines.
    4. D The use of AI to map the entire genome of a human subject.

24. According to recent estimates by the Nepalese Foreign Ministry, what is the projected cost for reconstruction following the recent glacial-collapse induced floods?

    1. A $6.12 billion
    2. B $8.45 billion
    3. C $2.50 billion
    4. D $4.78 billion

25. The Bab el-Mandeb strait serves as a critical maritime gateway connecting which of the following bodies of water?

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

26. Which of the following rivers were specifically mentioned as having stable or receding water levels in the recent Bihar flood report?

    1. A Gandak, Kosi, and Sone
    2. B Bagmati, Gandak, and Mahananda
    3. C Kosi, Sone, and Punpun
    4. D Ganga, Yamuna, and Kosi

27. Which of the following measures has been implemented by the IRCTC to curb fraudulent bulk bookings during the Advanced Reservation Period (ARP)?

    1. A Mandatory Aadhaar authentication for users during the opening ARP window.
    2. B Deactivation of all user IDs created before the year 2024.
    3. C Requirement for all passengers to visit railway counters for initial booking.
    4. D Complete ban on all online ticket bookings during the first hour of the day.

28. The Uttar Pradesh Public Premises (Eviction and Unauthorised Occupants) Act is primarily designed to:

    1. A Regulate the sale of private land to religious institutions
    2. B Provide a mechanism for the eviction of unauthorised occupants from public properties
    3. C Protect historical monuments from urban encroachment
    4. D Manage the distribution of state-owned agricultural land

29. Which writ is primarily used by the judiciary to protect an individual from illegal detention and ensure their production before the court?

    1. A Mandamus
    2. B Quo Warranto
    3. C Habeas Corpus
    4. D Certiorari

30. Which of the following factors is primarily responsible for the structural vulnerability of older residential buildings converted into high-density PG accommodations in Delhi?

    1. A Unauthorized structural alterations like basement excavation and removal of load-bearing walls
    2. B Lack of seismic retrofitting in the original design
    3. C High groundwater levels causing foundation erosion
    4. D Excessive use of modern glass facades

31. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a critical maritime chokepoint that connects which of the following bodies of water?

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

32. The Kanda Purana, which details the birth of Muruga and the defeat of the asura Soorapadman, is attributed to which author?

    1. A Abirami Bhattar
    2. B Brahma
    3. C Kachiappa Sivachariar
    4. D Sumathi Sri

33. The Huining Huiguan, a heritage site in Kolkata, was established by migrants from which Chinese province?

    1. A Guangdong
    2. B Fujian
    3. C Hubei
    4. D Shandong

34. Which historical event in the 20th century is identified as a major turning point that led to the decline of the Chinese population in Kolkata?

    1. A The Sino-Indian Trade Agreement of 1954
    2. B The Chinese Revolution of 1949
    3. C The partition of Bengal
    4. D The 1962 India-China War

35. Which organization was responsible for the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States?

    1. A Taliban
    2. B ISIS
    3. C Hezbollah
    4. D Al-Qaeda

36. In the context of the NSE IPO, what does an 'Offer for Sale' (OFS) imply?

    1. A Existing shareholders are selling their shares to the public without new capital infusion.
    2. B The company is issuing new shares to raise capital for expansion.
    3. C The government is acquiring a majority stake in the exchange.
    4. D The exchange is being delisted from the stock market.

37. Which of the following bodies represents the majority of bank employees and officers involved in the recent nationwide strike for a five-day work week?

    1. A Reserve Bank Employees Federation
    2. B National Banking Regulatory Council
    3. C United Forum of Bank Unions
    4. D Indian Banks' Association

38. Under which framework are the service conditions and disciplinary actions, including compulsory retirement, of IAS officers primarily governed?

    1. A The Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985
    2. B All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules
    3. C Article 370 of the Constitution
    4. D The Indian Penal Code

39. The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) functions under the administrative control of which of the following?

    1. A Cabinet Secretariat
    2. B Ministry of Home Affairs
    3. C Ministry of Finance
    4. D Ministry of Law and Justice

40. The University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) is conducted to determine eligibility for which of the following?

    1. A Medical residency placement
    2. B Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship
    3. C Civil Services recruitment
    4. D Admission to undergraduate engineering programs

41. Which of the following best describes the function of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in the context of extreme weather events?

    1. A It is the primary agency responsible for disaster relief and rehabilitation operations.
    2. B It is responsible for the urban planning and drainage infrastructure of metropolitan cities.
    3. C It provides meteorological observations, forecasts, and early warnings for weather-related disasters.
    4. D It acts as the nodal agency for climate change policy formulation at the international level.

42. Which organization is responsible for the operational scheduling of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC)?

    1. A Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
    2. B Delhi Traffic Police
    3. C Delhi Metro Rail Corporation
    4. D Union Public Service Commission