UPSC Current Affairs Quiz — 30 August 2026

1.

With reference to PM-eBus Sewa, consider the following statements:

1.It provides for 10,000 air-conditioned electric buses.

2.It operates through a public-private partnership model.

3.Buses are purchased directly by the Union government and handed to cities.

Select the answer using the code given below:

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: PM-eBus Sewa: Crossing One Lakh Daily Passenger Trips Open full article →

2.

Under a Gross Cost Contract, which risk does the operator NOT carry?

The cost of maintaining the buses The cost of employing and training drivers The obligation to run scheduled services The risk of fare revenue falling short

From: PM-eBus Sewa: Crossing One Lakh Daily Passenger Trips Open full article →

3.

Why does the scheme give special attention to cities such as Bhavnagar, Alwar and Bikaner?

They already operate the largest diesel bus fleets in India They are the only cities with existing charging infrastructure They lack adequate organised bus services, so electric buses create service rather than replace it They lie outside the coverage of any state transport undertaking by law

From: PM-eBus Sewa: Crossing One Lakh Daily Passenger Trips Open full article →

4.

Why can depot construction and high-tension power lines determine the pace of the scheme?

Buses cannot be manufactured until depots are complete Delivered buses cannot enter regular service without charging and depot facilities Power lines are needed to reduce the ticket price Depots decide which cities are eligible to apply

From: PM-eBus Sewa: Crossing One Lakh Daily Passenger Trips Open full article →

5.

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: The climate benefit of an electric bus is not determined by the vehicle alone.

Statement-II: It also depends on the sources of electricity used for charging and on passenger occupancy per journey.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

From: PM-eBus Sewa: Crossing One Lakh Daily Passenger Trips Open full article →

6.

A barrier lake, of the kind reported near the Nepal-Tibet border, forms when:

rock, soil, ice or debris blocks a valley stream a glacier melts completely and leaves a hollow an earthquake raises the bed of an existing lake heavy rain saturates a plateau with no outlet

From: Tibet Barrier Lake: Flood Danger Near the Nepal Border Open full article →

7.

With reference to the August 2026 event, consider the following statements:

1.The new lake formed on the Lhende Khola upstream of Rasuwagadhi.

2.Nepal's disaster authority used satellite images to identify the blockage.

3.The event is best described as a glacial lake outburst flood.

Select the answer using the code given below:

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: Tibet Barrier Lake: Flood Danger Near the Nepal Border Open full article →

8.

Why does water beginning to flow through a natural barrier not prove that the danger has ended?

Outflow always stops within a few hours Flowing water indicates that the blockage has been engineered The lake refills only during the dry season Continued erosion can widen the channel and release water much faster

From: Tibet Barrier Lake: Flood Danger Near the Nepal Border Open full article →

9.

Rasuwa district, affected by this event, lies in which province of Nepal?

Gandaki Province Koshi Province Bagmati Province Lumbini Province

From: Tibet Barrier Lake: Flood Danger Near the Nepal Border Open full article →

10.

Why is cross-border information sharing especially important in this case?

Nepal controls the upstream site while China faces the downstream risk China controls the upstream site while Nepal faces major downstream exposure Neither country can observe the lake by satellite The river flows away from both countries' settlements

From: Tibet Barrier Lake: Flood Danger Near the Nepal Border Open full article →

11.

With reference to the geography of Argentina, consider the following statements:

1.It shares a land border with Peru.

2.Chile lies to its west across the Andes.

3.The Pampas support major grain and livestock production.

Select the answer using the code given below:

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: India Argentina Trade: Joint Committee Reviews Growth Open full article →

12.

The Argentine provinces of Catamarca, Salta and Jujuy are important to India mainly because they:

contain the country's largest wheat-growing plains lie in a lithium-rich zone with brine-bearing salt flats host Argentina's main pharmaceutical manufacturing form the country's principal port cluster

From: India Argentina Trade: Joint Committee Reviews Growth Open full article →

13.

In international trade, sanitary and phytosanitary rules are intended to:

fix the price at which farm goods may be sold guarantee a minimum export quota for each country decide the currency used for payment protect plant, animal and human health

From: India Argentina Trade: Joint Committee Reviews Growth Open full article →

14.

Argentina agreed to work towards moving India from Annex II towards Annex I under its medicines framework. This would:

immediately approve all Indian medicines for sale transfer Argentine drug regulation to Indian authorities simplify reliance on Indian regulatory information end post-market monitoring of Indian products

From: India Argentina Trade: Joint Committee Reviews Growth Open full article →

15.

MERCOSUR, with which India seeks deeper trade preferences, is:

a security alliance of Andean states a South American trading bloc linking major regional markets a United Nations agency for commodity prices a development bank for Latin America

From: India Argentina Trade: Joint Committee Reviews Growth Open full article →

16.

The 'cosmic dark ages' studied by the proposed CosmoCube mission refers to the period:

before the Big Bang occurred after all stars in the Universe had died when the Moon formed around the Earth between the cosmic microwave background and the first stars

From: CosmoCube Mission: Lunar Observation of the Dark Ages Open full article →

17.

With reference to the 21-centimetre signal, consider the following statements:

1.It arises from a small energy change within neutral hydrogen atoms.

2.Cosmic expansion stretches the ancient signal to longer wavelengths today.

3.It is observed at very high gamma-ray frequencies.

Select the answer using the code given below:

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: CosmoCube Mission: Lunar Observation of the Dark Ages Open full article →

18.

Why would observing from behind the Moon help this measurement?

The lunar far side is permanently dark and therefore colder Lunar gravity amplifies faint radio signals The Moon's body shields a spacecraft from direct terrestrial radio emissions The Moon has an atmosphere that filters interference

From: CosmoCube Mission: Lunar Observation of the Dark Ages Open full article →

19.

Why is Earth's ionosphere a problem for this kind of observation?

It emits its own 21-centimetre hydrogen signal It absorbs and bends low-frequency radio waves It blocks all visible light from space It prevents satellites from maintaining orbit

From: CosmoCube Mission: Lunar Observation of the Dark Ages Open full article →

20.

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: Careful calibration of the instrument is essential for this mission.

Statement-II: Electronic components produce unwanted radio noise and antenna response changes with frequency, so an instrument pattern can imitate a cosmic signal.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

From: CosmoCube Mission: Lunar Observation of the Dark Ages Open full article →

21.

With reference to the Oriental Darter, consider the following statements:

1.It feeds mainly on seeds and aquatic plants.

2.Its scientific name is Anhinga melanogaster.

3.It is also called the snakebird because of its long neck above water.

Select the answer using the code given below:

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: Oriental Darters: Urban Waste Hazard in Bengaluru Lakes Open full article →

22.

Why does entanglement around the bill threaten a darter's survival?

It prevents the bird from spreading its wings to dry It makes the bird's plumage permanently waterproof It forces the bird to migrate out of the region It stops the bird from catching or swallowing fish

From: Oriental Darters: Urban Waste Hazard in Bengaluru Lakes Open full article →

23.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature moved the Oriental Darter to Least Concern during the 2024 assessment cycle. This means that:

the species faces no threat anywhere in its range Indian law no longer protects the species its global extinction risk is low, though local populations can still be harmed its population has been counted precisely across Asia

From: Oriental Darters: Urban Waste Hazard in Bengaluru Lakes Open full article →

24.

Why can ordinary waste be dangerous to wildlife even when it is not toxic?

Non-toxic waste dissolves and poisons the water Waste always changes the temperature of a lake Birds cannot see any material that floats Its shape, colour and strength can turn it into a physical trap

From: Oriental Darters: Urban Waste Hazard in Bengaluru Lakes Open full article →

25.

In ecology, an 'ecological trap' describes a situation where:

a predator is caught in a physical snare set by humans a species is confined to a protected area by fencing an attractive choice guided by evolved cues reduces survival or reproduction two species compete for the same limited food source

From: Urban Dung Beetle: Ecological Trap Created by Dog Waste Open full article →

26.

With reference to the study on Onthophagus orpheus, consider the following statements:

1.Brood-ball failure was lower on dog dung than on cow dung.

2.Adult beetles preferred dog dung over cow dung.

3.Offspring raised on dog dung developed faster and emerged larger.

Select the answer using the code given below:

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: Urban Dung Beetle: Ecological Trap Created by Dog Waste Open full article →

27.

Among dung beetles, 'tunnelers' are those that:

roll prepared balls away before burial develop entirely within the dung pat itself feed only on decaying plant matter bury dung near its original site

From: Urban Dung Beetle: Ecological Trap Created by Dog Waste Open full article →

28.

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: The study does not recommend leaving dog waste in parks for beetles.

Statement-II: Collection under local sanitation rules limits pollution and disease exposure, and also reduces access to a risky breeding resource.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

From: Urban Dung Beetle: Ecological Trap Created by Dog Waste Open full article →

29.

With reference to the Index of Industrial Production, consider the following statements:

1.It measures changes in the physical volume of selected industrial output.

2.It covers services along with mining and manufacturing.

3.Its revised series uses 2022-23 as the base year.

Select the answer using the code given below:

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: India IIP Growth: Strong July Performance in New Series Open full article →

30.

The general index reading of 124.8 for July 2026 means that measured output was:

24.8 per cent higher than in July 2025 124.8 per cent of the previous month's output 24.8 per cent above the base-year average growing at 124.8 units each month

From: India IIP Growth: Strong July Performance in New Series Open full article →

31.

In the use-based classification of the index, which group showed the strongest growth in July 2026?

Consumer non-durables Primary goods Infrastructure and construction goods Capital goods

From: India IIP Growth: Strong July Performance in New Series Open full article →

32.

Why should a reader avoid directly comparing an index level from the old series with 124.8?

The old series was never published officially Index levels are confidential until the year ends Base revision changed the basket, weights and data sources The new series excludes manufacturing

From: India IIP Growth: Strong July Performance in New Series Open full article →

33.

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: A quick estimate of industrial production can change in later releases.

Statement-II: The figure is published twenty-eight days after the reference month, and source agencies may supply revised information afterwards.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

From: India IIP Growth: Strong July Performance in New Series Open full article →

34.

With reference to the National Health Claims Exchange, consider the following statements:

1.It was developed by the National Health Authority with the insurance regulator.

2.It operates within the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.

3.It decides whether an individual claim is payable.

Select the answer using the code given below:

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: Insurance Advisory Panel: Health Claims Exchange Adoption Open full article →

35.

Why does the exchange rely on common data and workflow standards such as Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources?

Different hospital and insurance systems store information in different formats Standards allow insurers to reject claims automatically Standards replace the need for medical review of a claim Only one software vendor is permitted to connect

From: Insurance Advisory Panel: Health Claims Exchange Adoption Open full article →

36.

Why is adoption of the exchange described as facing a 'network problem'?

The system requires a dedicated physical cable network Only rural hospitals are permitted to join Network coverage decides whether a policy is valid It becomes useful only when many hospitals, insurers and administrators participate

From: Insurance Advisory Panel: Health Claims Exchange Adoption Open full article →

37.

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: Faster electronic transmission of a claim does not guarantee that it will be approved.

Statement-II: Coverage depends on the contract, disclosure and treatment facts, and patients still need clear reasons for any rejection.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

From: Insurance Advisory Panel: Health Claims Exchange Adoption Open full article →

38.

With reference to epidermolysis bullosa, consider the following statements:

1.It is an infectious disease spread through skin contact.

2.It is a group of genetic skin-fragility disorders.

3.Its four main groups are simplex, junctional, dystrophic and Kindler syndrome.

Select the answer using the code given below:

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: Epidermolysis Bullosa: ICMR Grant Funds ADAPT-EB Project Open full article →

39.

Why does precise subtype diagnosis matter in this condition?

Only one subtype can be treated with dressings Severity, inheritance and treatment suitability differ between subtypes Subtype determines whether the condition is contagious All subtypes respond identically to gene therapy

From: Epidermolysis Bullosa: ICMR Grant Funds ADAPT-EB Project Open full article →

40.

Why can genetic test panels designed elsewhere be less reliable for Indian patients?

Indian laboratories cannot process genetic samples Genetic testing is prohibited for rare diseases in India Panels built mainly from other populations may miss relevant variants Skin biopsies replace the need for any genetic test

From: Epidermolysis Bullosa: ICMR Grant Funds ADAPT-EB Project Open full article →

41.

In drug repurposing, an existing medicine is examined for a new condition. Why is this approach attractive yet still demanding?

Repurposed medicines never need regulatory approval The medicine automatically works for every rare disease Repurposing removes the need for clinical trials Existing safety knowledge can shorten early work, but evidence for the new disease is still required

From: Epidermolysis Bullosa: ICMR Grant Funds ADAPT-EB Project Open full article →