UPSC Current Affairs Quiz — 14 September 2026

1.

Consider the following statements about moth bean:

1.Its scientific name is Vigna aconitifolia and it is also called matki.

2.It is a legume that provides both food grain and livestock fodder.

3.It is an established crop of hot, dry environments such as western Rajasthan.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Moth Bean: CAZRI Varieties Survive a 35-Day Dry Spell in Rajasthan Open full article →

2.

A variety that matures early enough to finish its life cycle before a late-season dry period is showing:

Drought resistance through deep roots Waterlogging tolerance Drought escape, which differs from enduring low water availability for a longer period Salt tolerance

From: Moth Bean: CAZRI Varieties Survive a 35-Day Dry Spell in Rajasthan Open full article →

3.

Consider the following statements about legumes such as moth bean:

1.Their roots can form a partnership with bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into forms the plant can use.

2.Pulses can therefore contribute to soil fertility within suitable rotations.

3.A pulse crop adds no nitrogen to the soil under any conditions.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Moth Bean: CAZRI Varieties Survive a 35-Day Dry Spell in Rajasthan Open full article →

4.

The Central Arid Zone Research Institute's report described its moth bean varieties staying green and forming pods through a dry spell. What does that observation establish?

Final grain yield across locations Field resilience during crop development, not a completed comparison of harvests That the varieties need no water at all Performance under flooding

From: Moth Bean: CAZRI Varieties Survive a 35-Day Dry Spell in Rajasthan Open full article →

5.

Consider the following statements about the institute and its breeding work:

1.The Central Arid Zone Research Institute is located at Hyderabad.

2.It functions under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

3.Breeding has sought earlier maturity alongside grain production and adaptation to moisture stress, because the longer duration of older spreading types exposed them to late-season drought.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Moth Bean: CAZRI Varieties Survive a 35-Day Dry Spell in Rajasthan Open full article →

6.

Consider the following statements about INS Kulish:

1.It is a Kora-class guided-missile corvette.

2.A corvette is generally smaller than a frigate or a destroyer, though classifications differ between countries.

3.Commissioning marks a ship's formal entry into naval service, and Kulish was commissioned years before this deployment.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: INS Kulish: Kora-Class Corvette Calls at Cambodia's Ream Base Open full article →

7.

Consider the following statements about Cambodia:

1.It borders Thailand to the west and north-west, Laos to the north-east and Vietnam to the east.

2.Its south-western coast faces the Gulf of Thailand, which opens towards the South China Sea.

3.It is a landlocked country.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: INS Kulish: Kora-Class Corvette Calls at Cambodia's Ream Base Open full article →

8.

A scheduled port call by a warship at a foreign naval base is different from a permanent foreign military presence because:

Port calls require a defence treaty Warships cannot enter foreign bases without an alliance Access for a visit and the right to maintain a standing presence are separate arrangements A port call automatically creates basing rights

From: INS Kulish: Kora-Class Corvette Calls at Cambodia's Ream Base Open full article →

9.

Consider the following statements about India's policy framework for the visit:

1.The Act East Policy was announced in 1992.

2.The Act East Policy builds on the earlier Look East approach and covers trade, culture, connectivity and defence.

3.MAHASAGAR expands to Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: INS Kulish: Kora-Class Corvette Calls at Cambodia's Ream Base Open full article →

10.

Consider the following statements about the Tso Kar wetland complex:

1.It lies in the Changthang region of Ladakh's high plateau.

2.Tso Kar in the north is saline, while Startsapuk Tso to its south is freshwater, and a small channel connects them.

3.The complex received Ramsar designation in 2020.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Tso Kar Lake: Ladakh Diverts Glacier Water to Revive a Ramsar Site Open full article →

11.

The name Tso Kar means white lake, from salt deposits around its margins. The lake is saline mainly because:

Seawater seeps into it from the coast Evaporation removes water while leaving dissolved salts behind in a basin without an effective outward drainage route Glacial meltwater is naturally salty Salt is mined and dumped along its shores

From: Tso Kar Lake: Ladakh Diverts Glacier Water to Revive a Ramsar Site Open full article →

12.

The planned diversion capacity, the initial flow entering the first depression, and the lake's recovery are:

Three separate measures, none of which directly records the water finally retained in the lake The same quantity expressed in different units All confirmed measurements of recovery Interchangeable figures for the project's success

From: Tso Kar Lake: Ladakh Diverts Glacier Water to Revive a Ramsar Site Open full article →

13.

In wetland hydrology, a water balance compares:

The salinity of two connected lakes Bird counts in wet and dry seasons Inputs, outputs and changes in storage, such as inflows and precipitation against evaporation and seepage The area of a lake with the area of its catchment

From: Tso Kar Lake: Ladakh Diverts Glacier Water to Revive a Ramsar Site Open full article →

14.

Consider the following statements about restoring the Tso Kar wetland:

1.The complex is an important site for migratory waterbirds and breeding black-necked cranes.

2.The surrounding pastures are used by Changpa pastoralists as well as wild mammals.

3.Raising the lake's water level is by itself a complete measure of restoration success.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Tso Kar Lake: Ladakh Diverts Glacier Water to Revive a Ramsar Site Open full article →

15.

Consider the following statements about the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple:

1.It stands in Madurai, a historic city associated with the Vaigai river in southern Tamil Nadu.

2.Its two principal shrines honour Meenakshi and Sundareswarar, forms of the goddess and Shiva.

3.The district administration describes the temple as the centre around which the city developed.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Meenakshi Temple: Vendors Evicted Ahead of Madurai Kumbabishekam Open full article →

16.

Consider the following statements about the temple's construction history:

1.Madurai's temple history is associated with the Pandyas and later the Nayak rulers.

2.The entire surviving complex was built by the Cholas in a single phase.

3.Much of the monumental expansion, including work credited to Thirumalai Nayak, belongs to the Nayak period.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Meenakshi Temple: Vendors Evicted Ahead of Madurai Kumbabishekam Open full article →

17.

In southern temple architecture, a mandapam is:

A monumental gateway tower through the enclosing wall A pillared hall used for assembly or ritual activity The innermost shrine housing the principal deity A sacred bathing tank

From: Meenakshi Temple: Vendors Evicted Ahead of Madurai Kumbabishekam Open full article →

18.

The kumbabishekam scheduled at the Meenakshi Temple is:

A consecration ritual for the temple's sacred structures, which a long-established shrine can undergo after restoration The opening ceremony of a newly founded temple The annual marriage festival of the deities A municipal licensing procedure

From: Meenakshi Temple: Vendors Evicted Ahead of Madurai Kumbabishekam Open full article →

19.

Consider the following statements about the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014:

1.It bans street vending in the vicinity of temples.

2.It provides for surveys, vending certificates and Town Vending Committees.

3.Section 18 includes a thirty-day notice requirement before removal from a place specified in a vending certificate.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Meenakshi Temple: Vendors Evicted Ahead of Madurai Kumbabishekam Open full article →

20.

Consider the following statements about Mercury:

1.It is the smallest of the eight planets and the closest to the Sun.

2.It is the hottest planet in the Solar System.

3.It has a large metallic core and only an extremely tenuous exosphere rather than a substantial atmosphere.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Mercury: Hidden Scarps Suggest Up to 30% More Planetary Shrinkage Open full article →

21.

Scarps on Mercury's surface record the planet's contraction because:

As the interior cooled and shrank, the outer shell was compressed and one block of crust was pushed over another along faults, leaving steep steps Meteorite impacts carved cliffs into the surface Volcanic eruptions built ridges of lava Tidal forces from the Sun stretched the crust apart

From: Mercury: Hidden Scarps Suggest Up to 30% More Planetary Shrinkage Open full article →

22.

The study's estimate of up to 30 per cent more contraction than previously calculated refers to:

The rate at which Mercury is shrinking today A measured change in Mercury's orbit An increase in Mercury's surface temperature The total accumulated shrinkage inferred from the geological record

From: Mercury: Hidden Scarps Suggest Up to 30% More Planetary Shrinkage Open full article →

23.

Consider the following statements about missions to Mercury:

1.BepiColombo is a joint mission of NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation.

2.Much of the detailed evidence about Mercury comes from NASA's MESSENGER mission, whose images remain valuable after the mission ended.

3.BepiColombo carries two scientific orbiters to investigate complementary aspects of Mercury.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Mercury: Hidden Scarps Suggest Up to 30% More Planetary Shrinkage Open full article →

24.

The study found fewer mapped contraction structures in rougher terrain. The likely explanation offered is that:

Rough terrain never experienced contraction Contraction only happens near the poles Rough terrain is younger than the rest of the planet Impact debris can cover older features and an irregular surface makes them harder to recognise

From: Mercury: Hidden Scarps Suggest Up to 30% More Planetary Shrinkage Open full article →

25.

Consider the following statements about the Java Sea:

1.It lies north of Java, south of Borneo and east of Sumatra.

2.The Sunda Strait between Sumatra and Java opens from it towards the Indian Ocean.

3.The Karimata Strait connects it towards the South China Sea.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Java Sea: Virgo Transport 8 Capsizes with 243 Aboard Open full article →

26.

A search area after a vessel capsizes is revised over time mainly because:

The last reported position is always wrong Rescue vessels cannot use position reports Wind and currents move people, liferafts and wreckage, and different objects drift differently Survivors swim back to the port of departure

From: Java Sea: Virgo Transport 8 Capsizes with 243 Aboard Open full article →

27.

Consider the following statements about domestic ferry safety:

1.The International Maritime Organization is the United Nations body for international shipping standards.

2.Some domestic vessels fall outside the main international passenger-ship convention, so national rules remain central.

3.That international convention automatically applies to every domestic vessel.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Java Sea: Virgo Transport 8 Capsizes with 243 Aboard Open full article →

28.

In ship safety, stability refers to a vessel's:

Speed through the water Ability to resist and recover from heeling, which loading and the movement of water or cargo can affect Cargo-carrying capacity Fuel efficiency

From: Java Sea: Virgo Transport 8 Capsizes with 243 Aboard Open full article →

29.

Consider the following statements about mitochondrial DNA:

1.Most of an animal's DNA is in the cell nucleus and reflects inheritance from both parents.

2.Mitochondria carry a much smaller genetic system that in mammals is normally inherited through the mother.

3.A mitochondrial lineage captures the full contribution of both parents to an animal's ancestry.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Malabari Goat: Mitogenome Links Kerala Breed to Iraq's Meriz Goats Open full article →

30.

Consider the following statements about the Malabari goat:

1.The national breed register lists it with Kerala as its home state.

2.Its distribution is associated particularly with Kozhikode, Kannur and Malappuram.

3.It is a dual-purpose domestic breed used for milk and meat, not a wild species.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Malabari Goat: Mitogenome Links Kerala Breed to Iraq's Meriz Goats Open full article →

31.

The genetic affinity found between Malabari goats and goats of the Arabian region:

Identifies the ship that carried the first goats to Kerala Dates a specific voyage Supports a hypothesis of historical livestock movement through trade networks, without supplying a shipping record Proves that Malabari goats produce more milk

From: Malabari Goat: Mitogenome Links Kerala Breed to Iraq's Meriz Goats Open full article →

32.

Why is a maritime explanation for the Malabari goat's ancestry considered plausible?

Kerala has no land connection to the rest of India Kerala faces the Arabian Sea, and monsoon-wind sailing linked its ports with Arabia in the spice trade Goats cannot travel overland Iraq shares a land border with India

From: Malabari Goat: Mitogenome Links Kerala Breed to Iraq's Meriz Goats Open full article →

33.

Consider the following statements about Willingdon Island:

1.It is an artificial landmass within Kochi's harbour system on Kerala's south-west coast.

2.Its formation belongs to the harbour-building process associated with engineer Robert Bristow.

3.Material dredged to create the entrance channel and inner harbour contributed to raising the island.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Willingdon Island: Seminar Urges Revival of Kochi's Old Port Hub Open full article →

34.

Dredging and reclamation are related but different operations. Dredging is:

Removing material from the bed of a waterway to create or maintain navigable depth Raising new land within a coastal or backwater area Building a breakwater to shelter a harbour Marking a shipping channel with buoys

From: Willingdon Island: Seminar Urges Revival of Kochi's Old Port Hub Open full article →

35.

The International Container Transshipment Terminal at Vallarpadam, opened in 2011, performs transshipment, which means:

Loading containers onto trains only Storing containers for long periods Transferring containers between ships, often linking regional services with long-distance routes Inspecting containers for customs

From: Willingdon Island: Seminar Urges Revival of Kochi's Old Port Hub Open full article →

36.

Consider the following statements about Kochi's port landscape:

1.Vallarpadam is another name for Willingdon Island.

2.Fort Kochi is an older settlement distinct from Willingdon Island.

3.The shift of container operations to Vallarpadam changed the distribution of work within the port rather than ending all activity on Willingdon Island.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Willingdon Island: Seminar Urges Revival of Kochi's Old Port Hub Open full article →

37.

Consider the following statements about melanoma:

1.Melanocytes are cells that produce melanin, the pigment contributing to skin colour.

2.Melanoma develops when melanocytes become malignant.

3.It is distinct from basal-cell and squamous-cell skin cancers.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Melanoma: Why Indian Awareness Must Cover Palms, Soles and Nails Open full article →

38.

Acral melanoma is melanoma arising on:

The scalp and face The palms, soles or beneath the nails The moist linings of the mouth and nose The eye

From: Melanoma: Why Indian Awareness Must Cover Palms, Soles and Nails Open full article →

39.

Consider the following statements about recognising melanoma:

1.Changes in a lesion's shape, border, colour or size are reasons to seek medical assessment.

2.A diagnosis generally requires a tissue sample examined by a pathologist, a procedure called a biopsy.

3.Photographs and informal comparisons are sufficient to confirm or exclude melanoma.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Melanoma: Why Indian Awareness Must Cover Palms, Soles and Nails Open full article →

40.

Immunotherapy for melanoma works by:

Killing all rapidly dividing cells in the body Removing the tumour surgically Blocking immune checkpoint signals that normally limit immune activity, allowing a stronger response against the tumour Repairing damaged skin cells

From: Melanoma: Why Indian Awareness Must Cover Palms, Soles and Nails Open full article →

41.

Consider the following statements about melanoma and skin colour:

1.Ultraviolet radiation remains an important risk factor for many skin melanomas.

2.People with darker skin cannot develop melanoma.

3.Mucosal and ocular melanomas arise outside ordinary sun-exposed skin.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Melanoma: Why Indian Awareness Must Cover Palms, Soles and Nails Open full article →

42.

Consider the following statements about celiac disease:

1.It is an autoimmune response to gluten, a group of proteins found in wheat, barley and rye.

2.The immune response damages the small intestine, including the finger-like villi that provide its absorptive surface.

3.Reduced absorption explains why consequences can extend beyond abdominal discomfort.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Celiac Disease: Rohtak PGIMS Sees 540 Adult Cases in a Decade Open full article →

43.

Celiac disease, wheat allergy and non-celiac gluten sensitivity are different conditions. Improvement after avoiding wheat:

Does not by itself distinguish among them, because they have different mechanisms and diagnostic considerations Confirms celiac disease Rules out celiac disease Confirms a wheat allergy

From: Celiac Disease: Rohtak PGIMS Sees 540 Adult Cases in a Decade Open full article →

44.

Doctors advise testing for celiac disease before starting a gluten-free diet because:

Gluten-free food is expensive Removing gluten can reduce the very changes that blood tests and biopsies are meant to detect The diet causes the disease Testing is impossible once symptoms appear

From: Celiac Disease: Rohtak PGIMS Sees 540 Adult Cases in a Decade Open full article →

45.

Consider the following statements about the Rohtak figures:

1.They describe patients diagnosed at a specialist institution over a decade.

2.They establish the national prevalence of celiac disease.

3.An increase in recorded adult cases could partly reflect better recognition rather than a measured rise in underlying disease.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Celiac Disease: Rohtak PGIMS Sees 540 Adult Cases in a Decade Open full article →

46.

Carrying the genetic variants associated with celiac disease means that a person:

Has a susceptibility, but many carriers never develop the disease, so it is not a diagnosis Definitely has celiac disease Must start a gluten-free diet immediately Cannot develop celiac disease

From: Celiac Disease: Rohtak PGIMS Sees 540 Adult Cases in a Decade Open full article →