UPSC Current Affairs Quiz — 16 October 2026

1.

Consider the following statements about Sukhna Wetland in Chandigarh:

1.It is a human-made wetland, created in 1958 by damming a seasonal stream that descends from the Shivalik hills.

2.It lies inside the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Ramsar site covers the whole sanctuary.

3.Its catchment extends beyond Chandigarh into Punjab and Haryana.

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: Sukhna and Sauj Jheel: Two New Ramsar Sites Take India to 103 Open full article →

2.

Consider the following statements about the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland:

1.It was conceptualised by the State Government in 2000 as an annual event to promote tourism and showcase Naga heritage.

2.It is called the 'Festival of Festivals' because it brings the traditions of the different Naga tribes to one venue.

3.Its main venue is in Dimapur, the State's commercial hub.

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: Hornbill Festival: 27th Edition at Kisama Set for 1-10 December Open full article →

3.

Under the Constitution of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Director-General is appointed by:

The World Health Assembly, on the nomination of the Executive Board The Executive Board, on the nomination of the World Health Assembly The United Nations General Assembly, on the recommendation of the Security Council The United Nations Secretary-General, after consulting the regional committees

From: WHO Director-General Race: Four Hopefuls Debate Reform in Berlin Open full article →

4.

Consider the following statements about Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR):

1.It measures ground movement by comparing the phase of radar echoes recorded over the same area at different times.

2.It records only the component of ground movement along the radar's line of sight.

3.It works as well over dense tropical forest as over bare rock.

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: Masaya Volcano: InSAR Tracks Caldera Uplift and Crater Sinking Open full article →

5.

Consider the following statements about solid-propellant rocket motors:

1.Their fuel and oxidiser are mixed together in a solid propellant.

2.Like liquid-propellant engines, they can be throttled up and down, and switched off and on, during flight.

3.Because they carry their own oxidiser, they can produce thrust where there is no air.

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: JWALA Mk1: Two Rocket Motors Fired Before First Flight Trial Open full article →

6.

Consider the following statements about the Red List of Ecosystems of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN):

1.It assesses the risk of collapse of ecosystems, rather than the extinction risk of individual species.

2.It can be applied at subnational, national, regional and global scales.

3.It is a legally binding instrument adopted under the Convention on Biological Diversity.

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: Red List of Ecosystems: Collapse-Risk Study Across 14 Districts Open full article →

7.

In Exercise Cambrian Patrol, held by the British Army in Wales, a patrol earns a gold medal when it:

Wins the exercise outright, finishing ahead of every other patrol Completes the patrol route in the shortest time Scores at least 75 per cent of the total available points, whatever its marks on individual tasks Scores at least 75 per cent of the total available points and no less than 65 per cent on any single assessed task

From: Cambrian Patrol 2026: Assam Regiment Among 10 Gold-Medal Patrols Open full article →

8.

Consider the following statements about a bird:

1.It is active mainly at night.

2.It lives in sparse scrub with patches of bare ground in rocky foothills of the Eastern Ghats.

3.Presumed extinct for decades, it was rediscovered in 1986, and a sanctuary was then created for it.

4.It is listed as Critically Endangered on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Which one of the following birds is described above?

Forest owlet Great Indian bustard Indian courser Jerdon's courser

From: Lankamala Forests: Camera Traps Record Bears, Leopards, Peafowl Open full article →

9.

Consider the following statements about Varunastra:

1.It is a ship-launched heavyweight torpedo designed for anti-submarine warfare.

2.It is electrically propelled.

3.It is designed for deep ocean waters only and cannot operate in shallow coastal waters.

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: Varunastra Torpedoes: Rs 1,543 Crore Contract Signed With BDL Open full article →

10.

Consider the following statements about the Weather Information Network and Data System (WINDS):

1.It is an initiative of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

2.It is administered by the India Meteorological Department.

3.It envisages automatic weather stations at block or tehsil level and automatic rain gauges at gram panchayat level.

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: WINDS: 1,843 of 50,510 Weather Sensors in Place as of 9 September Open full article →