UPSC Current Affairs Quiz — 17 October 2026

1.

Consider the following statements about the Siddis of India:

1.They trace their origins to East Africa, and their ancestors came as traders, soldiers and enslaved people.

2.The Siddi community of Gujarat is listed among the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

3.The Sidi Saiyyed Mosque in Ahmedabad, famous for its stone window of intertwining tree branches, was built by a Siddi.

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: Murud-Janjira: Visitors Return to Raigad's Siddi Island Fort Open full article →

2.

With reference to the sultanates that emerged from the break-up of the Bahmani kingdom, consider the following pairs:

Sultanate : Ruling dynasty

1.Ahmadnagar : Nizam Shahi

2.Bijapur : Qutb Shahi

3.Golconda : Adil Shahi

4.Berar : Barid Shahi

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Only one Only two Only three All four

From: Murud-Janjira: Visitors Return to Raigad's Siddi Island Fort Open full article →

3.

Consider the following statements about the 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India', inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2025:

1.It is a serial property made up of several separate forts.

2.All of its components lie in Maharashtra.

3.Murud-Janjira is one of its components.

4.It was inscribed under cultural criteria.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1, 2 and 4 only 1 and 4 only 1, 3 and 4 only 2 and 3 only

From: Murud-Janjira: Visitors Return to Raigad's Siddi Island Fort Open full article →

4.

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: Murud-Janjira resisted repeated attempts to capture it, including those made by the Marathas.

Statement-II: Its island position forced attackers to land troops, move equipment and sustain a siege across the sea.

Statement-III: A causeway linking it with Murud kept its garrison supplied during sieges.

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

Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct and both of them explain Statement-I Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct, but only one of them explains Statement-I Only one of Statement-II and Statement-III is correct and that is the explanation of Statement-I Neither Statement-II nor Statement-III is correct

From: Murud-Janjira: Visitors Return to Raigad's Siddi Island Fort Open full article →

5.

Consider the following statements about monuments protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958:

1.Construction is barred in the 'prohibited area' around such a monument, save in narrow exceptions.

2.Building in the 'regulated area' beyond it needs the competent authority's permission.

3.The National Monuments Authority is a constitutional body.

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: Murud-Janjira: Visitors Return to Raigad's Siddi Island Fort Open full article →

6.

Consider the following statements about the Kailadevi-Ranthambhore landscape of Rajasthan:

1.The Chambal, which forms the southern boundary of Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary, flows south to join the Narmada.

2.The Banas, which runs along the sanctuary's western side, is a tributary of the Chambal.

3.Ranthambhore lies where the Aravalli and Vindhyan ranges meet.

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: Kailadevi Sanctuary: 29 Leopards Identified, Tiger Cubs Recorded Open full article →

7.

Consider the following statements about protected-area designations in the Ranthambhore landscape:

1.A tiger reserve can include both a national park and wildlife sanctuaries within its area.

2.Notifying a tiger reserve converts the wildlife sanctuaries inside it into national parks.

3.Part of Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary is designated critical tiger habitat of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve.

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: Kailadevi Sanctuary: 29 Leopards Identified, Tiger Cubs Recorded Open full article →

8.

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: In a camera-trap survey, a species photographed more often per 100 trap nights necessarily has a larger population in the area.

Statement-II: The same individual can be photographed many times, and species differ in how likely they are to pass a camera.

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 not correct Statement-I is not correct, but Statement-II is correct

From: Kailadevi Sanctuary: 29 Leopards Identified, Tiger Cubs Recorded Open full article →

9.

Consider the following statements about camera-trap studies of leopards:

1.A leopard's left and right flanks carry different coat patterns.

2.Trap nights measure how many animals were photographed.

3.Spatial capture-recapture models allow for animals that were present but never photographed.

4.A density estimate from such a model is an exact count, reported without any interval.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 only 3 and 4 only 1, 3 and 4 only

From: Kailadevi Sanctuary: 29 Leopards Identified, Tiger Cubs Recorded Open full article →

10.

Wild prey such as nilgai and wild boar are often surveyed by walking fixed lines and recording the perpendicular distance of every animal seen from the line. The method that uses these distances to estimate animal density is:

Spatial capture-recapture Occupancy modelling Pugmark census Distance sampling

From: Kailadevi Sanctuary: 29 Leopards Identified, Tiger Cubs Recorded Open full article →

11.

Consider the following statements about Lahaul in Himachal Pradesh, where Ghepan Ghat lake lies:

1.The Atal Tunnel, beneath the Rohtang Pass in the Pir Panjal range, links Manali with the Lahaul valley throughout the year.

2.Lahaul lies south of the Pir Panjal range, on the side that faces the south-west monsoon.

3.Lahaul receives heavy winter snowfall brought by western disturbances.

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: Ghepan Ghat: C-DAC Sensors on a Lahaul Lake After 178% Expansion Open full article →

12.

Consider the following statements about the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction:

1.It was adopted at a United Nations world conference held in Sendai, Japan, in 2015.

2.It is a legally binding treaty with penalties for missing targets.

3.It succeeded the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015.

4.One of its global targets seeks wider access to multi-hazard early warning systems by 2030.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 3 only 2, 3 and 4 only 1, 2, 3 and 4 1, 3 and 4 only

From: Ghepan Ghat: C-DAC Sensors on a Lahaul Lake After 178% Expansion Open full article →

13.

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: The disaster risk from a glacial lake depends only on how much water the lake holds.

Statement-II: Disaster risk is determined by hazard together with exposure, vulnerability and capacity.

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 not correct Statement-I is not correct, but Statement-II is correct

From: Ghepan Ghat: C-DAC Sensors on a Lahaul Lake After 178% Expansion Open full article →

14.

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: A flood's modelled travel time to a downstream village is not the warning time its residents can count on.

Statement-II: Detecting a breach, analysing data, deciding on an alert and passing it on all use up part of that time.

Statement-III: Flood waves always slow in narrow, steep channels, so models overstate their speed.

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

Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct and both of them explain Statement-I Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct, but only one of them explains Statement-I Only one of Statement-II and Statement-III is correct and that is the explanation of Statement-I Neither Statement-II nor Statement-III is correct

From: Ghepan Ghat: C-DAC Sensors on a Lahaul Lake After 178% Expansion Open full article →

15.

Under the United Nations 'Early Warnings for All' initiative, which body leads the pillar on detection, observation, monitoring, analysis and forecasting of hazards?

The World Meteorological Organization The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction The International Telecommunication Union The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

From: Ghepan Ghat: C-DAC Sensors on a Lahaul Lake After 178% Expansion Open full article →

16.

Consider the following statements about owls and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):

1.The spot-bellied eagle-owl is listed in Appendix II.

2.Apart from a few species, all owls are covered by an Appendix II listing of their entire order, Strigiformes.

3.The forest owlet, which is endemic to India, is listed in Appendix I.

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: Spot-Bellied Eagle-Owl: Kozhikode's First Verified Photo Record Open full article →

17.

Consider the following statements about owls:

1.They can move their eyes freely within the sockets, so they seldom need to turn their heads.

2.The 'ear tufts' of eagle-owls are feathers and are not their ears.

3.They regurgitate pellets of indigestible bones, fur and feathers.

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: Spot-Bellied Eagle-Owl: Kozhikode's First Verified Photo Record Open full article →

18.

Consider the following birds:

1.Spot-bellied eagle-owl

2.Barn owl

3.Brown fish owl

4.Sri Lanka bay owl

How many of the above belong to Strigidae, the family of typical owls?

Only one Only two Only three All four

From: Spot-Bellied Eagle-Owl: Kozhikode's First Verified Photo Record Open full article →

19.

Consider the following statements about the spot-bellied eagle-owl:

1.Its range extends across parts of South and Southeast Asia, beyond India.

2.Within India, it is confined to the Western Ghats.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2

From: Spot-Bellied Eagle-Owl: Kozhikode's First Verified Photo Record Open full article →

20.

Consider the following statements about centipedes and millipedes:

1.Centipedes belong to the class Chilopoda and millipedes to the class Diplopoda.

2.Centipedes carry two pairs of legs on most body segments, and millipedes one pair.

3.Millipedes feed mainly on decaying plant material, whereas centipedes are predators.

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: Rhysida: Three New Centipedes From Kozhikode, Coorg and Neyyar Open full article →

21.

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: Centipedes are venomous, whereas millipedes are not.

Statement-II: In centipedes, the first pair of legs behind the head is modified into fangs, called forcipules, that carry a poison gland.

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 not correct Statement-I is not correct, but Statement-II is correct

From: Rhysida: Three New Centipedes From Kozhikode, Coorg and Neyyar Open full article →

22.

Consider the following statements about places linked to the new Rhysida species:

1.The Kaveri rises at Talakaveri in Kodagu (Coorg) district of Karnataka.

2.Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary lies within the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve.

3.The Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve lies wholly within Keralam (formerly Kerala).

4.Agasthyamala is part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 1, 2 and 4 only 2, 3 and 4 only 1, 2, 3 and 4

From: Rhysida: Three New Centipedes From Kozhikode, Coorg and Neyyar Open full article →

23.

Centipedes, like insects, are arthropods. Which one of the following groups of arthropods has two pairs of antennae?

Insects Arachnids Myriapods, such as centipedes and millipedes Crustaceans

From: Rhysida: Three New Centipedes From Kozhikode, Coorg and Neyyar Open full article →

24.

Consider the following statements about the National Security Guard Act, 1986:

1.It provides for its members to be tried by Army courts-martial.

2.It constitutes the National Security Guard as an armed force of the Union for combating terrorist activities.

3.It vests control of the force in the Central Government and its command in a Director-General.

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: NSG Raising Day: Established in 1984, Statutory Force Since 1986 Open full article →

25.

Consider the following statements:

1.Article 355 makes it the Union's duty to protect every State against internal disturbance.

2.Since the 44th Amendment, Article 352 permits a National Emergency on the ground of internal disturbance.

3.Police and public order are subjects in the State List.

4.Deploying a Union armed force in a State in aid of the civil power is a Union List subject.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 3 only 2 and 4 only 1, 3 and 4 only 1, 2, 3 and 4

From: NSG Raising Day: Established in 1984, Statutory Force Since 1986 Open full article →

26.

Consider the following statements about the composition of the National Security Guard:

1.Its Special Action Groups are drawn from Army personnel.

2.Its Special Ranger Groups are recruited directly and include no personnel from State police forces.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2

From: NSG Raising Day: Established in 1984, Statutory Force Since 1986 Open full article →

27.

The National Security Guard Act, 1986 received the President's assent on 22 September 1986, but it came into force on 16 October 1986. This is because:

the Act left its commencement to a date notified by the Central Government an Act of Parliament takes effect only after it is ratified by half of the State Legislatures a law creating an armed force of the Union needs a separate Cabinet approval after the President's assent a Central Act comes into force only after the rules under it have been framed

From: NSG Raising Day: Established in 1984, Statutory Force Since 1986 Open full article →

28.

Consider the following statements:

1.Article 33 lets Parliament restrict the Fundamental Rights of members of the Armed Forces and of forces maintaining public order.

2.Members of the National Security Guard are liable to serve only within India.

3.Under the National Security Guard Act, members need prior sanction from the Central Government or a prescribed authority to join a trade union.

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: NSG Raising Day: Established in 1984, Statutory Force Since 1986 Open full article →

29.

Consider the following countries:

1.Ghana

2.Niger

3.Cameroon

4.Nigeria

How many of the above share a land border with Benin?

Only one Only two Only three All four

From: India-Benin: Porto-Novo Talks Cover Defence Training and Health Open full article →

30.

Consider the following statements about Benin:

1.As Dahomey, it became independent from Portugal in 1960.

2.Porto-Novo is its official capital, while Cotonou is its economic capital.

3.Its currency is issued by the Central Bank of West African States.

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: India-Benin: Porto-Novo Talks Cover Defence Training and Health Open full article →

31.

Consider the following statements about Benin's physical geography:

1.Its coast lies on the Bight of Benin, part of the Gulf of Guinea.

2.Its southern part has two rainy seasons a year, while the north has a single wet season.

3.The Mono river forms part of its boundary with Nigeria.

4.The Niger river forms part of its boundary with the Republic of Niger.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2, 3 and 4 only 1, 2, 3 and 4 1, 2 and 4 only

From: India-Benin: Porto-Novo Talks Cover Defence Training and Health Open full article →

32.

Consider the following statements about India's defence and training links with partners such as Benin:

1.The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme is run by the Ministry of External Affairs.

2.Under ITEC, military personnel from partner countries are also trained in Indian defence institutions.

3.MILAN is a multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy.

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: India-Benin: Porto-Novo Talks Cover Defence Training and Health Open full article →

33.

Consider the following statements about palms:

1.The coconut palm bears its male and female flowers on separate trees.

2.In the palmyra palm, male and female flowers are borne on separate trees, and both kinds of tree can be tapped for sap.

3.The date palm is dioecious.

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: Palmyra Jaggery: 1.755 Tonnes Flagged Off From Erode to Bulgaria Open full article →

34.

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: Palmyra sap meant for jaggery has to be processed soon after it is collected.

Statement-II: Yeasts naturally present in the sap begin fermenting its sugars into alcohol, turning it into toddy.

Statement-III: Boiling the sap drives off water and concentrates its dissolved sugars.

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

Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct and both of them explain Statement-I Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct, but only one of them explains Statement-I Only one of Statement-II and Statement-III is correct and that is the explanation of Statement-I Neither Statement-II nor Statement-III is correct

From: Palmyra Jaggery: 1.755 Tonnes Flagged Off From Erode to Bulgaria Open full article →

35.

Consider the following statements about organic certification in India:

1.Under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), organic exports are certified by accredited third-party certification bodies.

2.The Participatory Guarantee System for India (PGS-India) is meant mainly for domestic and local markets.

3.Certification under PGS-India is enough to export a product as organic.

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: Palmyra Jaggery: 1.755 Tonnes Flagged Off From Erode to Bulgaria Open full article →

36.

Consider the following statements about Bulgaria:

1.Varna, the destination of the palmyra jaggery consignment, lies on its Black Sea coast.

2.It shares a land border with Ukraine.

3.It uses the euro as its currency.

4.It is a member of the European Union but not of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 3 and 4 only 1 and 3 only 1, 3 and 4 only

From: Palmyra Jaggery: 1.755 Tonnes Flagged Off From Erode to Bulgaria Open full article →

37.

Consider the following statements about India's national akademis:

1.Sangeet Natak Akademi is the national academy of music, dance and drama.

2.Lalit Kala Akademi is the national academy of letters.

3.Rabindra Bhavan in New Delhi houses all three national akademis.

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: Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar: 106 Artists From Kathak to Puppetry Open full article →

38.

Match List I with List II:

List I (Puppet tradition)

A. Kathputli of Rajasthan

B. Putul Nach of West Bengal

C. Ravanachhaya of Odisha

D. Pavakoothu of Keralam (formerly Kerala)

List II (Type of puppet)

1.Glove puppets

2.Shadow puppets

3.String puppets

4.Rod puppets

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1 A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1 A-1, B-4, C-2, D-3 A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3

From: Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar: 106 Artists From Kathak to Puppetry Open full article →

39.

Consider the following statements about Sattriya, a dance form for which an artist was selected for the 2024 Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar:

1.It developed in the sattras, the Vaishnava monasteries of Assam.

2.Its repertoire centres on devotion to Krishna.

3.It has stayed confined to the sattras and is not presented as a stage art.

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: Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar: 106 Artists From Kathak to Puppetry Open full article →

40.

Which one of the following statements about the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar is correct?

It is given only to performers of the shehnai It can be awarded posthumously An artist can receive it a second time in a different field It is open to Indian nationals up to 40 years of age across the performing arts

From: Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar: 106 Artists From Kathak to Puppetry Open full article →

41.

Consider the following statements about the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY):

1.It was formed by merging three earlier schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana.

2.Its nodal ministry is the Ministry of Rural Development.

3.It is a centrally sponsored scheme funded fully by the Centre under its approved norms.

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: PM-AJAY: 18,093 Villages Reach Adarsh Gram Status by 8 September Open full article →

42.

Consider the following statements about Adarsh Gram status under the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana:

1.Progress is scored on indicators in domains such as water, health and livelihoods.

2.A village must be open defecation free and also reach a minimum score.

3.The Gram Panchayat itself declares a village an Adarsh Gram.

4.Each Village Development Plan needs the Gram Sabha's approval.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2, 3 and 4 only 1, 2, 3 and 4 1, 2 and 4 only

From: PM-AJAY: 18,093 Villages Reach Adarsh Gram Status by 8 September Open full article →

43.

Consider the following statements:

1.Article 46 directs the State to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

2.Article 243G lets a State Legislature empower Panchayats to prepare plans for economic development and social justice.

3.The Eleventh Schedule, listing matters for Panchayats, was added by the 74th Amendment.

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: PM-AJAY: 18,093 Villages Reach Adarsh Gram Status by 8 September Open full article →

44.

Consider the following statements:

1.Article 17 abolishes untouchability and makes the enforcement of any disability arising from it an offence punishable by law.

2.The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 was originally enacted as the Untouchability (Offences) Act.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2

From: PM-AJAY: 18,093 Villages Reach Adarsh Gram Status by 8 September Open full article →

45.

Consider the following statements about the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana:

1.Its gap-filling funds cover village needs that other schemes cannot meet.

2.Its grants-in-aid fund projects such as skill training and income-generating assets.

3.Its hostels help Scheduled Caste students study away from home.

4.The Union ministry maintains all infrastructure built under it.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 4 only 2 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 only

From: PM-AJAY: 18,093 Villages Reach Adarsh Gram Status by 8 September Open full article →