UPSC Current Affairs Quiz — 19 October 2026

1.

Consider the following statements about Vasuki indicus, a giant extinct snake described from fossils found in Gujarat:

1.Its fossils were recovered from a lignite mine in the Kutch district.

2.It lived in the Eocene epoch, after the non-avian dinosaurs had died out at the end of the Cretaceous.

3.It belonged to the Madtsoiidae, an extinct group of snakes distinct from today's pythons and anacondas.

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: Vasuki indicus: Kutch Fossil Snake Estimated at 10.9-15.2 Metres Open full article →

2.

The body length of the extinct snake Vasuki indicus has been estimated mainly by:

measuring its skeleton, which was found complete and articulated in the rock scaling up from the size of its skull, using skull-to-body ratios of living snakes applying vertebra-to-body-length relationships from living snakes to its fossil vertebrae assuming it had the same body proportions as Titanoboa, its closest known relative

From: Vasuki indicus: Kutch Fossil Snake Estimated at 10.9-15.2 Metres Open full article →

3.

Consider the following statements about Titanoboa, a giant fossil snake often compared with Vasuki indicus:

1.It lived during the Palaeocene epoch, earlier than Vasuki indicus.

2.Its fossils come from the Indian subcontinent, like those of Vasuki indicus.

3.Like Vasuki indicus, it belonged to the extinct snake family Madtsoiidae.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Only one Only two All three None

From: Vasuki indicus: Kutch Fossil Snake Estimated at 10.9-15.2 Metres Open full article →

4.

Vasuki indicus was found in a lignite mine. With reference to coal in India, consider the following statements:

1.India's coal occurs only in Gondwana rocks, which are a little over 200 million years old.

2.Lignite is a low-grade brown coal that is soft and has a high moisture content.

3.India's principal lignite reserves are at Neyveli in Tamil Nadu.

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: Vasuki indicus: Kutch Fossil Snake Estimated at 10.9-15.2 Metres Open full article →

5.

With reference to body temperature in animals, consider the following statements:

1.Among vertebrates, only reptiles are cold-blooded.

2.Snakes are cold-blooded (poikilothermous) animals whose body temperature depends largely on their surroundings.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

From: Vasuki indicus: Kutch Fossil Snake Estimated at 10.9-15.2 Metres Open full article →

6.

Consider the following statements about Romania:

1.Its capital, Bucharest, is a port on the Black Sea coast.

2.Its border with Moldova is formed by the Prut river.

3.The Iron Gate gorge of the Danube lies on its border with Serbia.

4.It shares a land border with Slovakia.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: YARA J: 9 Indian Crew Safe at Constanta After Reported Strike Open full article →

7.

Consider the following statements about the Danube Delta:

1.Most of it lies in Romania, while some of its northern fringes lie in Ukraine.

2.Of its three main arms, the Sulina has been canalised and dredged for shipping.

3.The Sulina arm carries more of the Danube's water than the Chilia arm.

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: YARA J: 9 Indian Crew Safe at Constanta After Reported Strike Open full article →

8.

Which one of the following agreements governs navigation through the Bosporus and the Dardanelles?

The Constantinople Convention of 1888 The Belgrade Convention of 1948 The Bucharest Convention of 1992 The Montreux Convention of 1936

From: YARA J: 9 Indian Crew Safe at Constanta After Reported Strike Open full article →

9.

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: The Port of Constanta serves as a trade gateway for landlocked countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

Statement-II: The Danube-Black Sea Canal links the port with the Danube inland waterway.

Statement-III: Constanta stands at the mouth of the Danube's navigable Sulina arm.

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: YARA J: 9 Indian Crew Safe at Constanta After Reported Strike Open full article →

10.

Consider the following statements about the Danube:

1.Its basin is shared by more countries than any other river basin in the world.

2.It is the second-longest river in Europe, after the Volga.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

From: YARA J: 9 Indian Crew Safe at Constanta After Reported Strike Open full article →

11.

With reference to Multi-Domain Operations (MDO), the theme of the Ran Samwad seminar of 2026, consider the following statements:

1.The six domains named include space, cyber and cognitive, besides land, sea and air.

2.The concept treats the six domains as separate efforts that run in parallel.

3.The cognitive domain concerns information and its influence on perception and decision-making.

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: Akhand Prahar-II: Black Mace and Battle Axe Train in Jaisalmer Open full article →

12.

Consider the following statements about the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) post created in 2019:

1.The CDS heads the Department of Military Affairs as its Secretary.

2.The CDS is the Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.

3.The three Service Chiefs no longer advise the Defence Minister on their own Services.

4.The Department of Military Affairs handles the Services' capital acquisitions.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Akhand Prahar-II: Black Mace and Battle Axe Train in Jaisalmer Open full article →

13.

Consider the following:

1.Punjab

2.Delhi

3.Madhya Pradesh

4.Maharashtra

How many of the above share a boundary with Rajasthan?

Only one Only two Only three All four

From: Akhand Prahar-II: Black Mace and Battle Axe Train in Jaisalmer Open full article →

14.

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: The Chief of Defence Staff does not exercise military command over the three Service Chiefs.

Statement-II: The Chief of Defence Staff holds a rank junior to that of the Service Chiefs.

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: Akhand Prahar-II: Black Mace and Battle Axe Train in Jaisalmer Open full article →

15.

Consider the following statements about the Barak river:

1.It rises in the hills of Manipur.

2.The Barail range separates its basin from that of the Brahmaputra.

3.It divides into the Surma and the Kushiyara in Manipur, before entering Assam.

4.Its tributary the Jiri marks part of the boundary between Manipur and Assam.

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: Barak River: Katigorah Police Boat Pursuit Ends in Two Arrests Open full article →

16.

Consider the following statements about rivers flowing through Bangladesh:

1.The Surma and the Kushiyara reunite to form the Upper Meghna.

2.The Brahmaputra is known as the Jamuna after the Teesta joins it.

3.The Meghna is joined by the Padma near Chandpur before reaching the Bay of Bengal.

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: Barak River: Katigorah Police Boat Pursuit Ends in Two Arrests Open full article →

17.

Consider the following statements:

1.National Waterway 16 is a stretch of the Barak river in Assam.

2.A river stretch becomes a national waterway only when Parliament declares it so by law.

3.Shipping and navigation on every inland waterway is a subject in the Union List.

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: Barak River: Katigorah Police Boat Pursuit Ends in Two Arrests Open full article →

18.

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: The Barak valley of Assam is prone to floods.

Statement-II: The main tributaries of the Barak in the valley are largely rain-fed and cause floods when heavy rain falls.

Statement-III: Runoff from the surrounding hills converges on the low-lying valley floor.

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: Barak River: Katigorah Police Boat Pursuit Ends in Two Arrests Open full article →

19.

Consider the following rivers:

1.Sonai

2.Manas

3.Katakhal

4.Longai

How many of the above belong to the Barak river system?

Only one Only two Only three All four

From: Barak River: Katigorah Police Boat Pursuit Ends in Two Arrests Open full article →

20.

Consider the following statements about biofortification:

1.It raises the nutrient content of a crop while the crop grows, whereas conventional fortification adds nutrients during processing.

2.It can be achieved through conventional plant breeding and agronomic practices, not only through biotechnology.

3.A biofortified crop variety is necessarily genetically modified.

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: Kufri Jamunia: 42.75 mg Vitamin C per 100 g of Purple Flesh Open full article →

21.

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: The potato tuber is a modified stem, not a root.

Statement-II: The potato tuber stores starch that is made in the leaves of the plant.

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: Kufri Jamunia: 42.75 mg Vitamin C per 100 g of Purple Flesh Open full article →

22.

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: Boiling potatoes in water reduces their vitamin C content.

Statement-II: Vitamin C is water-soluble and is destroyed by heat.

Statement-III: The human body cannot make vitamin C, so it must come from food.

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: Kufri Jamunia: 42.75 mg Vitamin C per 100 g of Purple Flesh Open full article →

23.

Consider the following statements about anthocyanins, which colour Kufri Jamunia's flesh purple:

1.They are water-soluble pigments responsible for many red, purple and blue colours in plants.

2.They appear blue in acidic conditions and turn red as the pH rises.

3.They are a different group of compounds from vitamin C, so a potato's purple colour does not by itself show its vitamin C content.

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: Kufri Jamunia: 42.75 mg Vitamin C per 100 g of Purple Flesh Open full article →

24.

Consider the following statements:

1.Kufri Jamunia was developed by the Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

2.Kufri Jamunia is recommended mainly for the high hills of Himachal Pradesh.

3.Late blight of potato is caused by a bacterium.

4.The potato was first domesticated in the Andes of South America.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Kufri Jamunia: 42.75 mg Vitamin C per 100 g of Purple Flesh Open full article →

25.

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: In a diet study of lions recolonising Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, wild pigs formed a smaller share of the biomass eaten than of the prey occurrences in scats.

Statement-II: A large carnivore eats more meat per scat on large prey than on small prey, so occurrence counts overstate small prey.

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: Barda's Asiatic Lions: Wild Pigs Make Up 55% of Prey Occurrences Open full article →

26.

Consider the following statements about Barda Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat:

1.It lies in the hills near the coastal city of Porbandar, outside the Gir forest.

2.Lions were absent from it from the late nineteenth century until a male dispersed there naturally in 2023.

3.Its vegetation includes dry deciduous and thorn forest, with patches of bamboo.

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: Barda's Asiatic Lions: Wild Pigs Make Up 55% of Prey Occurrences Open full article →

27.

Consider the following statements:

1.The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) rates the lion Vulnerable.

2.India's lions are in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

3.The Asiatic lion is in Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

4.Under the revised taxonomy, India's lions belong to Panthera leo leo.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Barda's Asiatic Lions: Wild Pigs Make Up 55% of Prey Occurrences Open full article →

28.

Gujarat's lion population estimations record Barda Wildlife Sanctuary as a 'satellite' population. In this usage, a satellite population is:

a distinct population in a spatially separated area, beyond the source population of Gir and its adjoining areas a group of lions monitored mainly through satellite-linked radio collars a captive population kept in zoos as insurance against extinction in the wild lions living in corridors between protected areas without a settled range

From: Barda's Asiatic Lions: Wild Pigs Make Up 55% of Prey Occurrences Open full article →

29.

Consider the following statements:

1.Project Lion, announced in 2020, envisages landscape-level conservation of the Asiatic lion in Gujarat.

2.'Protection of wild animals and birds' is a subject in the State List of the Seventh Schedule.

3.The objectives of Project Lion include scaling up livelihood generation and the participation of local communities.

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: Barda's Asiatic Lions: Wild Pigs Make Up 55% of Prey Occurrences Open full article →

30.

Consider the following statements about the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal:

1.It was set up in 1941 under the Indian Income-tax Act, 1922, and is called the 'Mother Tribunal' as India's oldest tribunal.

2.It functions under the Ministry of Finance.

3.A bench usually has one Judicial Member and one Accountant Member.

4.Its orders can be appealed in a High Court only on a substantial question of law.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Maruti Suzuki: Rs 13,000 Crore ITAT Tax Effect Over Eight Years Open full article →

31.

Under India's income-tax law, an appeal against an order of a Commissioner of Income-tax (Appeals) ordinarily lies before:

the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal the High Court the Central Board of Direct Taxes the Supreme Court

From: Maruti Suzuki: Rs 13,000 Crore ITAT Tax Effect Over Eight Years Open full article →

32.

Under Indian Accounting Standard 37, consider the following statements:

1.A contingent liability is recognised as a liability in the balance sheet.

2.An obligation whose amount cannot be measured reliably is a contingent liability, not a provision.

3.A provision is recognised when an outflow to settle a present obligation is probable and can be reliably estimated.

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: Maruti Suzuki: Rs 13,000 Crore ITAT Tax Effect Over Eight Years Open full article →

33.

Consider the following statements:

1.Under Article 323B, both Parliament and the State Legislatures can set up tribunals for tax disputes.

2.Decisions of tribunals under Articles 323A and 323B lie outside the High Courts' writ jurisdiction.

3.Under Article 323A, only Parliament can set up administrative tribunals for public service disputes.

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: Maruti Suzuki: Rs 13,000 Crore ITAT Tax Effect Over Eight Years Open full article →

34.

Consider the following statements about the Income-tax Act, 2025:

1.Appeals that were pending under the Income-tax Act, 1961 continue to be decided under that Act.

2.It came into force on 1 April 2026, replacing the Income-tax Act, 1961.

3.It uses a single 'tax year' in place of the 'previous year' and discontinues the term 'assessment year'.

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: Maruti Suzuki: Rs 13,000 Crore ITAT Tax Effect Over Eight Years Open full article →

35.

Consider the following statements about France's Constitution of 1958:

1.The President is directly elected for a five-year term.

2.The President presides over the Council of Ministers.

3.The Government is accountable to Parliament, and the National Assembly can force its resignation by a no-confidence vote.

4.Like the National Assembly, the Senate is elected by direct suffrage.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: France Protests: Official Estimate of 550,000 on 17 October Open full article →

36.

Which one of the following countries does NOT share a land border with metropolitan (European) France?

Andorra Monaco Luxembourg The Netherlands

From: France Protests: Official Estimate of 550,000 on 17 October Open full article →

37.

Match List I with List II:

List I (River)

A. Seine

B. Loire

C. Rhone

D. Rhine

List II (Sea into which it ultimately flows)

1.Mediterranean Sea

2.North Sea

3.English Channel

4.Atlantic Ocean

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

From: France Protests: Official Estimate of 550,000 on 17 October Open full article →

38.

Consider the following statements about France's overseas territories:

1.New Caledonia and French Polynesia are part of the European Union (EU) as outermost regions.

2.French Guiana shares land borders with Brazil and Suriname.

3.French Guiana is an outermost region and an integral part of the EU and its single market.

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: France Protests: Official Estimate of 550,000 on 17 October Open full article →

39.

Consider the following statements about the physical geography of France:

1.The Pyrenees form a mountain barrier between France and Spain.

2.The Jura mountains lie along France's border with Switzerland.

3.Corsica belongs to France, while Sardinia, just to its south, belongs to Italy.

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: France Protests: Official Estimate of 550,000 on 17 October Open full article →

40.

Consider the following statements about the Union environment ministry's 2011 guidelines for an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around a protected area:

1.They describe an ESZ as a 'shock absorber' and a transition zone around a protected area.

2.They allow sensitive corridors lying beyond 10 kilometres to be included in an ESZ.

3.They fix a uniform 10-kilometre width for every ESZ.

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: Valley of Flowers: Eco-Sensitive Zone Plan for 87.5 sq km Park Open full article →

41.

In the indicative list of activities annexed to the 2011 guidelines on eco-sensitive zones, consider the following statements:

1.Establishment of hotels and resorts is classed as prohibited.

2.Commercial use of firewood is classed as prohibited.

3.Rainwater harvesting is classed as regulated.

4.Introduction of exotic species is classed as regulated.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

From: Valley of Flowers: Eco-Sensitive Zone Plan for 87.5 sq km Park Open full article →

42.

Consider the following statements about the Valley of Flowers National Park:

1.Hemkund Sahib lies within the park's main meadow.

2.The park lies in the valley of the Pushpawati in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.

3.Near Ghangaria the Pushpawati joins the Lakshman Ganga to form the Bhyundar Ganga, which meets the Alaknanda at Govindghat.

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: Valley of Flowers: Eco-Sensitive Zone Plan for 87.5 sq km Park Open full article →

43.

Consider the following statements about the Himalayan birch (Betula utilis), a tree of the sub-alpine forests of the Valley of Flowers:

1.Its bark, known as bhojpatra, was used as a writing material for manuscripts in ancient India.

2.It is an evergreen conifer, like the west Himalayan fir.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

From: Valley of Flowers: Eco-Sensitive Zone Plan for 87.5 sq km Park Open full article →