UPSC Current Affairs Quiz — 5 November 2026

1.

Gomarda Wildlife Sanctuary, where blackbuck reintroduction is planned, lies in which state?

Madhya Pradesh Jharkhand Odisha Chhattisgarh

From: Blackbucks at Gomarda: Reintroduction, Grassland Habitat and Continued Monitoring Open full article →

2.

Consider the following statements about blackbucks:

1.Adult males and females commonly differ in coat colour and horns.

2.Blackbucks feed mainly on fish and other small aquatic animals.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

From: Blackbucks at Gomarda: Reintroduction, Grassland Habitat and Continued Monitoring Open full article →

3.

Which habitat feature is particularly important for a grazing antelope such as the blackbuck?

Deep water with floating vegetation Open ground with suitable grasses Permanently snow-covered slopes A closed rocky cave system

From: Blackbucks at Gomarda: Reintroduction, Grassland Habitat and Continued Monitoring Open full article →

4.

Consider conservation reintroduction and monitoring:

1.Reintroduction can restore a species within its indigenous range where it has disappeared.

2.Monitoring survival, breeding and dispersal helps assess how released animals are settling.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

From: Blackbucks at Gomarda: Reintroduction, Grassland Habitat and Continued Monitoring Open full article →

5.

A plant described as a perennial herb generally has which combination of features?

A life span limited to one season and a woody trunk A woody stem and a life span limited to two years A non-woody stem and a life span of only one season Non-woody above-ground stems and a life span exceeding two years

From: Disporum kamakhasiense: How Botanists Describe and Document a New Plant Species Open full article →

6.

Consider the scientific name Disporum kamakhasiense:

1.Disporum is the genus name.

2.The species belongs to the grass family Poaceae.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

From: Disporum kamakhasiense: How Botanists Describe and Document a New Plant Species Open full article →

7.

In a flower, what is the main function of a stamen?

Absorbing water from soil Dispersing the mature fruit Anchoring the plant to rock Producing pollen

From: Disporum kamakhasiense: How Botanists Describe and Document a New Plant Species Open full article →

8.

Consider preserved plant material used in botany:

1.A voucher specimen can allow another researcher to check an identification.

2.A type specimen provides the permanent reference to which a scientific name is linked.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

From: Disporum kamakhasiense: How Botanists Describe and Document a New Plant Species Open full article →

9.

What was a central scientific function of the Swift Observatory?

Mapping only the surface geology of Mars Detecting cosmic bursts and observing how their emission changed Measuring only the salinity of Earth's oceans Sending weather forecasts to navigation satellites

From: Swift’s Re-entry: Gamma-Ray Astronomy and the End of an Orbit Open full article →

10.

Consider Swift's observations of gamma-ray bursts:

1.Rapid pointing helped its X-ray and ultraviolet/optical instruments observe a newly located source.

2.Studying changing emission in several wavelength bands combines time-domain and multiwavelength astronomy.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

From: Swift’s Re-entry: Gamma-Ray Astronomy and the End of an Orbit Open full article →

11.

NASA reported Swift's atmospheric re-entry over North Sumatra. Sumatra is part of which country?

Indonesia Malaysia Thailand Philippines

From: Swift’s Re-entry: Gamma-Ray Astronomy and the End of an Orbit Open full article →

12.

Consider atmospheric drag and spacecraft re-entry:

1.Drag removes orbital energy and can cause an orbit to decay.

2.Thermospheric density stays constant despite changes in solar and geomagnetic conditions.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

From: Swift’s Re-entry: Gamma-Ray Astronomy and the End of an Orbit Open full article →

13.

What is a main statistical function of a Statistical Business Register?

Providing a frame from which business-survey samples can be selected Fixing the retail prices of all products Issuing every company's incorporation certificate Determining the tax rate for each household

From: VISTAR: Connecting Surveys, State Statistics and the Economic Census Open full article →

14.

Consider granularity and timeliness in official statistics:

1.Granularity describes only the delay between measurement and publication.

2.Timeliness concerns the gap between the period measured and release of the results.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

From: VISTAR: Connecting Surveys, State Statistics and the Economic Census Open full article →

15.

Which ministry is to implement the VISTAR statistical-system scheme?

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Ministry of Corporate Affairs Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation Ministry of Education

From: VISTAR: Connecting Surveys, State Statistics and the Economic Census Open full article →

16.

Consider the following areas supported under VISTAR:

1.Statistical operations and digital statistical processes.

2.Strengthening State and Union Territory statistical capacity.

3.The planned 8th Economic Census and a business-register baseline.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Only one Only two All three None

From: VISTAR: Connecting Surveys, State Statistics and the Economic Census Open full article →

17.

In a pumped-storage project, electricity used for pumping is mainly stored as:

The kinetic energy of wind above the reservoir Chemical energy of fuel inside a boiler Nuclear energy of the water molecules Gravitational potential energy of water in the upper reservoir

From: Grid-Scale Energy Storage: What the New VGF Scheme Will Support Open full article →

18.

Consider power and energy ratings for electricity storage:

1.Gigawatts measure the total energy held by a storage system.

2.Gigawatt-hours measure an amount of energy.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

From: Grid-Scale Energy Storage: What the New VGF Scheme Will Support Open full article →

19.

What is the main purpose of viability gap funding for an infrastructure project?

Replacing technical assessment with a fixed electricity quota Closing a financial-viability gap through assistance Measuring the energy lost in a battery cycle Setting the geographical boundary of the electricity grid

From: Grid-Scale Energy Storage: What the New VGF Scheme Will Support Open full article →

20.

Consider the approved grid-scale storage VGF scheme:

1.Its planned storage mix includes both pumped storage and batteries.

2.Battery projects carry a minimum 40% Domestic Content Requirement.

3.The 40% figure is the fraction of every project's cost promised as a grant.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Only one Only two All three None

From: Grid-Scale Energy Storage: What the New VGF Scheme Will Support Open full article →

21.

What does TRAI's MyCall app primarily collect for Network Anubhav?

Satellite images of mobile towers Company incorporation records of telecom operators Users' ratings of perceived voice-call quality Wholesale electricity tariffs for exchanges

From: Network Anubhav: Reading Local Internet Tests and Call-Quality Ratings Open full article →

22.

Consider the information displayed by Network Anubhav:

1.MySpeed includes measurements of download and upload speeds.

2.The dashboard contains only consumer observations and excludes TRAI's drive-test results.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

From: Network Anubhav: Reading Local Internet Tests and Call-Quality Ratings Open full article →

23.

Which consumer function is available through Network Anubhav's Do Not Disturb interface?

Setting commercial-message preferences and tracking spam complaints Changing a mobile operator's radio spectrum allocation Approving the launch of new telecom satellites Fixing the retail price of every broadband plan

From: Network Anubhav: Reading Local Internet Tests and Call-Quality Ratings Open full article →

24.

Consider five imaginary test speeds of 6, 10, 14, 22 and 38 Mbps:

1.The median is 18 Mbps.

2.Replacing 38 Mbps with 58 Mbps would change the median.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

From: Network Anubhav: Reading Local Internet Tests and Call-Quality Ratings Open full article →

25.

Prakasam Barrage at Vijayawada is built across which river?

Godavari Pennar Cauvery Krishna

From: Prakasam Barrage: Gate Operations, Krishna Basin and River Discharge Open full article →

26.

Consider the operation of a gated river barrage:

1.Adjusting gate openings can change the discharge passed downstream.

2.Maintaining a suitable upstream water level helps divert water into canals.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

From: Prakasam Barrage: Gate Operations, Krishna Basin and River Discharge Open full article →

27.

What does one cusec represent in a river-flow report?

One centimetre of river-level rise per hour One cubic metre stored behind a gate One square kilometre of flooded land One cubic foot of water passing per second

From: Prakasam Barrage: Gate Operations, Krishna Basin and River Discharge Open full article →

28.

Consider the Krishna River basin:

1.The Krishna rises in the Eastern Ghats near Vijayawada.

2.The basin extends across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

From: Prakasam Barrage: Gate Operations, Krishna Basin and River Discharge Open full article →

29.

What does India VIX principally indicate?

The exact NIFTY closing level for the next trading session Expected NIFTY price fluctuations over the next 30 calendar days The average dividend paid by all listed companies The total number of shares traded in a session

From: India VIX: Why a Market Rally Can Coexist with Expected Volatility Open full article →

30.

Consider the interpretation of an India VIX reading of 15:

1.It represents approximately 15% annualised implied volatility.

2.It means the NIFTY is expected to fall by 15% during the next 30 days.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

From: India VIX: Why a Market Rally Can Coexist with Expected Volatility Open full article →

31.

Which market information is used to calculate India VIX?

Only the dividend declarations of NIFTY companies Relevant NIFTY option bid and ask quotes Only bank deposit interest rates The physical inventory of listed manufacturing companies

From: India VIX: Why a Market Rally Can Coexist with Expected Volatility Open full article →

32.

Consider implied volatility and a stock-price index:

1.Implied volatility is calculated only from past realised index returns.

2.A stock-price index reports the annualised volatility inferred from options.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

From: India VIX: Why a Market Rally Can Coexist with Expected Volatility Open full article →

33.

What is a naval refit?

An overseas diplomatic visit by a warship A court's finding on a disciplinary charge A ship's first formal entry into naval service A planned period of repair and maintenance

From: INS Brahmaputra: Naval Refits and Court-Martial Proceedings After the 2024 Accident Open full article →

34.

Consider the maintenance of a naval ship:

1.A normal refit can include a hull survey and maintenance of major machinery.

2.A ship's operating cycle includes periods available for deployment and periods allocated for refit.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

From: INS Brahmaputra: Naval Refits and Court-Martial Proceedings After the 2024 Accident Open full article →

35.

What does a naval ship class identify?

Vessels built around a common design All ships berthed at one port on a particular day The rank of a ship's commanding officer Only the date of the ship's most recent refit

From: INS Brahmaputra: Naval Refits and Court-Martial Proceedings After the 2024 Accident Open full article →

36.

Consider court-martial proceedings under the Navy Act, 1957:

1.The accused has an opportunity to present a defence.

2.The court gives a finding on each charge.

3.The court considers punishment on a charge before determining guilt on it.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Only one Only two All three None

From: INS Brahmaputra: Naval Refits and Court-Martial Proceedings After the 2024 Accident Open full article →

37.

A golden jackal feeding on an animal that is already dead is performing which role?

Pollination Grazing Nitrogen fixation Scavenging

From: Golden Jackal: Tamil Nadu’s Habitat Assessment and Community Conservation Open full article →

38.

Consider golden jackals and Bengal foxes:

1.Both belong to the family Canidae.

2.Golden jackals can eat both animal and plant material.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

From: Golden Jackal: Tamil Nadu’s Habitat Assessment and Community Conservation Open full article →

39.

The Golden Jackal Ambassadors programme discussed as local outreach operates in the Tenkasi area of:

Tamil Nadu Odisha Assam Gujarat

From: Golden Jackal: Tamil Nadu’s Habitat Assessment and Community Conservation Open full article →

40.

Consider distribution and habitat-use assessment in wildlife conservation:

1.Distribution records where a species occurs.

2.Habitat use concerns places used for feeding, shelter and movement.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

From: Golden Jackal: Tamil Nadu’s Habitat Assessment and Community Conservation Open full article →