UPSC CSE 2026 Essay Paper Discussion
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YEAR ASKED IN

2026

Practice UPSC 2026 previous year questions on Anantam IAS: 100 Prelims MCQs and 186 Mains Q&A with answer keys, explanations and topic-wise links.

New 596 2026 286 GPSC-2026 200 2013 194 2014 187 2015 182 2016 182 2017 182 2020 182 2018 180 2019 180 2024 180 2023 180 2022 180 2025 180 2021 180

Prelims MCQs 100

  1. Which of the following statements with regard to genetic medicine is/are correct?

    Which of the following statements with regard to genetic medicine is/are correct?

    1. Genetic medicines correct/compensate for the faulty genes responsible for disease.


    2. Engineered viruses and lipid nanoparticles are used as carriers of the genetic medicine.


    3. Genetic medicines alter the entire DNA sequence.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 2 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Genetic medicines (gene therapy, mRNA, siRNA, CRISPR) work by replacing, repairing or silencing faulty genes responsible for disease (1 correct). They are delivered using vectors such as engineered viruses (AAV, lentivirus) or lipid nanoparticles, as seen in mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (2 correct). Statement 3 is wrong: genetic medicines target specific genes or transcripts and do not rewrite the entire DNA sequence — that would be neither feasible nor safe. Hence 1 and 2 only. Read more: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO): UN Agency, 26 Treaties, Genetic Resources Treaty 2024, and India’s Position.

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Medium

  2. Which of the following statements with regard to Large Language Models (LLMs) used in machine learning is/are correct?

    Which of the following statements with regard to Large Language Models (LLMs) used in machine learning is/are correct?

    1. LLMs assign probabilities to the next possible words and then pick the one with the highest probability.


    2. LLMs process data through mathematical optimization to minimise prediction errors.


    3. LLMs produce unbiased outputs.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 only
    2. B1 and 2 only
    3. C2 and 3 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    LLMs are next-token predictors: they output a probability distribution over possible next tokens and typically sample from the top-probability candidates (1 correct). Training relies on mathematical optimisation (gradient descent on a loss function) to minimise prediction error across vast corpora (2 correct). Statement 3 is wrong — LLMs inherit and can amplify biases present in their training data, and bias mitigation is an active research problem. Hence 1 and 2 only.

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Medium

  3. Which of the following statements with regard to stealth technology is/are correct?

    Which of the following statements with regard to stealth technology is/are correct?

    1. Stealth objects have a very small radar cross-section and are coated with Radar Absorbing Material.


    2. Stealth objects can be detected using specific frequencies.


    3. Stealth objects are coated with metamaterials to increase the scattering of electromagnetic radiation.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 2 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Stealth aircraft minimise radar cross-section using shaping and Radar Absorbing Materials (RAM) like iron-ball paint (1 correct). They can be detected by low-frequency radars (VHF/UHF), bistatic and over-the-horizon systems that exploit resonance and Rayleigh scattering at specific frequencies (2 correct). Statement 3 is wrong: metamaterials in stealth are designed to absorb or guide electromagnetic waves around the object (cloaking), reducing scattering and reflection, not increasing it. Hence 1 and 2 only. Read more: INS Tamal: Indian Navy’s Newest Stealth Frigate — Complete Guide.

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Medium

  4. Which of the following statements with regard to Black Boxes used in modern aircrafts is/are correct?

    Which of the following statements with regard to Black Boxes used in modern aircrafts is/are correct?

    1. They carry a beacon emitting red light pulses to facilitate underwater detection.


    2. They record both the cockpit voice and flight data.


    3. Their memory units are made using either stainless steel or titanium.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 2 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Modern Cockpit Voice Recorders and Flight Data Recorders ('black boxes', actually orange) record cockpit audio and hundreds of flight parameters (2 correct), and their crash-survivable memory units are housed in stainless steel or titanium casings with thermal insulation (3 correct). Statement 1 is wrong: the Underwater Locator Beacon emits an ultrasonic acoustic 'ping' at 37.5 kHz, not red light pulses — light would be useless at depth. Hence 2 and 3 only.

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    General Studies UPSC 2026 Medium

  5. Which of the following statements with regard to Green Hydrogen is/are correct?

    Which of the following statements with regard to Green Hydrogen is/are correct?

    1. It is decarbonized hydrogen obtained from natural gas reforming combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS).


    2. It is produced using electrolysis of water with electricity generated by renewable energy.


    3. National Green Hydrogen Mission of India aims for abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C2 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis of water using renewable electricity (2 correct). Hydrogen from natural-gas reforming with CCS is 'blue hydrogen', not green — so statement 1 is wrong. The National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023) targets 5 MMT of green hydrogen production by 2030 and abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual GHG emissions, per MNRE (3 correct). Hence 2 and 3 only.

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    Environment UPSC 2026 Medium

  6. Which of the following statements about insurance in aviation sector is/are correct?

    Which of the following statements about insurance in aviation sector is/are correct?

    1. 'Aviation Hull Insurance' covers the physical aircraft, including the body, engine, and on-board equipment.


    2. Under the Montreal Convention, adopted in 1999 by over 130 countries, including India, airlines are strictly liable to pay compensation to the family/nominee of every deceased passenger without requiring the family to prove fault.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 only
    3. CBoth 1 and 2
    4. DNeither 1 nor 2
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Aviation Hull Insurance indemnifies the physical aircraft — fuselage, engines and on-board equipment — against damage or loss (1 correct). The Montreal Convention 1999, ratified by India in 2009 and signed by 130+ states, imposes strict (no-fault) liability on carriers for passenger death or injury up to a defined SDR limit, with higher amounts payable only if the airline cannot disprove negligence (2 correct). Both statements reflect the IRDAI and DGCA framework, so the answer is (c).

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    International Relations UPSC 2026 Easy

  7. Which of the following statements about Crowdfunding is/are correct?

    Which of the following statements about Crowdfunding is/are correct?

    1. Crowdfunding is solicitation of funds (small amount) from multiple investors through a web-based platform or social networking site for a specific project.


    2. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are able to raise funds at lower cost of capital without undergoing rigorous procedures.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 only
    3. CBoth 1 and 2
    4. DNeither 1 nor 2
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Crowdfunding pools small contributions from a large number of investors via web-based platforms or social networks to fund a specific venture or project (1 correct) — SEBI's 2014 consultation paper uses exactly this definition. For SMEs it offers an alternative to bank credit and IPOs, lowering the cost of capital and avoiding rigorous listing and collateral procedures (2 correct). Both statements are valid descriptions of the model.

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    Indian Economy UPSC 2026 Easy

  8. With reference to different Committees in India, consider the following details:

    With reference to different Committees in India, consider the following details:

    1. Sl. No.


    2. Committee


    3. Objective


    4. Organization under which it was formed


    5. 1.


    6. R. N. Malhotra Committee


    7. Comprehensive reforms of Insurance sector in India


    8. Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India


    9. 2.


    10. L. C. Gupta Committee


    11. Preparing a roadmap for the introduction of derivatives trading in India


    12. Securities and Exchange Board of India


    13. 3.


    14. Urjit R. Patel Committee


    15. Preparing a roadmap for reforming bank lending to the Housing sector


    16. Reserve Bank of India


    17. 4.


    18. Y. H. Malegam Committee


    19. Preparing a roadmap for reforms in Microfinance sector in India


    20. Reserve Bank of India


    21. In which of the above rows are all the details correctly matched?

    1. A2 only
    2. B2 and 3
    3. C1, 3 and 4
    4. D2 and 4
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Row 1 is wrong: the R.N. Malhotra Committee (1993) on insurance-sector reforms was set up by the Government of India, not IRDAI — IRDAI itself was created in 1999 on the committee's recommendation. Row 3 is wrong: the Urjit Patel Committee (2014) was on revising the monetary policy framework (inflation targeting), not housing-sector lending. Row 2 (L.C. Gupta, SEBI, derivatives roadmap, 1998) and Row 4 (Y.H. Malegam, RBI, microfinance reforms, 2011) are correctly matched. Hence 2 and 4.

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    Indian Economy UPSC 2026 Hard

  9. Consider the following statements about the Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in India:

    Consider the following statements about the Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in India:

    1. NBFCs cannot accept demand deposits.


    2. All the NBFCs operating in India have to be registered with the RBI.


    3. NBFCs form part of the payment and settlement system and can issue cheque drawn on itself.


    4. Deposit insurance facility of Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) is not available to the depositors of deposit taking NBFCs.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. A1 and 4
    2. B1, 2 and 3
    3. C4 only
    4. D2, 3 and 4
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    NBFCs cannot accept demand deposits (1 correct) and DICGC deposit insurance does not cover NBFC depositors — only scheduled commercial, cooperative and RRB depositors are covered (4 correct). Statement 2 is wrong: certain NBFCs are exempt from RBI registration (housing finance companies regulated by NHB/RBI separately, merchant banking NBFCs regulated by SEBI, insurance NBFCs by IRDAI, etc.). Statement 3 is wrong: NBFCs are not part of the payment-and-settlement system and cannot issue cheques drawn on themselves. Hence only 1 and 4.

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    Indian Economy UPSC 2026 Hard

  10. Consider the following statements about Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI):

    Consider the following statements about Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI):

    1. MPI is calculated using Alkire-Foster methodology.


    2. MPI calculated by NITI Aayog has a total of twelve indicators.


    3. Maternal Health and Bank Account are common indicators in the MPI of NITI Aayog and MPI of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. A1 and 2 only
    2. B1, 2 and 3
    3. C1 and 3 only
    4. D2 only
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    NITI Aayog's National MPI uses the Alkire-Foster (OPHI) methodology (1 correct). India's MPI adds Maternal Health and Bank Account to UNDP's 10 indicators, taking the total to 12 across the same 3 dimensions of health, education and standard of living (2 correct). Statement 3 is wrong because Maternal Health and Bank Account are India-specific additions, not common with UNDP's global MPI — UNDP's MPI has only 10 indicators and does not include either. Hence 1 and 2 only. Read more: Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI): Alkire-Foster Method, NITI Aayog MPI, and India’s Progress.

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    Indian Economy UPSC 2026 Medium

  11. Which of the following statements about M1xchange’s role in Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) financing is/are correct?

    Which of the following statements about M1xchange's role in Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) financing is/are correct?

    1. M1xchange provides collateral based loans to MSMEs.


    2. M1xchange facilitates discounting of invoices and Bills of Exchange for MSMEs.


    3. M1xchange functions as a credit rating agency for MSMEs.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1, 2 and 3
    2. B2 only
    3. C2 and 3 only
    4. D1 only
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    M1xchange is one of RBI's licensed TReDS (Trade Receivables Discounting System) platforms. It enables MSMEs to get their invoices and bills of exchange discounted by financiers through competitive bidding, improving working-capital access (statement 2 correct). It does not extend collateral-based loans itself (1 wrong) and is not a credit rating agency (3 wrong); CRAs are licensed separately by SEBI. Hence only statement 2 is correct. Read more: AI-Powered Financial Inclusion in India: How DPI and Analytics Are Rewriting Credit Access.

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    Indian Economy UPSC 2026 Medium

  12. Which one of the following best describes the ‘Crowding Out Effect’ in the context of fiscal policy?

    Which one of the following best describes the 'Crowding Out Effect' in the context of fiscal policy?

    1. AA situation where private investment increases due to increased Government spending
    2. BA situation where Government borrowing leads to higher interest rates, which reduces private investment
    3. CA situation where an increase in taxes leads to increased private sector investment
    4. DA situation where Government spending has no impact on aggregate demand
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    The crowding-out effect describes how higher government borrowing to finance a fiscal deficit pushes up interest rates in the loanable funds market, raising the cost of capital and squeezing out private investment and consumption. Option (a) is the opposite phenomenon, called crowding-in, which can occur when public capital expenditure raises private productivity. Option (c) misdescribes tax effects, and option (d) contradicts basic Keynesian aggregate-demand analysis. Option (b) is the standard NCERT and Mankiw textbook definition and is the most commonly tested framing in UPSC Economy.

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    Indian Economy UPSC 2026 Easy

  13. Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct?

    Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct?

    1. Modern technological innovations including Artificial Intelligence, robotics and space exploration extensively utilise Rare Earth Elements (REEs).


    2. China has the highest share in mining of REEs followed by India.


    3. The Government of India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in 2025 to establish a robust framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector.


    4. Rare Earth Elements are a set of 13 metallic elements.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 and 3 only
    2. B3 only
    3. C1, 3 and 4
    4. D1, 2 and 4
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    Rare Earth Elements are a group of 17 metallic elements — the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium (per USGS, IUPAC and standard chemistry references). Statement 4, which calls REEs '13 metallic elements', is therefore wrong. Statement 1 is correct: REEs are critical to AI chips, robotics, EVs and space tech. Statement 2 is wrong: China dominates global REE mining (~60-70%), but India is not second — the United States (~13% via the Mountain Pass mine) is the world's second-largest REE producer, followed by Myanmar and Australia. Statement 3 is correct: the Union Cabinet approved the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in January 2025 to build self-reliance in critical minerals. Hence only 1 and 3 are correct.

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Hard

  14. Which of the following statements about Real-World Assets (RWA) Tokenization are correct?

    Which of the following statements about Real-World Assets (RWA) Tokenization are correct?

    1. Tokenization is the process of turning real world assets into digital tokens using blockchain technology.


    2. Tokenization of real world assets offers 24×7 access, promoting financial inclusion.


    3. Tokenization of real world assets will allow the access to high growth investment opportunities for individuals in India.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1, 2 and 3
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 2 only
    4. D1 and 3 only
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    RWA tokenisation converts ownership/economic rights in physical or financial assets (real estate, bonds, gold, art) into blockchain-based tokens (1 correct). Because tokens trade on always-on distributed ledgers, they enable 24x7 access and fractional ownership, supporting financial inclusion (2 correct). For Indian retail investors, tokenisation can open access to high-growth assets such as fractional real estate or pre-IPO equity (3 correct). All three statements reflect the IFSCA and RBI working-group framing of RWA tokenisation.

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    Indian Economy UPSC 2026 Medium

  15. A bond whose proceeds are used only to finance or refinance a combination of both environmental and social projects is called:

    A bond whose proceeds are used only to finance or refinance a combination of both environmental and social projects is called:

    1. AGreen Bond
    2. BSocial Bond
    3. CSustainability Bond
    4. DSovereign Bond
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Per ICMA's Green, Social and Sustainability Bond Principles, a Sustainability Bond is one whose proceeds finance or refinance a combination of green (environmental) and social projects. Green Bonds fund only environmental projects, Social Bonds fund only social projects, and Sovereign Bonds refer to the issuer (government) rather than use of proceeds. The defining 'both environmental and social' criterion points squarely to a Sustainability Bond. Read more: Norms in Society: Social Expectations, Principles and Behaviour Regulation (UPSC Ethics — GS IV).

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    General Studies UPSC 2026 Easy

  16. Which of the following statements regarding the features of blockchain technology are correct?

    Which of the following statements regarding the features of blockchain technology are correct?

    1. Records stored in the database may be made visible to relevant stakeholders without risk of alteration.


    2. Copies of the entire database are stored on multiple computers on a network, syncing within seconds.


    3. Consortium blockchain is a blend of public and private blockchains allowing selective data access.


    4. Mathematical algorithms make it impossible to change or delete any data once recorded and accepted.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 and 3
    2. B2 and 4 only
    3. C1, 2 and 4
    4. D1 and 4 only
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Blockchain ledgers are append-only and visible to permissioned stakeholders without alteration risk (1 correct). The distributed ledger is replicated across nodes that sync in seconds (2 correct). Cryptographic hashing plus consensus make recorded blocks effectively immutable (4 correct). Statement 3 describes a consortium chain as a 'blend of public and private blockchains' — strictly, a consortium chain is a type of permissioned blockchain governed by a group of organisations, not a hybrid public-private chain (that is a 'hybrid blockchain'). Hence 1, 2 and 4 are correct. (Early consensus; verify with official UPSC key.)

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Hard

  17. An e-commerce revenue model where the seller has control over pricing but doesn’t keep products in stock and instead transfers customer orders and shipment details to a third-party supplier, who then ships the goods directly to the customer, is ca…

    An e-commerce revenue model where the seller has control over pricing but doesn't keep products in stock and instead transfers customer orders and shipment details to a third-party supplier, who then ships the goods directly to the customer, is called:

    1. ADropshipping Model
    2. BAffiliate Revenue Model
    3. CTransaction Fee Revenue Model
    4. DAgency Revenue Model
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    Dropshipping is the e-commerce model where the seller lists and prices products without holding inventory; orders are forwarded to a third-party supplier who ships directly to the customer. Affiliate revenue earns commissions for referrals, transaction-fee models charge per transaction (e.g., marketplaces), and agency models earn fees for matching buyers and sellers. The defining feature here — control over pricing plus no stock plus third-party fulfilment — is the textbook definition of dropshipping.

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    International Relations UPSC 2026 Easy

  18. Which one of the following correctly represents the three key sub-indices of the Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)?

    Which one of the following correctly represents the three key sub-indices of the Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)?

    1. ACredit access, Insurance depth, and Pension coverage
    2. BBanking access, GDP contribution, and Financial literacy
    3. CAccess, Usage, and Quality
    4. DAccess, Affordability, and Transparency
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    The RBI's Financial Inclusion Index, first published in 2021, is a composite index built on three sub-indices: Access (weight 35%), Usage (45%) and Quality (20%). It captures banking, investments, insurance, postal and pension across these dimensions, with the Quality sub-index including financial literacy and consumer protection. Other combinations listed (credit/insurance/pension or affordability/transparency) are distractors and do not match the RBI's official FI-Index architecture.

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    Indian Economy UPSC 2026 Easy

  19. Which one of the following best describes the key objective of India’s ‘Open Network for Digital Commerce’ (ONDC) initiative?

    Which one of the following best describes the key objective of India's 'Open Network for Digital Commerce' (ONDC) initiative?

    1. ATo allow government control over all digital commerce transactions
    2. BTo replace private e-commerce players
    3. CTo break the dominance of large e-commerce platforms by enabling interoperability across networks
    4. DTo mandate UPI-based payments for all online transactions
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    ONDC, incubated by DPIIT and run by a Section 8 company, is an open protocol that decouples buyers, sellers and logistics from any single platform, enabling interoperability across e-commerce networks. The aim is to democratise digital commerce and break the dominance of large platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, not to give the government control, replace private players, or mandate UPI. Option (c) captures the policy intent stated in the DPIIT strategy paper. Read more: Indian Space Policy 2023: Liberalising India’s Space Sector for Private Players.

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Easy

  20. Which one of the following statements about Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Central Bank Digital Currency (Digital Rupee) is not correct?

    Which one of the following statements about Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Central Bank Digital Currency (Digital Rupee) is not correct?

    1. AUPI is a real-time payment system but Digital Rupee is akin to sovereign paper currency.
    2. BIn case of UPI, settlement for end users happens instantly as the money gets immediately debited or credited but in case of Digital Rupee, there is no settlement as the wallet balance gets transferred to another wallet.
    3. CUPI transactions are recorded by banks and reflected in bank statements but in case of Digital Rupee, no data is captured in bank statements as transactions are from one wallet to another.
    4. DIn both the cases (UPI and Digital Rupee), the liability lies with the users and their respective banks.
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D

    In UPI the liability and settlement risk lie with banks (and the user's bank account), while the Digital Rupee (e-Rupee) is a direct liability of the Reserve Bank of India — sovereign money held in a wallet, not a bank deposit. So statement (d) is wrong because the liability does not lie with users/banks in the case of the Digital Rupee. Statements (a), (b) and (c) correctly distinguish UPI's bank-mediated, account-settled transactions from CBDC's wallet-to-wallet token transfers.

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Easy

  21. The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) recently introduced a national standard to test and assess bomb disposal system. Which of the following statements with regard to this system is/are correct?

    The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) recently introduced a national standard to test and assess bomb disposal system. Which of the following statements with regard to this system is/are correct?

    1. The new standard is known as IS 19445 : 2025.


    2. It will improve interoperability of equipment across agencies.


    3. It was developed by TBRL, DRDO in collaboration with the 30ᵗʰ Central Scientific Research Institute, Russia.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1, 2 and 3
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 2 only
    4. D1 only
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    BIS notified IS 19445:2025 as India's first national standard for Bomb Disposal Suits/Systems, developed jointly by DRDO's Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh. The standard prescribes test protocols for blast and fragmentation resistance and will enable interoperability of bomb-disposal equipment across CAPFs, state police and the armed forces, validating statements 1 and 2. There is no involvement of any '30th Central Scientific Research Institute of Russia'; the standard was developed indigenously, so statement 3 is incorrect. Answer (c).

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Medium

  22. ‘X’, born in the UK, was conferred the Nobel Prize in 2025. He was a professor in an American university when this prize was announced. Identify ‘X’:

    'X', born in the UK, was conferred the Nobel Prize in 2025. He was a professor in an American university when this prize was announced. Identify 'X':

    1. AMichel H. Devoret
    2. BRichard Robson
    3. CJohn Clarke
    4. DJoel Mokyr
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    John Clarke is the correct answer. He was born in Cambridge, United Kingdom, and was affiliated with the University of California, Berkeley when the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics was announced. The prize was awarded jointly to John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis for the discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit. Richard Robson was a 2025 Chemistry laureate, but the clue about a UK-born laureate who was a professor in an American university points to John Clarke.

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    History UPSC 2026 Easy

  23. Which of the following statements with regard to the Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments is/are correct?

    Which of the following statements with regard to the Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments is/are correct?

    1. The tournaments have a shared governance structure establishing the partnership among the four Grand Slam tournaments.


    2. They are open for entry to all internationally ranked tennis players above the age of 14.


    3. There is a limitation on the number of 'Wild Cards' a player may receive to compete in a Grand Slam Tournament.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 and 2 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    The four Grand Slams (Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon, US Open) are coordinated through the Grand Slam Board, providing a shared governance partnership — statement 1 correct. Entry is restricted by ranking and age-eligibility rules: the WTA/ITF age-eligibility rule limits participation, and there is no blanket open entry for all internationally ranked players above 14 — statement 2 wrong. Wild cards are allotted by each tournament (typically 8 in singles main draw) but there is no global cap on how many wild cards a single player may receive across her career — statement 3 wrong. Only 1 is correct. Read more: Artemis Accords Explained: Principles, India’s Entry, and the Lunar Governance Race.

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Medium

  24. Which one of the following pairs of semiconductor plants in India and their locations is not correctly matched?

    Which one of the following pairs of semiconductor plants in India and their locations is not correctly matched?

    1. ACG Power and Industrial Solutions Pvt. Ltd. in partnership with Renesas Electronics and STARS Microelectronics : Gujarat
    2. BTata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Pvt. Ltd. : Assam
    3. CHCL-Foxconn Joint Venture India Chip Ltd. : Madhya Pradesh
    4. DSicSem Pvt. Ltd. : Odisha
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Under the India Semiconductor Mission, the approved fabs and OSATs are: Tata-PSMC at Dholera, Gujarat; Tata Semiconductor Assembly & Test (TSAT) at Jagiroad, Assam; CG Power-Renesas-STARS OSAT at Sanand, Gujarat; Kaynes at Sanand; SicSem (silicon carbide) at Bhubaneswar, Odisha; and the HCL-Foxconn JV approved in 2025 for Jewar, Uttar Pradesh — NOT Madhya Pradesh. Hence option (c) is mismatched. All other pairings are correctly mapped, making (c) the answer.

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Easy

  25. Which of the following statements with regard to India’s indigenous new high resolution weather model, the ‘Bharat Forecast System,’ is/are correct?

    Which of the following statements with regard to India's indigenous new high resolution weather model, the 'Bharat Forecast System,' is/are correct?

    1. Its objective is to generate forecasts at the Panchayats cluster level.


    2. It was developed by IIT Delhi.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 only
    3. CBoth 1 and 2
    4. DNeither 1 nor 2
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    The Bharat Forecast System (BFS), launched in May 2025 by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is India's first indigenously developed high-resolution (6 km) global weather model designed to generate forecasts down to the panchayat-cluster (block) level — statement 1 correct. It was developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, in collaboration with IMD and NCMRWF, NOT by IIT Delhi — statement 2 wrong. Hence only statement 1 is correct, option (a).

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    Indian Polity UPSC 2026 Easy

  26. Consider the following statements with regard to the film ‘Boong’:

    Consider the following statements with regard to the film 'Boong':

    1. The film has recently won the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Award in the Children's and Family Film category.


    2. The film is directed by Lakshmipriya Devi.


    3. This is the first Indian film to win a BAFTA award in the Children's and Family Film category.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. A1, 2 and 3
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 2 only
    4. D3 only
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    'Boong', a Manipuri-language coming-of-age film directed by Lakshmipriya Devi and produced by Excel Entertainment (Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani), won the 2026 BAFTA Award for Best Children's and Family Film at the 79th British Academy Film Awards in London — confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter India, DD News, Outlook India and The Better India. The film is reported in multiple authoritative outlets as the FIRST Indian film to win a BAFTA in the Children's and Family Film category, making statement 3 also correct. Hence all three statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct, option (a).

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    Art & Culture UPSC 2026 Medium

  27. Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience), a platform of institutions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Cli…

    Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience), a platform of institutions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is/are correct?

    1. Ecosystem Survey and Analysis is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata.


    2. Research and Management of Ecosystem Service is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi.


    3. Capacity Development Support is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1, 2 and 3
    2. B1 and 3 only
    3. C2 only
    4. D3 only
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    NIRANTAR, launched by MoEFCC in 2024, brings together six MoEFCC subordinate institutes under thematic verticals. The Ecosystem Survey and Analysis vertical is led by the Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata (statement 1 correct). The Capacity Development Support vertical is anchored by the Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal (statement 3 correct). Research and Management of Ecosystem Services is led by the Wildlife Institute of India (Dehradun) or ICFRE, NOT the Central Zoo Authority, which discharges a regulatory mandate over zoos — statement 2 is wrong. Hence 1 and 3 only.

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    Environment UPSC 2026 Medium

  28. The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are not correct in terms of outcomes of this visit?

    The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are not correct in terms of outcomes of this visit?

    1. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and the University of Hamburg


    2. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Youth Hockey Development between Hockey India and the German Hockey Federation


    3. Establishment of a bilateral dialogue mechanism on the Indo-Pacific


    4. Opening of an Honorary Consul of Germany in Lucknow

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A2 and 3
    2. B1 and 4
    3. C3 and 4
    4. D1 only
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    During Chancellor Friedrich Merz's January 2026 visit, India and Germany signed MoUs on Youth Hockey Development between Hockey India and the Deutscher Hockey-Bund and on establishing an Indo-Pacific bilateral dialogue mechanism, validating statements 2 and 3 as actual outcomes. There was no MoU between AIIA and the University of Hamburg on Ayurveda (the Ayurveda partnership has been with Charité-Berlin earlier), and no German Honorary Consulate was opened in Lucknow — Germany's Honorary Consul opened in Bengaluru/Hyderabad earlier; the Lucknow consulate claim is incorrect. Hence outcomes 1 and 4 are NOT correct, giving (b). (Early consensus; verify with official UPSC key.)

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    International Relations UPSC 2026 Hard

  29. Which of the following statements about DHRUV64 is/are correct?

    Which of the following statements about DHRUV64 is/are correct?

    1. It is the third chip fabricated under the DIR-V Programme with an overall aim to enable the creation of microprocessors for India.


    2. It is India's first homegrown 1·0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 only
    3. CBoth 1 and 2
    4. DNeither 1 nor 2
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    DHRUV64, unveiled by MeitY in 2025, is indeed India's first homegrown 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core RISC-V microprocessor and is the third silicon-validated chip rolled out under the Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) Programme after VEGA and SHAKTI variants. The DIR-V Programme, launched in 2022, aims to make India a hub for RISC-V design and to enable indigenous microprocessors for strategic, automotive and IoT applications. Both statements are factually correct, so the answer is (c). Read more: Gaganyaan Mission: India’s First Human Spaceflight Programme (UPSC Science & Tech).

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    Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Easy

  30. Ships from which of the following countries have to cross the Strait of Hormuz to reach out to the Indian Ocean?

    Ships from which of the following countries have to cross the Strait of Hormuz to reach out to the Indian Ocean?

    1. Bahrain


    2. Syria


    3. Qatar


    4. Egypt

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 and 2
    2. B1 and 3
    3. C2 and 3
    4. D3 and 4
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Countries whose maritime traffic must transit Hormuz to reach the Indian Ocean are those bordering the Persian Gulf: Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, the UAE (mostly), Saudi Arabia (eastern coast) and Iran. Syria's coast lies on the Eastern Mediterranean and Egypt's main maritime access is via the Suez/Mediterranean and the Red Sea — neither needs Hormuz. Hence Bahrain (1) and Qatar (3) are correct, giving (b).

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    International Relations UPSC 2026 Hard

Mains Q&A 186