What mattered in the last day or two — from PIB and The Hindu, written in our own words — then 15 questions in UPSC's formats. +2 for a right answer, −0.67 for a wrong one, 0 for a blank.
1. PM Modi Announces Completion of Dedicated Freight Corridor
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the completion of India's 2,800+ km Dedicated Freight Corridor, marking a significant milestone in national logistics and infrastructure development.
2. MoES and NIOT Host Workshop on Deep Sea Mining Strategy
The Ministry of Earth Sciences and NIOT organized an industry workshop to discuss deep sea mining's strategic role in securing India's critical mineral supply chain.
Workshop held by MoES, NIOT, EY, and NITI Aayog at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.
India holds an ISA exploration contract over 75,000 sq. km in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB).
Estimated reserves in CIOB include 366–380 million tonnes of polymetallic nodules.
Under the ₹4,077 crore Deep Ocean Mission, NIOT demonstrated indigenous mining crawlers at depths exceeding 5,000 meters.
Commercial mining in international waters awaits the Exploitation Code from the International Seabed Authority.
Key terms
Polymetallic Nodules
— Manganese-rich concretions found on the ocean floor containing valuable metals like nickel, cobalt, and copper.
International Seabed Authority (ISA)
— An intergovernmental body established under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to organize and control activities in the seabed beyond national jurisdiction.
Deep Ocean Mission
— A national program launched by the Government of India to develop technologies for deep ocean mining and sustainable use of ocean resources.
3. India Regains 'A' Sovereign Credit Rating After 35 Years
The Japan Credit Rating Agency upgraded India's sovereign rating to 'A-', marking the first return to this tier in over three decades, impacting future borrowing costs.
4. PM Inaugurates Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Global Fintech Fest 2026, outlining priorities for expanding UPI globally and integrating advanced technologies like Agentic AI.
5. PM Highlights Article on Poshan Initiatives and Anganwadi Strengthening
The Prime Minister shared an article by Union Minister Annpurna Devi marking 10 years of Matru Vandana Yojana and Poshan Maah, emphasizing the transformation of the Anganwadi system into a people's movement.
6. Round 1 of Coal Gasification Scheme Concludes with Seven Applications
The first round of the ₹37,500 crore Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Scheme received seven applications from major public and private firms, signaling strong industry confidence in domestic gasification.
The Department of Telecommunications' Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) has prevented over ₹5,000 crore in suspected cyber fraud losses by providing real-time risk assessment to financial institutions.
India and Morocco held their first Joint Defence Committee meeting in New Delhi to deepen bilateral defence ties ahead of the 70th anniversary of relations.
11. PAC flags ₹9,222 crore cess shortfall in reserve fund transfers
The Public Accounts Committee criticized the Union Finance Ministry for failing to transfer ₹9,222 crore in cess collections to designated reserve funds in 2024-25, violating earlier recommendations.
₹9,222 crore collected via cesses/levies was not transferred to four designated reserve funds in 2024-25.
Findings are based on CAG Report No. 6 of 2026 (Paragraph 3.3.1).
Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi (PMSSN) had a shortfall of ₹6,646 crore.
Oil Industry Development Fund (OIDF) saw only ₹902 crore transferred since 1974-75 until 1991-92; none thereafter until 2023-24.
Cess collections constitute 10.25% of gross tax revenue and are not part of the divisible pool shared with States.
Key terms
Cess
— An additional levy on tax or duty imposed for a specific purpose, which is not part of the divisible pool of taxes shared with states.
Reserve Funds
— Funds constituted under statutory provisions or executive orders for specific purposes, financed through budgetary support, grants, and cess collections.
Divisible Pool
— The aggregate of central taxes that are distributed among the Union and the States according to the recommendations of the Finance Commission.
12. AI System for Real-Time Mithun Behaviour Tracking
ICAR-NRC on Mithun developed an AI framework using YOLOv8n and DeepSORT to monitor cattle behaviour, enhancing livestock management in Northeast India.
13. DFPD and FCI Sign MoU for FY 2026–27 to Enhance Foodgrain Management
The Department of Food & Public Distribution and the Food Corporation of India signed a performance-based MoU for FY 2026–27 to modernize operations, reduce storage losses, and improve accountability in foodgrain management.
14. Striped Hyenas: Misunderstood Scavengers Vital for Public Health
Despite legal protection, India's striped hyena population faces threats from folklore and data gaps, highlighting the need for a unified conservation strategy.
Consider the following statements regarding the fiscal indicators of Tamil Nadu for 2024-25 as per the CAG report:
Statement I: The committed expenditure on salaries, pensions, and interest payments constituted more than half of the Revenue Expenditure.
Statement II: Interest payments accounted for approximately one-fifth of the total revenue receipts, reflecting an increasing debt burden.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Answer: (b)
Statement I is correct: The text states committed expenditure made up almost 53.75% of Revenue Expenditure.
Statement II is correct: The text states almost 21% (approx. one-fifth) of revenue receipts went towards Interest Payments.
Relation: While both are true facts about the fiscal structure, Statement II (interest share of receipts) does not explain Statement I (committed expenditure share of outlay). Committed expenditure includes salaries and pensions, which are distinct from interest payments.
a Statement II does not explain Statement I because committed expenditure includes salaries and pensions, not just interest.
Consider the following statements regarding the audit findings on Cess and Levy transfers reported by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG):
1. In 2024-25, the largest shortfall in transfer to designated reserve funds was linked to the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi (PMSSN).
2. The Oil Industry Development Fund (OIDF) was operationalised for the first time in 2024-25, despite cumulative oil industry cess collections since 1974-75 amounting to over ₹3 lakh crore.
3. The Union Finance Ministry argued that the net excess transfer to the Madhyamik and Uchchtar Shiksha Kosh (MUSK) offset the shortfall in PMSSN transfers.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Answer: (c)
Statement 1 is correct: The text identifies PMSSN as having the largest shortfall (₹6,646 crore gap) in 2024-25.
Statement 2 is correct: The text notes OIDF was operationalised for the first time in 2024-25, while citing cumulative cess collections of ₹3,12,782 crore since 1974-75.
Statement 3 is correct: The Finance Ministry contested findings by stating that higher allocations to MUSK resulted in a net excess transfer, thereby offsetting the PMSSN shortfall.
In the context of the Prime Minister's remarks at the Global Fintech Fest 2026, which of the following best describes the scope of the FinTech sector expansion advocated by him?
Answer: (b)
The release states that the PM called for 'Taking FinTech beyond payments to credit, insurance, savings, investments and pensions.'
Option A is incorrect because the scope was expanded beyond just payments.
Option C is incorrect because he specifically called for 'Expanding UPI’s global footprint'.
Option D is incorrect because he advocated for 'harnessing Agentic AI' and 'greater innovation'.
a The PM advocated for expansion beyond payments, not restriction to them.
c The PM explicitly called for expanding UPI's global footprint, contradicting the focus on domestic-only adoption.
d The PM called for harnessing new tech like Agentic AI and greater innovation, not prioritizing traditional models.
Consider the following statements regarding India's industrial and energy infrastructure initiatives mentioned in recent contexts:
Statement-I: India is focusing on building complete value chains domestically, ranging from semiconductor chips to shipbuilding.
Statement-II: The development of an energy ecosystem spanning solar to nuclear power is intended to support AI, data centers, and future industries.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Answer: (b)
Both statements are factually correct based on the source text which lists 'Chips to ships' and 'Solar to nuclear' as parallel goals.
However, Statement-II (energy ecosystem) does not logically explain Statement-I (manufacturing value chains). They are distinct strategic pillars mentioned together, not cause-and-effect where energy availability is the sole explanation for manufacturing localization in this specific context.
a While both are true, the energy ecosystem is a parallel goal for supporting tech/industry, not the direct explanatory mechanism for the existence of chip-to-ship value chains themselves.
Consider the following statements regarding the key pillars of strengthening the Anganwadi system as outlined in the context of Poshan Maah and Matru Vandana Yojana anniversaries:
Statement I: The use of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and social audits has been identified as critical mechanisms to ensure support reaches beneficiaries like children, women, and adolescent girls.
Statement II: These interventions are part of a broader effort to make the Anganwadi system a 'people's movement' aimed at achieving a malnutrition-free India.
In the context of the above statements, which one of the following is correct?
Answer: (b)
Both statements are factually supported by the text: DBT/social audits are mechanisms (Statement I), and the goal is a people's movement/malnutrition-free India (Statement II).
However, Statement II describes the vision/outcome while Statement I describes the mechanism. The vision does not explain why DBT works; rather, DBT is a tool used to achieve the vision. Thus, II is not the explanation of I.
a The vision (II) does not causally explain the mechanism (I); they are related but distinct aspects (goal vs. method).
With reference to the AI-based system for Mithun behaviour tracking developed by ICAR-NRC on Mithun, consider the following statements:
1. The system utilizes YOLOv8n for behaviour detection and DeepSORT technology for tracking individual animals across video frames.
2. It is designed to monitor four specific behaviours: feeding, standing, lying, and grazing.
3. The framework has been validated across multiple farms in different geographical regions of Northeast India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is correct: The release explicitly states the framework combines the YOLOv8n model for behaviour detection with DeepSORT technology for tracking individual animals.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The four key behaviours monitored are feeding, standing, lying, and mounting (not grazing).
Statement 3 is incorrect: The researchers noted that the system has currently been evaluated at a single farm and requires further validation across different farms and regions.
b Statement 2 is incorrect because 'grazing' is not one of the four tracked behaviours; 'mounting' is.
c Both statements 2 and 3 are incorrect due to wrong behaviour list and premature claim of multi-farm validation.
Consider the following statements regarding the Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects:
1. The scheme aims to achieve a total coal gasification capacity of 75 million tonnes by 2030.
2. It seeks to reduce dependence on imports of LNG, urea, ammonia, and methanol.
3. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Power to support clean energy transitions.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is incorrect: The national objective is 100 million tonnes by 2030, with 75 million tonnes specifically targeted under this scheme.
Statement 2 is correct: The release explicitly lists LNG, urea, ammonia, and methanol as key import dependencies the scheme aims to reduce.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The scheme is administered by the Ministry of Coal, not the Ministry of Power.
b Statement 1 is factually wrong (confuses scheme target with national target) and Statement 3 is wrong (wrong ministry).
c Statement 1 is factually wrong (confuses scheme target with national target) and Statement 3 is wrong (wrong ministry).
With reference to the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI), consider the following statements:
1. It is an initiative developed by the Department of Telecommunications under its Digital Intelligence Platform.
2. It classifies mobile numbers into three risk categories based on inputs from citizen reports, cybercrime portals, and telecom operators.
3. The FRI framework is currently restricted to banking and payment service providers, excluding securities and insurance sectors.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is correct: The text states FRI is developed by DoT under its Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP).
Statement 2 is correct: The text confirms it classifies numbers into Medium, High, or Very High risk using inputs from Sanchar Saathi, NCRP, and telecom/banking intelligence.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The text explicitly mentions that the framework is being extended to securities market intermediaries, insurance entities, and pension sector stakeholders.
b Statement 3 is incorrect as the scope includes securities and insurance.
c Statement 3 is incorrect as the scope includes securities and insurance.
d Statement 3 is incorrect as the scope includes securities and insurance.
Consider the following statements regarding the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Department of Food & Public Distribution (DFPD) and the Food Corporation of India (FCI):
1. The MoU focuses exclusively on financial audits and does not include operational modernisation or digitisation targets.
2. A proportion of the MoU targets is linked to depot performance assessed through the 'Depot Darpan Portal'.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is incorrect: The MoU explicitly emphasizes modernisation, including reduction of storage losses, improvement in logistics, and greater digitisation of business processes using IT solutions.
Statement 2 is correct: The text states that a proportion of the MoU targets has been linked to the performance of FCI’s depots through the Depot Darpan Portal, a web-based platform for assessing infrastructure and efficiency.
b Statement 1 is false because the MoU includes significant operational and digital modernisation goals.
c Statement 2 is true, so 'Neither' is incorrect.
d The facts are clearly stated in the source text, allowing for determination.
With reference to the India-Morocco Joint Defence Committee (JDC), consider the following statements:
1. The JDC serves as an institutional mechanism established through a Memorandum of Understanding signed during the visit of the Indian Raksha Mantri to Morocco in September 2025.
2. The inaugural meeting was co-chaired by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence from the Indian side and the Chief of Staff of the Moroccan Armed Forces from the Moroccan side.
3. Areas of discussion included cyber defence, peacekeeping operations, and cooperation in defence industries including co-production and joint ventures.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is correct: The release explicitly states that the JDC is part of the institutional mechanism set up through the MoU signed during Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh's visit to Morocco in September 2025.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The meeting was co-chaired by Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Ministry of Defence Shri Amitabh Prasad and Chief of the 2nd Bureau of the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces Brigadier General Abdellah Athmani, not the Secretary General or Chief of Staff.
b Statement 2 is factually incorrect regarding the designations of the co-chairs.
c Statement 2 is factually incorrect regarding the designations of the co-chairs.
d Statements 1 and 3 are also correct, making this option incomplete.
With reference to the bilateral air exercise 'Veer Guardian', consider the following statements:
1. It is conducted between the Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self Defence Force.
2. The Indian Air Force participates with a mix of aircraft including the indigenous LCA Tejas, Su-30 MKI, and Rafale.
3. The Japanese side deploys its F-15J fighter aircraft for this exercise.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is correct: The release explicitly states the exercise is between IAF and JASDF.
Statement 2 is correct: The text lists LCA Tejas, Su-30 MKI, and Rafale as part of the IAF's diverse mix.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The release specifies that JASDF will participate with its F-2A fighter aircraft, not the F-15J.
b Statement 3 is incorrect regarding the Japanese aircraft type.
c Statement 2 is correct, but Statement 3 is incorrect.
With reference to the Deep Ocean Mission and India's deep-sea mining activities, consider the following statements:
1. The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) is the nodal ministry for the mission, with the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) as a key implementing agency.
2. India holds exploration contracts from the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for polymetallic nodules in the Central Indian Ocean Basin and for polymetallic sulphides at the Carlsberg Ridge.
3. Commercial mining of polymetallic nodules in international waters can commence immediately upon the successful demonstration of indigenous crawler systems by NIOT.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is correct: The release identifies MoES and NIOT as the hosts/implementers under the ₹4,077 crore Deep Ocean Mission.
Statement 2 is correct: The text confirms India's exclusive ISA contract for nodules in the CIOB and its status as the first nation to hold two exploration contracts for sulphides, including the Carlsberg Ridge agreement.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The release explicitly states that commercial mining can commence only after the Exploitation Code is brought out by the International Seabed Authority, not merely upon technology demonstration.
b Statement 3 is incorrect because commercial mining requires the ISA Exploitation Code, not just technical success.
c Statement 3 is incorrect due to the regulatory prerequisite mentioned in the text.
d Statement 3 is incorrect, making this option invalid.
Consider the following statements regarding the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and recent proposals concerning Gram Sabha consent:
1. The Committee on Public Undertakings has suggested that project approval should require the consent of all affected Gram Sabhas to uphold the spirit of the FRA.
2. Under the proposed regime, a developer could bypass the consent of a village located directly within a proposed reservoir if less affected villages provide their no-objection certificates.
3. The Tribal Affairs Ministry has actively asserted jurisdiction over the dilution of Gram Sabha consent rules to prevent a regulatory vacuum.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (b)
Statement 1 is incorrect: The text states the Committee's suggestion was that a project require the consent of only most (70%-75%), rather than all, gram sabhas, which contradicts the FRA's intended spirit.
Statement 2 is correct: The text explicitly mentions that under such a rule, a developer may bypass the consent of a village located directly within a proposed reservoir while ensuring less affected villages have provided NOCs.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The text notes the refusal of the Tribal Affairs Ministry to claim jurisdiction, creating a dangerous regulatory vacuum.
a Statement 1 is factually opposite to the source; the Committee suggested lowering barriers, not upholding them by requiring all consents.
c Statement 3 is incorrect as the Ministry refused to claim jurisdiction.
With reference to the Indian Space Policy of April 2023 and ISRO's strategic direction, consider the following statements:
1. The policy envisages a future scenario where ISRO ceases its involvement in commercial satellite manufacturing and launch services.
2. The primary objective of this shift is to allow ISRO to focus exclusively on exploratory missions, inspired by NASA's model.
3. IN-SPACe has clarified that while private participation will increase, ISRO's core functions will remain entirely under government control without any outsourcing.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (a)
Statement 1 is correct: The text states that since the Indian Space Policy of April 2023, the message has been clear that ISRO would stop making commercial satellites and launch rockets in the unspecified future.
Statement 2 is correct: The text notes that ISRO expects to focus on ambitious exploratory missions and 'moonshots', clearly inspired by NASA.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The text mentions that employee associations seek clarity on the 'outsourcing of core functions' and that IN-SPACe says the industry's role must grow; it does not state that core functions will remain entirely under government control without outsourcing.
b Statement 3 is incorrect as the text highlights concerns about outsourcing and growing industry roles, contradicting the claim of no outsourcing.
c Statement 2 is correct, so excluding it makes this option wrong.
With reference to the conservation status and legal framework of the Striped Hyena in India, consider the following statements:
1. The Striped Hyena is afforded the highest level of legal protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
2. India currently maintains a comprehensive National Action Plan that unifies financial and logistical capacities for the conservation of the species across states.
3. The Tamil Nadu government has allocated specific funds to conserve striped hyenas as part of a package for less-known endangered wildlife.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (b)
Statement 1 is correct: The text explicitly states that India’s hyenas enjoy the highest level of legal protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The text notes that there is no proper unified action plan; instead, it suggests that such a plan can help but does not exist yet. Current efforts are described as 'fragmented regional initiatives'.
Statement 3 is correct: The text mentions that the Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs 14 lakh to conserve striped hyenas.
a Statement 2 is incorrect because no unified national action plan exists.
c Statement 1 is correct, so excluding it makes this option wrong; also Statement 2 is incorrect.
Items are summarised in our own words from PIB and The Hindu; nothing is reproduced from the articles, and each item links to the original. Questions are generated from those releases and re-checked against the source text by a second model before publishing. If one looks wrong, use Feedback — every report is read.
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