Stay Tuned with Daily Current Affairs Newspaper Quiz for UPSC 2026
Question 1
International Relations | WTO | Hard | The Hindu
SOURCE
Consider the following:
1. The time period for consultation in WTO is 30 days.
2. The disputes registered with the WTO are solved by only adjudication.
Which of the statements above is or are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. None of the above
Solution & Detailed Explanation
Answer: (D) None of the above
Detailed Explanation
Question 2
Environment | Conservation | Medium | The Hindu
SOURCE
Consider the following:
1. Mangrove litter provides a surface for microbial biofilms to grow.
2. Combining mangrove litter with supplemental feed can create a synergistic effect.
Which of the statements above is or are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. None of the above
Solution & Detailed Explanation
Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
Detailed Explanation
- Mangrove litter is used in aquaculture to boost natural food sources, improve water quality, and act as a nutrient-rich substrate for aquatic organisms. It decomposes to release nutrients and support microbial biofilms, which provides food for organisms like shrimp larvae and juvenile fish. This can reduce the need for supplemental feed, lower costs, and enhance shrimp color.
- Mangrove litter benefits aquaculture
- Natural food source: Decomposing mangrove leaf litter stimulates the growth of phytoplankton and zooplankton, which serve as a natural food for shrimp and other cultured species.
- Nutrient enrichment: The litter releases essential nutrients into the water, creating a more fertile environment and supporting the internal nutrient cycling of the pond ecosystem.
- Substrate for biofilms: Fallen leaves and roots provide a surface for microbial biofilms to grow. These biofilms are an important food source for early-stage shrimp larvae.
- Reduced feed costs: By supplementing natural food sources, mangrove litter can reduce the amount of artificial feed required, leading to lower production costs.
- Improved shrimp quality: In some cases, mangrove litter can enhance the dark body coloration of shrimp, which is preferred by consumers.
- Synergistic effects: Combining mangrove litter with supplemental feed can create a synergistic effect, leading to higher growth and survival rates than either source could achieve alone.
- Habitat creation: Mangrove ecosystems, which include the litter, create a natural habitat that supports a healthy aquatic food web for fisheries production.
Question 3
Economy | Budget | Easy | The Hindu
SOURCE
Suppose you are a member of the “Advisory Committee to the Finance Minister of India”.
The finance minister is concerned about the rising Revenue Deficit in the budget.
Which measure would you suggest to control the rising Revenue deficit of the government?
A. To increase grants given to the State Government
B. To increase the subsidy
C. To increase taxation
D. To increase government administrative expenses
Solution & Detailed Explanation
Answer: (C) To increase taxation
Detailed Explanation
- When a government spends more than it collects by way of revenue, it incurs a budget deficit. There are various measures that capture the government deficit and they have their own implications for the economy.
- Revenue Deficit : The revenue deficit refers to the excess of government’s revenue expenditure over revenue receipts
- Revenue deficit = Revenue expenditure – Revenue receipts
- Therefore, the government in the given situation needs to reduce expenses and increase revenue which can only be possible when the grants given to the State Government, subsidy and government administrative expenses are decreased and the increase in taxation.
Question 4
Environment | Pollution | Easy | The Hindu
SOURCE
Consider the following pairs:
STAR – Safe Minimal Aluminium
SAFAL – Safe Water Releaser
SWAS – Safe Thermite Cracker
How many pairs is or are incorrectly matched?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None of the above
Solution & Detailed Explanation
Answer: (C) All three
Detailed Explanation
- There are three distinct categories of green firecrackers:
- SWAS (Safe Water Releaser): These firecrackers release water vapour into the atmosphere to minimise dust emissions. They emit 30% less particulate matter and do not contain sulphur or potassium nitrate.
- STAR (Safe Thermite Cracker): STAR firecrackers are devoid of potassium nitrate and sulphur, resulting in reduced particulate matter emissions and a lower sound level.
- SAFAL (Safe Minimal Aluminium): SAFAL firecrackers use less aluminium and more magnesium, producing less noise compared to traditional firecrackers.
