UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 1 January 2026

Solution: C

• Statement 1 is incorrect. Pollutants emitted directly from identifiable sources such as vehicle exhausts, power plants, or industrial chimneys are called primary pollutants (for example, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter emitted at source). Secondary pollutants, in contrast, are not emitted directly. They are formed in the atmosphere through physical and chemical transformations involving primary pollutants.
• Statement 2 is correct. The formation of secondary PM2.5 depends heavily on atmospheric conditions. Sunlight drives photochemical reactions (especially involving nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds), while humidity influences aqueous-phase reactions in clouds and aerosols. Temperature, stagnation, and atmospheric residence time further control how efficiently gases are converted into fine particulate matter, making meteorology a critical determinant of secondary pollution episodes.
• Statement 3 is correct. Ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate are classic examples of secondary inorganic aerosols. They form when ammonia reacts with sulfuric acid and nitric acid in the atmosphere—acids that themselves are generated from sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides through oxidation processes. These compounds constitute a major fraction of PM2.5 in many regions, especially during winter smog events.

Solution: C

• Statement 1 is incorrect. While copper has excellent conductivity, it is second to silver, which holds the highest electrical and thermal conductivity.
• Statement 2 is correct. India has recognized copper as a critical mineral because it depends on imports for over 90% of its copper concentrate
• Statement 3 is correct. Copper is naturally antimicrobial, which allows it to be used on medical surfaces to reduce the spread of infections.
• Statement 4 is correct. Copper is the primary base for brass (Copper + Zinc) and bronze (Copper + Tin).

Solution: D

• Statement 1 is incorrect. “Justice Mission 2025” was a unilateral exercise by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), not a QUAD exercise. It was intended as a deterrent signal against Taiwan.
• Statement 2 is correct. The drills were high-intensity and designed to simulate blockades and precision strikes on ports.
• Statement 3 is correct. The manoeuvres were strategically positioned around the island, covering both northern and southern maritime sectors to demonstrate total isolation capability.

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is correct. Chile and Peru are globally dominant in copper production, followed by countries like DR Congo and China.
• Statement 2 is correct. One of the most sustainable features of copper is that it is almost completely recyclable with no degradation in quality, making it vital for the circular economy.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. India has a major policy blind spot here; it is heavily dependent (over 90%) on imported copper concentrate, despite being a significant consumer of the metal.

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is correct. The sanctuary is located in the southwestern part of Bihar, spanning the Kaimur and Rohtas
• Statement 2 is incorrect. The forest types are diverse, including Tropical Dry Mixed Deciduous forests, Dry Sal forests, and even Bamboo brakes.
• Statement 3 is correct. The region is a major archaeological site, home to prehistoric cave paintings, fossils, and megaliths, adding cultural value to its ecological importance.

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is correct. Transmission often occurs via invasive medical devices like ventilators or catheters in hospital settings.
• Statement 2 is correct. Unlike many pathogens that die quickly outside a host, auris is hardy and persists on surfaces and human skin for a long time.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. The highest risk is for hospitalized and immunocompromised patients, not healthy individuals, though healthy people can be asymptomatic colonizers (carriers).

Solution: D

• The “Surface Lid” is a metaphorical term for enhanced vertical stratification. In the Southern Ocean, the anomaly is caused by two factors: intensified winds (which pull deep, carbon-rich water up) and increased freshwater (from melting glaciers and rain). Normally, the upwelled water would release its CO₂ into the air.
• However, the freshwater is less salty and lighter, so it sits on top of the denser, saltier deep water. This creates a stable layer—the “lid”—that separates the deep water from the atmosphere. Even though the carbon-rich water is pushed upward by winds, it gets stuck about 100–200 metres below the surface.
• This prevents the CO₂ from escaping, allowing the ocean to continue acting as a net carbon sink. This physical trapping is a key reason why the Southern Ocean is performing differently than what many global climate models had initially predicted.

Solution: A

• Statement-I is correct as the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) is the executive arm established under the 2019 Act to protect the collective interests of consumers. It has recently taken stringent actions, such as imposing an ₹11 lakh penalty on UPSC coaching institutes for deceptive claims regarding selection results.
• Statement-II is also correct and provides the legal basis for the CCPA’s action. Under Section 2(28) of the Act, a misleading advertisement is explicitly defined to include false descriptions of goods/services, false guarantees, and the concealment of material information.
• Therefore, Statement-II explains why the CCPA has the jurisdiction to penalize institutes: their actions fall under the legal definition of “misleading” as per the statute.

Solution: A

• Statement 1 is correct; the VDG scheme was approved in 2022 to restructure and replace the 1995 VDC system.
• Statement 2 is correct as the groups consist of local volunteers, including ex-servicemen and trained civilians, ensuring they have knowledge of the local terrain.
• Statement 3 is incorrect because while the CRPF or Army provides training, the operational control of VDGs lies with the District Superintendent of Police (SSP/SP). This ensures they are integrated into the local police security grid.

Solution: A

• Statement 1 is incorrect because PMGSY is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, not a Central Sector Scheme. This means the funding is shared between the Centre and the States (usually in a 60:40 ratio for general states and 90:10 for Himalayan and NE states).
• Statement 2 is incorrect because the quality assurance mechanism is a three-tier system, not single-tier. The first tier is the executing agency itself, the second tier involves State Quality Monitors (SQM), and the third tier consists of independent National Quality Monitors (NQM). This ensures transparency and durability.
• Statement 3 is correct; the scheme has a strong focus on sustainability. It mandates the use of non-conventional materials like waste plastic, cold mix technology, geo-textiles, and fly ash to reduce the carbon footprint and enhance climate resilience. This “green” approach is a key feature of the later phases of PMGSY, aiming to integrate infrastructure dev4elopment with environmental conservation.