UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 17 January 2026

Solution: B

• The Tirukkural is one of the most revered classical Tamil texts, traditionally attributed to the poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar. Its structure is distinct, comprising 1,330 short couplets (kurals) divided into three sections or books: Aram (Virtue), Porul (Wealth/Polity), and Inbam (Love). This tripartite structure mirrors the purusharthas (aims of human life) but remains uniquely rooted in Tamil intellectual traditions.
• One of the most significant characteristics of the Tirukkural is its universal and secular tone. While it is often respectfully referred to as the “Tamil Veda,” it does not function as a religious scripture dedicated to specific deities. Instead, it offers a secular ethical framework for personal conduct, effective governance, and social harmony.
• It emphasizes values like compassion, non-violence, and integrity that transcend sectarian boundaries, making it applicable to people of all faiths. The brevity of its aphorisms allows for profound philosophical depth within just seven words per couplet. Because the text focuses on practical morality rather than religious dogma or Vedic rituals, statement 3 is incorrect.

Solution: B

• Indelible ink is a cornerstone of electoral integrity in India, introduced during the Third General Election in 1962 to prevent multiple voting. Its chemical composition relies on silver nitrate. When applied to the skin, silver nitrate reacts with the keratin and exposure to light to create a dark stain that cannot be washed off with water, soaps, or detergents.
• However, there is a distinction between who developed the formula and who manufactures it. The formula was developed by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in Delhi, but the ink is manufactured exclusively by Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited (MPVL), which is a Karnataka State Government undertaking. Therefore, statement 2 is incorrect.
• Regarding its longevity, the mark on the skin usually remains visible for 3 to 4 days as the upper layers of the skin shed, whereas the mark on the nail is much more persistent, lasting 2 to 4 weeks until the nail naturally grows out. This ensures that a voter cannot vote twice in different phases of an election occurring within a short span.

Solution: C

• Project Suncatcher, an initiative by Google Research, represents a shift in addressing the massive energy demands of modern Artificial Intelligence. By placing datacentres in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), specifically in Sun-synchronous orbits, the system can access nearly continuous solar energy without the interference of the atmosphere or the day-night cycles experienced on the ground.
• A critical technical feature of this project is the use of ultra-high-bandwidth inter-satellite links. Because training large AI models requires massive data exchange between processors, the project clusters satellites close together. This allows the “internal” heavy lifting of AI training to happen entirely in space. Consequently, the dependency on Earth bandwidth is minimized; the ground links are primarily used for sending initial inputs and receiving final outputs (inference results). This decoupling is essential because terrestrial-to-satellite bandwidth is far lower than what is required for distributed AI training. By using radiation-tolerant Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), the project seeks to move energy-intensive “compute” away from terrestrial grids and water-cooling systems, thereby reducing the environmental footprint of AI.
• Statement 3 is incorrect because the internal cluster bandwidth is handled in space, not through Earth downlinks.

Solution: A

• Statement I is correct because the Tirukkural is widely recognized not just as a literary masterpiece but as a comprehensive guide for human conduct and societal organization. It has influenced centuries of South Indian thought on ethics, integrity, and duty. Statement II is also correct and serves as a direct explanation for Statement I.
• The book of ‘Porul’ (Wealth/Polity) specifically addresses the “External World.” It elaborates on the qualities of an ideal ruler, the importance of a skilled ministry, the ethics of warfare, and the necessity of social welfare. By providing these practical blueprints for governance and economic life, the text establishes itself as a foundational pillar of statecraft. The synergy between individual virtue (Aram) and collective governance (Porul) is what gives the Tirukkural its enduring status as a manual for a just society.

Solution: D

• In the vacuum of space, particularly in Low-Earth Orbit, electronic components are subjected to ionizing radiation from cosmic rays and solar flares. Standard terrestrial hardware can suffer from “bit flips” or permanent physical damage when struck by high-energy particles. Project Suncatcher utilizes radiation-tolerant or radiation-hardened TPUs (Tensor Processing Units). This refers to hardware that has been specifically engineered—either through physical design, specialized materials, or redundant circuitry—to withstand these doses of radiation over a multi-year mission.
• It is not about “burning off” radiation or using simple lead coatings (which would be too heavy for satellites); rather, it is about the intrinsic durability of the electronic architecture in a harsh environment. This allows the satellites to perform complex AI inference and training without frequent system failures.

Solution: D

• Statement 1 is correct; the production of biomaterials often involves fermentation using bacteria or fungi to create building blocks like lactic acid, which is then polymerized into PLA.
• Statement 2 is incorrect because not all biomaterials are biodegradable. Specifically, “drop-in” biomaterials (like Bio-PET) are chemically identical to petroleum plastics; while they are made from renewable plants, they persist in the environment just like traditional plastics. Only certain types, like PLA or seaweed-based materials, are designed to be biodegradable under specific conditions.
• Statement 3 is correct; a key feature of biomaterials is biocompatibility. Because they are often non-toxic and “immune-silent,” they are ideal for medical applications such as dissolvable sutures, stents, and 3D-printed scaffolds that assist in tissue engineering and bone regrowth. This versatility makes them a critical component of modern healthcare and sustainable manufacturing.

Solution: A

• Statement 1 is incorrect because, while the BIS has formulated over 23,300 standards, not all are mandatory. Most are voluntary; however, the government can make certain standards mandatory (Compulsory Certification) for reasons of public interest, safety, or environmental protection.
• Statement 2 is incorrect; the BIS Act, 2016, establishes BIS as the National Standards Body and the primary authority for standardisation and certification. While it works with other labs, it remains the central governing body.
• Statement 3 is correct; the ISI mark has been the hallmark of quality in India since the 1950s. The transition to the 2016 Act was aimed at “Ease of Doing Business” by simplifying the certification process, including fast-track licensing for MSMEs. The BIS now follows a facilitative approach, aiming to build a “quality culture” rather than just acting as a rigid regulator.

Solution: C

• While the main Population Enumeration (PE) phase for the Census of India 2027 is scheduled for February 2027, certain parts of the country face extreme weather conditions.
• To ensure full coverage, a ‘Special Schedule’ is implemented for Ladakh and other snow-bound regions.
• This allows enumeration to take place at a time when these areas are accessible, ensuring that the geographic challenges of the Himalayas do not lead to an undercount of the population.

Solution: A

• Statement-I is correct as the Union Home Minister recently inaugurated NIDMS, labeling it a next-generation shield because of its comprehensive digital approach to counter-terrorism.
• Statement-II is also correct and provides the underlying reason why NIDMS is considered such a shield. The platform is not just a storage database; it uses advanced technology to analyze signatures (like the type of timer or circuit used) and AI-based analytics to map predictive threats.
• The integration of these features allows investigators to move away from fragmented, paper-based files to a scientific, data-driven methodology. By linking incidents through location, device type, and explosive material, NIDMS enables law enforcement to find modus operandi trends that were previously invisible. This capability supports faster investigations and stronger legal prosecutions. Furthermore, the system’s inter-operability with other databases like CCTNS and NAFIS ensures a unified approach to internal security. Therefore, the technological advancements mentioned in Statement-II are precisely what qualify the system as a “next-generation shield” as claimed in Statement-I.

Solution: B

• Statement-I is correct as UNDESA’s primary aim is to support countries in achieving sustainable and inclusive development. It translates global UN commitments into national policies by providing technical assistance and policy advice on critical issues like employment, social protection, and inequality.
• Statement-II is also correct, highlighting the department’s administrative and intergovernmental support role. It acts as the secretariat for key UN bodies, including ECOSOC and the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), which is the main platform for reviewing the SDGs.
• However, Statement-II does not explain Statement-I. Providing secretariat services (administrative support) is a distinct function from providing policy advice and technical assistance (capacity building).