UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 30 January 2026

Solution: B

• The Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026, notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, represent a significant shift toward a circular economy.
• Statement 1 is correct as these rules introduce a Polluter Pays framework and supersede the 2016 rules.
• Statement 2 is incorrect because the 2026 rules mandate a four-stream segregation at source: Wet Waste (kitchen waste), Dry Waste (plastic, metal, etc.), Sanitary Waste (diapers, tampons), and Special Care Waste (paint cans, expired medicines).
• Statement 3 is correct; the CPCB now has the authority to levy environmental compensation for violations such as operating without registration, false reporting, or improper disposal. This move ensures higher accountability. The rules also emphasize on-site processing for Bulk Waste Generators and the use of a Centralised Online Portal for digital tracking, replacing traditional paperwork to enhance transparency in waste management infrastructure.

Solution: C

• The PANCHAM (Panchayat Assistance and Messaging Chatbot) was launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR). It is a flagship AI initiative designed to establish a direct two-way digital bridge between the Central Government and over 30 lakh elected representatives at the village level. Launched on the eve of the 77th Republic Day, the tool aims to eliminate middlemen by providing Sarpanches and ward members with direct access to government data and scheme information.
• It is developed in collaboration with UNICEF as a knowledge partner. By leveraging a familiar interface like WhatsApp, PANCHAM lowers the barrier to entry for digital governance in rural India, ensuring that information about grants, funds, and welfare schemes like SVAMITVA and RGSA reaches the grassroots without distortion.

Solution: D

• The New Aadhaar App, launched in January 2026, is a next-generation platform by UIDAI. All three statements are correct.
• Statement 1 reflects its alignment with the DPDP Act, focusing on consent-based control and data minimization.
• Statement 2 highlights a major “Ease of Living” feature: for the first time, residents can update their mobile numbers and addresses via Face Authentication for a nominal fee (₹75), reducing the need for physical visits to Seva Kendras.
• Statement 3 describes the Selective Data Sharing feature, which allows users to share only specific fields (like Name/Age) and mask their Aadhaar number, preventing the misuse of the full 12-digit ID at places like hotels or airports. This marks a shift from providing a physical/digital card to providing “digitally signed credentials.”

Solution: B

• The Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Nuapada district of Odisha. It has been in the news because it was officially declared ‘Maoist-free’ in January 2026. This security breakthrough has allowed wildlife officials to conduct extensive monitoring for the first time in years. Recent camera trap data has revealed a flourishing population of leopards (estimated over 70), leading experts to describe it as a potential “Leopard Haven.”

The sanctuary is a critical biodiversity hotspot in the western reaches of Odisha and is a proposed Tiger Reserve. Its transition from a conflict zone to a conservation-focused area is a major milestone for Odisha’s forest department and environmental protection efforts in Central India.

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is incorrect. The Governor is constitutionally required to read the Address as prepared by the Council of Ministers. He cannot alter, omit, or rewrite the content, even if it critiques the Center or his own office. The Address reflects the elected government’s priorities, not the Governor’s personal views.
• Statement 2 is correct. The purpose of the Address under Article 176 is to outline the policies, achievements, and future legislative agenda of the state executive, reinforcing democratic accountability.
• Statement 3 is correct. According to Article 176(2), provisions must be made in the rules of the House for the allotment of time for discussion of the matters referred to in the Address. This allows for legislative scrutiny of the government’s plans. The role of the Governor is primarily a symbolic constitutional formality.
• Court judgments like Nabam Rebia have clarified that the Governor must act on aid and advice and cannot use his powers to act as a parallel power center. This helps maintain the federal balance and ensures that the authority of elected State governments over policy articulation is protected from gubernatorial interference.

Solution: D

• The Indira Gandhi Prize is rooted in the humanitarian and diplomatic values championed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
• Statement 1 is correct; the prize was specifically named for peace and disarmament, reflecting her role in the global arena.
• Statements 2 and 3 are correct. The award recognizes contributions toward human freedom, dignity, and social justice, which aligns with the work of its 2026 recipient, Graça Machel. Furthermore, it emphasizes equitable global development with a strong focus on South–South cooperation. This focus stems from India’s historical leadership in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), where it advocated for the rights and development of post-colonial nations. The prize serves as a reminder of the “global vision” required to bridge the gap between the North and the South, using India’s soft power to promote a more just international relations framework.

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is incorrect. The GFCs are part of the World Economic Forum (WEF), which is a private international organization for public-private cooperation. The members are not elected by the UN; they are invited by the WEF. It is an invitation-only network of experts from various fields, not a representative body of the UN General Assembly.
• Statement 2 is correct. One of the primary aims of the GFCs is to translate expert knowledge into actionable policy-relevant insights. This ensures that the high-level discussions held within these “think tanks” have a practical application for governments, businesses, and international institutions, particularly in building sustainable development models.

Statement 3 is correct. The councils operate on the core principle of “systems thinking.” This approach recognizes that modern global challenges—like the intersection of AI, climate change, and global health—cannot be solved in isolation. By bringing together diverse expertise (interdisciplinary approach), the councils aim to bridge silos, allowing for more holistic and effective solutions to cross-cutting issues. This structured knowledge architecture has been a cornerstone of the WEF’s influence on the global agenda since its formal establishment in this format in 2013.

Solution: B

• Both statements are independent facts regarding the SWM Rules, 2026.
• Statement-I is correct as it defines the overarching goal of the rules: achieving zero-waste to landfills through Circular Economy and EPR
• Statement-II is also correct; the rules introduce an economic deterrent by increasing landfill fees for unsegregated waste, which incentivizes local bodies to invest in processing infrastructure.

However, Statement-II is not the explanation for Statement-I; rather, it is one of the many mechanisms (along with EPR, digital tracking, and four-stream segregation) used to achieve the goal mentioned in Statement-I. The core philosophy is to shift from a “collection and disposal” model to a “segregation and value-recovery” model, ensuring that only inert waste reaches landfills.

Solution: A

• Statement 1 is incorrect. Bitra Island is the smallest inhabited island in Lakshadweep, not the largest. It has a land area of only 0.105 sq. km.

Statement 2 is correct. The geostrategic location of Bitra Island is its primary value from a defence perspective. It lies along key international shipping lanes in the Arabian Sea, offering a vantage point for maritime surveillance over routes connecting the Strait of Hormuz and the Malacca Strait.

Solution: C

• The name “Uttarkashi” (Kashi of the North) is culturally significant and is derived from its location between two rivers, similar to Varanasi (Kashi), which is located between the Varuna and Asi rivers.
• In Uttarkashi, the town lies between the rivers Varuna (also known as Syalam Gad) and Asi (also known as Kaligad).
• The Asi Ganga is a hill stream that joins the Bhagirathi river in Uttarkashi. The Bhagirathi is the main source stream of the Ganga river, originating from the Gangotri glacier.
• Therefore, the Asi is a tributary of the Bhagirathi. The Tons is a tributary of the Yamuna, and the Jadh Ganga is another tributary of the Bhagirathi, but the Asi specifically joins the Bhagirathi.