UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 13 April 2026

Solution: A

• Mahatma Jyotiba Phule founded the Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Truth Seekers) in 1873. The organization’s primary mission was to unite and uplift the Shudras and Dalits, challenging the prevailing caste hierarchies.
• Statement 1 is correct as the Samaj aimed for a social order free from Brahminical dominance, advocating for human rights and social justice.
• However, Statement 2 is incorrect because, while it focused on the marginalized, the Samaj’s ideology was rooted in universal equality, and Phule’s own life reflected an openness to all who sought social reform.
• Statement 3 is incorrect because Phule was a rationalist. He used books, essays, and plays to publicize a rationalist ideology and social justice. While he was influenced by the egalitarian teachings of the Buddha and Kabir, his approach was fundamentally built on reasoning and a critique of orthodox religious structures. His work Gulamagiri is a testament to this rationalist critique, where he compared the Indian caste system to American slavery.
• The movement emphasized education and social empowerment as the tools for liberation, rather than relying on mystical traditions to maintain the status quo. Phule’s legacy laid the groundwork for future movements led by figures like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Solution: D

• The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is a statutory public body, not a constitutional one. It was established on October 12, 1993, under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993. Therefore, Statement 1 is incorrect.
• The Commission serves as an independent institution designed to protect the rights of individuals relating to life, liberty, equality, and dignity as guaranteed by the Constitution and international covenants.
• Statement 2 is correct because the NHRC possesses suo motu powers. It can initiate inquiries into violations of human rights or negligence in preventing such violations on its own accord. This allows the Commission to act swiftly on media reports or other public information.
• Statement 3 is also correct; one of its key functions is to visit jails and other institutions under state control. These visits are intended to monitor the treatment of inmates and ensure their living conditions meet basic human rights standards.

The NHRC also plays a significant role in reviewing safeguards provided under the Constitution, studying international treaties, and supporting the efforts of NGOs working in the human rights sector. Recently, its relevance was highlighted by the notice issued to MeitY regarding user safety on digital platforms.

Solution: A

• Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) is a Joint Venture Company (JVC) formed by three Indian Government Enterprises: NALCO, HCL, and MECL. It is a public-sector undertaking, not a private one, which makes Statement 1 incorrect.
• The primary objective of KABIL is to ensure mineral security and supply-side assurance for India regarding critical and strategic minerals. This is essential for the Make in India initiative and the country’s transition to green energy.
• Statement 2 is correct as KABIL actively identifies and pursues the acquisition of mineral assets abroad, specifically focusing on Lithium and Cobalt. These minerals are vital for the Electric Vehicle (EV) and storage battery sectors. KABIL has recently secured environmental clearance for lithium exploration in Argentina.

Statement 3 is incorrect because KABIL operates under the aegis of the Ministry of Mines, not the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The company’s authorized capital is ₹500 crore, and it was incorporated in August 2019. Its functions include strategic sourcing, R&D for mineral substitution, and downstream integration to build resilient domestic value chains. By targeting countries like Australia, Brazil, and Canada, KABIL addresses India’s resource deficit in 12 strategic minerals.

Solution: A

• Statement I is correct because Mahatma Jyotiba Phule’s seminal work, Gulamagiri (Slavery), published in 1873, was dedicated to the people of the United States who were involved in the movement to abolish slavery. Phule was deeply moved by the American Civil War and the efforts to end the dehumanizing practice of slavery. He saw a parallel between the struggle for freedom in the West and the struggle for dignity in India.
• Statement II is also correct and provides the underlying rationale for the dedication. Phule utilized the American context to present a scathing attack on the Indian caste system. He argued that the oppression faced by the Shudras and Ati-Shudras in India was comparable to the enslavement of people in the US. By linking these two struggles, Phule aimed to internationalize the issue of caste and highlight its inherent injustice.

He believed that just as slavery was being dismantled in America, the “slavery” of the caste system in India must also be abolished. His work was a call for universal equality and social justice, drawing inspiration from Thomas Paine’s Rights of Man and the egalitarian principles of the Buddha.

Solution: B

• The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, is a statutory body tasked with the protection and promotion of human rights in India. It performs mainly advisory and investigative functions.
• The first statement is correct because the NHRC can intervene in judicial proceedings related to human rights violations, but only with the permission of the concerned court. This allows the Commission to assist the judiciary with its expertise while respecting judicial independence.
• The second statement is also correct. The NHRC has the mandate to review various factors that hinder the enjoyment of human rights. This explicitly includes acts of terrorism, which can severely impact civil liberties and human dignity. The Commission can study such issues and recommend appropriate remedial measures to the government.
• The third statement is incorrect. The NHRC does not possess adjudicatory or punitive powers. It cannot punish government officials or enforce its decisions. Its role is recommendatory in nature—it may suggest compensation, disciplinary action, or prosecution, but the final authority rests with the government or judiciary.

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is incorrect because Mauritius is volcanic in origin, not sedimentary. Its geological structure consists of a central plateau surrounded by mountain rims that are the remnants of an ancient massive volcano. This volcanic history has given the island its unique relief and fertile soil, suitable for agriculture.
• Statement 2 is correct. Mauritius is a sovereign island nation situated in the Indian Ocean, approximately 800 km east of Madagascar. It is physiographically classified as part of the Mascarene Islands, an archipelago that also includes Réunion and Rodrigues. The nation also includes territories like the Agalega Islands and the Chagos Archipelago.
• Statement 3 is also correct; Lake Vacoas, a major reservoir on the central plateau, serves as the primary source of water for the country. The island is almost entirely encircled by coral reefs, which protect its coastline. The landscape rises from a northern plain to a central plateau, with the highest point being Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire. The major rivers, the Grand River South East and the Black River, are utilized for hydroelectric power, reflecting the nation’s reliance on its natural topography for energy and water security.

Solution: C

• Exercise Cyclone is a bilateral military drill conducted between the Special Forces of India and Egypt. The fourth edition, Cyclone-IV, is being held in 2026 at Anshas, Egypt. This exercise is a critical component of the growing defense cooperation between the two nations, which share deep historical and cultural ties. The exercise focuses on high-stakes special operations in challenging environments, specifically desert and semi-desert terrain, which mirrors the operational landscapes of both countries.
• The primary aim of Exercise Cyclone is to enhance joint mission planning and improve interoperability between the elite units. By exchanging best practices in tactical special operations, counter-terrorism, and reconnaissance, the troops from both nations build professional expertise. It also fosters camaraderie and mutual trust, which is essential for collective security readiness in a region often faced with extremist threats.

Strengthening ties with Egypt is a central part of India’s strategic outreach in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Such drills ensure that both armed forces are prepared to respond to modern security challenges through shared intelligence and synchronized operational philosophies. The Indian contingent typically includes 25 elite personnel from its Special Forces units.

Solution: B

• Statement-I is correct as it describes the allotment mechanism of the VRR. Since the RBI is “selling” liquidity (lending money), it prioritizes banks that are willing to pay the highest interest rate. The bidding continues downward until the notified amount is exhausted, and the lowest accepted rate becomes the cut-off rate.
• Statement-II is also correct because all repo transactions (Repurchase Agreements) are collateralized. Banks must pledge high-quality Government Securities (G-Secs) to the RBI to borrow funds. At the end of the 3-day or 14-day period, the banks “repurchase” these securities by paying back the principal plus interest.
• However, Statement-II does not explain Statement-I. Statement-I pertains to the pricing mechanism (bidding), while Statement-II pertains to the legal and security structure (collateral) of the loan.

Solution: C

• The primary driver behind the LNG industry is logistics. Natural gas in its gaseous state occupies a massive amount of space, making it impossible to transport economically across oceans where pipelines are not feasible.
• By cooling it to a liquid state, its volume is reduced by about 600 times. This allows specialized cryogenic ships to carry vast quantities of energy in a single voyage. While the liquefaction process does involve removing impurities (like CO2, water, and sulfur) to prevent them from freezing and clogging the machinery (Statement b is a secondary technical step), the “primary reason” for the entire LNG value chain is volumetric reduction for long-distance transport.

LNG acts as a “bridge” fuel, allowing gas-producing nations like Qatar or the US to supply consuming nations like India, where the gas is eventually regasified for use in power plants, fertilizer units, and city gas networks (PNG/CNG).

Solution: D

• The Supreme Court has set a strict triple-test for individuals seeking to regain SC status through re-conversion.
• First, the individual must establish their original caste identity (1) to prove they belong to a community listed in the Schedule for that specific state.
• Second, they must demonstrate a bona fide re-conversion (2), meaning the transition back to Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism is genuine and not merely a “colorable” act to claim benefits.
• Third, and most importantly, they must prove social acceptance (3). The court holds that caste is a social construct; therefore, the person must show that their original community has accepted them back into the fold and treats them as a member of that caste.

Without this social validation, the mere legal act of re-conversion is insufficient to restore SC status. This legal framework prevents the misuse of affirmative action while protecting the cultural and social integrity of the Scheduled Caste communities as identified under Article 341.