UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 14 April 2026

Solution: A

• Statement 1 is incorrect because the Rowlatt Act, often termed the ‘Black Act’, allowed for the imprisonment of persons suspected of sedition without trial for a specific period of up to two years, not an indefinite period.
• Statement 2 is correct; the arrest of popular pro-independence leaders Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satyapal created a critical security situation in Punjab, leading to peaceful protests.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. While General Dyer did issue a proclamation banning public meetings, it was not widely disseminated and was issued only in English, meaning the vast majority of the rural population attending Baisakhi celebrations at Jallianwala Bagh were unaware of the legal prohibition on their gathering.
• The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre serves as a definitive turning point in the Indian National Movement. It exposed the repressive nature of colonial governance and shifted the political discourse from seeking incremental reforms to a demand for Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence). The event bridged social and religious divides, as the brutalized population in Punjab saw a common oppressor. The subsequent Non-Cooperation Movement was a direct manifestation of the national outrage catalyzed by this tragedy.

Solution: C

• Navigation (A-1-i): The dolphin is essentially blind and relies on echolocation. It emits ultrasonic sound waves that bounce off prey and obstacles, allowing the dolphin to “see” an image in its mind. This is a critical adaptation for life in murky river waters.
• Conservation Status (B-2-ii): The species is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. It serves as an indicator species, meaning its health reflects the overall health of the entire river ecosystem.
• Biological Feature (C-3-iii): Unlike many mammals where males are larger, the Ganges River Dolphin exhibits sexual dimorphism where the females (up to 2.7m) are larger than the males (up to 2.12m).
• Commonly known as the Susu, it is strictly freshwater species, meaning it cannot survive in saline ocean water. The current threats to the species include the reduction in river flow, particularly in the Chambal River, where water levels are falling below the 3-meter depth required for their survival. This hydrological shift forces dolphins downstream toward the Yamuna confluence, leading to habitat fragmentation and a narrowed gene pool due to the presence of dams and barrages.

Solution: C

• The reduction in water flow has severe multi-trophic consequences. According to the Wildlife Institute of India, dolphins require a minimum of 3 meters of water depth to survive. As water levels drop, particularly due to extraction for irrigation and industry, the Chambal’s flow becomes insufficient. This forces the endangered dolphins to shift habitat downstream. A critical side effect is that low water levels create land bridges to river islands. These bridges allow terrestrial predators like jackals and dogs to reach previously isolated areas and destroy the nests of threatened birds such as the Indian skimmer and black-bellied tern.
• Option (a) is incorrect because the Ganges River Dolphin is a freshwater species found in the Ganges-Brahmaputra system, not the Western Ghats.
• Option (b) is incorrect because these dolphins are strictly freshwater and cannot survive in the ocean or highly saline estuarine environments.
• Option (d) is incorrect because the land bridges actually threaten the nesting success of the Indian skimmer by allowing predators access to their eggs. The construction of dams and barrages further exacerbates the situation by physically separating populations, preventing the natural movement of individuals and reducing genetic diversity within the species.

Solution: D

• Statement 1 is incorrect because, while they are a PVTG, they inhabit the hilly terrains of the Rayagada and Gajapati districts in southern Odisha (Eastern Ghats), not the Western Ghats.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. The Lanjia Saora society is described as highly egalitarian with a strong sense of communal resource sharing and collective decision-making, rather than a hierarchical or monarchical structure.
• Statement 3 is incorrect because one of the criteria for their PVTG status is low literacy levels and the continued use of traditional agricultural practices (like shifting cultivation) rather than a transition to urban industrial labor.

The Lanjia Saoras represent a vital link to India’s pre-Vedic indigenous history. They are mentioned in ancient Hindu epics like the Ramayana (associated with Shabari) and the Mahabharata. Their visual identity is marked by unique physical features such as large, thick circular metal earrings and traditional tattoos. Despite modern influences, they continue to preserve their unique heritage while adapting to contemporary life, such as the youth transitioning to hooked earrings for comfort.

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is correct; biologics are large, complex proteins derived from living organisms through genetic engineering. Traditional drugs (like aspirin) are made through chemical synthesis.
• Statement 2 is incorrect; biologics are extremely sensitive. Because they are made of proteins, they can “denature” or break down if exposed to light or heat. Therefore, they require a strict cold chain for storage and transport.
• Statement 3 is correct; Biosimilars are highly similar versions of an approved biological product. Since they are “grown” rather than “synthesized,” they cannot be exact “carbon copies” like chemical generics, but they serve the same therapeutic purpose.
• India’s Biopharma SHAKTI strategy aims to boost the production of these biosimilars to make treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases more affordable. Biologics offer high specificity, meaning they target specific receptors in the body with fewer side effects than broad-spectrum chemicals. However, they also carry a risk of immunogenicity, where the body’s immune system might react against the drug, requiring rigorous batch testing.

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is incorrect; while the President consults State Governors, the final authority to issue the Order rests with the President (Article 341), and any subsequent changes (additions/deletions) can only be made by an Act of Parliament.
• Statement 2 is correct; SC status is geographically specific. A community might be an SC in one state but not in another, depending on their historical social status in that particular region.

Solution: B

Vayu Baan is an Indian Air Force (IAF) project aimed at developing Air-Launched Effects (ALE), which are drones dropped from helicopters to provide stand-off strike and surveillance capabilities. On the other hand, Reform Express is a 2026 initiative by the Ministry of Railways designed to improve cargo (like salt and autos) and passenger services through technological and policy overhauls.

Solution: D

• Statement 1 is incorrect because the Tunguska is designed for low-altitude air defense (up to 3,500 meters for missiles), specifically to protect ground troops from low-flying targets like attack helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles; it is not an ICBM interceptor.
• Statement 2 is incorrect as the system is of Soviet-origin, developed by the KBP Instrument Design Bureau, and the recent contract was signed with Russia’s JSC Rosoboronexport; it is not a DRDO-developed ‘Make in India’ product (though it is used by the Indian Army).
• Statement 3 is incorrect because the system features an optical backup for tracking. This allows it to engage targets even in environments where its 360-degree radar is being jammed by enemy electronic warfare, meaning it does not rely “exclusively” on radar.

The Tunguska’s dual-armament hybrid system—combining 9M311 missiles and 30 mm autocannons—makes it a unique and versatile platform for mobile army columns. It provides a cost-effective solution to swarm threats by using rapid-fire guns for close-in defense.

Solution: A

• Operation Bison was a historic military feat conducted by Indian forces on November 1, 1948, during the First Indo-Pak War. The objective was to recapture the Zojila Pass, which had been seized by Gilgit rebels and Pakistani forces. What made this operation legendary in military history was the deployment of tanks at an elevation of over 3,500 metres.
• This remains the highest altitude at which tanks have ever operated in combat worldwide. Recapturing Zojila was strategic because the pass is the only terrestrial link between the Kashmir Valley and the high-altitude cold desert of Ladakh. Today, the pass remains a vital supply route for forces in Siachen and the LAC. Geographically, it sits on the boundary between Ganderbal and Kargil
• Due to its vulnerability to heavy snowfall (up to 2600 mm of precipitation) and frequent avalanches, the government is constructing the Zoji-la Tunnel, which will be the longest bidirectional tunnel in Asia. The pass is also known as the “mountain pass of blizzards” and is a critical lifeline for transporting essential goods to Ladakh.

Solution: C

• The Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) is an institutional mechanism set up to facilitate the discounting of invoices or bills of exchange for MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises). The primary goal is to address the liquidity crunch that small businesses often face due to delayed payments from large corporate buyers or government entities.
• By using TReDS, MSMEs can receive immediate payment for their goods and services by selling their receivables at a discount to financiers. The RBI Payments Vision 2028 aims to enhance this system by proposing a unified framework for interoperability within TReDS. This would allow for a more streamlined financing process and even extend these services to export-oriented MSMEs. By unlocking much-needed cash flow for small businesses, the initiative directly supports the ‘Make in India’ mission and helps strengthen the overall economy.
• This focus on MSME liquidity is part of the RBI’s broader strategy to ensure that the digital payment ecosystem is inclusive and supports all sectors of Indian industry.