UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 17 April 2026

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is incorrect because the meeting was hosted by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, not the Ministry of External Affairs. While health is a part of diplomacy, the technical coordination and hosting are led by the nodal health ministry.
• Statement 2 is correct; India took the initiative to introduce two significant new pillars: the BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyles (addressing non-communicable disease risk factors like diet and inactivity) and the Promotion of Mental Health and Wellness.
• Statement 3 is incorrect because the theme reflects a “People-Centric and Humanity-First” approach, moving beyond traditional state-centric security to emphasize inclusive human welfare and sustainable health cooperation.
• The Health Working Group (HWG) serves as a specialized platform for senior health officials and experts to synchronize public health challenges and evidence-based policy. Other strategic focus areas include the BRICS TB Research Network, which aims for the global elimination of Tuberculosis, and Digital Health Architecture, which focuses on the continuum of care in remote areas. The collaboration among Medical Products Regulatory Authorities is also crucial for ensuring equitable access to medical countermeasures.

Solution: A

• Both statements are correct, and Statement-II provides the underlying logic for Statement-I. The Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) represents a paradigm shift in urban governance. Traditionally, Indian cities relied heavily on grants from the Central and State governments, which often led to fiscal inefficiencies. By limiting Central Assistance to 25%, the UCF acts as a catalytic instrument rather than a sole provider. This force-multiplies investment by requiring cities to secure the remaining 50% of funding through municipal bonds, bank loans, or Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
• This mechanism ensures that projects are bankable and reform-driven. Cities must implement specific urban reforms to qualify, promoting fiscal responsibility and better accounting practices at the ULB level. The ultimate goal is to transform cities into investment-ready growth hubs aligned with the Viksit Bharat @2047 By de-risking projects with limited public funds, the government hopes to mobilize nearly ₹4 lakh crore in total investments using a ₹1 lakh crore central outlay, representing a 4x leverage.

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is incorrect; the NBCFDC is not a statutory body but was incorporated as a company under the Companies Act (now Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013).
• Statement 2 is correct, as it functions under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment as a Government of India Undertaking.
• Statement 3 is incorrect because the target group has been significantly expanded. Beyond OBCs, it now assists Economically Backward Classes (EBCs), De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Senior Citizens, Transgender persons, and Beggars.
• Statement 4 is correct; it is a key implementing agency for the PM-DAKSH (Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi) Yojana, which focuses on upskilling marginalized sections.

The corporation plays a vital role in last-mile credit delivery through State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs) and Micro Finance through Self-Help Groups (SHGs). In FY 2025-26, it achieved a historic disbursement of ₹613 crore, demonstrating high fund utilization and wide geographical coverage. Schemes like the VISVAS Interest Subvention Scheme further reduce the financial burden on small entrepreneurs.

Solution: D

• All pairs are correctly matched.
• Scarborough Shoal is known as Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines and Huangyan Island in China. It is a triangular chain of reefs in the eastern South China Sea.
• The Nine-Dash Line is a historical claim used by China to assert sovereignty over approximately 90% of the South China Sea, including features like Scarborough Shoal, although this claim was invalidated by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in 2016.
• The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a concept under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), granting states rights over marine resources within 200 nautical miles of their coast.
• The shoal is located approximately 120 nautical miles from the Philippine island of Luzon, placing it well within the Philippines’ EEZ.
• However, China has maintained de facto control since a 2012 standoff. Recent satellite imagery showing floating barriers and maritime militia activity underscores the strategic tension. The shoal is a potential flashpoint because any armed attack on Philippine vessels could trigger the S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.

Solution: D

• A memristor (memory-resistor) is the fourth fundamental circuit element, joining the resistor, capacitor, and inductor. Its defining characteristic is variable resistance: it regulates current flow while “remembering” the amount of charge that previously passed through it. Critically, it is non-volatile, meaning it retains its resistance state even when the power is disconnected. This mimics the behavior of biological synapses in the human brain, where memory and processing occur at the same physical location.

Recent innovations by the University of Cambridge have shifted from unpredictable filament-based memristors to more stable p-n junction interfaces. Using Hafnium Oxide, these devices are highly scalable as the material is already standard in CMOS manufacturing. Memristors are central to Neuromorphic Computing, requiring a million times less current than traditional oxide memristors. They are expected to revolutionize Artificial Intelligence by running massive models at a fraction of the current energy cost and enabling Edge Computing on small devices without cloud reliance.

Solution: C

• All three statements are correct and represent key facets of the BRICS HWG’s nine priority areas. The group aims to bolster the BRICS Network of National Public Health Institutes to foster technical collaboration. Promoting Evidence-Based Traditional Medicine (TCIM) is a major focus, leveraging the biodiversity and indigenous knowledge of member nations like India and China. Additionally, the creation of an Integrated Early Warning System is a strategic significance aimed at bolstering global defense against future pandemics by sharing real-time data on infectious disease outbreaks.
• Other key features include Regulatory Cooperation among Medical Products Regulatory Authorities to ensure that vaccines and medicines are affordable and accessible, rather than being restricted to wealthy nations. The group also focuses on Social Determinants of Health (DDSDH) and the Digital Health Architecture, which uses technology to bridge the healthcare gap for remote populations. The 2026 meeting in New Delhi emphasized that these collaborations must be inclusive and sustainable, adhering to the UHC (Universal Health Coverage)

Solution: B

Statement 1 is correct; GLP-1 drugs function by mimicking the Glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone. Their primary physiological effect is to stimulate the pancreas to release insulin specifically in response to rising blood glucose levels, making them effective for Type 2 diabetes management.

Statement 2 is incorrect; GLP-1 receptor agonists are available in diverse formulations, including both injectable and oral medications, depending on the specific generic or brand version. This variety allows for flexibility in treatment but also increases the risk of casual misuse. These drugs are intended for chronic metabolic conditions like obesity and diabetes and should only be used under the supervision of authorized specialists (endocrinologists, cardiologists, or internal medicine doctors) to manage potential side effects.

Solution: A

• Coal gasification is a “cleaner” pathway for coal utilization (Statement I). The reason it is cleaner is twofold, involving both the process and the cleaning mechanism.
• Statement II describes the thermo-chemical process: by using steam and controlled oxygen at high pressure, the coal undergoes partial oxidation. This process allows for the chemical structure of coal to be broken down into a gaseous form (syngas) rather than being burned as a solid.
• Statement III describes the environmental advantage: because the coal has been converted to gas, it is much easier to remove sulfur, nitrogen, and mercury at this stage (pre-combustion). In traditional coal burning, these pollutants are released into a massive volume of flue gas, making them harder to capture.

In gasification, the pollutants are concentrated in the syngas and can be stripped out before the gas is used in a turbine or converted into chemicals like urea. Thus, both the chemical reaction method (II) and the purification capability (III) are the reasons why gasification is considered a cleaner alternative. Therefore, both II and III provide the logical explanation for Statement I.

Solution: C

• SAMPANN (System for Accounting and Management of Pension) is a digital flagship initiative under the Digital India Mission.
• Statement 1 is incorrect. The platform was developed under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), not the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare. It has already disbursed significant funds, showcasing its scalability and reliability in handling sensitive financial data through a cloud-based infrastructure.
• Statement 2 is correct; the platform is now being shared with external bodies like the State Government of Goa and the Cochin Port Authority using a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)

Statement 3 is correct as it provides a single digital window for the entire pension lifecycle.

Solution: C

• The YUVIKA (Yuva Vigyani Karyakram) is a Young Scientist Programme aimed at fostering scientific temper.
• Statement 1 is incorrect because the programme targets students specifically in Class 9. The objective is to catch their interest in space science and technology early, before they make final career choices in higher secondary school. This aligns with the national goal of nurturing indigenous talent for future space missions.
• Statement 2 is correct; ISRO uses a merit-based selection system combining academic performance and an online quiz.
• Statement 3 is correct; to promote inclusivity, 15 percent of seats are reserved for students from rural and remote areas.