UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 27 April 2026

Answer: D

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect. A unique physical trait of the Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is its semi-retractable (non-retractable) claws. These function like the cleats on a track shoe, providing essential traction for high-speed maneuvers during hunts. This feature prevents them from climbing trees as effectively as leopards.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. Female Cheetahs are generally solitary, except when raising cubs. It is the males that form coalitions, often consisting of brothers, to defend territories and hunt more effectively. Females roam larger, non-defended home ranges. Furthermore, Cheetahs face high cub mortality (up to 90%) due to predation by lions and hyenas, which is a significant challenge for the reintroduction program in Kuno and Gandhi Sagar.

Answer: D

Explanation:

Nigeria is located in West Africa. Its land borders are:

• North: Niger
• Northeast: Chad (across Lake Chad)
• East: Cameroon
• West: Benin
• South: Atlantic Ocean (Gulf of Guinea)

Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa, but it is separated from Nigeria by the countries of Niger and Burkina Faso.

Answer: A

Explanation:

• The MAHASAGAR vision (Maritime Security and Growth for All in the Region) is a strategic conceptual framework that guides India’s engagement with littoral states in the Indian Ocean. It is an extension of the broader SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative. The primary objective is to foster regional maritime cooperation to address common challenges such as piracy, maritime terrorism, and illegal fishing.
• Under this vision, events like Exercise MILAN 2026 and the IONS (Indian Ocean Naval Symposium) Conclave serve as platforms for high-level military-to-military engagement. The goal is to build trust and transparency, ensuring that the Indian Ocean remains a zone of peace and a conduit for free trade. It also supports India’s role as a First Responder in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
• Unlike options (b), (c), or (d), which are either specific commercial projects or incorrect policy descriptions, MAHASAGAR is a holistic policy aimed at inclusive security architecture. It aligns with India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the “Act East” policy, positioning the Indian Navy as a “preferred security partner” for regional navies through enhanced interoperability and coordination.

Answer: A

Explanation:

• The Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development, adopted in 1995, represented a historic turning point in international development discourse. Before this summit, development was often viewed primarily through the lens of GDP growth and macroeconomic indicators.
• Statement-I is correct as it was the first time heads of state convened specifically to prioritize poverty eradication, employment, and social inclusion as universal goals. Statement-II provides the underlying logic that made this declaration “landmark.” It moved away from a siloed approach to recognize that economic growth alone is insufficient if it does not lead to social justice and is not environmentally sustainable.
• This integrated approach—treating social, economic, and environmental factors as interdependent—is what defined the “people-centered” philosophy. The declaration also emphasized that gender equality and the empowerment of women are prerequisites for lasting development.
• This 1995 framework laid the conceptual foundation for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and subsequently the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The recent Doha Political Declaration (2025) builds directly on this Copenhagen legacy, reaffirming that social progress is the ultimate end-goal of all developmental efforts.

Answer: B

Explanation:

• Gogabeel Lake is strategically located in the Katihar district of Bihar, a region characterized by a complex network of Himalayan and plains-fed rivers. It is situated between the Ganga River to the south and east and the Mahananda River to the north.
• Specifically, it is formed from the overflow and meandering of the Mahananda and Kankhar rivers. During the monsoon, the lake acts as a floodplain, absorbing excess water and providing a vital link between the Ganga and Mahananda systems. This unique location makes it one of the most significant oxbow lakes in the Indo-Gangetic plain.
• The fertile silt brought by these rivers supports a rich variety of aquatic flora and fauna, which in turn attracts thousands of migratory birds every year. The lake’s role as a natural sponge helps in groundwater recharge and provides a natural buffer against floods for the local communities. Its recent designation as a Ramsar Site acknowledges this critical hydrological and ecological role in the larger Ganga basin, emphasizing its status as a “Wetland of International Importance.”

Answer: C

Explanation:

• APEDA is an export development authority, not a direct agricultural production or farming subsidy agency. While it provides financial and technical assistance for industries related to scheduled products, its mandate revolves around the post-harvest value chain and international trade.
• Statement (c) describes a function typically handled by the Department of Agriculture or State governments through schemes like PM-KISAN or Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana. APEDA’s core functions include exporter registration, monitoring quality standards, conducting inspections (especially for meat and processed foods), and enhancing the global branding of Indian products like GI-tagged rice or organic produce.
• It also collects and publishes export statistics, providing the data backbone for India’s agri-export policy. Its recent facilitation of Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) exports to Costa Rica is a classic example of its role in promoting value-added agricultural exports that meet global safety and nutritional norms.

Answer: C

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct. Fortification refers to the deliberate addition of essential micronutrients (such as iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12) to food. These nutrients may either be absent in the original food or lost during processing like milling and polishing in rice. The aim is to address “hidden hunger,” i.e., micronutrient deficiencies in populations.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. In the case of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK), micronutrients are added through a process called extrusion, where rice flour is mixed with a premix of vitamins and minerals and then shaped into rice-like kernels. However, the nutrients are not chemically bonded to starch. Instead, they are physically embedded within the kernel matrix. To reduce nutrient loss during washing and cooking, coating techniques and stabilization methods are used, but complete prevention of loss is not guaranteed.
• Statement 3 is correct. FRK is designed to closely resemble natural rice in terms of shape, size, color, and cooking characteristics. When blended with regular rice (typically in a ratio like 1:100), it becomes virtually indistinguishable to consumers, ensuring acceptability without altering taste or appearance significantly.

Answer: B

Explanation:

• The Umngot River serves as a vital natural boundary between the two countries. At the Dawki border crossing, the river transitions from the Jaintia Hills of India into the plains of Bangladesh, where it is known as the Shari Goyain River.
• This transboundary nature makes its water quality a matter of international environmental concern. While it is a massive tourism and ecological asset for Meghalaya, its primary political significance lies in its role as a border river.
• Options (a), (c), and (d) are incorrect. The river is famous for its boat rides and incredible underwater visibility, but its health is currently at risk due to construction debris from the Shillong–Dawki highway.
• The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board’s intervention highlights the need for containment measures like silt fences to prevent excavated soil from sliding into the river, which is a vital source of water and livelihood for border communities.

Answer: B

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) relies on principles such as the observer effect and quantum uncertainty. Any attempt to intercept or measure the quantum states (photons) carrying the key disturbs them, which can be detected by the communicating parties. This makes QKD fundamentally secure against eavesdropping.
• Statement 2 is correct. In entanglement-based QKD (such as protocols derived from the Quantum Entanglement principle), two photons are entangled such that measuring one instantaneously determines the state of the other, regardless of distance. This correlation is used to generate secure cryptographic keys.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. QKD does not necessarily require specialized optical fiber. While dedicated dark fibers improve performance, QKD can be implemented over existing telecom infrastructure, including standard optical fiber networks and even free-space (satellite-based) links, with appropriate modifications and multiplexing techniques.

Answer: C

Explanation:

• The Subramaniam Balaji vs. State of Tamil Nadu (2013) case is a landmark judgment regarding electoral ethics. The Supreme Court observed that although promises in a manifesto do not technically constitute a “corrupt practice” under the Representation of the People Act, the distribution of freebies can influence voters and disturb the level playing field.
• Consequently, the Court directed the Election Commission of India to frame guidelines for election manifestos as part of the Model Code of Conduct. Since then, political parties are required to avoid promises that might distort voter choice and must explain the financial rationale and feasibility of their promises. This ensures that parties do not make populist announcements that the state exchequer cannot support, thereby promoting fiscal responsibility and fair competition during polls.