UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 30 April 2026

Solution: C

• The history of Sikkim’s integration is a unique chapter in Indian federalism.
• Statement-I is correct because the 36th Amendment Act (1975) officially recognized Sikkim as the 22nd state of the Union, following a historic referendum where over 97% of the voters chose to abolish the monarchy.
• However, Statement-II is incorrect because the 1950 Indo-Sikkim Treaty actually established Sikkim as a protectorate, not ended it. Under this treaty, India was responsible for Sikkim’s defense, external affairs, and communications, while the Chogyal (the monarch) retained internal autonomy. It was only after the 1973 tripartite agreement and the 1975 referendum that the status changed from a protectorate to a constituent state.

The transition was driven by rising pro-democracy movements led by the Sikkim National Congress, which sought closer political ties with India to escape the absolute rule of the Chogyal. This culminated in the abolition of the monarchy and the formal merger.

Solution: A

• OPEC is a permanent intergovernmental organization with a significant impact on global energy stability.
• Statement 1 is incorrect because while there were five founding members—Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela—the UAE was not among them (it joined later).
• Statement 2 is incorrect as the headquarters were originally located in Geneva, Switzerland, and only moved to Vienna, Austria, in 1965.

Statement 3 is correct; the 1968 Declaratory Statement of Petroleum Policy in Member Countries was a landmark document that asserted the right of oil-producing nations to exercise permanent sovereignty over their natural wealth, moving away from the dominance of foreign oil companies. This principle allowed member states to unify petroleum policies and secure stable prices for producers while ensuring a regular supply to consuming nations.

Solution: B

• Exercise Pragati (Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean) is a significant milestone in India’s “Neighborhood First” defense diplomacy. The exercise, hosted by the Indian Army at Umroi, Meghalaya, marks the inaugural edition of a platform specifically involving regional armies.
• Unlike many maritime-focused drills in the IOR, Pragati focuses on land-based military cooperation and interoperability among 11 friendly nations. The goal is to build mutual trust and a shared commitment to regional stability through standardized training and joint tactical maneuvers.

By positioning itself as a central pillar for cooperative growth, India aims to ensure that regional forces can respond effectively to shared security threats, ranging from insurgencies to disaster relief. The use of the Foreign Training Node at Umroi provides a specialized environment for collaborative planning, underscoring the shift toward collective security in a strategically vital corridor.

Solution: D

• Leaf Spot Disease (LSD) is a pathological condition, not a physiological disorder.
• Statement 1 is incorrect because it is largely caused by fungi, and occasionally by bacteria, rather than nutrient toxicity.
• Statement 2 is incorrect as the primary vectors for spreading spores are wind, splashing rain, and irrigation; the pathogens target susceptible plant tissue through the air rather than just root contact.
• Statement 3 is incorrect because symptoms usually appear first on the lower and inner branches. This is because these areas maintain the high humidity (water remaining on leaves for 12–24 hours) that the pathogens require to thrive.
• LSD weakens plants by interrupting photosynthesis, which can lead to significant yield losses in crops like arecanut if not managed. Effective treatment requires sanitation (destroying fallen leaves), improving air circulation through pruning, and the application of bio-agents like Trichoderma or chemical fungicides like the Bordeaux mixture.

Solution: D

• The Bering Strait is one of the world’s most strategically and ecologically significant maritime passages.
• Statement 1 is correct as it links the Arctic Ocean (Chukchi Sea) to the north with the Bering Sea (Pacific Ocean) to the south.
• Statement 2 is correct; the boundary between the USA (Alaska) and Russia runs through the middle of the strait.
• Statement 3 is correct because the International Date Line passes between Big Diomede (Russia) and Little Diomede (USA), meaning they are nearly 21 hours apart despite being only a few kilometers away.

Statement 4 is correct as the falling sea levels during the Ice Age created Beringia, a land bridge that facilitated the migration of humans, plants, and animals between Asia and North America. Recent geoengineering proposals for a Bering Strait Dam aim to stabilize the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), though such a project faces massive logistical hurdles and the risk of severe ecological disruption to marine mammal migration routes.

Solution: B

• Statement I is correct as OPEC+ was formed via the 2016 Declaration of Cooperation to expand the influence of the original 13 OPEC members by including 10 non-OPEC nations.
• Statement II is correct; its purpose is to prevent market crashes by coordinating production cuts or increases.
• Statement III is also correct, as the alliance’s market power is derived from members like Saudi Arabia and the UAE having spare capacity—the ability to change production levels quickly.

However, while both II and III are true, only Statement II explains why Statement I exists (the reason for forming the alliance was market stabilization). Statement III describes a mechanism of their influence but does not explain the historical reason for the Declaration of Cooperation itself. The OPEC+ alliance has been critical during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, where it implemented large-scale voluntary cuts to counter an unprecedented fall in global oil demand.

Solution: C

• The Nilgiri Biosphere is home to several unique indigenous groups.
• Statement 1 is correct; the Kurumbas are an ethnic group traditionally linked to the ancient Pallava empire. They are famous for their ability to scale steep cliffs to gather honey using handmade vine ladders.
• Statement 2 is correct as the Irulas, one of the oldest communities in the region, possess vast knowledge of forest ecology and herbal medicine, and are historically known for catching snakes and rats.

Statement 3 is correct because both are forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes residing across the Nilgiri hills (spanning Tamil Nadu and Kerala). They maintain a unique tribal hierarchy where their skills—art and “sorcery” for the Kurumbas, and medicine for the Irulas—are respected. The recent re-discovery of prehistoric rock art at Oor Pare highlights their long-standing spiritual and physical connection to the landscape, as the site remains sacred to both communities.

Solution: B

• Beringia is a historical and geographical term of great significance in anthropology and paleontology.
• Option (b) is the correct answer because during the Pleistocene Ice Age, global sea levels dropped by as much as 120 meters. This exposed a vast tract of land between present-day Siberia and Alaska, creating a land bridge approximately 1,000 miles wide. This bridge, Beringia, allowed for the intercontinental migration of flora, fauna, and eventually the first humans who populated the Americas roughly 20,000 to 35,000 years ago.
• When the glaciers melted and sea levels rose, the bridge was submerged, forming the Bering Strait. Understanding Beringia is crucial for mapping early human history. Today, the strait is once again a focus of attention, not for migration by land, but for its role in global ocean currents and potential geoengineering projects like the Bering Strait Dam.

Solution: C

• Statement 1 is correct. Ovum Pick-Up (OPU) is the first step where oocytes (eggs) are recovered directly from the donor’s ovaries using ultrasound-guided needles, ensuring precision.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. A significant feature of the OPU–IVF–ET protocol as developed by IVRI is that it can be performed under non-stimulated conditions. Unlike traditional embryo transfer which often requires heavy hormone injections (superovulation), this method recovers eggs without such stimulation, which protects the long-term health and reproductive longevity of the elite donor cow.
• Statement 3 is correct. After the eggs are fertilized in a lab (In Vitro Fertilization) and cultured into blastocysts, they are implanted into surrogate cows. These surrogates are typically indigenous cows with lower productivity but good mothering abilities.
• Statement 4 is correct. This technology is a powerful tool for genetic multiplication. Since the donor cow does not need to carry the calf to term (gestation), she can provide eggs multiple times a year. This allows a single genetically superior cow to produce dozens of offspring annually through various surrogates, rapidly spreading desirable traits like high milk yield and heat tolerance across the national herd.

Solution: A

• Statement 1 is incorrect. Despite its name, the jungle cat is not a resident of dense “jungles” or rainforests. It actually avoids such environments, preferring open, well-watered landscapes such as wetlands, grasslands, and scrublands. Furthermore, it has successfully adapted to human-modified agro-pastoral landscapes, often residing in and around farms and agricultural fields.
• Statement 2 is correct. Jungle cats are highly beneficial to the agricultural economy. Their diet primarily consists of small rodents and birds. By hunting rodents that would otherwise destroy crops, they provide a vital ecosystem service, acting as a natural pest control mechanism or “biological shield” for farmers.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. The jungle cat is currently listed as ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is still relatively widespread and not at immediate risk of extinction, although local populations may face threats. In India, it is protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Their presence is often used as an indicator of the health of Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs), which are frequently overlooked in conservation strategies that prioritize dense forests.