UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 1 May 2026

Solution: C

• The Past Risk and Return Verification Agency (PaRRVA) is a regulatory initiative launched by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Its primary goal is to ensure accountability and transparency in the financial markets by validating the historical performance claims made by regulated entities. In an era where investment advisors and algorithmic trading platforms often use past returns as a marketing tool, SEBI identified a need for a “source of truth” to protect retail investors from misleading or exaggerated claims.
• The operational framework involves CARE Ratings Limited as the designated verification agency and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) as the Data Centre. This agency allows investors to access authenticated performance metrics, helping them make more informed decisions. By standardizing how risk and return are calculated and presented in advertisements, PaRRVA strengthens the integrity of the Indian capital markets. The agency moved from a pilot phase in late 2025 to full-scale operations in May 2026, marking a significant step in SEBI’s ongoing efforts to enhance investor protection and curb market malpractices through digital infrastructure.

Solution: C

• The resilience of Ru-Soam engineering lies in its material properties and structural flexibility. Unlike traditional modern bridges made of steel and concrete, which are rigid and prone to cracking under the deformation of seismic waves, Ru-Soam bridges are made of cane and bamboo. These materials are inherently lightweight and flexible, allowing the structure to “sway” and absorb the energy of an earthquake without catastrophic failure. The “green steel” properties of bamboo, specifically its high tensile strength, ensure the bridge remains intact even during significant movement.
• Furthermore, the design includes horizontal bamboo braces and rails that provide longitudinal flexibility, while vertical posts offer flexural strength. The Soamgyang (main cables) are tied to large living trees, which act as natural towers. This bio-engineering approach means the bridge is part of the ecosystem rather than a rigid imposition upon it. As UNESCO documents these structures, the focus is on how this indigenous ingenuity from the Lepcha community of the Dzongu region can inform contemporary climate adaptation and the construction of resilient infrastructure in other high-risk mountain areas globally.

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is correct as E-PRAAPTI (EPF Aadhaar-Based Access Portal for Tracking Inoperative Accounts) was specifically launched by the EPFO to bridge the gap between physical-mode legacy accounts and the digital UAN ecosystem. There are millions of inoperative accounts that have been idle for decades; this portal allows for their identification and tracking.
• Statement 2 is also correct because the core of the platform is Aadhaar-based authentication, which streamlines the verification process. This reduces the burden on the employee to visit EPF offices or seek manual intervention from previous employers, thereby enhancing the ease of doing business and personal financial management.
• Statement 3 is incorrect because the scope of the portal is broader. While it significantly helps members who retired after age 55 (whose accounts might have become inoperative), it is not restricted to them. It also targets accounts that became inoperative after three years of no contributions, regardless of the age of the member. The phased rollout—initially requiring a Member ID and later expanding to those without one—demonstrates a comprehensive strategy to recover long-pending deposits. By utilizing auto-mode processing, the portal builds on the EPFO’s record of settling over 8 crore claims in the previous fiscal year, making it a vital tool for social security in India.

Solution: C

• In the Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhist traditions, the Five Tathagatas are visualized with specific attributes. Akshobhya (East) is associated with Mirror-like Wisdom, which transforms the poison of anger into clear, reflexive insight. His mudra is the Bhimisparsha (Earth-touching), representing unshakeable determination.
• Amitabha (West) represents Discriminating Wisdom, transforming possessive desire into non-possessive love and compassion. His mudra is the Dhyana (Meditation) gesture, symbolizing the stillness required for deep insight.
• Ratnasambhava (South) embodies the Wisdom of Equality, seeing the oneness in all beings and transforming pride into the richness of wisdom. His mudra is the Varada (Gesture of Giving), symbolizing charity and the bestowal of boons.
• This systematic arrangement in a mandala helps practitioners navigate their internal emotional landscape. For example, the center is held by Vairocana, representing the Wisdom of the Dharmadhatu (Ultimate Reality) with the Dharmachakra mudra.
• Amoghasiddhi (North) represents All-Accomplishing Wisdom with the Abhaya mudra. These associations are not merely artistic but are functional tools for meditation aimed at spiritual transmutation. The arrival of the Piprahwa relics in Ladakh serves as a contemporary reminder of these ancient philosophical frameworks that continue to influence millions.

Solution: D

• The concept of the Five Tathagatas in Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions is deeply psychological and transformative. It involves the transmutation of negative emotions, where specific “poisons” or human failings are converted into “wisdoms.” For example, Akshobhya transforms anger into Mirror-like Wisdom, and Amitabha transforms possessive desire into Discriminating Wisdom. This is not about suppression (option a) or rejection of reality (option c), but about an internal alchemy where the energy of the emotion is redirected toward enlightenment.
• This framework allows practitioners to use their daily emotional struggles as a basis for meditation. Each Buddha in the mandala represents a specific path to this transformation. For instance, Ratnasambhava addresses pride by offering the Wisdom of Equality. The Piprahwa relics, which are currently being exhibited in Ladakh, serve as a physical focus for this spiritual path, drawing collective reverence from around the world. These relics of the Tathagata (the one who has thus come/gone) act as a bridge between the historical Shakyamuni Buddha and the complex philosophical systems that evolved later, highlighting the enduring relevance of these concepts in 2026.

Solution: A

• Nairobi is the capital of Kenya and serves as the central hub for trade and administration in East Africa. The Great Rift Valley is the defining geological feature of the region, created by tectonic movements that have split the earth’s crust, resulting in a series of escarpments and lakes.
• Mombasa is Kenya’s most important coastal city, possessing an excellent natural harbor on the Indian Ocean. It acts as the gateway for goods moving not just into Kenya but also into landlocked neighbors like Uganda and South Sudan.
• The geography of Kenya is strategically significant. It is situated in East Africa, bisected by the Equator. To its east lies the Indian Ocean, while to its west is the massive Lake Victoria, which Kenya shares with Uganda and Tanzania. The diversity of its land—ranging from the arid Chalbi Desert in the north to the fertile tea-growing highlands—supports a complex economy. The recent 25% increase in bilateral trade with India underscores Kenya’s role as a vital partner in the Joint Trade Committee (JTC), reflecting its growing importance as a gateway for Indian investments into the African continent in 2026.

Solution: B

• ‘Operation Egg Transfer’ is a sophisticated foster-parenting conservation strategy. In regions like Kutch, Gujarat, the GIB population has become severely skewed, with a lack of adult males. Consequently, the remaining wild females were laying unfertilized eggs, which could never hatch.
• To address this, the Forest Departments of Gujarat and Rajasthan, along with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), collaborated to take a fertilized egg from a captive breeding center or a stable population (like Rajasthan) and place it in a wild nest in Gujarat. This involves a high-tech “decoy strategy” where the unfertilized egg is carefully swapped for the fertilized one while the female is away from the nest.
• This ensures that the female continues to incubate and eventually raise a healthy chick, effectively reviving the local population. The process requires a precise cold chain and the use of portable incubators during transport to maintain the exact temperature and humidity required for the embryo’s survival over long distances.

Solution: B

• Statement 1 is incorrect. The Sahiwal is an indigenous (Zebu) dairy breed. It originated in the arid/semi-arid Montgomery region (now in Pakistan) and the Punjab region of India. It is not a temperate or high-altitude breed.
• Statement 2 is correct. Due to its evolution in the hot, dry regions of the Indian subcontinent, the Sahiwal has developed exceptional heat tolerance and resistance to parasites like ticks. These traits, combined with high milk production, make it one of the most prized dairy breeds for tropical and subtropical climates globally.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. Sahiwal milk is famous for containing the A2 beta-casein protein, not A1. The A1 protein is more commonly found in European (taurine) breeds. The A2 protein is widely considered to be healthier and easier to digest, which has led to an increased market demand for Sahiwal milk. Physically, the breed is identified by its reddish-brown color, a large hump, and a prominent dewlap. It is sometimes called “Lola” due to its loose skin.

Solution: A

• Statement I is correct. OPU–IVF–ET is a superior tool for the rapid conservation and genetic improvement of breeds like the Sahiwal, which are essential for India’s food security in the face of climate change.
• Statement II is correct. In traditional breeding, a cow can produce only one calf per year. With OPU–IVF, the “genetic mother” provides the eggs, while “surrogate mothers” carry the calves. This allows the multiplication of the elite cow’s genetics at a much faster rate. This directly explains why the technology is superior for conservation and breed improvement (explaining Statement I).
• Statement III is correct. The ability to cryopreserve (freeze) embryos means that superior genetics can be stored indefinitely and transported across the country without moving the actual animals. This logistics advantage facilitates widespread breed improvement even in remote areas. This also explains why the technology is a superior conservation method (explaining Statement I).
• Both Statements II and III provide distinct reasons (speed of reproduction and logistical flexibility) that collectively support the claim in Statement I that this technology is a superior method for breed conservation.

Solution: D

• Statement 1 is correct. The breeding behavior of the Great Indian Bustard is unique. During the breeding season, the male GIB develops a special gular pouch which helps it produce a deep, resonant booming sound. This sound can be heard from nearly a kilometer away and is used to attract females to a display ground known as a ‘lek’.
• Statement 2 is correct. While historically the GIB was found across the Indian subcontinent, its range has shrunk drastically. Today, the majority of the surviving population (roughly 100-120 birds) resides in Rajasthan, specifically within and around the Desert National Park. Smaller, isolated populations exist in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
• Statement 3 is correct. The GIB has an omnivorous diet. It feeds on seeds and berries but also consumes a variety of insects, including grasshoppers, locusts, and beetles, as well as small rodents and reptiles. By consuming these insects, they act as natural pest controllers, benefiting farmers in the surrounding grassland-agro landscapes. They are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, granting them the highest legal protection in India.