UPSC Quiz – 2026 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 16th March 2026

Solution (a)

Statement 1 is correct: Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) is an intergovernmental organization whose members implement voluntary export controls on missiles capable of delivering nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons, as well as related technology. It was founded in 1987 by Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States to control the spread of nuclear-capable missiles and the technology used in their production. In 1993, the group broadened its focus to include chemical and biological weapons-capable missiles.

Statements 2 and 3 are incorrect: MTCR guidelines are an informal standard set by a selected group of countries rather than an international treaty adopted by its members. The agreement has no legally binding provisions or regime-wide compliance procedures. India became a member of the MTCR on 27 June 2016.

2. Solution (c)

Statements 1 and 2 are correct: Himalayan Brown Bear is the largest mammal found in the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas. It is one of the most ancient brown bear lineages. It is also known as the “Himalayan Red Bear” and the “Isabelline Bear”. It is known as Denmo in the Ladakhi language.

Statement 3 is correct: They are found in northwestern and central Himalayas, including Pakistan, India, Nepal, the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China, and Bhutan. In India, this species exists in small isolated populations in the fragmented alpine and subalpine habitats of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. As per the IUCN Red List, it is classified as ‘critically endangered.’

Solution (b)

Statement 1 is incorrect: Corbett Tiger Reserve is located on the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand. It was originally established as Hailey National Park in 1936. The terrain is undulating with several valleys. The rivers Ramganga, Pallaen, and Sonanadi flow through the valleys.

Statement 2 is correct: It is spread over the Bhabar and lower Shivalik regions with a deep-water table. It is not only the first national park in India, but also the first to come under the Project Tiger initiative. The tract is porous with boulders and sand deposits.

Solution (c)

Statements 1 and 2 are correct: A blood moon occurs when Earth comes directly between the Sun and the moon. A process called Rayleigh scattering causes the moon to appear red instead of dark. This happens because shorter-wavelength light (blue) is scattered, while longer-wavelength red light passes through the Earth’s atmosphere, making the moon appear red.

5. Solution (a)

   Option (a) is correct: The Apatani, or Tanw, also known by Apa and Apa Tani, are a tribal group of people living in the Ziro valley in Arunachal Pradesh. They speak a local language called Tani and worship the sun and the moon. They have major festivals like Dree, Myoko, Yapung and Murung. Dree is celebrated with prayers for a bumper harvest and prosperity of all humankind and Myoka celebrates friendship similar to modern friendship day. Apatani women are known for their distinctive facial tattoos and nose plugs — a tradition that began as a means of protection against abduction.