UPSC Quiz – 2026 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 27th March 2026

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect. The opinion rendered by the Supreme Court under Article 143 (Advisory Jurisdiction) is only advisory in nature and not a judicial pronouncement. It is therefore not binding on the President or the government. The President may follow or disregard the opinion as deemed appropriate. This distinguishes advisory opinions from binding judgments delivered under the Court’s appellate or original jurisdiction.
• Statement 2 is correct. Under Article 145(3) of the Constitution, any reference made to the Supreme Court under Article 143 for its advisory opinion must be heard by a bench of not less than five judges. This ensures that matters of significant public importance receive due consideration from a constitutionally mandated larger bench.
• Statement 3 is correct. The Supreme Court of the United States does not exercise advisory jurisdiction. It adheres strictly to the principle of separation of powers and only decides actual “cases” and “controversies.” In contrast, the Supreme Court of India, under Article 143, does provide advisory opinions to the President, a provision derived from the Government of India Act, 1935.

Why this question? Tests the distinction between binding judicial pronouncements and advisory opinions—a common conceptual trap in polity questions.

Why important for UPSC? Advisory jurisdiction is a frequently tested topic in Indian Polity, with emphasis on Article 143, the non-binding nature of opinions, and comparative constitutional provisions.

PYQ Pattern Link: Similar to PYQs that test Article 143 provisions (2012), the composition of benches under Article 145 (2015, 2019), and comparative jurisdiction with the US Supreme Court (2013, 2018).

 Solution (b)

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct. LuPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration) is a collaborative mission between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The mission is specifically aimed at exploring the Moon’s southern polar region to investigate the presence of water and other elements, potentially in the form of surface ice.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. The mission will be launched by JAXA using its H3-24L launch vehicle, not ISRO’s LVM3. The lunar lander is ISRO-made, while the lunar rover is manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) of Japan. The statement reverses the roles of the two space agencies in the launch vehicle and rover contributions.
• Statement 3 is correct. The LuPEX mission is designed as a precursor to ISRO’s future lunar sample return mission and aligns with India’s broader space roadmap, which includes sending the first Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040. The mission will demonstrate technologies crucial for these future endeavors, including lunar night survival and surface mobility.

Why this question? Tests attention to the specific division of responsibilities between collaborating space agencies—a common source of confusion in such missions.

Why important for UPSC? India’s international space collaborations and lunar exploration roadmap are frequently in news and form an important part of the Science and Technology syllabus.

PYQ Pattern Link: Similar to PYQs that test details of collaborative space missions (e.g., NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar – NISAR) and the specific roles of participating agencies (2020, 2022).

Solution (c)

Explanation:
The Hayli Gubbi volcano is located in the Afar region of northeastern Ethiopia, within the Danakil Depression. 

The region is part of the East African Rift System and is a tectonically active area where the Arabian, Nubian, and Somali plates are diverging.

Why this question? A straightforward location-based question testing basic factual recall—ideal for easy scoring.

Why important for UPSC? Volcanic activity and tectonic plate boundaries are frequently tested topics in Geography, especially in the context of the East African Rift System.

PYQ Pattern Link: Similar to PYQs that ask for the location of volcanoes (e.g., Mount Nyiragongo, Eyjafjallajökull) or rift valley systems (e.g., 2014, 2019).

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct. The Brihadeeswarar Temple, also known as Periya Kovil or Rajarajesvaram, was built by the Chola emperor Raja Raja Chola I and completed in 1010 AD. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site designated as the “Great Living Chola Temples,” which also includes the Brihadeeswarar Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram.
• Statement 2 is correct. The vimana (temple tower) of the Brihadeeswarar Temple stands at 216 feet (66 meters), making it the tallest of its kind in the world. The Kumbam (the bulbous apex structure at the top) is carved from a single granite rock and weighs approximately 80 tons—a remarkable feat of engineering for its time.
• Statement 3 is correct. The entire temple structure is constructed from granite, a material not locally available and brought from a distance, showcasing the logistical and engineering capabilities of the Chola dynasty. The entrance features a massive Nandi (sacred bull) statue, also carved from a single rock, measuring about 16 feet long and 13 feet high.

Why this question? Tests factual precision about architectural, historical, and UNESCO recognition details of one of India’s most iconic Chola-era monuments.

Why important for UPSC? Chola architecture, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and temple architecture are consistently tested topics in Art and Culture syllabus.

PYQ Pattern Link: Similar to PYQs that test details of the Great Living Chola Temples (2014, 2018), temple architecture features like vimana and Nandi (2015, 2019), and UNESCO site inclusions (2012, 2020).

Solution (b)

Explanation:
The African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus) is classified as Endangered under the IUCN Red List. 

It is also listed under Appendix I of CITES, which prohibits international commercial trade. The species faces threats from habitat loss and trapping for the pet trade due to its exceptional mimicking abilities.

Why this question? A straightforward fact-based question testing conservation status—a common and easy scoring area in prelims.

Why important for UPSC? IUCN Red List categories and CITES listings are frequently tested in Environment and Ecology section.

PYQ Pattern Link: Similar to PYQs that directly ask for the IUCN status of species like Great Indian Bustard, Snow Leopard, or Nilgiri Tahr (e.g., 2013, 2018, 2021).