IASbaba Daily Prelims Quiz
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The Current Affairs questions are based on sources like ‘The Hindu’, ‘Indian Express’ and ‘PIB’, which are very important sources for UPSC Prelims Exam. The questions are focused on both the concepts and facts. The topics covered here are generally different from what is being covered under ‘Daily Current Affairs/Daily News Analysis (DNA) and Daily Static Quiz’ to avoid duplication. The questions would be published from Monday to Saturday before 2 PM. One should not spend more than 10 minutes on this initiative.
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Question 1 of 5
1. Question
Q.1) The emperor penguin was recently declared an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in April 2026 primarily due to which of the following reasons?
Correct
Solution (b)
Explanation:
The IUCN declared the emperor penguin endangered on April 9, 2026, citing climate change as the primary driver.Emperor penguins are sentinel species for Antarctic warming because they depend on stable sea ice for breeding, molting, and feeding.
Projections indicate that sea ice loss could halve their population by the 2080s.
- Option (a) overfishing is not the primary threat;
- (c) predation is natural and not the cause;
- (d) pollution is a secondary concern compared to habitat loss.
Why this question?
Tests the specific reason for a recent IUCN listing – a current affairs fact.Why important for UPSC?
IUCN status changes and sentinel species concepts appear in Environment (Prelims 2019, 2021).PYQ Pattern Link
Similar to 2019 Prelims question on IUCN Red List categories.Incorrect
Solution (b)
Explanation:
The IUCN declared the emperor penguin endangered on April 9, 2026, citing climate change as the primary driver.Emperor penguins are sentinel species for Antarctic warming because they depend on stable sea ice for breeding, molting, and feeding.
Projections indicate that sea ice loss could halve their population by the 2080s.
- Option (a) overfishing is not the primary threat;
- (c) predation is natural and not the cause;
- (d) pollution is a secondary concern compared to habitat loss.
Why this question?
Tests the specific reason for a recent IUCN listing – a current affairs fact.Why important for UPSC?
IUCN status changes and sentinel species concepts appear in Environment (Prelims 2019, 2021).PYQ Pattern Link
Similar to 2019 Prelims question on IUCN Red List categories. -
Question 2 of 5
2. Question
Q.2) Consider the following statements regarding sentinel species:
- Sentinel species are among the first to respond to environmental stressors and provide early warnings of ecosystem decline.
- Frogs are considered good sentinel species because their permeable skin absorbs environmental toxins readily.
- A species that migrates long distances across different ecosystems is ideal as a sentinel species.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct
Q.2) Solution (a)
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: Sentinel species serve as early warning indicators of ecosystem health.
- Statement 2 is correct: Amphibians like frogs have permeable skin, making them highly sensitive to water and soil contaminants.
- Statement 3 is incorrect: Migratory species are generally NOT ideal sentinel species because they move away from local threats, making it difficult to pinpoint the source of stress. Ideal sentinel species occupy fixed territories, live long enough to accumulate toxins, and amplify environmental effects.
Why this question?
Tests the defining characteristics of sentinel species – especially the “fixed territory” requirement.Why important for UPSC?
Bioindicators and ecosystem health are part of Environment syllabus.PYQ Pattern Link
Similar to 2020 Prelims question on bioindicators and amphibian decline.Incorrect
Q.2) Solution (a)
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: Sentinel species serve as early warning indicators of ecosystem health.
- Statement 2 is correct: Amphibians like frogs have permeable skin, making them highly sensitive to water and soil contaminants.
- Statement 3 is incorrect: Migratory species are generally NOT ideal sentinel species because they move away from local threats, making it difficult to pinpoint the source of stress. Ideal sentinel species occupy fixed territories, live long enough to accumulate toxins, and amplify environmental effects.
Why this question?
Tests the defining characteristics of sentinel species – especially the “fixed territory” requirement.Why important for UPSC?
Bioindicators and ecosystem health are part of Environment syllabus.PYQ Pattern Link
Similar to 2020 Prelims question on bioindicators and amphibian decline. -
Question 3 of 5
3. Question
Q.3) Keytruda (pembrolizumab), recently in news for its role in India’s cancer fight, belongs to which class of drugs and what is its mechanism of action?
Correct
Q.3) Solution (d)
Explanation:
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is a checkpoint inhibitor – a monoclonal antibody that attaches to PD-1 receptors on T-cells, preventing them from binding with PD-L1 on cancer cells. This removes the “brakes” on the immune system, allowing T-cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells.- Option (a) describes chemotherapy;
- (c) describes CAR-T therapy (e.g., NexCar19);
- (b) describes hormone therapy. UPSC tests precise drug classification and mechanism.
Why this question?
Tests understanding of immunotherapy vs. chemotherapy – a key distinction in modern medicine.Why important for UPSC?
Immunotherapy, monoclonal antibodies, and India’s cancer burden are relevant to Science & Technology and Health.PYQ Pattern Link
Similar to 2018 Prelims question on monoclonal antibodies and their therapeutic use.Incorrect
Q.3) Solution (d)
Explanation:
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is a checkpoint inhibitor – a monoclonal antibody that attaches to PD-1 receptors on T-cells, preventing them from binding with PD-L1 on cancer cells. This removes the “brakes” on the immune system, allowing T-cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells.- Option (a) describes chemotherapy;
- (c) describes CAR-T therapy (e.g., NexCar19);
- (b) describes hormone therapy. UPSC tests precise drug classification and mechanism.
Why this question?
Tests understanding of immunotherapy vs. chemotherapy – a key distinction in modern medicine.Why important for UPSC?
Immunotherapy, monoclonal antibodies, and India’s cancer burden are relevant to Science & Technology and Health.PYQ Pattern Link
Similar to 2018 Prelims question on monoclonal antibodies and their therapeutic use. -
Question 4 of 5
4. Question
Q.4) Consider the following statements regarding the legal framework governing construction of PMAY-G houses on forest land for forest-dwelling tribes:
- The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 recognizes individual and community forest rights, with the Gram Sabha as the competent authority to initiate claims.
- Once individual forest rights are recognized under FRA, the prior approval of the central government under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 is automatically waived for dwelling house construction.
- Rights-holders under FRA have statutory duties to protect wildlife, forests, and biodiversity.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct
Q.4) Solution (c)
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: FRA (2006) recognizes individual and Community Forest Resource (CFR) rights, with Gram Sabha empowered to initiate claims.
- Statement 3 is correct: Section 5 of FRA imposes duties on rights-holders to protect forests, wildlife, and biodiversity.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: This is the core legal question before the Supreme Court. The Centre submitted that once rights are recognized, prior approval under Forest Conservation Act may not be required, but the Court has not issued a final ruling. There is no automatic statutory waiver; the matter is sub judice.
Why this question?
Tests the tension between FRA and Forest Conservation Act – a current legal controversy.Why important for UPSC?
Tribal rights, forest conservation, and judicial interpretation are key for Polity and Environment.PYQ Pattern Link
Similar to 2017 Prelims question on FRA and Gram Sabha powers.Incorrect
Q.4) Solution (c)
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: FRA (2006) recognizes individual and Community Forest Resource (CFR) rights, with Gram Sabha empowered to initiate claims.
- Statement 3 is correct: Section 5 of FRA imposes duties on rights-holders to protect forests, wildlife, and biodiversity.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: This is the core legal question before the Supreme Court. The Centre submitted that once rights are recognized, prior approval under Forest Conservation Act may not be required, but the Court has not issued a final ruling. There is no automatic statutory waiver; the matter is sub judice.
Why this question?
Tests the tension between FRA and Forest Conservation Act – a current legal controversy.Why important for UPSC?
Tribal rights, forest conservation, and judicial interpretation are key for Polity and Environment.PYQ Pattern Link
Similar to 2017 Prelims question on FRA and Gram Sabha powers. -
Question 5 of 5
5. Question
Consider the following statements regarding shadow libraries and the access to knowledge debate in 2026:
- Sci-Hub, Library Genesis (LibGen), and Z-Library are examples of shadow libraries that provide free access to paywalled academic content.
- The “serials crisis” refers to the situation where journal subscription costs have far outpaced library budgets, pushing researchers toward shadow libraries.
- In India, Diamond Open Access models are fully government-funded and have completely eliminated the need for shadow libraries.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct
Q.5) Solution (a)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: Sci-Hub, LibGen, Z-Library, and Anna’s Archive are major shadow libraries. Statement 2 is correct: The “serials crisis” describes how journal subscription costs (Elsevier, Springer, Wiley with >30% profit margins) have exceeded library budgets. Statement 3 is incorrect: While Diamond Open Access (no fees for authors or readers) and initiatives like Open Access India exist, shadow libraries remain widely used in India due to persistent access barriers. The problem is a “symptom of structural failures,” not solved.Why this question?
Tests understanding of shadow libraries, the serials crisis, and the limits of open access in India.Why important for UPSC?
Links to IPR (Copyright Act), access to knowledge (Article 51A(h)), and digital governance.PYQ Pattern Link
Similar to 2019 Prelims question on intellectual property rights and fair dealing.Incorrect
Q.5) Solution (a)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: Sci-Hub, LibGen, Z-Library, and Anna’s Archive are major shadow libraries. Statement 2 is correct: The “serials crisis” describes how journal subscription costs (Elsevier, Springer, Wiley with >30% profit margins) have exceeded library budgets. Statement 3 is incorrect: While Diamond Open Access (no fees for authors or readers) and initiatives like Open Access India exist, shadow libraries remain widely used in India due to persistent access barriers. The problem is a “symptom of structural failures,” not solved.Why this question?
Tests understanding of shadow libraries, the serials crisis, and the limits of open access in India.Why important for UPSC?
Links to IPR (Copyright Act), access to knowledge (Article 51A(h)), and digital governance.PYQ Pattern Link
Similar to 2019 Prelims question on intellectual property rights and fair dealing.
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