UPSC Quiz – 2026 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 18th May 2026

Q.1) Solution (c)

Explanation:

• The new species of leopard gecko, Eublepharis jhuma, was discovered by scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) during a wildlife survey on the outskirts of Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary in Bihar. 
• The sanctuary is located in Kaimur district, Bihar (also extends into parts of Uttar Pradesh), established in 1982, with an area of approximately 1,342 sq km. 
• It features dry deciduous forests, rocky terrain, and the Karmanasa River flowing through it. 
• The species is approximately 14 cm long, with a dark brown back and two pale, spotty bands. It is named in honour of Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, the first female director of ZSI. 

Options (a) Valmiki National Park (Bihar), (b) Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (Bihar), and (d) Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary (Bihar) are other protected areas in Bihar, but not the location of this discovery. UPSC tests this specific sanctuary name.

Why this question?
Tests the specific protected area (Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary) where the new gecko species was found – a direct Environment fact.

Why important for UPSC?
New species discovery and biodiversity hotspots appear in Environment (Prelims 2024, 2026).

Q.2) Solution (c)

Explanation:

• The POCSO Act, 2012 defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years. 
• The Act was enacted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to protect children from sexual assault, harassment, and pornography. 
• The Act is gender-neutral (offences defined irrespective of the victim’s gender), has mandatory reporting provisions, and mandates Special Courts for speedy trial. 
• The 2019 Amendment introduced stringent punishments, including the death penalty for aggravated penetrative sexual assault (Section 5(1) r/w 6). In the Telangana case, police invoked POCSO provisions carrying a minimum 20-year sentence (non-bailable). 

Options (a), (b), and (d) are incorrect. UPSC tests this 18-year definition.

Why this question?
Tests the definition of ‘child‘ under POCSO – a static Polity and Social Justice fact.

Why important for UPSC?
Child protection legislation appears in Polity and Social Justice (Prelims 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022).

Q.3) Solution (b)

Explanation:

• Uturuncu is a large dormant stratovolcano (elevation ~6,008 metres) located in the Andes Mountains of Bolivia. 
• It is nicknamed a ‘zombie‘ volcano because it shows renewed signs of activity – magma movement, ground uplift, and seismic swarms – despite being considered geologically dead. 
• Its last eruption was 250,000 years ago, yet it currently experiences hundreds of small earthquakes per year. Beneath Uturuncu (at a depth of about 10–20 kilometres) lies the Altiplano-Puna Magma Body (APMB) – the biggest known active magma body in the planet‘s crust, spanning roughly 200 kilometres. 
• The volcano displays a distinct “sombrero” shape (centre rising, surrounding areas sinking). Option (b) is correct. UPSC tests this definition.

Why this question?
Tests the meaning of ‘zombie volcano’ – a current Geography and volcanology fact.

Why important for UPSC?
Volcanology and geological phenomena appear in Geography (Prelims 2018, 2020, 2022).

Q.4) Solution (c)

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: Field surveys (2022-2023) found no barn swallows in Manipur‘s hill districts, but thriving colonies in Imphal Valley (Bishnupur, Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal districts). Adults were seen at nesting sites throughout the year, suggesting they may have shed their migratory trait and become permanent residents.
• Statement 2 is correct: The Meitei community (Tibeto-Burman ethnic group native to Manipur) regards the barn swallow as a symbol of Goddess Lakshmi, prosperity, and good fortune, leading to strong protection of nests within private properties.

The barn swallow is a synanthropic species (closely associated with humans). Option (a) is correct. UPSC tests this recommendation (not yet used).

Why this question?
Tests the fact that tracking devices were not used – a common factual trap.

Why important for UPSC?
Avian ecology and climate change impacts appear in Environment (Prelims 2024, 2026).

Q.5) Solution (a)

Explanation:
Both A and R are true, and R explains the historical significance of the plates.

• Assertion A is true: The Anaimangalam Copper Plates (also called Leiden Plates) are 21 copper plates held together by a bronze ring with the royal seal of Rajendra Chola I (total weight ~30 kg). The inscriptions (in Sanskrit and Tamil) date to the reign of Rajaraja Chola I (985–1014 CE) and his son Rajendra Chola I. The Tamil section records Rajaraja Chola I‘s grant of land revenues and taxes to Chudamani Vihara, a Buddhist monastery in Nagapattinam built by Sri Mara Vijayotunga Varman, ruler of the Srivijaya kingdom (present-day Indonesia).
• Reason R is true: The plates provide rare insight into maritime links, religious pluralism (Chola patronage of Buddhism alongside Hinduism), and cultural exchanges between South India and Southeast Asia during the peak Chola period.

The plates were acquired by Dutch missionary Florentius Camper around 1700 and housed at Leiden University Library. The Netherlands returned them during PM Modi‘s visit in May 2026. Option (a) is correct. UPSC tests this religious pluralism aspect.