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) India is planning a nationwide terrestrial and space-based air defence system to address multifarious threats including drones, missiles, and other airborne threats. What is this system called, and by which year is it targeted to be operational?
Correct
Q.1) Solution (c)
Explanation:
- India is envisaging a nationwide terrestrial and space-based air defence system called ‘Sudarshan Chakra‘, targeted to be in place by 2035.
- The system requires phase-wise operationalisation along with enormous and committed funding.
- The discussion comes on the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor (May 2025 – four-day India-Pakistan engagement). The author argues that drones are not reshaping air warfare but are actually reshaping ground combat.
Options (a) Iron Dome is Israel‘s short-range rocket interception system (missile-based). Option (b) Golden Dome is the US planned system. Option (d) Iron Beam is Israel’s laser-based air defence system. UPSC tests this Sudarshan Chakra name and timeline.
Why this question?
Tests the name (Sudarshan Chakra) and target year (2035) of India‘s planned air defence system – a direct Defence fact.Why important for UPSC?
Air defence and indigenous defence systems appear in Security and Science & Tech (Prelims 2024, 2026).Incorrect
Q.1) Solution (c)
Explanation:
- India is envisaging a nationwide terrestrial and space-based air defence system called ‘Sudarshan Chakra‘, targeted to be in place by 2035.
- The system requires phase-wise operationalisation along with enormous and committed funding.
- The discussion comes on the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor (May 2025 – four-day India-Pakistan engagement). The author argues that drones are not reshaping air warfare but are actually reshaping ground combat.
Options (a) Iron Dome is Israel‘s short-range rocket interception system (missile-based). Option (b) Golden Dome is the US planned system. Option (d) Iron Beam is Israel’s laser-based air defence system. UPSC tests this Sudarshan Chakra name and timeline.
Why this question?
Tests the name (Sudarshan Chakra) and target year (2035) of India‘s planned air defence system – a direct Defence fact.Why important for UPSC?
Air defence and indigenous defence systems appear in Security and Science & Tech (Prelims 2024, 2026). -
Question 2 of 5
2. Question
Q.2) The traditional silver filigree craft of Cuttack, Odisha, known as ‘Rupa Tarakasi’, is traditionally worn by which classical dance form’s dancers?
Correct
Q.2) Solution (c)
Explanation:
- Rupa Tarakasi – the GI-tagged silver filigree craft of Cuttack, Odisha – produces jewellery traditionally worn by Odissi dancers.
- Odissi is one of the eight classical dance forms of India, originating from Odisha. The craft is also known as the “Silver City” craft.
- In Odia language, “Tara” means wire and “Kasi” means to design. Artisans are traditionally called ‘Rupa Banias’ or ‘Roupyakaras’.
- The craft received considerable patronage under the Mughals and has origins dating back to the 12th century.
Options (a) Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh), (b) Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu), and (d) Kathak (Uttar Pradesh) are incorrect. UPSC tests this Odissi association.
Why this question?
Tests the classical dance form associated with Rupa Tarakasi – a direct Art & Culture fact.Why important for UPSC?
Traditional handicrafts and classical dance forms appear in Art & Culture (Prelims 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022).Incorrect
Q.2) Solution (c)
Explanation:
- Rupa Tarakasi – the GI-tagged silver filigree craft of Cuttack, Odisha – produces jewellery traditionally worn by Odissi dancers.
- Odissi is one of the eight classical dance forms of India, originating from Odisha. The craft is also known as the “Silver City” craft.
- In Odia language, “Tara” means wire and “Kasi” means to design. Artisans are traditionally called ‘Rupa Banias’ or ‘Roupyakaras’.
- The craft received considerable patronage under the Mughals and has origins dating back to the 12th century.
Options (a) Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh), (b) Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu), and (d) Kathak (Uttar Pradesh) are incorrect. UPSC tests this Odissi association.
Why this question?
Tests the classical dance form associated with Rupa Tarakasi – a direct Art & Culture fact.Why important for UPSC?
Traditional handicrafts and classical dance forms appear in Art & Culture (Prelims 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022). -
Question 3 of 5
3. Question
Q.3) A recent study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B (April 2026) revealed that sperm whale vocalisations, known as codas, have complex acoustic structures resembling patterns found in human speech. What is the IUCN conservation status of the sperm whale?
Correct
Q.3) Solution (b)
Explanation:
- The sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is the largest toothed whale (males up to 20 metres) and has the largest brain of any animal (up to 9 kg).
- It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The species uses echolocation (clicks) for navigation and hunting in deep, dark waters. Short sequences of clicks called codas are used for communication.
- The study led by Gasper Beguš (UC Berkeley) found two distinct click categories analogous to human formants (“a” click and “i” click), suggesting parallels with human phonology.
- The study proposes the convergent evolution hypothesis – humans and whales diverged tens of millions of years ago but both evolved complex vocal systems showing striking structural parallels.
- Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative) aims to decode whale communication.
Options (a), (c), and (d) are incorrect. UPSC tests this Vulnerable status.
Why this question?
Tests the IUCN status of the sperm whale – a direct Environment and Science & Tech fact.Why important for UPSC?
Marine species conservation and animal communication appear in Environment and Science & Tech (Prelims 2024, 2026).Incorrect
Q.3) Solution (b)
Explanation:
- The sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is the largest toothed whale (males up to 20 metres) and has the largest brain of any animal (up to 9 kg).
- It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The species uses echolocation (clicks) for navigation and hunting in deep, dark waters. Short sequences of clicks called codas are used for communication.
- The study led by Gasper Beguš (UC Berkeley) found two distinct click categories analogous to human formants (“a” click and “i” click), suggesting parallels with human phonology.
- The study proposes the convergent evolution hypothesis – humans and whales diverged tens of millions of years ago but both evolved complex vocal systems showing striking structural parallels.
- Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative) aims to decode whale communication.
Options (a), (c), and (d) are incorrect. UPSC tests this Vulnerable status.
Why this question?
Tests the IUCN status of the sperm whale – a direct Environment and Science & Tech fact.Why important for UPSC?
Marine species conservation and animal communication appear in Environment and Science & Tech (Prelims 2024, 2026). -
Question 4 of 5
4. Question
Q.4) The Agricola Medal, conferred by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his Exceptional leadership to address food security, sustainable agriculture, and rural development, science-driven and innovation-based & Climate-resilient agriculture approach in May 2026, is named after:
Correct
Q.4) Solution (a)
Explanation:
- The Agricola Medal is the highest award of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), awarded since 1977.
- It is named after Georgius Agricola (1494–1555), the German scholar known as the ‘Father of Mineralogy‘, who made significant contributions to mining and metallurgy (the medal‘s original focus).
- Over time, it has evolved to recognize broader contributions to agriculture and food security. PM Modi was conferred the Agricola Medal for 2026 at the FAO Headquarters in Rome on May 20, 2026 – the first visit by an Indian Head of Government to FAO Headquarters in the last 30 years.
- Previous notable recipients include Mother Teresa (1986), Pope John Paul II (1999), and Lula da Silva (former President of Brazil).
Options (b), (c), and (d) are incorrect. UPSC tests this Agricola naming.
Why this question?
Tests the person after whom the Agricola Medal is named – a direct IR and Agriculture fact.Why important for UPSC?
UN specialized agencies and their awards appear in IR and Agriculture (Prelims 2024, 2026).Incorrect
Q.4) Solution (a)
Explanation:
- The Agricola Medal is the highest award of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), awarded since 1977.
- It is named after Georgius Agricola (1494–1555), the German scholar known as the ‘Father of Mineralogy‘, who made significant contributions to mining and metallurgy (the medal‘s original focus).
- Over time, it has evolved to recognize broader contributions to agriculture and food security. PM Modi was conferred the Agricola Medal for 2026 at the FAO Headquarters in Rome on May 20, 2026 – the first visit by an Indian Head of Government to FAO Headquarters in the last 30 years.
- Previous notable recipients include Mother Teresa (1986), Pope John Paul II (1999), and Lula da Silva (former President of Brazil).
Options (b), (c), and (d) are incorrect. UPSC tests this Agricola naming.
Why this question?
Tests the person after whom the Agricola Medal is named – a direct IR and Agriculture fact.Why important for UPSC?
UN specialized agencies and their awards appear in IR and Agriculture (Prelims 2024, 2026). -
Question 5 of 5
5. Question
Q.5) Assertion (A): RAINMUMBAI, India’s first exchange-traded weather derivatives contract, allows participants to hedge losses from unpredictable weather and monsoon variability without requiring physical loss assessment.
Reason (R): Unlike conventional insurance (which requires physical loss assessment), weather derivatives are settled directly against observed weather data, enabling faster payouts and reducing operational complexity.Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Correct
Q.5) Solution (a)
Explanation:
Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains how weather derivatives differ from insurance.- Assertion A is true: RAINMUMBAI is India‘s first SEBI-approved exchange-traded weather derivatives contract (launched by NCDEX, available from June 1, 2026). It is a financial instrument that allows participants to hedge losses from unpredictable weather and monsoon variability. It is cash-settled (no physical delivery of rainfall).
- Reason R is true: Unlike conventional insurance (which requires physical loss assessment), weather derivatives are settled directly against observed weather data (rainfall deviation from long-period average – LPA). This enables faster payouts and reduces operational complexity.
The underlying asset is the deviation of actual rainfall from Mumbai‘s LPA during the monsoon season. Trading hours are 10:00 AM to 11:30 PM on weekdays, with a base cost of ₹50 per millimetre of rainfall. It was developed in collaboration with IIT Bombay, based on IMD surface rainfall and AWS observations at Santacruz and Colaba in Mumbai. Option (a) is correct. UPSC tests this insurance vs weather derivatives distinction.
Why this question?
Tests the difference between weather derivatives (cash-settled on observed data) and insurance (loss assessment required) – a core financial instrument concept.Why important for UPSC?
Commodity derivatives and risk management appear in Economy (Prelims 2024, 2026).Incorrect
Q.5) Solution (a)
Explanation:
Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains how weather derivatives differ from insurance.- Assertion A is true: RAINMUMBAI is India‘s first SEBI-approved exchange-traded weather derivatives contract (launched by NCDEX, available from June 1, 2026). It is a financial instrument that allows participants to hedge losses from unpredictable weather and monsoon variability. It is cash-settled (no physical delivery of rainfall).
- Reason R is true: Unlike conventional insurance (which requires physical loss assessment), weather derivatives are settled directly against observed weather data (rainfall deviation from long-period average – LPA). This enables faster payouts and reduces operational complexity.
The underlying asset is the deviation of actual rainfall from Mumbai‘s LPA during the monsoon season. Trading hours are 10:00 AM to 11:30 PM on weekdays, with a base cost of ₹50 per millimetre of rainfall. It was developed in collaboration with IIT Bombay, based on IMD surface rainfall and AWS observations at Santacruz and Colaba in Mumbai. Option (a) is correct. UPSC tests this insurance vs weather derivatives distinction.
Why this question?
Tests the difference between weather derivatives (cash-settled on observed data) and insurance (loss assessment required) – a core financial instrument concept.Why important for UPSC?
Commodity derivatives and risk management appear in Economy (Prelims 2024, 2026).
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