UPSC Quiz – 2026 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 20th August 2026

Solution (a)
Explanation:
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is India’s highest sporting honour and recognises spectacular and outstanding sporting performance. Hence, Statement 1 is correct. The Arjuna Award recognises sportspersons demonstrating outstanding performance, sustained excellence, sportsmanship and discipline, making Statement 2 correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Dronacharya Award recognises outstanding coaches, particularly those who have produced successful sportspersons or teams at national and international levels. The award for organisations or entities promoting sports is the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar. Statement 4 is correct because the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy is awarded for the best overall performance by a university in inter-university sports.
Why this question?
Tests distinctions among closely related National Sports Awards.
Why important for UPSC?
Institutional and award-based factual questions remain useful elimination opportunities.
PYQ Pattern Link:
UPSC often tests awards through their precise purpose rather than merely their names.

Solution (a)
Explanation:
Escherichia coli is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae, making Statement 1 correct. Statement 2 is incorrect because most E. coli strains are harmless or beneficial, forming part of the normal intestinal microbiota of humans and many animals. Certain pathogenic strains, however, can cause food- and water-borne infections. Statement 3 is correct because detection of E. coli in drinking water is an important indicator of faecal contamination, suggesting deficiencies in water treatment, distribution or sanitation. Statement 4 is also correct because some pathogenic strains, particularly Shiga-toxin-producing strains, can cause severe complications including haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). Thus, the key conceptual trap is confusing the indicator organism with a universally pathogenic bacterium.
Why this question?
Tests the distinction between normal gut flora and pathogenic strains.
Why important for UPSC?
Links microbiology with sanitation, public health and water-quality monitoring.
PYQ Pattern Link:
UPSC frequently tests microorganisms through their ecological role and public-health significance.

Solution (b)
Explanation:
The One State–One RRB approach seeks to consolidate Regional Rural Banks within a State to create stronger and more efficient institutions. The consolidation is expected to generate larger scale, better capitalisation, lower operating costs, improved technology and stronger rural credit delivery. Hence, option (b) is correct. The reform does not eliminate the regional character of RRBs or transform them into unrestricted commercial banks, making option (a) incorrect. It also does not alter their three-way ownership structure by transferring ownership exclusively to the Centre, making option (c) incorrect. Option (d) is incorrect because RRBs continue to exist alongside cooperative banking institutions. Following consolidation, the number of RRBs was reduced from 43 to 28, with the revised structure becoming effective from 1 May 2025.
Why this question?
Tests the economic rationale of consolidation rather than merely recalling the number of RRBs.
Why important for UPSC?
Connects institutional reform with efficiency, capitalisation and financial inclusion.
PYQ Pattern Link:
UPSC increasingly tests the rationale and intended outcome of economic reforms.

Solution (a)
Explanation:
Mushq Budji/Mushqbudji is a traditional short, bold, aromatic, non-Basmati rice associated with the higher reaches of the Kashmir Valley, making Statement 1 correct. Statement 2 is incorrect because it is not a Basmati variety and is traditionally cultivated in areas such as Sagam, Panzgam and Soaf Shali in Anantnag and the Beerwah belt of Budgam, generally at around 5,000–7,000 feet. Statement 3 is correct: its distinctive aroma is associated with several volatile organic compounds, including 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP). Statement 4 is also correct because vulnerability to rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, contributed to crop losses and declining farmer interest. Revival efforts have included genetic improvement for greater disease resistance.
Why this question?
Combines geographical distribution, crop identity and plant pathology.
Why important for UPSC?
GI crops can be tested through geography, genetics, disease and agro-climatic conditions.
PYQ Pattern Link:
UPSC frequently combines agricultural products with their geographical and ecological characteristics.

Solution (c)
Explanation:
Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) belongs to the family Menispermaceae and is a perennial climbing shrub or vine, making Statements 1 and 2 correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) is a viral disease, not a bacterial disease, and it can affect several carnivorous mammals. It can produce respiratory, gastrointestinal and neurological effects and poses a serious threat to wild carnivores. Statement 4 is correct because domestic dogs can act as important reservoirs of CDV, creating a disease-transmission interface between wildlife, livestock and human settlements. The reported use of giloy in the tigress case was as a supportive treatment, not as a scientifically established cure for CDV. Traditional medicinal use should therefore not automatically be equated with clinically proven efficacy.
Why this question?
Tests taxonomy, disease etiology and wildlife disease transmission together.
Why important for UPSC?
Wildlife diseases increasingly intersect conservation biology and human-animal interfaces.
PYQ Pattern Link:
UPSC often uses species, pathogens and disease transmission pathways for conceptual elimination.