UPSC Quiz – 2026 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 8th August 2026

Solution (a)
Explanation:
SPoCS is a Ministry of Culture initiative aimed at promoting scientific temper, awareness and informal science education, particularly among students. The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture, serves as its nodal implementing agency. The scheme supports Science Cities, Science Centres, Innovation Hubs and Digital Planetariums and uses interactive exhibits, workshops and outreach activities to popularise science. Statement 3 is incorrect because Category-III Science Centres/Digital Planetariums are established in areas with population below five lakh, making the population threshold a likely elimination trap. Thus, statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct.
The scheme also has a constitutional linkage with Article 51A(h), which refers to developing scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.
Why this question?
Tests the easily confused ministry, implementing agency and population criterion of a contemporary government scheme.
Why important for UPSC?
UPSC frequently tests institutional linkages rather than merely asking the objectives of government schemes.
PYQ Pattern Link
Similar to PYQs testing ministries, autonomous bodies, scheme components and deceptively altered eligibility criteria.

Solution (d)
Explanation:
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily affecting motor neurons, which control voluntary muscle movements. Their degeneration produces progressive weakness, muscle wasting and paralysis and may eventually affect speech, swallowing and breathing. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because ALS is not primarily a sensory-neuron disorder; confusion between motor and sensory pathways is the conceptual trap. Statement 4 is also correct. Recent evidence has reported an association between occupational pesticide exposure and increased ALS risk, particularly among people handling herbicides and insecticides. However, an epidemiological association does not automatically demonstrate causation. Most ALS cases are sporadic, while a smaller proportion have identifiable genetic causes. There is presently no cure that reverses motor-neuron degeneration.
Why this question?
The trap lies in distinguishing motor-neuron dysfunction from sensory-neuron disorders and association from causation.
Why important for UPSC?
UPSC increasingly connects emerging health research with environmental exposure and occupational-risk concepts.
PYQ Pattern Link
Reflects PYQ-style testing of disease–organ/system–causative factor relationships through incorrect substitutions.

Solution (b)
Explanation:
Agni-IV is a surface-to-surface ballistic missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It has an approximately 4,000-km range and employs a two-stage solid-fuel rocket system. Ballistic missiles differ fundamentally from cruise missiles because, after the powered phase, their flight trajectory is substantially governed by gravity, with the missile reaching high altitude before re-entering the atmosphere towards the target. Hence, statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct.
Statement 4 is incorrect because Agni-IV is designed for road-mobile deployment, which enhances survivability and operational flexibility rather than restricting it to fixed silos. Its guidance architecture incorporates systems including Ring Laser Gyro-based Inertial Navigation System and Micro Navigation System. The Strategic Forces Command conducted the August 2026 test.
Why this question?
Tests whether candidates distinguish ballistic trajectory, propulsion and launch mobility from superficial missile classifications.
Why important for UPSC?
Defence technology questions increasingly combine current tests with underlying scientific principles.
PYQ Pattern Link
Builds on UPSC’s repeated testing of missile type, propulsion, range, trajectory and platform distinctions.

Solution (b)
Explanation:
Pakal Dul is a 1,000 MW hydropower project in Kishtwar district of Jammu & Kashmir. It is associated with the Marusudar River, which is a tributary of the Chenab. The Chenab is itself one of the major tributaries of the Indus. Therefore, the correct geographical sequence is Marusudar → Chenab → Indus. Option (a) is incorrect because the project is not directly constructed on the Chenab. Option (c) is incorrect because the Chenab originates from the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers; Bhaga is not a headstream of the Marusudar. Option (d) is incorrect because the Jhelum is a separate major tributary of the Indus.
Such hierarchical river relationships are especially important because UPSC often tests tributary–parent river linkages rather than merely asking the location of a project.
Why this question?
The principal trap is confusing the project’s river with the larger basin and parent river.
Why important for UPSC?
River hierarchies are crucial for map-based questions and transboundary water-governance issues.
PYQ Pattern Link
Follows UPSC’s tradition of testing tributary identification through project, basin and geographical-location clues.

Solution (a)
Explanation:
Dhabaleswar Temple is an important Shaivite pilgrimage centre situated on Dhabaleswar Island in Cuttack district of Odisha. Its location on a river island in the Mahanadi makes it particularly suitable for a UPSC geography–culture linkage question. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped as Dhabaleswar, and the present structure is associated with Kalinga architectural traditions. The Mahanadi is a major east-flowing peninsular river originating in Chhattisgarh, flowing through Odisha and ultimately draining into the Bay of Bengal through a deltaic system. Options (b), (c) and (d) deliberately substitute other east-flowing rivers or incorrectly combine river systems.
The key elimination approach is to associate Dhabaleswar → Mahanadi → Odisha → river island, rather than confuse it with prominent Odisha temples such as Jagannath, Lingaraja or Konark.
Why this question?
Combines an identifiable cultural site with an easily confused river-island geographical setting.
Why important for UPSC?
UPSC frequently integrates Art and Culture with location-based geography instead of treating subjects in isolation.
PYQ Pattern Link
Similar to PYQs linking temples, architectural traditions, rivers and distinctive geographical locations.