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
Consider the following statements regarding Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS):
- They are notified under Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 by the State Government in consultation with local bodies.
- Declaration of an area as a Biodiversity Heritage Site prohibits all human activities within it, similar to a National Park.
- Borjuli Wetland was notified primarily for conserving Oryza rufipogon, the wild progenitor of cultivated rice.
- Crop wild relatives conserved in Biodiversity Heritage Sites are important sources of genes for climate resilience and disease resistance.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Correct
Solution (d)
Explanation
- Statements 1, 3 and 4 are correct. Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS) are notified under Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 by the State Government in consultation with local bodies to conserve ecologically significant areas.
- Unlike National Parks or Wildlife Sanctuaries, compatible community practices are generally permitted, making Statement 2 incorrect.
- Borjuli Wetland in Assam has been declared a BHS to conserve Oryza rufipogon, the wild ancestor of cultivated rice (Oryza sativa). This species possesses valuable genes for flood tolerance, salinity tolerance, pest resistance and climate resilience, making it crucial for breeding improved rice varieties and strengthening food security under changing climatic conditions.
Why this question?
Tests distinction between BHS and Protected Areas.Why important for UPSC?
Protected area categories and biodiversity conservation are recurring UPSC themes.PYQ Pattern Link
Similar to UPSC questions comparing National Parks, Conservation Reserves and BHS.Incorrect
Solution (d)
Explanation
- Statements 1, 3 and 4 are correct. Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS) are notified under Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 by the State Government in consultation with local bodies to conserve ecologically significant areas.
- Unlike National Parks or Wildlife Sanctuaries, compatible community practices are generally permitted, making Statement 2 incorrect.
- Borjuli Wetland in Assam has been declared a BHS to conserve Oryza rufipogon, the wild ancestor of cultivated rice (Oryza sativa). This species possesses valuable genes for flood tolerance, salinity tolerance, pest resistance and climate resilience, making it crucial for breeding improved rice varieties and strengthening food security under changing climatic conditions.
Why this question?
Tests distinction between BHS and Protected Areas.Why important for UPSC?
Protected area categories and biodiversity conservation are recurring UPSC themes.PYQ Pattern Link
Similar to UPSC questions comparing National Parks, Conservation Reserves and BHS. -
Question 2 of 5
2. Question
With reference to Direct Seeded Rice (DSR), consider the following statements:
- It eliminates the need for nursery raising and transplanting.
- It generally requires continuous flooding throughout the crop period.
- It can reduce methane emissions compared to puddled transplanted rice.
- Weed infestation is one of the major challenges associated with DSR.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Correct
Solution (a)
Explanation
- Statements 1, 3 and 4 are correct. Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) involves sowing seeds directly into the field, eliminating nursery preparation and transplanting, thereby reducing labour and cultivation costs. Since fields are not continuously flooded as in puddled transplanted rice (PTR), DSR substantially lowers irrigation requirements and methane emissions, making it a climate-smart technology. However, the absence of standing water encourages weed growth, making weed management one of its biggest challenges.
- Statement 2 is incorrect because continuous flooding is a characteristic of conventional transplanted rice, not DSR.
UPSC frequently asks agriculture questions by contrasting traditional and resource-conserving cultivation methods.
Why this question?
Contrasts DSR with conventional transplanted rice cultivation.Why important for UPSC?
Climate-smart agriculture and groundwater conservation are priority themes.PYQ Pattern Link
Similar to UPSC agriculture questions on SRI, zero tillage and micro-irrigation.Incorrect
Solution (a)
Explanation
- Statements 1, 3 and 4 are correct. Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) involves sowing seeds directly into the field, eliminating nursery preparation and transplanting, thereby reducing labour and cultivation costs. Since fields are not continuously flooded as in puddled transplanted rice (PTR), DSR substantially lowers irrigation requirements and methane emissions, making it a climate-smart technology. However, the absence of standing water encourages weed growth, making weed management one of its biggest challenges.
- Statement 2 is incorrect because continuous flooding is a characteristic of conventional transplanted rice, not DSR.
UPSC frequently asks agriculture questions by contrasting traditional and resource-conserving cultivation methods.
Why this question?
Contrasts DSR with conventional transplanted rice cultivation.Why important for UPSC?
Climate-smart agriculture and groundwater conservation are priority themes.PYQ Pattern Link
Similar to UPSC agriculture questions on SRI, zero tillage and micro-irrigation. -
Question 3 of 5
3. Question
Which one of the following correctly describes the Giant African Snail (Lissachatina fulica)?
Correct
Solution (b)
Explanation
- Option (b) is correct. The Giant African Snail (Lissachatina fulica) is native to East Africa but has become one of the world’s most destructive invasive alien species.
- It is recognised by the IUCN among the World’s 100 Worst Invasive Alien Species because of its rapid reproduction, broad diet exceeding 500 plant species, and ability to outcompete native molluscs.
- It can also carry the rat lungworm parasite (Angiostrongylus cantonensis), which may cause eosinophilic meningitis in humans. It is neither native to India nor a marine or freshwater endemic species.
UPSC frequently combines invasive species with disease ecology and biodiversity conservation.
Why this question?
Integrates invasive ecology with zoonotic disease concepts.Why important for UPSC?
Invasive alien species frequently appear in Environment questions.PYQ Pattern Link
Comparable to UPSC questions on Lantana, Water Hyacinth and African Catfish.Incorrect
Solution (b)
Explanation
- Option (b) is correct. The Giant African Snail (Lissachatina fulica) is native to East Africa but has become one of the world’s most destructive invasive alien species.
- It is recognised by the IUCN among the World’s 100 Worst Invasive Alien Species because of its rapid reproduction, broad diet exceeding 500 plant species, and ability to outcompete native molluscs.
- It can also carry the rat lungworm parasite (Angiostrongylus cantonensis), which may cause eosinophilic meningitis in humans. It is neither native to India nor a marine or freshwater endemic species.
UPSC frequently combines invasive species with disease ecology and biodiversity conservation.
Why this question?
Integrates invasive ecology with zoonotic disease concepts.Why important for UPSC?
Invasive alien species frequently appear in Environment questions.PYQ Pattern Link
Comparable to UPSC questions on Lantana, Water Hyacinth and African Catfish. -
Question 4 of 5
4. Question
Consider the following statements regarding Cyttopsis indica:
- It is a newly identified deep-sea fish discovered from the Arabian Sea.
- DNA sequencing played an important role in establishing it as a distinct species.
- It was discovered in shallow coral reefs surrounding the Andaman Islands.
- Earlier Indian Ocean specimens had been incorrectly identified as Cyttopsis rosea.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Correct
Solution (c)
Explanation
- Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct. Cyttopsis indica is a newly discovered deep-sea fish identified by scientists at ICAR-CMFRI from the Arabian Sea at depths of about 350–500 metres along the eastern Lakshadweep Sea. Morphological examination together with DNA sequencing confirmed that it is genetically distinct from previously known species. Earlier specimens from the Indian Ocean had been wrongly identified as Cyttopsis rosea, now recognised as an Atlantic species.
- Statement 3 is incorrect because the fish was neither discovered in shallow coral reefs nor in the Andaman Islands. UPSC increasingly asks taxonomy-based questions involving DNA barcoding and new species discoveries.
Why this question?
Tests taxonomy, marine geography and scientific techniques together.Why important for UPSC?
Marine biodiversity is an emerging UPSC focus area.PYQ Pattern Link
Similar to UPSC questions on newly discovered frogs, reptiles and marine organisms.Incorrect
Solution (c)
Explanation
- Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct. Cyttopsis indica is a newly discovered deep-sea fish identified by scientists at ICAR-CMFRI from the Arabian Sea at depths of about 350–500 metres along the eastern Lakshadweep Sea. Morphological examination together with DNA sequencing confirmed that it is genetically distinct from previously known species. Earlier specimens from the Indian Ocean had been wrongly identified as Cyttopsis rosea, now recognised as an Atlantic species.
- Statement 3 is incorrect because the fish was neither discovered in shallow coral reefs nor in the Andaman Islands. UPSC increasingly asks taxonomy-based questions involving DNA barcoding and new species discoveries.
Why this question?
Tests taxonomy, marine geography and scientific techniques together.Why important for UPSC?
Marine biodiversity is an emerging UPSC focus area.PYQ Pattern Link
Similar to UPSC questions on newly discovered frogs, reptiles and marine organisms. -
Question 5 of 5
5. Question
Consider the following statements regarding Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs):
- They were introduced by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) under the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996.
- They are designed to bridge the gap between conventional Mutual Funds and Portfolio Management Services (PMS).
- A minimum investment of ₹50 lakh is mandatory for every investor wishing to invest in SIFs.
- SIFs permit sophisticated investment strategies, including long-short and derivative-based strategies, within the regulated mutual fund framework.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Correct
Solution (a)
Explanation
- Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct. Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs) were introduced by SEBI through a regulatory framework issued under the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 and became operational from 1 April 2025. They occupy a unique position between traditional Mutual Funds and Portfolio Management Services (PMS) by offering sophisticated investment strategies such as equity long-short, debt long-short, hybrid long-short, sectoral, active asset allocation and derivative-based strategies, while remaining within the regulated mutual fund ecosystem.
- Statement 3 is incorrect because the minimum investment is ₹10 lakh per investor, not ₹50 lakh. The ₹50 lakh threshold applies to Portfolio Management Services (PMS), making this a classic UPSC elimination trap.
Why this question?
Tests distinction between SIFs, Mutual Funds and PMS using investment thresholds.
Why important for UPSC?
Financial market reforms and SEBI regulations are increasingly tested in Prelims.
PYQ Pattern Link
Similar to UPSC questions distinguishing AIFs, REITs, InvITs, Mutual Funds and other SEBI-regulated investment vehicles.
Incorrect
Solution (a)
Explanation
- Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct. Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs) were introduced by SEBI through a regulatory framework issued under the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 and became operational from 1 April 2025. They occupy a unique position between traditional Mutual Funds and Portfolio Management Services (PMS) by offering sophisticated investment strategies such as equity long-short, debt long-short, hybrid long-short, sectoral, active asset allocation and derivative-based strategies, while remaining within the regulated mutual fund ecosystem.
- Statement 3 is incorrect because the minimum investment is ₹10 lakh per investor, not ₹50 lakh. The ₹50 lakh threshold applies to Portfolio Management Services (PMS), making this a classic UPSC elimination trap.
Why this question?
Tests distinction between SIFs, Mutual Funds and PMS using investment thresholds.
Why important for UPSC?
Financial market reforms and SEBI regulations are increasingly tested in Prelims.
PYQ Pattern Link
Similar to UPSC questions distinguishing AIFs, REITs, InvITs, Mutual Funds and other SEBI-regulated investment vehicles.
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