Daily Current Affairs Quiz for UPSC Prelims 2027 — 2 June 2026

Which landmark judgment of the Supreme Court of India unequivocally declared the 'Right to Privacy' as a fundamental right protected under Article 21 of the Constitution?

Why this answer

The correct answer is K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017). In this landmark case, a nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court unanimously held that the Right to Privacy is a constitutionally protected right which emerges primarily from the guarantee of life and personal liberty in Article 21. The other options are incorrect: Kesavananda Bharati case established the 'basic structure' doctrine; Maneka Gandhi case expanded the interpretation of 'procedure established by law' under Article 21 to be fair, just and reasonable; and A.K. Gopalan case took a very narrow and restrictive view of Article 21, which was later overruled.

The static concept

Article 21 - Right to Life and Personal Liberty, and its judicial expansion to include the Right to Privacy.

Which of the following statements best describes the primary mandate of the New Development Bank (NDB), established by the BRICS nations?

Why this answer

The NDB's primary mandate is to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging economies, per its Articles of Agreement. The claim that the NDB provides short-term liquidity and balance of payment support is incorrect; this function belongs to the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA). The claim that the NDB promotes private sector investment through political risk insurance and credit enhancement is inaccurate; such functions are more aligned with the World Bank's Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). The claim that the NDB acts as a central bank managing a common currency and coordinating BRICS monetary policy is incorrect—the NDB is a multilateral development bank, and there is no common BRICS currency or coordinated monetary policy.

The static concept

International Economic Institutions: Mandates and Functions of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), specifically the New Development Bank (BRICS Bank).

Which of the following statements most accurately describes the core objective of India's Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)?

Why this answer

The Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) was launched in 1985 with the primary objective of providing free vaccinations against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases to all infants, children, and pregnant women. The statement claiming UIP focuses exclusively on the eradication of diseases like Polio and Smallpox through time-bound national campaigns is incorrect; while polio eradication was a major success under UIP, the program is far broader and smallpox was eradicated before UIP's launch. The statement that UIP funds and manages the research and development of indigenous vaccines for emerging infectious diseases is incorrect as UIP's mandate is vaccine delivery and administration, while R&D is handled by bodies like the ICMR. The claim that UIP aims to digitize the entire public health system and make digital health IDs mandatory for receiving any form of primary healthcare is an overstatement; while digital initiatives like U-WIN are being implemented to track immunization, they are tools to support UIP, not its core objective, and are not mandatory for all primary healthcare.

The static concept

Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) as a key component of the National Health Mission (NHM).

With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), consider the following statements:

1. 1.Coastal states can temporarily suspend the right of transit passage through straits used for international navigation for essential security reasons.
2. 2.The jurisdiction of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) includes the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources on the continental shelves of coastal states.
3. 3.In archipelagic waters, ships of all states enjoy only the right of innocent passage for continuous and expeditious transit.
4. 4.A coastal state exercises sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring and exploiting the natural resources within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which can extend up to 200 nautical miles from its baseline.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Why this answer

Only one statement is correct. - Statement 1 is incorrect. The right of 'transit passage' through international straits cannot be suspended by coastal states. This is a key distinction from the right of 'innocent passage' in territorial seas, which can be suspended for security reasons. - Statement 2 is incorrect. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) has jurisdiction over 'the Area,' which is the seabed and ocean floor beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. The continental shelf falls under the national jurisdiction of the coastal state. - Statement 3 is incorrect. While innocent passage may apply in certain parts, the primary right for through-navigation in archipelagic waters is the 'right of archipelagic sea lanes passage' through designated lanes, which is similar in nature to transit passage. - Statement 4 is correct. This is the standard definition of a coastal state's rights within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as established by UNCLOS, extending up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline.

The static concept

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) - Maritime Zones (Territorial Sea, EEZ, High Seas), Navigational Rights (Innocent Passage, Transit Passage), and International Bodies (ISA).