Daily Current Affairs Quiz for UPSC Prelims 2027 — 17 June 2026

The city of Rafah, which has been a significant focus of international news due to a major humanitarian crisis and military operations, is located on the border between the Gaza Strip and which of the following countries?

Why this answer

The city of Rafah is situated in the southern part of the Gaza Strip and shares a border with the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. The Rafah Border Crossing is the sole crossing point between Egypt and the Gaza Strip that is not controlled by Israel. It has been the main entry point for humanitarian aid and the exit for foreign nationals and injured Palestinians during the recent conflict. Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria are all countries in the region that border Israel or have significant geopolitical stakes in the conflict, but they do not share a direct border with the Gaza Strip.

The static concept

Geopolitical mapping of conflict zones in the Middle East, specifically the geography of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

In early 2024, the BRICS group of nations underwent a significant expansion, admitting several new countries as full members. Which of the following countries was NOT among this new cohort that joined the bloc?

Why this answer

Indonesia was not among the countries that joined BRICS in the 2024 expansion. On January 1, 2024, five new countries officially became full members of the BRICS bloc: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Argentina was also invited but formally declined the invitation. While Indonesia is a major emerging economy and a G20 member, it did not join BRICS during this phase of expansion.

The static concept

International Groupings & Agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests (BRICS, G20, SCO etc.)

With reference to the BRICS and G20 groupings, consider the following statements:

1. 1.In the New Development Bank (NDB), voting rights are strictly proportional to the capital subscribed by each member country.
2. 2.The G20 was elevated from a forum of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to the level of Heads of State/Government in response to the 2008 Global Financial Crisis.
3. 3.Following the recent expansion of BRICS, all original members of the G8 are now part of the BRICS+ grouping.
4. 4.The African Union (AU) was inducted as a permanent member of the G20 during India's Presidency.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Why this answer

There are two correct statements. Statement 2 and Statement 4 are correct. Statement 1 is incorrect. The New Development Bank (NDB) was established by BRICS with equal voting rights for its founding members, deliberately departing from the capital-share-based voting system of Bretton Woods institutions like the World Bank and IMF. Statement 2 is correct. The G20, initially a forum for Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors since 1999, was elevated to the summit level (Heads of State/Government) in 2008 to effectively address the global financial crisis. Statement 3 is incorrect. No G7 country (which forms the core of the former G8, excluding Russia) is a member of the expanded BRICS grouping. These are largely seen as separate geopolitical and economic blocs. Statement 4 is correct. A major outcome of the G20 Summit hosted by India in New Delhi in 2023 was the admission of the African Union (AU) as a permanent member.

The static concept

Structure, mandate, and evolution of major international groupings (G20, BRICS) and associated financial institutions (New Development Bank).

With reference to India's Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), consider the following statements:

1. 1.The Universal Immunization Programme was first launched in 2014 as a key component of the National Health Mission.
2. 2.The programme provides free-of-cost vaccination against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases nationally.
3. 3.The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for preventing cervical cancer has been included as a mandatory component of the UIP across all states.
4. 4.Mission Indradhanush was launched to replace the UIP with a more targeted approach for high-focus districts.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Why this answer

Only one statement is correct. Statement 2 is correct as the UIP provides vaccination against 12 diseases nationally. Statement 1 is incorrect; the UIP was launched in 1985, evolving from the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) started in 1978. Statement 3 is incorrect; while the government has announced the introduction of the HPV vaccine, its rollout is planned to be phased, targeting specific age groups, and is not yet a mandatory component across all states. Statement 4 is incorrect; Mission Indradhanush was launched to supplement and strengthen the UIP by focusing on increasing immunization coverage in low-performing areas, not to replace it.

The static concept

Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) and associated missions - structure, scope, and recent developments in vaccine inclusion.