Daily Current Affairs Quiz for UPSC Prelims 2027 — 25 June 2026

The Preamble to the Constitution of India begins with the phrase 'WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA'. What is the most accurate implication of this phrase?

Why this answer

The correct answer establishes that ultimate sovereignty lies with the people of India. The phrase 'WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA' signifies the principle of popular sovereignty, meaning the Constitution is created by and for the people, and all authority emanates from them. The option suggesting the Constitution was a gift from the British Crown is incorrect; it was framed by an independent Constituent Assembly. The option stating that the Constituent Assembly members were directly elected is also incorrect, as they were indirectly elected by the members of the provincial assemblies. The idea that the Constitution derives authority from the Supreme Court is a misunderstanding of roles; the judiciary is the interpreter and guardian of the Constitution, not its source of authority.

The static concept

Preamble of the Constitution — Source of Authority, Objectives, and Legal Status.

Which of the following international bodies has launched the 'Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)' as a key pillar of its climate policy to address carbon leakage?

Which of the following international bodies has launched the 'Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)' as a key pillar of its climate policy to address carbon leakage?

Why this answer

The correct answer is The European Union. The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a landmark policy tool introduced by the European Union as part of its 'Fit for 55' package. Its primary aim is to put a fair price on the carbon emitted during the production of carbon-intensive goods entering the EU, and to encourage cleaner industrial production in non-EU countries. While the World Trade Organization (WTO) is the forum where the legality of CBAM is debated, it did not launch the initiative. The UNFCCC is the primary multilateral forum for negotiating global climate agreements, but CBAM is a specific regional policy by the EU bloc. The World Bank is involved in climate finance, not in implementing such trade-based carbon pricing mechanisms.

The static concept

International Climate Change Mechanisms, Carbon Pricing, and Non-Tariff Barriers.

India has historically maintained a hydrographic survey agreement with the Maldives, which the latter recently opted not to renew. What was the primary strategic significance of this agreement for India?

Why this answer

The correct option highlights the core strategic military purpose of the agreement. The hydrographic surveys, conducted by the Indian Navy, provided detailed bathymetric data of the Maldivian Exclusive Economic Zone. This data is critical for submarine navigation and anti-submarine warfare (ASW), significantly enhancing India's Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) in the strategically vital Indian Ocean Region (IOR), where Chinese naval presence is increasing. While the data also aids commercial navigation, the primary driver for naval involvement is strategic. The other options represent secondary benefits or incorrect linkages; the agreement was not directly tied to tourism funding, and while environmental mapping is a benefit, the main purpose was military-strategic surveillance.

The static concept

India's 'Neighbourhood First' Policy, Strategic Importance of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), and Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA).

With reference to the agreements and mechanisms of the World Trade Organization (WTO), consider the following statements:

1. 1.Under the Agreement on Agriculture, the 'de minimis' support for developing countries is capped at 10% of the value of production, calculated using current international market prices.
2. 2.India has invoked the 'Peace Clause' to protect its food procurement programmes for rice, which have breached the prescribed subsidy ceilings.
3. 3.The Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), which entered into force in 2017, primarily aims to reduce tariffs and quantitative restrictions on traded goods.
4. 4.The rulings of the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body, including its Appellate Body, are binding on member countries, and there is no provision for unilateral rejection of a final verdict.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Why this answer

Statement 1 is incorrect. The 'de minimis' subsidy limit under the Agreement on Agriculture is calculated based on a fixed and outdated reference price from the 1986-88 period, not current market prices. This is a major point of contention for developing countries like India. Statement 2 is correct. India has invoked the Bali Peace Clause to shield its rice procurement programme from legal challenges at the WTO after its subsidies breached the 10% ceiling. Statement 3 is incorrect. The Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) primarily focuses on simplifying and modernizing customs procedures, reducing administrative delays, and improving transparency to expedite the movement of goods. It does not deal with the reduction of tariffs or quantitative restrictions, which are covered by other agreements like GATT. Statement 4 is correct. The rulings and recommendations of the Dispute Settlement Body are binding on the parties to a dispute. A member must comply with the ruling, and failure to do so can result in the complaining party being authorized to impose retaliatory trade sanctions. Thus, only two statements are correct.

The static concept

World Trade Organization (WTO): Agreements (Agreement on Agriculture, Trade Facilitation Agreement), Dispute Settlement Mechanism, and special provisions like the Peace Clause.

With reference to the strategic and defence partnership between India and France, consider the following statements:

1. 1.The joint military exercise 'Shakti' is a biennial naval exercise conducted between the armed forces of India and France.
2. 2.India has procured the Rafale multi-role fighter aircraft from the French company Dassault Aviation.
3. 3.The Kalvari-class submarines of the Indian Navy are being built in India under a technology transfer agreement with a French defence company.
4. 4.India and France have signed a logistics exchange agreement that provides their respective armed forces with access to each other's military facilities.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Why this answer

Three statements are correct. Statement 1 is incorrect. Exercise 'Shakti' is a joint military exercise between the armies of India and France. The joint naval exercise between the two countries is named 'Varuna', and the air force exercise is 'Garuda'. Statement 2 is correct. India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to procure 36 Rafale fighter jets, manufactured by Dassault Aviation. Statement 3 is correct. Under Project-75, the Kalvari-class (a variant of the French Scorpène-class) diesel-electric attack submarines are being built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai with technology transfer from France's Naval Group. Statement 4 is correct. India and France signed the 'Agreement on Reciprocal Logistics Support' (ARLS) in 2018, which allows the armed forces of both countries to use each other's military facilities for logistics support.

The static concept

India-France Strategic Partnership: Defence Cooperation, Military Exercises, and Technology Transfer.

Why this answer

Both the Assertion and the Reason are factually correct, and the Reason provides the precise legal basis for the Assertion. The primary constitutional challenge to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is indeed based on Article 14, arguing that the law's classification of individuals based on religion and country of origin is discriminatory. The Reason correctly states the two-pronged test for reasonable classification under Article 14, known as the Doctrine of Reasonable Classification: the classification must be founded on an 'intelligible differentia' and this differentia must have a 'rational nexus' to the legislative object. The legal challenge posits that the CAA fails this very test. Furthermore, Article 14 protects 'all persons', not just citizens, which is central to the legal arguments against the Act.

The static concept

Article 14 - Right to Equality; Doctrine of Reasonable Classification.

Why this answer

Both the Assertion (A) and the Reason (R) are true, and R is the correct explanation for A. The Assertion is correct; the UNSC has the power to refer situations to the ICC, even concerning states that are not parties to the Rome Statute. This has been done in the cases of Darfur (Sudan) and Libya. The Reason is also correct and provides the precise legal foundation for this power. The ICC is an independent body, not a UN organ. However, the UNSC's authority under Chapter VII of the UN Charter to act on threats to international peace and security is binding on all UN member states. This authority allows it to compel cooperation with an ICC investigation, thus superseding the normal requirement for the state in question to be a party to the Rome Statute.

The static concept

International Criminal Court (ICC): Its jurisdiction, relationship with the UN Security Council (under the Rome Statute and UN Charter), and its distinction from the International Court of Justice (ICJ).