Daily Current Affairs Quiz for UPSC Prelims 2027 — 27 June 2026

With reference to the National Quantum Mission (NQM) of India, which one of the following best describes its primary objective?

Why this answer

The correct option states the mission's objective is to foster an ecosystem for research, development, and innovation in Quantum Technology. The National Quantum Mission (NQM) was approved with the broad aim of seeding, nurturing, and scaling up scientific and industrial R&D to create a vibrant ecosystem in this field. The option suggesting an exclusive focus on quantum-resistant cryptography is incorrect because, while cryptography is an application, the mission's scope is much wider. The option mentioning a sovereign AI framework is incorrect as that falls under the IndiaAI Mission, a separate initiative. Similarly, the mission does not directly aim to deploy a 6G network, although quantum communication is a related research area.

The static concept

National Missions in Science & Technology; Basics of Quantum Technology and its applications.

The 'Global Wage Report', a flagship publication that examines general trends in wages worldwide, is released by which of the following organizations?

Why this answer

The correct answer is the International Labour Organization (ILO). The 'Global Wage Report' is a flagship biennial publication of the ILO, which is the United Nations agency for the world of work. The report provides a comprehensive overview of wage trends and policies globally. The other options are incorrect as they publish different flagship reports: the World Bank releases the 'World Development Report', the International Monetary Fund (IMF) releases the 'World Economic Outlook', and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) releases the 'OECD Economic Outlook'. While all these organizations deal with economic matters, the specific mandate for labour and wages lies with the ILO.

The static concept

Mandates, functions, and major publications of specialized agencies of the United Nations and other significant international organizations.

Which of the following statements most accurately describes the cornerstone of India's contemporary engagement with the African continent?

Why this answer

The correct option accurately reflects India's Africa policy. India's engagement is based on a model of cooperation that is demand-driven and focuses on capacity building, as outlined in the 'Ten Guiding Principles for India-Africa Engagement' announced by PM Modi in 2018. This approach is distinct from the resource-extractive models of some other nations. While securing resources is a component, it is not the 'primary driver'. Similarly, security cooperation exists but is not the 'main focus' compared to the vast development partnership portfolio. The relationship has evolved far beyond its historical NAM roots, with robust economic and institutional mechanisms like the India-Africa Forum Summit, making the option suggesting NAM as the 'sole major pillar' incorrect.

The static concept

India's Foreign Policy: Engagement with Africa and Principles of South-South Cooperation.

In light of recent high-profile international legal proceedings, which of the following statements most accurately distinguishes the International Court of Justice (ICJ) from the International Criminal Court (ICC)?

Why this answer

The correct statement is that the ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the UN dealing with disputes between states, while the ICC is an independent body prosecuting individuals. The ICJ was established by the UN Charter. The ICC was established by the Rome Statute and is not a UN organ, though it has a cooperation agreement with the UN. The option stating both are UN organs is incorrect. The option claiming the ICJ's jurisdiction is automatically binding on all UN members is also incorrect; states must consent to the ICJ's jurisdiction. The option that reverses their roles is factually wrong; the ICJ handles state disputes, while the ICC prosecutes individuals for crimes like genocide and war crimes.

The static concept

International Court of Justice (ICJ) and International Criminal Court (ICC): Mandates, Jurisdiction, and Relationship with the UN System.

With reference to the cybersecurity framework in India, consider the following statements:

1. 1.Service providers, intermediaries, and data centres are legally mandated to report cybersecurity incidents to CERT-In within 6 hours of their detection.
2. 2.The Information Technology Act, 2000, and its subsequent rules explicitly exempt Virtual Private Network (VPN) service providers from the ambit of cyber incident reporting obligations.
3. 3.The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) is the national nodal agency for cybersecurity and functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
4. 4.CERT-In is empowered under the IT Act, 2000, to collect and analyse information on cyber incidents, and issue forecasts and alerts concerning cybersecurity threats.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Why this answer

There are two correct statements. Statement 1 is correct; CERT-In directions issued in April 2022 under Section 70B of the IT Act mandate the reporting of specified cyber incidents within 6 hours of noticing them. Statement 4 is also correct; this describes the core functions of CERT-In as laid out in the IT Act, 2000. Statement 2 is incorrect because the same 2022 directions explicitly brought VPN service providers, along with cloud service providers and cryptocurrency exchanges, under the reporting and data maintenance framework. Statement 3 is incorrect as CERT-In functions under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), not the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

The static concept

The Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, particularly Section 70B which establishes the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) and delineates its powers and functions as India's national nodal agency for cybersecurity.

With reference to recent developments and key programs of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), consider the following statements:

1. 1.Chandrayaan-3 made India the first country to successfully soft-land a spacecraft in the lunar south polar region.
2. 2.The Aditya-L1 spacecraft is placed in a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to continuously observe the Sun without any occultation.
3. 3.The LVM3 launch vehicle, selected for the Gaganyaan mission, is a three-stage rocket that uses a cryogenic upper stage.
4. 4.NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) is the primary regulatory body for authorizing and supervising the space activities of non-governmental entities in India.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Why this answer

There are two correct statements. Statement 1 is correct; the Vikram lander of Chandrayaan-3 successfully soft-landed near the lunar south pole, a historic first for any nation. Statement 3 is also correct; the LVM3 is a three-stage vehicle consisting of two solid propellant strap-ons, a liquid propellant core stage, and a cryogenic upper stage. Statement 2 is incorrect because Aditya-L1 is placed in a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth Lagrange point 1 (L1), approximately 1.5 million km from Earth, not in a Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This specific orbit allows for uninterrupted observation of the Sun. Statement 4 is incorrect as it misidentifies the roles of new space institutions. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is the single-window nodal agency for regulating and authorising private space activities, whereas NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) is the commercial arm of ISRO.

The static concept

ISRO's launch vehicles (PSLV, GSLV/LVM3), mission profiles (lunar, solar, interplanetary), and the evolving institutional framework for space activities in India.

With reference to the Right to Equality and provisions for reservation in the Indian Constitution, consider the following statements:

1. 1.Article 16(4) empowers the State to make provisions for reservation in public employment for any backward class of citizens not adequately represented.
2. 2.The concept of a 'creamy layer' to exclude affluent members from reservation benefits was introduced by the Supreme Court in the Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992) case.
3. 3.The 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act, providing for EWS reservation, applies to admissions in both government-aided and minority educational institutions.
4. 4.The 50% ceiling on total reservations established in the Indra Sawhney case is an absolute and inflexible rule that cannot be breached under any circumstances.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Why this answer

Statements 1 and 2 are correct, while 3 and 4 are incorrect. Statement 1 is a correct representation of the provision under Article 16(4) of the Constitution. Statement 2 is correct. The landmark Indra Sawhney (1992) judgment, also known as the Mandal case, upheld OBC reservation and introduced the principle of the 'creamy layer' to exclude the more advanced sections of backward classes. Statement 3 is incorrect. The 103rd Amendment inserted Article 15(6), which provides for EWS reservation in educational institutions. However, it explicitly exempts minority educational institutions, which are covered under Article 30(1). Statement 4 is incorrect. While the Indra Sawhney judgment did establish a 50% ceiling on reservations, it also specified that this rule could be relaxed in 'extraordinary situations' or 'exceptional circumstances'. Therefore, it is not an absolute or inflexible rule. Thus, only two statements are correct.

The static concept

Right to Equality (Articles 14-18), with a focus on affirmative action, reservation policy, and its judicial evolution through landmark cases like Indra Sawhney.

Why this answer

Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are factually correct, and R provides the direct explanation for A. The Assertion correctly states that sand mining can cause a trophic cascade. A trophic cascade is an ecological phenomenon triggered by the addition or removal of top predators or, in this case, the removal of a foundational part of the food web. The Reason correctly identifies that river sand is a crucial habitat for benthic macroinvertebrates (like insects, crustaceans, worms). These organisms form the base of the aquatic food web. By removing their habitat through sand mining, their population collapses. This removes the primary food source for many fish species, leading to a decline in their populations, which is the trophic cascade described in the Assertion.

The static concept

Ecosystem Structure & Function: Interdependence of biotic and abiotic components, food webs, and trophic levels.