Daily Current Affairs Quiz for UPSC Prelims 2027 — 1 September 2026

The concept of 'cooperative federalism' involves collaboration and mutual support between the Centre and the States to achieve national goals. Which of the following institutions was specifically established to foster this spirit, replacing a more centralized, top-down planning model?

Why this answer

The correct answer is NITI Aayog. It was established on January 1, 2015, to replace the Planning Commission, with the explicit goal of fostering cooperative federalism. It promotes a 'bottom-up' approach to policy-making by involving states as equal partners. The Finance Commission is a constitutional body for fiscal devolution. The Inter-State Council, under Article 263, is a forum for coordination but NITI Aayog is the primary institution for collaborative policy-making. The National Development Council was an advisory body to the erstwhile Planning Commission and is now largely defunct.

The static concept

Cooperative Federalism: A system where the Centre and States collaborate on policy and governance, exemplified by institutions like NITI Aayog and the GST Council.

Recent economic analyses frequently highlight a pattern where India's economic growth is predominantly driven by the services and manufacturing sectors, while the agricultural sector experiences a comparatively lower growth rate. What is the most accurate economic implication of this trend?

Why this answer

The correct option accurately describes structural transformation, a key process in economic development where the share of agriculture in national income (GDP/GVA) decreases while that of industry and services increases. A lower growth rate in agriculture compared to other sectors does not mean its absolute value is decreasing; it can still be growing, just more slowly. This pattern also does not guarantee higher employment elasticity in other sectors, as India has experienced periods of 'jobless growth'. Lastly, this trend often worsens income inequality, as a large portion of the workforce remains dependent on the slow-growing agricultural sector while incomes in services and industry rise faster.

The static concept

Sectoral Contribution to GDP/GVA and Structural Transformation of the Indian Economy.

In the context of the increasing vulnerability of the Himalayan ecosystem to climate change and anthropogenic pressures, which one of the following statements is correct regarding India's policy and institutional framework for the region?

Why this answer

The correct statement concerns the SDRF funding. The central government's contribution to the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) is 90% for Himalayan and North-Eastern states, while it is 75% for general category states. The statement attributing the coordination of the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is incorrect; the nodal ministry is the Ministry of Science and Technology. The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification mentioned was issued in 2006, not 2009. Finally, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued guidelines for both Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (in 2020) and Landslide Risk Reduction (in 2009).

The static concept

India's institutional framework for disaster management and climate change adaptation, focusing on the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region (NAPCC missions, NDMA, EIA).

In the context of India's evolving strategy for its 'Blue Economy', which of the following statements most accurately describes the approach towards natural capital accounting for marine resources?

Why this answer

The correct statement accurately identifies the key players and frameworks. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is indeed the agency leading the natural capital accounting initiative, as seen in its EnviStats India programme. This effort is based on the internationally accepted U.N. System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) to develop monetary accounts for resources like marine fish stocks. The other options contain specific errors. The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) drafts the Blue Economy policy but MoSPI handles the accounting. The framework is not standalone but aligned with the UN SEEA. The concept of 'resource rent' is used, but its calculation is not linked to 'Blue Carbon' credits or the Deep Ocean Mission's budget. Lastly, the ClimateSmart Cities Assessment Framework (CSCAF) is an initiative by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for cities, not a tool for marine ecosystem valuation under the Blue Economy policy.

The static concept

Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) and the governance framework for India's Blue Economy, including institutional responsibilities and alignment with international standards like the UN SEEA.

With reference to the constitutional provisions related to the National Emergency and the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), consider the following statements:

1. 1.A Presidential order issued under Article 359 suspends the Fundamental Rights themselves, as specified in the order.
2. 2.The 44th Amendment Act, 1978, prevents the suspension of the right to move a court for the enforcement of rights under Articles 20 and 21.
3. 3.The Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), used extensively during the 1975-77 Emergency, was placed in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.
4. 4.In the ADM Jabalpur v. Shivkant Shukla case, the Supreme Court upheld that the right to habeas corpus for enforcing Article 21 could not be suspended during the Emergency.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Why this answer

There are two correct statements. Statement 2 is correct; the 44th Amendment Act of 1978 provided that the President cannot suspend the right to move the court for the enforcement of fundamental rights guaranteed by Articles 20 and 21. Statement 3 is also correct; the 39th Amendment Act of 1975 placed MISA in the Ninth Schedule to shield it from judicial review. Statement 1 is incorrect because Article 359 only suspends the enforcement (the right to move court) of the specified Fundamental Rights, not the rights themselves. Statement 4 is incorrect as it reverses the actual judgment; the Supreme Court in the ADM Jabalpur case held that the right to habeas corpus could be suspended during the Emergency, a decision widely criticized.

The static concept

Emergency Provisions (Articles 352, 358, 359), 44th Amendment Act, and relationship between Fundamental Rights and legislative/executive action.

Recent geopolitical events have highlighted the enduring principles of India's foreign policy. In this context, consider the following pairs of foreign policy concepts and their descriptions:

1. 1.Panchsheel — Formally articulated in the 1954 India-China Agreement concerning the Tibet region.
2. 2.Non-Aligned Movement — Formally launched at the Bandung Conference in 1955.
3. 3.Strategic Autonomy — A modern policy of 'multi-alignment' to pursue national interests independently.
4. 4.Article 51 of the Constitution — A justiciable Fundamental Right mandating the promotion of international peace.

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Why this answer

There are two correctly matched pairs. Pair 1 is correct: The Panchsheel, or the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, were formally articulated in the preamble of the 1954 agreement between India and China on trade and intercourse regarding the Tibet region. Pair 2 is incorrect: The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was formally launched at the First Summit Conference in Belgrade in 1961. The Bandung Conference of 1955 was a significant precursor that laid the groundwork, but it was not the formal launch. Pair 3 is correct: Strategic Autonomy is a contemporary evolution of India's foreign policy, often described as 'multi-alignment'. It emphasizes the flexibility to engage with multiple power blocs based on national interest, rather than maintaining equidistance as in classical non-alignment. Pair 4 is incorrect: Article 51, which directs the state to promote international peace and security, is part of the Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV), not Fundamental Rights (Part III). DPSPs are non-justiciable and cannot be enforced by courts.

The static concept

Foundational Principles of Indian Foreign Policy: Non-Alignment, Panchsheel, Strategic Autonomy, and Constitutional Provisions (Article 51).

With reference to the G20 (Group of Twenty) and its role in global economic governance, consider the following statements:

1. 1.The G20 was established in 1999 at the level of Heads of State/Government to address the Asian Financial Crisis.
2. 2.The G20 has the authority to directly impose legally binding tariffs and non-tariff barriers on member countries to correct global trade imbalances.
3. 3.Unlike many other international groupings, the G20 operates without a permanent secretariat, and its presidency rotates annually among members.
4. 4.The G20's agenda, initially focused on macroeconomic and financial issues, has since expanded to include non-economic areas such as health, climate change, and anti-corruption.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Why this answer

Two statements are correct. Statement 3 is correct; the G20 is an informal forum with a rotating presidency and no permanent secretariat. Statement 4 is also correct; its agenda has broadened significantly beyond its initial focus on finance to include issues like climate, health, and development. Statement 1 is incorrect; the G20 was established in 1999 for Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, and was only elevated to the Heads of State/Government level in 2008 in response to the *global* financial crisis, not the Asian one. Statement 2 is incorrect; the G20 is a forum for discussion and coordination, it does not have the legal authority to impose binding tariffs on its members, which remains a sovereign function.

The static concept

G20: Structure, Mandate, and Role in Global Economic Governance.

Recent discussions around international mega-science projects have highlighted their role in advancing fundamental knowledge. Consider the following pairs:

1. 1.Large Hadron Collider (LHC) — Confirmation of the Higgs boson
2. 2.Future Circular Collider (FCC) — First observation of gravitational waves
3. 3.India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) — Study of cosmic microwave background radiation
4. 4.World Wide Web (WWW) — A direct outcome of the Manhattan Project

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Why this answer

Only one pair is correctly matched. 1. **Large Hadron Collider (LHC) — Confirmation of the Higgs boson:** This is correct. The discovery of the Higgs boson was announced at CERN in 2012, based on experiments at the LHC. 2. **Future Circular Collider (FCC) — First observation of gravitational waves:** This is incorrect. The FCC is a proposed future particle accelerator and has not made any discoveries. The first direct observation of gravitational waves was made by the LIGO and Virgo collaborations. 3. **India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) — Study of cosmic microwave background radiation:** This is incorrect. The INO is designed to study atmospheric neutrinos. The cosmic microwave background is studied by telescopes like the Planck satellite. 4. **World Wide Web (WWW) — A direct outcome of the Manhattan Project:** This is incorrect. The World Wide Web was invented by Tim Berners-Lee at CERN in 1989. The Manhattan Project was the US-led research project during World War II that produced the first nuclear weapons.

The static concept

Major International and National Scientific Research Projects: Objectives, Discoveries, and Technological Spin-offs.

Why this answer

Both the Assertion and the Reason are factually correct, and the Reason provides the precise scientific explanation for the Assertion. The Assertion correctly states that melting ice acts as a driver for further warming, not just a result. This is due to a positive feedback loop. The Reason accurately describes this loop: ice has a high albedo (reflectivity), so it reflects solar energy. When it melts, it exposes darker land or water, which has a low albedo and absorbs more solar energy, leading to more warming and more melting. This mechanism, known as the ice-albedo feedback, is why R is the correct explanation for A.

The static concept

Climate Change Feedback Loops, specifically the Ice-Albedo Effect, and their impact on global climate systems and the cryosphere.

Why this answer

Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are factually correct statements. Assertion (A) is correct because reusing treated wastewater perfectly embodies the circular economy principle of turning 'waste' into a valuable resource, thus closing the loop in the water cycle. Reason (R) is also correct because historically, the main driver for establishing Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) under laws like the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, was to treat sewage to meet certain standards before discharging it into rivers, primarily to control pollution. However, R is not the correct explanation for A. R describes a linear, 'end-of-pipe' pollution control approach. A describes a modern, circular, resource-efficiency approach. The motivation for A is resource scarcity and creating value, which is a different paradigm from the pollution abatement goal described in R.

The static concept

Circular Economy principles as applied to natural resource management, specifically water resources. Differentiating between linear (take-make-dispose) and circular (reduce-reuse-recycle) economic models.