Daily Current Affairs Quiz for UPSC Prelims 2027 — 8 September 2026

The Government of India's promotion of electric mobility, through initiatives like the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) and its associated FAME schemes, primarily addresses which key economic challenge?

Why this answer

The correct answer highlights the primary objective of India's electric mobility mission. The National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020 explicitly aims to achieve national fuel security by promoting hybrid and electric vehicles. This directly translates to reducing the country's massive import bill for crude oil, which is a major component of the Current Account Deficit (CAD). While curbing air pollution is a significant and desirable co-benefit, the core strategic and economic driver is energy security. Establishing a battery manufacturing hub is a related but distinct goal under initiatives like the PLI scheme, not the primary aim of demand-side schemes like FAME. The option about generating revenue is incorrect as these schemes are based on subsidies, which are a form of government expenditure.

The static concept

Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors, specifically energy security and electric mobility (e.g., NEMMP, FAME Scheme).

Recent judicial observations have reaffirmed the principle of exclusive authority of the presiding officer over the internal proceedings of legislative bodies. In this context, which of the following statements most accurately reflects the constitutional framework governing State Legislatures in India?

Why this answer

The correct statement is that courts are barred from inquiring into legislative proceedings on grounds of procedural irregularity. This is explicitly laid down in Article 212 of the Constitution, which protects the autonomy of the legislature's internal functioning. The statement about the Governor formulating rules is incorrect; under Article 208, each House of the legislature makes its own rules of procedure. The statement regarding absolute immunity from arrest is also incorrect; this privilege is available only in civil cases, not criminal cases. Finally, the Speaker's decision on a Money Bill is constitutionally final (Article 199(3)), and while not entirely beyond judicial review, it is not subject to routine challenges on procedural grounds.

The static concept

Article 194 (State Legislatures' Privileges) and Article 212 (Courts not to inquire into proceedings of the Legislature).

Recent judicial interventions regarding the Aravalli Range have highlighted the complex legal framework governing mining in ecologically fragile areas. Which of the following statements most accurately describes the current regulatory regime for mining across the Aravalli landscape?

Why this answer

The most accurate statement describes the current moratorium on new mining leases. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has directed a stop on issuing any new mining leases in the Aravallis until a comprehensive Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) is prepared by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) and approved. The statement about a 'complete and blanket ban' is incorrect as it applies only to new leases, and exceptions exist for critical minerals. The statement regarding the High-Powered Committee is incorrect; it was constituted by the Supreme Court (not NGT) to define the Aravallis, not to issue clearances. Finally, the 100-meter elevation definition for an 'Aravalli Hill', while accepted by the SC in 2025, was subsequently put in abeyance and is not the currently operative rule.

The static concept

Environmental Governance and Legislation in India, focusing on the roles of the Supreme Court, MoEF&CC, and specific regulations under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

In the context of internal security challenges within a state, such as those involving armed non-state actors, which one of the following statements most accurately describes the constitutional and legal framework for response in India?

Why this answer

The correct statement accurately reflects India's federal security structure. Under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects, making the State Government primarily responsible for law and order. The Union Government supports the states, often by deploying Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) under its constitutional obligation (e.g., Article 355) to protect states from internal disturbances. The statement that 'Police' and 'Public Order' are in the Concurrent List is incorrect; they are in the State List. The power to declare an association unlawful under the UAPA lies with the Central Government, not the State Government. Finally, not all CAPFs are under the exclusive control of the MHA; Assam Rifles is a key exception, being administratively controlled by the MHA but operationally controlled by the Indian Army.

The static concept

Constitutional provisions for Internal Security: Seventh Schedule (State List - Police, Public Order), Article 355, and the role of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).

With reference to the Cell Broadcast System (CBS) for emergency alerts in India, consider the following statements:

1. 1.The Cell Broadcast System is an initiative exclusively developed and managed by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
2. 2.The system can deliver alerts to all mobile devices within a specific geographical area, regardless of whether the devices have an active internet connection.
3. 3.Mobile phone manufacturers in India are legally mandated to ensure that new devices support the reception of cell broadcast messages.
4. 4.Recipients of the alerts can opt-out of the service or change the alert sound to a standard notification tone through their device settings.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Why this answer

Only two statements are correct. Statement 1 is incorrect. The CBS was indigenously developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) under the Department of Telecommunications, in collaboration with the NDMA. It is not an exclusive NDMA initiative. Statement 2 is correct. CBS uses cell towers to broadcast messages to all phones in an area, a "one-to-many" system that does not rely on internet connectivity and is not affected by network congestion like SMS. Statement 3 is correct. The 'Indian Wireless Telegraphy (Cell Broadcasting Service for Disaster Alerts) Rules, 2023', mandate that manufacturers must enable CBS support in new smartphones and feature phones sold in India after a specified period. Statement 4 is incorrect. A key feature of the system is that alerts are designed to be intrusive to ensure they are noticed. They override silent/DND modes with a distinctive tone and cannot be opted out of by the user.

The static concept

Digital Public Infrastructure for Public Safety and Disaster Management, leveraging telecommunication networks for emergency alerts.

The high incidence of underage pregnancies in certain regions has brought the effectiveness of legal frameworks into focus. In this context, consider the following pairs related to the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012:

1. 1.Punishment for a male adult contracting a child marriage — Imprisonment up to two years and/or fine
2. 2.Default legal status of a child marriage under PCMA — Void ab initio
3. 3.Definition of a 'child' under POCSO Act, 2012 — Any person below twenty-one years of age
4. 4.Nature of offences under the PCMA, 2006 — Cognizable and non-bailable

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Why this answer

There are two correctly matched pairs. Pair 1 is correct: Section 9 of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006, stipulates that a male adult above eighteen years who contracts a child marriage can be punished with rigorous imprisonment up to two years, a fine up to one lakh rupees, or both. Pair 2 is incorrect: Under the PCMA, a child marriage is generally 'voidable' at the option of the party who was a child at the time of marriage. It is not 'void ab initio' (void from the beginning) by default, unless specific circumstances like force or trafficking are involved. Pair 3 is incorrect: The POCSO Act, 2012, defines a 'child' as any person below the age of eighteen years. The age of twenty-one is the minimum legal age for a male to marry under the PCMA, 2006. Pair 4 is correct: Section 15 of the PCMA, 2006, explicitly states that offences under this Act are cognizable and non-bailable. Therefore, only two pairs are correctly matched.

The static concept

Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 & Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012: Key provisions, differences, and implementation challenges.

With reference to the constitutional and legal provisions against untouchability and discrimination in India, consider the following statements:

1. 1.The term 'Untouchability' has not been defined in the Constitution of India.
2. 2.The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was enacted by Parliament in 1989 but came into force in 1990.
3. 3.The 2018 amendment to the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act inserted a provision expressly barring the grant of anticipatory bail to any person accused of an offence under the Act.
4. 4.The Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal ministry responsible for the implementation of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Why this answer

Statement 1 is correct; the term 'Untouchability' is not defined in the Constitution, and its meaning is derived from historical practice and judicial interpretation. Statement 2 is also correct; the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was enacted on September 11, 1989, but came into force on January 30, 1990. Statement 3 is correct; the 2018 Amendment Act inserted Section 18A, which nullified court directions by explicitly stating that provisions for anticipatory bail (Section 438 of CrPC) shall not apply to cases under this Act. Statement 4 is incorrect; the nodal ministry for the implementation of the PoA Act is the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, not the Ministry of Home Affairs. Therefore, three statements are correct.

The static concept

Article 17 (Abolition of Untouchability), Article 15 (Prohibition of Discrimination), and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

With reference to the regulatory framework for Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs) and measures to combat digital financial crimes, consider the following pairs:

1. 1.Virtual Digital Asset Service Providers (VDA SPs) in India — Classified as 'Reporting Entities' under the PMLA, 2002
2. 2.AML/CFT Regulator for VDA SPs in India — Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
3. 3.FATF's "Travel Rule" for Virtual Assets — Mandated globally under Recommendation 16, issued in 2021
4. 4.Definition of 'Virtual Digital Asset' under PMLA — Derived from the IT Act, 2000, and includes Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Why this answer

Only the first pair is correctly matched. 1. **Pair 1 is correct:** The Government of India, via a notification in March 2023, brought activities involving Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA), classifying VDA Service Providers as 'Reporting Entities'. 2. **Pair 2 is incorrect:** The designated AML/CFT regulator for VDA SPs in India is the Financial Intelligence Unit - India (FIU-IND), as notified in November 2023, not the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). 3. **Pair 3 is incorrect:** The FATF standards for virtual assets, including the 'Travel Rule', fall under Recommendation 15, which was updated to include these assets in 2019, not Recommendation 16 in 2021. 4. **Pair 4 is incorrect:** The definition of VDA for PMLA purposes is adopted from the Income-tax Act, 1961 (not the IT Act, 2000) and it explicitly *excludes* Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and other fiat currencies.

The static concept

Regulation of Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, and its alignment with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards.