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Daily quiz archive · 10 September 2026

Daily Current Affairs Quiz for UPSC Prelims 2027 — 10 September 2026

Of this day’s ten questions, 7 were built from that morning’s news. They are below, with the answers. The rest of the set came from Prelimo’s practice bank and stays in the app, because a bank question can still turn up in a live quiz.

Each question below is followed by the keyed answer, why that answer is right, and the static syllabus concept the question is really testing. Where a question came from a specific news story, that story is linked.

Q1 · International Relations · International Maritime Law & Law of the Sea

The ongoing conflict in Yemen, involving Houthi rebels and a Saudi-led coalition, has frequently disrupted international shipping and raised global maritime security concerns. Which one of the following strategic maritime chokepoints is most directly impacted by this conflict due to its geographical proximity to Yemen?

  1. AStrait of Hormuz
  2. BSuez Canal
  3. CBab al-Mandab StraitCorrect answer
  4. DStrait of Malacca

Why this answer

The correct answer is the Bab al-Mandab Strait. It is a narrow waterway connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, located directly between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula and Djibouti/Eritrea in Africa. The conflict in Yemen and attacks originating from its coast directly threaten freedom of navigation through this critical chokepoint. The Strait of Hormuz, while regionally close, connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and is primarily associated with tensions involving Iran. The Suez Canal is at the northern end of the Red Sea and is affected as a consequence of disruptions at Bab al-Mandab, but it is not the proximate chokepoint. The Strait of Malacca is in Southeast Asia and is geographically unrelated to this conflict.

The static concept

Strategic Maritime Chokepoints and their Geopolitical Significance in West Asia

From the news: Yemen rebels report fresh Saudi strikes as conflict deepens

The full Deep Proof for this question — the news angle, the static-dynamic link, the source chapter and an autopsy of every wrong option — lives in the app.

Q2 · International Relations · India–South Asia Relations

Recent geopolitical events have highlighted the role of international mechanisms in combating terrorism and its financing. Which of the following statements most accurately describes a key aspect of this framework?

  1. APlacement on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) 'grey list' automatically imposes binding economic sanctions on the concerned jurisdiction.
  2. BIndia was a founding member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) when it was established in 1989.
  3. CThe listing of individuals under the UN Security Council's 1267 sanctions regime requires a consensus among all 15 members of the Security Council.Correct answer
  4. DThe Financial Action Task Force (FATF) operates as a specialized agency under the direct authority of the United Nations Security Council.

Why this answer

The statement regarding the UNSC 1267 Committee's decision-making process is correct. Decisions, including the listing of individuals or entities as terrorists, are made by consensus among all 15 members of the Security Council. This procedural requirement is why a single member can place a 'technical hold' and effectively block a listing, as was seen for years with Masood Azhar. The statement about the FATF 'grey list' is incorrect; placement on this list mandates Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) globally, but does not constitute direct economic sanctions. The statement on India's FATF membership is also incorrect, as India became a full member in 2010, not a founding member in 1989. Lastly, the FATF is an independent inter-governmental body, not a specialized agency of the UN Security Council.

The static concept

International Counter-Terrorism Architecture: Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and UN Security Council Resolution 1267.

From the news: Kabul rejects Pakistan's claim on Masood Azhar, says JeM founder not in Afghanistan

The full Deep Proof for this question — the news angle, the static-dynamic link, the source chapter and an autopsy of every wrong option — lives in the app.

Q3 · International Relations · India–Europe & Western Strategic Partnerships

Recent discussions between ISRO and the European Space Agency (ESA) have highlighted the growing importance of international partnerships in India's space ambitions. Which one of the following statements most accurately describes the nature of India's space diplomacy and cooperation?

  1. AIndia's Gaganyaan mission, while leveraging Russian expertise for astronaut training, also relies on critical ground station and navigation support from the European Space Agency, reflecting a multi-aligned approach.Correct answer
  2. BBy ratifying the U.S.-led Artemis Accords, India has formally abandoned its commitment to the UN-backed Moon Treaty, aligning its lunar exploration policy exclusively with Western partners.
  3. CThe establishment of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) has transferred the primary responsibility for all major international scientific cooperation agreements from ISRO to this new commercial entity.
  4. DIndia's most significant joint satellite development project to date, the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, is a collaboration with the European Space Agency for advanced climate monitoring.

Why this answer

The correct statement accurately reflects the multi-partner approach for the Gaganyaan mission. Indian astronauts trained in Russia with ROSCOSMOS, while key technical support, such as ground station tracking, is provided by the European Space Agency (ESA). The statement about the Artemis Accords is incorrect; India signed the non-binding accords but has not ratified the Moon Treaty, nor has it aligned 'exclusively' with Western partners. The statement regarding NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) is also incorrect; NSIL is the commercial arm of ISRO, but ISRO continues to be the nodal agency for signing international scientific cooperation agreements. Finally, the NISAR mission is a major joint project between ISRO and NASA (USA), not the European Space Agency.

The static concept

India's Space Diplomacy: Bilateral and multilateral cooperation in space technology as an instrument of foreign policy and strategic autonomy.

From the news: ESA to explore cooperation with ISRO in human space flight, lunar and Venus missions

The full Deep Proof for this question — the news angle, the static-dynamic link, the source chapter and an autopsy of every wrong option — lives in the app.

Q4 · International Relations · International Human Rights, Labour & Governance Bodies

Recent international legal proceedings have highlighted the role of various conventions and their associated bodies. In this context, consider the following pairs:

  1. 1.Genocide Convention (1948) — International Court of Justice (ICJ)
  2. 2.Rome Statute — International Criminal Court (ICC)
  3. 3.Refugee Convention (1951) — UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC)
  4. 4.Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) — UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA)

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

  1. AOnly one pair
  2. BOnly two pairsCorrect answer
  3. COnly three pairs
  4. DAll four pairs

Why this answer

Two pairs are correctly matched. The first pair is correct: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the UN that settles disputes between states, including those arising under the Genocide Convention. The second pair is also correct: The Rome Statute is the treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC), which prosecutes individuals. The third pair is incorrect: The primary UN agency for refugees established under the 1951 Convention is the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), not the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The fourth pair is incorrect: The implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), not the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA).

The static concept

Mandates and jurisdictions of key international legal and humanitarian organizations and their foundational treaties.

From the news: Why Nicaragua is suing Germany at the World Court, invoking the Genocide Convention | Explained

The full Deep Proof for this question — the news angle, the static-dynamic link, the source chapter and an autopsy of every wrong option — lives in the app.

Q5 · Environment · Renewable Energy & Sustainable Infrastructure

With reference to the PM-KUSUM scheme and the concept of agrivoltaics, which have gained attention for promoting sustainable agriculture, consider the following statements:

  1. 1.Component-A of the PM-KUSUM scheme exclusively focuses on providing standalone off-grid solar pumps to individual farmers.
  2. 2.The PM-KUSUM scheme is implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in collaboration with state government agencies.
  3. 3.Agrivoltaics refers to the simultaneous use of land for both solar power generation and agricultural crop production, which can enhance land use efficiency.
  4. 4.A primary advantage of agrivoltaics is that it universally increases the yield of all types of crops grown underneath the solar panels due to the shading effect.

How many of the above statements are correct?

  1. AOnly one
  2. BOnly twoCorrect answer
  3. COnly three
  4. DAll four

Why this answer

Two statements are correct. Statement 2 is correct as the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is the nodal ministry for implementing the PM-KUSUM scheme. Statement 3 is also correct; it accurately defines agrivoltaics as the dual use of land for agriculture and solar energy to improve efficiency. Statement 1 is incorrect because it misidentifies Component-A. Component-A deals with setting up decentralized grid-connected renewable energy power plants, while standalone solar pumps fall under Component-B. Statement 4 is incorrect due to the use of 'universally' and 'all types'. The shading from solar panels can benefit some shade-tolerant crops but may reduce the yield of sun-loving crops; the effect is not universally positive.

The static concept

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme and the concept of Agrivoltaics (dual land use for agriculture and solar energy).

From the news: PM-KUSUM 2.0 announcement likely soon; agrivoltaics to get dedicated component

The full Deep Proof for this question — the news angle, the static-dynamic link, the source chapter and an autopsy of every wrong option — lives in the app.

Q6 · Polity · State Government

Recent proposals concerning the consent of Gram Sabhas for projects in tribal lands have highlighted the evolution of local governance frameworks. In this context, consider the following pairs of committees and their primary recommendations or associations:

  1. 1.Bhuria Committee — Recommended constitutional status for Panchayati Raj Institutions.
  2. 2.Ashok Mehta Committee — Recommended a three-tier Panchayati Raj system.
  3. 3.L.M. Singhvi Committee — Formed the basis for the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996.
  4. 4.Xaxa Committee — Reviewed the implementation of the Forest Rights Act and land alienation issues in tribal areas.

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

  1. AOnly one pairCorrect answer
  2. BOnly two pairs
  3. COnly three pairs
  4. DAll four pairs

Why this answer

Only one pair is correctly matched. - Pair 1 is incorrect: The Bhuria Committee's (1995) recommendations formed the basis for the PESA Act, 1996, extending Panchayati Raj to Scheduled Areas. Constitutional status for PRIs was recommended by the L.M. Singhvi Committee. - Pair 2 is incorrect: The Ashok Mehta Committee (1978) recommended a two-tier Panchayati Raj system. The three-tier system was famously recommended by the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957). - Pair 3 is incorrect: The L.M. Singhvi Committee (1986) recommended providing constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions. The basis for the PESA Act was the Bhuria Committee report. - Pair 4 is correct: The High-Level Committee on Socio-Economic, Health and Educational Status of Tribal Communities, chaired by Virginius Xaxa (2014), extensively reviewed the status of tribal communities, including the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and PESA.

The static concept

Evolution of Panchayati Raj and Tribal Self-Governance: Key Committees and their Recommendations (including PESA Act, 1996 and Forest Rights Act, 2006).

From the news: Perilous retreat: On gram sabhas, tribal land issues

The full Deep Proof for this question — the news angle, the static-dynamic link, the source chapter and an autopsy of every wrong option — lives in the app.

Q7 · International Relations · Geopolitical Conflicts & Regional Crises

Assertion (A): Geopolitical instability in West Asia poses a systemic threat to global energy security and maritime trade routes.

Reason (R): This is because the region controls three of the world's most strategic maritime chokepoints for oil and gas transit: the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, and the Strait of Malacca.

  1. ABoth Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
  2. BBoth Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
  3. CAssertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.Correct answer
  4. DAssertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Why this answer

Assertion (A) is correct. West Asia is home to major oil and gas producers, and key maritime routes like the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea/Suez Canal pass through it. Instability, such as conflicts involving Iran or disruptions by groups like the Houthis, directly threatens the flow of a significant portion of the world's energy supplies and trade. Reason (R) is incorrect because it misplaces a key chokepoint. While the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait are indeed in West Asia, the Strait of Malacca is located in Southeast Asia, between the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Therefore, the assertion is true, but the reason provided is factually flawed.

The static concept

Geopolitical significance of maritime chokepoints (Strait of Hormuz, Bab-el-Mandeb, Strait of Malacca) and their impact on global trade and energy security.

From the news: Dangerous phase: on the crisis in West Asia

The full Deep Proof for this question — the news angle, the static-dynamic link, the source chapter and an autopsy of every wrong option — lives in the app.