Daily Current Affairs Quiz for UPSC Prelims 2027 — 12 September 2026

Recent incidents of human-elephant conflict have brought focus on conservation efforts. In this context, which of the following statements best describes the primary objectives of Project Elephant?

Why this answer

The correct option accurately summarizes the three-pronged strategy of Project Elephant, launched in 1992. Its objectives are to protect elephants, their habitats, and migration corridors; to address and mitigate human-elephant conflict; and to ensure the welfare of elephants in captivity. The option mentioning exclusive focus on translocation is incorrect as translocation is only one of many management tools. The option regarding CITES is an incorrect attribution; while India is a signatory, Project Elephant is a domestic conservation scheme, not the primary body for implementing CITES. The option about a uniform central compensation scheme is also incorrect, as compensation for wildlife damage is paid by States/UTs according to their own norms, with the Centre providing broader financial assistance for wildlife management.

The static concept

Project Elephant: Objectives, implementation, and its role in mitigating human-wildlife conflict as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

Recent state-level initiatives leveraging AI for grievance redressal highlight the broader national framework for citizen-centric governance. In this context, which of the following statements most accurately describes the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS)?

Why this answer

The correct statement accurately identifies the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG) as the nodal agency for CPGRAMS and correctly defines its scope. CPGRAMS is an online platform for citizens to lodge grievances with Central Government bodies, and it also connects to State Governments. The statement about its launch under the Digital India mission is incorrect; CPGRAMS was created in 2007, well before the Digital India launch in 2015, and is managed by DARPG, not MeitY. The claim that it is an 'exclusive' system that has 'superseded' state portals is false; it co-exists with and links to state-level systems. Finally, while AI is being integrated into CPGRAMS, it is for functions like routing and analysis, not for making final, automated decisions, and the reference to a mandate under NITI Aayog's strategy is inaccurate.

The static concept

E-governance: Models, applications, successes, limitations, and potential. Citizen Charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.

With reference to the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) developed for India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, which one of the following statements most accurately describes its core design and operational principle?

Why this answer

The correct statement accurately describes the ECLSS for Gaganyaan as an open-loop system. For short-duration missions (3 days in a 400 km Low Earth Orbit), it is more practical to carry all necessary supplies like oxygen and water from Earth and store waste, rather than incorporating complex recycling systems. The other options are incorrect. The system is not a closed-loop regenerative one like on the ISS, which is designed for long-term habitation. The ECLSS is indigenously developed by ISRO's VSSC, not based on foreign technology transfer. Finally, it uses disposable lithium hydroxide (LiOH) canisters to remove carbon dioxide, not a complex Sabatier reactor.

The static concept

Human Spaceflight: Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) principles, specifically the distinction between Open-Loop and Closed-Loop systems in space missions.

Recent discussions on 'brain drain' and research funding have highlighted the importance of human capital. In this context, consider the following statements regarding human capital and R&D in India:

1. 1.Human capital formation involves investment in education, health, and on-the-job training to enhance the productive capacity of the population.
2. 2.In India, the Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) as a percentage of GDP has remained below 1% for over a decade.
3. 3.The phenomenon of 'brain drain' results in a decrease in a country's stock of physical capital.
4. 4.A key feature of India's R&D expenditure is the dominant contribution from the private sector, which surpasses the contribution from the government.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Why this answer

Statements 1 and 2 are correct, making 'Only two' the right answer. Statement 1 correctly defines human capital formation as the process of investing in people's education, health, and skills to boost productivity. Statement 2 is also correct; India's Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) has stagnated at around 0.6-0.7% of GDP for many years, well below the 1% mark. Statement 3 is incorrect because 'brain drain' refers to the emigration of highly skilled individuals, which is a loss of human capital, not physical capital (like machinery or infrastructure). Statement 4 is incorrect as the government sector is the dominant contributor to R&D in India. The private sector's contribution is relatively low (around 36%) compared to developed economies where it often exceeds 65-70%.

The static concept

Human Capital Formation and its role in Economic Development, including factors like R&D expenditure and 'brain drain'.

Recent high-level diplomatic engagements, such as at the BRICS summit, have highlighted the role of various multilateral fora in global governance. Consider the following pairs:

1. 1.New Development Bank — Financing infrastructure and sustainable development projects
2. 2.G4 Nations — Seeking permanent membership in the UN Security Council
3. 3.Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) — Collective security and economic cooperation in Eurasia
4. 4.IBSA Dialogue Forum — Promoting military alliance among India, Brazil, and South Africa

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Why this answer

Three out of the four pairs are correctly matched. 1. New Development Bank: This is correct. The NDB was established by the BRICS states to finance infrastructure and sustainable development projects in member countries and other emerging economies. 2. G4 Nations: This is correct. The G4 is a grouping of Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan, which mutually support one another's bids for permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council. 3. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO): This is correct. The SCO is a Eurasian political, economic, and security organization. Its main goals include strengthening mutual trust, promoting cooperation in various fields including security and economy. 4. IBSA Dialogue Forum: This is incorrect. IBSA is a trilateral developmental initiative among India, Brazil, and South Africa to promote South-South cooperation and exchange. It is not a military alliance.

The static concept

Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

Recent conflicts between judicial directives on land use near national highways and state-specific implementation challenges have highlighted the complexities of federalism and property rights. In this context, consider the following statements:

1. 1.The 44th Amendment Act, 1978, made the Right to Property a constitutional right, which can be restricted by a mere executive order without legislative backing.
2. 2.While 'National Highways' is a subject in the Union List, 'Land' falls under the State List, requiring coordination between the Centre and States for acquisition.
3. 3.The Supreme Court can issue directives under Article 142 to do 'complete justice', which can have the effect of law until Parliament legislates on the matter.
4. 4.Compensation for land acquired for a public purpose under the authority of a law is a constitutional obligation derived from judicial interpretation of Article 300A.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Why this answer

Three statements are correct. Statement 1 is incorrect. Article 300A states that no person shall be deprived of his property 'save by authority of law'. The Supreme Court has clarified this means a law passed by a legislature, not a mere executive order. Statement 2 is correct. 'National highways' are under Union List (Entry 23), but 'Land' is under State List (Entry 18), creating a classic federalism scenario where the Centre needs state cooperation for land acquisition. Statement 3 is correct. Article 142 of the Constitution confers extraordinary power upon the Supreme Court to pass such decrees or orders as are necessary for doing 'complete justice' in any cause or matter pending before it. Statement 4 is correct. While Article 300A does not explicitly mention 'compensation', the Supreme Court in cases like K.T. Plantation Pvt. Ltd. v. State of Karnataka (2011) has held that the right to claim compensation is an inherent part of a just law for property acquisition under this article.

The static concept

Federalism: Division of powers under the Seventh Schedule, Centre-State administrative relations, and the role of the judiciary in mediating disputes. Also linked to Article 300A (Right to Property).

The unique physiography of certain states, characterized by high population density along narrow coastal plains and major hill ranges, often complicates the uniform application of national infrastructure norms. In this context, consider the following pairs:

1. 1.Cardamom Hills — Confluence of the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats
2. 2.Maikal Range — Forms the watershed between the Narmada and Godavari rivers
3. 3.Javadi Hills — A continuous range forming the eastern flank of the Deccan Plateau
4. 4.Anamudi Peak — The highest point of the Nilgiri Hills

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Why this answer

The correct answer is 'None' as all four pairs are incorrectly matched. 1. **Cardamom Hills:** This pair is incorrect. The Cardamom Hills are the southernmost part of the Western Ghats. It is the Nilgiri Hills that are located at the confluence of the Western and Eastern Ghats. 2. **Maikal Range:** This pair is incorrect. The Maikal Range, an eastern part of the Satpuras, forms a watershed between the Narmada and Son river systems (flowing west and north) and the Mahanadi river system (flowing east). The Godavari river originates much further south in the Western Ghats near Trimbakeshwar. 3. **Javadi Hills:** This pair is incorrect. The Javadi Hills are part of the Eastern Ghats, which are famously not a continuous range. They are highly eroded and broken into discontinuous hills by major peninsular rivers like the Godavari and Krishna. 4. **Anamudi Peak:** This pair is incorrect. Anamudi Peak, the highest in the Western Ghats and South India, is located in the Annamalai Hills. The highest peak of the Nilgiri Hills is Doddabetta.

The static concept

Physiography of Peninsular India, including the location and characteristics of major hill ranges, peaks, and plateaus.

Why this answer

Assertion (A) is true. Raimona National Park, Assam's sixth national park, is strategically located and forms a contiguous forest patch with Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal to its west and Phipsoo Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhutan to its north. This connectivity is crucial for the movement of large animals like elephants, making it a vital transboundary landscape. Reason (R) is false. Raimona National Park is located in western Assam, whereas Namdapha National Park is in the eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh. They are geographically distant and do not form a contiguous landscape. Therefore, A is true, but R is false.

The static concept

Protected Areas Network in India: National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and their role as wildlife corridors for megafauna.

Why this answer

Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false. The Assertion accurately reflects India's policy focus. The government is actively fostering a 'deep-tech' ecosystem through initiatives like the draft National Deep Tech Startup Policy, Atal Innovation Mission, and events such as the 'Bharat Innovates Exposition'. These startups tackle complex problems and often require long-term R&D. The Reason (R) is false because it mischaracterizes India's relationship with BRICS. While India collaborates with BRICS on science and technology, this cooperation is a partnership, not a binding 'mandate'. India's national research priorities are driven by its own strategic interests and domestic needs, not dictated exclusively by any single international bloc's roadmap.

The static concept

Science, Technology & Innovation Policy (STIP) and the National Innovation Ecosystem, including the role of international collaborations in promoting deep-tech startups.