Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC Prelims
Q1. While hearing the pleas on police action during the NEET protests, the Supreme Court issued certain interim directions. Consider the following:
1. Preservation of CCTV footage, drone recordings, body-camera footage and wireless communications
2. Release of all arrested persons below 18 years of age who have no criminal antecedents
3. Protection of the digital data of protesters from public disclosure
4. Immediate constitution of a Special Investigation Team, with its composition and members named by the Court in the same order
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- Preservation of CCTV footage, drone recordings, body-camera footage and wireless communications
- Release of all arrested persons below 18 years of age who have no criminal antecedents
- Protection of the digital data of protesters from public disclosure
- Immediate constitution of a Special Investigation Team, with its composition and members named by the Court in the same order
- A. 1 and 3 only
- B. 1, 2 and 3
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 2 and 4
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the litigation arising from the 2026 NEET protests:
1. Two petitions on alleged police excesses were taken up by the Supreme Court, while three separate petitions arising from the same demonstrations were before the Delhi High Court.
2. Before the Delhi High Court, the Centre defended continuous police videography of the Jantar Mantar protest site as a routine law-and-order measure.
3. The Delhi High Court entertained a public interest litigation seeking a National Investigation Agency probe into the protests.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Two petitions on alleged police excesses were taken up by the Supreme Court, while three separate petitions arising from the same demonstrations were before the Delhi High Court.
- Before the Delhi High Court, the Centre defended continuous police videography of the Jantar Mantar protest site as a routine law-and-order measure.
- The Delhi High Court entertained a public interest litigation seeking a National Investigation Agency probe into the protests.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q3. On July 20, 2026, the Rapid Action Force fired less-lethal munitions in New Delhi under the direction of an officer of which one of the following?
- A. A Deputy Commissioner of Police rank officer of the Delhi Police
- B. The Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force
- C. An Executive Magistrate deputed by the Government of NCT of Delhi
- D. The Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), Delhi Police
Q4. According to the general diary entry recorded at the Parliament Street police station, how many rounds of plastic pellets did the Rapid Action Force fire during the march in New Delhi on July 20, 2026?
- A. Two rounds
- B. Five rounds
- C. Fifteen rounds
- D. Fifty-five rounds
Q5. Which one of the following agencies was entrusted by the Union Government with the lead investigation into the alleged leak that led to the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026?
- A. The Special Operations Group of the Rajasthan Police
- B. The Central Bureau of Investigation
- C. The National Investigation Agency
- D. The Enforcement Directorate
Q6. Approximately how many candidates had registered for the NEET-UG 2026 examination that was subsequently cancelled by the National Testing Agency?
- A. About 8 lakh candidates registered across the country
- B. About 14 lakh candidates registered across the country
- C. More than 22 lakh candidates registered across the country
- D. More than 40 lakh candidates registered across the country
Q7. Among the reliefs pressed by the petitioners whose pleas the Supreme Court took up in July 2026, the lead relief sought was:
- A. A court-monitored independent investigation into the events of the march to Parliament
- B. The framing of uniform nationwide guidelines regulating police action during public protests
- C. A bar on the deployment of personnel in plain clothes for crowd-control duty
- D. The quashing of repeatedly issued prohibitory orders under the new criminal procedure law
Q8. Consider the following statements regarding the Supreme Court's handling of pleas arising from the July 2026 protests over examination paper leaks:
1. On 22 July 2026, the Chief Justice-led Bench declined the request for urgent listing of a plea against police action at the Cockroach Janata Party's march, refusing to view video material at the mentioning stage.
2. On 27 July 2026, the same Bench agreed to hear the related petitions together and observed that mere agitation cannot justify police excess, calling for a clear and uniform protocol to manage protests across the country.
3. At the hearing, the petitioners seeking nationwide guidelines were represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, while the Union Government was represented by Senior Advocate Vikas Singh.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- On 22 July 2026, the Chief Justice-led Bench declined the request for urgent listing of a plea against police action at the Cockroach Janata Party's march, refusing to view video material at the mentioning stage.
- On 27 July 2026, the same Bench agreed to hear the related petitions together and observed that mere agitation cannot justify police excess, calling for a clear and uniform protocol to manage protests across the country.
- At the hearing, the petitioners seeking nationwide guidelines were represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, while the Union Government was represented by Senior Advocate Vikas Singh.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 1 and 3 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q9. The Supreme Court Bench which, on 27 July 2026, decided to hear together the petitions alleging police excesses during protests and called for a uniform nationwide protocol, was headed by:
- A. Justice Joymalya Bagchi
- B. Justice V. Mohana
- C. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union of India
- D. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
Q10. The Government of India's dialogue with the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance on statehood and Sixth Schedule demands has been conducted through a High-Powered Committee constituted under which one of the following ministries?
- A. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs
- B. The Ministry of Home Affairs
- C. The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
- D. The Ministry of Culture
Q11. Consider the following statements about Sonam Wangchuk's recent protests:
1. The September 2025 fast in Leh was launched under the banner of the Leh Apex Body.
2. He was released after the preventive-detention order against him was revoked in the first half of 2026.
3. The protest he began in June 2026 was an indefinite fast.
4. In 2025 he was detained under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The September 2025 fast in Leh was launched under the banner of the Leh Apex Body.
- He was released after the preventive-detention order against him was revoked in the first half of 2026.
- The protest he began in June 2026 was an indefinite fast.
- In 2025 he was detained under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1, 2 and 4
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1 and 3 only
Q12. With reference to the 2025–2026 sequence of Sonam Wangchuk's protests, consider the following statements:
1. He joined a 35-day hunger strike in Leh in September 2025 as part of the Leh Apex Body's agitation.
2. He was detained under the National Security Act following the September 2025 protests in Ladakh.
3. His detention under that Act was revoked in early 2026.
4. In June 2026 he resumed an indefinite fast at the Jantar Mantar ground in Leh.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?
- He joined a 35-day hunger strike in Leh in September 2025 as part of the Leh Apex Body's agitation.
- He was detained under the National Security Act following the September 2025 protests in Ladakh.
- His detention under that Act was revoked in early 2026.
- In June 2026 he resumed an indefinite fast at the Jantar Mantar ground in Leh.
- A. 1 only
- B. 2 only
- C. 3 only
- D. 4 only
Q13. The 2026 Monsoon Session of Parliament was held from 20 July to 13 August 2026. How many sittings did it comprise?
Q14. With reference to Karnataka's 2024 pursuit of Central drought-relief funds, consider the following statements:
1. Karnataka sought over ₹18,000 crore from the NDRF for drought management.
2. The Centre released ₹3,454 crore under the NDRF for Karnataka's drought relief.
3. Karnataka's petition for release of drought funds was filed before the Supreme Court.
4. The funds were released only after the Karnataka High Court directed the Union government to do so.
Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified?
- Karnataka sought over ₹18,000 crore from the NDRF for drought management.
- The Centre released ₹3,454 crore under the NDRF for Karnataka's drought relief.
- Karnataka's petition for release of drought funds was filed before the Supreme Court.
- The funds were released only after the Karnataka High Court directed the Union government to do so.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 4 only
- C. 3 and 4 only
- D. 2 only
Q15. With reference to Karnataka's demand for Central drought relief following the Kharif 2023 drought, consider the following statements:
1. For the Kharif 2023 season, Karnataka declared 223 of its 236 taluks as drought-affected.
2. Karnataka approached the Supreme Court seeking release of funds from the National Disaster Response Fund.
3. The Centre released the entire amount that Karnataka had sought under the NDRF.
4. All 236 taluks of Karnataka were categorised as severely drought-affected.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- For the Kharif 2023 season, Karnataka declared 223 of its 236 taluks as drought-affected.
- Karnataka approached the Supreme Court seeking release of funds from the National Disaster Response Fund.
- The Centre released the entire amount that Karnataka had sought under the NDRF.
- All 236 taluks of Karnataka were categorised as severely drought-affected.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1, 2 and 4 only
- D. 3 and 4 only
Q16. With reference to the meeting of Karnataka MPs convened in New Delhi in July 2026 to press the State's demands on the Centre, consider the following statements:
1. It was convened at Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi.
2. It was held during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, 2026.
3. It was presided over by the KPCC president, B.K. Hariprasad, in place of the Chief Minister.
4. Its immediate trigger was the drought situation in Karnataka.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- It was convened at Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi.
- It was held during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, 2026.
- It was presided over by the KPCC president, B.K. Hariprasad, in place of the Chief Minister.
- Its immediate trigger was the drought situation in Karnataka.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 1, 2 and 4 only
- C. 2, 3 and 4 only
- D. 1, 3 and 4 only
Q17. In the NEET-UG 2026 case, the identified 'kingpin' had access to the question papers by virtue of his role in the examination process of which body?
- A. The Central Board of Secondary Education
- B. The National Testing Agency
- C. The University Grants Commission
- D. The National Medical Commission
Q18. Besides its chairperson, how many members were named to the high-powered task force on examination reforms announced in July 2026?
- A. Four
- B. Five
- C. Six
- D. Seven
Q19. The high-powered task force constituted in July 2026 to recommend a leak-proof, technology-driven national examination system is chaired by whom?
- A. Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys
- B. S. Somanath, former Chairman of ISRO
- C. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras
- D. Tapan Deka, former Director of the Intelligence Bureau
Q20. Shri Jayant Chaudhary, the Union Minister of State for Education, simultaneously holds Independent Charge of which one of the following Ministries?
- A. Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
- B. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
- C. Ministry of Women and Child Development
- D. Ministry of Rural Development
Q21. During his 2019–2024 tenure, Shri Pralhad Joshi simultaneously held how many Union portfolios?
- A. Two
- B. Three
- C. Four
- D. Five
Q22. Before assuming charge of the Ministry of Education, Shri Pralhad Joshi had served (2019–2024) as the Union Minister of which one of the following combinations of portfolios?
- A. Steel, Mines and Labour and Employment
- B. Petroleum and Natural Gas
- C. Power and Heavy Industries
- D. Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs
Q23. Including the Ministry of Education, how many distinct Union Ministries did Shri Pralhad Joshi hold charge of upon assuming the education portfolio on 26 July 2026?
- A. Two
- B. Three
- C. Four
- D. Five
Q24. Consider the following Union Ministries:
1. Ministry of Education
2. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
3. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
4. Ministry of Coal
Which of the above are correctly identified as portfolios held by Shri Pralhad Joshi as of 26 July 2026?
- Ministry of Education
- Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
- Ministry of Coal
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2, 3 and 4 only
- C. 1, 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q25. According to the July 2026 assessment of Jammu & Kashmir, the recurring pattern of short-duration, high-intensity cloudburst events through June–July 2026 was observed across how many named districts/locations of the region?
- A. Three
- B. Four
- C. Five
- D. Seven
Q26. Regarding rainfall recorded across Jammu & Kashmir during July 19–24, 2026, consider the following:
1. Reasi recorded the highest rainfall in the Union Territory, at 473.2 mm.
2. Kulgam recorded the highest cumulative rainfall within the Kashmir Valley.
3. Udhampur recorded the second-highest rainfall in the Union Territory, at about 417 mm.
4. Srinagar recorded the highest rainfall in the entire Union Territory, at about 473 mm.
Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?
- Reasi recorded the highest rainfall in the Union Territory, at 473.2 mm.
- Kulgam recorded the highest cumulative rainfall within the Kashmir Valley.
- Udhampur recorded the second-highest rainfall in the Union Territory, at about 417 mm.
- Srinagar recorded the highest rainfall in the entire Union Territory, at about 473 mm.
- A. 1 and 4
- B. 2 and 4
- C. 1, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q27. Which one of the following was the designated nodal agency responsible for issuing rainfall forecasts and weather warnings for the Kashmir Valley during the July 2026 floods?
- A. The Central Water Commission, the sole authority for all weather forecasting in India
- B. The National Remote Sensing Centre, which alone issues every rainfall alert in the Himalayas
- C. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Srinagar
- D. The National Disaster Management Authority, the exclusive forecaster of monsoon rainfall
Q28. According to the Union Minister's July 2026 Lok Sabha reply, how many dry-port proposals — including Sri City and Chityala — are currently under active consideration by the Inter-Ministerial Committee?
- A. Eight
- B. Nine
- C. Seventeen
- D. Twenty-one
Q29. With reference to the Union Minister's July 2026 Lok Sabha reply on dry ports, consider the following statements:
1. As of the reply, the IMC had already approved eight dry-port proposals.
2. Fatehpur (Telangana) is among the dry ports already approved by the IMC.
3. Sri City and Chityala have already been approved by the IMC as dry ports.
4. Nine further proposals, including Sri City and Chityala, are under active consideration.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?
- As of the reply, the IMC had already approved eight dry-port proposals.
- Fatehpur (Telangana) is among the dry ports already approved by the IMC.
- Sri City and Chityala have already been approved by the IMC as dry ports.
- Nine further proposals, including Sri City and Chityala, are under active consideration.
- A. 1 and 2
- B. 3 only
- C. 3 and 4
- D. 2 only
Q30. In the CBI investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 paper-leak case, how many accused had been arrested by the time the alleged kingpin was apprehended in May 2026?
- A. Three
- B. Five
- C. Seven
- D. Ten