UPSC Prelims Practice
Current Affairs Quiz 27 May 2026
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14 questions based on today’s current affairs & editorials
14 MCQs
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Question 1 of 14
The Supreme Court bench that upheld the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls on May 27, 2026 was led by:
FACT: The verdict on May 27, 2026 was delivered by a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi. ANALYSIS: The Court upheld ECI’s power to undertake SIR under Article 324, while imposing procedural safeguards (reasoned notice, hearing, appellate remedy).
📝 Concept Note
CJI succession timeline: D.Y. Chandrachud (Nov 9, 2022 – Nov 10, 2024) → Sanjiv Khanna (Nov 11, 2024 – May 13, 2025) → B.R. Gavai (May 14, 2025 – Nov 23, 2025) → Surya Kant (Nov 24, 2025 onwards).
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 (constitutional bodies, judiciary). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | Article 324, electoral roll purity vs franchise inclusion. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing SIR with NRC — SIR is electoral, not citizenship-determining (though may examine citizenship for roll purposes). |
| 📌 Exam Tip | ** Article 324 is plenary but bounded by natural justice. |
Question 2 of 14
Under the GST regime upheld by the Supreme Court on May 27, 2026 for online money gaming, the 28% rate applies on:
FACT: The amended GST regime (effective October 1, 2023, under the CGST Amendment Act 2023) levies 28% on the full face value of bets/deposits — not on GGR. ANALYSIS: The SC held that the skill-vs-chance distinction is irrelevant once money is staked on an uncertain outcome; the tax is valid under Article 246A.
📝 Concept Note
The verdict bench was Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan. Pre-amendment (until Sept 30, 2023), the rate was 18% on platform commission, and games of skill were taxed lower than games of chance.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 (taxation, digital economy). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | Article 246A, GST Council, face value vs GGR. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | thinking GST is only at 18% on online gaming — that’s the pre-Oct 2023 regime. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | ** GST Council recommendations are persuasive but tax power flows from Article 246A directly. |
Question 3 of 14
The SARTHAK-PDS scheme approved by the Union Cabinet on May 27, 2026 has a central outlay of:
FACT: SARTHAK-PDS — “Scheme for Assistance in Ration Transport and Handling — Income with Automation in PDS” — has a central outlay of ₹25,530 crore for the period April 2026 to March 2031. ANALYSIS: It merges the Intra-State Movement of Foodgrains scheme with SMART-PDS, deploying AI/ML/NLP/Blockchain to modernise the PDS.
📝 Concept Note
The Public Distribution System operates under the National Food Security Act, 2013, covering ~81 crore beneficiaries (75% rural + 50% urban). PMGKAY provides free foodgrains through December 31, 2028.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 (welfare schemes), GS3 (food security, technology in governance). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | leakage plugging, last-mile delivery, ONORC portability. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing SARTHAK-PDS (modernisation) with PMGKAY (free foodgrains). |
| 📌 Exam Tip | ** Shanta Kumar Committee 2015 estimated PDS leakage at ~46%. |
Question 4 of 14
As per Cushman & Wakefield’s Global Data Center Market Comparison 2026, India’s operational data centre capacity is:
FACT: India’s operational data centre capacity is 1.6 GW, placing it 2nd in the Asia-Pacific region after mainland China. An additional 3.1 GW is under construction or planned.
ANALYSIS: Despite this scale, India remains structurally underpenetrated at ~9.43 lakh people per MW — among the lowest densities globally.
ANALYSIS: Despite this scale, India remains structurally underpenetrated at ~9.43 lakh people per MW — among the lowest densities globally.
📝 Concept Note
The six key Indian DC markets are Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune. Mumbai is projected to cross 1 GW operational capacity by end-2026 — India’s first gigawatt-scale DC hub.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 (digital infrastructure, AI). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | data localisation, AI compute sovereignty, hyperscaler. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing operational capacity (1.6 GW) with total pipeline (4.7 GW). |
| 📌 Exam Tip | ** Data centres are now treated as critical infrastructure under NCIIPC (under NTRO, IT Act Section 70A). |
Question 5 of 14
India has become the 7th nation to master Gallium Nitride (GaN) Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit technology, developed by:
FACT: GaN MMICs were indigenously developed by DRDO’s Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL), Delhi, with support from Hyderabad-based facilities. ANALYSIS: This places India in a 7-nation club with the USA, France, Russia, Germany, South Korea and China.
The breakthrough followed France’s refusal to transfer GaN under the Rafale 2016 offset clause.
The breakthrough followed France’s refusal to transfer GaN under the Rafale 2016 offset clause.
📝 Concept Note
SSPL was established as a DRDO laboratory in 1962/renamed 1986. GaN is a wide-bandgap semiconductor (3.4 eV vs Silicon’s 1.1 eV), enabling AESA radars, EW suites, satellite communications and 5G/6G base stations.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 (S&T, defence indigenisation). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | compound semiconductors, wide-bandgap, Atmanirbhar Bharat. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing GaN with Silicon Carbide (SiC) — both are wide-bandgap, but GaN dominates RF/microwave; SiC dominates power electronics. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | ** ISM (₹76,000 crore, Dec 2021) primarily funds Silicon fabs; a Compound Semiconductor Mission is separately being mooted. |
Question 6 of 14
The Long-tailed Duskhawker dragonfly (Gynacantha khasiaca), rediscovered in May 2026 after 110 years, belongs to which family?
FACT: Gynacantha khasiaca belongs to the family Aeshnidae (hawker dragonflies), order Odonata. ANALYSIS: It was described by Robert McLachlan in 1896 from the Khasi Hills (hence khasiaca) and is IUCN Data Deficient.
The rediscovery in Namdapha Tiger Reserve fills a 110-year gap since the 1914 Abor Expedition.
The rediscovery in Namdapha Tiger Reserve fills a 110-year gap since the 1914 Abor Expedition.
📝 Concept Note
Namdapha Tiger Reserve was declared in 1983, covers ~1,985 km² core area, and is the only Indian protected area hosting all four big cats — tiger, common leopard, clouded leopard and snow leopard. It lies within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 (biodiversity hotspots, IUCN). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | Indo-Burma hotspot, bio-indicators, citizen science. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing Aeshnidae (hawkers) with Libellulidae (skimmers — the most species-rich dragonfly family). |
| 📌 Exam Tip | ** India has ~500 odonate species; ~70 are endemic. |
Question 7 of 14
May 27 marks the death anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. He served as Prime Minister of India from August 15, 1947 to May 27, 1964 — a tenure of approximately:
FACT: Nehru’s PM tenure was August 15, 1947 to May 27, 1964 — 16 years and 286 days, the longest unbroken PM tenure in Indian history. ANALYSIS: His tenure spanned four general elections (1952, 1957, 1962) and shaped post-independence institution-building.
📝 Concept Note
Nehru was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1955 while in office. His major writings — Glimpses of World History (1934), An Autobiography (1936), The Discovery of India (1946) — were largely composed in British prisons.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS1 (modern history), GS2 (institutional architecture). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | Nehruvian consensus, scientific temper, non-alignment. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing Indira Gandhi’s tenure with Nehru’s — Indira had two non-continuous tenures (1966–77, 1980–84). |
| 📌 Exam Tip | ** Scientific temper became a Fundamental Duty (Art 51A(h)) via the 42nd Amendment, 1976. |
Question 8 of 14
The constitutional power for the GST levy on online gaming (and indeed all GST) is derived from:
FACT: Article 246A — inserted by the 101st Constitutional Amendment, 2016 — confers concurrent power on Parliament and State Legislatures to make laws with respect to GST. ANALYSIS: This is a “special provision” overriding Articles 246 and 254 in the GST domain. Article 279A establishes the GST Council.
📝 Concept Note
Article 269A deals specifically with Integrated GST (IGST) on inter-state supplies; Article 270 deals with distribution of tax revenue between Centre and States.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 (federalism), GS3 (taxation). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | concurrent power, GST Council, fiscal federalism. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing Article 246A (GST law-making) with Article 279A (GST Council). |
| 📌 Exam Tip | ** GST Council recommendations are persuasive — Mohit Minerals (2022) confirmed they are not binding on Parliament/States. |
Question 9 of 14
The Election Commission of India’s power to prepare and revise electoral rolls flows primarily from:
FACT: Article 324 vests superintendence, direction and control of elections — including the preparation of electoral rolls — in the Election Commission of India. ANALYSIS: This is operationalised through the Representation of the People Act, 1950 (roll preparation) and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
📝 Concept Note
Article 326 lays down adult suffrage (citizens ≥18 years). Articles 327 and 328 empower Parliament and State Legislatures respectively to make laws regulating elections.
Voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 by the 61st Amendment, 1988.
Voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 by the 61st Amendment, 1988.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 (constitutional bodies). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | plenary power, judicial review of ECI, electoral roll. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing Articles 324 (ECI power) and 326 (suffrage qualification). |
| 📌 Exam Tip | ** PUCL v. Union of India (2003) held the right to vote is statutory/constitutional but not a fundamental right. |
Question 10 of 14
The National Food Security Act, 2013, the statutory anchor for SARTHAK-PDS, entitles which category of beneficiaries to 35 kg of foodgrains per family per month?
FACT: Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households are entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains per family per month under the NFSA, 2013. ANALYSIS: Priority Households (PHH) — the larger category — are entitled to 5 kg/person/month.
Both categories receive foodgrains free under PMGKAY through December 31, 2028.
Both categories receive foodgrains free under PMGKAY through December 31, 2028.
📝 Concept Note
NFSA covers ~81 crore Indians (~75% rural and ~50% urban population). The Act was passed in September 2013 under the UPA-2 government.
PMGKAY was launched in April 2020 during COVID-19 and has been periodically extended.
PMGKAY was launched in April 2020 during COVID-19 and has been periodically extended.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 (welfare schemes), GS3 (food security). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | AAY, PHH, ONORC, leakage. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing AAY (per family) with PHH (per person) entitlement. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | ** Shanta Kumar Committee 2015 had recommended trimming NFSA coverage from 67% to 40%. |
Question 11 of 14
Which of the following is NOT among the six key data centre markets in India identified by Cushman & Wakefield 2026?
FACT: The six key Indian data centre markets are Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune. Kolkata is not in this list.
ANALYSIS: The clustering reflects submarine cable landings (Mumbai, Chennai), tech-talent and hyperscaler demand (Bengaluru, Hyderabad), government/BFSI demand (Delhi NCR), and Mumbai overflow (Pune).
ANALYSIS: The clustering reflects submarine cable landings (Mumbai, Chennai), tech-talent and hyperscaler demand (Bengaluru, Hyderabad), government/BFSI demand (Delhi NCR), and Mumbai overflow (Pune).
📝 Concept Note
Submarine cables landing in India include 2Africa, SEA-ME-WE 6, MIST, and IAX/IEX — mostly converging on Mumbai and Chennai. State-level data-centre policies are active in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 (digital infrastructure). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | hyperscaler, submarine cable, DC policy. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | assuming Kolkata is a major DC hub because of its size — it has historically lagged in subsea connectivity. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | ** AI workloads need 40–100+ kW per rack vs 5–10 kW for traditional cloud — explaining the GW-scale builds. |
Question 12 of 14
The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was formally founded at which summit, in which Nehru was a key founding figure?
FACT: The Non-Aligned Movement was formally founded at the First NAM Summit in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in September 1961. ANALYSIS: The five founding figures were Jawaharlal Nehru (India), Josip Broz Tito (Yugoslavia), Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt), Sukarno (Indonesia) and Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana).
The Bandung Conference (April 1955) was a precursor — the Afro-Asian Conference — but NAM as a movement was crystallised at Belgrade.
The Bandung Conference (April 1955) was a precursor — the Afro-Asian Conference — but NAM as a movement was crystallised at Belgrade.
📝 Concept Note
India currently follows a doctrine of strategic autonomy / multi-alignment — engaging the Quad, SCO and BRICS simultaneously. NAM has ~120 member states today.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS1 (post-independence history), GS2 (IR). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | non-alignment, multi-alignment, strategic autonomy. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing Bandung 1955 (Afro-Asian, precursor) with Belgrade 1961 (NAM founding). |
| 📌 Exam Tip | ** Panchsheel (April 29, 1954) was the principles framework that anticipated NAM. |
Question 13 of 14
Gallium Nitride (GaN), the wide-bandgap semiconductor mastered by India in 2026, has a bandgap of approximately:
FACT: GaN has a bandgap of approximately 3.4 eV, compared to Silicon’s 1.1 eV and Gallium Arsenide’s 1.4 eV. ANALYSIS: The wider bandgap allows GaN devices to operate at higher voltages, temperatures and switching frequencies — making them ideal for high-power RF, radar and 5G/6G applications.
📝 Concept Note
Diamond (~5.5 eV) is an “ultra-wide bandgap” material under research. The other major wide-bandgap semiconductor is Silicon Carbide (SiC, ~3.3 eV) — dominant in EV power electronics.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 (S&T, semiconductors). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | wide-bandgap, RF electronics, AESA. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing GaN (RF/microwave) with SiC (power electronics) applications. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | ** India’s 7-nation club is unique — China and the US dominate Silicon, but compound semiconductors are still concentrated among a few nations. |
Question 14 of 14
Namdapha Tiger Reserve — site of the May 2026 dragonfly rediscovery — is notable for hosting how many big cat species?
FACT: Namdapha Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh is the only Indian protected area hosting all four big cats — tiger, common leopard, clouded leopard and snow leopard — owing to its extraordinary altitudinal range (200 m to 4,571 m). ANALYSIS: It was declared both a National Park and Tiger Reserve in 1983 and lies in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.
📝 Concept Note
Other Namdapha specialities include the Mishmi takin, red panda, hoolock gibbon (India’s only ape) and Namdapha flying squirrel. Major tribal communities: Lisu, Chakma and Tangsa.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 (biodiversity, conservation). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | Indo-Burma hotspot, altitudinal gradient, big cats. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | thinking the Himalayan Wildlife Sanctuary or Hemis NP host all four — only Namdapha does. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | ** India’s 4 biodiversity hotspots: Western Ghats, Eastern Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Sundaland (Nicobar). |
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