UPSC Prelims Practice
Current Affairs Quiz 19 June 2026
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14 questions based on today’s current affairs & editorials
14 MCQs
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Question 1 of 14
With reference to Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, consider the legal basis on which the Centre restricted Telegram in June 2026. Which statement is most accurate?
FACT: The Delhi HC upheld the temporary Telegram restriction under Section 69A and held that the blocking power can extend to a whole platform, calling it the least restrictive measure. ANALYSIS: It relied on the proportionality test from Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India (2020).
📝 Concept Note
Section 69A empowers the Central Government (executive) to block public access on grounds like security of the State and public order, following the IT (Blocking) Rules, 2009. Safe harbour for intermediaries is Section 79, a separate provision.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 (polity, fundamental rights). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | proportionality, free speech, intermediary regulation. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing Section 69A (blocking) with Section 79 (safe harbour). |
| 📌 Exam Tip | 69A = block; 79 = safe harbour; 66A was struck down in Shreya Singhal. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** when is a platform-wide block justified? |
Question 2 of 14
The UAE decision of June 2026 on minors and social media is best described as which of the following?
FACT: The UAE Cabinet barred under-15s from creating or operating personal social-media accounts and mandated AI and biometric age verification, rejecting self-declaration. ANALYSIS: It is the first Arab nation to do so, with a 12-month transition.
📝 Concept Note
The measure mirrors Australia’s under-16 ban. India takes a different, consent-based route: the DPDP Act, 2023 treats anyone under 18 as a child and requires verifiable parental consent rather than an outright account ban.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 (IR, governance), GS1 (society). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | child protection, age assurance, digital privacy. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | assuming India has a similar outright ban. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | UAE under-15 ban; Australia under-16 ban; India DPDP consent model (under 18). |
| 🎤 Interview | ** ban versus consent for protecting minors online? |
Question 3 of 14
The stalling of the 2026 southwest monsoon was attributed largely to an unfavourable phase of the MJO and a feeble Somali Jet. What is the Somali (Findlater) Jet?
FACT: The Somali or Findlater Jet is a cross-equatorial low-level jet that funnels moisture-laden winds from the southern Indian Ocean towards India’s west coast. ANALYSIS: A feeble jet in June 2026 cut moisture supply, contributing to a 38% rainfall deficit.
📝 Concept Note
The MJO (Madden-Julian Oscillation) is an eastward-moving pulse of cloud and rainfall; its position over the Indian Ocean can enhance or suppress monsoon convection. Both are intra-seasonal drivers of monsoon variability.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS1 (geography, climatology). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | monsoon dynamics, low-level jet, intra-seasonal variability. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing the low-level Somali Jet with the upper-level subtropical jet. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | Somali Jet = low-level moisture carrier; MJO = eastward convective pulse. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** how does a delayed monsoon affect kharif sowing? |
Question 4 of 14
India’s new Producer Price Index (PPI), launched in June 2026, differs most fundamentally from the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) in that it:
FACT: The PPI covers goods plus seven services (banking, securities, insurance, pension-fund management, railways, air passenger and telecom), whereas the WPI excluded services. ANALYSIS: It uses an IMF-backed double-deflator and a 2022-23 base, aligning with OECD standards.
📝 Concept Note
The PPI measures prices producers receive, not retail prices paid by consumers (that is the CPI). It is released by the Office of the Economic Adviser, DPIIT (Ministry of Commerce), not the RBI or MoSPI (MoSPI releases the CPI).
The WPI is to be phased out within about five years.
The WPI is to be phased out within about five years.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 (economy, statistics). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | producer prices, double-deflator, global comparability. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | thinking PPI is a retail index. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | PPI = producer side, includes services; CPI = consumer side; WPI = goods-only, being retired. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** why does including services matter for India? |
Question 5 of 14
Under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, which procurement category is the most preferred for advancing self-reliance?
FACT: DAP 2020 made Buy Indian-IDDM the most-preferred procurement category, prioritising indigenous design and development over mere domestic assembly. ANALYSIS: This anchored the decade’s indigenisation drive, with FY26 production at Rs 1.78 lakh crore.
📝 Concept Note
Other enablers include Positive Indigenisation Lists (500+ items), iDEX (551 contracts by March 2026), ADITI and the Technology Development Fund. Defence exports reached Rs 38,424 crore in FY26, up more than 5,500% over 12 years, with a Rs 50,000 crore target by 2029.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 (security, economy). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | Atmanirbharta, indigenisation, defence exports. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | treating IDDM as mere assembly; it requires indigenous design. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | IDDM = designed AND developed in India = top priority. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** can India move from platforms to core technology? |
Question 6 of 14
NFHS-6 (2023-24) revealed a "nutrition paradox." Which pair of findings best captures it?
FACT: NFHS-6 records institutional births at 90% and immunisation at 87%, yet only about 50% of newborns are breastfed within the first hour and only 15% of 6-to-23-month-olds get an adequate diet. ANALYSIS: Health-system access has improved but feeding practices lag.
📝 Concept Note
Stunting (low height-for-age, chronic undernutrition) fell to 29.3% from 35.5%, while severe wasting (low weight-for-height, acute) was 5.2%. The nodal agency is IIPS Mumbai; the policy frame is POSHAN Abhiyaan (2018) and the “first 1,000 days.”
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 (health, social-sector schemes). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | behaviour change, complementary feeding, first 1,000 days. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing stunting (height-for-age) with wasting (weight-for-height). |
| 📌 Exam Tip | stunting = chronic; wasting = acute. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** why do feeding practices lag despite hospital births? |
Question 7 of 14
The EPF interest rate of 8.25% ratified for FY26 is decided by which body?
FACT: The EPF interest rate is decided by the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), the apex tripartite body of the EPFO, and then ratified by the government. ANALYSIS: 8.25% for FY26 is the third consecutive year at this rate, credited to over 7 crore members.
📝 Concept Note
The EPFO functions under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the CBT is chaired by the Union Labour Minister with representatives of employers and employees, making it a tripartite body.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 (economy, social security), GS2 (governance). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | tripartite governance, retirement savings, formal-sector welfare. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | thinking the RBI sets the EPF rate. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | EPF rate = CBT (Labour Ministry), not RBI. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** how should EPF returns balance safety and yield? |
Question 8 of 14
How many Deputy Governors can the Reserve Bank of India have at a maximum, as reflected in the June 2026 reappointment of a Deputy Governor?
FACT: The RBI is led by one Governor and up to four Deputy Governors. ANALYSIS: In June 2026 the Centre reappointed Deputy Governor Swaminathan Janakiraman, a former SBI Managing Director, for two years from June 26, 2026.
📝 Concept Note
The Governor and Deputy Governors are appointed by the Central Government. The RBI was established under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 and nationalised in 1949.
FCNR(B) refers to Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) deposits.
FCNR(B) refers to Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) deposits.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 (economy, monetary policy), GS2 (institutions). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | central-bank governance, RBI structure. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | assuming an unlimited number of Deputy Governors. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | RBI = 1 Governor + up to 4 Deputy Governors. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** how is RBI autonomy balanced with accountability? |
Question 9 of 14
Japanese Encephalitis (JE), which caused several deaths in Assam in 2026, is transmitted by which vector, and what distinguishes it from AES?
FACT: JE is caused by a virus transmitted by the Culex mosquito, with pigs and water-birds as amplifying hosts. ANALYSIS: The NHM clarified that JE (35 cases, 7 deaths) is a specific cause within the broader Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES: 470 cases, 32 deaths).
📝 Concept Note
AES is an umbrella clinical syndrome with many causes (viral, bacterial, toxic), of which JE is one. The JE season runs June to August, and the JE vaccine is provided under the Universal Immunisation Programme.
About 62% of India’s JE deaths since 2018 have been in Assam.
About 62% of India’s JE deaths since 2018 have been in Assam.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 (health), GS3 (S&T). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | vector-borne disease, immunisation, one health. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | equating JE with AES, or attributing JE to the Aedes mosquito (that carries dengue). |
| 📌 Exam Tip | JE = Culex; AES = umbrella syndrome. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** why is JE concentrated in Assam? |
Question 10 of 14
India began its sixth All-India Tiger Estimation in 2026. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) that oversees tiger conservation derives its statutory status from which law?
FACT: The NTCA is a statutory body created by the 2006 amendment to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. ANALYSIS: The sixth tiger estimation, begun in January 2026 with a report due in 2027, builds on the 2022 count of 3,682 tigers, about 70% of the global wild tiger population.
📝 Concept Note
Project Tiger was launched in 1973. The tiger is listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act and is Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
The All-India Tiger Estimation, the world’s largest wildlife survey, is conducted every four years.
The All-India Tiger Estimation, the world’s largest wildlife survey, is conducted every four years.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 (environment, conservation). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | species conservation, statutory authority, human-wildlife conflict. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | attributing NTCA to the Environment (Protection) Act. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | NTCA = WPA 1972 (2006 amendment); Project Tiger 1973. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** how to manage rising human-tiger conflict? |
Question 11 of 14
The IRDAI, which constituted a working group on AI in insurance in June 2026, is a statutory regulator headquartered in which city?
FACT: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) is headquartered in Hyderabad and is statutory under the IRDA Act, 1999 (established 1999). ANALYSIS: Its June 2026 seven-member working group on AI is chaired by Sandeep K. Shukla of IIIT-Hyderabad.
📝 Concept Note
The group includes members from CERT-In, the national nodal cyber-incident response agency under MeitY, reflecting cybersecurity concerns in insurance technology. IRDAI regulates and develops the insurance sector in India.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 (economy, financial regulation), GS2 (statutory bodies). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | insurtech, AI governance, financial regulators. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | placing IRDAI in Mumbai (that is the RBI and SEBI). |
| 📌 Exam Tip | IRDAI HQ = Hyderabad; IRDA Act 1999. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** how should regulators handle AI in finance? |
Question 12 of 14
The Amarnath Yatra 2026, scheduled from July 3 to August 28, uses two traditional routes. Which pair is correct?
FACT: The two yatra routes are Baltal in Ganderbal district and Nunwan-Pahalgam in Anantnag district. ANALYSIS: The 57-day pilgrimage ends on Raksha Bandhan, with RFID cards mandatory and heightened security after the April 2025 Pahalgam attack.
📝 Concept Note
The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), established in 2000, manages the yatra. The shorter Baltal route is steeper, while the Nunwan-Pahalgam route is longer but gentler.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS1 (geography, culture), GS3 (internal security). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | pilgrimage management, security logistics. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing the yatra routes with the Vaishno Devi route (Katra). |
| 📌 Exam Tip | Amarnath routes = Baltal and Nunwan-Pahalgam; SASB est. 2000. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** balancing pilgrimage access with security. |
Question 13 of 14
The NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21 is conducted by which body, and under which anti-cheating law does its integrity framework operate?
FACT: NEET-UG is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), and exam integrity is backed by the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. ANALYSIS: The re-exam follows the cancellation of the May 3 exam over paper-leak allegations now under a CBI probe.
📝 Concept Note
The NTA, set up in 2017 as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education, conducts NEET-UG, JEE-Main, CUET and UGC-NET. The Education Minister said the Indian Air Force would transport question papers for the re-exam.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 (education governance), GS3 (S&T logistics). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | exam integrity, institutional reform, deterrence. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | thinking CBSE conducts NEET-UG; it is the NTA. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | NTA est. 2017; Unfair Means Act 2024. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** how to restore trust in high-stakes exams? |
Question 14 of 14
Net direct tax collections rose about 14.64% to Rs 5.21 lakh crore till mid-June 2026. Direct taxes are administered by which statutory board?
FACT: Direct taxes are administered by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), statutory under the Central Board of Revenue Act, 1963, under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance. ANALYSIS: Net corporate tax rose 22% and Securities Transaction Tax (STT) rose 45%.
📝 Concept Note
The CBIC handles indirect taxes (customs and GST), while the CBDT handles direct taxes (income tax, corporate tax, STT). Strong direct-tax buoyancy reflects formalisation and improved compliance.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 (economy, public finance). |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | tax buoyancy, direct versus indirect taxes, fiscal capacity. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing CBDT (direct) with CBIC (indirect). |
| 📌 Exam Tip | CBDT = direct taxes; CBIC = customs and GST; both under Dept of Revenue. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** is India’s tax mix becoming more progressive? |
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