13 April 2026, Questions & Answers

Explanation

The Delimitation Commission is constituted under the Delimitation Commission Act to redraw constituency boundaries. The Election Commission conducts elections but does not delimit constituencies. The Finance Commission deals with fiscal devolution, and UPSC handles civil service recruitment.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; the original linkage was to a future Census (effectively 2027), not the 2021 Census. Statement 3 is correct as the article mentions the proposal to increase Lok Sabha seats to 816.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that proposed amendments are likely to increase the size of the Lok Sabha from 543 to 816 seats. The other numbers are distractors: 543 is the current strength, while 650 and 750 are plausible but incorrect figures.

Explanation

The article states that using outdated 2011 data raises the possibility that the electoral map may not reflect current demographics, affecting the relative weight of votes. This is a concern under Article 81's mandate for population-based representation. The other options are not mentioned as primary constitutional concerns in the article.

Explanation

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is the principal agency responsible for meteorological observations and forecasting. It functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), as mentioned in the article context where the MoES Secretary gave the briefing.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article states the forecast is 92% of LPA. Statement 2 is incorrect; 92% LPA falls in the 'below normal' category (90-96% of LPA), not 'deficient' (<90%). Statement 3 is correct as the article explicitly links El Nino conditions to a weak monsoon. Hence, option C is correct.

Explanation

The article directly quotes the MoES Secretary stating that monsoon rainfall is likely to be 92% of the Long Period Average (LPA). The other options are close distractors representing nearby categories in the IMD's classification scale.

Explanation

The article specifically states, "two other factors in the second half of monsoon such as a positive Indian Ocean Dipole and a prevailing Eurasian snow cover could 'counter' effects of El Nino." The other options are not mentioned in the provided content.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the US Central Command (CENTCOM) will enforce the blockade. CENTCOM's area of responsibility includes the Middle East, where Iran is located.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: A blockade is an act of war and must be declared. Statement 2 is incorrect: The article clarifies there is no requirement to provide an end date at the time of declaration. Statement 3 is correct: A blockade must be 'effective' to be legal, ruling out unenforceable 'paper' blockades.

Explanation

The article cites Vice Admiral Chauhan stating India's merchandise seaborne trade with Iran in 2025-26 remained relatively modest at roughly USD 1.1–1.2 billion for the period April–December 2025.

Explanation

The article explains that in a 'close blockade', the blockading force is deployed close to the enemy coast, making the ships themselves vulnerable to attack from shore-based missiles and drones of the blockaded country, which is why 'distant blockades' are sometimes used.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the merger of the railway budget with the union budget was based on the recommendations of the NITI Aayog Committee chaired by Bibek Debroy.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Vande Bharat Express was introduced in 2019, not 2022. Statement 3 is correct as ABSS was launched in 2022 and targets over 1,300 stations with features like 'One Station One Product'.

Explanation

The article clearly states that 100 railway projects with an investment of ₹1.53 lakh crore have been sanctioned in FY 2025-26 under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. ₹1.08 lakh crore is the outlay for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project.

Explanation

The article identifies current track congestion due to mixed passenger and freight traffic as a constraint. It states the path forward lies in 'functional segregation', shifting heavy cargo to DFCs to clear pathways for rapid passenger movement, thereby enhancing efficiency for both.

Explanation

As per the amended RBI Act, 1934, Section 45ZB empowers the central government to constitute a six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). The first MPC was constituted on September 29, 2016.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Stage 1 uses PHWRs with natural uranium fuel. Statement 2 is correct: Stage 2 FBRs use plutonium-based fuel to breed U-233 from thorium. Statement 3 is correct: Stage 3 envisages reactors like AHWR based on the Th-U233 cycle for long-term energy security.

Explanation

The Indian Bureau of Mines Yearbook 2022 states that Odisha alone accounts for 41% of India's bauxite resources. The 73% figure is Odisha's share in India's bauxite production in 2021-22, not the resource base.

Explanation

The core objective of the four-stream segregation (wet, dry, sanitary, special-care) is to operationalize the waste hierarchy—prevention, reduction, reuse, recycling, recovery—with disposal as the last resort. This facilitates efficient material recovery, recycling, and energy generation (e.g., via RDF), minimizing landfill burden.

Explanation

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow channel linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is a critical global oil transit choke point, as mentioned in the article's context of US-Iran negotiations.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The article states talks were in Islamabad after 47 years. Statement 2 is incorrect: Iran pushed for a comprehensive package, not a narrow nuclear focus; it was the US that sought the narrow framework. Statement 3 is correct: Sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz was a key Iranian demand. Hence, option C is correct.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that Iran was pushing for the unfreezing of assets worth 'around $120 billion'. The other options are close but incorrect distractors.

Explanation

The article states that with no diplomatic breakthrough, 'energy markets are faced with new volatility' due to uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz, and even a limited threat of disruption will lead to a spike in oil prices and inflationary pressures.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the 'Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration has notified a draft master plan for the project.' This is the local governing body for the Union Territory.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article mentions the ICTP and airport. Statement 2 is incorrect; the NGT set aside concerns citing 'strategic importance,' but a challenge to the clearances remains in the Calcutta High Court, meaning the clearances are not fully upheld without legal dispute. Statement 3 is correct as per the article's data.

Explanation

The article clearly states the project cost as '₹92,000 crore'. This is a direct factual data point from the news.

Explanation

The article directly quotes the draft plan saying 'the port will help India achieve its "aims to capture a significant share in global sea trade"' and mentions leveraging the strategic location at the entrance to the Malacca Strait. The other options, while possible secondary benefits, are not the primary stated objective.

Explanation

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow channel that connects the Persian Gulf (west) with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea (east). It is the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean, making it a globally significant strategic chokepoint for oil shipments.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article, which states the US is considering a temporary blockade and limited strikes. Statement 2 is incorrect; the talks were led by US Vice-President JD Vance, not the Secretary of State. Statement 3 is incorrect; the article specifies the strait carries about a fifth (20%), not one-third, of global oil supply.

Explanation

The article explicitly states: 'The Strait of Hormuz carries about a fifth of global oil supply...'. One-fifth is equivalent to 20%. The other options are common distractors used in questions about major maritime chokepoints.

Explanation

The article quotes analysts stating the blockade 'could increase pressure on Tehran by targeting its oil exports, a major source of state revenue' and draws a parallel to the strategy used on Venezuela. The other options are not supported by the article's content; the blockade is described as temporary and pressure-oriented, not permanent or UN-mandated.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that Pakistan mediated the truce between the U.S. and Iran. This is a key factual detail about the diplomatic process.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; the third contentious issue is control over the Strait of Hormuz, not the Suez Canal. Statement 3 is correct as the article mentions the war was launched on February 28, 2026.

Explanation

The article clearly states that the ceasefire was announced 'after 39 days of war'. This is a precise data point frequently tested in prelims.

Explanation

The article states 'There was no mutually agreed framework for the Islamabad talks either,' highlighting a fundamental procedural issue that contributed to the lack of breakthrough. The other options are not supported by the article's content.

Explanation

The article explicitly mentions the 'United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Food Price Index'. The FAO is the specialized UN agency leading international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. The article states the FAO index in March 2026 'was hardly 1% higher' than last year, which is not a significant increase. Statement 2 is correct as ample supplies from record production are cited as the primary factor. Statement 3 is correct as the article mentions the Strait of Hormuz is still not open, contributing to the energy shock.

Explanation

The article provides World Bank data stating 'average prices of urea (Middle East origin)... were at $725.6 per tonne respectively in March 2026'. $394.5 was the price in March 2025, and $658.3 was the price for DAP in March 2026.

Explanation

The article identifies two routes for future food inflation: cost-push from high input costs and diversion for biofuels. It explicitly states, 'If crude prices stay high for long, there would be that much incentive to divert corn, rice or sugarcane for making ethanol...' citing Indonesia's B50 policy as an example.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the talks were held in Islamabad, which is the capital of Pakistan. Pakistan also facilitated these talks.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; the US demand was for a nuclear rollback and an end to proxy support, while demanding compensation was Iran's position. Statement 3 is incorrect; the article states India's declared support is 'no longer adequate' and active participation is needed.

Explanation

The article specifically mentions that 'The April 8 ceasefire appeared to offer a narrow but critical opportunity' for de-escalation before the talks.

Explanation

The article concludes that 'India must now move towards active participation in the global effort to secure unimpeded commerce through the Strait [of Hormuz]' as its declared support is no longer sufficient given the heightened risk.

Explanation

The article quotes Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers J P Nadda discussing urea overuse. While agriculture is a stakeholder, the nodal ministry for fertiliser manufacturing, subsidy, and policy is the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; the urea price increase was 65% (from $482 to $795/tonne), not 15%. The 15% increase was for DAP. Statement 3 is correct as mentioned in the article. Hence, option C is correct.

Explanation

The article states: "global urea prices were up by almost 65 per cent, from $482/tonne at the end of February to $795/tonne in the first week of April." $482 is the starting price, $627 and $720 are prices related to DAP.

Explanation

The article argues that since India overuses urea (N), using DAP (which contains 18% N) adds to the nitrogen surplus. Switching to TSP (with 46% P and no N) would help increase phosphorus consumption relative to nitrogen and save the subsidy on the unnecessary nitrogen component.

Explanation

The article states: 'The government also plans to develop IHBAS separately into an institution for mental health equivalent to NIMHANS, Bengaluru.' IHBAS is the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article explicitly mentions decongesting GTB and increasing utilization of RGSSH. Statement 2 is correct as IHBAS will provide 75 acres. Statement 3 is incorrect because oncology services would be consolidated at Delhi State Cancer Institute (DSCI), not GTB.

Explanation

The article states: 'GTB buckles under the weight of approximately 6,000 OPD visitors... per day.' A senior official also mentions GTB sees 'over 10,000 patients every day,' but the specific OPD figure cited is approximately 6,000.

Explanation

The article highlights that GTB staff belong to Central Health Services cadre, while RGSSH and DSCI staff are employed on a contractual basis with limited job security. This difference in service conditions is identified as a complex and politically fraught challenge that could trigger staff resistance.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that a new Section 3A mandates the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to maintain a central register of all Saroops. The SGPC is the apex body for managing Gurdwaras in Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The minimum imprisonment for simple sacrilege is 7 years, not 10 years (10 years is the minimum for sacrilege in conspiracy). Statement 2 is correct: The Bill substitutes 'Bir' with 'Saroop'. Statement 3 is correct: The article states investigations must be conducted by officers not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police or Assistant Commissioner of Police.

Explanation

The article clearly states that for sacrilege carried out as part of a conspiracy to disturb communal harmony, the punishment includes a fine that may extend to ₹25 lakh. The other amounts are distractors: ₹10 lakh is the maximum for simple sacrilege.

Explanation

The article states the government's position is rooted in Sikh theology, which holds that the Guru Granth Sahib is the eternal Guru. This theological reasoning is presented as the basis for focusing the law exclusively on this scripture, differentiating it from the religion-neutral 2018 bill.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) is looking to gain control over content and who posts it, and that a government panel would be empowered to look at content referred to it by the MIB.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the draft seeks to bring the entire digital news ecosystem, including user-generated content, under a unified framework. Statement 2 is incorrect; the article clarifies that the draft IT Rules don't seek registration, unlike the withdrawn Broadcasting Bill. Statement 3 is correct as the article mentions the committee would be empowered to recommend actions such as seeking an apology.

Explanation

The article specifically states: 'Section 69 (A) of the Information Technology (IT) Act empowers the IT Ministry to issue blocking orders.' Section 79(3)(b) also allows blocking orders, but the primary power referenced is Section 69A.

Explanation

The article's central theme is the risk of pre-censorship. Experts warn that imposing publisher-style compliance and the fear of government action could trigger widespread self-censorship, making users pre-censor themselves and resulting in a less vibrant online ecosystem.

Explanation

The Enforcement Directorate is the designated agency for enforcing the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. While it also handles FEMA violations, the article specifically mentions a 'case of alleged money laundering', which falls squarely under PMLA.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect as the counterfeit vials were sold at a discount (e.g., ₹90,000) and not higher than the market price (over ₹1.5 lakh). Statement 2 is correct; the racket exploited loopholes in vial disposal. Statement 3 is correct; the article states the investigation was by The Indian Express in association with ICIJ, and Delhi Police conducted the criminal probe.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that refilled vials were resealed for sale at amounts as low as Rs 90,000 for a 100-mg vial. The official market price is over ₹1.5 lakh, and ₹90,000 represents a 40% discount.

Explanation

The article highlights that investigators found a 'critical loophole'—hospitals had no formal process for counting disposed vials, making it 'not practically feasible' to track them. This gap at the point of disposal allowed staff to divert vials without detection, as per hospital records cited.

Explanation

The Fifth Schedule of the Constitution deals with the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in states other than Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. It includes provisions for Tribes Advisory Councils and regulations to restrict land transfer.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is correct: Odisha has 41% of resources and 73% of production. Statement 3 is incorrect: The article states bauxite is used as a slag corrector in place of fluorite, not limestone.

Explanation

The article clearly states that Odisha emerged as the leading bauxite producing state, accounting for about 73% of the total production in 2022-23. 41% is Odisha's share of total resources, not production.

Explanation

The article states the tribals' opposition reflects their long-simmering discontent against the bauxite project ever since the Sijimali mine was handed over to Vedanta Limited in 2023 through an auction. The other options are not mentioned as primary reasons in the provided content.

Explanation

The Election Commission of India is established under Article 324 of the Constitution, which vests the superintendence, direction, and control of elections in this body.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect because the Supreme Court said the right is 'not only constitutional but sentimental'. Statement 2 is correct as per the article which says the category was 'unique to West Bengal'. Statement 3 is correct as appeals are filed before Appellate Tribunals.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the Supreme Court said '34 lakh appeals by voters purged from the West Bengal electoral roll have already been filed for hearing'.

Explanation

The Supreme Court made these remarks while hearing a case related to lakhs of voters excluded from West Bengal's electoral roll for 'logical discrepancies', with appeals filed just ahead of the state's Assembly elections.

Explanation

The article explicitly mentions World Bank Group president Ajay Banga as the official who sounded the alarm. Kristalina Georgieva is the Managing Director of the IMF, David Malpass is a former World Bank President, and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is the Director-General of the WTO.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article states the jobs crisis is a 'bigger, looming crisis' beyond the West Asia war. Statement 2 is incorrect; the deficit is for developing economies over 10-15 years, not developed economies over 5 years. Statement 3 is correct, directly quoting the article's data.

Explanation

The article clearly states the deficit is 800 million jobs. 400 million is the number of jobs projected to be created, 1.2 billion is the total new working-age population, and 600 million is a distractor not mentioned.

Explanation

The core implication of the data (400 million jobs vs. 1.2 billion workers) is that the current path of development is failing to create enough employment. The warning is not about military action, inflation in developed nations, or automation as a panacea, but about a structural failure in job creation.

Explanation

As per the article, the CPI data is released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) is released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect because March CPI inflation (3.4%) was higher than February's 3.21%, not lower. Statement 2 is correct as per the article. Statement 3 is incorrect; the RBI left its policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25%, it did not increase it.

Explanation

The article states that airfares jumped 14.2% year-on-year in March after having dropped 7% in February. The 5.3% increase refers to LPG and piped natural gas, and the 2.5% increase refers to kerosene prices month-on-month.

Explanation

The article explains that petrol and diesel prices have not increased at pumps because OMCs have left prices unchanged, absorbing the cost. Economists note this cushion may be nearing its limits. This creates a lag before the wholesale price inflation fully transmits to consumer prices.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the cultivation breakthrough was achieved independently by three people from SKUAST-K in Srinagar. This is a factual recall from the news.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article's 'Key Takeaways'. Statement 2 is incorrect because the U.S. military specified that vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports will NOT be impeded. Statement 3 is correct as it is listed among the three main sticking points in the 'Do You Know' section.

Explanation

The article's 'Do You Know' section under the PMAY story states: "Around 80.56% of all claims have been disposed of." This is a direct data point from the news.

Explanation

The article details that oak forests assist in watershed protection and recharge of springs. It also elaborates on the remarkably diverse web of life they support, including various plants, birds, and mammals. The other options are either incorrect or not the primary significance mentioned.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the US Central Command (CENTCOM) issued a statement clarifying the scope of the blockade. CENTCOM is responsible for U.S. military operations in the Middle East region, which includes the Strait of Hormuz.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article states 'a whopping 90% of those [LPG imports] come through the critical waterway.' Statement 2 is incorrect; the article says 40% of India's crude oil needs depend on the Strait, not more than 50% of total consumption. Statement 3 is correct as per the article's data on natural gas import dependency and LNG transit share.

Explanation

The article clearly states: 'The country depends on imports to meet over 88% of its crude oil needs, 40% of which depend on the Strait of Hormuz.' Therefore, 40% is the correct figure. Option D (88%) is India's overall crude oil import dependency, not the share via the Strait.

Explanation

India's official stance, as quoted from Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, is to expect that 'unimpeded freedom of navigation and global flow of commerce would prevail.' This is directly linked to its high energy import dependency via this route, making it the core strategic concern. The article does not mention India supporting the blockade or forming new partnerships with Oman as primary objectives.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the draft of the 15th Five-Year Plan was deliberated upon by delegates of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). The NPC is the supreme state body, and the CPPCC is a political advisory body.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; the target for 2035 is to become a 'medium-developed' economy, not 'highly developed'. Statement 3 is incorrect; while there are 109 projects, the highest number (28) focus on 'new quality productive forces', not public well-being (which has 25 projects).

Explanation

The article clearly states that China set its GDP goal at 4.5-5 per cent for 2026. This target is part of the priorities set alongside the 15th Five-Year Plan to ensure growth within an appropriate range.

Explanation

The article links China's priorities, which include 'achieving greater self-reliance in science-tech', with its massive investment in areas like AI and quantum computing, which are categorized as 'new quality productive forces'. This indicates a strategic move to reduce external dependencies in critical technologies.

Explanation

The IMD is the principal agency for meteorology and is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). The MoES is responsible for providing services for weather, climate, ocean and coastal state, hydrology, seismology, and natural hazards.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect because the LPA reference period mentioned in the article is 1971-2020, not 1981-2010. Statement 3 is incorrect as the article states this is the first such forecast in at least a decade, with the last similar ones in 2015 and 2016, which is more than five years ago.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that quantitatively, the seasonal rainfall is forecast to be 92% of the Long Period Average (LPA). The other options are close distractors: 90% is the lower bound of the 'below normal' category, 95% was the 2014 forecast, and 96% is the upper bound of 'below normal' and was the forecast in 2023.

Explanation

The article quotes officials stating that El Nino is expected to peak in July, and its influence on the Indian monsoon manifests with a lag. Therefore, the major negative impact is likely in August and September, potentially sparing the crucial sowing months of June and July from the worst effects.

Explanation

Project Maven is a Defense Department effort started in 2017 to incorporate AI into military systems, specifically to process vast amounts of data like drone footage and satellite imagery for intelligence purposes. The article details its creation and evolution.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; the article states the Pentagon requested 'more than $13 billion' for autonomous systems, not less than $10 billion. Statement 3 is correct, as 'civil-military fusion' is explicitly mentioned as China's strategy to integrate private tech into defense.

Explanation

The article specifically states: 'The Pentagon requested more than $13 billion for autonomous systems in its latest budget.' The other figures are plausible distractors but not mentioned in the provided content.

Explanation

The article discusses how AI systems can accelerate conflict dynamics, citing a RAND Corp. scenario where an autonomous system 'responded to a missile launch... by autonomously firing an unexpected counterattack,' leading to 'inadvertent escalation.' This is a core analytical point about the risks of AI in warfare.

Explanation

The article states that the notification extending the commission's tenure was issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on April 9. This ministry handles policies related to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other marginalized groups.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article mentions the Order was issued under paragraph 3 Article 341. Statement 2 is correct as the article quotes the SC ruling stating SC status is only for Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists. Statement 3 is correct as the article states Sikhs were included in 1956 and Buddhists in 1990, with the initial order only containing Hindus.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the commission's tenure has been extended by a period of two months, with effect from April 11 to June 10, 2026. The previous extensions were for one year and six months.

Explanation

The article states that Dalit Christians argued before the Supreme Court that the existing restrictions in the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, were against the right to religious freedom. This is the core constitutional challenge mentioned in the news.