16 March 2026, Questions & Answers

Explanation

The Supreme Court, in cases like Gian Kaur (1996) and Common Cause (2018), has interpreted that the right to live with human dignity under Article 21 encompasses the right to die with dignity, permitting passive euthanasia under strict guidelines.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. In Gian Kaur (1996), the SC held that Article 21 includes the right to live with dignity but specifically opined that it does NOT include the right to die. Statement 2 is correct as the Aruna Shanbaug case (2011) first recognized passive euthanasia. Statement 3 is correct as the Common Cause case (2018) was a landmark Constitution Bench judgment that laid down detailed guidelines.

Explanation

The article states that Harish Rana's parents and doctors devoted 13 years to tending to him after his accident in 2013, with no improvement seen, before moving the Supreme Court to withdraw life support.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the Common Cause guidelines rest on two core principles: first, the intervention must qualify as 'medical treatment' (e.g., CANH was held to be one), and second, its withdrawal must be strictly in the patient's 'best interest', assessed by stakeholders like kin and medical boards.

Explanation

Article 324(5) of the Constitution specifies that the Chief Election Commissioner shall not be removed from office except in like manner and on like grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court. This is the core provision discussed in the article.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per Section 3 of the Judges (Inquiry) Act mentioned in the article. Statement 2 is correct as the removal process follows the Judges (Inquiry) Act. Statement 3 is incorrect; Article 324(5) states that other Election Commissioners can be removed only on the recommendation of the CEC, not the other way around. Hence, option C is correct.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the 2023 Act establishes a selection committee comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition, and a Union Cabinet Minister. This replaced the Chief Justice of India with a Cabinet Minister, contrary to the Supreme Court's ruling in the Anoop Baranwal case.

Explanation

The article's central theme is Article 324(5), which states that the CEC shall not be removed except in like manner and on like grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court. This high threshold for removal is a key constitutional safeguard for the CEC's independence, making it a difficult political process. The other options, while relevant, are not the primary focus of the impeachment news.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the government invoked the Essential Commodities Act to prioritise gas allocation. This Act empowers the government to control the production, supply, and distribution of essential commodities.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article mentions India's effective urea import dependence goes up to about 55% once both direct urea imports and imported gas feedstock are considered. Statement 2 is incorrect because the article suggests bringing urea under the NBS framework, implying it is currently not covered. Statement 3 is correct as the article explicitly proposes a $1 billion fund for this purpose.

Explanation

The article states that if the crisis continues, the fertiliser subsidy bill in FY27 could cross Rs 2 lakh crore, against a budgeted figure of Rs 1.7 lakh crore. The other options are close distractors based on the potential increase mentioned.

Explanation

The article's core argument is that India's food security hinges on fertiliser security. The proposed reforms (diversification, investment fund, subsidy restructuring) aim to reduce the sector's vulnerability to geopolitical disruptions and price volatility, thereby securing food production.

Explanation

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is the nodal agency responsible for the collection, compilation, and dissemination of official statistics in India, including the calculation of GDP and national income accounts.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The article mentions the use of GST data and PFMS for more timely tracking. Statement 2 is incorrect: The revised series uses over 600 granular, item-level deflators, not a single CPI aggregate. Statement 3 is correct: The new framework uses ASUSE data to better capture the informal sector.

Explanation

The article explicitly states: "Under the revised base year, real GDP growth for FY 2025-26 is projected at 7.6 per cent". 7.1% was the growth recorded in FY 2024-25. 7.8% is the Q3 growth rate, and 8.6% is the nominal GDP growth projection.

Explanation

The article explains the 'denominator effect': if GDP (the denominator) is revised upward due to rebasing or better measurement, fiscal ratios like deficit-to-GDP and debt-to-GDP fall, even if the actual deficit or debt (the numerator) remains unchanged. This is a statistical effect, not a result of policy change.

Explanation

The article states that Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar introduced the bill. This ministry is the nodal agency for the welfare of transgender persons and the implementation of the 2019 Act.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Bill removes Section 4(2) of the 2019 Act which guaranteed self-identification. Statement 2 is correct: It calls for a medical board headed by a Chief Medical Officer to recommend certification. Statement 3 is correct: The Bill expands punishment clauses; for example, forcing an adult into begging/servitude attracts 5-10 years RI.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that "32,424 such cards have been issued to date" according to the National Portal for Transgender Persons. The other options are close but incorrect distractors.

Explanation

As per the article, activist Anil Ukarande explained that requiring medical documents and facing a board would be very difficult for transgender persons "given the deep transphobia which still exists in society." This is a direct impact on access and dignity, not just an administrative or cost issue.

Explanation

Ayushman Bharat is India's flagship public health insurance scheme, which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This ministry formulates policies and implements programs related to health and family welfare across the country.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; there is a huge gap (₹7,700 crore allocation vs. ₹33,000 crore estimated cost). Statement 3 is incorrect because the article states diagnostics account for just 3% of total costs, not a major share. Hence, only statement 1 is correct.

Explanation

The FinCan study demonstrated that delivering the full five-year Standard of Care for cancer would require an estimated ₹33,000 crore annually. ₹7,700 crore is the current AB-PMJAY allocation, ₹13,000 crore is the total worth of treatments covered since 2018, and ₹25,000 crore is not mentioned in this context.

Explanation

The study proposed a five-year 'revolving ceiling' of ₹25 lakh per family to replace the ₹5 lakh annual cap. This approach is designed to allow flexibility, letting patients utilize more funds in intensive initial years of treatment and less in later years, thereby preventing financial interruption in continuous care.

Explanation

The PM-Surya Ghar Yojana is a scheme for installing rooftop solar panels, which is a renewable energy initiative. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is the nodal ministry for all policies and programmes related to renewable energy sources in India.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. The article clearly states e-cooking is 37% cheaper than non-subsidised LPG, but only the heavily subsidised PMUY pricing undercuts it. Statement 2 is correct as per the data in the article. Statement 3 is correct, as managing grid peak demand is identified as a central challenge for mass e-cooking adoption.

Explanation

The article explicitly states: "The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) estimates that the combined import bill hit $26.4 billion in FY24–25." The other options are plausible distractors based on older data or approximations.

Explanation

While other options are potential benefits, the article's core strategic argument centers on sovereignty and energy security. It highlights the $26.4 billion import bill and the supply chain's exposure to the Strait of Hormuz, concluding that moving to domestically generated electricity is "not just energy policy, that's sovereignty."

Explanation

As per the article, the Rome Statute (1998) under Article 8 classifies 'declaring that no quarter will be given' as a war crime in both international and non-international armed conflicts. The Hague Regulations forbid it, and Geneva Protocol I prohibits it, but the Rome Statute is the one that explicitly categorizes it as a prosecutable war crime.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as explicitly mentioned in the article. Statement 2 is correct as it quotes Article 40 of Additional Protocol I. Statement 3 is correct as experts in the article explain that IHL functions on reciprocity, and such a declaration effectively strips protections from one's own soldiers. Hence, all three statements are accurate.

Explanation

The article directly states: 'The Hague Regulations (1907): Article 23(d) explicitly forbids declaring that no quarter will be given.' The other options are distractors.

Explanation

The article explains that such rhetoric creates a 'command climate' where soldiers may 'switch off their moral and legal compass' and interpret metaphors as literal permissions to bypass the Geneva Conventions, making atrocities more likely. The other options are consequences not mentioned in the provided text.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that 'UGC’s guidelines allowing educational institutions to add up to 25% supernumerary seats... for foreign students' is a key policy enabler. While AICTE is also mentioned for providing a structured pathway, the specific guideline on supernumerary seats is attributed to UGC.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The data shows an increase from 39,202 (2022) to 49,437 (2023) to 56,538 (2024). Statement 2 is incorrect and is the trap; the article emphasizes that 'India doesn’t run on a single-city education model'. Statement 3 is correct as per the article, which mentions UGC's guideline allowing up to 25% supernumerary seats.

Explanation

The article states: 'Registering a 44% rise in two years, this data points towards a sustained global preference...' The two-year period referenced is from 2022 (39,202) to 2024 (56,538).

Explanation

The article highlights that 'The system is transitioning from ad-hoc expectations to a structured capacity approach,' specifically citing UGC's supernumerary seat guidelines and AICTE's approval framework. This structured policy clarity builds trust and allows institutions to invest in support systems for international students.

Explanation

The NCDRC is the apex body set up under Section 58 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, to adjudicate consumer disputes where the value exceeds Rs 10 crore, as mentioned in the article's context.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the NCDRC explicitly called it 'deficiency in service' under Section 2(1)(g). Statement 2 is incorrect because the interest is 6% per annum from December 30, 2016, rising to 9% only in case of delay. Statement 3 is incorrect as the Commission held the opposite - that it was NOT a commercial activity but a regulatory act.

Explanation

The article clearly states the NCDRC directed Axis Bank to pay Rs 3.19 crore (specifically Rs 3,19,58,500) to the logistics company as compensation for the refused deposits.

Explanation

The NCDRC held that during demonetisation, depositing one's own money into a KYC-compliant account was a mandatory regulatory act required under government policy, not a commercial activity intended to generate profit. Hence, the company qualified as a 'consumer' under the Consumer Protection Act.

Explanation

Article 226 of the Constitution empowers High Courts to issue writs for the enforcement of fundamental rights and for any other purpose. Article 32 gives this power specifically to the Supreme Court. Article 142 relates to the Supreme Court's decree/order enforcement power, and Article 136 deals with special leave to appeal.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the Court ordered a 5-member SIT headed by IPS Dr Pranav Kumar. Statement 2 is incorrect because the article clearly states the victim's mobile phone was NOT recovered, which was one of the investigation lapses. Statement 3 is correct as the judgment explicitly quotes this legal maxim.

Explanation

The article repeatedly mentions the victim was a 13-year-old girl. This is a key factual detail, and the POCSO Act is invoked specifically because the victim is a minor. The other options are plausible distractors for a crime against a child.

Explanation

The court's order was primarily based on finding serious gaps in the investigation and the allegation that the father of the main accused was a politically influential local leader, which could have affected the probe's impartiality. The other options are not supported by the article's content.

Explanation

The article explicitly mentions that India and Sri Lanka provided asylum to Iranian ships on humanitarian grounds under the provisions of the Hague Convention Concerning the Rights and Duties of Neutral Powers in Naval War (1907).

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The attack was within Sri Lanka's EEZ (40 nm off Galle), not its territorial waters (12 nm). Statement 2 is correct: The US cited the Newport Manual (Chapter 4.1.2.1). Statement 3 is correct: Article 301 of UNCLOS is quoted in the article as prohibiting force.

Explanation

The article states: "The attack caused the deaths of around 87 Iranian sailors and wounded many others." The other options are plausible distractors but not the exact figure mentioned.

Explanation

The article clarifies that providing port facilities temporarily on humanitarian grounds, as per the Hague Convention (1907), does not constitute a violation of neutrality. This action was based on treaties like the Second Geneva Convention for rescuing the shipwrecked.

Explanation

Article 324 of the Indian Constitution vests the superintendence, direction, and control of elections to Parliament, State legislatures, the office of the President and Vice-President in the Election Commission. This is the source of the EC's authority to take actions like transferring officials.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect because the EC removed the Chief Secretary and the Home Secretary, not the DGP. Statement 2 is correct as per the EC's letter stating the officers 'shall not be posted in any election-related position'. Statement 3 is incorrect because the action was taken hours after announcing the election dates, not a week before.

Explanation

The article explicitly states the EC directed that 'a compliance report... be sent by 3 pm on March 16 (Monday)'. This specific deadline is a factual data point examiners can test.

Explanation

The core constitutional duty of the Election Commission under Article 324 is to conduct free and fair elections. Transferring officials perceived as partisan is an exercise of this power to create a level playing field and prevent the misuse of the state machinery, which is essential for electoral integrity.

Explanation

As stated in the article, the Black Sea Grain Initiative was 'facilitated by the U.N. and Turkey' to ensure safe export from Ukraine's ports. This is a key static fact about that landmark agreement.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; the article states 85% is destined for Asia, not Europe. Statement 3 is correct, as expanding the 'Aspides' mission is mentioned as an option. Hence, both 1 and 3 are correct.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that 'Ms. Kallas pointed out that 85% of the oil that goes through the Strait of Hormuz is destined for Asia'. This is a precise data point from the source.

Explanation

The article directly links the strait's closure to impacts on fertilizer production and warns of 'food shortages next year if the Strait isn’t opened up'. This highlights the cascading effect on global food security, a key implication.

Explanation

The article explicitly mentions that the Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have been in talks with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs as part of the High Powered Committee.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is correct as the demands include 'creation of separate parliamentary constituencies'. Statement 3 is incorrect; the article states the Leh Council's term concluded on Nov 1, 2025, while the Kargil Council is in its third year.

Explanation

The article clearly states: 'the five-year term of the council in Leh concluded on November 1, 2025'. September 24, 2025, is the date of police firing mentioned earlier, and March 16, 2026, is the article's publication date.

Explanation

The article quotes a leader saying the gap in representation 'has left a void' and links it directly to the concluded term of the Leh Hill Council and the lack of announcement for fresh elections, alongside Ladakh's status as a UT without a legislature.

Explanation

The NALSA vs Union of India (2014) is the landmark Supreme Court judgment that recognized transgender persons as a 'third gender' and affirmed their fundamental rights to self-identify their gender.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the Bill seeks to amend Section 2(k). Statement 2 is incorrect because the proposed definition also includes persons born with congenital variations in sex characteristics, not only socio-cultural communities. Statement 3 is incorrect as the article states the amendment's logic 'sits uneasily' with the NALSA doctrine, favoring biological determinism over self-identification.

Explanation

The article explicitly mentions that the constitutional engagement with gender identity reached a transformative moment in 'National Legal Services Authority vs Union of India' (2014). This is a key static fact for Prelims.

Explanation

The article's core argument is that the amendment, by moving to a biologically deterministic definition, contradicts the NALSA judgment which grounded gender identity in self-perception and personal autonomy under Articles 14, 15, 19, and 21. The other options are not discussed in the article.

Explanation

The article explicitly states the convicts were charged under Section 3(1)(10) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. This Act is specifically designed to prevent atrocities against SC/ST communities, making it directly relevant to this case of caste-based violence.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect as the article clearly states 5 were convicted and 35 acquitted out of 41 accused. Statement 2 is correct as the convicts were charged under IPC Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 324 (hurt by dangerous weapons), and 506(2) (criminal intimidation). Statement 3 is correct as per the article which mentions the date and location of the incident.

Explanation

The article states that four policemen were facing trial, one died during the trial, and the other three have been acquitted. Therefore, the number of policeman acquitted is three.

Explanation

The article specifies that the court convicted the five individuals under IPC Sections 323, 324, 504, 506(2) and Section 3(1)(10) of the SC/ST Act. It further states that the hearing to determine their sentence was posted for the next day (Tuesday). The other options are not supported by the article's content.

Explanation

The article mentions the 'Standing Committee on Consumer, Food and Public Distribution'. This committee oversees the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, which is the nodal ministry for the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. The NFSA provides coverage to up to 75% of the rural population and up to 50% of the urban population, not vice-versa. Statement 2 is correct as per the article which mentions Section 9 deals with TPDS coverage. Statement 3 is correct as the article states the 81.35 crore figure is according to Census 2011.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the scheme covers about 80.56 crore beneficiaries against the intended coverage of 81.35 crore, indicating that around 0.79 crore eligible persons are yet to be identified. This is a direct data point from the report.

Explanation

The committee's core concern, as stated in the article, is that 'continued reliance on 2011 Census data for determining NFSA coverage may lead to exclusion of newly eligible and vulnerable households due to population growth, migration and socio-economic changes.' The other options, while may be issues, are not the primary concern highlighted in this report.

Explanation

The article states the IEA was 'formed in 1974 after the oil crisis.' The 1973 oil embargo by OPEC nations triggered this crisis, leading to the creation of the IEA to coordinate energy security among consuming nations.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article: 'More than 400 million barrels of oil...will begin flowing soon.' Statement 2 is incorrect: Stocks from Asia/Oceania are 'available immediately,' not by end-March. Statement 3 is correct: 'The bulk of the pledged reserves - 195.8 million barrels - are from member countries in the Americas.'

Explanation

The article explicitly states: 'The IEA statement said that 72% of planned releases are in the form of crude oil and 28% are oil products.' The other options are distractors close to the correct figure.

Explanation

The article states the release is 'aimed at combating a spike in oil prices caused by disruptions to around a fifth of global oil and gas supply along the Strait of Hormuz.' It is a temporary market-stabilizing measure, not a permanent replacement, stockpile reduction, or funding mechanism.

Explanation

The article's author is identified as a former Additional Director of the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC), under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. PPAC is the nodal agency for data collection, analysis, and planning for the petroleum sector in India.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article's historical analysis. Statement 2 is correct as the article explains that oil is traded as a financial asset, and prices reflect expectations. Statement 3 is incorrect; the article explicitly states SPRs are 'now deployed to counter psychological volatility in the market', citing the G-7's 400 million barrel release aimed at stabilizing sentiment.

Explanation

The article states: 'Around a fifth of global oil consumption is transported through the Strait of Hormuz.' A 'fifth' translates to 20%. The option 'Roughly 10%' is a distractor, as that figure applies to the Bab el-Mandeb and Suez corridor.

Explanation

The article concludes that the evolving structure 'complicates the notion of energy security. It now requires resilience not only against supply disruptions but also against financial and logistical shocks.' This directly points to an integrated approach. Options A and B are incomplete, focusing only on one aspect. Option D is contrary to the article's point that oil's strategic relevance persists despite the energy transition.

Explanation

The article explicitly mentions that the consolidation of water governance under the Ministry of Jal Shakti in 2019 marked a shift toward integrated stewardship. This ministry handles all aspects of water resource management, river development, and drinking water.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as COP30 was held in Belém, Brazil in November 2025. Statement 2 is correct as the indicators are part of the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience. Statement 3 is correct as the article states this integration marks a decisive shift in adaptation understanding.

Explanation

The article specifically mentions 'universal multi-hazard early warning systems by 2027' as one of the key targets under the Belém Adaptation Indicators' risk governance cluster. 2030 is the target for updated national vulnerability assessments, and 2035 is mentioned regarding adaptation finance.

Explanation

The article emphasizes that 'Belém calls for convergence, not reinvention.' It states India's domestic water reforms (Water Vision 2047, NAQUIM, Jal Shakti) provide a foundation, and the indicators offer a framework to integrate climate stress testing into these existing missions. The focus is on system resilience, not just new infrastructure.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the study was conducted by researchers from the Regional (West) and National Remote Sensing Centres of ISRO and published in NPJ Natural Hazards. ISRO is India's national space agency.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. The study found the flood was triggered by the collapse of an exposed ice patch on the Srikanta glacier, not by a GLOF. Statement 2 is correct as per the article's conclusion. Statement 3 is incorrect; the study argues monitoring should extend beyond GLOFs to include smaller instabilities like exposed ice patches.

Explanation

The article specifies that Dharali village is 'located at a height of 2,650-2,700 m along the Bhagirathi river.' The other options are distractors based on common altitude ranges for Himalayan villages.

Explanation

The article concludes that 'nivation hollows' are identified as 'geomorphologically sensitive zones for cryospheric instability.' These are areas of snow accumulation and erosion on steep slopes, which the study found were the site of the ice-patch collapse that triggered the Dharali flood.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the International Energy Agency (IEA) simultaneously announced its largest-ever emergency stockpile drawdown. The IEA is the correct body responsible for coordinating such releases among member countries during supply crises.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article mentions the waiver initially applied to India alone. Statement 2 is incorrect because prices surged from around $70 to above $110, not fell below $70. Statement 3 is incorrect; the primary reason was to stabilize energy markets facing a shock, not to increase pressure on Russia (in fact, Europe argued it reduced pressure).

Explanation

The article states the Strait of Hormuz is 'the chokepoint through which roughly 20 per cent of the world’s oil transits'. The other options are plausible distractors but do not match the specific figure provided in the text.

Explanation

The article notes that 'Europe has reacted with alarm, warning that eased sanctions replenish the Kremlin’s war chest and release the political pressure on Moscow to end the war in Ukraine.' This directly captures Europe's primary concern about the waiver's impact on the conflict.

Explanation

The article explicitly states 'According to the Ministry of External Affairs, there are nearly 8.9 million overseas Indians in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries alone.' This ministry handles diaspora-related affairs and tracks overseas Indian populations.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article states the war's impact was 'mainly on the merchandise trade account' and the deficit widened to $265.3 bn. Statement 2 is incorrect; the risk to the invisibles account is due to potential disruption of remittances from Gulf expatriates, not software exports. Statement 3 is correct as per the data provided in the article.

Explanation

The article states: 'Reserve Bank of India data shows these six countries having a combined 37.9% share in the gross remittances of $118.7 billion received by the country in 2023-24.' The other options are plausible distractors but incorrect.

Explanation

The article's section titled 'The real vulnerability for India' explains that the conflict's ramifications 'could extend beyond [merchandise trade], to even the invisibles account.' It details that if the war drags on, pushing West Asian economies into contraction and forcing large-scale return of Indian workers, it would 'significantly dent India’s invisibles account surpluses.'