18 April 2026, Questions & Answers

Explanation

Article 368 of the Indian Constitution deals with the power of Parliament to amend the Constitution and the procedure thereof. The 131st Amendment Bill required a special majority as per this article, which it failed to secure.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The bill mandated delimitation based on the latest Census, which is currently 2011, not the 2026-27 Census. Statement 2 is incorrect: A constitutional amendment requires a special majority (two-thirds of members present and voting), not a simple majority. Statement 3 is correct as per the article, which states the government shelved the companion bills after the main bill's defeat.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that 298 members voted in favor of the bill. 230 voted against, 352 was the number of votes required to pass, and 528 was the total number of members present and voting.

Explanation

The article questions why a proportional increase for southern states was not in the Bill itself if it was the intent, highlighting that the Opposition dismissed the verbal guarantee because it was not part of the official amendment. The bill's text clearly mandated delimitation based on the 2011 Census.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that members voted on the Bill in the Lok Sabha on April 17, 2026. The Lok Sabha is the lower house of the Indian Parliament where money bills and most other bills are introduced.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article mentions voting in the Lok Sabha. Statement 2 is incorrect; the article highlights the gap between high female voter turnout and low representation, not low turnout. Statement 3 is correct as the article directly states this point.

Explanation

The article caption for the image clearly states the voting occurred in the Lok Sabha on April 17, 2026. The published date of the opinion piece is April 18, 2026, which is a close distractor.

Explanation

The article's core argument is that India has high voter participation and an engaged female electorate, yet women remain underrepresented in legislative institutions. The Bill aims to bridge this specific gap between electoral participation and political representation.

Explanation

The Delimitation Commission is a statutory body constituted under the Delimitation Act to redraw the boundaries of constituencies. This is directly linked to the news, as the amendment's defeat centered on apprehensions about the delimitation process.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect; the amendment sought to LINK women's reservation to delimitation, not delink it. Statement 2 is correct as the Women's Reservation Act was passed in 2023. Statement 3 is correct as the article mentions the opposition questioned the refusal to wait for census data including caste numbers.

Explanation

The article explicitly mentions a 'five decades-long freeze' on the expansion of seats, which the government's amendment sought to lift as part of implementing women's reservation.

Explanation

The article states the opposition flagged the 'cloud of distrust on delimitation's institutional mechanism' and questioned the haste, not the principle of reservation itself. The other options are not supported by the article's content.

Explanation

The article states the Act awaits the 'delimitation exercise'. The Delimitation Commission is a statutory body constituted under the Delimitation Act to redraw electoral constituency boundaries. The Election Commission conducts polls but does not delimit constituencies.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. The article says 'two out of the 15 women' opposed it, but does NOT state they were the 'only two' who opposed it; others may have had different views or remained silent. Statement 2 is correct as per the article: 'the only one in favour was a man: R K Chaudhari.' Statement 3 is correct as Renuka Ray recalled her opposition to the 1935 Act which ensured reservation for women.

Explanation

The article provides the data point: 'a definite improvement from the 4.9% in the first general election of 1951-52'. The current figure of 13.6% is a close distractor. The other percentages are not mentioned.

Explanation

The article explicitly quotes Renuka Ray saying reservation would be 'an impediment to our growth and an insult to our very intelligence and capacity.' Hansa Mehta similarly argued for social, economic, and political justice based on equality, not privileges. The other options are not supported by the article's content.

Explanation

The Delimitation Commission is a statutory body constituted under the Delimitation Act to redraw constituency boundaries based on census data. This is directly relevant as the news mentions delimitation as a prerequisite for implementing women's reservation.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the Act mandates 33% reservation. Statement 2 is correct as per the article which states the Act was notified on April 16, 2026, starting its timeline. Statement 3 is incorrect because the article clarifies implementation requires delimitation, which is a procedural hurdle.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the law timeline of 15 years, often referred to as the 'sunset clause', begins from April 16, 2026. The other options are plausible but incorrect durations.

Explanation

The article states the bill 'sought to redistribute Lok Sabha seats on the basis of the 2011 Census to expedite the implementation of women’s reservation'. This was its core purpose, aiming to bypass the need for a fresh census for delimitation.

Explanation

As mentioned in the article, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the new series of national income accounts, shifting the base from 2011-12 to 2022-23.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article's 'Do You Know' section. Statement 2 is correct as described in the 'Key Takeaways'. Statement 3 is incorrect: India's projected GDP for 2026 is $4.15 trillion; $4.38 trillion is Japan's projected GDP.

Explanation

The article states: "the figure for the incumbent House — the 18th Lok Sabha (2024-29) — stands at 75 out of a total 543 (13.6%)." 4.9% was the share in the first Lok Sabha, 10.9% in 2009, and 14.36% in the previous Lok Sabha (2019-24).

Explanation

The article identifies that while inflation updates happened regularly, "the basic component was last revised in Haryana in 2015 and in 2014 in UP" and was not revised every five years as stipulated, leading to falling real wages and protests.

Explanation

The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, which conducts the decennial Census of India, operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Article 81(3) freezes the population basis for seat allocation (at 1971), not the total number of seats. Statement 2 is correct as per the proviso (ii) to Article 81(3). Statement 3 is incorrect; the initial freeze was introduced by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, but the article mentions extensions in 2001, not the first introduction.

Explanation

The article states that the Cabinet press release of December 12, 2025, announced the Population Enumeration (PE) phase would be conducted in February 2027 for most of the country, with exceptions for snow-bound areas.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the reason for the impending seat reallocation is the constitutional principle enshrined in Article 81: 'one person, one vote, one value'. The lapse of the freeze will make seat distribution reflect current population, upholding this principle.

Explanation

A Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is a type of free trade agreement focused on reducing tariffs, improving market access, and setting rules for trade in goods, services, and investment, as mentioned in the article's context of bilateral trade.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: the article states the Strait is not completely closed but access is 'restricted, conditioned, and controlled' with Iran charging a toll. Statement 2 is correct as per the UAE minister's quote. Statement 3 is incorrect: the trade figure for 2025 is USD 75 billion, not USD 100 billion.

Explanation

The article explicitly states: 'total trade reaching USD 75 billion in 2025.' USD 200 billion is the target for 2032, making it a close distractor.

Explanation

The article directly quotes the UAE minister stating that the Strait's closure 'impacts India, which depends on this corridor for a significant share of its crude oil, LPG, and fertilizer imports.' This is identified as the core economic impact.

Explanation

Justice Nagarathna's call for judges to be free from external pressures directly aligns with the constitutional principle of Judicial Independence, which is essential for a fair judiciary. While Separation of Powers (Article 50) supports this, the core concept invoked is independence itself.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as she said judges "fall prey to greed and temptation must be weeded out." Statement 2 is correct as she said judges must be free from "external pressures or from their colleagues." Statement 3 is incorrect; she warned against over-reliance on AI and said judges must retain control over reasoning, not that AI should replace them.

Explanation

The article explicitly mentions that the speech was delivered at the 22nd Biennial State-Level Conference of Judicial Officers in Bengaluru.

Explanation

Justice Nagarathna stated that if judges rely too much on AI, it can create cognitive influence and poses a threat to the cognitive autonomy of humans. This is the core threat she identified, emphasizing the need for judges to retain final control over reasoning.

Explanation

The article explicitly states the General License was issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury. OFAC is responsible for administering US economic and trade sanctions.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the OFAC General License details. Statement 2 is incorrect; the article states the objective was to ease global supply and exert downward pressure on oil prices, not to increase US revenue. Statement 3 is correct as the waiver allowed Indian refiners to take deliveries from sanctioned tankers and deal with companies like Rosneft.

Explanation

The article states that India's Russian oil imports nearly doubled to 2 million barrels per day (bpd) in March 2026, according to tanker data from Kpler. The 1.6 million bpd figure is for the first two weeks of April, and 2.7 million bpd is mentioned as the upper range of India's total imports transiting Hormuz.

Explanation

The article explains that without the waiver, Indian refiners taking deliveries of Russian crude on sanctioned tankers or dealing with sanctioned Russian suppliers would have risked attracting secondary sanctions from the US. The other options are not mentioned as direct consequences in the article.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that Seema Jain, Member (Finance) of DAE, said the Atomic Energy Commission has approved the FDI policy. The AEC is the apex policy-making body for atomic energy in India, while DAE is the administrative department.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article links the FDI policy clearance to the SHANTI Act push. Statement 2 is incorrect; the required investment is ₹20 lakh crore, not ₹10 lakh crore. Statement 3 is correct as Seema Jain stated the next challenge is to indigenize LWR technology.

Explanation

Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson of CEA, highlighted that the current process for nuclear projects takes around 13 years. He stressed the need to reduce this to about 8-9 years. The other options are distractors related to the target or incorrect figures.

Explanation

The article's opening states that the dilution of the liability clause under the proposed SHANTI Act is expected to boost FDI as it opens the sector to private participation. The other options are either not the primary outcome mentioned or are incorrect; for example, PHWR technology is already indigenized.

Explanation

The Election Commission of India, the constitutional body responsible for conducting elections, is established under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution. This article vests the superintendence, direction, and control of elections in the ECI.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; the trigger for repoll is webcam inactivity for more than 30 minutes, not one hour. Statement 3 is correct as Malda and Cooch Behar are mentioned among the super-sensitive districts.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that West Bengal has approximately 80,000 polling booths, all of which are mandated to have 100 per cent webcasting coverage. The other figures are close distractors.

Explanation

As stated in the concluding part of the article, the ECI's aim is to eliminate both overt and subtle forms of electoral malpractice and ensure a free, fair and intimidation-free voting process. The other options describe potential secondary effects or misinterpretations of the model.

Explanation

Article 215 of the Indian Constitution states that every High Court shall be a court of record and shall have all the powers of such a court. Article 129 pertains to the Supreme Court as a court of record.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; the case was against a Calcutta High Court order, not Madras High Court. Statement 3 is correct as the SC emphasized the guardian role of High Courts.

Explanation

The article clearly states that the Supreme Court said the High Court was not justified in unsettling a bail order after nearly eight years on technical grounds.

Explanation

The core of the observation was to caution against public criticism and to remind High Courts of their expected role as guardians of the district judiciary, thereby reinforcing institutional respect and hierarchy.

Explanation

Railway infrastructure projects, including line expansion and quadrupling, are executed by the Ministry of Railways. This ministry oversees the planning, construction, and operation of the Indian Railways network.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article mentions laying third and fourth lines. Statement 2 is incorrect; the cost is ₹9,889 crore but the route length is 198 km (458 km is the total track length). Statement 3 is correct as the article explicitly states the project is part of quadrupling the Howrah-Chennai HDN route.

Explanation

The article clearly states the estimated cost is ₹9,889 crore. The other options are close distractors. Memorizing exact financial figures for major infrastructure projects is crucial for Prelims.

Explanation

The article explicitly states the project aims 'to ease congestion on one of the country's busiest rail corridors'. While improving port connectivity and boosting freight traffic are secondary benefits, decongestion is the core objective mentioned.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the National Medical Commission (NMC) has proposed the draft amendments. The NMC is the apex regulatory body for medical education in India, having replaced the MCI.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect because the article says norms are eased for 'trusts and societies', not specifically for 'corporate hospitals'. Statement 2 is incorrect as the single-State licence is proposed specifically for Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) doctors, not for all private practitioners. Statement 3 is correct as per the article.

Explanation

The article clearly states that the Commission has invited comments until May 7. The other dates are plausible distractors but are not mentioned in the provided content.

Explanation

The article states the proposal is for a 'single-State licence for Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) doctors to practice across the country'. This implies removing administrative barriers related to state-wise registration, enhancing their mobility for service. The other options are not supported by the article.

Explanation

As per static geography, the Strait of Hormuz is the narrow passage that connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the wider Arabian Sea. It is a vital global oil transit route.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article explicitly states the action was taken on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Statement 2 is incorrect; the announcement was made by Iran's joint military command, not the Foreign Ministry. Statement 3 is correct, as the article quotes Iran's warning linking the two blockades.

Explanation

The article mentions the action was taken on 'Saturday (April 18, 2026)' and the published date is also April 18, 2026. This is a precise factual detail examiners can test.

Explanation

The article clearly states Iran's action is a direct response, accusing the U.S. of violating a deal and warning it will continue 'as long as the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remained in effect.' This establishes retaliation and leverage as the primary objective.

Explanation

Article 243-I of the Constitution mandates the Governor to constitute a State Finance Commission every five years to review the financial position of the Panchayats and recommend the principles for devolution of funds from the state's Consolidated Fund. This was highlighted in the parliamentary debate by MP Padmanabham.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the 73rd Amendment (1992) mandated 33% reservation for women in PRIs. Statement 2 is correct as Karnataka introduced 25% reservation via a 1983 Act. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Ashok Mehta Committee was constituted in 1977, not 1957; the 1957 committee was the Balwantrai Mehta Committee.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that women constitute about 46% of the nearly three million panchayat and gram sabha representatives today. While 33% was the constitutional mandate, many states have extended it to 50%, leading to higher actual representation. The 50% option is a common distractor.

Explanation

A central concern raised by MPs like Syed Shahbuddin was that reservation for women, without sub-quotas, could lead to 'elite capture' where powerful groups use women from their families to augment their power, overlooking marginalized women. This concern directly ties to the ongoing debate on OBC sub-reservation within women's quota.

Explanation

The Delimitation Commission is a high-powered body established by an Act of Parliament to redraw the boundaries of Lok Sabha and State Assembly constituencies. The Election Commission conducts elections but does not delimit constituencies.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article discusses linking women's reservation to expanding legislatures via delimitation. Statement 2 is incorrect; the freeze is via the 84th Amendment Act of 2001 (not 2002). Statement 3 is correct, reflecting the core federal concern raised in the article about southern states.

Explanation

The article explicitly mentions a "33 per cent reservation" for women in legislatures. This has been the long-standing proposal in the Women's Reservation Bill. Other percentages are commonly discussed but 33% is the specific figure mentioned.

Explanation

The article's core argument is that the women's reservation cause was "weaponised as a smokescreen" to breach the consensus on freezing Lok Sabha seats and push through delimitation, which is a politically contentious issue with significant federal implications.

Explanation

The article explicitly cites the source as the 'National Quantum Mission, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India'. The DST is the central department responsible for formulating and implementing policies for science and technology in India.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article: 'Launched at a total cost of Rs.6003.65 crore from 2023-24 to 2030-31'. Statement 2 is incorrect; the target range is 2000 kilometers, not 1000 km. Statement 3 is correct as the article states 'Quantum Sensing & Metrology — IIT Bombay' is one of the four pillars.

Explanation

The article clearly states the mission objective: 'Developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits in 8 years'. The other options are plausible-sounding distractors but do not match the specific target mentioned.

Explanation

The article states that with the launch of AQRA, 'India now has open sovereign quantum infrastructure.' The facility is described as a 'testing facility' and part of creating a quantum technology hub. The other options describe potential applications or outcomes but are not the primary significance stated in the article.

Explanation

The article explicitly states the approval was given by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), which is chaired by the Prime Minister and is responsible for reviewing and approving major economic projects and policies.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect: the bridge is over the Godavari river, not Krishna, and it connects ports like Kakinada and Gangavaram, not Mundra and Kandla (which are in Gujarat). Statement 3 is correct, with exact figures from the article.

Explanation

The article specifies that the Cabinet approved the construction of the 3rd and 4th line of the 403-km Ghaziabad-Sitapur section at a cost of ₹14,926 crore. ₹9,889 crore is for the Andhra Pradesh project, and ₹24,815 crore is the combined total.

Explanation

The government statement quoted in the article says the projects will help in "minimising logistics cost" and "achieving climate goals" by lowering CO2 emissions. While other options might be indirect effects, this dual objective of economic efficiency and environmental benefit is explicitly highlighted as the primary aim.

Explanation

An ambassador is formally titled 'Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary'. A High Commissioner represents a Commonwealth country in another Commonwealth country. A Consul General heads a consulate, and a Charge d'Affaires acts as head of mission in the ambassador's absence.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the UK Maritime Trade Operations report mentioned. Statement 2 is incorrect; the CENTCOM blockade specifically targeted 'Iranian-controlled ports and coastal areas', not all GCC countries. Statement 3 is correct as the article mentions the first round of US-Iran talks on April 7 was mediated by Pakistan.

Explanation

The article explicitly states: 'a two-week ceasefire window in place until April 22, 2026.' April 18 is the date of the incident, April 7 is the date of the first talks, and February 28 is the start date of the broader conflict.

Explanation

The article emphasizes that the Strait of Hormuz is 'one of the most critical chokepoints in global trade' and that 'nearly a fifth of global oil consumption flows' through it. Any disruption there has immediate implications for global oil prices and supply chains, which is the core of its strategic significance.

Explanation

As mentioned in the article's historical context, PMGSY is a flagship rural infrastructure program. Such programs for rural connectivity and development fall under the mandate of the Ministry of Rural Development.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; the timeline for bridges in hilly areas is extended till March 2029, not 2028. Statement 3 is correct as the article mentions consolidation to connect habitations to GrAMs, schools, and hospitals.

Explanation

The article states: 'the outlay of the scheme has been revised to Rs 83,977 crore from the original outlay of Rs 80,250 crore.' ₹70,125 crore is the outlay for PMGSY-IV, and ₹83,977 crore is the revised outlay.

Explanation

The article explicitly states: 'The new approval also involves consolidation of through routes and major rural links connecting habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), higher secondary schools and hospitals.' This indicates a shift towards enhancing connectivity to socio-economic hubs.

Explanation

The article explicitly states the 'mosquito fleet' forms the heart of the naval forces deployed by the Revolutionary Guard, which is a force separate from Iran's regular navy.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article describes a flotilla of small, fast, agile boats focused on asymmetrical warfare. Statement 2 is correct as it mentions the construction of at least 10 well-hidden, fortified bases. Statement 3 is incorrect; the IRGC navy was added around 1986, not immediately after 1979, and it is separate from the regular army.

Explanation

The article states that those boats often reach speeds of more than 100 knots, or more than 115 mph. The other options are plausible distractors but not supported by the text.

Explanation

The article emphasizes the fleet's role in asymmetrical warfare and hit-and-run attacks designed to harass shipping and stymie transit through the strait, making it a disruptive force rather than one seeking conventional victory.

Explanation

The article's byline identifies the writer as the 'former permanent representative of India to the United Nations'. This is a static fact about the reviewer's position.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect as the book argues the turn is a 'long correction' of historical retreat. Statement 2 is incorrect as the book shows China's challenge extends to South Asia and multilateral institutions. Statement 3 is correct as explicitly mentioned in the article.

Explanation

The article states the book's 'deeper conceptual contribution is to present India as a balancing power in a contested Asia'. The other options are either opposite to or distortions of the book's arguments.

Explanation

The article explicitly states: 'Raja Mohan keeps West Asia outside the book’s central argument' and notes that for India, 'the Gulf is not peripheral' due to energy, diaspora, and security interests.

Explanation

The article explicitly states the sanctuary was 'notified in 1983 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972'. This is the primary legislation for declaring sanctuaries and national parks in India.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article quotes the forest official saying the denotification was based on NBWL recommendations. Statement 2 is correct as the article states the SC took suo motu cognizance 'while taking suo motu cognisance of illegal sand mining in Rajasthan'. Statement 3 is incorrect; the article states the area is 'recorded as revenue land', not forest land.

Explanation

The article specifically mentions '732 hectares' multiple times as the area proposed for denotification. The other figures are close distractors not mentioned in the text.

Explanation

The article quotes an ecologist saying the denotification 'raises serious ecological concerns' for the 'fragile, interconnected system supporting critically endangered species' like the gharial. The other options, while plausible environmental concerns, are not directly mentioned in the article's context.