Question 1

What topics are covered in the 20 February 2026 current affairs quiz?

Accepted Answer

The 20 February 2026 quiz covers Polity, Governance, International Relations, Security with 25 MCQs sourced from The Hindu and Indian Express.

Question 2

How to use 20 February 2026 daily quiz for UPSC preparation?

Accepted Answer

Attempt the quiz after reading the daily current affairs. Focus on understanding the explanation for each question. Link each topic to your static GK notes for comprehensive preparation.

Question 3

How many MCQs should I practice daily for competitive exams?

Accepted Answer

Experts recommend 10-20 current affairs MCQs daily. This takes only 5-7 minutes but significantly improves retention through active recall, which is more effective than passive reading.

Question 4

Are these quiz questions based on The Hindu and Indian Express?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All questions are derived from important news articles published in The Hindu and Indian Express, filtered and ranked by AI for exam relevance across UPSC, MPSC, SSC, Banking & Teaching exams.

Question 5

As per the Constitution, who has the power to nominate 12 members to the Rajya Sabha?

Accepted Answer

The President of India, Article 80(3) of the Indian Constitution empowers the President to nominate 12 members to the Rajya Sabha who have special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art, and social service.

Question 6

The proposed 'National Intelligence Council' in Japan, mentioned in the news, is intended to consolidate intelligence from various agencies. Which of the following is a well-known foreign intelligence agency of the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), The Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), commonly known as MI6, is the United Kingdom's foreign intelligence agency. The CIA is the US foreign intelligence agency, the FBI is the US domestic security agency, and the NSA is the US signals intelligence agency.

Question 7

Which constitutional body has referred the petitions challenging the amendment to the RTI Act to a Constitution Bench?

Accepted Answer

Supreme Court of India, As per the article, the Supreme Court of India, recognizing the 'constitutional sensitivity' of the issue, referred the petitions to a Constitution Bench. The Supreme Court is the highest constitutional court in India.

Question 8

Which ministry is responsible for the 'Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers'?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Labour and Employment, The 'Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers' is implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Employment. This ministry is the nodal agency for policies and laws concerning labour welfare, including the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976.

Question 9

Which annual government document, as per the news, has called for age-based limits for social media usage by children?

Accepted Answer

Economic Survey of India, The article mentions the Economic Survey of India 2025-26 has called for age-based limits for social media usage by children. The Economic Survey is a flagship annual document of the Ministry of Finance, analyzing economic trends and suggesting policy measures.

Question 10

Under which Schedule of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 is the Olive Ridley turtle listed, granting it the highest degree of protection?

Accepted Answer

Schedule I, The Olive Ridley turtle is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Species under this schedule are accorded the highest level of protection, with stringent penalties for offenses. This is a fundamental static GK fact for environment and biodiversity sections.

Question 11

Which US government agency is cited in the article as characterizing the Strait of Hormuz as the world's most important oil transit chokepoint?

Accepted Answer

Energy Information Administration (EIA), The article explicitly mentions the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) in the context of defining the strategic significance of the Strait of Hormuz. The EIA is a statistical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for collecting and analyzing energy data.

Question 12

In the context of the Supreme Court judgment on Haryana flats allotment, which constitutional article was primarily invoked against arbitrary state action?

Accepted Answer

Article 14, The Supreme Court's cancellation was based on the violation of Article 14 (Right to Equality), which prohibits arbitrary and discriminatory state action. While Article 32 provides the right to constitutional remedies, the substantive right violated was equality under Article 14.

Question 13

Which constitutional article did the Karnataka High Court link to the protection of lakes and public water bodies in its recent judgment?

Accepted Answer

Article 21, The judgment explicitly states that the preservation of public water bodies is fundamental to the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. This article guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, which the judiciary has interpreted to include the right to a healthy environment.

Question 14

Which constitutional body made the observation about a 'nexus between police and power' in the Andhra Pradesh murder case?

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court of India, The article explicitly states that a three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court of India, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, made the observation about a 'clear nexus between police and power'.

Question 15

Consider the following statements regarding Rajya Sabha elections:

1. The domicile requirement for contesting Rajya Sabha elections was removed by a constitutional amendment.

2. The Fourth Schedule of the Constitution allocates Rajya Sabha seats to states and union territories.

3. A Minister from the Lok Sabha has the right to vote in the Rajya Sabha.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only 2, Statement 1 is incorrect. The domicile requirement was removed by an amendment to the Representation of the People Act, 1951, not a constitutional amendment, as upheld in the Kuldip Nayar case. Statement 2 is correct as per the article. Statement 3 is incorrect; a Minister from Lok Sabha can speak but not vote in Rajya Sabha.

Question 16

Consider the following statements regarding the news about Japan's security overhaul:

1. Japan plans to double its defence spending to 2% of its GDP by the end of March 2026.

2. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi proposed creating a Japanese version of the UK's MI5 to screen foreign investments.

3. The security review includes plans to accelerate the restart of nuclear reactors idled since the 2011 Fukushima disaster.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; the proposed body is a Japanese version of the US Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS), not the UK's MI5 (which is a domestic security service). Statement 3 is correct as PM Takaichi promised to speed up nuclear reactor restarts.

Question 17

Consider the following statements regarding the amendment to the RTI Act by the DPDP Act:

1. The amendment removes the 'public interest override' provision from Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act.

2. The amendment was effected by Section 7 of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

3. The Supreme Court has referred petitions challenging this amendment to a Constitution Bench.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as the article states the DPDP Act dilutes RTI by removing the public interest override. Statement 2 is incorrect; the amendment was effected by Section 44(3) of the DPDP Act, not Section 7. Statement 3 is correct as mentioned in the first paragraph of the article.

Question 18

Consider the following statements regarding the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976:

1. It defines bonded labour as a system of forced labour where a debtor enters into an agreement with a creditor.

2. The Act mandates that the identification, release, and rehabilitation of bonded labourers is the primary responsibility of the Central Government.

3. The Act came into force retrospectively from October 1975, though it was passed by Parliament in 1976.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as per the definition in the Act. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Act places the responsibility of identification, release, and rehabilitation on State Governments and Union Territories, not the Central Government. Statement 3 is correct; the Act was passed in 1976 but came into force retrospectively from 25th October 1975.

Question 19

Consider the following statements regarding the landmark tech addiction trial against Meta:

1. The lawsuit argues that social media platforms should be identified as a 'product', making them liable under product liability standards for their design.

2. The American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic manual classifies excessive social media use as a clinical 'addiction'.

3. The case has drawn comparisons with the legal battles against 'Big Tobacco' in the 1980s over downplaying health risks.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct: The plaintiffs argue that the design of the platform is a 'product' and should face product liability. Statement 2 is incorrect: The APA defines it as 'problematic and compulsive use', not a clinical addiction. Statement 3 is correct: The article explicitly states the case is compared to the war against Big Tobacco in the 1980s.

Question 20

According to the news, how many Rajya Sabha seats from Maharashtra are due for election in 2026?

Accepted Answer

7, The article explicitly states that among the 37 MPs whose terms are ending, seven are from Maharashtra. The other options are close distractors representing counts from other states mentioned.

Question 21

According to the news, by when does Japan aim to achieve its target of doubling defence spending to 2% of GDP?

Accepted Answer

By the end of March 2026, The article explicitly states the target is to be met 'by the end of March'. The specific year, 2026, is derived from the article's context and the PM's tenure. 'End of March' typically refers to the end of the Japanese fiscal year.

Question 22

What is the maximum financial penalty prescribed under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, for non-compliance, as mentioned in the article?

Accepted Answer

₹250 crore, The article specifically mentions that non-compliance with the DPDP Act can attract fines up to ₹250 crore. This is a key data point regarding the Act's stringent provisions, especially concerning potential impacts on journalism.

Question 23

According to the Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data mentioned in the article, what was the total number of bonded labourers released in India?

Accepted Answer

1.65 lakh, The article states that as per the SECC 2011 assessment, the number of legally released bonded labourers in the country was 1.65 lakh. The figure 8,304 refers specifically to bonded labourers rescued in Odisha.

Question 24

According to a December 2025 study by the Pew Research Center mentioned in the article, what percentage of teenagers use YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, or Facebook 'almost constantly'?

Accepted Answer

36%, The article cites the Pew Research Center study from December 2025, which notes that 36% of teens use one of the five platforms (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook) 'almost constantly'. This is a precise data point for factual recall.

Question 25

What is the primary constitutional rationale for having a bicameral legislature with a Rajya Sabha, as highlighted in the Constituent Assembly debates?

Accepted Answer

To act as a revising chamber and delay hasty legislation., As quoted from Shri Gopalaswami Ayyangar in the article, the Rajya Sabha is intended as an instrument to 'delay action which might be hastily conceived' and allow seasoned individuals to contribute to debates, fulfilling the role of a revising chamber.

Question 26

What is a primary strategic objective behind Japan's plan to strengthen critical supply chains, particularly for rare earths, around Minamitori Island?

Accepted Answer

To reduce dependence on specific countries for strategic resources, The article directly links the supply chain strengthening to reducing dependence on 'specific countries', a clear reference to China which dominates the global rare earths market. This is a move towards economic security and strategic autonomy, not primarily about employment, R&D, or environmental compliance.

Question 27

What is the primary constitutional concern raised by the petitions referred to the Supreme Court's Constitution Bench, as per the article?

Accepted Answer

The balance between the right to privacy and the right to information., The core issue is the tension introduced by the DPDP Act's amendment to the RTI Act. The amendment prioritizes data privacy (a facet of the right to privacy under Article 21) by restricting disclosure, potentially at the cost of transparency and the citizen's right to information, which is crucial for accountability.

Question 28

What is identified as a primary reason for rescued bonded labourers falling back into the cycle of exploitation, as highlighted in the article?

Accepted Answer

Delays in providing rehabilitation assistance, The core analysis points out that timely financial and livelihood support is critical. Delays in rehabilitation assistance leave rescued labourers with no economic alternative, pushing them back into the same exploitative professions to survive, thus nullifying the rescue effort.

Question 29

What is the core legal distinction being argued by the plaintiffs in the lawsuit against Meta and YouTube?

Accepted Answer

That the platforms' algorithmic design itself is addictive and harmful, constituting a defective product., The plaintiffs are making a case against 'hostile platform design', arguing features like infinite scroll are engineered to be addictive. This moves beyond liability for user content (protected by Section 230) to product liability for the design of the platform itself.

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