Question 1

What topics are covered in the 21 February 2026 current affairs quiz?

Accepted Answer

The 21 February 2026 quiz covers Polity, Governance, Economy, Infrastructure with 25 MCQs sourced from The Hindu and Indian Express.

Question 2

How to use 21 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

Who is the chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee examining the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, as per the article?

Accepted Answer

P.P. Chaudhary, The article explicitly states that P.P. Chaudhary, a BJP MP, is the chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the Bill on simultaneous elections.

Question 6

Which organization publishes the annual performance report of state power distribution utilities (DISCOMs)?

Accepted Answer

Power Finance Corporation, As per the article, the Power Finance Corporation's (PFC) report on Distribution utilities details the financial performance and losses accrued by state DISCOMs. PFC is a leading financial institution in India's power sector.

Question 7

The Supreme Court upheld the award given by which statutory body in the Parsvnath homebuyers case?

Accepted Answer

National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), The article clearly states the Supreme Court upheld the award of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC). NCDRC is the apex body under the Consumer Protection Act for resolving consumer disputes.

Question 8

Which central investigating agency was responsible for the investigation in the POCSO case involving the sexual exploitation of 33 children?

Accepted Answer

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), The article explicitly states that the CBI investigated the case, filed the charge sheet, and coordinated with forensic and child protection authorities. The CBI is India's premier investigating agency for serious crimes.

Question 9

Which United Nations agency publishes the 'State of the Education Report for India' that focused on Mother Tongue and Multilingual Education in 2025?

Accepted Answer

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), The article explicitly mentions that UNESCO publishes the annual State of the Education Report for India. The 2025 edition, the seventh, was titled 'Bhasha Matters: Mother Tongue and Multilingual Education'.

Question 10

Which U.S. law, struck down by the Supreme Court for imposing tariffs, had never been used for that purpose by any previous President?

Accepted Answer

International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977, The article states that the US Supreme Court struck down Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) for imposing tariffs, noting it was 'a law no previous President has used to impose tariffs.'

Question 11

The 'Board of Peace' initiative mentioned in the news is spearheaded by which country?

Accepted Answer

United States, The article states that the Board of Peace is a venture 'spearheaded by Donald Trump', the US President. It is a US-led initiative, distinct from UN bodies.

Question 12

The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), mentioned in the context of cyber fraud complaints, operates under which Union Ministry?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Home Affairs, The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in) is an initiative of the Government of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs to facilitate reporting of all types of cybercrimes.

Question 13

Which US law, enacted in 1930 and mentioned in the article, is infamous for exacerbating the Great Depression through high tariffs?

Accepted Answer

The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, The article explicitly mentions the 'Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930' in its discussion of Section 338, noting it raised duties and triggered a retaliatory trade war that helped shrink world trade during the Depression.

Question 14

The Indian Patents Act of 1970, which was instrumental for the generic drug industry, was a recommendation of a committee headed by whom?

Accepted Answer

Justice Rajagopala Ayyangar, The article explicitly mentions Justice Rajagopala Ayyangar as one of the entrepreneurial policymakers behind India's pharma success, referring to the committee that led to the Patents Act, 1970. Jaisukhlal Hathi was a parliamentarian also involved, but the question asks for the committee head.

Question 15

Consider the following statements regarding the proposal for simultaneous elections:

1. A study presented to the Ram Nath Kovind Committee estimated a recurring loss of 1.6% of GDP due to frequent elections.

2. The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, in its present form, has been unanimously praised for its flawless drafting.

3. The 'remainder term' principle, already used in Panchayati Raj institutions, is being examined for application to State Assemblies and Parliament.

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 article clearly states the Bill has 'many infirmities' and is being examined by the JPC. Statement 3 is correct, as the article mentions the panel is examining the 'remainder term' principle used in Panchayats.

Question 16

Consider the following statements regarding the financial turnaround of DISCOMs:

1. The Economic Survey 2025-26 reported that DISCOMs recorded a positive Profit After Tax for the first time in FY25.

2. The Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) aims to reduce AT&C losses to below 10% by the end of FY 2025-26.

3. The reduction in outstanding dues of DISCOMs to generating companies is solely attributed to the Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only 1, Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; RDSS aimed to reduce AT&C losses to 12-15% by FY25-26, not below 10%. Statement 3 is incorrect; the article credits the amended Electricity (Late Payment Surcharge) Rules, 2022 for the significant reduction in dues, not UDAY.

Question 17

Consider the following statements regarding the Supreme Court judgment on Parsvnath homebuyers:

1. The Court held that the power of consumer forums to grant compensation is traceable to the statute and cannot be curtailed by one-sided contractual terms.

2. The Court directed the builder to hand over possession on an 'as is where is' basis without an Occupancy Certificate due to the prolonged delay.

3. The Court upheld the award of simple interest at the rate of 8% per annum as fair and reasonable compensation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as per the article: 'The power of the consumer fora...cannot be curtailed by contractual terms.' Statement 2 is incorrect; the SC made it clear that lawful possession cannot be forced without an Occupancy Certificate, rejecting the builder's 'as is where is' proposal. Statement 3 is correct as the SC upheld the 8% interest award.

Question 18

Consider the following statements regarding the recent POCSO court judgment:

1. The court sentenced a former junior engineer and his wife to death for crimes against 33 minor girls.

2. The court ordered the Uttar Pradesh government to pay ₹10 lakh compensation to each victim.

3. The accused were convicted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Indian Penal Code.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 2 and 3, Statement 1 is incorrect: The victims were 33 minor boys, not girls. Statement 2 is correct: The court directed ₹10 lakh compensation for each victim. Statement 3 is correct: The conviction was under both POCSO Act and IPC provisions.

Question 19

Consider the following statements regarding Mother-Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) in India:

1. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 places the child's home or mother tongue at the centre of early education.

2. According to NCERT (2022), over 50% of children in India enter school speaking a language different from the medium of instruction.

3. UNESCO's 2025 report recommends a National Mission for MTB-MLE to coordinate action across various stakeholders.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as per the article which states NEP 2020 places mother tongue at the centre. Statement 2 is incorrect; the article states the figure is nearly 44%, not over 50%. Statement 3 is correct as the article mentions the report proposes a National Mission for MTB-MLE.

Question 20

According to the article, what is the estimated recurring annual loss to the Indian economy, in terms of GDP, due to frequent elections?

Accepted Answer

1.6%, The article states that a paper presented to the Ram Nath Kovind Committee estimated a recurring loss of 1.6% of the GDP, roughly ₹7 lakh crore, due to frequent elections.

Question 21

According to the article, what was the total outlay approved for the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS)?

Accepted Answer

₹3.03 lakh crore, The article explicitly states that the Centre launched the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) in 2021, with an overall outlay of ₹3.03 lakh crore over a period of five years till FY25-26.

Question 22

What was the annual rate of simple interest awarded by the NCDRC and upheld by the Supreme Court as compensation to the delayed homebuyers?

Accepted Answer

8% per annum, The article repeatedly mentions that the Supreme Court upheld the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission's (NCDRC) award of simple interest at the rate of 8% per annum, calling it 'fair and reasonable'.

Question 23

According to the news, what was the total number of objectionable videos and photographs circulated by the accused in the child sexual exploitation case?

Accepted Answer

Over 2 lakh, The article specifies that the duo circulated 'over two lakh objectionable videos and photographs' of the victims via the internet to nearly 47 countries. This exact figure is a key data point from the case.

Question 24

According to the 2011 Census of India, how many languages are constitutionally recognised in the country?

Accepted Answer

121, The article directly states that India is home to 121 constitutionally recognised languages, as per the 2011 Census. The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution originally had 14 languages; it now includes 22. The 121 figure refers to all languages with official constitutional status, including those recognised by states.

Question 25

What is a primary constitutional concern raised by critics regarding the simultaneous elections Bill, as mentioned in the article?

Accepted Answer

It violates the basic structure and federal framework of the Constitution., The article explicitly lists two main criticisms: first, that the Bill violates the basic structure of the Constitution, and second, that it is against the federal framework. The other options are not mentioned as primary concerns in the text.

Question 26

What is a key recommendation of the 16th Finance Commission report, as mentioned in the article, regarding the future of state DISCOMs?

Accepted Answer

Privatisation of State-owned DISCOMs, The article states that the 16th Finance Commission report, tabled in February 2026, recommended the privatisation of State-owned DISCOMs. It advised states to create a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to take over debt and allow a private investor to take over the utility.

Question 27

What is the primary legal significance of the Supreme Court's ruling that consumer forums' power is 'statutory' and not 'contractual'?

Accepted Answer

It empowers consumer forums to override unfair contract clauses using the Consumer Protection Act., The core of the judgment is that the authority of bodies like NCDRC comes from the Consumer Protection Act (statute), not the private agreement (contract). This allows them to award just compensation even if the builder's contract tries to limit it, protecting consumers from one-sided terms.

Question 28

What was the primary legal doctrine cited by the POCSO court to justify awarding the death penalty in this case?

Accepted Answer

'Rarest of Rare' Doctrine, The court termed the crimes as 'rarest of rare' based on their unparalleled depravity and systemic nature, which is the established judicial doctrine for imposing the death penalty in extreme cases, as per Supreme Court precedent.

Question 29

What is the primary objective of promoting Mother-Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) in India, as highlighted in the UNESCO report?

Accepted Answer

To improve foundational learning outcomes by using a language the child understands., The core argument of the report and the article is pedagogical. MTB-MLE is critical because children learn best in a language they understand, which improves foundational literacy and numeracy, reduces learning gaps, and lowers dropout rates. The other options are either incorrect or not the primary objective stated.

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