Question 1

What topics are covered in the 23 February 2026 current affairs quiz?

Accepted Answer

The 23 February 2026 quiz covers Polity, Governance, Social Issues, International Relations with 25 MCQs sourced from The Hindu and Indian Express.

Question 2

How to use 23 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

Under which constitutional article is a Delimitation Commission constituted by the President of India?

Accepted Answer

Article 82, Article 82 of the Constitution provides for the readjustment of parliamentary constituencies after each Census, which includes the establishment of a Delimitation Commission by the President. This is the core constitutional provision mentioned in the article as the basis for implementing the Women's Reservation Act.

Question 6

The US Supreme Court recently struck down tariffs imposed under a specific Act. Which US Act empowers the President to regulate commerce during a declared national emergency?

Accepted Answer

The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), The article explicitly mentions that the US Supreme Court ruled President Trump overstepped his powers by imposing sweeping tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). This 1977 law is used for national security emergencies.

Question 7

Which Union Ministry released India's first national anti-terror policy, PRAHAAR?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Home Affairs, The article states that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) released the PRAHAAR policy. The MHA is the nodal ministry for internal security and counter-terrorism in India.

Question 8

Which Indian body, under the Ministry of Finance, signed the amending protocol to the India-France DTAC?

Accepted Answer

Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), The article states the protocol was signed by Ravi Agrawal, Chairperson of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), on behalf of the Indian government. The CBDT is the apex body for direct taxes under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.

Question 9

Which constitutional article empowers the Supreme Court to issue directions for the enforcement of fundamental rights, as was done in the Tehseen Poonawalla case?

Accepted Answer

Article 32, Article 32 grants the right to move the Supreme Court for the enforcement of fundamental rights. The Tehseen Poonawalla case was a writ petition under Article 32 seeking protection against mob lynching, a violation of the right to life (Article 21).

Question 10

Which article of the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of speech to Members of Parliament?

Accepted Answer

Article 105, Article 105 of the Constitution specifically deals with the powers, privileges, and immunities of MPs, including freedom of speech in Parliament. Article 19 guarantees freedom of speech to citizens, Article 121 restricts discussion on judges, and Article 356 deals with President's Rule.

Question 11

Which apex medical research body in India sets the regulatory guidelines for stem cell research and therapy, as mentioned in the article?

Accepted Answer

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), The article explicitly mentions that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) approves bone marrow transplant as a form of stem cell therapy. ICMR is the apex body for biomedical research in India and formulates guidelines for such practices.

Question 12

Which ministry is the nodal ministry for the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) scheme?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Tribal Affairs, The article explicitly states that the PM JANMAN scheme is being implemented through nine line ministries, with the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs launching the IEC campaign for it. This ministry is the nodal agency for tribal welfare policies.

Question 13

Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL), mentioned in the context of securing critical mineral supply chains, is a joint venture under which Union Ministry?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Mines, The article explicitly states that KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Limited) is a joint venture of three PSUs (NALCO, HCL, MECL) under the Ministry of Mines. It was formed in 2019 to secure supply chains for strategic minerals like lithium and cobalt.

Question 14

The PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi scheme, which was exploited in the Rajasthan scam, is implemented by which Union Ministry?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) is a central sector scheme fully funded by the Government of India and is implemented by the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.

Question 15

Consider the following statements regarding the Women's Reservation Act, 2023:

1. It reserves one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies.

2. The reservation will come into effect immediately after the first Census conducted after the year 2026.

3. The Act also provides for reservation of seats for women in the Rajya Sabha and State Legislative Councils.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only 1, Statement 1 is correct as per the Act. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Act states implementation will begin 'after the first Census taken after the year 2026' AND the subsequent delimitation, not immediately after the Census. Statement 3 is incorrect as the article explicitly states the Act applies only to directly elected lower houses (Lok Sabha and State Assemblies), excluding the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Councils.

Question 16

Consider the following statements regarding the recent developments in India-US trade relations:

1. The US Supreme Court upheld President Trump's authority to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

2. Following the SC ruling, President Trump imposed a new flat tariff rate of 10% on all imports using Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.

3. India's holdings of US Treasury securities increased by over 18% during the calendar year 2025.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

None of the above, Statement 1 is incorrect: The SC struck down (not upheld) the tariffs imposed under IEEPA. Statement 2 is incorrect: Trump initially imposed 10% but later jacked it up to 15%. Statement 3 is incorrect: India reduced (not increased) its US Treasury holdings by 18.96% in 2025.

Question 17

Consider the following statements regarding India's first anti-terror policy, PRAHAAR:

1. It identifies threats from criminal hackers and nation-states through cyber-attacks.

2. It links terrorism specifically to religious extremism originating from one particular region.

3. It emphasises the threat of misuse of drones and robotics by state and non-state actors.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as per the article, which mentions the policy emphasises threats from 'criminal hackers and nation-states'. Statement 2 is incorrect because the policy explicitly states 'India does not link terrorism to any specific religion'. Statement 3 is correct as the article mentions the threat of misuse of drones and robotics.

Question 18

Consider the following statements regarding the amendments to the India-France Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC):

1. It introduces taxation of capital gains on the basis of the residency of the company.

2. It replaces the single dividend withholding tax rate of 10% with a uniform rate of 15% for all shareholders.

3. It incorporates provisions of the BEPS Multilateral Instrument (MLI) into the bilateral treaty.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as the article confirms capital gains will be taxed based on company residency. Statement 2 is incorrect because it introduces a split rate (5% and 15%), not a uniform 15% rate. Statement 3 is correct as the article explicitly states the protocol incorporates applicable BEPS MLI provisions.

Question 19

Consider the following statements regarding the news:

1. The Supreme Court's 2018 judgment in the Tehseen Poonawalla case issued general directions to prevent and prosecute hate crimes.

2. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has expressed that these directions are perfectly manageable and should be enforced uniformly.

3. The Solicitor General mentioned that mob lynching is a separate offence under the new criminal law.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as the 2018 judgment did issue general directions. Statement 2 is incorrect; CJI Surya Kant termed these directions as 'unmanageable', not manageable. Statement 3 is correct as per the article, where Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that mob-lynching is a separate offence under the new criminal law.

Question 20

According to the article, what is the earliest general election by which the Women's Reservation Act can be implemented, based on its current constitutional prerequisites?

Accepted Answer

2034 General Election, The article clearly states that implementation is 'constitutionally impossible' for the 2029 elections. Given the timeline of the 2027 Census, data publication, and a complex delimitation exercise (historically taking 3-6 years), the earliest feasible implementation is for the general election in 2034.

Question 21

According to the article, by what percentage did India reduce its holdings of US Treasury securities in calendar year 2025?

Accepted Answer

18.96%, The article states: "India's holdings in US securities have come down by $42.8 billion, or 18.96%, from $225.7 billion in January 2025 to $182.9 billion as of December 31, 2025." The other options are close distractors.

Question 22

According to the PRAHAAR policy, terrorist groups are increasingly using organised criminal networks for which of the following purposes?

Accepted Answer

For logistics and recruitment to facilitate terror strikes, The article clearly states: 'Increasingly, terrorist groups are engaging organised criminal networks for logistics and recruitment to execute and facilitate terror strikes in India.' The other options are not mentioned in the provided content.

Question 23

According to the amended India-France DTAC, what is the new withholding tax rate on dividends for a French entity holding 12% of the capital in an Indian company?

Accepted Answer

5%, The article specifies a split rate: 5% for those holding at least 10% of the capital and 15% for all other cases. Since the holding is 12% (≥10%), the applicable rate is 5%. The old single rate was 10%.

Question 24

In which year did the Supreme Court deliver the landmark Tehseen Poonawalla judgment on hate crimes and mob lynching?

Accepted Answer

2018, The article clearly states that the verdict is 'eight-year-old' in February 2026, placing it in the year 2018. This is a key factual data point for Prelims.

Question 25

What is identified in the article as the primary political reason for linking the Women's Reservation Act to the delimitation exercise?

Accepted Answer

To avoid displacing a large number of incumbent male Members of Parliament., The article explains the 'political arithmetic': immediate implementation within the existing 543-seat Lok Sabha would reserve 181 seats for women, displacing an equal number of male MPs. By tying it to delimitation, which is expected to expand the total number of seats, reservation can be achieved through expansion rather than replacement, absorbing the political pain.

Question 26

What is a primary strategic implication of India reducing its investment in US Treasury securities, as discussed in the article?

Accepted Answer

To signal a shift towards de-dollarisation and safeguard against potential sanctions., The article links the reduction to global financial uncertainty and the episode where the US blocked Russia's access to its dollar-denominated assets. By diversifying reserves (increasing gold), the RBI aims to reduce over-dependence on one asset class and protect against similar actions, reflecting a de-dollarisation strategy.

Question 27

What is a key 'way forward' measure suggested by the PRAHAAR policy to strengthen legal cases against terrorists?

Accepted Answer

Associating legal experts at every stage of investigation, from FIR to prosecution, The policy specifically suggests that 'to make appropriate cases against the perpetrators... there is a need to associate legal experts at every stage of investigation, right from the registration of FIR to its culmination in prosecution.' This is a procedural reform aimed at building legally robust cases.

Question 28

What is a primary expected outcome of deleting the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) clause from the India-France DTAC, as per the article?

Accepted Answer

To bring certainty in taxation and control over treaty benefits, The article states that deleting the MFN clause brings 'certainty in taxation'. It eliminates ambiguity and automatic extensions of benefits, giving India greater control. The Supreme Court ruling mentioned had made MFN application contingent on a separate notification, creating uncertainty.

Question 29

What is the primary implication of Chief Justice Surya Kant's remarks on the 'general directions' from the 2018 hate crime judgment?

Accepted Answer

It signals a shift towards judicial restraint and reliance on local enforcement mechanisms., The CJI's remarks indicate that broad judicial directions are 'unmanageable' and that the Supreme Court's role is to lay down principles, not micro-manage enforcement. This reflects judicial restraint and emphasizes that victims should seek remedies through local courts and state authorities, as mentioned in the article.

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