Question 1

What topics are covered in the 26 February 2026 current affairs quiz?

Accepted Answer

The 26 February 2026 quiz covers International Relations, Economy, Security, Social Issues with 25 MCQs sourced from The Hindu and Indian Express.

Question 2

How to use 26 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

Which US government department conducted the countervailing duty investigation on Indian solar products?

Accepted Answer

Department of Commerce, The article explicitly states that the US Department of Commerce imposed the 126% tariff and conducted the anti-subsidy investigation. The Department of Commerce is the primary federal agency responsible for promoting economic growth and enforcing trade laws.

Question 6

Which ministry/department is primarily responsible for releasing India's national income accounts and GDP data?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is the nodal agency for the release of official statistics including GDP, national income accounts, and related economic data in India.

Question 7

The NCERT, which was directed by the Supreme Court in the news, functions under which Union Ministry?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Education, The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is an autonomous organization that works under the Union Ministry of Education. It is responsible for designing the National Curriculum Framework and publishing model textbooks for school education.

Question 8

Shashi Tharoor, the author of the article, is the Chairman of which Parliamentary Committee?

Accepted Answer

Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, The article's byline explicitly states the writer is 'chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs.' This is a direct fact from the source material.

Question 9

The judgment discussed the 'Model Employer' doctrine. In the context of Indian Polity, who is typically considered the 'Model Employer'?

Accepted Answer

The State (Government), The 'Model Employer' doctrine is a principle in service jurisprudence where the State (Central and State Governments) is expected to set exemplary standards of fairness, non-arbitrariness, and welfare for its employees, as highlighted in the article. This concept is central to governance and administrative law.

Question 10

According to the article, the nationwide HPV vaccination programme in India will be conducted exclusively at which type of facilities?

Accepted Answer

Designated government health facilities, The article explicitly states that the vaccination will be conducted 'exclusively at designated government health facilities.' This ensures trained medical oversight and structured AEFI management, a key learning from past incidents.

Question 11

Which article of the US Constitution vests the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, and imposts exclusively with the Congress?

Accepted Answer

Article I, Section 8, Article I, Section 8 of the US Constitution explicitly states: 'The Congress shall have Power to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises...'. This was the core constitutional provision cited by the US Supreme Court majority to strike down the presidential tariffs.

Question 12

Which ministry is the nodal agency for formulating and implementing policies related to Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in India?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Home Affairs, The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is the nodal ministry for India's internal security, including counter-insurgency operations and policy against Left Wing Extremism (LWE). The article mentions the MHA's strategy and its February 2026 review of LWE-affected districts.

Question 13

The 'Bharat-VISTAAR' AI-powered tool, launched to assist farmers, was introduced by which Union Ministry?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, The article states that Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched Bharat-VISTAAR. Therefore, the nodal ministry is the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

Question 14

Under which Act was the National Green Tribunal (NGT) established?

Accepted Answer

The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, The NGT is a statutory body established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. While it adjudicates cases under laws like the EPA, 1986 and FCA, 1980, its own founding legislation is the NGT Act, 2010.

Question 15

Consider the following statements regarding the news:

1. The US imposed a 126% preliminary countervailing duty on solar imports from India after two Adani Group companies cooperated fully with the investigation.

2. India's defence budget for 2026-27 saw a 15.19% increase, with nearly 75% of the capital acquisition budget earmarked for domestic procurement.

3. The nationwide HPV vaccination campaign will use the indigenously developed Cervavac vaccine for all 14-year-old girls.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only 2, Statement 1 is incorrect. The duty was imposed because the two Adani Group companies 'withdrew' and were 'non-responsive', not because they cooperated. Statement 2 is correct as per the article. Statement 3 is incorrect; the campaign will use the Gardasil vaccine by MSD, as Cervavac is yet to receive WHO approval and its single-dose effectiveness is under study.

Question 16

Consider the following statements regarding India's 2026 GDP revision:

1. It shifts the base year from 2011-12 to 2022-23.

2. It increases reliance on apportionment methods for estimating state-level Gross Value Added.

3. The revised Gross State Domestic Product figures impact state borrowing limits under the FRBM framework.

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 revision reduces reliance on apportionment by using more direct state-specific data. Statement 3 is correct as FRBM fiscal deficit and debt limits are expressed as ratios to GSDP.

Question 17

Consider the following statements regarding the Supreme Court order mentioned in the news:

1. The Court imposed a ban on the further publication and digital dissemination of an NCERT Class 8 textbook.

2. The Court initiated the case based on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a group of teachers.

3. The Court issued show-cause notices to officials under the provisions of the Official Secrets Act, 1923.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only 1, Statement 1 is correct as per the article which mentions a 'complete blanket ban' on publication and digital dissemination. Statement 2 is incorrect because the article clearly states the Court took up a 'suo motu case', meaning it initiated proceedings on its own, not based on a PIL. Statement 3 is incorrect as the show-cause notices were issued under the Contempt of Courts Act, not the Official Secrets Act.

Question 18

Consider the following statements regarding the Union Budget 2026-27 defence allocations:

1. The defence budget saw an increase of 15.19% over the previous year's estimate.

2. The capital outlay for defence modernisation decreased as a percentage of the total budget.

3. Nearly 75% of the modernisation fund is earmarked for procurement from foreign vendors.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only 1, Statement 1 is correct: The article states a '15.19 per cent increase.' Statement 2 is incorrect: The capital outlay saw a '21.8 per cent surge,' indicating an increase, not a decrease. Statement 3 is incorrect: The article states 'nearly 75 per cent... for domestic procurement,' not foreign vendors.

Question 19

Consider the following statements regarding the Punjab and Haryana High Court judgment on 'karewa' marriage and family pension:

1. The court held that the disqualification of a widow from family pension upon remarriage is intended to be a punitive measure.

2. The judgment stated that 'karewa' marriage is recognized under Section 7 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.

3. The court invoked Article 21 of the Constitution to affirm that family pension is essential for a dignified life.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 2 and 3, Statement 1 is incorrect. The court specifically stated that the legislative intent behind disqualification is 'redistributive' (to shift financial responsibility), not 'punitive'. Statement 2 is correct as per the article, which mentions 'karewa' is recognized under Section 7 of the Hindu Marriage Act. Statement 3 is correct as the judgment invoked Article 21's right to life with dignity, describing pension as a social security measure vital for dignified survival.

Question 20

What is the total allocation for the defence budget in the Union Budget 2026-27 as mentioned in the article?

Accepted Answer

₹7.85 lakh crore, The article clearly states: "the Union Budget 2026-27 has significantly bolstered its national security framework with a record allocation of Rs 7.85 lakh crore." ₹6.81 lakh crore was the previous year's estimate, ₹2.19 lakh crore is the capital outlay, and ₹3.65 lakh crore is the revenue budget.

Question 21

According to the article, what weight does the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) hold in the Finance Commission's formula for distributing central tax revenues to states?

Accepted Answer

10%, The article explicitly states that the Finance Commission distributes central tax revenues using formula-based criteria that now assign a 10 per cent weight to GSDP.

Question 22

As per the Supreme Court's directive in the news, within what timeframe were the Principal Secretaries of all states asked to file a compliance report?

Accepted Answer

2 weeks, The article explicitly states: 'The bench asked principal secretaries of all states to file a compliance report in 2 weeks.' This is a factual data point directly from the source.

Question 23

What is the total defence allocation for the Union Budget 2026-27 as mentioned in the article?

Accepted Answer

₹7.85 lakh crore, The article clearly states 'a record allocation of Rs 7.85 lakh crore.' ₹6.81 lakh crore is the previous year's estimate, ₹2.19 lakh crore is the capital outlay, and ₹3.65 lakh crore is the revenue budget.

Question 24

According to the news article, on which date did the Punjab and Haryana High Court deliver the judgment regarding family pension for widows in 'karewa' marriages?

Accepted Answer

January 29, 2026, The article explicitly states: 'In a judgment delivered on January 29, Justice Harpreet Singh Brar held...' February 26, 2026, is the article's publication date. July 16, 1988, is the date of the first husband's death, and November 6, 1990, is the date of the 'karewa' remarriage.

Question 25

What is a primary strategic rationale, as discussed in the article, for India's significant increase in defence expenditure?

Accepted Answer

To build credible deterrence and ensure strategic autonomy, The article argues that the defence surge is "a sign of maturity" and that "strategic autonomy, if it means anything, requires credible national capability." It states the purpose is to build credible deterrence in a complex security environment, not to fuel an arms race. The other options are either incorrect or represent narrower, specific aspects of the budget.

Question 26

What is a primary fiscal implication for a state if its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is revised upward due to the new GDP methodology?

Accepted Answer

Its borrowing headroom under the FRBM framework will expand., Under FRBM, fiscal deficit and debt limits are expressed as ratios to GSDP. An upward revision in GSDP improves these ratios mechanically, thereby expanding the state's permissible borrowing limits without any change in its actual fiscal behavior.

Question 27

What was the primary legal ground cited by the Supreme Court bench for initiating action against the NCERT and government officials?

Accepted Answer

Contempt of Courts for undermining judiciary's dignity, The article states the bench issued notices 'asking them to show cause why action under the Contempt of Courts Act... should not be initiated'. The Court's reasoning, as quoted, was that the textbook chapter was a 'calculated move to undermine and demean dignity of judiciary', which falls under the purview of scandalizing the court, a form of criminal contempt.

Question 28

According to the article, what is the primary strategic rationale presented for the significant increase in defence spending?

Accepted Answer

To consolidate deterrence and address structural military weaknesses, The article's core argument is that the spending is 'deterrence consolidation' and a 'course correction' to close 'glaring gaps' and 'structural weaknesses,' not an arms race. It explicitly rejects the 'arms race' charge and frames it as a necessary response to security realities.

Question 29

What was the primary constitutional basis used by the Punjab and Haryana High Court to uphold the widow's right to family pension despite her remarriage?

Accepted Answer

Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty), The judgment heavily relied on Article 21, interpreting the 'right to life' to include the right to live with dignity. The court stated that a family pension is a social security measure vital for dignified survival, especially after the loss of the primary breadwinner. This expansive interpretation of Article 21 forms the core constitutional reasoning of the judgment.

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