Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

The 21 March 2026 quiz covers International Relations, Security, Energy, Polity with 25 MCQs sourced from The Hindu and Indian Express.

Question 2

How to use 21 March 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 Indian agency filed the FIR and investigated the case involving the arrest of six Ukrainians and one American national on terror conspiracy charges?

Accepted Answer

National Investigation Agency (NIA), The article explicitly states that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed the FIR regarding the arrest of the foreign nationals. The NIA is India's premier central agency for investigating terror-related cases across the country.

Question 6

The landmark environmental case discussed in the news is primarily associated with which constitutional article?

Accepted Answer

Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty), The M.C. Mehta case is a landmark where the Supreme Court expanded the interpretation of Article 21 to include the right to a wholesome environment, clean air, and water. This linkage forms the bedrock of environmental jurisprudence in India.

Question 7

The enactment of a Uniform Civil Code is a constitutional obligation under which article of the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Article 44, Article 44 of the Directive Principles of State Policy states that 'The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.' This is the constitutional basis for the UCC debate.

Question 8

The Supreme Court judgment in Hamsaanandini Nanduri vs Union of India primarily dealt with provisions originally under which labour law?

Accepted Answer

The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, The article states the petitioner challenged a provision in the Maternity Benefit Act, which has been recently replaced by the Code on Social Security. The case centered on the maternity leave entitlement for adoptive mothers under this specific act.

Question 9

With which Indian ministry did the FAO collaborate to develop protocols for certified Quality Planting Material (QPM) for agroforestry, as mentioned in the article?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, The article explicitly states that the FAO supported the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Government of India, in developing protocols for certified Quality Planting Material (QPM). This ministry oversees agricultural development, including agroforestry initiatives.

Question 10

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), mentioned in the context of digital arrest, functions under which Ministry?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Home Affairs, As per the article, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has been instituted as an attached office to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Its mandate is to coordinate a comprehensive, national response to cybercrime complaints.

Question 11

Which Ministry is the cadre controlling authority for the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Home Affairs, The article explicitly states that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is the cadre controlling authority of both CAPFs and the IPS. This is a standard static GK fact related to India's security and administrative structure.

Question 12

Which High Court delivered the judgment expanding the definition of 'near relative' under the Transplantation of Human Organs Act?

Accepted Answer

Punjab and Haryana High Court, The article explicitly states that the Punjab and Haryana High Court held that a mother-in-law qualifies as a 'near relative'. The judgment was delivered by Justice Jagmohan Bansal of that court.

Question 13

The 2019 advisory opinion that the UK's separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius was illegal was issued by which international body?

Accepted Answer

International Court of Justice (ICJ), As mentioned in the article, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in 2019 that the UK's original separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius was illegal. The ICJ is the UN's principal judicial organ for settling disputes between states.

Question 14

Under which Act does the Central Government derive its power to grant environmental clearances for projects like the one discussed in the news?

Accepted Answer

The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, The article mentions the Environment (Protection) Act in the context of the petitioner's argument about alternate arrangements. This Act is the umbrella legislation for environmental regulation and clearances in India.

Question 15

Consider the following statements regarding the geopolitical developments mentioned in the article:

1. The Strait of Hormuz, located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is a transit route for about one-fifth of global energy supplies.

2. NATO's Article 5, the collective security guarantee, has been invoked multiple times in its history, including during the Iraq War in 2003.

3. India's long-term average oil import dependency on the Strait of Hormuz is around 40%, while its LNG import dependency is 60%.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as per the article: the Strait of Hormuz is the transit for a fifth (20%) of global energy supplies. Statement 2 is incorrect: Article 5 was invoked only once after the 9/11 attacks (2001), not during the Iraq War. Statement 3 is correct: the article states India's long-term average oil import via Hormuz is 40% and LNG import is 60%. Hence, both 1 and 3 are correct.

Question 16

Consider the following statements regarding the M.C. Mehta environmental case:

1. It was filed as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning air pollution in Delhi.

2. The Supreme Court's intervention in the case led to the establishment of the 'precautionary principle' as a rule of law.

3. The case was recently closed by a bench headed by the Chief Justice of India, citing the need to reduce pendency.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct: The case was Writ Petition (Civil) No. 13029 of 1985, a PIL filed by M.C. Mehta regarding air pollution from vehicles and industries in Delhi. Statement 2 is incorrect: The case is famous for establishing the 'absolute liability' principle (from the oleum gas leak) and the tool of 'continuing mandamus'. The 'precautionary principle' was notably established in the Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum case. Statement 3 is correct: The article states the bench headed by CJI Surya Kant disposed of the petition on March 12, 2026, to reduce pendency.

Question 17

Consider the following statements regarding the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026:

1. It aims to make Gujarat the second state in India to have a uniform law regulating marriage, divorce, and succession.

2. The Bill outlaws polygamy but does not address the practice of nikah-halala.

3. It mandates registration of marriages and also provides a framework for live-in relationships.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only 3, Statement 1 is incorrect. The article states Gujarat will be the third state, after Goa and Uttarakhand. Statement 2 is incorrect as the article explicitly mentions the Bill outlaws both polygamy and nikah-halala. Statement 3 is correct as per the article's mention of mandates for marriage registration and recognition of live-in relationships.

Question 18

Consider the following statements regarding the Supreme Court judgment in Hamsaanandini Nanduri vs Union of India:

1. The Court declared maternity leave for working women as a basic human right.

2. The judgment entitles adoptive mothers to 26 weeks of paid maternity leave.

3. The Court struck down a restriction that limited maternity leave to women adopting children less than one year old.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only 1, Statement 1 is correct as the article explicitly says the Court recognised maternity leave as a basic human right. Statement 2 is incorrect because the entitlement is for 12 weeks, not 26 weeks. Statement 3 is incorrect as the struck-down restriction was for children less than three months old, not one year.

Question 19

Consider the following statements regarding the news article:

1. According to the India State of Forest Report 2023, forest and tree cover spans 25.17% of India's geographical area.

2. The Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020 by the FAO states that forests support the livelihoods of more than 1.8 billion people globally.

3. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) supported programme by the FAO in India focuses on promoting agroforestry models for large-scale commercial farmers.

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; the FAO 2020 report states forests support over 1.6 billion people, not 1.8 billion. Statement 3 is incorrect; the GCF programme focuses on small and marginal farmers, women farmers, and tribal communities, not large-scale commercial farmers.

Question 20

According to the article, what percentage of India's LPG imports transit through the Strait of Hormuz?

Accepted Answer

90%, The article provides specific data on India's fuel dependence: "LPG: A staggering 90 per cent for LPG..." This high dependency highlights India's vulnerability to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Question 21

As per the article, in which year was the Writ Petition (Civil) No. 13029, which was recently closed by the Supreme Court, originally filed?

Accepted Answer

1985, The article clearly states that the Public Interest Litigation was filed in 1985. It was filed after the oleum gas leak incident of December 1985. The case was kept pending for monitoring for nearly four decades before its closure in 2026.

Question 22

According to the article, what is the approximate percentage of Gujarat's population comprised of communities like Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains, who would be affected by the extension of the UCC framework?

Accepted Answer

12%, The article states that these communities 'together constitute approximately 12 per cent of the state’s population.' This is a key demographic data point for understanding the scale of impact.

Question 23

According to the Supreme Court judgment discussed, for how many weeks are adoptive mothers now entitled to paid maternity leave?

Accepted Answer

12 weeks, The article clearly states that the Supreme Court ruled adoptive mothers are entitled to 12 weeks of paid maternity leave. The other options are common durations for maternity/paternity leave in other contexts but are not the correct figure from this specific judgment.

Question 24

As per the India State of Forest Report cited in the article, what percentage of India's geographical area is covered by forest and tree cover?

Accepted Answer

25.17%, The article directly mentions that forest and tree cover spans 25.17% of India's geographical area, according to the India State of Forest Report 2023. The other options are plausible distractors based on figures from previous years' reports.

Question 25

What is the primary strategic objective behind Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, as described in the article?

Accepted Answer

To cripple global energy trade and drive up fuel prices as a wartime tactic, The article states Iran has 'effectively blocked all trade along this channel – targeting vessels and vowing that not one litre of oil would be exported – driving up global fuel prices.' This indicates the blockade is a strategic wartime measure to inflict economic pain globally, not primarily for its own export safety or to lift sanctions.

Question 26

What was the primary judicial innovation introduced through the Supreme Court's handling of the M.C. Mehta air pollution case?

Accepted Answer

Creating the tool of 'Continuing Mandamus' for sustained oversight., The article highlights that the case's 'pending for monitoring' status evolved into the novel judicial tool of 'continuing mandamus'. Unlike a standard order that closes a case, this allows a court to keep a case open indefinitely and issue periodic directions to monitor executive compliance, which was used extensively in this PIL.

Question 27

What is a primary criticism levelled against the drafting process of the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026, as per the article?

Accepted Answer

It is a 'cut-copy-paste' of existing laws without substantial reform., The article's core argument is that the Bill 'selectively cut, copied, and pasted existing laws' like the Hindu Marriage Act and Uttarakhand UCC, missing the opportunity for deeper reform of issues like restitution of conjugal rights and simplification of colonial laws.

Question 28

What was a key rationale, as per the Supreme Court, for extending maternity benefits to adoptive mothers?

Accepted Answer

To acknowledge that emotional bonds with a child are nurtured through sustained caregiving, not just biology., The article quotes the Court saying "the emotional bond with the child has to be consciously nurtured through time, presence and sustained caregiving" and that "It is not biology that constitutes a family... rather, it is the shared meaning, responsibility, and emotional bonds." This is the core philosophical rationale presented in the judgment.

Question 29

What is the primary objective highlighted for scaling up agroforestry in India, according to the analysis in the article?

Accepted Answer

To provide a practical and sustainable livelihood option for small farmers and vulnerable communities, The article emphasizes that agroforestry is identified as a key adaptation strategy for small and marginal farmers, women, and tribal communities. The programme undertakes cost-benefit analysis to ensure tree-based farming becomes a practical and sustainable livelihood option for these vulnerable groups.

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