UPSC Daily Quiz 8 May 2026

Answer: a

Explanation:

The government recently released a detailed clarification on the Great Nicobar Project, calling it a strategic initiative to strengthen India’s presence in the Andaman Sea. 

About Great Nicobar Island:

• It is the largest and southernmost island of the Nicobar group in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• It is separated from the Andaman Islands by the Ten Degree Channel.
• Geographically, the island is closer to Sumatra, Indonesia, than to mainland India, emphasizing its remote and strategic location.
• Its coastline features over 100 kilometers of untouched beaches, renowned for their stunning coral reefs and crystal-clear waters.
• It is also home to Indira Point, India’s southernmost point, located less than 150 km from Indonesia.
• Mount Thullier, which is about 2,105 ft high, is the highest peak.
• Galathea, Alexandra, and Dagmar are the major rivers.
• It remains sparsely populated, with dense tropical rainforests covering more than 85% of its area.
• The major tribes in Great Nicobar Island are the Shompens and the Nicobarese.
• It is home to the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-designated site.
• Flora and Fauna:
  • It houses 650 species of angiosperms, ferns, gymnosperms, bryophytes, and lichens, among others.
  • The tract is rich in plant diversity and fosters a number of rare and endemic species, including Cyathea albosetacea (tree fern) and Phalaenopsis speciosa (orchid).
  • To date, 11 species of mammals, 32 species of birds, 7 species of reptiles, and 4 species of amphibians have been found to be endemic.
  • Of these, the well-known Crab-eating Macaque, Nicobar Tree Shrew, Dugong, Nicobar Megapode, Serpent Eagle, saltwater crocodile, marine turtles and Reticulated Python are endemic and/or endangered.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/after-rahul-gandhis-attack-government-defends-great-nicobar-project/articleshow/130707914.cms

Answer: c

Explanation:

The Nagpur bench of Bombay high court recently sought responses from Maharashtra govt, forest authorities, and several resort operators over allegations of resort construction and commercial activities within the eco-sensitive zone surrounding Tipeshwar wildlife sanctuary.

About Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary:

• It is located in the district of Yavatmal, Maharashtra.
• Spanning across 148.63 sq.km., the sanctuary derives its name from the nearby ‘Goddess Tipai’ shrine located in the Tipeshwar village.
• Mainly, the sanctuary sprawls amongst the Patanbori and Parwa Ranges of the Pandarkawad Forest Division.
• Four rivers—Purna, Krishna, Bhima, and Tapti—flow gracefully through the sanctuary, earning it the poetic title “Green Oasis of Eastern Maharashtra.”
• The land here is rich with basaltic soil, a remnant of ancient volcanic activity.
• The sanctuary is home to several villages whose inhabitants rely on the forest for their daily livelihoods.
• Flora:
  • The forests of Tipeshwar primarily consist of Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests, with Teak (Tectona grandis) dominating the landscape, covering nearly 60% of the area.
  • Adding to the richness of the forest, red sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus) thrives here, a highly prized timber species known for its medicinal and commercial value.
  • Other prominent trees that form a dense green canopy include Achar (Helicteres isora), Mahua (Madhuca longifolia), Lendia (Lagerstroemia parviflora), and Bhirra (Chloroxylon swietenia).
• Fauna:
  • The place shelters a wide array of animals that include Hyena, Chital, Black buck, Sambar, Jackal, Wild boar, Peacock, Monkey, Blue bull, Wild cat, Bear, and many more.
  • The sanctuary is also home to several species of birds, including the peafowl, grey junglefowl, Indian roller, and several species of raptors.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

News:https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/hc-flags-alleged-illegal-resorts-near-tipeshwar-sanctuary/amp_articleshow/130918925.cms

Answer: b

Explanation:

As Ulsoor Lake has been drained and the desilting process has been taken up after more than three decades, lake conservation activists have taken objection to the lakebed being desilted by only 0.6 metres, arguing that it is insufficient.

About Ulsoor Lake:

• Ulsoor Lake, also known as Halasuru Lake, is a man-made lake located in Bangalore,
• It is the largest and oldest lake in the entire city of Bangalore.
• It was built by Kempe Gowda II, the founder of Bangalore, in 1648 and named after the nearby village of Halsur or Alasur.
• It was later renovated by Sir Lewin Bentham Bowring, the commissioner of Bangalore, in 1862 and renamed as Ulsoor after the anglicized version of Halsur.
• It covers an area of 123.6 acres and has a maximum depth of 18 feet.
• It has an irregular shape that resembles a map of India.
• It has seven islands that are connected by bridges.
• There is also a garden at one end of the lake known as Kensington Park.

Hence option b is the correct answer.

News:https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/ulsoor-lake-is-being-desilted-by-only-06-metres-activists-argue-it-is-too-little/article70951956.ece/amp/

Answer: a

Explanation:

Turkiye has unveiled a prototype of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) named Yildirimhan Missile as part of a push to become self-reliant and to gain a foothold as a key defence player in the Middle East and among its NATO allies.

About Yildirimhan Missile:

• It is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) developed by Turkey.
• It has a range of 6,000 km.
• If launched from Turkey, the Yildirimhan will be able to hit targets across Europe, Africa, and Asia.
• The missile can travel at up to Mach 25, an extreme hypersonic speed equivalent to 25 times the speed of sound, or nearly eight kilometres per second.
• It has four rocket propulsion engines and is fuelled by liquid nitrogen tetroxide.
• While liquid fuel introduces some “operational trade-offs” in terms of launch readiness, it enables greater optimisation of range and payload.
• The missile is reported to be capable of carrying a warhead, or multiple warheads, with a total weight of up to three tonnes.
• It is expected to be launched from a mobile wheeled launcher.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News:https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/7/turkiye-unveils-its-first-intercontinental-ballistic-missile-what-we-know

Answer: c

Explanation:

The human gut microbiome is shaped by diverse selective forces that originate from host and environmental factors and it substantially influences health and disease.

About Gut Microbiome:

• Gut microbiome, gut microbiota, or gut flora refers to the trillions of microbes, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, that live in the human gut.
• Establishment of the human gut Microbiome:
  • Infants inherit their first gut microbes during vaginal delivery or breastfeeding (chestfeeding).
  • Later, your diet and other environmental exposures introduce new microbes to your biome.
• The gut microbiota assists in a range of bodily functions, including:
  • harvesting energy from digested food
  • protecting against pathogens
  • regulating immune function
  • strengthening the biochemical barriers of the gut and intestine
• Changes in microbiota composition can affect these functions.
• Disease:
  • While there are beneficial bacteria in the gut, there are also harmful bacteria that can enter the Gastrointestinal (GI) tract and cause infection.
  • These infections include food poisoning and other GI diseases that result in diarrhea and vomiting.
  • Research suggests that bacterial populations in the GI system play a role in developing gut conditions, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
  • Low microbial diversity in the gut also has links to obesity and type 2 diabetes.
  • The status of the gut microbiota also has links to metabolic syndrome.
  • Disturbing the microbiota with antibiotics can also lead to disease, including infections that become resistant to antibiotics.

Hence both statements are correct.

News:https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10476-w

Answer: d

Explanation:

Recently, two Botany students from Annamalai University in Chidambaram and their guide have discovered a new plant species in the grape family and named Cyphostemma annamalaii. 

• It is a new plant species of Vitaceae Juss, commonly known as the grape family.
• Discovered in: It was found in the southern Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu.
• It is described and illustrated from the tropical dry forests of southern Eastern Ghats.
• Morphological Features of Cyphostemma annamalaii:
  • It is a climber with a round fruit that is yellow.
  • The petals of the flowers are white or yellow. It starts with three leaves and ends with three leaves. 
  • Habitat: It is found in open, scrubby vegetation.
  • It had a tuberous root and climbed by utilising surrounding vegetation for support.

What is Cyphostemma Genus?

• It is the second largest genus, consisting of nearly 250 species.
• It is found in tropical and subtropical regions.

Hence option (d) is the correct answer.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/new-plant-species-discovered-in-southern-eastern-ghats-by-annamalai-university-scholars/article70948163.ece/amp/

Answer: a

Explanation:

 A recently submitted proposal for Arunachal Pradesh’s Kalai-II hydel project skips mentioning the habitat of the critically endangered White-Bellied Heron.

• The white-bellied heron (Ardea insignis ) is a large heron species. It is the second largest living species of heron.
• Other Names: It is also known as the imperial heron or great white-bellied heron.
• Habitat: It inhabits the wetlands of tropical and subtropical forests in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas.
• Distribution: It is mainly living in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas in northeast India and Bhutan to northern Myanmar.
• Morphological Adaptations:
  • It is a slightly longer neck and compact body with shorter legs and extensive toes.
  • The extra elongated, flexible neck with razorsharp serrated bill allows them to catch fish far in deep waters.
• Diet: It prefers free-flowing riverine habitats with low disturbance, and predominantly depends on fish found in the river rapids.
• Biological Role: Its presence in our ecosystem indicates the health of the rivers, the environment, the fish population, and water quality.
• Threats: It is threatened by habitat loss, increasing disturbance and habitat degradation due to conversion of wetlands for agriculture and expansion of settlements.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
  • Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule-I.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/proposal-for-arunachals-kalai-ii-hydel-project-skips-mentioning-endangered-bird-habitat-10678510/

Answer: c

Explanation:

CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and BPCL have been recognized by the India Book of Records and Asia Book of Records for establishing the record titled “First Roadblock Section Constructed Using Technical Textile Geocell Made from End-of-Life Plastic.”

• It is a three-dimensional cellular confinement system used in geotechnical engineering to improve soil stability and load-bearing capacity.
• It consists of a network of interconnected honeycomb-like cells made from geosynthetic materials such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyester.
• These cells are expanded on site to form a mattress-like layer and are filled with infill materials such as soil, sand, aggregate, or clay.
• Once filled and compacted, the geocell layer integrates with the underlying soil to create a stable, reinforced structure.
• Applications:
  • Pavement Load Support: By reinforcing the soil in the subgrade-based interface or within the base course.
  • Steep Soil Slope and Channel Protection: Three-dimensional lateral confinement of Geocell along with anchoring techniques ensures the long-term stability of slopes using vegetated topsoil, aggregate or concrete surfacing.
  • Earth Retention: These can be used for constructing steep vertical mechanically stabilized earth structures.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2258486&reg=3&lang=1

Answer: b

Explanation:

The Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) has facilitated the establishment of more than 4 lakh micro-enterprises and generated employment for over 36 lakh people during the 15th Finance Commission cycle.

• It is a central sector scheme launched in August 2008,
• It is a credit-linked subsidy schemeadministered by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME). 
• It aims to create self-employment opportunities for first-generation entrepreneurs and promote sustainable livelihoods in the manufacturing and services sectors, especially in rural areas.
• Implemented By: The scheme is implemented by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission.
• Eligibility for Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme:
  • Any individual above 18 years of age is eligible.
  • There will be no income ceilingfor assistance for setting up projects under PMEGP.
  • Beneficiaries should possess at least VIII standard pass educational qualificationfor setting up of projects costing above Rs.10 lakh in the manufacturing sector and above Rs. 5 lakh in the business/service sector.
  • Self Help Groups(including those belonging to BPL provided that they have not availed benefits under any other Scheme), institutions registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, Production Co-operative Societies, and, Charitable Trusts are also eligible for assistance under PMEGP.
  • Existing unitsthat have already availed government subsidy under any other scheme of the Government of India or State Government are not eligible.

Hence only statements 1 and 3 are correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2258590&reg=3&lang=1#:~:text

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched JANANI (Journey of Antenatal, Natal and Neonatal Integrated Care) platform.

• It is a service-oriented digital platformdesigned to comprehensively monitor and maintain digital health records of women during their reproductive age.
• It is developed as an upgraded version of the existing RCH portal.
• Objective: The platform aims to ensure seamless tracking of maternal and child health services, covering antenatal care, delivery preparedness, delivery, postnatal care, newborn care, home-based newborn and young child care, and family planning.
• Key feature of JANANI Platform
  • It introduces QR-enabled digital Mother and Child Health (MCH) Cards, enabling portability and easy access to health records.
  • Smart Tracking & Alerts: It incorporates automated alerts for high-risk pregnancies, real-time dashboards for supervisory review, and due-list generation, enabling timely tracking, monitoring, and targeted interventions.
  • Interoperability: It has interoperability features, enabling integration with national platforms such as U-WIN and POSHAN, thereby facilitating seamless data exchange, improved coordination across programmes.
  • Beneficiary Registration: The platform enables registration of beneficiaries using unique identifiers such as ABHA, Aadhaar (OTP and biometric), and mobile number, along with pan-India search functionality.
    • It also provides self-registration facilitiesthrough web and mobile platforms, empowering beneficiaries to actively engage with their healthcare journey.
    • It supports citizens by enabling timely scheduling and monitoring of antenatal care visits and immunizations, along with alerts and reminders to ensure that no critical health milestone is missed.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2258625&reg=3&lang=1