UPSC Daily Quiz 29 May 2026

Answer: d

Explanation:

Recently, the survey to estimate the population of the Indian giant squirrel has commenced in the ecologically sensitive Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary in Pune district. 

• Location: It is located in the northern part of the Western Ghats in Maharashtra (spread over the three districts Pune, Thane and Raigad).
• It is named after Lord ‘Bhimashankar’ (one of the twelve Jyotirlingas).
• It was declared as Wildlife Sanctuary in 1985.
• Rivers: Two major tributaries of river Krishna namely Bhima and Ghod originate from this area.
• Vegeattion: Major forest types are western subtropical broad leaved hill forest to moist deciduous types with a few included small patches of evergreen forests.
• Flora:
  • Sacred Groves (Deorais): The sanctuary has 14 unique sacred groves protected by socio-religious rules.
  • It also consists of Bilschmiedia dalzellii, Mangifera indica, Olea dioica, Syzygium cumini, Carallia brachiata, Myristica malabarica, Diospyros malabarica, D. montana, D. sylvatica and Symplocos racemosa.
• Fauna:
• The main wild speies are Giant Indian squirrel (Ratufa indica elphinstoni), Panther (Panthera paradus), Sambar (Cervus unicolor), Mouse Deer Tragulus memina, Hyaena (Hyaena hyaena), Wild boar (Sus scrofa).

Hence option (d) is the correct answer.

News: https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/maharashtra-survey-of-indian-giant-squirrel-underway-in-bhimashankar-wildlife-sanctuary-23632673

Answer: b

Explanation:

Recently, the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Government of India, launched the Portal for the National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment (NeSDA), 2025. 

• It is a biennial assessment framework developed by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG)
• It measures the depth and effectiveness of existing e-Governance service delivery mechanisms from the citizen’s perspective.
• Global Reference: It is based on the Online Service Index (OSI) of the UN e-Government Survey
• It assesses the availability, accessibility and maturity of online service delivery across States, Union Territories and focus Central Ministries/Departments.
• NeSDA serves as an important benchmarking exercise for improving online service delivery across the country.

 NeSDA 2025 framework dimensions and additions:

• Portal Coverage:All Government Portals assessed under NeSDA are classified into two categories, viz.
  • State, UT, City and Central Ministry Portals
  • State, UT, City and Central Ministry Service Portals
• Focus Sectors and Mandatory Services Coverage:It  covers G2C and G2B services across key sectors, viz., Finance, Labour & Employment, Education, Local Governance & Utility Services, Social Welfare, Environment (including Fire), Tourism, Public Grievance, Transport and Travel sectors.
  • It proposes an expansion on focus sectors with the addition of services of Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
  • In NeSDA 2025, a total of 59 mandatory services are proposed to be assessed for every State & UT and 43 services to be assessed covering Central Ministries/Departments.
• Assessment Parameters:It includes Security, Privacy, Open Government Data (OGD), E-Participation, Ease of Use, Emerging Technology

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

News:https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2266244&reg=3&lang=1#:~:text

Answer: a

Explanation:

Recently, India and Singapore explored new avenues to strengthen strategic ties during 16ᵗʰ Defence Policy Dialogue.

• Location: It is an island country located off the coast of the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia, between the Indian Ocean and South China Sea.
• Bordered by: It borders South China Sea to the east, the Strait of Malacca to the west, and the Riau Islands lie to the south.
• It is separated from Malaysia by the Johor Strait(North) and from Indonesia by the Singapore Strait.
• Capital City: Singapore
• It is one of member country of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
• Geographical Features of Singapore:
  • Climate: It is in the equatorial monsoon region and its climate is characterized by uniformly high temperatures and nearly constant precipitation throughout the year.
  • Highest Peak: Its highest point is Timah Hill at 162 metres.
  • It is the largest port in Southeast Asiaand one of the busiest in the world.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2266391&reg=3&lang=2

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, sacred relics belonging to two of Lord Buddha’s most prominent disciples, Sariputra and Maudgalyayana from Sanchi Stupa are being sent to Mongolia.

• It was built by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in the third century BC.
• It enshrines religious relics or remains of the Buddha and his most revered disciples.
• Its construction was overseen by Ashoka’s wife Devi.
• The development of the Sanchi complex was supported by patronage from Vidisha’s mercantile community.
• It was in abject ruins when it was “discovered” by British officer Henry Taylor in 1818.
• Later on Alexander Cunningham, led the first formal survey and excavations at Sanchi in 1851. 
• Structure:
  • It is enclosed by a massive stone railing pierced by four gateways, which are adorned withelaborate carvings (known as Sanchi sculpture).
  • The stupa itself consists of a base bearing a hemispherical dome (anda), symbolizing the dome of heaven enclosing the earth.
  • It is surmounted by a squared rail unit (harmika) representing the world mountain, from which rises a mast (yashti), symbolizing the cosmic axis. 
  • The mast bears umbrellas (chatras) that represent the various heavens (devaloka).

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://newsonair.gov.in/sacred-relics-from-sanchi-stupa-to-be-sent-to-mongolia-on-pm-modis-initiative/

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken action against several entities for violations of consumer rights and unfair trade practices in the e-commerce sector. 

• It was established under Section 10 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
• The Consumer Protection Act, 2019, which replaced the 1986 Act, was notified on August 9, 2019, and came into force on July 20, 2020.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
• Composition of CCPA:
  • Chief Commissioner: A Chief Commissioner heads the CCPA and has two other commissioners:
    • One commissioner deals with goods-related issues.
    • The other commissioner handles service-related complaints.
  • Functions and Powers of CCPA:
    • The CCPA protects, promotes, and enforces the rights of consumers as a class under the Act.
    • It prevents unfair trade practices and curbs false or misleading advertisements.
    • It ensures that no one publishes or disseminates false or misleading advertisements.
    • It can initiate class-action suits, including recall, refunds, and cancellation of licenses, when necessary.
    • The CCPA can conduct inquiries and investigations through its investigation Wing, headed by a Director-General.
    • It can order the discontinuation of unfair practices, impose penalties on errant businesses, and enforce consumer welfare measures.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://newsonair.gov.in/ccpa-acts-against-e-commerce-violations-issues-notices-for-unfair-practices/

Answer: b

Explanation:

Recently, the Union Minister for Rural Development released over ten thousand crore rupees to twelve states under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G).

• It was launched in 2016 by restructuring the erstwhile rural housing scheme Indira Awaas yojana (IAY).
• It aims to provide financial assistance to eligible rural households, including houseless families and those living in zero, one, or two-room kutcha houses, to construct pucca homes with basic amenities.
• Target: the Government initially set a target of 95 crore houses for FY 2016–17 to FY 2023–24 and approved the continuation of the scheme for another 5 years (FY 2024–25 to FY 2028–29) with an additional target of 2 crore houses.
• Minimum unit size: Each house must have at least 25 sq. m, including a dedicated hygienic cooking area.
• Beneficiary Selection: It is carried out on the basis of housing deprivation parameters and exclusion criteria prescribed under the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011.
• Financial Assistance and Funding: The scheme provides direct financial support for house construction:
  • Unit Assistance:₹1.20 lakh in plain areas and ₹1.30 lakh in hilly states (including North Eastern states, J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand).
  • Funding Pattern:
    • The cost is shared between the Central and State governments in the ratio 60:40for plain areas and 90:10 for North Eastern and Himalayan states.
    • For Union Territories without a legislature, the Centre provides 100% of the funding.
  • Monitoring: The entire process is managed through e-governance solutions like the AwaasSoft Management Information System (MIS) and the AwaasApp mobile application.

Hence only statements 2 and 3 are correct.

News: https://newsonair.gov.in/centre-releases-over-10000-crore-rupees-to-12-states-under-pradhan-mantri-awaas-yojana-gramin/

Answer: b

Explanation:

Around 1,200 fishing harbours and fishing landing sites are all set to be brought under the oversight of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) as part of Union Home Ministry’s plan to fortify and secure India’s coastline. 

• It is a Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) in India operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• It provides security to various critical infrastructures and important national installations.
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Motto: “Protection and Security”.
• Establishment of Central Industrial Security Force:
  • The idea of forming a specialised industrial security force gained urgency after the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.
  • The CISF came into existence in 1969 through the CISF Act 1968 with a sanctioned strength of only three battalions. 
  • The original charter of CISF was to provide integrated security cover to certain sensitive public sector undertakings.
  • The Act was amended in 1983, declaring the CISF as an Armed Force of the Union.
• Organisation Structure of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) 
  • It is headed by an Indian Police Service officer with the rank of Director-General, assisted by an IPS officer in the rank of Addl. Director-General.
  • The force is divided into seven sectors (Airport, North, North-East, East, West, South, and Training) and also has a Fire Service Wing.
  • The force consists of seven training institutes – six Recruit Training Centers and the National Industrial Security Academy (NISA). 
• Functions of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
  • It provides security to India’s most critical infrastructure facilities, like nuclear installations, space establishments, airports, seaports, power plants, etc.
  • In addition, the CISF also protects important government buildings, iconic heritage monuments, Delhi Metro, Parliament House Complex.
  • CISF personnel are trained in disaster management techniques, enabling them to actively respond to natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and cyclones.
  • CISF is one of the largest Fire Protection Service providers in the country. CISF is the only force with a customized and dedicated fire wing.

Hence only statements 2 and 3 are correct.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/govt-plans-security-protocol-for-fishing-harbours-under-cisf-oversight/article71033639.ece

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has granted in-principle approval for the diversion of over 3,000 hectares of forest land across several states for key infrastructure projects. 

• It is a statutory body established under the Forest Conservation Act (FCA), 1980.
• Functions: It considers questions on the diversion of forest land for non-forest uses such as mining, industrial projects, townships and advises the state government on the issue of granting forest clearances.
• Process of Transferring Forest Land:
  • Once the FAC is convinced and approves (or rejects a proposal), it is forwarded to the concerned State government where the land is located.
  • State government then has to ensure that provisions of the Forest Right Act, 2006, a separate Act that protects the rights of forest dwellers and tribals over their land, are complied with.
  • The FAC approval also means that the future users of the land must provide compensatory land for afforestation as well as pay the net present value.
• It is under the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/fac-clears-key-infra-projects-grants-nod-for-diversion-of-3k-hectares-of-forest-land-101779907560720.html#google_vignette

Answer: d

Explanation:

Recently, a new species of toad recorded in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district has been named as Duttaphyrnus dhara.

• It is a new toad species found in
• Habitat: It prefers forest-edge and semi-natural habitats.
• Features:
  • It is a small, forest-associated toad with adult males measuring only about 40-41.8 mm in snout-vent length.
  • It has a compact body, wider head and absence of prominent cranial ridges.
  • It has small but distinct tympanum, moderate toe webbing, and a rough dorsum covered with numerous pointed keratinised warts.
  • It has a brown body with irregular black patches, a narrow pale mid-dorsal line, dark fingers and toes, and a creamy white underside marked with black blotches.
  • It is clearly different from its closest known relatives, Duttaphrynus stuarti and Duttaphrynus chandai.

Hence option (d) is the correct answer.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/new-toad-species-recorded-in-meghalaya-named-after-khasi-womens-attire/article71027776.ece