UPSC Daily Quiz 22 June 2026

Answer: d

Explanation:

Researchers recently discovered two new species of miniature, cave-dwelling micro-snails named Georissa meghalayaensis and Acmella bensoni.

About Georissa meghalayaensis and Acmella bensoni:

• These are two new species of miniature, cave-dwelling micro-snails.
• They were discovered deep inside the damp limestone caves of Northeast India’s Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.
• Georissa meghalayaensis was discovered at the edge of Meghalaya’s Krem Puri cave entrance.
  • It stands out from its closest relatives due to its striking orangish-red colour and a highly detailed, mesh-like pattern of ridges covering its tiny shell.
  • In contrast, its closest known snail cousins typically sport yellowish shells with sharp, widely spaced spiral lines.
• Acmella bensoni was found clinging to walls deeper inside both the Krem Puri and Arwah caves of Meghalaya.
  • This species distinguishes itself from similar snails by having a smaller, slightly transparent, whitish shell.
  • It features deeply impressed grooves between the shell’s spirals (whorls) and an incredibly fine, densely packed pattern of tiny ribs that make the shell appear almost smooth.
  • This shiny little snail was named in honour of William H. Benson, a legendary 19th-century scientist, celebrated as the pioneer of Indian Malacology, the study of molluscs.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

News: https://researchmatters.in/news/two-new-species-cave-dwelling-micro-snails-uncovered-meghalaya

Answer: b

Explanation:

Tamil Nadu is set to deploy India’s first 3D-printed artificial reef modules in coastal waters as part of an ambitious marine habitat restoration initiative under the second phase of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.

About India’s first 3D-Printed Artificial Reef Modules:

• It is to be deployed by Tamil Nadu in coastal waters off the Ramanathapuram coast.
• It is part of an ambitious marine habitat restoration initiative under the second phase of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
• It will serve as a pilot to assess the performance of six newly developed reef designs created through advanced 3D-printing technology.
• The modules, each weighing about 1 tonne, were developed by Chennai-based startup Tvasta, an IIT Madras-incubated company, in collaboration with Visakhapatnam Regional Centre of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute.
• These modules will be deployed about two nautical miles offshore.
• Features:
  • Unlike conventional artificial reefs made from reinforced concrete structures, the new modules feature complex geometries with multiple crevices, folds and attachment surfaces designed to enhance biodiversity.
  • They are manufactured without iron reinforcement and incorporate material innovations aimed at increasing porosity and creating substrates more suitable for marine organisms, including corals, sponges and other reef-associated fauna.
  • They allow greater structural complexity, higher surface area, and species-specific habitat design.
  • The technology offers significant advantages over traditional reef modules, including faster fabrication, reduced labour requirements and flexibility to alter material composition according to site-specific ecological needs.

Hence option b is the correct answer.

News:https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2026/Jun/21/new-home-for-marine-species-indias-first-3d-printed-reefs-to-be-sunk-off-ramanathapuram-coast-in-tn

Answer: c

Explanation:

The Kerala High Court recently stressed the need for a unified authority to monitor the cleanliness of the Periyar River.

About Periyar River:

• It is the longest river in Kerala.
• It is known as the “lifeline of Kerala” because it is an important source of irrigation and power generation.
• Course:
  • It rises in the Sivagiri Hills of the Western Ghats range near the border with Tamil Nadu.
  • It flows north through Periyar National Park into Periyar Lake, an artificial reservoir created in 1895 by the construction of a dam across the river.
  • It further flows into the Vembanad Lake before emptying into the Arabian Sea about 24 km north of Kochi.
• Total Length: 244 kilometers
• It is one of the few perennial rivers of the region and is a crucial source of drinking water.
• About 25 percent of Kerala’s industries are located along its banks.
• Major Tributaries: Muthirapuzha River, Mullayar River, Cheruthoni River, Perinjankutti River and the Edamala River.
• It plays a major role in generating hydro electricity.
  • The largest hydroelectric project is the Idukki Hydroelectric Project, which generates a significant portion of the electricity for Kerala
  • Other dams constructed across the river are Neriyamangalam, Pallivasal, Panniyar, Kundalam, Chenkulam, and
• The birthplace of Sankaracharya, the greatest Advaita philosopher, is at Kalady, which is situated on the bank of the Periyar.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

News: https://theprint.in/india/unified-authority-to-monitor-periyar-river-cleanliness-important-lives-at-stake-kerala-hc/2965467/

Answer: b

Explanation:

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has for the first time aired footage showing the launch of a Dongfeng-17 (DF-17) hypersonic missile recently.

About Dongfeng-17 (DF-17):

• It is a Chinese solid-fueled medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile.
• It was officially unveiled in 2019.
• Its NATO code name is CSS-22.
• Features:
  • It measures around 11 m in length, and weighs around 15,000 kg.
  • It is said to have a range of 1800 km to 2500 km.
  • It is mounted on a mobile launcher.
  • It carries a hypersonic glide vehicle DF-ZF (HGV — Hypersonic Glide Vehicle).
  • Its operation is as follows:
    • The missile is launched outside the atmosphere like a classic ballistic missile.
    • At a certain altitude, the DF-ZF warhead separates.
    • The warhead reenters the atmosphere, but instead of descending in a straight line like ballistic missiles, it “glides” in the atmosphere with its fins.
    • While gliding, it changes direction and maneuvers. Its speed is approximately Mach 5-10.
    • This flight profile allows the vehicle to remain below radar detection for longer durations than a ballistic missile covering the same distance.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

News:https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/defence/international/china-releases-first-ever-footage-of-dongfeng-17-hypersonic-missile-launch-sends-message-to-us/articleshow/131890756.cms

Answer: d

Explanation:

Volunteers recently cleared four trolley-loads of garbage from the 18th-century Nabha Fort and an adjoining park, renewing demands that the monument linked to Maharaja Ripudaman Singh be protected and developed as a tourism destination.

About Nabha Fort:

• It is located in Nabha city within the Patiala district of Punjab.
• It served as the royal residence and administrative center of the Nabha princely state under the Phulkian dynasty.
• Constructed and expanded over more than 150 years, notable rulers like Maharaja Hira Singh (1843-1911) contributed to its grandeur with decorative frescoes, intricate carvings, and spacious courtyards.
• The fort played a significant role during the Anglo-Sikh Wars, with Nabha aligned with the British, which secured its sovereignty under colonial rule.
• Architecture:
  • The fort features traditional Indian military architecture with thick walls, bastions, and large gates designed for defense, alongside palatial residences, gardens, and audience halls showcasing a blend of Mughal, Rajput, and Sikh architectural styles.
  • The fort also consists of painted chambers, gilding and mirror work, colored glass and decorative fanlights, wood carvings, decorative plasterwork, stone door frames, and stone jaalis.
  • Rediscovered artifacts include rare wall paintings depicting Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s army and a unique cooling system in the basement known as the Sard Khana.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

News:https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/garbage-out-heritage-in-nabha-fort-gets-citizens-push/amp_articleshow/131895909.cms

Answer: d

Explanation:

A new species of wild brinjal has been discovered from one of the remote islands of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago by a scientist from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and named it as Solanum pandeyi.

• It is a species of wild brinjal recorded in the evergreen forest of Middle Andaman.
• It was found growing in the open along the forest edges and was locally known as wild orange eggplant.
• The new species is similar to Solanum lasiocarpum and belongs to the Leptostemonum clade of Solanum.
• Uses of Solanum Pandeyi:
  • It was used by an indigenous Negrito tribe, Great Andamanese, for food and medicinal purposes.
  • Most seeds and roots are used to treat tooth infection.
  • Ripe fruit with jaggery (a natural unrefined sugar), chilli, garlic, ginger, and salt are used to make sour-sweet sauce by the Ranchi and Bengali settler community of the island.

Hence option (d) is the correct answer.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/new-species-of-wild-brinjal-discovered-in-the-andamans/article71129983.ece

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, an ammonia gas leak at a seafood processing and export unit in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district impacted many people.

• It is a colorless, pungent gas composed of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula NH3.
• Properties: Ammonia gas can be dissolved in water. This kind of ammonia is called liquid ammonia or aqueous ammonia. Once exposed to open air, liquid ammonia quickly turns into a gas.
• It exists naturally in humans and in the environment. 
• In the environment, ammonia is part of the nitrogen cycle and is produced in soil from bacterial processes. 
• Ammonia is also produced naturally from decomposition of organic matter, including plants and animals.
• Industrial production: Manufactured mainly by the Haber–Bosch process (from nitrogen and hydrogen).
• Uses:
  • The major use of ammonia is as a fertilizer. 
  • Ammonia is a basic building block for ammonium nitrate fertilizer, which releases nitrogen, an essential nutrient for growing plants.
  • Additional uses include as a refrigerant, stabilizer, neutralizer, and purifier — particularly in food transport and water treatment applications. 
  • It can also be used in the manufacture of plastics, explosives, fabrics, dyes, and pharmaceuticals.
  • Impact on Health: Exposure to high levels of ammonia in air may be irritating to a person’s skin, eyes, throat, and lungs and cause coughing and burns.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tamil-nadu-gas-leak-live-updates-trivallur-seafood-export-unit-tn/article71129101.ece

Answer: b

Explanation:

Recently, the first round of talks between high-ranking U.S. and Iranian officials was held in Switzerland.

• It is a landlocked mountainous country in Western and Central Europe.
• Bordering Countries: It is bordered by 5 Nations: by Germany in the north; Italy in the south; Austria and Liechtenstein in the east and France in the west.
• Capital City: Bern
• It is not a member state of the European Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
• Geographical Features of Switzerland:
  • Mountain Range: The Alpine ranges lie to the south and the Jura Mountains to the north.
  • Highest Point: Its highest point is Monte Rosa in the Pennine Alps.
  • Lakes: Its two largest lakes are Lake Geneva (shared with France) and Lake Neuchatel.
  • Four major European climates affect Switzerland: It is influenced by the North Atlantic Drift, dry and cold air arrives from the North Arctic areas, continental air and Mediterranean Sea.

Hence only statements 1 and 2 are correct.

News: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-iran-talks-go-into-day-2-after-trump-threats-hormuz-closure-2026-06-22/

Answer: c

Explanation:

Studies have indicated that Biochar can improve crop productivity by 10% to 30% and water-holding capacity by 10% to 25%, particularly in soils low in nutrients.

• Biochar is made by heating agricultural waste in low-oxygen conditions.
• It offers a sustainable alternative to manage waste and capture carbon.
• It is granular material obtained by heating crop residue at 400°C to 600°C in a kiln-shaped structure in the absence of oxygen.
• Advantage of Biochar: It can hold carbon in the soil for 100-1,000 years due to its strong and stable characteristics, making it an effective long-term carbon sink.
• Potential Applications of Biochar:
  • Agriculture: It can improve water retention, particularly in semi-dry and nutrient-depleted soils.
  • Biochar is highly porous and contributes to aggregating soil particles, holding water and creating a suitable environment for microorganisms.
  • Industries: In carbon capture applications, modified biochar can adsorb CO₂ from industrial exhaust gases. However, its carbon removal efficiency is currently lower than that of conventional methods.
  • Construction sector: Biochar can be explored as a low-carbon alternative to building materials and makes building materials a stable carbon sink.
  • Wastewater Treatment: Biochar offers a low-cost and effective option to reduce pollution.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/biochar-offers-way-turn-india-farm-smoke-black-gold/article71128481.ece

Answer: b

Explanation:

Recently, the Khurasani Imli, fruit of Mandu’s iconic Baobab tree, has been awarded Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

• Khurasani Imli or Tamarind is a fruit of Mandu’s (Madhya Pradesh) iconic Baobab tree.
• It was brought to Mandav during the reign of Mahmud Khilji in the 14th century and its name was changed from ‘Baobab’ to “Khurasani Imli.
• It is known by one more name Mandav Imli.
• It has a light green fruit with a tangy sweet-sour flavour, grows across villages in the Mandu region.
• Benefits:
  • Tribal communities have traditionally used not only the pulp but also the tree’s juice and dried bark for treating ailments such as diabetes.
  • It is packed with Vitamin C, antioxidants, and essential minerals.
  • Tribal healers have long used it to treat digestive ailments, fever, and fatigue, while seeds and bark also hold medicinal value.

Hence option (b) is the correct answer.

News: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/khurasani-imli-of-mandu-awarded-gi-tag/articleshow/131882554.cms