UPSC Daily Quiz 19 September 2026

Answer: b

Explanation:

As Project Cheetah completes four years, Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary is awaiting the arrival of a fourth African cheetah, with a South African female or a younger Botswana female likely to be translocated from Kuno National Park in the coming days.

About Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary:

• It is situated in northwestern Madhya Pradesh, with one of its boundaries running along the border of Rajasthan.
• The sanctuary was notified in 1974 and is spread over an area of 368 sq.km.
• Rivers: The Chambal River flows through the sanctuary, dividing it into two parts.
• The presence of the Gandhi Sagar Dam further enhances the region, forming a large reservoir.
• The sanctuary houses sites of historical and archaeological significance, such as Chaurasigarh, Chaturbhujnath Temple, Bhadkaji rock paintings, Hinglajgarh Fort, and Taxakeshwar Temple.
• Topography: A major part of the sanctuary consists of vast open landscapes with sparse vegetation and rocky terrain, with small patches of dense forests here and there.
• Flora:
  • It lies within the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.
  • The principal tree species found are Khair, Salai, Kardhai, Dhawda, Tendu, Palash and the like.
• Fauna:
  • Herbivores like Chinkara, Nilgai and Spotted Deer, and carnivores like the Indian Leopard, Striped Hyena and Jackal are found in good numbers in the region.
  • It was chosen as a favourable site for the reintroduction of cheetahs in India.
  • It is a designated Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).

Hence option b is the correct answer.

News: https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/madhya-pradesh/2026/Sep/17/four-years-of-project-cheetah-gandhi-sagar-awaits-fourth-african-cheetah-durgavati-awaits-first

Answer: b

Explanation:

The Fitzroy River, home to about 500 saltwater crocodiles, has been recently approved to host rowing and canoeing at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.

About Fitzroy River:

• It is a major river located in Queensland, Australia.
• Course:
  • It is formed by the confluence of the Dawson and Mackenzie rivers on the slopes of the Great Dividing Range.
  • The united stream flows northeast across the Broadsound Range and then southeast through distributaries to enter Keppel Bay of the Coral Sea of the Pacific Ocean after a course of 480 km.
• Its catchment area with its main tributary, the 160-km Margaret River, is 142,000 sq.km.
• The river flows through different types of land. It passes through farming areas, towns, and natural landscapes.
• The main city along the river is Rockhampton, which is an important centre for the region.
• The Fitzroy is navigable from Port Alma, at the mouth, 56 km upstream to Rockhampton.

Hence option b is the correct answer.

News:https://www.outlookindia.com/sports/others/fitzroy-river-in-rockhampton-500-saltwater-crocodiles-gets-brisbane-olympics-2032-venue

Answer: b

Explanation:

With the Strait of Hormuz in a chokehold due to Iran-U.S. hostilities, Oman has pitched to India investment opportunities in Sohar Port that could provide uninterrupted access to energy resources from the Persian Gulf.

About Sohar Port:

• It is a deep-sea port situated in northern Oman, on the Gulf of Oman.
• It is one of the largest and most strategically located deep-sea ports in the Middle East.
• It lies approximately 160 km south of the Strait of Hormuz, midway between Dubai and Muscat (capital of Oman).
• The port serves as a vital commercial hub connecting the markets of the Gulf region, the Indian subcontinent, and East Africa.
• Sohar Port handles various cargo, including dry, break, and liquid bulk, as well as container shipping.
• The port is managed by Sohar Industrial Port Company (SIPC), a joint venture between the Omani Government and the Port of Rotterdam.
• The Sohar Freezone adjacent to the port supports industrial activities such as petrochemicals, metals, and the energy sectors.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/oman-pitches-new-port-that-could-give-india-better-access-to-gulf-energy/article71473404.ece

Answer: a

Explanation:

The Cochin Shipyard Limited recently laid the keel for the first of six Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMV) being built for the Indian Navy, marking the shipbuilder’s entry into construction of advanced weapon-intensive platforms.

About Next-Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs):

• The NGMVs are envisaged as high-speed vessels equipped with an array of weapons and sensors, being built for the Indian Navy.
• Six NGMVs are being built by government-run Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) at a cost of Rs 9,805 crore.
• Delivery of the vessels is scheduled to commence from March 2027.
• The primary role of the ships would be to provide offensive capability against enemy warships, merchantmen, and land targets.
• The vessels are intended for maritime strike and anti-surface warfare operations and will also provide the Navy with sea-denial capability, particularly around strategically important maritime choke points.
• In defensive operations, the ships are expected to support local naval defence and the protection of offshore development areas.
• Features:
  • The core of the NGMV propulsion system is the LM2500, a marine gas turbine, manufactured by the American engine manufacturer General Electric. LM2500 is engineered to unleash superior power while meeting stealth requirements.
  • Each vessel will have a complement of around 80 personnel and a maximum speed of approximately 33 knots (61 kmph).
  • These corvettes can remain at sea for 10 consecutive days and extend their stay by refueling from tankers.
  • They will be equipped with surface-to-surface missile systems, anti-missile defence systems, air-surveillance radars, and fire-control radars.
  • The NGMVs’ primary weapon will be the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, capable of striking targets at long ranges.
  • The vessels will also be equipped with advanced integrated platform management systems, propulsion and auxiliary machinery, power generation and distribution systems and damage-control machinery.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News: https://infra.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/ports-shipping/cochin-shipyard-lays-keel-for-first-of-six-next-generation-missile-vessels-for-navy/134337420

Answer: c

Explanation:

The Rajasthan High Court recently issued notices to the State government and other authorities on a petition seeking a 9% sub-quota for the Bhil community within the existing 12% reservation for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.

About Bhil Tribe:

• The Bhils are considered one of the oldest tribes in India and are identified as one of the Dravidian racial tribes of Western India and belong to the Australoid group of tribes.
• According to the 2011 census, Bhil is the largest tribal group in India, constituting approximately 38% of the total scheduled tribal population of India.
• The name ‘Bhil’ is derived from the word “villu” or “billu”, which, according to the Dravidian language, is known as Bow.
• Their reference is in old literature, Ramayana and Mahabharata.
• Distribution:
  • They are the most widely distributed tribal groups in India.
  • They mainly reside in Rajasthan, western Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and northern Maharashtra. Some families have migrated to other states like Tripura for jobs in tea gardens.
  • Bhil populations are concentrated in the southernmost hills of the Aravalli Range, the western uplands of the Vindhya and Satpura ranges, and the northernmost hills of the Western Ghats.
  • Some Bhil groups occupy the nearby river valleys and coastal plains.
• Occupation: Nearly all of the Bhil engage in agriculture, some using the slash-and-burn (jhum) method but most employing the plow.
• Language:
  • They speak Bhili, which is an Indo-Aryan language.
  • Bhili dialects show varying degrees of influence of regional languages such as Rajasthani and Marathi, but they all appear to have their origins in Gujarati.
• Beliefs:
  • Almost all Bhils practice ethnic religions that have been highly influenced by Hinduism.
  • Most of them worship local deities like Khandoba, Kanhoba, Bahiroba, and Sitalmata. Some worship the Tiger God called ‘vaghdev’.
• Festivals:
  • The Baneshwar fair is the main festival celebrated among the Bhils. This fair is held during the period of Shivaratri in the months of January or February.
  • The Hindu festivals of Holi and Dusshera are the other major festivals celebrated among the Bhil Tribes in India.
• Art and Culture:
  • The Ghoomar dance, which is a traditional folk dance symbolising womanhood, is one of the popular aspects of Bhil culture.
  • Bhil painting is characterised by the use of multi-coloured dots as in-filling.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

News: https://www.thelawadvice.com/news/rajasthan-hc-seeks-responses-on-plea-for-9-sub-quota-for-bhil-community-within-st-quota

Answer: a

Explanation:  

According to the findings of a study by researchers, Pneumocystis jirovecii fungi that can cause severe pneumonia in people with weaker or weakened immune systems appears to have become resistant to a drug that never intended to kill it.

About Pneumocystis jirovecii:

• It is an opportunistic fungal pathogen.
• It can cause pneumonia in patients with impaired immune systems, such as those with AIDS or who are receiving immunosuppressive drugs.
• It is a ubiquitous organism transmitted by aerosol route and causes no disease in immunocompetent patients.
• Initially classified as a protozoa, it has been considered a fungus since the 1990s based on molecular analyses.
• Its life cycle primarily consists of trophic (eg, trophozoites) and cystic forms.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/fungus-found-evolving-resistance-to-drug-meant-for-humans/article71469730.ece

Answer: c

Explanation:

The government has relaxed the existing 15-day stockholding limit for bulk consumers to 30 days, provided the quantity of stock held beyond 15 days limit shall be sourced exclusively from sugar imported under the Advance Authorisation Scheme (AAS).

About Advance Authorisation Scheme:

• It allows duty free import of inputs, which are physically incorporated in an export product.
• In addition to any inputs, packaging material, fuel, oil and catalysts which are consumed/utilized in the process of production of export products, are also allowed.
• It is overseen by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
• The inputs imported are exempt from duties like,
  • Basic Customs Duty, Additional Customs Duty, Education Cess, Anti-dumping duty, Safeguard Duty and Transition Product-Specific Safeguard duty, Integrated tax, and Compensation Cess, wherever applicable, subject to certain conditions. 
• An export obligation is usually set as a condition for issuing Advance Authorization.
• Advanced Authorization Coverage:
  • Manufacturer Exporters: Entities engaged in manufacturing goods for export.
  • Merchant Exporters tied to Supporting Manufacturer(s): Traders who do not manufacture themselves but procure goods from a supporting manufacturer for export.
• The Advanced Authorization shall be issued for
  • Physical exports
  • Intermediate supply
  • Supplies made to specified categories of deemed exports
  • Supply of ‘stores’ on board of a foreign-going vessel/aircraft, provided that there are specific Standard Input Output Norms (SION) in respect of items supplied.
• Advance Authorization is valid for 12 months from the date of issue of such Authorization.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2311960&reg=48&lang=2

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, Denmark inaugurated carbon capture and storage (CCS) project for storing carbon dioxide under the seabed beneath an old oil-platform in the North Sea.

About North Sea:

• Location: It is a shallow northeastern arm of the Atlantic Ocean nestled between the British Isles and northwestern Europe. 
• Borders and Connections:
  • It is bordered by Great Britain (southwest and west), Orkney and Shetland islands (northwest), Norway (northeast), Denmark (east), Germany and the Netherlands (southeast), and Belgium and France (south).
  • It connects to the Atlantic Ocean via the English Channel in the southwest and the Baltic Sea in the east via the Kattegat and Skagerrak straits.
• Rivers: Major rivers that drain into the North Sea include the Forth, Elbe, the Weser, the Ems, the Rhine and Meuse, the Scheldt, the Thames, and the Humber.
• Economic Importance:
  • Natural Resources: It contains significant reserves of petroleum and natural gas beneath the seafloor.
  • It is one of Europe’s most productive fisheries.
  • It is the major shipping zone for trade among European countries and between Europe and the Middle East.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/denmark-inaugurates-co2-storage-facility-in-north-sea/article71479679.ece

Answer: b

Explanation:

A study in Uttarakhand found that Himalayan monals exposed to roads, tourists and pilgrimage traffic use higher-frequency calls which are impacting this species calling behaviour.

About Himalayan Monal:

• The Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus) is also known as the Impeyan Monal or Danphe.
• They are among the larger birds in the Phasianidae family.
• It is the state bird of
• Appearance: It exhibits high sexual dimorphism—the males decked head to toe in multicoloured plumage and exhibiting a long green metallic crest, while the females have a pale blue eye patch, white throat, and a streaky brown body.
• Habitat:
  • It occupies the upper temperate forests of conifer and oak with open grasslands.
  • It typically inhabits altitudes between 2,500 and 4,000 meters in Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP).
  • It is commonly sighted in Tirthan Valley especially during the spring and post-monsoon seasons.
• Distribution: It is found across the Himalayan mountains, including in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim.
• Behavior:
  • It is a ground-dwelling bird, often seen digging through leaf litter or soft soil with its powerful beak in search of roots, tubers, seeds, insects, and grubs.
  • It exhibits a clear altitudinal migration, descending as low as 2,000m in winter.
  • However, it also shows tolerance to snow and has been observed digging through snowfall for roots, tubers and invertebrates.
• Threats: It faces threats from habitat loss, hunting, and disturbance from tourism.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern 
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972:  Schedule I 

Hence only statements 1 and 2 are correct.

News: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-climate/himalayan-monal-noise-climate-change-habitat-explained-10884302/

Answer: d

Explanation:  

Recently, astronomers have discovered the youngest exoplanet on record, and named it as Elias 2-24 b.

About Elias 2-24 b:

• It is an exoplanet which is still whirling in its natal disk of dust and gas.
• It is the youngest known planet discovered so far and located roughly 450 light-years from Earth.
• Size: It is orbiting the star Elias 2-24 and a size is somewhere between two and four times as massive as Jupiter.
• The planet is still in the process of forming within its native gas-and-dust disk.
• It is far younger (less than 1 million years old) than the previous record holders.
• Previous record holders for the youngest known planets were more than 5 million years old. They included two planets around PDS 70 and two around WISPIT 2.
• Elias 2-24 b orbits its young star at a distance of about 55 times the distance between Earth and the Sun.

Hence option (d) is the correct answer.

News: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/astronomers-have-found-a-baby-planet-and-named-it-elias-2-24-b-the-jupiter-size-world-is-less-than-1-million-years-old/articleshow/134334894.cms?from=mdr