UPSC Daily Quiz 21 October 2026

Answer: b

Explanation:

Animal rights organisation PETA India recently called for withdrawal of the Centre’s proposed rules on animal experimentation, claiming it could weaken existing protections for animals.

About People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA):

• It is a nongovernmental organization (NGO) committed to ending abusive treatment of animals in business and society and promoting consideration of animal interests in everyday decision-making and general policies and practices.
• It is the largest animal rights organization in the world.
• PETA was founded in 1980 by Ingrid Newkirk and Alex Pacheco, who were influenced by Australian ethicist Peter Singer’s book Animal Liberation (1975).
• It is based in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, with entities worldwide.
• Initially recognized for exposing cruelty in research laboratories, PETA has grown into a global entity with over ten million members and considerable annual expenditures.
• The very heart of all of PETA’s actions is the idea that it is the right of all beings—human and nonhuman alike—to be free from harm.
• PETA advocates that animals should not be used for human benefit and promotes alternatives made possible by technological advancements.
• PETA opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview, and focuses on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time:
  • in laboratories;
  • in the food industry;
  • in the clothing trade; and
  • in the entertainment business.
• PETA also works on a variety of other issues, including the cruel killing of rodents, birds, and other animals who are often considered “pests” and cruelty to domesticated animals.
• PETA works through public education, investigations, research, animal rescue, legislation, protests, and negotiations with companies and regulatory agencies.

Hence option b is the correct answer.

News:https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Oct/19/peta-india-calls-for-withdrawal-of-centres-proposed-rules-on-animal-experimentation

Answer: b

Explanation:

The bodies of two 14-year-old schoolboys who drowned in Puzhal Lake near Murugambedu were recovered recently.

About Puzhal Lake:

• Puzhal Lake, also known as Red Hills Lake, is a manmade freshwater lake located in Red Hills, Thiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu.
• It was built in the 19th century, during the British Period.
• It is one of the three main rain-fed reservoirs from where water is being drawn to be supplied in the city of Chennai, the other two being the Chembarambakkam Lake and Porur Lake.
• It’s like a giant natural storage tank that collects rainwater and water from other sources.
• It can hold a huge amount of water, about 3300 million cubic feet.
• This water is then treated and sent through pipes to homes and businesses across the city.
• At the lake, there is a tower esteemed as Jone Tower, which is used to calculate the depth of the water level in the lake.
  • This tower was built in the year 1881 and is the main attraction of the lake.
• It provides critical refuge for resident waterbirds and long-distance migratory avifauna.
• During autumn and winter, trans-continental migrants arrive across the Central Asian Flyway (CAF), seeking open water and abundant foraging grounds.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

News:https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/bodies-of-two-school-students-recovered-from-puzhal-lake/article71604508.ece

Answer: a

Explanation:

In a major leap for India’s military communication infrastructure, the ISRO is slated to launch the Indian Army’s first dedicated communications satellite, the GSAT-7B, by mid-2028.

About GSAT-7B:

• It is the Indian Army’s first dedicated communications satellite.
• It is part of the GSAT-7 series
• It is expected to be launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) around mid-2028.
• At five tonnes, or 5,000 kilograms, it will be the heaviest communication satellite India has ever built.
• It will sit in a geostationary orbit.
• Till now, the Indian Army has been dependent on GSAT-7A and other surveillance satellites like the RISAT 2BR1 imaging satellite for communication and surveillance operations.
• GSAT-7B is designed to provide Indian Army beyond-line-of-sight communications for deployed troops and military formations, as well as weapon systems, airborne platforms, and other mission-critical assets.
• It will provide the army with secure, round-the-clock connectivity across remote border areas and challenging terrain, supporting day-to-day military operations and effective battlefield command and control.

GSAT 7 Series Satellites:

• They are advanced communication satellites developed by the ISRO to meet the communication needs of the Indian defence services.
• GSAT-7 (Rukmini):
  • It is an advanced communication satellite developed by ISRO and primarily provides communication services to the Indian Navy.
  • It is India’s first military satellite.
  • It was launched in August 2013 from an Ariane 5 ECA rocket from Kourou in French Guiana.
• GSAT 7A:
  • It was launched on December 19, 2018.
  • It primarily provides communication services to the Indian Air Force.
  • It also helps in satellite-controlled operations of UAVs.
• GSAT-7R (CMS-03):
  • It was launched on November 2, 2025, a replacement for the Rukmini satellite.
  • The homegrown satellite enables seamless and secure communications between warships, aircraft, submarines, and maritime operations centres.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News: https://defence.in/threads/indian-armys-first-dedicated-satellite-gsat-7b-scheduled-for-mid-2028-launch-amid-military-space-push.18899/

Answer: a

Explanation:

Trump is reportedly considering strikes on Iran’s strategic Kharg Island oil hub to pressure Tehran over its nuclear programme and the Strait of Hormuz, although the claims remain unconfirmed.

About Kharg Island:

• It is a small coral island in Iran located in the northern Persian Gulf.
• It lies about 30 km from the Iranian mainland.
• Its area is 25 sq.km., its length is 8 km, and its width is 4.5 km.
• It is one of relatively few Persian Gulf islands with natural freshwater resources, making it suitable for settlement by small populations.
• The island experiences hot and humid summers, and its highest point, Mount Didehban, stands at 87 meters above sea level.
• The discovery of an offshore oil field in the waters around Kharg in the early 1960s stimulated the development of the island as a site for major petroleum and petrochemical installations.
• Connection by pipelines to the underwater oil fields, as well as to the oil fields in Khuzistan province, transformed Kharg into Iran’s largest oil-loading terminal by the early 1970s.
• Although it is close to the coast, it is surrounded by deep waters, allowing large oil tankers to dock.
• During the Iran–Iraq war (1980–1988), Kharg repeatedly was bombed, and its oil facilities suffered extensive damage, but they were reconstructed in the early 1990s.
• It facilitates as much as 90 percent of the country’s oil exports and is vital for Iran’s economy.
• It boasts a massive storage capacity of 28 million barrels and loading infrastructure capable of handling VLCCs and ULCCs.
• It has the ability to load 10 supertankers simultaneously and about 7 million barrels of oil per day.
• Its strategic significance lies in its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil passage.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News: https://www.moneycontrol.com/world/trump-weighs-strikes-on-iran-s-kharg-island-oil-hub-to-pressure-tehran-report-article-14055322.html

Answer: c

Explanation:

On the occasion of Maha Navami, the ninth day of the festival, the historic Taleju Bhawani Temple in Kathmandu recently opened its doors to devotees.

About Taleju Bhawani Temple:

• It is a Hindu temple located in Kathmandu, Nepal.
• The temple lies within Kathmandu Durbar Square, part of the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage property.
• It is dedicated to Goddess Taleju Bhawani, regarded as a form of Goddess Durga.
• The temple was constructed in the 16th century by King Mahendra Malla.
• The Malla dynasty, which ruled the Kathmandu Valley from the 12th to the 18th century, is deeply intertwined with the worship of Goddess Taleju Bhawani.
• For the general public, the temple opens its doors just once a year during Maha Navami (the ninth day of Dashain).
• Architecture: It is a masterpiece of Newar pagoda architecture. Key architectural features include:
  • Three-tiered pagoda roof with elaborately carved eaves and gilded finials.
  • 12-stage plinth representing the layers of the universe and spiritual ascent.
  • Four main decorative gateways, each guarded by stone lions.
  • Golden statues of the ten-armed goddess inside the inner sanctum.
  • Elaborately carved wooden windows and torana (ornamental arches above doorways).
  • The overall layout is modeled on the Shri Yantra, the sacred geometric diagram believed to embody the goddess herself.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

News: https://newsonair.gov.in/nepal-celebrates-bada-dashain-festival-historic-taleju-bhawani-temple-opens-for-devotees/

Answer: c

Explanation:  

The head of the International Energy Agency said there are little chance of a return to normal oil market conditions next year, as the ongoing West Asia war keeps prices high.

About International Energy Agency:

• It is an autonomous intergovernmental organisation within the OECD framework.
• It works with governments and industry to shape a secure and sustainable energy future for all.
• Historical Background: It was established in 1974, in the wake of the 1973-1974 oil crisis, to help its members respond to major oil supply disruptions, a role it continues to fulfill today.
• Mandate: Tracking and analyzing global key energy trends, promoting sound energy policy, and fostering multinational energy technology cooperation.
• Focus Area: It focuses on four main areas: energy security, economic development, environmental awareness, and engagement worldwide.
• Headquarters: Paris, France.
• Member Countries: It consists of 32 member countries and 14 association countries.
  • A candidate country to the IEA must be a member country of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
• India joined this organization in 2017 as an Associate member.
• Reports Published by IEA: World Energy Outlook, World Energy Balances, Energy Technology Perspectives, World Energy Statistics and Net Zero by 2050.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/iea-chief-warns-2027-likely-wont-normalize-oil-markets-amid-west-asia-war/article71606077.ece

Answer: a

Explanation:

Recently, for the first time recorded sightings of European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) in Chennai.

About European Bee-eater:

• It is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family, Meropidae. 
• These brightly-colored birds predominantly eat flying insects, especially bees and wasps.
• It is also known as Golden Bee-eaters because of their beautiful coloration.
• Appearance: It has dark, thick, and slightly downward curved bills.
• Habitat: They are commonly found near freshwater systems and inhabit a variety of habitat types such as forest, savanna, shrubland, grassland, and agricultural areas.
• Distribution: The have a broad distribution covering much of Europe and Africa.
• Behaviour: These are migratory, diurnal birds that spend most of their time foraging for food. 
• Diet: They are carnivores (insectivores) and mainly eat insects, especially bees, wasps, and hornets.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/european-bee-eater-at-broken-bridge/article71603997.ece

Answer: c

Explanation:

The Nordic Council Committee for a Sustainable Nordic Region announced new initiative to combat pollution and to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea.

About Baltic Sea:

• It is a semi-enclosed inland sea of the Atlantic Ocean, situated in Northern Europe.
• It is often cited as the world’s largest brackish inland water body. 
• It is the youngest sea on our planet, emerging some 10,000-15,000 years ago as the glaciers retreated at the end of the last Ice Age.
• Surrounding Countries: It is bordered by Sweden, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Estonia, Germany, Denmark, and Russia. 
• Key Branches and Basin:
  • It comprises several branches and basins, which include, from northeast to southwest, the Gulf of Bothnia, the Gulf of Finland, and the Gulf of Riga; the central-southern area known as the Baltic Proper; and the Danish straits of Kattegat and Skagerrak, which connect to the North Sea, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean.
• Its water salinity levels are lower than that of the world oceans due to the inflow of fresh water from the surrounding land and the sea’s shallowness. 
• Islands: It is home to over 20 islands and archipelagos. Gotland, located off the coast of Sweden, is the largest island in the Baltic Sea.
• Issues: Algal Harmful Blooms are also one of the issues that affect the Baltic Sea.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.norden.org/en/news/baltic-sea-agenda-nordic-council-pursues-new-initiatives

Answer: b

Explanation:

Recently, it was observed that Himachal Pradesh raised the survival rate of reintroduced cheer pheasants from 11.11% in 2019-20 to 100% in 2024-25.

About Cheer Pheasant:

• It is also known as Wallich’s pheasant or chir pheasant, belongs to the pheasant family, Phasianidae.
• Habitat: It is found in steep, rocky hillsides studded with scrub, stunted trees and grassy slopes between 1,200 and 3,350 metres.
• Distribution: It is mainly found in Western Himalaya from northern Pakistan through Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, to central Nepal.
• Characteristics of Cheer Pheasant:
  • The cheer pheasant’s nest is a simple ground scrape, tucked beneath undergrowth or sheltered by rocks.
  • It exhibits high natal philopatry­—individuals often return to, or remain near, the area where they were born to breed.
  • It depends on early successional grasslands created by traditional grass cutting and burning—practices.
  • Diet: It depends on items such as roots, tubers, bulbs, buried seeds and possibly insect larvae and earthworms.
• Conservation Status of Cheer Pheasant
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
  • CITES: Appendix I
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

Hence only statements 1 and 3 are correct.

News: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/wildlife/himachal-pradesh-raises-the-survival-rate-of-reintroduced-cheer-pheasants-from-11-11-in-2019-20-to-100-in-2024-25-the-breeding-programme-uses-parent-rearing-transmitters-and-camera-traps-to-monitor-released-birds/articleshow/135026947.cms

Answer: d

Explanation:

 Recently, it was observed that even after, more than four years of notification, Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary is yet to get through transformation befitting Ramsar Site.

About Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary:

• Location: It is a large shallow wetland situated along the north-eastern region of Uthukuli Taluk of Tiruppur District in Tamil Nadu.
• It was repaired and restored by King Nanjarayan who was ruling the region many centuries ago.
• It is centered on a fresh water lake, fed by Nallar River, a tributary of the Noyyal River that runs through Tirupur city.
• It is 17th bird sanctuary of state of Tamil Nadu owing to its rich avifaunal diversity. 
• It is also a Ramsar site of International importance. 
• It lies in the Central Asian Flyway and is an important breeding and foraging site for both resident and migratory birds.
• Fauna: About 191 species of birds, 87 species of butterflies, 7 species of amphibians, 21 species of reptiles, 11 species of small mammals and 77 species of plants have been recorded in and around the lake.

Hence option (d) is the correct answer.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/four-years-after-notification-nanjarayan-bird-sanctuary-yet-to-get-through-transformation-befitting-ramsar-site/article71604963.ece