UPSC Daily Quiz 22 October 2026

Answer: b

Explanation:

With just over two months remaining before CORSIA’s mandatory phase kicks in, India is yet to finalise a comprehensive national Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) policy.

About Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA):

• It is a global market-based mechanism to reduce carbon emissions from international flights.
• It was adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 2016.
• It is the first global market-based measure for any industry sector.
• Under CORSIA, airlines compensate for their international flight’s CO₂ emissions by purchasing carbon offsets.
  • A carbon offset is a credit for carbon reductions made by one party that can be purchased to compensate for the emissions generated by another party.
• Under CORSIA, airlines operating international flights between participating states must monitor, report, and verify (MRV) their CO₂ emissions, and purchase eligible emissions units (“offsets”) to compensate for growth in emissions above an established baseline.
• Originally the baseline was set as the average of 2019 and 2020 emissions, but in 2020 the ICAO Council adjusted the baseline to 2019-only levels to prevent the COVID-19 collapse in air travel from making the scheme unduly stringent.
• CORSIA only applies to international flights. Domestic emissions fall under the scope of the UNFCCC and are covered by the Paris Agreement.
• The scheme runs in phases:
  • A pilot phase (2021–2023) and first phase (2024–2026), both voluntary, in which roughly 120+ states have volunteered.
  • A mandatory phase (2027-2035), covering all ICAO member states except those exempted (least developed countries, small island developing states, landlocked developing countries, and states with very small shares of international aviation activity).
• Compliance reports covering 2024‑2026 emissions are due to national authorities by 31 January 2028.
• Environmental Integrity:
  • There are several ways to achieve CO₂ reductions that can be used as offsets, many of which bring other social, environmental, or economic benefits relevant to sustainable development.
  • Such offsets can be sourced from various types of activities, including, for example, the deployment of renewable energy, clean cooking technologies, methane capture, forestry, and other emissions-reducing projects.
  • To ensure the environmental integrity of CORSIA, the ICAO Council periodically approves a list of programs that can supply CORSIA Eligible Emissions Units (EEUs) to be used for compliance.

Hence option b is the correct answer.

News:https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-to-mandate-1-saf-blending-for-international-flights-from-january/article71607679.ece/amp/

Answer: c

Explanation:

Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, and Indonesia recently signed the Badr Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) seeking deeper military cooperation and joint production.

About Badr Memorandum of Understanding (MoU):

• It is a new defence cooperation agreement signed by Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan, and Indonesia.
• The deal has been named Badr in reference to the Battle of Badr in 624, when the Prophet Muhammad and his followers defeated their opponents in one of Islam’s earliest battles in the Arabian Peninsula.
• The agreement aims to expand cooperation in military production, research and development, technical training, and joint military exercises.
• It will contribute to transforming the complementary capabilities of Qatar, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Turkey into concrete projects.
• The four countries would identify their respective requirements within their national security frameworks.
  • Following this, an “executive board” would ideate plans for joint production.
  • These plans would then be forwarded to a “strategic board” which would make the final decisions on budgets and production locations.
  • Notably, joint production facilities are expected to be established in Turkey, which has the region’s most extensive defence industry infrastructure.
• The agreement could also expand to include other countries, subject to criteria agreed upon by its four founding members.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

News:https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/pakistan-turkey-qatar-indonesia-badr-memorandum-of-understanding-defence-deal-india-concern-analysis-14054465.html

Answer: d

Explanation:

Operationalising just 10% of the agricultural land deemed suitable for agrivoltaics in India could generate enough electricity to meet the country’s projected power demand for 2050, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) said recently.

About Agrivoltaics:

• Agrivoltaics, also known as Agri-Photovoltaics (AgriPV), agrisolar, or dual-use solar, is the practice of utilizing the same land for both farming and solar power generation.
• This combination helps address two pressing issues: clean energy production and sustainable agriculture.
• The idea of agrivoltaics has been around since the 1980s. After the turn of the millennium, the concept of agrivoltaics was put into practice and researched in pilot plants, first in Japan, then in Germany and France.
• However, it is only in recent years that the implementation of this concept of agrivoltaics has gained momentum.
• Agrivoltaics designs vary depending on crop type, geography, and climatic conditions:
  • Elevated systems: Solar panels are mounted several metres above the ground, allowing normal farming below.
  • Row-based systems: Panels are placed between crop rows to reduce shading impact.
  • Vertical systems: Upright panels capture sunlight from both sides, suitable for certain crops.
  • Greenhouse-integrated systems: Panels are incorporated into greenhouse structures to regulate light and temperature.
• Agrivoltaic systems can create unique microenvironments that benefit both energy generation and crop growth:
  • Improved Water Efficiency: The shade from solar panels reduces evaporation, helping soil retain moisture for longer periods. Studies indicate water savings of up to 30% in agrivoltaic setups.
  • Temperature Regulation: Partial shade from panels helps maintain optimal temperatures for certain crops, particularly during intense summer heat.
  • Enhanced Plant Growth: Many crops, especially shade-tolerant varieties, show improved yields when grown under solar panels due to reduced heat stress and better water retention.
• Agrivoltaics Status in India:
  • Agrivoltaics in India is currently at a nascent and pilot-based stage, with nearly 50 installations across the country experimenting with different crop–panel combinations and assessing their economic viability.
  • The MNRE estimates that an extra 630 GWp of solar power could be produced by putting solar panels on just 1% of India’s agricultural land.

Hence both statements are not correct.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/agrivoltaics-on-10-of-suitable-land-can-meet-2050-power-demand-pralhad-joshi/article71608458.ece

Answer: c

Explanation:

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) recently formed a special team to investigate the leak of private keys associated with web security certificates issued by Bengaluru-based eMudhra.

About eMudhra Limited:

• It is an Indian digital trust company that provides digital certificates and services for verifying identities and securing online transactions.
• It operates as a certificate authority (CA), an organisation that issues digital certificates to help websites and other entities prove their identity online.
  • A digital certificate works much like an identity card for a website.
  • When someone visits a banking website, for example, the browser checks its certificate to help establish that it is connecting to the genuine website rather than an impostor.
  • CA’s issue these certificates, which browsers use to determine whether a website’s identity can be trusted.
• eMudhra also provides digital signature certificates and electronic signing services that allow people and businesses to sign documents online.
• The company is listed by the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA), the government body responsible for licensing and regulating certifying authorities in India.
• eMudhra is also associated with Aadhaar-linked electronic know-your-customer (e-KYC) services, according to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
• eMudhra is not the only company authorised to issue digital certificates in India.
  • The CCA’s list includes other providers such as Protean, C-DAC, Capricorn and VSign
  • Their services vary, but they operate within India’s regulated digital-signature ecosystem.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

News: https://www.business-standard.com/industry/news/meity-emudhra-private-key-leak-digital-certificates-cert-in-126102200179_1.html

Answer: a

Explanation:

The banks of Kushiyara River, which separates India and Bangladesh along the Sribhumi district, came alive recently as thousands of devotees gathered on both sides of the international border for the immersion of Durga idols on Vijayadashami.

About Kushiyara River:

• It is a transboundary river between India and Bangladesh.
• It is a distributary of the Barak
• Course:
  • It originates at the India-Bangladesh border as a branch of the Barak River, known as the Amlshid bifurcation point.
  • Flowing westward, the River forms the boundary between Assam, India, and the Sylhet District of
  • Along its course, it passes through towns like Zakigonj, Sylhet, and Karimganj, Assam, before entering entirely into the Beanibazar Upazila of Bangladesh.
  • The river then meanders southwestward, passing several villages and eventually joining the Meghna River.
• Total Length: It spans approximately 160 kilometers.
• The Kushiyara River receives contributions from various significant tributaries, including:
  • Juri River (from the east)
  • Manu River (Monu River) (from the south)
  • Itakhola River
• On September 6, 2022, India and Bangladesh signed the Kushiyara River Water Agreement, which represents a critical turning point in their water-sharing relationship.
  • This is the first water-sharing agreement between India and Bangladesh since the historic Ganga Water Treaty of 1996.
  • The agreement aims to address the problems of seasonal water scarcity and flooding in both Assam, India, and Sylhet, Bangladesh.
  • Under this treaty, Bangladesh can withdraw 153 cusecs (cubic feet per second) of water from the Kushiyara out of the approximately 2,500 cusecs of water.
  • This allocation ensures adequate water for irrigation in Sylhet’s dry-season (Boro) rice cultivation.
  • The water of Kushiyara will be channelled through the Rahimpur Canal project in Sylhet.
  • Unlike the Teesta River dispute with West Bengal, the Kushiyara agreement does not require state-level approval from Assam.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/devotees-gather-on-both-sides-of-kushiyara-a-river-two-countries-one-festive-farewell/articleshow/135098953.cms

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, scientists have created a new form of carbon called diamondiyne.

About Diamondiyne:

• It is a newly synthesized, three-dimensional carbon allotrope.
• It consists of a three-dimensional network of carbon atoms that resembles a diamond but with a more open structure.
• It is created using relatively inexpensive equipment, with the material forming as a thin film where two liquids meet.
• The researchers describe diamondiyne as a carbo-mer of diamond: diyne units are inserted between carbon centres in the diamond-topology network, expanding the structure.
• Structure:
  • Diamondiyne crystallizes with the carbon atoms arranged as tetrahedra connected corner to corner in all three dimensions.
  • It preserves the overall diamond-like topology but incorporates carbon atoms with different bonding arrangements.
  • The ideal diamondiyne model has a face-centred cubic crystal structure, with sp and sp³ carbon in an 8-to-1 ratio.
  • The structure combines sp-hybridised carbon atoms, which participate in triple bonds, with sp³-hybridised carbon atoms connected through single bonds.
  • The resulting diyne groups expand the repeating network compared with diamond, creating more space within the structure. (The ‘y’ in the material’s name comes from the presence of carbon-carbon triple bonds.)

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/newsletter/newsletter-science/science-for-all-newsletter-new-form-of-carbon-found-diamondiyne/article71607112.ece

Answer: a

Explanation:

Recently, SUVIKALP received national recognition through the SKOCH Gold Award 2026 under the category “Digital Operational Efficiency – Data Driven Decision Making”.

About SUVIKALP Tool:

• It is an in-house Mine Repurposing Tool.
• It is developed by the Coal Controller Organisation (CCO), under the Ministry of Coal.
• It assist stakeholders in selecting suitable mine repurposing projects through a structured and data-driven decision-making process.
• The tool evaluates and ranks repurposing projects based on multiple technical, environmental, social and economic criteria.
• Working
  • Once a suitable project is identified, users can explore implementation pathways through PRISM (Post-Mining Repurposing Implementation Strategy Model).
  • PRISM provides project concepts, implementation approaches, case studies, sample Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), tender documents and information on agencies working in similar sectors.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2325820&reg=48&lang=2

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, the Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Bharat Electronic Limited (BEL) to procure Improved Low Level Light Weight Radar (LLLR-I) at a cost of approximately ₹ 770 Cr. 

About Low Level Light Weight Radar:

• It is a next-generation, multi-mission radar designed to detect and track different types of aerial targets.
• Design:
  • The radar’s four antenna panels are mounted on tripods and are passively cooled.
  • This system does not require mechanical movement or liquid cooling.
  • It features a built-in self-test function to help identify technical issues.
  • It operates via a control and display unit (CDU) which allows operators to remotely control radar modes and view the air situation through a human-machine interface.
• Features of Low Level Light Weight Radar
  • Coverage: It uses four fixed phased-array antenna panels to provide complete 360-degree surveillance.
  • Technology:
    • Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology: The system uses Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology, which allows it to electronically direct radar beams rather than physically move the antenna.
    • It also incorporates Gallium Nitride (GaN) amplifiers and digital beamforming technology to improve radar performance.
  • Three-Dimensional Processing: It uses advanced three-dimensional processing capabilities to distinguish targets from unwanted radar returns and reduce the effects of multipath interference.
  • It is crucial for detecting small drones and other low-RCS (low radar cross-section) targets.
  • Tracking:
    • It can automatically track targets while continuing to scan the surrounding airspace through its Track While Scan capability.
    • It can also prioritise detected aerial targets, allowing the Army to identify threats that require attention.
    • Its monopulse tracking technique provides accurate target tracking in elevation.
  • It has ability to provide target information to weapon systems through wired or wireless communication links.
  • Electronic Counter-countermeasure (ECCM) Capabilities: It also incorporates ECCM capabilities, designed to help maintain radar performance in the presence of electronic interference.
  • Adoptability: It is light weight operable in plains, desert and high altitude terrain.
  • It has the capability of detecting and tracking fighter size targets and mini/ micro drone and also has additional capability of prioritizing aerial targets.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2325933&reg=48&lang=1

Answer: b

Explanation:

Recently, the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) unit at Vizhinjam has launched its first full-fledged open-sea mussel longline farming unit.

About Mussel:

• It is a bivalve of mollusks belonging to the marine family Mytilidae and to the freshwater family Unionidae. 
• Distribution: They are most common in cool seas. Freshwater mussels known as naiads inhabit streams, lakes, and ponds over most of the world.
• Features of Mussel
  • Appearance: Marine mussels are usually wedge-shaped or pear-shaped and range in size from about 5 to 15 centimetres. 
  • They may be smooth or ribbed and often have a hairy covering.
  • The shells of many species are dark blue or dark greenish brown on the outside; on the inside they are often pearly.
  • They attach themselves to solid objects or to one another by proteinaceous threads called byssus threads.
  • They often occur in dense clusters.
• Benefits of Mussel
  • Food Source: They are edible and considered nutritious, rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and various vitamins and minerals.
  • Pearl Production: Freshwater mussels are used for pearl cultivation.
  • Ecological Role: These species are filter-feeding organisms that absorb a range of contaminants into their tissue, including invisible microplastics.
  • They have been used globally for decades as a barometer of marine pollution.

Hence only statements 1 and 3 are correct.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/cmfri-launches-open-sea-mussel-longline-farming-unit-at-vizhinjam/article71608419.ece

Answer: d

Explanation:

Scientists have discovered that one of the brightest X-ray pulsars, Centaurus X-3 is gobbling up material through an accretion disk. 

About Centaurus X-3:

• It is one of the brightest X-ray pulsars discovered in the constellation Centaurus.
• It is a high-mass X-ray binary (HMXB) where the companion is more than 10 times the Sun’s mass
• Location: It is located approximately 24,000 light-years from Earth. 
• It contains a disk-fed pulsar with a period of 4.84 seconds that is in a 2.087 day orbit around an O-star companion. 
  • An X-ray binary pulsar consists of a pulsar— a highly magnetised neutron star, and a Sun-like star bound in a gravitational dance.
  • A neutron star is a celestial body with the mass of our sun crunched into a ball the size of Bangalore.
  • In an X-ray binary, the pulsar’s extreme gravity pulls in material ejected by its companion star, and the pulsar starts accreting material from it, shooting out X-rays in the process.

Hence option (d) is the correct answer.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2326032&reg=48&lang=2