Practice the Daily UPSC Quiz by Vajiram & Ravi to increase your current affairs and concept clarity. Ideal for UPSC Prelims and Mains 2025 preparation. Stay updated, revise smarter, and track your progress.
The Daily UPSC Quiz by Vajiram & Ravi is a thoughtfully curated initiative designed to support UPSC aspirants in strengthening their current affairs knowledge and core conceptual understanding. Aligned with the UPSC Syllabus 2025, this daily quiz serves as a revision resource, helping candidates assess their preparation, revise key topics, and stay updated with relevant issues. Whether you are preparing for Prelims or sharpening your revision for Mains, consistent practice with these Daily UPSC Quiz can significantly enhance accuracy, speed, and confidence in solving exam-level questions.
UPSC Daily Quiz 16 January 2026
Time limit: 0
Quiz-summary
0 of 10 questions completed
Questions:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Information
Vajiram & Ravi’s Daily UPSC Quiz is designed to help aspirants strengthen their preparation by focusing on current affairs and concepts from the UPSC Syllabus 2026 for both Prelims & Mains. It allows candidates to revise important topics while regularly assessing their understanding and progress. Practicing these quizzes daily can improve accuracy, speed, and problem-solving skills. This consistent practice also enhances confidence in tackling exam-level questions. Overall, it is a valuable tool for both UPSC Prelims preparation and Mains revision.
You have already completed the quiz before. Hence you can not start it again.
Quiz is loading...
You must sign in or sign up to start the quiz.
You have to finish following quiz, to start this quiz:
Your result has been entered into leaderboard
Loading
Results
0 of 10 questions answered correctly
Your time:
Time has elapsed
You have reached 0 of 0 points, (0)
Average score
Your score
Categories
Not categorized0%
maximum of 10 points
Pos.
Name
Entered on
Points
Result
Table is loading
No data available
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Answered
Review
Question 1 of 10
1. Question
1 points
Similipal National Park is located in which Indian state?
Correct
Answer: c
Explanation:
The latest crocodile census has recorded an increase in the crocodile population in Odisha’s Similipal National Park.
About Similipal National Park:
It is situated in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.
It covers an area of 2750 sq.km.
The park is named after the Simul (silk cotton) tree, which grows in abundance here.
Not only a National Park, Similipal is also a Tiger Reserve, Wildlife Sanctuary, Biosphere Reserve, and also a part of the Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve.
Situated in the Deccan Peninsular Bio-geographic Zone, it harbours a unique blend of Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and eastern Himalayan biodiversity.
It has some beautiful waterfalls like Joranda and Barehipani.
It is surrounded by high plateaus and hills, the highest peak being the twin peaks of Khairiburu and Meghashini (1515 m above mean sea level).
It is also home to various tribes, including Kolha, Santhala, Bhumija, Bhatudi, Gondas, Khadia, Mankadia, and Sahara.
Vegetation: The forest is predominantly moist mixed deciduous forest with tropical semi-evergreen forest in areas with suitable microclimatic conditions and sporadic patches of dry deciduous forests and grasslands.
Flora:
Sal is the dominant tree species here.
It houses 7% of the flowering plants and 8% of India’s orchids.
The park also has extensive grasslands that are grazing grounds for many of the herbivores.
Fauna:
It is known for the tiger, elephant, and hill mynah.
It holds the highest tiger population in Odisha.
It is the only tiger reserve in the country to boast of melanistic tigers.
Apart from the tiger, the major mammals are the leopard, sambar, barking deer, gaur, jungle cat, wild boar, four-horned antelope, giant squirrel, and common langur.
The latest crocodile census has recorded an increase in the crocodile population in Odisha’s Similipal National Park.
About Similipal National Park:
It is situated in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.
It covers an area of 2750 sq.km.
The park is named after the Simul (silk cotton) tree, which grows in abundance here.
Not only a National Park, Similipal is also a Tiger Reserve, Wildlife Sanctuary, Biosphere Reserve, and also a part of the Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve.
Situated in the Deccan Peninsular Bio-geographic Zone, it harbours a unique blend of Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and eastern Himalayan biodiversity.
It has some beautiful waterfalls like Joranda and Barehipani.
It is surrounded by high plateaus and hills, the highest peak being the twin peaks of Khairiburu and Meghashini (1515 m above mean sea level).
It is also home to various tribes, including Kolha, Santhala, Bhumija, Bhatudi, Gondas, Khadia, Mankadia, and Sahara.
Vegetation: The forest is predominantly moist mixed deciduous forest with tropical semi-evergreen forest in areas with suitable microclimatic conditions and sporadic patches of dry deciduous forests and grasslands.
Flora:
Sal is the dominant tree species here.
It houses 7% of the flowering plants and 8% of India’s orchids.
The park also has extensive grasslands that are grazing grounds for many of the herbivores.
Fauna:
It is known for the tiger, elephant, and hill mynah.
It holds the highest tiger population in Odisha.
It is the only tiger reserve in the country to boast of melanistic tigers.
Apart from the tiger, the major mammals are the leopard, sambar, barking deer, gaur, jungle cat, wild boar, four-horned antelope, giant squirrel, and common langur.
Consider the following statements regarding the RBS-15 missile, recently seen in the news:
It is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
It was developed by North Korea.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct
Answer: d
Explanation:
Swedish aerospace and defence company, Saab, has showcased the capabilities of its RBS-15 missile to destroy the components of the Russian S-400 system.
About RBS-15 Missile:
The RBS-15 (Robotsystem 15) is a fire-and-forget surface-to-surface and air-to-surface anti-ship missile with land attack capability.
The missile was developed by the Swedish company Saab Bofors Dynamics.
Features:
It has a length of 4.35 m, a fuselage diameter of 0.5 m, and a wingspan of 1.4 m.
The launch and in-flight weights of the missile are 800 kg and 650 kg, respectively.
It can hit targets up to 200 km, moving at a subsonic speed of Mach 0.9.
Warhead: 200 kg high-explosive (HE) blast and pre-fragmented warhead.
It is a low sea-skimming missile performing unpredictable evasive manoeuvres.
The RBS15 guidance and control system includes an inertial navigation system and a GPS receiver, a radar altimeter, and a Ku-band radar target seeker.
The missile features a low radar cross section and IR signature.
It has sophisticated target discrimination and selection capabilities.
It is extremely resistant to chaff, active jammers, decoys, and other electronic countermeasures (ECM).
The missile engagement planning system (MEPS) provides an advanced user interface for generating plans for different scenarios.
Swedish aerospace and defence company, Saab, has showcased the capabilities of its RBS-15 missile to destroy the components of the Russian S-400 system.
About RBS-15 Missile:
The RBS-15 (Robotsystem 15) is a fire-and-forget surface-to-surface and air-to-surface anti-ship missile with land attack capability.
The missile was developed by the Swedish company Saab Bofors Dynamics.
Features:
It has a length of 4.35 m, a fuselage diameter of 0.5 m, and a wingspan of 1.4 m.
The launch and in-flight weights of the missile are 800 kg and 650 kg, respectively.
It can hit targets up to 200 km, moving at a subsonic speed of Mach 0.9.
Warhead: 200 kg high-explosive (HE) blast and pre-fragmented warhead.
It is a low sea-skimming missile performing unpredictable evasive manoeuvres.
The RBS15 guidance and control system includes an inertial navigation system and a GPS receiver, a radar altimeter, and a Ku-band radar target seeker.
The missile features a low radar cross section and IR signature.
It has sophisticated target discrimination and selection capabilities.
It is extremely resistant to chaff, active jammers, decoys, and other electronic countermeasures (ECM).
The missile engagement planning system (MEPS) provides an advanced user interface for generating plans for different scenarios.
Consider the following statements regarding the Finke River, recently seen in the news:
It is a perennial river of Australia.
It is often called “the oldest river in the world.”
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct
Answer: c
Explanation:
The Finke River, known to the Arrernte people as Larapinta, is believed to be the world’s oldest river system.
About Finke River:
It is a major but intermittent river of central Australia.
Course:
It starts in the MacDonnell Ranges in the Northern Territory.
The river forms where two smaller creeks, Davenport and Ormiston, meet.
It flows for about 600 kilometers (370 miles) towards the Simpson Desert in South Australia.
It is often called “the oldest river in the world.”
A combination of geological records, weathering profiles, and radionuclide measurements in the surrounding sediments and rocks has enabled scientists to date this river system to the Devonian (419 million to 359 million) or Carboniferous (359 million to 299 million) period.
Most of the time, the Finke River looks like a series of waterholes. But after heavy rains, it can turn into a powerful, fast-flowing river.
During big floods, its water can even reach the Macumba River and eventually Lake Eyre.
Some of its main smaller rivers that flow into it are Ellery Creek and the Palmer and Hugh Rivers.
The Finke River, known to the Arrernte people as Larapinta, is believed to be the world’s oldest river system.
About Finke River:
It is a major but intermittent river of central Australia.
Course:
It starts in the MacDonnell Ranges in the Northern Territory.
The river forms where two smaller creeks, Davenport and Ormiston, meet.
It flows for about 600 kilometers (370 miles) towards the Simpson Desert in South Australia.
It is often called “the oldest river in the world.”
A combination of geological records, weathering profiles, and radionuclide measurements in the surrounding sediments and rocks has enabled scientists to date this river system to the Devonian (419 million to 359 million) or Carboniferous (359 million to 299 million) period.
Most of the time, the Finke River looks like a series of waterholes. But after heavy rains, it can turn into a powerful, fast-flowing river.
During big floods, its water can even reach the Macumba River and eventually Lake Eyre.
Some of its main smaller rivers that flow into it are Ellery Creek and the Palmer and Hugh Rivers.
Consider the following statements regarding Lake Natron, recently seen in the news:
It is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world.
It is located in Tanzania.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct
Answer: b
Explanation:
Lake Natron in Tanzania glows blood-red, forged by volcanoes and extreme chemistry.
About Lake Natron:
It is located in the Arusha region of Northern Tanzania.
It is a soda and salty water lake very close to the Kenyan border in the Gregory Rift, which is the eastern part of the East African Rift.
It was designated as a Ramsar Site of International Importance in 2001.
The extinct Gelai Volcano, standing at 2942 m tall, is visible southeast of the lake.
Primarily, the lake is fed by the Ewaso Ng’iro River, which originates from the central region of Kenya.
Natron itself has a maximum width of 22 kilometres and a length of 57 kilometres.
One of the most striking features of this lake is its striking red coloration. The primary reason for its hue lies in its extreme alkalinity.
As water cannot flow out of the lake,evaporation levels are very high, and this leaves behind natron (sodium carbonate decahydrate) and trona (sodium sesquicarbonate dihydrate).
The high concentration of natron gives the lake extreme alkaline levels, and it is one of the deadliest lakes on the planet.
The saline waters make the lake inhospitable for many plants and animals, yet the surrounding saltwater marshes are a surprising habitat for flamingos.
In fact, the lake is home to the highest concentrations of lesser and greater flamingos in East Africa, where they feed on spirulina – a green algae with red pigments.
Lake Natron in Tanzania glows blood-red, forged by volcanoes and extreme chemistry.
About Lake Natron:
It is located in the Arusha region of Northern Tanzania.
It is a soda and salty water lake very close to the Kenyan border in the Gregory Rift, which is the eastern part of the East African Rift.
It was designated as a Ramsar Site of International Importance in 2001.
The extinct Gelai Volcano, standing at 2942 m tall, is visible southeast of the lake.
Primarily, the lake is fed by the Ewaso Ng’iro River, which originates from the central region of Kenya.
Natron itself has a maximum width of 22 kilometres and a length of 57 kilometres.
One of the most striking features of this lake is its striking red coloration. The primary reason for its hue lies in its extreme alkalinity.
As water cannot flow out of the lake,evaporation levels are very high, and this leaves behind natron (sodium carbonate decahydrate) and trona (sodium sesquicarbonate dihydrate).
The high concentration of natron gives the lake extreme alkaline levels, and it is one of the deadliest lakes on the planet.
The saline waters make the lake inhospitable for many plants and animals, yet the surrounding saltwater marshes are a surprising habitat for flamingos.
In fact, the lake is home to the highest concentrations of lesser and greater flamingos in East Africa, where they feed on spirulina – a green algae with red pigments.
Who instituted the Nath tradition (a Shaiva sub-sect in Hinduism) to which the Gorakhnath Temple, recently seen in the news, belongs?
Correct
Answer: d
Explanation:
A massive wave of devotion swept through the Gorakhnath Temple recently, a day ahead of the main Makar Sankranti festival, as lakhs of devotees gathered to offer khichdi to Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath.
About Gorakhnath Temple:
It is a Hindu temple situated in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.
The temple belongs to the Nath monastic group of the Nath tradition (a Shaiva sub-sect in Hinduism), which was instituted by Guru Matsyendranath.
It is named after the Guru Gorakhnath, who was one of the notable disciples of Guru Matsyendranath and well-known for his Hatha Yoga, a renowned branch of Yoga.
It serves as the epicenter of the Nath tradition.
Features:
It is a blend of traditional and modern North Indian architectural styles, reflecting the heritage and simplicity of the Nath sect.
The heart of the Gorakhnath Temple is the central shrine, which houses a sacred image of Gorakhnath as a deity and a Shiva Linga, as the Nath sect sees Gorakhnath as an incarnation of Lord Shiva.
Intricate stonework and marble structures surround the inner shrine.
Carved pillars and symbolic motifs around the sanctum highlight the Nath sect’s emphasis on inner spirituality.
One of the striking features is the temple’s dome, which is tall and conical, visible from a distance.
A significant feature of the Gorakhnath Temple is the Samadhi (final resting place) of Gorakhnath, which is a sacred spot within the temple complex.
A massive wave of devotion swept through the Gorakhnath Temple recently, a day ahead of the main Makar Sankranti festival, as lakhs of devotees gathered to offer khichdi to Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath.
About Gorakhnath Temple:
It is a Hindu temple situated in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.
The temple belongs to the Nath monastic group of the Nath tradition (a Shaiva sub-sect in Hinduism), which was instituted by Guru Matsyendranath.
It is named after the Guru Gorakhnath, who was one of the notable disciples of Guru Matsyendranath and well-known for his Hatha Yoga, a renowned branch of Yoga.
It serves as the epicenter of the Nath tradition.
Features:
It is a blend of traditional and modern North Indian architectural styles, reflecting the heritage and simplicity of the Nath sect.
The heart of the Gorakhnath Temple is the central shrine, which houses a sacred image of Gorakhnath as a deity and a Shiva Linga, as the Nath sect sees Gorakhnath as an incarnation of Lord Shiva.
Intricate stonework and marble structures surround the inner shrine.
Carved pillars and symbolic motifs around the sanctum highlight the Nath sect’s emphasis on inner spirituality.
One of the striking features is the temple’s dome, which is tall and conical, visible from a distance.
A significant feature of the Gorakhnath Temple is the Samadhi (final resting place) of Gorakhnath, which is a sacred spot within the temple complex.
Consider the following statements regarding Jamma Bane lands:
It is a form of land holding prevalent in Kodagu district of Karnataka.
It was originally granted by Mysore Wadeyars to local communities in return for military service.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct
Answer: a
Explanation:
Recently, the Karnataka government has amended its land revenue law to modernise an age-old system of land records called Jamma Bane lands.
The word Jamma means hereditary.
The Jamma Bane tenure is a form of land holding prevalent in Kodagu district of Karnataka.
It is distinctly different from other classes of land holdings in the state.
History: These lands were originally granted by erstwhile kings of Coorg and the British — between 1600 and 1800 to local communities in return for military service.
These lands comprise both wetlands, used for paddy cultivation, and forested highlands, which have transformed into the now-famous coffee estates of Coorg.
Relevant Acts: The Coorg Land Revenue and Regulations Act, 1899 was in place to govern land ownership in the region till the introduction of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964.
Issue with Jamma Bane Lands:
Ownership: The Jamma Bane land ownership is registered in the name of the original pattedar from a family.
Over generations, the names of the new owners are added alongside the name of the pattedar.
The land ownership name could not be changed to reflect new owners.
Recently, the Karnataka government has amended its land revenue law to modernise an age-old system of land records called Jamma Bane lands.
The word Jamma means hereditary.
The Jamma Bane tenure is a form of land holding prevalent in Kodagu district of Karnataka.
It is distinctly different from other classes of land holdings in the state.
History: These lands were originally granted by erstwhile kings of Coorg and the British — between 1600 and 1800 to local communities in return for military service.
These lands comprise both wetlands, used for paddy cultivation, and forested highlands, which have transformed into the now-famous coffee estates of Coorg.
Relevant Acts: The Coorg Land Revenue and Regulations Act, 1899 was in place to govern land ownership in the region till the introduction of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964.
Issue with Jamma Bane Lands:
Ownership: The Jamma Bane land ownership is registered in the name of the original pattedar from a family.
Over generations, the names of the new owners are added alongside the name of the pattedar.
The land ownership name could not be changed to reflect new owners.
Consider the following statements regarding Kawal Tiger Reserve:
It is located in the state of Telangana.
It is drained by the River Krishna and Godavari.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct
Answer: a
Explanation:
Forest officials are gearing up to conduct the wildlife census at the Kawal Tiger Reserve.
Location: It is located in the state of Telangana
It is along the banks of river Godavari, forming part of the Deccan peninsula-central highlands.
The reserve is nestled in the Sahyadri Mountain Ranges.
The government of India declared Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary a Tiger Reserve in 2012.
Rivers: The reserve is the catchment for the rivers Godavari and Kadam, which flow towards the south of the sanctuary.
Geographically, the reserve is situated at the southernmost tip of the Central Indian Tiger Landscape, having linkages with the Tadoba-Andhari (Maharashtra) and Indravati (Chhattisgarh) tiger reserves.
Habitat: It has diverse habitats comprising dense forests, grasslands, rivers, streams and water bodies.
Flora: It consists of teak along with Bamboo and other species like Anogeissus latifolia, Mitragyna parviflora, Terminalia crenulata, Terminalia arjuna, Boswellia serrata, etc.
Fauna: It includes Nilgai, chousinga, chinkara, black buck, sambar, spotted deer etc.
Forest officials are gearing up to conduct the wildlife census at the Kawal Tiger Reserve.
Location: It is located in the state of Telangana
It is along the banks of river Godavari, forming part of the Deccan peninsula-central highlands.
The reserve is nestled in the Sahyadri Mountain Ranges.
The government of India declared Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary a Tiger Reserve in 2012.
Rivers: The reserve is the catchment for the rivers Godavari and Kadam, which flow towards the south of the sanctuary.
Geographically, the reserve is situated at the southernmost tip of the Central Indian Tiger Landscape, having linkages with the Tadoba-Andhari (Maharashtra) and Indravati (Chhattisgarh) tiger reserves.
Habitat: It has diverse habitats comprising dense forests, grasslands, rivers, streams and water bodies.
Flora: It consists of teak along with Bamboo and other species like Anogeissus latifolia, Mitragyna parviflora, Terminalia crenulata, Terminalia arjuna, Boswellia serrata, etc.
Fauna: It includes Nilgai, chousinga, chinkara, black buck, sambar, spotted deer etc.
With reference to Pufferfish, consider the following:
It is an omnivorous species found in benthic habitat.
It is only found in the Western Ghats region of India.
It is categorized as vulnerable species under IUCN Red List.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Correct
Answer: b
Explanation:
Recently, scientists have confirmed India’s first case of freshwater pufferfish poisoning.
Pufferfish belong to the order Tetraodontiformes.
Other names: They are locally known by names such as toadfish, patkafish, balloonfish and fugu.
Habitat: Pufferfish are omnivorous and benthic in habitat.
Distribution: It is primarily found in the Western Ghats and major basins such as the Ganga, Brahmaputra and Mahanadi.
Freshwater pufferfish species reported from India are often endemic to specific geographical areas and serve as indicators of healthy river ecosystems.
They can inflate into a ball shape to evade predators.
Status in India: Indian waters currently support eight genera and 32 species of pufferfish.
Recently, scientists have confirmed India’s first case of freshwater pufferfish poisoning.
Pufferfish belong to the order Tetraodontiformes.
Other names: They are locally known by names such as toadfish, patkafish, balloonfish and fugu.
Habitat: Pufferfish are omnivorous and benthic in habitat.
Distribution: It is primarily found in the Western Ghats and major basins such as the Ganga, Brahmaputra and Mahanadi.
Freshwater pufferfish species reported from India are often endemic to specific geographical areas and serve as indicators of healthy river ecosystems.
They can inflate into a ball shape to evade predators.
Status in India: Indian waters currently support eight genera and 32 species of pufferfish.
Ans. The Daily UPSC Quiz is a set of practice questions based on current affairs, static subjects, and PYQs that help aspirants enhance retention and test conceptual clarity regularly.
Q2. How is the Daily Quiz useful for UPSC preparation?+
Ans. Daily quizzes support learning, help in revision, improve time management, and boost accuracy for both UPSC Prelims and Mains through consistent practice.
Q3. Are the quiz questions based on the UPSC syllabus?+
Ans. Yes, all questions are aligned with the UPSC Syllabus 2025, covering key areas like Polity, Economy, Environment, History, Geography, and Current Affairs.
Q4. Are solutions and explanations provided with the quiz?+
Ans. Yes, each quiz includes detailed explanations and source references to enhance conceptual understanding and enable self-assessment.
Q5. Is the Daily UPSC Quiz suitable for both Prelims and Mains?+
Ans. Primarily focused on Prelims (MCQ format), but it also indirectly helps in Mains by strengthening subject knowledge and factual clarity.
At Vajiram & Ravi, our team includes subject experts who have appeared for the UPSC Mains and the Interview stage. With their deep understanding of the exam, they create content that is clear, to the point, reliable, and helpful for aspirants.Their aim is to make even difficult topics easy to understand and directly useful for your UPSC preparation—whether it’s for Current Affairs, General Studies, or Optional subjects. Every note, article, or test is designed to save your time and boost your performance.
