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 17 January 2026
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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.
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Question 1 of 10
1. Question
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Consider the following statements regarding the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC), recently seen in the news:
It is an independent group and has no formal affiliation with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
Since its inception, India has provided CSPOC with a secretariat to support its activities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct
Answer: a
Explanation:
The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in New Delhi, highlighting India’s commitment to sharing open-source tech platforms with the Global South.
About Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC):
It brings together the Speakers and Presiding Officers of the national parliaments of the independent sovereign states of the Commonwealth.
It was created in 1969 as an initiative of the then Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada, Lucien Lamoureux.
Since its inception, Canada has provided CSPOC with a secretariat to support its activities.
The Conference is an independent group and has no formal affiliation with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the Commonwealth Secretariat, or the Commonwealth Heads of Government.
CSPOC operates on a two-year cycle, holding a conference of the full membership every two years, usually early in January, and a meeting of the Standing Committee at the same time the intervening year.
The Conference aims to:
Maintain, foster, and encourage impartiality and fairness on the part of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments;
Promote knowledge and understanding of parliamentary democracy in its various forms; and
The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in New Delhi, highlighting India’s commitment to sharing open-source tech platforms with the Global South.
About Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC):
It brings together the Speakers and Presiding Officers of the national parliaments of the independent sovereign states of the Commonwealth.
It was created in 1969 as an initiative of the then Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada, Lucien Lamoureux.
Since its inception, Canada has provided CSPOC with a secretariat to support its activities.
The Conference is an independent group and has no formal affiliation with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the Commonwealth Secretariat, or the Commonwealth Heads of Government.
CSPOC operates on a two-year cycle, holding a conference of the full membership every two years, usually early in January, and a meeting of the Standing Committee at the same time the intervening year.
The Conference aims to:
Maintain, foster, and encourage impartiality and fairness on the part of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments;
Promote knowledge and understanding of parliamentary democracy in its various forms; and
Consider the following statements regarding Gegeneophis valmiki, recently seen in the news:
It is a new species of flowering plant.
It was discovered in the Western Ghats.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct
Answer: b
Explanation:
Indian scientists recently discovered a rare subterranean amphibian species in the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra and named it Gegeneophis valmiki.
About Gegeneophis valmiki:
It is a rare, subterranean amphibian species, discovered in the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra.
The name Gegeneophis valmiki honors the historic Maharshi Valmiki Mandir located near the discovery site.
It belongs to the genus Gegeneophis, commonly called blind caecilians.
Caecilians, often called “hidden amphibians”, are limbless, worm-like creatures that spend most of their lives underground.
They look and move so much like earthworms.
They do not croak or call like frogs, and their eyes are buried beneath layers of skin and bone, making field identification exceptionally difficult.
Beyond rarity, caecilians play an important ecological role.
Their burrowing improves soil aeration and structure, their feeding helps regulate soil invertebrates, and they form part of the food web for birds, reptiles and small mammals.
They also represent a key evolutionary link between aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates.
Globally, caecilians account for just 231 of the world’s 8,983 known amphibian species.
India records 42 caecilian species among its 457 amphibians.
The Western Ghats alone are home to 26 endemic caecilians, with 11 belonging to the Gegeneophis group.
Gegeneophis valmiki is the first addition to its genus in more than a decade.
Indian scientists recently discovered a rare subterranean amphibian species in the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra and named it Gegeneophis valmiki.
About Gegeneophis valmiki:
It is a rare, subterranean amphibian species, discovered in the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra.
The name Gegeneophis valmiki honors the historic Maharshi Valmiki Mandir located near the discovery site.
It belongs to the genus Gegeneophis, commonly called blind caecilians.
Caecilians, often called “hidden amphibians”, are limbless, worm-like creatures that spend most of their lives underground.
They look and move so much like earthworms.
They do not croak or call like frogs, and their eyes are buried beneath layers of skin and bone, making field identification exceptionally difficult.
Beyond rarity, caecilians play an important ecological role.
Their burrowing improves soil aeration and structure, their feeding helps regulate soil invertebrates, and they form part of the food web for birds, reptiles and small mammals.
They also represent a key evolutionary link between aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates.
Globally, caecilians account for just 231 of the world’s 8,983 known amphibian species.
India records 42 caecilian species among its 457 amphibians.
The Western Ghats alone are home to 26 endemic caecilians, with 11 belonging to the Gegeneophis group.
Gegeneophis valmiki is the first addition to its genus in more than a decade.
Consider the following statements regarding the Dardanelles Strait:
It is a narrow waterway located in northwestern Turkey.
It connects the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct
Answer: a
Explanation:
Southbound ship traffic is set to resume in Turkey’s Dardanelles Strait after a tanker experienced engine failure recently.
About Dardanelles Strait:
It is a very important narrow waterway in northwestern Turkey.
It connects the Aegean Sea (an arm of the Mediterranean Sea) to the Sea of Marmara.
This strait acts like a natural border, separating the continent of Asia on its eastern side from Europe on its western side.
The strait is named for the ancient city of Dardanus. In ancient times it was called the Hellespont, meaning “Helle’s sea,” in memory of Helle, a mythical princess.
The Gallipoli Peninsula lies along the western side of the Dardanelles Strait.
It is one of the narrowest straits used for international navigation. It is about 61 kilometers long and only 1.2 to 6 kilometers wide.
It is entirely within Turkey. It forms a key part of the Turkish Straits, which also include the Bosphorus Strait and the Sea of Marmara.
The Bosporus connects the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea.
These waterways are the only sea route between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
It is a vital shipping lane for countries around the Black Sea, like Russia and Ukraine.
Their ships must pass through the Dardanelles to reach the Mediterranean Sea and the rest of the world’s oceans.
Major ports along its shores include Gallipoli, Eceabat, and Çanakkale, all in Turkey.
Southbound ship traffic is set to resume in Turkey’s Dardanelles Strait after a tanker experienced engine failure recently.
About Dardanelles Strait:
It is a very important narrow waterway in northwestern Turkey.
It connects the Aegean Sea (an arm of the Mediterranean Sea) to the Sea of Marmara.
This strait acts like a natural border, separating the continent of Asia on its eastern side from Europe on its western side.
The strait is named for the ancient city of Dardanus. In ancient times it was called the Hellespont, meaning “Helle’s sea,” in memory of Helle, a mythical princess.
The Gallipoli Peninsula lies along the western side of the Dardanelles Strait.
It is one of the narrowest straits used for international navigation. It is about 61 kilometers long and only 1.2 to 6 kilometers wide.
It is entirely within Turkey. It forms a key part of the Turkish Straits, which also include the Bosphorus Strait and the Sea of Marmara.
The Bosporus connects the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea.
These waterways are the only sea route between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
It is a vital shipping lane for countries around the Black Sea, like Russia and Ukraine.
Their ships must pass through the Dardanelles to reach the Mediterranean Sea and the rest of the world’s oceans.
Major ports along its shores include Gallipoli, Eceabat, and Çanakkale, all in Turkey.
The Chatham Islands, recently seen in the news, lie in which ocean?
Correct
Answer: d
Explanation:
A bloom of phytoplankton—tiny photosynthetic organisms that become visible to satellites when their numbers explode—encircled the Chatham Islands in austral summer recently.
About Chatham Islands:
It is an island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about 800 km east of New Zealand.
These islands are New Zealand’s most easterly territory.
Composed of 10 islands, they are primarily of volcanic formation, but areas of limestone indicate that they may once have been part of New Zealand.
Only the two main islands are inhabited: Chatham Island and Pitt Island.
Chatham Island, the largest of the islands, has a high southern tableland flanked by towering cliffs and a gentle northern portion encompassing extensive waterways, low peatlands and long sandy beaches.
Pitt Island has a heartland of forest and a coast of wild cliffs, headlands, and sandy beaches.
Both islands are surrounded by a number of smaller islands, all within a radius of approximately 50 km.
The Chatham Islands is the first inhabited place in the world to see the rising sun each day.
The islands were first inhabited by Moriori, who named the islands ‘Rekohu’ – translated as ‘misty skies’ or ‘misty sun’.
European sealers and whalers were next to arrive, followed by Māori from New Zealand, who named the islands ‘Wharekauri’.
Descendants of Moriori still reside on the Chatham Islands today.
The total population in 2024 was estimated to be 720.
The main settlement is Waitangi. Other settlements are Te One, Port Hutt, Kāingaroa, and Ōwenga.
The economy of the Chatham Islands is heavily dependent on fishing, farming, and tourism.
A bloom of phytoplankton—tiny photosynthetic organisms that become visible to satellites when their numbers explode—encircled the Chatham Islands in austral summer recently.
About Chatham Islands:
It is an island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about 800 km east of New Zealand.
These islands are New Zealand’s most easterly territory.
Composed of 10 islands, they are primarily of volcanic formation, but areas of limestone indicate that they may once have been part of New Zealand.
Only the two main islands are inhabited: Chatham Island and Pitt Island.
Chatham Island, the largest of the islands, has a high southern tableland flanked by towering cliffs and a gentle northern portion encompassing extensive waterways, low peatlands and long sandy beaches.
Pitt Island has a heartland of forest and a coast of wild cliffs, headlands, and sandy beaches.
Both islands are surrounded by a number of smaller islands, all within a radius of approximately 50 km.
The Chatham Islands is the first inhabited place in the world to see the rising sun each day.
The islands were first inhabited by Moriori, who named the islands ‘Rekohu’ – translated as ‘misty skies’ or ‘misty sun’.
European sealers and whalers were next to arrive, followed by Māori from New Zealand, who named the islands ‘Wharekauri’.
Descendants of Moriori still reside on the Chatham Islands today.
The total population in 2024 was estimated to be 720.
The main settlement is Waitangi. Other settlements are Te One, Port Hutt, Kāingaroa, and Ōwenga.
The economy of the Chatham Islands is heavily dependent on fishing, farming, and tourism.
The Prime Minister of India is scheduled to flag off a 34.5-kilometre elevated corridor in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park.
Location: It is situated between the Brahmaputra River and the Karbi (Mikir) Hills, in Assam.
It is the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain.
In 1985, the park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Terrain: It is of sheer forest, tall elephant grass, rugged reeds, marshes, and shallow pools.
Rivers: The River Diffalu, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, flows through the National Park while another tributary, Moradifalu, flows along its southern boundary.
Flora: It is primarily famous for its dense and tall elephant grasses intermixed with small swamplands. It also includes an abundant cover of water lilies, water hyacinths and lotus.
Fauna: It is home to species like Rhino, Tiger, Eastern swamp deer, Elephant, Buffalo, Hoolock gibbon, Capped langur,
The Gangetic River dolphin is commonly found in the habitat.
It is inhabited by the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as many mammals.
The Prime Minister of India is scheduled to flag off a 34.5-kilometre elevated corridor in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park.
Location: It is situated between the Brahmaputra River and the Karbi (Mikir) Hills, in Assam.
It is the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain.
In 1985, the park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Terrain: It is of sheer forest, tall elephant grass, rugged reeds, marshes, and shallow pools.
Rivers: The River Diffalu, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, flows through the National Park while another tributary, Moradifalu, flows along its southern boundary.
Flora: It is primarily famous for its dense and tall elephant grasses intermixed with small swamplands. It also includes an abundant cover of water lilies, water hyacinths and lotus.
Fauna: It is home to species like Rhino, Tiger, Eastern swamp deer, Elephant, Buffalo, Hoolock gibbon, Capped langur,
The Gangetic River dolphin is commonly found in the habitat.
It is inhabited by the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as many mammals.
Consider the following statements regarding Womaniya Initiative:
It is aimed at strengthening the participation of women-led Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in public procurement.
It seeks to develop women entrepreneurship to achieve gender-inclusive economic growth.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct
Answer: c
Explanation:
Recently, the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) marked seven years of the Womaniya initiative.
It was launched on 14 January
It is a flagship programme aimed at strengthening the participation of women-led Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in public procurement.
Womaniya was conceived to address the limited access of women entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to government markets.
It spurs Women entrepreneurship by aligning them with opportunities to sell their products to various Government ministries, departments and institutions.
By providing a direct, transparent and fully digital interface with government buyers, the initiative eliminated intermediaries and reduced entry barriers that had historically constrained participation.
Impact: The initiative seeks to develop women entrepreneurship to achieve gender-inclusive economic growth.
Recently, the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) marked seven years of the Womaniya initiative.
It was launched on 14 January
It is a flagship programme aimed at strengthening the participation of women-led Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in public procurement.
Womaniya was conceived to address the limited access of women entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to government markets.
It spurs Women entrepreneurship by aligning them with opportunities to sell their products to various Government ministries, departments and institutions.
By providing a direct, transparent and fully digital interface with government buyers, the initiative eliminated intermediaries and reduced entry barriers that had historically constrained participation.
Impact: The initiative seeks to develop women entrepreneurship to achieve gender-inclusive economic growth.
Consider the following statements regarding CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative:
It is aimed at bridging the gap between scientific research and industry requirements, and employable skills.
It is a collaborative flagship initiative of World Bank and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct
Answer: a
Explanation:
CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative has trained more than 1.90 lakh individuals through 5200+ skill-based trainings.
It is a flagship national programme of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
It is aimed at bridging the gap between scientific research and industry requirements, and employable skills.
Objective: To seamlessly integrate skill development with science and technology by leveraging CSIR’s vast research infrastructure, widespread network domains.
It provides inclusive accessibility, catering to a diverse spectrum of beneficiaries ranging from
Students, young researchers, technical staff, and working professionals to school dropouts, ITI diploma holders, farmers, and rural communities
It emphasizes to align skill training with real-world industrial, societal, and entrepreneurial demands.
Features of CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative:
It provides structured short-term and long-term skill development modules comprising training, internships, certification courses, and hands-on laboratory exposure.
It equips participants with comprehensive skill development in advanced and rapidly evolving technologies interconnected with industry requirements.
The programme spans 18 out of 36 key sectoral skills as identified by the National Skill Development Mission (NSDM).
CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative has trained more than 1.90 lakh individuals through 5200+ skill-based trainings.
It is a flagship national programme of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
It is aimed at bridging the gap between scientific research and industry requirements, and employable skills.
Objective: To seamlessly integrate skill development with science and technology by leveraging CSIR’s vast research infrastructure, widespread network domains.
It provides inclusive accessibility, catering to a diverse spectrum of beneficiaries ranging from
Students, young researchers, technical staff, and working professionals to school dropouts, ITI diploma holders, farmers, and rural communities
It emphasizes to align skill training with real-world industrial, societal, and entrepreneurial demands.
Features of CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative:
It provides structured short-term and long-term skill development modules comprising training, internships, certification courses, and hands-on laboratory exposure.
It equips participants with comprehensive skill development in advanced and rapidly evolving technologies interconnected with industry requirements.
The programme spans 18 out of 36 key sectoral skills as identified by the National Skill Development Mission (NSDM).
With reference to Root Wilt Disease, consider the following:
It is caused by phytoplasma and spreads through insect vectors.
It was first identified more than a century ago in Erattupetta in Kerala.
It mainly affects production potential of Apples in Himachal Pradesh.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Correct
Answer: b
Explanation:
Recently, phytoplasma-induced root wilt disease has destroyed large tracts of traditional coconut-growing areas in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala States.
It is caused by phytoplasma (bacteria) is one of the most devasting diseases of coconut palms.
Origin: It is classified as a non-fatal disease of coconut palm and was first identified more than a century and a half ago in Erattupetta in Kerala.
It is not lethal; but it debilitates the production potential of the palms.
Transmission: The disease spreads through insect vectors, aided by the movement of wind and uninterrupted stretches of coconut plantations.
The root (wilt) disease occurs in all major soil types but the spread is faster in sandy, sandy loam and alluvial soil.
Factors accelerating spread: Erratic temperatures, especially extremes, and the rise of new sucking pests, particularly whiteflies, have significantly accelerated its spread.
Symptoms of Root Wilt Disease:
Tapering of terminal portion of the trunk
Reduction of leaf size
Abnormal bending or Ribbing of leaf lets termed as flaccidity.
Flowering is delayed and also yield is considerably reduced.
The characteristic symptom is the flaccidity of leaflets.
Impact: The tree quickly becomes unproductive, sheds all its nuts, and assumes a distorted appearance.
Management: Breeding resistant and tolerant varieties remains one of the most successful tools for managing phytoplasma.
Recently, phytoplasma-induced root wilt disease has destroyed large tracts of traditional coconut-growing areas in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala States.
It is caused by phytoplasma (bacteria) is one of the most devasting diseases of coconut palms.
Origin: It is classified as a non-fatal disease of coconut palm and was first identified more than a century and a half ago in Erattupetta in Kerala.
It is not lethal; but it debilitates the production potential of the palms.
Transmission: The disease spreads through insect vectors, aided by the movement of wind and uninterrupted stretches of coconut plantations.
The root (wilt) disease occurs in all major soil types but the spread is faster in sandy, sandy loam and alluvial soil.
Factors accelerating spread: Erratic temperatures, especially extremes, and the rise of new sucking pests, particularly whiteflies, have significantly accelerated its spread.
Symptoms of Root Wilt Disease:
Tapering of terminal portion of the trunk
Reduction of leaf size
Abnormal bending or Ribbing of leaf lets termed as flaccidity.
Flowering is delayed and also yield is considerably reduced.
The characteristic symptom is the flaccidity of leaflets.
Impact: The tree quickly becomes unproductive, sheds all its nuts, and assumes a distorted appearance.
Management: Breeding resistant and tolerant varieties remains one of the most successful tools for managing phytoplasma.
Consider the following statements regarding Intrinsically Disordered Proteins:
These are proteins that lack a fixed three-dimensional structure under biological conditions.
These proteins are important for cellular signaling and regulation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct
Answer: c
Explanation:
Researchers have developed a deep-learning tool named Disobind that can predict how intrinsically disordered proteins (IDP) latch on to their binding partners.
Intrinsically disordered proteins are defined as proteins or regions of proteins that lack a fixed or ordered three-dimensional structure under biological conditions.
Other Names: Also called natively unfolded or intrinsically unstructured proteins.
These are important for cellular signaling and regulation.
Functions ofIntrinsically Disordered Proteins:
They are shape shifting molecules vital to cellular communication.
They don’t form a fixed structure.
They guide signalling networks.
They help proteins move and find partners within the cell, regulate which genes are switched on or off,
IDP support protein folding and quality control, and assemble flexible cellular hubs called condensates.
Researchers have developed a deep-learning tool named Disobind that can predict how intrinsically disordered proteins (IDP) latch on to their binding partners.
Intrinsically disordered proteins are defined as proteins or regions of proteins that lack a fixed or ordered three-dimensional structure under biological conditions.
Other Names: Also called natively unfolded or intrinsically unstructured proteins.
These are important for cellular signaling and regulation.
Functions ofIntrinsically Disordered Proteins:
They are shape shifting molecules vital to cellular communication.
They don’t form a fixed structure.
They guide signalling networks.
They help proteins move and find partners within the cell, regulate which genes are switched on or off,
IDP support protein folding and quality control, and assemble flexible cellular hubs called condensates.
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.
