UPSC Daily Quiz 23 December 2025
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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
1 pointsConsider the following statements regarding MAVEN Mission, recently seen in the news:
- It is part of NASA’s Mars Exploration Program.
- The main scientific objective of the MAVEN mission is to study mineral composition of martian rocks.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct
Answer: a
Explanation:
NASA has lost contact with its Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft, the Mars orbiter that has worked for more than a decade to study how the planet’s atmosphere is escaping into space.
About Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) Mission:
It is the first spacecraft mission dedicated to surveying the upper atmosphere of Mars.
It is part of NASA’s Mars Exploration Program, an unprecedented, multi-decade campaign to comprehensively understand Mars and its suitability to host past or present life.
It aims to understand the role that loss of atmospheric gas to space played in changing the Martian climate over time.
It was launched in November 2013 and arrived at Mars in September 2014.
MAVEN orbits Mars every 3.5 hours and gets as close as 150 km to its surface.
It carries three packages of instruments.
One package studies the solar wind and its impact on Mars’s ionosphere. (Since Mars has no magnetic field, its atmosphere would be slowly removed by interaction with the solar wind.)
The second package is an ultraviolet spectrometer that studies the upper atmosphere.
The third package is a mass spectrometer that studies the composition of the upper atmosphere.
MAVEN found that Mars lost about 2/3 of its early atmosphere to space.
Hence only statement 1 is correct.
News: https://epaper.thehindu.com/ccidist-ws/th/th_delhi/issues/162771/OPS/GI8FBDIG7.1+G19FBDJ7K.1.html
Incorrect
Answer: a
Explanation:
NASA has lost contact with its Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft, the Mars orbiter that has worked for more than a decade to study how the planet’s atmosphere is escaping into space.
About Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) Mission:
It is the first spacecraft mission dedicated to surveying the upper atmosphere of Mars.
It is part of NASA’s Mars Exploration Program, an unprecedented, multi-decade campaign to comprehensively understand Mars and its suitability to host past or present life.
It aims to understand the role that loss of atmospheric gas to space played in changing the Martian climate over time.
It was launched in November 2013 and arrived at Mars in September 2014.
MAVEN orbits Mars every 3.5 hours and gets as close as 150 km to its surface.
It carries three packages of instruments.
One package studies the solar wind and its impact on Mars’s ionosphere. (Since Mars has no magnetic field, its atmosphere would be slowly removed by interaction with the solar wind.)
The second package is an ultraviolet spectrometer that studies the upper atmosphere.
The third package is a mass spectrometer that studies the composition of the upper atmosphere.
MAVEN found that Mars lost about 2/3 of its early atmosphere to space.
Hence only statement 1 is correct.
News: https://epaper.thehindu.com/ccidist-ws/th/th_delhi/issues/162771/OPS/GI8FBDIG7.1+G19FBDJ7K.1.html
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Question 2 of 10
2. Question
1 pointsConsider the following statements regarding Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), recently seen in the news:
- It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF & CC).
- It has its headquarters in Kolkata.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct
Answer: a
Explanation:
The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) will prepare a district-wise report on which hills meet the criteria to be considered part of the Aravalli Range, but strictly for the purposes of mining, the Union Environment Minister said recently.
About Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE):
It is the apex body in the national research system in the area of forestry.
It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF & CC), Government of India.
Mission: To generate, advance, and disseminate scientific knowledge and technologies for ecological security, improved productivity, livelihood enhancement, and sustainable use of forest resources through forestry research and education.
Headquarters: Dehradun
History:
The journey of ICFRE was initiated way back towards the end of the nineteenth century with the advent of scientific forestry in India and the establishment of the Forest School in Dehradun in 1878.
It was on 5th June 1906, subsequently, that the Imperial Forest Research Institute was founded by the Government of India for taking forward forestry research in the country.
In 1986 the ICFRE was formed as an umbrella organisation for taking care of the forestry research, education, and extension needs of the country.
Finally, on 1st June 1991, the ICFRE was declared an autonomous Council under the then Ministry of Environment and Forests.
Presently, ICFRE, with its headquarters at Dehradun, has a pan-India presence with its 9 Regional Research Institutes and 5 Centers in different biogeographical regions of the country.
The regional research institutes are located at Jodhpur, Dehradun, Shimla, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Ranchi, Bengaluru, Jorhat, and Jabalpur, and the centres are at Agartala, Aizawl, Allahabad, Chhindwara, and Visakhapatnam.
Hence only statement 1 is correct.
News: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/district-wise-plan-to-demarcate-mining-areas-in-aravalli-range-in-the-works-environment-minister/article70426659.ece
Incorrect
Answer: a
Explanation:
The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) will prepare a district-wise report on which hills meet the criteria to be considered part of the Aravalli Range, but strictly for the purposes of mining, the Union Environment Minister said recently.
About Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE):
It is the apex body in the national research system in the area of forestry.
It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF & CC), Government of India.
Mission: To generate, advance, and disseminate scientific knowledge and technologies for ecological security, improved productivity, livelihood enhancement, and sustainable use of forest resources through forestry research and education.
Headquarters: Dehradun
History:
The journey of ICFRE was initiated way back towards the end of the nineteenth century with the advent of scientific forestry in India and the establishment of the Forest School in Dehradun in 1878.
It was on 5th June 1906, subsequently, that the Imperial Forest Research Institute was founded by the Government of India for taking forward forestry research in the country.
In 1986 the ICFRE was formed as an umbrella organisation for taking care of the forestry research, education, and extension needs of the country.
Finally, on 1st June 1991, the ICFRE was declared an autonomous Council under the then Ministry of Environment and Forests.
Presently, ICFRE, with its headquarters at Dehradun, has a pan-India presence with its 9 Regional Research Institutes and 5 Centers in different biogeographical regions of the country.
The regional research institutes are located at Jodhpur, Dehradun, Shimla, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Ranchi, Bengaluru, Jorhat, and Jabalpur, and the centres are at Agartala, Aizawl, Allahabad, Chhindwara, and Visakhapatnam.
Hence only statement 1 is correct.
News: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/district-wise-plan-to-demarcate-mining-areas-in-aravalli-range-in-the-works-environment-minister/article70426659.ece
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Question 3 of 10
3. Question
1 pointsWith reference to Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, consider the following statements:
- He is famous for bringing the Chishti Order of Sufism to India.
- He came to India during the 14th century CE.
- After his death, he was buried in Ajmer.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Correct
Answer: b
Explanation:
The Supreme Court recently declined urgent hearing of a plea against the practice of state-sponsored ceremonial honours or offering a ‘Chadar’ by the Prime Minister at the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, in Ajmer.
About Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti:
He was a very important Sufi saint.
People often call him Gharīb Nawāz, which means ‘Benefactor of the Poor’.
He was born in 1141 CE in Sistan, a province in Persia (Iran) which borders present-day Afghanistan.
His deep inclination towards spirituality led him to study in Samarkand and Bukhara, the great centres of Islamic learning.
A follower of Sunni Hanafi theology, he became the disciple of Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni, who later declared him his spiritual successor at the age of 52.
He came to India around the year 1192 AD. He finally settled in the city of Ajmer during the reign of Sultan Iltutmish in Delhi and Prithviraj Chauhan in Ajmer.
He is famous for bringing the Chishti Order of Sufism to India.
He preached love, tolerance, charity, and detachment from materialism, and established a Khanqah in Ajmer to serve the poor.
After his death in 1236 CE, Moinuddin Chishti was buried in Ajmer.
His tomb became a very important place. It is now known as the Dargah Sharif, or the Ajmer Sharif Dargah.
The architectural style of Dargah Sharif purely reflects the Mughal style of architecture.
All Mughal rulers from Humayun to Shah Jahan have made modifications in the structure.
Hence option b is the correct answer.
Incorrect
Answer: b
Explanation:
The Supreme Court recently declined urgent hearing of a plea against the practice of state-sponsored ceremonial honours or offering a ‘Chadar’ by the Prime Minister at the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, in Ajmer.
About Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti:
He was a very important Sufi saint.
People often call him Gharīb Nawāz, which means ‘Benefactor of the Poor’.
He was born in 1141 CE in Sistan, a province in Persia (Iran) which borders present-day Afghanistan.
His deep inclination towards spirituality led him to study in Samarkand and Bukhara, the great centres of Islamic learning.
A follower of Sunni Hanafi theology, he became the disciple of Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni, who later declared him his spiritual successor at the age of 52.
He came to India around the year 1192 AD. He finally settled in the city of Ajmer during the reign of Sultan Iltutmish in Delhi and Prithviraj Chauhan in Ajmer.
He is famous for bringing the Chishti Order of Sufism to India.
He preached love, tolerance, charity, and detachment from materialism, and established a Khanqah in Ajmer to serve the poor.
After his death in 1236 CE, Moinuddin Chishti was buried in Ajmer.
His tomb became a very important place. It is now known as the Dargah Sharif, or the Ajmer Sharif Dargah.
The architectural style of Dargah Sharif purely reflects the Mughal style of architecture.
All Mughal rulers from Humayun to Shah Jahan have made modifications in the structure.
Hence option b is the correct answer.
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Question 4 of 10
4. Question
1 pointsThe Paliyar tribe, recently seen in the news, is primarily found in which Indian states?
Correct
Answer: c
Explanation:
A total of 17 families belonging to the Paliyar Tribe in the Dindigul district have petitioned the Dindigul Collector, urging the district administration to recognise and develop their existing settlement as a formal village.
About Paliyar Tribe:
They are an indigenous tribal community primarily found in the hilly regions of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
They are and have been known by multiple names, such as the Paliyans, Pazhaiyarares, and Panaiyars.
Historically, the Paliyars were spread all over the Dindigul district and the Sirumalai Palani hills, adjacent to the Western Ghats.
As they inhabited the Palani hills, they were known as Panaiyars.
Language: They primarily speak a dialect related to Tamil, reflecting their Dravidian linguistic heritage.
Occupation:
Traditionally, the Paliyars were hunters and gatherers, residing in the forests of the Western Ghats.
Presently, they have transformed into traders of forest products, food cultivators, and beekeepers, with some working intermittently as wage labourers, mostly on plantations.
They are recognized for their extensive knowledge and traditional practices pertaining to the use of medicinal plants.
Palliyars have small communities called kudis, sometimes living in caves or mud shelters.
The Paliyar tribes never burned the dead bodies. They had the customary practice of burying the dead bodies in an area near to their residential area on the western side.
Their festivals involve nature-based rituals, dancing, and music.
They have a special ceremony to invoke rain and protect the forest spirits.
Hence option c is the correct answer.
Incorrect
Answer: c
Explanation:
A total of 17 families belonging to the Paliyar Tribe in the Dindigul district have petitioned the Dindigul Collector, urging the district administration to recognise and develop their existing settlement as a formal village.
About Paliyar Tribe:
They are an indigenous tribal community primarily found in the hilly regions of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
They are and have been known by multiple names, such as the Paliyans, Pazhaiyarares, and Panaiyars.
Historically, the Paliyars were spread all over the Dindigul district and the Sirumalai Palani hills, adjacent to the Western Ghats.
As they inhabited the Palani hills, they were known as Panaiyars.
Language: They primarily speak a dialect related to Tamil, reflecting their Dravidian linguistic heritage.
Occupation:
Traditionally, the Paliyars were hunters and gatherers, residing in the forests of the Western Ghats.
Presently, they have transformed into traders of forest products, food cultivators, and beekeepers, with some working intermittently as wage labourers, mostly on plantations.
They are recognized for their extensive knowledge and traditional practices pertaining to the use of medicinal plants.
Palliyars have small communities called kudis, sometimes living in caves or mud shelters.
The Paliyar tribes never burned the dead bodies. They had the customary practice of burying the dead bodies in an area near to their residential area on the western side.
Their festivals involve nature-based rituals, dancing, and music.
They have a special ceremony to invoke rain and protect the forest spirits.
Hence option c is the correct answer.
-
Question 5 of 10
5. Question
1 pointsConsider the following statements regarding the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI), recently seen in the news:
- It is a risk-based metric that classifies mobile numbers based on their likelihood of involvement in financial fraud.
- It was launched by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct
Answer: a
Explanation:
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) recently said that the financial fraud risk indicator (or FRI) has prevented potential losses of ₹660 crore across the banking ecosystem within six months of the rollout of this initiative.
About Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI):
It was launched in May 2025 by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT’s) Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU).
It is a risk-based metric that classifies mobile numbers into three categories: Medium, High, and Very High Risk based on their likelihood of involvement in financial fraud.
The classification draws from a comprehensive analysis using inputs from various platforms, including the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre’s National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), DoT’s Chakshu platform, and intelligence shared by banks and financial institutions.
By flagging high-risk numbers early, the tool enables banks, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), and UPI service providers to take appropriate measures for customer protection and transaction validation.
How Advance Notification Helps Prevent Fraud?
The DoT’s Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU) regularly disseminates the Mobile Number Revocation List (MNRL), which details mobile numbers disconnected due to involvement in cybercrime, failed verification, or exceeding permissible usage limits.
These numbers often surface in financial fraud activities.
Given that fraudulent mobile numbers are often short-lived and verification processes can take time, a preemptive indicator such as the FRI becomes highly effective.
Thus, as soon as a suspected mobile number is flagged by a stakeholder, it undergoes multidimensional analysis, and classifies it into Medium, High, or Very High financial risk associated with it.
It then shares this assessment about the number immediately with all stakeholders through DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP).
Banks and financial institutions can use FRI in real time to take preventive measures such as declining suspicious transactions, issuing alerts or warnings to customers, and delaying transactions flagged as high risk.
Hence only statement 1 is correct.
Incorrect
Answer: a
Explanation:
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) recently said that the financial fraud risk indicator (or FRI) has prevented potential losses of ₹660 crore across the banking ecosystem within six months of the rollout of this initiative.
About Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI):
It was launched in May 2025 by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT’s) Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU).
It is a risk-based metric that classifies mobile numbers into three categories: Medium, High, and Very High Risk based on their likelihood of involvement in financial fraud.
The classification draws from a comprehensive analysis using inputs from various platforms, including the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre’s National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), DoT’s Chakshu platform, and intelligence shared by banks and financial institutions.
By flagging high-risk numbers early, the tool enables banks, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), and UPI service providers to take appropriate measures for customer protection and transaction validation.
How Advance Notification Helps Prevent Fraud?
The DoT’s Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU) regularly disseminates the Mobile Number Revocation List (MNRL), which details mobile numbers disconnected due to involvement in cybercrime, failed verification, or exceeding permissible usage limits.
These numbers often surface in financial fraud activities.
Given that fraudulent mobile numbers are often short-lived and verification processes can take time, a preemptive indicator such as the FRI becomes highly effective.
Thus, as soon as a suspected mobile number is flagged by a stakeholder, it undergoes multidimensional analysis, and classifies it into Medium, High, or Very High financial risk associated with it.
It then shares this assessment about the number immediately with all stakeholders through DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP).
Banks and financial institutions can use FRI in real time to take preventive measures such as declining suspicious transactions, issuing alerts or warnings to customers, and delaying transactions flagged as high risk.
Hence only statement 1 is correct.
-
Question 6 of 10
6. Question
1 pointsConsider the following statements regarding Rapid Financing Instrument:
- It provides financial assistance to any International Monetary Fund member country facing an urgent balance of payments need.
- It is provided without ex-post program-based conditionality.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct
Answer: c
Explanation:
Recently, the International Monetary Fund has approved emergency funding of USD 206 million under its rapid finance instrument to help Sri Lanka address urgent needs arising from the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah.
- It provides prompt financial assistance to any International Monetary Fund (IMF) member country facing an urgent balance of payments need.
- It is one of the facilities under the General Resources Account (GRA) that provide financial support to countries, including in times of crisis.
- Types of Rapid Financing Instrument:
- Regular Window:It is for urgent balance of payments needs caused by sources including domestic instability, exogenous shocks and fragility.
- Under this, access up to 50 percent of quota per year and 100 percent of quota on a cumulative basis.
- Large natural disaster Window:It is for urgent balance of payments needs arising from natural disasters where damage is assessed to be equivalent to or exceed 20 percent of the member’s GDP.
- It provides access of up to 80 percent of quota per year and 133.33 percent of quota on a cumulative basis.
- Conditionality of Rapid Financing Instrument:
- Support provided without ex-post program-based conditionality or reviews (prior actions sometimes apply).
- Economic policies should aim at addressing the underlying balance of payments difficulties.
- Regular Window:It is for urgent balance of payments needs caused by sources including domestic instability, exogenous shocks and fragility.
Hence both statements are correct.
Incorrect
Answer: c
Explanation:
Recently, the International Monetary Fund has approved emergency funding of USD 206 million under its rapid finance instrument to help Sri Lanka address urgent needs arising from the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah.
- It provides prompt financial assistance to any International Monetary Fund (IMF) member country facing an urgent balance of payments need.
- It is one of the facilities under the General Resources Account (GRA) that provide financial support to countries, including in times of crisis.
- Types of Rapid Financing Instrument:
- Regular Window:It is for urgent balance of payments needs caused by sources including domestic instability, exogenous shocks and fragility.
- Under this, access up to 50 percent of quota per year and 100 percent of quota on a cumulative basis.
- Large natural disaster Window:It is for urgent balance of payments needs arising from natural disasters where damage is assessed to be equivalent to or exceed 20 percent of the member’s GDP.
- It provides access of up to 80 percent of quota per year and 133.33 percent of quota on a cumulative basis.
- Conditionality of Rapid Financing Instrument:
- Support provided without ex-post program-based conditionality or reviews (prior actions sometimes apply).
- Economic policies should aim at addressing the underlying balance of payments difficulties.
- Regular Window:It is for urgent balance of payments needs caused by sources including domestic instability, exogenous shocks and fragility.
Hence both statements are correct.
-
Question 7 of 10
7. Question
1 pointsConsider the following statements regarding Anjadip Ship:
- It is an Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft.
- It is indigenously designed and built by the Mazgaon Dock Limited.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct
Answer: a
Explanation:
Recently, the ‘Anjadip’ Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft was delivered to the Indian Navy at Chennai.
- It is the third of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft.
- It is indigenously designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
- The ship derives its name from Anjadip Island located off coast of Karwar, Karnataka.
- The ship is a reincarnation of the erstwhile INS Anjadip, a Petya class Corvette decommissioned in 2003.
- The ASW SWC ships have been designed and constructed as per the Classification Rules of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) under a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) of GRSE with M/s L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli.
- Features of Anjadip Ship:
- Capacity: It has displacement capacity of 900 tons with a maximum speed of 25 knots and an endurance of 1,800 nautical miles.
- It is the largest Indian Naval Warships propelled by Waterjets.
- These are equipped with state of the art Lightweight Torpedoes, indigenously designed Anti-Submarine Rocketsand shallow water SONAR.
- The ship stands as a testament to growing domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem and reducing dependency on imports.
- Significance: The ship will strengthen Navy’s Anti-Submarine, coastal surveillance and mine laying capabilities.
Hence only statement 1 is correct.
News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2207446®=3&lang=1
Incorrect
Answer: a
Explanation:
Recently, the ‘Anjadip’ Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft was delivered to the Indian Navy at Chennai.
- It is the third of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft.
- It is indigenously designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
- The ship derives its name from Anjadip Island located off coast of Karwar, Karnataka.
- The ship is a reincarnation of the erstwhile INS Anjadip, a Petya class Corvette decommissioned in 2003.
- The ASW SWC ships have been designed and constructed as per the Classification Rules of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) under a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) of GRSE with M/s L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli.
- Features of Anjadip Ship:
- Capacity: It has displacement capacity of 900 tons with a maximum speed of 25 knots and an endurance of 1,800 nautical miles.
- It is the largest Indian Naval Warships propelled by Waterjets.
- These are equipped with state of the art Lightweight Torpedoes, indigenously designed Anti-Submarine Rocketsand shallow water SONAR.
- The ship stands as a testament to growing domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem and reducing dependency on imports.
- Significance: The ship will strengthen Navy’s Anti-Submarine, coastal surveillance and mine laying capabilities.
Hence only statement 1 is correct.
News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2207446®=3&lang=1
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Question 8 of 10
8. Question
1 pointsGhostPairing, recently in news, is a:
Correct
Answer: c
Explanation:
Recently, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has issued an advisory about an active threat campaign which targets WhatsApp users by using a new technique called GhostPairing.
- GhostPairing is a type of WhatsApp attack where hackers secretly link their own device to a victim’s WhatsApp account.
- It gives hackers almost full access without the victim noticing.
- GhostPairing’ allows cybercriminals to take complete control of WhatsApp accounts without requiring passwords or SIM swaps.
- The threat actors can take over WhatsApp accounts without authorisation by tricking potential victims into entering the pairing codes.
- Modus operandi of GhostPairing:
- GhostPairing begins with victims receiving a message from a trusted contact that reads: “Hi, check this photo”.
- The message contains a link with a Facebook-style preview.
- The link leads to a fake Facebook viewer that prompts users to “verify” to see the content.
- Then, the attackers attempt to trick potential victims into entering their phone number and code.
- By following a sequence of steps, victims unknowingly grant attackers full access to their WhatsApp accounts.
Hence both statements are correct.
News: https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/what-is-ghostpairing-cert-in-warning-whatsapp-users-10431559/
Incorrect
Answer: c
Explanation:
Recently, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has issued an advisory about an active threat campaign which targets WhatsApp users by using a new technique called GhostPairing.
- GhostPairing is a type of WhatsApp attack where hackers secretly link their own device to a victim’s WhatsApp account.
- It gives hackers almost full access without the victim noticing.
- GhostPairing’ allows cybercriminals to take complete control of WhatsApp accounts without requiring passwords or SIM swaps.
- The threat actors can take over WhatsApp accounts without authorisation by tricking potential victims into entering the pairing codes.
- Modus operandi of GhostPairing:
- GhostPairing begins with victims receiving a message from a trusted contact that reads: “Hi, check this photo”.
- The message contains a link with a Facebook-style preview.
- The link leads to a fake Facebook viewer that prompts users to “verify” to see the content.
- Then, the attackers attempt to trick potential victims into entering their phone number and code.
- By following a sequence of steps, victims unknowingly grant attackers full access to their WhatsApp accounts.
Hence both statements are correct.
News: https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/what-is-ghostpairing-cert-in-warning-whatsapp-users-10431559/
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Question 9 of 10
9. Question
1 pointsWith reference to Bhima River, consider the following:
- It is a tributary of the Krishna River.
- It originates in Mahadeo Hills in the Western Ghats region.
- It flows through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Correct
Answer: b
Explanation:
Recently, the Karnataka government urged central government’s intervention over Maharashtra’s excess use of Bhima river water.
- It is a perennial river and the largest tributary of the Krishna River.
- Origin: It originates near Bhimashankar Temple in the Bhimashankar hills in the Western Ghats.
- It flows through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana.
- Confluence: It merges into the Krishna River in Karnataka’s Raichur district.
- Drainage Area: The Bhima drainage area is defined by the Western Ghats (west), the Balaghat Range (north), and the Mahadeo Hills (south).
- The total basin area of the river is 48,631 sq.km., out of which 75 percent lie in the state of
- It runs in a well-entrenched valley, and its banks are heavily populated.
- Major Tributaries of Bhima River
- Right Bank: Indrayani River, Mula River, Mutha River and Pavana River.
- Left Bank: Sina and Nira etc.
- Spiritual Significance: Pandharpur is an important pilgrimage centre located on the right bank of the Bhima River.
Hence only statements 1 and 3 are correct.
News: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/ktaka-urges-centres-intervention-over-mahas-excess-use-of-bhima-river-water/articleshow/126107891.cms
Incorrect
Answer: b
Explanation:
Recently, the Karnataka government urged central government’s intervention over Maharashtra’s excess use of Bhima river water.
- It is a perennial river and the largest tributary of the Krishna River.
- Origin: It originates near Bhimashankar Temple in the Bhimashankar hills in the Western Ghats.
- It flows through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana.
- Confluence: It merges into the Krishna River in Karnataka’s Raichur district.
- Drainage Area: The Bhima drainage area is defined by the Western Ghats (west), the Balaghat Range (north), and the Mahadeo Hills (south).
- The total basin area of the river is 48,631 sq.km., out of which 75 percent lie in the state of
- It runs in a well-entrenched valley, and its banks are heavily populated.
- Major Tributaries of Bhima River
- Right Bank: Indrayani River, Mula River, Mutha River and Pavana River.
- Left Bank: Sina and Nira etc.
- Spiritual Significance: Pandharpur is an important pilgrimage centre located on the right bank of the Bhima River.
Hence only statements 1 and 3 are correct.
News: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/ktaka-urges-centres-intervention-over-mahas-excess-use-of-bhima-river-water/articleshow/126107891.cms
-
Question 10 of 10
10. Question
1 pointsKuttanad Wetland Agricultural System, recently in news, is known for:
Correct
Answer: d
Explanation:
Recently, the soil tests in Kuttanad paddy fields which are part of Kuttanad Wetland Agricultural System in Kerala showed increased level of aluminium concentrations in paddy fields.
- It is unique and the only system in India that favours rice cultivation below sea level.
- The Kuttanad system is a complex mosaic of fragmented agricultural landscapes divided in three structures:
- Wetlands used for paddy activities and fish catching,
- Garden lands used for coconut, tubers and food crops plantation
- Water areas used as inland fishing and shells
- Recognition: The Kuttanad Below Sea-level Farming Systemrecognised under Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) of Food And Agriculture Organisation.
Hence option (d) is the correct answer.
News: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/soil-tests-in-kuttanad-paddy-fields-show-aluminium-levels-39-to-165-times-above-safe-limits/article70422648.ece
Incorrect
Answer: d
Explanation:
Recently, the soil tests in Kuttanad paddy fields which are part of Kuttanad Wetland Agricultural System in Kerala showed increased level of aluminium concentrations in paddy fields.
- It is unique and the only system in India that favours rice cultivation below sea level.
- The Kuttanad system is a complex mosaic of fragmented agricultural landscapes divided in three structures:
- Wetlands used for paddy activities and fish catching,
- Garden lands used for coconut, tubers and food crops plantation
- Water areas used as inland fishing and shells
- Recognition: The Kuttanad Below Sea-level Farming Systemrecognised under Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) of Food And Agriculture Organisation.
Hence option (d) is the correct answer.
News: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/soil-tests-in-kuttanad-paddy-fields-show-aluminium-levels-39-to-165-times-above-safe-limits/article70422648.ece
Last updated on December, 2025
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