UPSC Daily Quiz 4 February 2026

Answer: b

Explanation:

India and Bhutan recently deliberated on the commercial optimization of power output from the Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project (1020 MW) and the early commissioning of the Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project (1200 MW).

About Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project:

It is a 1020 MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric power project.

Location: It is located in the Wangdue Phodrang district of Bhutan on the right bank of the Punatsangchhu River.

The project is being developed by the Punatsangchhu II Hydroelectric Project Authority, under an Inter-Government Agreement (IGA) between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of India.

It is funded by the Government of India (GoI): 30% grant and 70% loan at 10% annual interest, repayable in 30 equated semi-annual installments commencing one year after the mean date of operation.

With the completion of the Punatsangchhu-II project, Bhutan’s installed power generation capacity has increased by about 40 percent to over 3500 MW.

The project involves the construction of a 91 m-high and 223.8 m-long concrete gravity dam, along with a diversion tunnel with a discharge capacity of 1118 cubic metres per second.

The project also involves a 168.75 m-long and 22 m-high upper cofferdam and a 102.02 m-long and 13.5 m-tall downstream cofferdam.

It will comprise an underground powerhouse equipped with six Francis turbines of 170 MW capacity each.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-bhutan-to-strengthen-cooperation-in-power-sector/article70589302.ece/amp/

Answer: c

Explanation:

A rare sighting of the elusive snow leopard recorded by Project Himank in the High Himalayas recently, has drawn attention to successful conservation efforts alongside infrastructure development in the region.

About Project Himank:

It is a project of the Border Roads Organization (BRO) in the Ladakh region of India, which started in 1985.

Objective: Development of road communication in the Ladakh region.

The “Mountain Tamers” as they are called, have been instrumental in creating and maintaining roads and airfields in the most inhospitable terrain and are presently the custodians of approx. 2216.24 km of roads in Ladakh.

The entire area of responsibility of the project falls in high altitude with challenging working conditions and a limited working season.

The Project ensures the maintenance of communication and access to strategic areas close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

It is known for building some of the most motorable roads in the highlands of the world through Khardung La, Tanglang La, Chang La, and Mig La passes.

At 19,400 ft, Mig La Pass is the highest motorable road in the world.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

News: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/short-videos/briefs/rare-snow-leopard-spotted-in-high-himalayas-by-project-himank/shorttakes/127877880.cms

Explanation:   

The Rajasthan Forest and environment minister recently said in the Assembly that residents of villages in Dholpur–Karauli Tiger Reserve (DTR) will not be displaced without their consent.

About Dholpur–Karauli Tiger Reserve:

It is located in the eastern part of Rajasthan, spanning across the Dholpur and Karauli districts.

It shares ecological continuity with the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve to the west and lies close to the Chambal River on the east, which serves as a natural boundary and water source for the region.

It was officially declared in 2023, becoming Rajasthan’s fifth tiger reserve and India’s 54th tiger reserve.

It covers an approximate area of 1,111 sq.km.

The terrain is characterised by undulating plateaus, rugged hills, ravines, and dry deciduous forests, typical of the Aravalli and Vindhyan ranges.

Vegetation: The vegetation primarily consists of dry deciduous forests, interspersed with grassy patches, thorny shrubs, and riverine belts.

Flora: Some of the common tree species found here include:

Dhok (Anogeissus pendula) – the dominant tree species across much of the reserve.

Khair (Acacia catechu)

Tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon)

Babool (Acacia nilotica)

Fauna:

The reserve hosts tiger, leopard, sloth bear, Indian wolf, striped hyena, herbivores such as spotted deer, sambar, nilgai, chinkara, and wild boar, and small mammals including Indian hare, porcupine and jungle cat.

More than 250 species of birds have been documented here.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

News:https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/min-no-forced-relocation-from-dholpur-karauli-tiger-reserve/articleshow/127893117.cms

Explanation:

The 13th edition of the joint military Exercise KHANJAR between India and Kyrgyzstan begins recently at Misamari in Sonitpur district of Assam.

About Exercise Khanjar-XIII:

It is the 13th edition of the annual India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise.

Exercise Khanjar was first initiated in December 2011, in Nahan, India.

Since then, the exercise has been held alternatively in India and the Kyrgyz Republic every year.

Khanjar-XIII Location: Misamari in the Sonitpur district of Assam.

The 14-day-long military exercise aims to enhance interoperability between the Special Forces of both nations.

The 2026 exercise will focus on joint operations in urban warfare and counter-terrorism scenarios under the United Nations mandate.

The training modules will include close-quarter battle techniques, room intervention procedures, hostage-rescue simulations, counter-terrorism operations, and joint tactical manoeuvres.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

News:https://www.newsonair.gov.in/india-kyrgyzstan-joint-military-exercise-khanjar-to-begin-today/

Answer: a

Explanation:

The Delhi High Court recently held that the welfare and best interests of minor children must prevail over the application of the Tender Years Doctrine.

About Tender Years Doctrine:

It is a prominent common law principle in family law and custody jurisprudence.

It presumes that children of “tender age” (generally under 5 years) should remain with their mother unless she is proven unfit.

The doctrine rests on several presumptions:

Biological Bond: Infants have a natural attachment to mothers.

Nurturing Instinct: Mothers are presumed better caregivers for young children.

Developmental Needs: Early childhood requires maternal involvement.

Emotional Security: Mother’s presence provides psychological stability.

It has been in existence since the latter part of the 19th century.

The tender years doctrine is often raised in divorce proceedings.

However, its relevance has declined due to evolving views on gender equality and parenting roles.

Recent Delhi High Court Ruling:

It held that the best interests and welfare of minor children are paramount and must override the application of the Tender Years Doctrine.

The court also held that custody disputes must be resolved based on a comprehensive evaluation of the child’s overall well-being rather than stereotypical assumptions regarding parental roles.

Hence option a is the correct answer.

News:https://www.verdictum.in/court-updates/high-courts/delhi-high-court/ssb-v-dbc-2026dhc549-db-matrimonial-appeal-child-custody-dispute-family-court-1605809

Answer: d

Explanation:

Recently, scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have identified a new species of flowering plant in Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary and named it as Dicliptera pakhalica.

• Location: It is located in the Warangal district of
• Vegetation: It has mixed deciduous forests.
• The Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary houses the Pakhal Lake which was excavated on the orders of King Ganapati Deva of the Kakatiya empire in 1213 AD.
• Flora: It consists of bamboo, teak, and diverse flora, including Terminalia, Pterocarpus, and Mohua. 
  • It also consists of various kinds of herbs, shrubs and climbers.
• Fauna: Leopard, wild boar, panthers, hyenas, sloth bear, chital, mountain gazelle, blackbuck etc.

Hence option (d) is the correct answer.

News: https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/states/telangana/2026/Feb/03/new-flowering-plant-species-discovered-in-pakhal-wildlife-sanctuary

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has carried out successful demonstration of Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.

• It is an advanced air-breathing propulsion system using a solid fuel gas generator.
• Working:
  • It uses solid Fuel instead of liquid fuel makes the system simpler, safer, and easier to store and transport.
  • Incoming air is channeled through a duct into the combustion chamber, where it mixes with the fuel gases.
  • Unlike conventional rockets, SFDR does not carry an oxidiser, making it lighter and more efficient.
  • SFDR provides sustained thrust over a longer duration and allows thrust modulation during flight.
  • The SFDR system allows missiles to fly faster, farther and remain manoeuvrable throughout their flight, unlike conventional rocket-powered missiles.
• It has been developed by Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories.
• Significance of Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) Technology
  • It significantly enhances long-range air-to-air missiles by providing sustained propulsion throughout much of the missile’s flight.
  • It places India into an elite league of nations possessing this technology that enables developing long-range air-to-air missiles to give tactical edge over the adversaries.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2222635&reg=3&lang=2

Answer: a

Explanation:

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is leading a high-level defence delegation on a four-day official visit to Armenia to strengthen bilateral defence engagement.

• Location: It is a landlocked country, located in the south of Caucasus mountain range.
• Bordering Countries: It is bounded by Georgia in the north, Azerbaijan in the east, Iran in the southeast and Turkey in the west. 
• Capital:
• Geographical Features of Armenia:
  • Terrain: The Lesser (or Little) Caucasus Mountains dominate much of Armenia’s landscape. 
  • Much of Armenia’s soil—formed partly by residues of volcanic lava—is rich in nitrogen, potash, and phosphates. 
  • Highest Peak: Mount Aragats (4,090 m) which is an extinct volcanic peak.
  • Climate: Highland continental, hot summers, cold winter climate.
  • Rivers:  Aras, Hrazdan, Arpa, and Vorotan, rivers which provide hydropower and irrigation facilities to the country.
  • Lakes: Lake Sevan is the largest lake of Armenia.
  • Natural resources: Small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, bauxite

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News: https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2026/Feb/02/cds-general-anil-chauhan-heads-indian-defence-delegation-to-armenia-to-boost-security-cooperation

Answer: b

Explanation:

Researchers have developed a flexible, low-cost biosensor capable of detecting myoglobin which is associated with the early stages of a heart attack.

• It is a small protein accounts for about 2% of total muscle protein. 
• It is found predominantly in striated muscle tissue, namely skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle.
  • Specifically, it is in the cytoplasm of cardiac myocytes and the sarcoplasm of oxidative skeletal muscle fibers.
• It encodes a single polypeptide chain with one oxygen binding site.
• It is one of the members of the globin superfamily, which also includes hemoglobin. It often gets compared structurally and functionally to hemoglobin.
  • Hemoglobin has four polypeptide chains and four oxygen binding sites.
• Composition: It’s made of amino acids, iron and other molecules that work together to hold onto oxygen.
• Functions of Myoglobin:
  • Transports Oxygen: It transports oxygen from bloodstream to your muscles when they need it to convert stored energy into movements.
  • It serves as a sensitive indicator of cellular damage when detected in urine or plasma.
  • It serves as a buffer of intracellular oxygen concentrations and as an oxygen reservoir in muscle. 
  • Enzymatic functions: It is necessary for the decomposition of bioactive nitric oxide to nitrate. The removal of nitric oxide enhances mitochondrial respiration.
  • Remove reactive oxygen species: It can do this by interacting with fatty acids.

Hence only statements 2 and 3 are correct.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/low-cost-flexible-biosensor-for-early-heart-attack-detection-developed-by-bitsrmit-univ/article70586906.ece

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, the union minister of minority affairs informed the Rajya Sabha about the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme.

• It is a Central Sector Scheme launched in 2025.
• It focuses on socio-economic empowerment of six notified minority communities.
• It aims to ensure inclusive growth for not only the minority and artisan communities but also for the youth and women. 
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Minority Affairs
• Objectives of PM VIKAS Scheme:
  • Skill Development: To build capacity of minority communities through targeted interventions by providing skill training support in need-based courses and ensuring employment.
  • Cultural Preservation: To preserve and promote the cultural heritage including traditional arts and craft forms by propagation of literature/ documents/ manuscripts and showcasing their unique ICH.
  • Educational Support: To provide formal education and certification up to 8th, 10th, and 12th through open schooling to school dropouts from minority communities.
  • Leadership and Entrepreneurship: To empower women from minority communities and instil confidence amongst them by providing leadership and entrepreneurship support.
• Key Features of PM VIKAS Scheme:
  • The National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) has been given the responsibility of providing finance to the communities. 
  • School dropouts are given formal education as well as certification.
  • The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts provides market linkages in order to provide livelihood opportunities for beneficiaries. 
  • The ‘Hub and Spoke’ model is used to establish Vishwakarma Villages to support the artisans and their crafts. 

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2222788&reg=3&lang=2