UPSC Daily Quiz 7 February 2026

Answer: c

Explanation:

INS Arnala, the Indian Navy’s first indigenously designed and built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), marks a significant milestone in India’s transition from a “Buyer’s Navy” to a “Builder’s Navy”.

About INS Arnala:

It is the first of the eight ASW SWCs (Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft) built for the Indian Navy.

It is the Indian Navy’s first indigenously designed and built ASW SWC.

It was designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.

It was commissioned into the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy on 18 Jun 2025.

It is named after the historic fort ‘Arnala’ located off Vasai, Maharashtra.

This 77-meter-long warship, with a gross tonnage of over 1490 tonnes, is the largest Indian Naval warship to be propelled by a Diesel Engine-Waterjet combination.

The ship has been designed for underwater surveillance, search & rescue operations, and Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO).

The ship is capable of undertaking Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) in coastal waters, along with advanced mine-laying capabilities.

The vessel features homegrown systems, including stealth technology, electronic warfare capabilities, and advanced sensors, which improve combat readiness.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

News: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/defence/news/ins-arnala-indias-warship-built-to-detect-track-and-hunt-enemy-submarines-what-gives-it-an-edge/articleshow/127979206.cms

Answer: b

Explanation:

A giant female reticulated python discovered deep in the forests of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi late last year is now believed to be the longest measured snake in the world at 7.22 metres (23 feet 8 inches), the Guinness Book of World Records has confirmed.

About Reticulated Python:

It is a giant constricting snake belonging to the python family, Pythonidae.

Scientific Name: Malayopython reticulatus

It is the longest snake in the world and the third heaviest after the green anaconda and the Burmese python.

Like all pythons, it is a non-venomous constrictor.

It is an ambush predator, usually waiting until prey comes within striking range before trapping it in its rings and killing it by constriction.

Distribution:

It is native to South and Southeast Asia.

It inhabits tropical forest regions in India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and other parts of Southeast Asia.

Features:

Specimens have been recorded reaching a length of more than 7 metres and weighing more than 160 kg.

They have grayish-tan bodies with X- or diamond-shaped blotches containing black, white, yellow, and red scales.

The name ‘reticulated’ comes from the intricate and beautiful pattern of its skin, which resembles a net (or ‘lattice’).

The snake’s head has smooth brown scales.

The head is elongated with a dark line down the middle, and the eyes are orange with vertical pupils.

Embedded in the lip scales are heat-sensing pits that can detect any object or prey whose temperature exceeds that of the surrounding environment.

Conservation Status:

IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Hence option b is the correct answer.

News: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/meet-ibu-baron-or-the-baroness-the-longest-measured-snake-in-the-world-she-measures-almost-24-feet

Answer: a

Explanation:   

A new species of trapdoor spider named Titanidiops kolhapurensis has been recently discovered in the grasslands of Kolhapur district by a joint team of researchers from the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation and Shivaji University, Kolhapur (SUK).

About Titanidiops kolhapurensis:

It is a new species of trapdoor spider.

It has been discovered in the grasslands of the Kolhapur district, Maharashtra.

This spider builds vertical or slanted burrows in flat or sloping grassy meadows.

These entrances are masterfully camouflaged to blend with the soil, making them nearly invisible to the naked eye.

While researchers found a healthy presence of the species in natural forests and native grasslands, they were notably absent in areas overtaken by exotic tree plantations, such as Gliricidia sepium (commonly known as Undirmari).

It is on the verge of local extinction due to rapid habitat degradation.

What are Trapdoor Spiders?

They are a unique group of large-bodied, burrowing spiders found across several taxonomic families.

They construct burrows in the ground, the entrance of which features a silken-hinged door.

They burrow up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) deep in the soil.

The reclusive spider feeds by quickly opening the trapdoor and grabbing an insect or other arthropod that is passing close by.

They are generally timid and quickly retreat into the burrow if frightened.

Their bite is not considered medically significant to humans.

They are found in climates with tropical, subtropical, and warm temperatures.

These spiders typically grow to about one inch (2.5 centimeters) long, with some larger species reaching up to 1.5 inches (4 centimeters).

Despite their protective burrows, trapdoor spiders are often threatened by spider-hunting wasps.

They typically do not disperse far from their mother’s burrow, making populations vulnerable to human development or other land-use changes.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News:https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolhapur/new-trapdoor-spider-species-discovered-in-kolhapur-grasslands/amp_articleshow/127949744.cms

Answer: d

Explanation:

Recently, researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have uncovered two new marine worm species (polychaetes) namely Namalycastis solenotognatha and Nereis dhritiae of from the Nereidid family coasts of West Bengal.

About Namalycastis solenotognatha:

• It derives its name from the Greek words “solenotos” (channeled) and “gnatha” (jaw).
• The “channeled jaw” refers to its unusual jaw structure with a large number of canals that emerge from the pulp cavity.
• Habitat: Ideal conditions for its survival are extreme environments, sulfide-rich, foul-smelling mudflats, and they are mostly found on decomposing mangrove wood and hardened clay.

About Nereis dhritiae:

• It is named after the first woman director of ZSI, Dhriti Banerjee.
• Habitat: This species was found living inside wooden dock piles on sandy beaches, which are submerged during times of high tide.
• Significance of Nereidid worms
  • They help maintain coastal health, andthey play a major role in nutrient cycling and sediment aeration.
  • These species of marine worms were found in areas that were heavily impacted by human activities and subject to pollution.
  • These worms can serve as vital bioindicators and help in monitoring coastal health.

Hence option (d) is the correct answer.

News: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/new-bio-warrior-species-discovered-bay-of-bengal-ecosystem-worms-thriving-where-others-die-10516693/

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, the Prime Minister of India began a two-day official visit to Malaysia.

• Location: It is a country in Southeast Asia, lying just north of the Equator.
  • The South China Sea separates Malaysia into two regions: Peninsular Malaysia (West Malaysia) and East Malaysia.
• Bordering Countries: Land (Thailand, Brunei and Indonesia) Maritime (Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam)
• Bordering Seas and straits: Strait of Malacca, South China Sea, Celebes Sea and the Sulu Sea border Sabah in East Malaysia.
• Capital: Kuala Lumpur
• Geographical features of Malaysia:
  • Terrain and Climate: The country’s terrain is characterized by coastal plains and jungle-covered mountains in the interior, and its climate is tropical.
  • Major Mountain:Main Range 
  • Highest Peak:Mount Kinabalu (4,095 metres)
  • Major Rivers:It is drained by Pahang, Rajang, and Kinabatangan
  • Natural Lakes: Bera Lake and Tasik Chini
  • Natural Resources: It has abundant natural resources including forests, minerals, oil, natural gas and agricultural commodities.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2224784&reg=3&lang=2

Answer: c

Explanation:

 Recently, the National Statistics Office under Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) launched the beta version of its Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for eSankhyiki portal.

• It is a technology that allows users to connect directly with datasets through their own AI tools and applications.
• It is a standard way to make information available to large language models (LLMs).
• Using MCP, AI applications can connect to data sources (e.g. local files, databases), tools (e.g. search engines, calculators) and workflows (e.g. specialized prompts)—enabling them to access key information and perform tasks.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2224472&reg=3&lang=1

Answer: b

Explanation:

Recently the Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile ‘Agni-3’ was successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha.

• It is an indigenously developed intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM).
• It is a surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
• It is one of the sophisticated and accurate missiles of its class and has already been inducted into the armed forces.
• Features of Agni-3 Missile:
  • The missile is two-stage and solid-fuelled, capable of carrying a 1,500 kg payload.
  • Range: 3,000–3,500 km
  • It is designed primarily as a nuclear delivery system, with an estimated warhead yield of 200–300 kilotons.
  • The missile measures 16.7 metres in length, 2 metres in diameter and has a launch weight of 48,300 kg.
  • It uses a strapdown inertial navigation system (INS) supported by GPS, giving it an accuracy of around 40 metres circular error probable (CEP). 
  • Its first stage uses a maraging steel motor case, while the second stage employs a carbon-fibre motor case, both featuring thrust vector control systems for improved accuracy and stability.
    • Due to its high range of circular error probable(CEP), the Agni-3 missile is known as one of the world’s most accurate strategic ballistic missiles of its range class.

Hence only statements 1 and 2 are correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2224636&reg=3&lang=2

Answer: b

Explanation:

Recently, a wildlife researcher has made a historic sighting of a Siberian peregrine falcon in central Australia, where this subspecies has never been recorded before.

• It is a large cosmopolitan raptor in the family Falconidae.
• Habitat:
  • They prefer open habitats, such as grasslands, tundra, and meadows.
  • They are most common in tundra and coastal areas and rare in sub-tropical and tropical habitats. They nest on cliff faces and crevices.
• Distribution: It is found on all continents except Antarctica, and on many oceanic islands.
• Characteristics of Peregrine Falcon:
  • It is renowned for its speed during its characteristic hunting stoop (high-speed dive), making it the fastest bird in the world, as well as the fastest member of the animal kingdom.
  • They are active during the day. When not breeding they are primarily solitary and establish and defend territories.
• Ecological role: They are high level predators, peregrine falcons play an important role in regulating populations of their prey, particularly pigeons and doves.
• Conservation status
• IUCN Red List: Least Concern.

Hence only statements 1 and 2 are correct.

News: https://www.livescience.com/animals/birds/extraordinary-photo-captures-first-appearance-of-siberian-peregrine-falcon-in-australias-arid-center

Answer: a

Explanation:

Recently, the Ministry of Science & Technology informed that Bharat GenAI Large Language Model will complete text models in all 22 scheduled languages this month.

• BharatGen is the first government supported national initiative to develop a range of sovereign foundational AI models tailored to Indian languages and societal contexts.
• Aim: BharatGen aims to revolutionize AI development across India’s linguistic and cultural spectrum.
• It spans multiple modalities, including text (via Large Language Models), speech (Text-to-Speech and Automatic Speech Recognition), and vision-language systems.
  • Currently, supports 15 Indian languages which include Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Maithili, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil and Telugu.
• It is developed under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems(NM-ICPS) and implemented through TIH Foundation for IoT and IoE at IIT Bombay.
• It is being executed through a network of 25 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs), four of which have been upgraded to Technology Translational Research Parks (TTRPs).
• Pillars of Bharat GenAI: The Mission’s four pillars include technology development, entrepreneurship, human resource development, and international collaboration.
• It has four key Features
  • Multilingual and multimodal models
  • Bhartiya dataset-based training
  • Open-source platform
  • Generative AI research ecosystem in India

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2224028&reg=3&lang=1#:~:text

Answer: c

Explanation:

 Recently, India has sent Bailey bridge materials to Sri Lanka for post-Cyclone reconstruction.

• It is a type of modular bridgewhose parts are pre-built, so they can be put together quickly as needed. 
• An English civil engineer named Donald Coleman Baileyis credited with inventing it in 1941.
• The key characteristics include their modularity, portability, strength, and versatility.
• It is preferred because these bridges are designed for rapid construction in difficult conditions without the need for heavy equipment or sophisticated construction methods. 
• Design and Constructions of Bailey bridge:
  • The bridges are made of modular steel panels,which can be easily transported and assembled using manpower alone.
  • The construction of a Bailey bridge involves assembling prefabricated panels into sections, which are then connected to form the bridge’s span.
  • The panels are connected using pins and bolts, creating a truss structure that distributes the load evenly. 
• Uses: The design supports heavy loads, including tanks and other military vehicles.
• Advantages: Bailey bridge assemblycovers a small area, which can avoid the situation that large hoisting equipment cannot enter the construction site. 
• Ideal for: It is generally used in terrains that span rivers, valleys, and spans that are not very large.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.newsonair.gov.in/india-sends-bailey-bridge-materials-to-sri-lanka-for-post-cyclone-reconstruction/