UPSC Daily Quiz 31 March 2026

Answer: d

Explanation:

A 500MW Floating Solar Plant being designed by Green Hybrid Power in partnership with the Intensive Energy User Group is to be installed at Kariba Dam in Zimbabwe.

• It is a concrete arch dam across the Zambezi Riverat Kariba Gorge, on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
• The construction of the dam was completed in 1959.
• It is the 128-metre-high double-curvature concrete arch dam provides critical electricity to both countries. 
• It had created the world’s largest human-made lake by volume, Lake Kariba.

Hence option (d) is the correct answer.

News: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/500-mw-floating-solar-plant-project-at-kariba-dam-to-boost-power-supply-for-zimbabwe

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, at 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) forty new species were added to the protected list category. 

• It is also known as the Bonn Convention.
• It is an environmental treaty under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme.
• It provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats. 
• It was signed in Bonn, Germany, on 23 June 1979.
• It is the only global and UN-based intergovernmental organisation established exclusively for the conservation and management of terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory species throughout their range.
• The parties to the convention acknowledge the importance of conserving migratory species, and the need to pay special attention to species whose conservation status is unfavourable.
• Activities by CMS Parties may range from legally binding treaties (called Agreements) to less formal instruments, such as Memoranda of Understanding.
• The Conference of Parties (COP) is the decision-making organ of this convention. 
• It has two Appendices. 
  • Appendix I lists endangered migratory species and includes prohibitions regarding the take of these species.
  • Appendix II lists species that have an ‘unfavourable conservation status’ (as per the conditions set out in the Convention) and encourages range states to draft range-wide agreements for conservation and management of these species.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/cms-cop15-ends-in-brazil-with-40-new-species-being-accorded-protection

Answer: a

Explanation:

 Recently, Varkala has been named in the inaugural 20 Cities Towards Zero Waste initiative.

• It is an initiative led by the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Zero Waste, with support from UN-Habitat and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
• It highlights cities demonstrating ambitious and innovative approaches to reducing waste, advancing circular economy solutions, and building more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban systems.
• It aims to
  • Recognize city leadership and innovation
  • Promote exchange of good practices and lessons learned
  • Inspire other cities to accelerate their transition toward zero waste
  • Support implementation of circular economy approaches at the local level

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News: https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/un-advisory-board-names-20-city-leaders-zero-waste

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, the Agray – anti submarine warfare shallow water craft was delivered to Indian Navy.

• It is the fourth of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft.
• It is indigenously designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
• It is a reincarnation of the erstwhile INS Agray, the fourth of the 1241 PE Class of Patrol Vessels, decommissioned in 2017.
• The ASW SWCs have been designed and constructed by GRSE in compliance with the classification standards of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).

Features of Agray- Anti submarine warfare shallow water craft:

• Propulsion:Waterjet propulsion—the largest Indian naval warships to use this technology
• Armament:
  • It is the largest Indian Naval warships propelled by waterjets.
  • It is equipped with state-of-the-art Lightweight Torpedoes, Indigenous Rocket Launchers and shallow water SONAR, enabling effective detection.
  • Sensors:Advanced shallow water SONAR systems
• Significance: The induction of the ship will further augment the Indian Navy’s anti-submarine and mine-warfare capabilities, as well as coastal surveillance.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2247087&reg=3&lang=1

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has officially designated Center for Marine Living Resources & Ecology’s “Bhavasagara” Referral Centre as a National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna.

• It is designated as a National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna.
• It was conferred under the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
• It establishes the Centre as a critical national facility for the preservation, study, and documentation of India’s vast deep-sea biological heritage.
• It currently serves as a vital scientific hub, housing an extensive collection of over 3,500 taxonomically identified and geo-referenced voucher specimens.
• The collection spans a diverse range of marine life, from invertebrates—including cnidarians, annelids, molluscs, arthropods, and echinoderms—to vertebrates such as elasmobranchs and teleostean fishes.
• Under the Biological Diversity Act, the Repository is authorized to:
  • Maintain Secure Custody: Preserve representative biological samples as voucher specimens along with critical associated data, such as DNA sequences, for future scientific reference.
  • Hold Type Specimens: Act as the official custodian for any new deep-sea species discovered within Indian waters.
  • Capacity Building: Foster expertise in deep-sea taxonomy, aligning with the goals of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2247110&reg=3&lang=2

Answer: b

Explanation:

The Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) in Maharashtra’s Gondia will get control of the buffer notified area in its vicinity from April 1.

• Location: It is located in the state of Maharashtra.
• It is located in the heart of the central Indian Tiger Landscape, which contributes almost 1/6 of the total tiger population of the country.
• It was declared a tiger reserve in 2013; it is the fifth tiger reserve in Maharashtra.
• It is comprised of the notified areas of Nawegaon National Park, Nawegaon Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, New Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, and Koka Wildlife Sanctuary.
• It has linkages with Kanha, Pench, and Tadoba Tiger Reserves.
• Topography: The topography is undulating, and the highest point, viz. ‘Zenda Pahad’, is around 702 m above Mean Sea Level.
• Vegetation: Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous
• Flora: There are 364 species of plants, and the major trees are: Terminalia tomentosa, Lagerstroemia parviflora, Anogeisus lotifolia, Pterocarpus marsupium, Diospyrus melanoxylon, Ougeinia oogenesis, etc.
• Fauna: The major wild animals are: Tiger, Panther, Small Indian Civet, Palm Civet, Wolf, Jackal, Wild Dog, Sloth Bear, Ratel, Common Giant Flying Squirrel, Gaur, Sambar, Chital, Four Horned Antelope, Mouse Deer, and Pangolin.

Hence only statements 2 and 3 are correct.

News: https://theprint.in/india/navegaon-nagzira-tiger-reserve-to-get-control-of-buffer-notified-area-from-apr-1/2892481/

Answer: d

Explanation:

 Recently, INS Dunagiri was delivered to the Indian Navy.

• It is the fifth ship of Nilgiri Class (Project 17A).
• It was designed by Warship Design Bureau (WDB).
• It was built at Garden Reach Shipbuilding and Engineers Ltd (GRSE).
• It is the fifth P17A ship getting delivered to the Indian Navy.
• It is a reincarnation of the erstwhile INS Dunagiri, a Leander-class frigate, that was part of the Indian Navy.
• Features of INS Dunagiri:
  • Propulsion: These ships are configured with Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion plants.
    • Comprising a diesel engine and a gas turbine that drive a Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP) on each shaft, and state-of-the-art Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS)
  • Armaments: It comprises BrahMos SSM, MFSTAR and MRSAM complex, 76mm SRGM, and a combination of 30 mm and 12.7 mm close-in weapon system, along with rocket and torpedoes for anti- submarine warfare.

Hence option (d) is the correct answer.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2247142&reg=3&lang=1

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, the government approved the 29 applications under the fourth tranche of the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme.

• It is the first dedicated production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme to promote the manufacturing of select passive electronic components, including resistors, capacitors, speakers, microphones, special ceramics, relays, switches, and connectors. 
• Objective: To develop a robust component manufacturing ecosystem by attracting investments (global / domestic) across the value chain by integrating its domestic electronic industry with the Global Value Chains (GVCs).
• The scheme will offer three incentive structures
  • Turnover-linked incentive (based on revenue)
  • Capex-linked incentive (for investments in plants & machinery)
  • Hybrid incentive model (a combination of both)
  • Incentives for incremental investments and turnover range from 1–10% depending on the year and the component.
• Employment generation will be a mandatory requirement for all applicants, including both component manufacturers and capital equipment producers.
• Tenure: This scheme has tenure of six years, with a one-year gestation period.
• The scheme focuses particularly on passive electronic components. In contrast, active components fall under the purview of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).
• This scheme is set to benefit a number of industries, such as automobiles, consumer electronics, and electronics.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/electronics/govt-approves-4th-tranche-of-electronics-component-manufacturing-scheme-with-rs-7104-cr-investment-outlay/articleshow/129894094.cms?from=mdr

Answer: b

Explanation:

Recently, over 41 lakh applications amounting to ₹1,06,306 Crores processed through Jan Samarth portal. 

• It was launched on 6th June 2022.
• It was conceptualized with the twin objectives;
  • Increasing the reach of the Government sponsored schemes.
  • Streamlining the credit delivery process for all the stakeholders, through a multitude of credit linked Government schemes.
• The portal facilitates ease of access to all beneficiaries, financial institutions, Central/State Government Agencies, and Nodal Agencies.
• Features of the Portal:
  • It is a digital marketplace with front-end user interface for beneficiaries, integrated with wide range of centralized data sources. 
  • It eases the loan application and disbursement process as the applicant can upload his application and the rule engine for approval of the applications is inbuilt.
  • Applicant can apply for a loan on the portal which is available on 24/7 basis.
  • It provides a single-window facility for 15 Credit-linked Central Government Schemes application submissions and 254 Member Lending Institutions (including all Public Sector Banks) to choose from.
  • The portal will check eligibility, give in-principle sanction and send the application to the selected Bank branch.
  • It will also keep the beneficiaries updated at each stage of the journey, without necessitating multiple physical visits to bank branches.
  • It is available in 8 different languages catering to the credit needs of diverse range of beneficiaries. 
  • It has a dedicated grievance redressal channel for both beneficiaries and Banks.

Hence only statements 1 and 3 are correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2247026&reg=3&lang=2

Answer: a

Explanation:

Recently, the Ministry of Heavy Industries has extended subsidies for electric two-wheelers till 31 July 2026, and for electric rikshaw and electric carts till 31 March 2028 under the PM E- DRIVE scheme.

• The PM E-DRIVE (Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement) scheme is a flagship initiative launched in October 2024.
• It came into effect from October 1, 2024.
• Its primary aim is to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), establish charging infrastructure, and build a robust EV manufacturing ecosystem in the country.
• The key objective is to speed up the transition to EVs by offering upfront incentives for EV purchases and encouraging the development of charging infrastructure. 
• The PM E-DRIVE scheme to be implemented through the following key components:
  • Subsidies: Demand incentives to be provided for electric vehicles such as e-2 wheelers (e-2W), e-3 wheelers (e-3W), e-ambulances, e-trucks, and other emerging categories of EVs.
  • Grants for creation of capital assets: Funding to be provided for the acquisition of electric buses (e-buses), the establishment of a comprehensive network of charging stations, and the upgrading testing facilities of the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI).
  • Administration of the Scheme including IEC (Information, Education & Communication) activities and fee for project management agency (PMA).
• Under this, states are encouraged to offer additional fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, such as road tax waivers, reduced toll and parking fees, and permit exemptions, to further promote EV adoption. 
• The scheme will be overseen by an inter-ministerial body, the Project Implementation and Sanctioning Committee (PISC), chaired by the Secretary of Heavy Industries.
  • The PISC will be responsible for monitoring progress and ensuring the scheme’s successful rollout.
  • It will also have the authority to address any challenges, including revising incentives, increasing the number of e-buses, and approving guidelines for testing agencies.
• To qualify for the PM E-DRIVE incentives, vehicles must be registered as “Motor Vehicles” under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) and equipped with advanced battery technology.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News: https://www.livemint.com/auto-news/ev-pm-e-drive-scheme-subsidies-electric-two-wheelers-extended-july-2026-e-rickshaw-march-2028-govt-target-sales-increase-11774697956311.html