UPSC Daily Quiz 15 April 2026

Answer: c

Explanation:

Scientists recently used a genetic sequencing technique called whole exome sequencing to discover a new rare genetic disease.

About Whole-Exome Sequencing (WES):

• WES is the approach used to sequence only the protein-coding regions of the human genome.
• These protein-coding regions within the genome are known as exons, and they make up less than 2% of our entire genome, but they are very important because they contain about 85% of the genetic variants linked to different diseases.
• Together, all the exons in a genome are known as the exome.
• WES focuses on the exome and provides a more targeted approach compared to whole-genome sequencing (WGS), which sequences the entire genome, including non-coding regions.
• Since most disease-related mutations are found in the exome, this makes WES an effective tool for diagnosing genetic conditions and understanding disease mechanisms.
• WES is a faster and cost-effective alternative to WGS. It also simplifies the data analysis
• WES is especially useful in research and clinical settings to identify both common and rare genetic variants.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

News: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260413/Scientists-use-whole-exome-sequencing-to-discover-a-new-rare-genetic-disease.aspx

Answer: d

Explanation:

World Chagas Disease Day is observed every year on April 14 to raise awareness around the disease, and the impact it has on lives.

About Chagas Disease:

• Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is an inflammatory, infectious disease caused by the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi.
• It is an illness that can cause serious heart and stomach problems.
• It is the result of a complex health problem typical of neglected tropical diseases and socially- and environmentally-determined diseases.
• It is named after Carlos Chagas, a Brazilian physician and researcher who on 14 April 1909 diagnosed the disease in a person for the first time.
• Transmission:
  • The most common way people are infected with Chagas is through the blood-sucking triatomine bugs.
  • This parasite is found in the feces of the triatomine bug.
  • These bugs also are called reduviid. They may also be known as “kissing bugs” because they tend to bite people’s faces.
  • The parasite can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth, through contaminated food and beverages, blood transfusions, organ transplants, or laboratory accidents.
  • Once a person has the infection, they remain infected for decades, often with no signs or symptoms of illness.
  • Chagas disease is common in South America, Central America, and Mexico, the primary home of the triatomine bug.
• Symptoms:
  • Few people have symptoms at first. But over time, parasites can move to your tissues and cause chronic infections, leading to heart and digestive tract damage.
  • Left untreated, Chagas disease later can cause serious heart and digestive problems.
• Prevention:
  • There is no vaccine to prevent Chagas disease.
  • Vector control, reducing interaction between humans and vector insects, has been the most effective method of prevention.
  • Blood screening is necessary to prevent infection through congenital transmission, transfusion, and organ transplantation.
• Treatment:
  • During the first phase of infection, treatment of Chagas disease aims to kill the parasite.
  • Later, it’s no longer possible to kill the parasite. Treatment in this later phase is about managing symptoms.

Hence both statements are not correct.

News:https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/world-chagas-disease-day-women-key-to-prevent-eliminate-the-fatal-neglected-tropical-disease-article-154071521

Answer: c

Explanation:   

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister recently reviewed the progress of the 450 MW Shongtong-Karcham Hydroelectric Project on the Satluj River during his two-day visit to Kinnaur district.

About Shongtong–Karchham Hydroelectric Project:

• It is a hydro power project on the river Satluj in the Kinnaur District of Himachal Pradesh.
• The project is envisaged as a run-of-river (RoR) scheme.
• Capacity: 3 × 150 MW Francis turbines, totaling 450 MW.
• The project includes:
  • Barrage – 26 m high, 122.6 m long at the top
  • Four 260 m long underground chambers
  • 7 km headrace tunnel
  • 110 m high and 30.6 m diameter surge shaft
  • 23 m wide by 54 m high underground powerhouse
• Once completed, the project is expected to generate around 1,579 million units of electricity annually.
• It is being developed by Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL).

Hence option c is the correct answer.

News:https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/himachal-cm-reviews-progress-of-shongtong-karcham-hydroelectric-project-directs-early-completion20260414225836/?amp=1

Answer: b

Explanation:

Recently, the Indian Navy has deployed its specialised missile-tracking and ocean-surveillance vessel INS Dhruv into the Arabian Sea immediately before Pakistan’s declared live-firing window.

• It is India’s first dedicated nuclear missile tracking and ocean surveillance ship.
• It was commissioned on 10 September 2021.
• It was built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited in collaboration with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO).
• Functions of INS Dhruv
  • The ship has the capability to map ocean floors, which aids in the research and detection of enemy submarines
  • It is a highly secretive strategic asset designed to track ballistic missiles and gather electronic intelligence (ELINT) to support India’s missile defence programme.
  • It provides early warning of missile attacks and helps calibrate India’s own ballistic missile defence systems by gathering data on flight trajectories and terminal performance.
  • It is operated jointly by the Indian Navy, the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Features of INS Dhruv:
  • Displacement Capacity: It displaces 15000 tons.
  • Propulsion: It is powered by two diesel engines in CODAD configuration each generating 9000KW.
  • Speed: These engines can propel INS Dhruv to a maximum speed of 21 knots and generate
  • It is equipped with powerful X-band and S-band AESA radars, it can track nuclear-capable ballistic missiles and satellites from thousands of kilometres away.
  • It is capable of monitoring missile re-entry vehicles, distinguishing between different payload signatures and generating data useful for ballistic missile defence calibration, countermeasure development and strategic warning systems.

Hence only statements 1 and 3 are correct.

News: https://defencesecurityasia.com/en/india-ins-dhruv-arabian-sea-pakistan-missile-test-notam-intelligence-showdown/

Answer: d

Explanation:

Recently, the Sakurajima volcano has erupted, sending huge plumes of ash billowing kilometres into the sky.

• Location: It is located on the southern tip of Kyushu island near the city of Kagoshima, Japan.
• It is one of Japan’s most active volcanoes and eruptions of varying levels take place on a regular basis.
• Sakurajima is a stratovolcano formed from layers of lava and ash.
• It is situated on a convergent plate margin.
• It is an andesitic volcano (meaning it has a high gas content and is very viscous) located at the southern edge of the Aira caldera.
• It is formed by the central cones of the Kitadake (northern peak) and the Minamidake (southern peak).
• Sakura-jima formed an island until 1914, when an explosive eruption produced enough material to join the island to the peninsula on the east.

Hence option (d) is the correct answer.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/japan-volcano-erupts-sending-plumes-of-ash-34-km-high/article70857220.ece

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology informed that the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) is developing AI-based platform ‘SARAL AI’. 

• It was established through the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023.
• It is functioning under the Department of Science & Technology (DST).
• The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) has been merged into ANRF.
• Objective: To seed, grow, and promote R&D, and foster a research and innovation culture across universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D labs in India.
• It acts as an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in India as per recommendations of the National Education Policy.
• Funding Target: It aims to mobilise funds amounting to ₹50,000 crore during 2023–28 through multiple streams including the ANRF Fund, Innovation Fund, Science and Engineering Research Fund, and Special Purpose Funds.
  • ANRF forges collaborations among the industry, academia, research institutions and government departments.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2251627&reg=3&lang=2

Answer: a

Explanation:

Recently, a massive forest fire has engulfed hundreds of hectares of Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary in Mulugu district.

• It is located near the border of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana.
• It was established in 1952.
• Rivers: It has a water source called Dayyam Vagu, which separates the sanctuary into two parts.
• The river Godavari also passes through it.
• Terrain: The landscape is undulating, ranging from steep slopes to gentle slopes from west to east. 
• The famous Sammakka-Saralamma Temple is situated inside the sanctuary.
• Vegetation: The region is covered completely with thick natural vegetation, and it falls in the tropical dry deciduous.
• Flora: It is rich in the growth of teak, bamboo, and other trees like madhuca and terminalia.
• Fauna: This sanctuary provides shelter to Tiger, Leopard, Panther, Wolf, Wild Dogs, Jackals, Sloth Bear, Chousingha, Black Buck, Nilgai, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Four Horned Antilope, Chinkara, Black Buck, Gaur, and Giant Squirrels.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News: https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2026/Apr/15/fire-ravages-hundreds-of-hectares-in-telanganas-eturnagaram-wildlife-sanctuary

Answer: a

Explanation:

Recently, a team of researchers from multiple institutions has described a new species of burrowing reed snake from Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district and named it as Calamaria garoensis.

• It is a new species of burrowing reed snake.
• It is found mainly in Garo Hills of Meghalaya.
• It is currently known only from this region, indicating a potentially restricted distribution.
• Characteristics:
  • It is characterised by a smooth dorsal scales arranged in 13 rows, a short non-tapering tail with an obtuse tip, and a distinct broad median black stripe on the underside of the tail.
  • The body exhibits longitudinal striping along with a faint nuchal ring, distinguishing it from all known related species.

Hence option (a) is the correct answer.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/meghalaya-yields-new-burrowing-reed-snake/article70860105.ece

Answer: b

Explanation:

According to a new report by United Nations’ agency UN Women, Sexual violence against women and girls in Sudan has increased sharply during the country’s ongoing conflict.

• It is a Northeast African country.
• Bordering Countries: South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Egypt, Libya, Chad, and Central African Republic.
• Maritime Border: It shares its border with Red Sea.
• Capital City: Khartoum
• Geographical Features of Sudan:
  • Terrain: It is mainly composed of vast plains and plateaus that are drained by the Nile River and its tributaries.
  • Climate: The climate of Sudan varies from north to south. The northern part of Sudan is a desert climate, receiving little rainfall, shifting to semi-arid and the tropical savannah towards the South.
  • Highest point: Jabal Marrah 
  • River: The Nile River system is the dominant geographical feature, running from south to north across the country and draining all streams and rivers of Sudan.
  • Natural Resources: Petroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold; hydropower.

Hence only statements 1 and 3 are correct.

News: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/sudan-war-sexual-violence-against-women-quadruples-in-three-years-says-un-women

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, C-DAC, Hyderabad, a scientific society under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India and Reliance Foundation announced the launch of e-SafeHER initiative.

• It is a cyber-security awareness training programme to enable one million women across rural India.
• It aims to strengthen last mile cybersecurity awareness, particularly among women in rural India, who are increasingly engaging with digital platforms for financial transactions, livelihoods and access to essential services. 
• This initiative is anchored under Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY’s) Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) programme through C-DAC Hyderabad.
• Target and Duration: To empower one million Cyber Sakhis in rural India over the next three years.
• Implementation Strategy:
  • C-DAC will lead the development, localization, and continuous enhancement of cybersecurity training content under the ISEA Project.
  • Reliance Foundation will leverage its extensive grassroots presence and women’s empowerment platforms across rural India, for delivery through a peer-led, community-based model.
• The initiative will be started first in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha and expanded nationwide in a phased manner.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2251715&reg=3&lang=2