UPSC Daily Quiz 15 October 2026

Answer: b

Explanation:  

Recently, a rare sighting of Phayre’s Leaf Monkeys, popularly known as Spectacle Monkeys, has been captured on camera at Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary in South Tripura.

• Location: It is situated in the state of Tripura.
• It was established in 1988.
• Vegetation: Three types of forests are found in the Sanctuary: Tropical Semievergreen Forest, Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest, and Savanah woodland. 
• Flora:
  • It is home to 230 tree species, 400 herbs, 110 shrubs, and 150 climbers. 
  • Some of the prominent medicinal plant species are Kurcha, Tulsi, Vasak, Sarpaganda, Rudraksha, Bel, etc.
  • One species of Bamboo Oxytenanthera nigrociliata, locally known as Kaillai, is common here.
• Fauna: It is home to Gaur or Indian Bison and to the only highly endangered ape species of the Indian subcontinent i.e, the Hoolock Gibbon, and primates like Capped Langur and Golden Langur.

Hence option (b) is the correct answer.

News: https://tripurainfo.com/EnglishNews.aspx?intnid=8884&title=Rare-Phayre%E2%80%99s-Leaf-Monkeys-Spotted-at-Trishna-Wildlife-Sanctuary-After-Sepahijala-Such-Sightings-Are-Rare-Elsewhere-in-Tripura

Answer: b

Explanation:

A Recent report said that the alpine musk deer faces mounting conservation concerns, with India’s recognised zoos reporting just two living captive Himalayan musk deer—both male—and no females. 

• The Alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) is a musk deer species found only in Asia.
• It is not a true deer, but rather its family is closely related to Bovidae, the group that contains antelopes, bovines, sheep, and goats.
• Alpine musk deer is named for having an externally visible musk sac between the male testes. Its fangs grow during mating season and are used for sparring with other males.
• Habitat: It inhabits coniferous and deciduous forests in the mountain regions at elevations of 3,000–5,000 m.
• Distribution: It is mainly found in India, Nepal, Bhutan and China.
• Characteristics:
  • Behavior: It is generally solitary and a crepuscular animal.
  • Diet: It is a ruminant herbivore, foremost a browser and feeds mainly on forbs, grasses, moss, lichens, and shoots, leaves and twigs of shrubs.
• Threats: The main threat to the Alpine musk deer is poaching for its musk, which is used in cosmetic products.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Endangered
  • CITES: Appendix I
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I 

Hence only statements 1 and 3 are correct.

News: https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Oct/14/endangered-musk-deer-uttarakhands-state-animal-faces-a-future-without-females

Answer: c

Explanation:  

Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram, have developed a chemical compound named magnesium hydridomethylzincate.

• It is a crystalline, hydride-rich organometallic compound that does not rely on bulky supporting ligands.
• It is a compound of magnesium, zinc, hydrogen, and carbon.
• Properties
  • Under solvent-free, anaerobic conditions, it releases hydrogen and methane at temperatures as low as 80°C via reductive elimination, leaving behind elemental magnesium and zinc.
  • When the compound was heated in solution to 100° C, it releases hydrogen.
  • It is a solid at room temperature.
  • It is revealed that each unit of the compound’s paired molecular structure could produce two molecules each of hydrogen and methane.
  • It is established that methane emerged before hydrogen, indicating the compound was releasing the gases through successive chemical reactions.
• Potential Applications
  • This organometallic compound could potentially provide molecular platforms for the storage and controlled release of fuel gases.
  • It could offer an alternative to transporting methane and hydrogen as compressed gases.

Hence all statements are correct.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/iiser-researchers-make-solid-material-that-releases-two-fuel-gases/article71574650.ece

Answer: a

Explanation:  

Recently, the third meeting of the India–Brunei Darussalam Joint Trade Committee (JTC) was convened to review bilateral trade and economic cooperation and identify avenues for strengthening commercial ties between the two countries. 

• Location: It is located along the northern coast of Borneo Island in Southeast Asia.
• Bordered by: Brunei is bordered by the South China Sea in the north and on all other sides by
• Brunei is divided into two non-contiguous parts by a portion of the Malaysian State of Sarawak.
• Capital: Bander Seri Begawan
• It is a member country of the Commonwealth and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
• Geographical Features of Brunei:
  • Terrain: It consists of flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west.
  • Climate: The climate of Brunei (or Brunei Darussalam) is equatorial, i.e. hot, humid and rainy throughout the year. 
  • Mountain: Bukit Pagon is the highest point in the country at 6,069 ft along the border with Malaysia in the eastern mountainous region.
  • Rivers: Numerous rivers drain the land, including the Belait, Pandaruan, and Tutong.
  • Natural Resources: It mainly consists of crude oil, natural gas, and tropical timber.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2323562&reg=48&lang=1

Answer: c

Explanation:  

Recently, one death due to measles, 161 confirmed cases have been reported in Kozhikode district so far this year.

• It is a highly contagious, serious airborne disease caused by a virus.
• Cause: It is caused by a virus in the paramyxovirus family.
• Transmission of Measles:
  • It spreads by contact with infected nasal or throat secretions (coughing or sneezing) or breathing the air that was breathed by someone with measles. 
  • The virus remains active and contagious in the air or on infected surfaces for up to two hours. 
  • The virus infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing severe disease, complications, and even death.
• Symptoms of Measles:
  • The first sign of measles is usually high fever, beginning about 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus and lasting four to seven days.
  • A runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks can develop in the initial stage.
  • A rash erupts after several days, usually on the face and upper neck.
• Treatment:
  • No specific antiviral treatment exists for measles.
  • It can be prevented with a safe and effective measles-rubella (MR) vaccine that gives long-term immunity.

Hence all statements are correct.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/161-confirmed-measles-cases-one-death-reported-in-kozhikode/article71584496.ece

Answer: c

Explanation:  

Recently, the ICAR–National Soybean Research Institute (ICAR-NSRI) in Indore assessed the yield potential of improved soybean varieties NRC 268 and NRC 270.

• Soybean, (Glycine max), sometimes called soja bean is an annual legume of the pea family (Fabaceae). 
• In agriculture, soybean enhances soil fertility through nitrogen fixation.
• It is a major crop cultivated during the kharif season (July-October) in the rainfed (dryland) areas of central and peninsular India.
• Required Climatic Conditions for Soybean:
  • Climate: Soybean grows well in warm and moist climate.
  • Temperature: A temperature of 5 to 30°C appears to be the optimum for most of the varieties.
  • Rainfall: Soybean is highly sensitive to water stress, particularly during critical growth phases such as flowering, pod development, and seed filling.
  • Soil: Well drained and fertile loam soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5
• Major Soyabean Growing States: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2322744&lang=1&reg=3

Answer: a

Explanation:

The Indian Navy is scheduled to hand over command of Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154) at a ceremony in Manama, Bahrain.

• It is the Combined Maritime Forces’ (CMF) dedicated multinational maritime training task force.
• It was established in May 2023.
• It is dedicated to enhancing maritime security through multinational training programs across the Middle East and the wider region.
• It operates alongside CMF’s other task forces: CTF 150 (Maritime Security), CTF 151 (Counter-Piracy), CTF 152 (Maritime Security in Arabian Gulf) and CTF 153 (Maritime Security in Red Sea).
• The training focuses on five core pillars: Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), Law of the Sea, Maritime Interdiction Operations, Maritime Rescue and Assistance, and Leadership Development.
• It focuses on professional training and capacity building to strengthen interoperability and operational readiness among the 47 nations associated with the maritime partnership.
• CTF 154 trains partner navies and improve operational capabilities to enhance maritime security in the Middle East.
• India joined the Combined Maritime Forces as an associate partner in 2022 and became a full member in 2023.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News: https://ddindia.co.in/2026/10/indian-navy-to-hand-over-command-of-combined-task-force-154-in-bahrain/

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the proposal of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) with total outlay of Rs. 53,428 crore for five years from 2026-27 to 2030-31. 

• It is a fully funded Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 1995.
• It extends financial support to individuals living below the poverty line (BPL).
• It is a key social welfare scheme that provides pensions to vulnerable groups, including the elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities.
• Nodal Ministry: It is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development.
• National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) covers Sub Schemes:
  • Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): Under IGNOAPS, the Centre provides financial assistance of Rs 200 per month to individuals aged 60–79 years and Rs 500 per month to those aged 80 and above.
  • Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS): Under IGNWPS, the Centre provides Rs 300 per month to widows aged 40–79 years and Rs 500 to those 80 and above. 
  • Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS): Financial assistance of Rs 300 per month is provided to individuals with severe or multiple disabilities aged 18–79, and Rs 500 to those aged 80 years and above.
  • National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS): Under this the amount of one-time financial assistance is fixed at Rs 20,000. This is provided to families after the death of a primary breadwinner aged 18 to 59.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasepage.aspx?PRID=2323264&reg=48&lang=1

Answer: d

Explanation:

Recently, the central government has approved India’s accession to the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA).

• It is an international fishing agreement signed in Rome on 7th July 2006 and entered into force in June 2012.
• It is aimed at enhancing its role in managing ocean resources and creating opportunities for Indian fishing vessels to operate in the southern Indian Ocean while adhering to international regulations.
• Objectives:
  • To ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of the fishery resources in the area through cooperation among the Contracting Parties.
  • To promote the sustainable development of fisheries in the Area
• The SIOFA Agreement covers fishery resources including fish, molluscs, crustaceans and other sedentary species within the area, but excluding highly migratory species (Annex I of UNCLOS).
• Structure:
  • Meeting of the Parties: It is the governing body of SIOFA and is composed of all the Contracting Parties. It meets at least annually.
  • Scientific Committee: It is a subsidiary body that acts as an advisory body to the Meeting of the Parties. It conducts the scientific assessment, encourages and promotes cooperation and provides scientific advice.
  • Secretariat: Implements and coordinates the administrative provisions of the Agreement and maintain records of the proceedings of the Meeting of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies.
• India and SIOFA
  • As of now, India is classified as a Cooperating Non-Contracting Party (CNCP) to the SIOFA, which limits its participation in decision-making processes since 2022.
  • Significance to India
    • Accession as a Contracting Party would enable India to participate fully in these bodies and provide access to scientific data, research programmes, and stock assessments.
    • It will open up new fishing opportunities for the Indian fishers and entrepreneurs.
    • India will also play a key role in preserving marine resources, ensuring their long-term viability and supporting the livelihoods of Indian fishing communities.

Hence both Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2323370&reg=48&lang=1

Answer: d

Explanation:

Recently, herpetologists raised concern that a bauxite mining project in Odisha threatens the future of the rare Jeypore ground gecko (Cyrtodactylus jeyporensis). 

• It is a reptile found in India.
• It is also known as the Jeypore Indian gecko or the Patinghe Indian gecko.
• It was originally described as far back as 1878 by the British naturalist Richard Henry Beddome. 
• Appearance: The nocturnal gecko is around 3.6 inches long, with a comparatively large head and a yellow-orange body.
• Habitat: It inhabits semi-evergreen forests.
• Distribution: It is a relatively range-restricted species that is only found in high-elevation (900–1,400 metres) forests in the northern Eastern Ghats of southern Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh.
• Threats: Habitat loss and degradation, forest fires, tourism, quarrying and mining activity among the reasons for the species’ decline.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Endangered
  • CITES: Appendix II

Hence option (d) is the correct answer.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/mining-project-threatens-future-of-rare-jeypore-ground-gecko/article71582605.ece