UPSC Daily Quiz 26 March 2026

Answer: d

Explanation:

The Indian Institute of Management-Kozhikode (IIM-K) has achieved a global milestone by breaking into the Top 100 of the prestigious QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 for the first time.

• It is published annually by global higher education consultancy Quacquarelli Symonds.
• The QS rankings evaluate universities on several parameters, including academic reputation, overall score, employer reputation, and employment outcomes.
• It uses a structured approach to assess institutions across the globe. Each ranking is built on a set of measurements that help evaluate different aspects of university performance. These measurements are grouped as follows:
  • Lens:A collection of indicators linked by a common theme, such as research or employability.
    • Five Lenses: Research and Discovery, Employability and Outcomes, Global Engagement, Learning Experience, Sustainability.
  • Indicator:A specific area of performance, such as Citations per Faculty or Employer Reputation. Institutions are scored and ranked on each indicator, which contributes to their overall rank.
  • Metric:A detailed calculation within an indicator, used to generate precise scores.

Hence option (d) is the correct answer.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/iim-k-breaks-into-global-top-100-in-qs-rankings/article70784219.ece

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, the Union cabinet approved the continuation of the Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration & Tracking (lVFRT) Scheme.

• The IVFRT platform is aimed at integrating and streamlining immigration, visa issuance, and foreigner registration processes in India through a secure, technology-driven framework.
• It was approved for a period of five year from 01 April, 2026 to 31 March, 2031.
• It was originally approved in 2010; the project has undergone multiple phases of expansion and extension.
• The latest approval comes in the backdrop of the recently enacted Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, 
• Features of lVFRT Scheme:
  • The scheme will concentrate on three broad areas —
    • Emerging technology innovations, transformation of core infrastructure and optimisation of technology-enabled service delivery
  • The scheme will modernize the immigration and visa ecosystem through adoption of emerging technologies, including mobile-based services and self-service kiosks for seamless and secure passenger movement.
  • It will upgrade and expand core infrastructure across Immigration Posts, FRROs, and Data Centres to build a resilient and scalable system nationwide.
  • It will optimize technology and service delivery by introducing unified digital platforms, revamping core application architecture, and strengthening network and deployment frameworks for improved efficiency and user experience.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2245088&reg=3&lang=1

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, the Minister for Road Transport and Highways launched the PRISM-SG (Portal for Rail-Road Inspection & Stages Management – Steel Girders) Portal in New Delhi.

• PRISM-SG (Portal for Rail-Road Inspection & Stages Management – Steel Girders) Portal aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and inter-agency coordination in infrastructure development.
• Features:
  • It has been developed to digitise key approval and inspection processes related to the construction of
    • Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and also includes Quality Assurance Plan (QAP), Welding Procedure Specification Sheet (WPSS) and fabrication stage inspection of steel girders.
  • It enables end-to-end online submission of documents, scrutiny, raising and resolution of queries, approvals, scheduling of inspections, and uploading of inspection reports, supported by a complete audit trail and real-time monitoring capabilities.
  • It provides an integrated digital platform that brings together all key stakeholders, including Road Owning Departments, Indian Railways, contractors, fabricators, and inspection agencies.
• Significance:
  • It will help to reduce the approval and inspection timeline from approximately 12 months to about 3 to 4 months.
  • It will play a critical role in ensuring timely completion of RoBs and Railway Bridges, strengthening infrastructure delivery and enhancing connectivity across the country.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2245278&reg=3&lang=1

Answer: a

Explanation:

Recently, the Telangana govt has taken up the rehabilitation and relocation of tribal families living in the Amrabad Tiger Reserve as part of its efforts to balance the development of tribal families with wildlife conservation.

• Location: It is located in the Nallamala hills of the Eastern Ghats in Telangana state.
• It was originally part of the larger Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve before the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in 2014.
• Terrain: The reserve is renowned for its rugged terrain, deep valleys, and dense forests.
• Rivers: The Krishna River and its perennial streams originating within the reserve contribute to the water supply of major reservoirs such as the Srishailam Dam and Nagarjunsagar Dam.
• Tribal Community: The Chenchu tribe is one of the major tribal communities that live in the ATR.
• Flora: 
  • Amrabad is characterized by dry deciduous forests, primarily made up of sal, teak, bamboo, and acacia trees. 
  • The forest is rich in medicinal plants and shrubs, which have long been used by local tribes for traditional remedies.
• Fauna: It is home to leopards and wild cats, along with herbivores like sambar deer, chital (spotted deer), nilgai (blue bull), wild boar, and the Indian bison (gaur). 

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/telangana-govt-begins-rehabilitation-of-417-tribal-families-from-amrabad-tiger-reserve/articleshow/129810206.cms

Answer: b

Explanation:

Recently, Israel said that its military would take control of southern Lebanon up to the Litani River to create a “security zone”.

• Location: It is situated on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea in Western Asia.
• Borders: It is bounded in the northern and eastern parts by Syria; in the southern part by Israel; in the western part by the Mediterranean Sea.
• The country shares its maritime borders with Cyprus.
• Capital City: Beirut
• Geographical Features of Lebanon:
  • Climate: Its Mediterranean climate brings mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers.
  • Mountains: Its major mountains are Lebanon Mountains (Jabal Lubnan), Hermon Ranges.
  • Highest Peak: The highest point of Lebanon is Qurnat as Sawda’ which peaks at 10,128 ft. (3,087 m) in the Lebanon Mountains.
  • Major Valley: Bekaa (Al-Biqa)
  • River: The Litani the most significant river which irrigates the heart of the fertile Bekaa Valley.
  • Natural Resources: Lebanon has various mineral products which include limestone, gypsum, oil, natural gas, and salt. Other important commodities include semiprecious gemstones.
  • Economy: Services, including banking and tourism, are Lebanon’s most important economic activities.

Hence only statements 1 and 3 are correct.

News: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/forward-defensive-line-israel-says-it-will-control-south-lebanon-up-to-litani-river-to-create-a-security-zone/articleshow/129780771.cms