UPSC Daily Quiz 27 January 2026

Answer: b

Explanation:

Researchers exploring the temperate forests of the Indian Himalayas have discovered a previously unknown species of mushroom named Hemileccinum indicum.

About Hemileccinum indicum:

It is a new species of mushroom.

It was found growing among oak trees in the Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand.

It marks the first time the genus Hemileccinum has been documented in India.

To confirm the find, the team performed a multigene molecular phylogenetic analysis, a genetic test that helps map the evolutionary tree of a species.

Features:

Physically, Hemileccinum indicum is a bolete, a type of mushroom that has pores instead of gills under its cap.

It features a wrinkled, violet-brown cap that fades to a leathery brown as it matures, and a pastel yellow pore surface that does not change colour when bruised.

It has tiny, intricate pits on its spores.

These microscopic pinholes and its smooth stem surface distinguish Hemileccinum indicum from its American and Asian relatives, which often have larger, smooth spores or scaly stems.

Ecologically, these mushrooms are ectomycorrhizal, meaning they form a vital symbiotic partnership with the roots of trees, such as the Quercus (oak) species they were found under, helping the forest exchange nutrients and stay healthy.

Hence option b is the correct answer.

News: https://researchmatters.in/news/new-pitted-spore-mushroom-found-himalayas-oak-forests-uttarakhand

Answer: c

Explanation:

The PFRDA recently constituted a committee of Investment Experts for Strategic Asset Allocation and Risk Governance (SAARG) to review, recommend and modernize the investment framework under the NPS.

About Strategic Asset Allocation and Risk Governance (SAARG) Committee:

It is a high-level committee of investment experts to review, recommend, and modernise the investment framework under the National Pension System (NPS).

It was constituted by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).

Objective: Strengthening the long-term investment architecture of NPS by improving diversification, enhancing risk management practices, and expanding investment choices available to subscribers.

SAARG has been tasked with undertaking a comprehensive review of existing NPS investment guidelines for both government and non-government sectors.

The review will include benchmarking India’s pension investment framework with leading global pension systems as well as the evolving domestic investment ecosystem.

The committee will examine a wide range of issues, including strategic asset allocation frameworks, introduction and review of asset classes, performance measurement systems, accountability mechanisms, asset-liability management (ALM) practices, valuation standards for alternative investments, portfolio stability and liquidity optimisation.

Governance structures, intermediary architecture, and integration of sustainability considerations into investment decision-making will also fall within its scope.

The nine-member committee will be chaired by Shri Narayan Ramachandran, former Country Head and CEO of Morgan Stanley India, and comprises eminent experts from the fields of capital markets, asset management and securities law.

The committee shall have a time of 9 months to examine and submit its report to PFRDA with its recommendations.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

News: https://www.cnbctv18.com/personal-finance/pfrda-constitutes-saarg-committee-to-review-and-modernise-nps-investment-framework-ws-l-19830036.htm

Answer: d

Explanation:

Nine workers and engineers working on the bridge across the Mir Alam tank were rescued by the Hyderabad Disaster Management and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) after their boat malfunctioned in the middle of the lake recently.

About Mir Alam Tank:

Mir Alam Tank, located in Hyderabad, Telangana, is a historic reservoir to the south of the Musi river.

It covers an area of approximately 260 acres and has a capacity of 21 million cubic meters of water.

The tank is fed by several streams and springs that flow down from the nearby hills.

It was the primary source of drinking water for Hyderabad before the Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs were built by the last Nizam of Hyderabad between 1913-25.

The tank is adjacent to the Nehru Zoological Park.

History:

The tank was named after Mir Alam Bahadur, then the Prime Minister of Hyderabad during Asaf Jah III’s reign, the third Nizam of Hyderabad state.

Mir Alam Bahadur is believed to have laid the foundation for the tank on July 20, 1804, which was then completed in a period of two years and declared open on June 8, 1806.

Mir Alam had led the forces of Nizam against the battle with Tipu Sultan.

It is believed that Mir Alam built the lake from part of the treasure that he grabbed from Srirangapatna after defeating Tipu Sultan.

The tank was designed by a French engineer and features 21 semi-circular arches, making it an architectural marvel of its time.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/hydraa-rescues-nine-workers-stranded-in-mir-alam-lake/article70551003.ece

Answer: a

Explanation:

Boosting maritime engagement with Indonesia, a key member of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), and advancing the vision of MAHASAGAR, the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS) departed Belawan recently, after a successful three-day port call.

About Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS):

It is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime cooperation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region by providing an open and inclusive forum for discussion of regionally relevant maritime issues.

It promotes maritime cooperation, mutual understanding, and collaboration on issues such as maritime security and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR).

In the process, it endeavours to generate a flow of information between naval professionals that would lead to common understanding and possibly cooperative solutions on the way ahead.

It was conceived by the Indian Navy in 2008.

The inaugural edition of IONS was held in Feb 2008 at New Delhi, with the Indian Navy as the Chair for two years (2008–2010).

IONS is structured around a rotating chairmanship, biennial conclaves of chiefs, and working groups.

There are 36 littoral in the Indian Ocean, which have been geographically grouped into the following four sub-regions:

South Asian Littorals: Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Pakistan, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and United Kingdom (British Indian Ocean Territory)

West Asian Littorals: Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates

East African Littorals: France (Reunion), Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, South Africa, and Tanzania.

South East Asian and Australian Littorals: Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Timor-Leste.

Observers: China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Madagascar, the Netherlands, Russia, and Spain.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News:https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indian-navys-first-training-squadron-departs-belawan-reinforces-maritime-ties-with-indonesia/article70549946.ece

Answer: c

Explanation:

The Tripura Forest Minister recently announced that the state has received over Rs 57 crore for the modernization and further development of the Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary in the Sepahijala district.

About Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary:

It is located around 25 km from Agartala, Tripura.

It is divided into five sections, basically to segregate the different types of animals living here.

They are the carnivore section, primate section, ungulate section, reptile section, and aviary section.

It also has two natural lakes, namely Abasarika and Amrit Sagar.

Clouded Leopard National Park, established in 2007, is a part of SWL.

Vegetation: Moist deciduous forest

Flora:

It has 456 plant species. There are trees of Sal, Chamal, Garjan, and Kanak.

The secondary species consist of Pichla, Kurcha, Awla, Bahera, Hargaja, Amlaki, Bamboos and grasses, are also found here.

Fauna:

It is the habitat of different species of primates like the Rhesus macaque, Pigtailed macaque, Capped langur, Spectacled monkey, Slow loris and several other wild animals like Leopard, Clouded leopard, Jungle fowl, Civets, Barking, Deer, Wild pig, etc.

The crab-eating mongoose (which was last seen in the 1930s) has also been revived here.

The avian population of the sanctuary is also rich, with a variety of winged stork, Whistling teal, and the White ibis.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

News:https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/India/tripura-allocates-rs-57-crore-for-sepahijala-wildlife-sanctuary-modernisation/ar-AA1Ume0v?apiversion=v2&domshim=1&noservercache=1&noservertelemetry=1&batchservertelemetry=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1

Answer: d

Explanation:

 Recently, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) successfully carried out a high-altitude rescue and road restoration operation under Project Sampark at Chatergala Pass.

• Location: It is situated at an altitude of 10,500 ft. in the Bhaderwah–Chatergala axis in Jammu region of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
• It is a high mountain pass that connects Bani in the Kathua district to Bhaderwah in the Doda district. 
• It is tucked in the Chamba-doda ranges of the greater Himalayas.
• Terrain: It is surrounded by alpine meadows, snow-covered peaks, and dense forest
• Fauna: Himalayan monals, ibex, and musk deer are found here.

Hence option (d) is the correct answer.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2218921&reg=3&lang=2

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, the President of India has conferred the Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards-2025 to 30 persons. 

• It is awarded to a person for meritorious act of human nature in saving the life of a person.
• The award is given in three categories, namely,
  • Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak: It is awarded for conspicuous courage in saving life under circumstances of very great danger to the life of the rescuer.
  • Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padam: It is awarded for courage and promptitude in saving life under circumstances of great danger to the life of the rescuer.
  • Jeevan Raksha Padak: It is awarded for courage and promptitude in saving life under circumstances of grave bodily injury to the rescuer.
• Eligibility: Persons of all walks of life are eligible for these awards.  The award can also be conferred posthumously.
• It is presented to the awardees by the respective Union Ministries/Organizations/State Government to which the awardee belongs. 
• Features of Jeevan Raksha Padak Awards:
  • Its nominations are invited annually from States/UTs and Union Ministries.
  • The recommendations of the award are considered by the Awards Committee within a period of two calendar years from the date of performance of the
  • Its final approval is given by the Prime Minister and the President of India.
  • Award: The decoration of the award consists of a Medal, Certificate, along with a one-time monetary allowance: Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak (₹2 lakh), Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padam (₹1.5 lakh) and Jeevan Raksha (₹1 lakh).
  • No other facility/benefit in terms of any concession in Railways, Airfare etc. is provided by the Government.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.newsonair.gov.in/president-murmu-honors-30-individuals-with-jeevan-raksha-padak-awards/

Answer: c

Explanation:

India’s pygmy hog is vanishing from its grasslands, just as it is needed the most.

• It is the smallest and rarest speciesof wild pig in the world.
• It is one of the very few mammalsthat build its own home, or nest, complete with a ‘roof’.
• It is an indicator speciesas its presence reflects the health of its primary habitat.
• Habitat:It prefers undisturbed patches of grassland dominated by early succession riverine communities, typically comprising dense tall grass intermixed with a wide variety of herbs, shrubs and young trees.
• Currently, they survive only in the grasslands of Assam’s Manas and Orang national parks.
• Ecological Role of Pygmy Hog:
  • Using its snout, it digs for roots, tubers, wild fruits, termites, earthworms, eggs and other food sources found in the grasslands.
  • This digging aerates the soil and enhances its quality.
  • It also helps disperse seeds through its dietary and foraging habits.
• Conservation status of Pygmy Hog:
  • IUCN: Critically Endangered
  • The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972:Schedule I

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/a-little-pig-goes-a-long-way

Answer: b

Explanation:

Recently, Kerala officially declared Bacillus subtilis as ‘State microbe’.

• Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) is a type of probiotic (“good” bacteria) found naturally in the human gut.
• It’s also found in fermented foods.
• Characteristics of Bacillus subtilis:
  • It is a spore forming, motile, rod-shaped, Gram-positive, facultative aerobe.
  • It is mostly found in soil and vegetation with an optimal growth temperature from 25-35 degrees Celsius. 
  • subtilis has the ability to produce and secrete antibiotics.
  • The genomic structure of this microorganism contains five signal peptidase genes that are important for the secretion of these antibiotics. 
  • It has shown to be capable of secreting polymyxin, difficidin, subtilin, and mycobacillin.
  • It is used as a model organism for studying endospore formation in bacteria.
  • Endospores of B. subtiliscan tolerate harsh environmental conditions, such as UV exposure and high temperatures.
• Bacillus subtilis Transmission and Disease: subtilis is non-pathogenic but can contaminate food and be considered an opportunistic pathogen among the immuno-compromised.
• Applications Bacillus subtilis:
  • They are used on seeds, vegetables, and plants as a fungicide because of their ability to produce antibiotics. 
  • It inhabits the root system of the plant competing with disease causing organisms.
  • Some B. subtilis strains are capable of producing toxins for insects. These strains are used by farms to protect their crops.
  • subtilis endopores serve as one of the models for evaluating the effectiveness of sporicides and sterilants.

Hence only statements 1 and 3 are correct.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-declares-bacillus-subtilis-state-microbe/article70543855.ece

Answer: a

Explanation:

Recently, during the Republic Day Parade more animals were represented the Indian Army’s Remount and Veterinary Corps.

• It is a specialised Corps of the Indian Army responsible for the breeding, rearing, and training of Army animals, including horses, mules and Army dogs.
• It ensures the operational readiness of these animals for combat, reconnaissance, and logistics and also providing veterinary care and supporting counter-terrorism operations.
• Headquarters: Meerut
• Historical Background of Remount and Veterinary Corps:
  • The RVC is one of the oldest branches of the Indian Army, tracing its foundation to the Stud Department established in Bengal in 1779.
  • It was reorganised — from Army Veterinary Corps (India) in 1920 to Indian Remount and Veterinary Corps in 1950.
  • It was formally established as the Remount and Veterinary Corps in 1960.
• Motto: ‘Pashu Seva Asmakam Dharma (Service to animals is our duty)’.
• Achievements of Remount and Veterinary Corps:
  • It has played a vital role in all conflicts before and after Independence, including the First and Second World Wars.
  • In 1989, it was awarded the President’s Flag for its meritorious service.
  • It is also involved in strengthening military diplomacy by providing horse riding training under the NCC, veterinary assistance in remote areas, participation in United Nations missions and providing trained animals to friendly countries.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/republic-day-animals-contingent-role-army-10494189/