UPSC Daily Quiz 4 November 2026

Answer: a

Explanation:

Indian Navy’s stealth frigate INS Sahyadri successfully wrapped up its participation in the India–Republic of Korea Navy (IN–RoKN) Bilateral Exercise off the coast of Busan recently.

About INS Sahyadri:

• INS Sahyadri (F49) is an indigenously built multi-role guided missile stealth frigate of the Indian Navy.
• It is the third and final ship of the Shivalik Class stealth frigates, which was built by Mazagon Dock Ltd in Mumbai under Project 17.
  • The other two ships built under Project 17 were INS Shivalik (F47) and INS Satpura (F48).
  • They were India’s first indigenously designed stealth frigates.

●       INS Sahyadri was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 21st, 2012.

• It is a member of the Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy, which is located in Visakhapatnam.
• Features:
  • It is 468 feet in length and 55 feet in breadth.
  • It has a displacement capacity of 6,800 tons.
  • It is propelled by two gas turbine engines, which enable her to generate speeds in excess of 30 knots (or over 55 kmph), and two diesel engines for normal cruising speeds.
  • It is equipped with cutting-edge weapons and sensors, enabling her to identify and eliminate threats from the air, the surface, and the subsurface.
  • It can be equipped with BrahMos anti-ship missiles, Anti-submarine rocket launchers, Barak-1 missiles, and Shtil-1 3S90M missiles.
  • It is equipped with advanced electronic warfare capabilities and torpedoes to detect and neutralise enemy submarines.
  • It can carry two helicopters-a mix of Dhruv, Sea King, or Kamov-onboard for various missions.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News:https://pragativadi.com/ins-sahyadri-concludes-india-south-korea-naval-exercise-in-busan/

Answer: c

Explanation:

The Supreme Court recently declined to examine the merits of a challenge concerning the revised boundaries of the Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan.

About Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary:

• It is located in the Jaipur district of Rajasthan.
• It’s a small sanctuary covering an area of approximately 52.40 sq. km.
• It is situated in the Aravalli range.
• It is named after Nahargarh Fort, a historic fort built in the 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur.
• It connects ecologically with other forest areas like the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.
• Within the sanctuary is the Nahargarh Biological Park, which covers 720 hectares and focuses on conservation, including species like Bengal tigers, Asiatic lions, and sloth bears.
• The sanctuary features rugged terrain with hills, valleys, and seasonal streams.
• Flora:
  • The sanctuary contains Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests and Tropical Thorn Forests.
  • Major trees include dhok, babool, khejri, and ber.
• Fauna:
  • Common species include the Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, Chinkara (state animal), Indian Wolf, Sloth Bear, Caracal, etc.
  • It’s a haven for birdwatchers, with a variety of species, including the Great Indian Bustard (state bird), Sarus Crane, peacocks, owls, and eagles.
  • It is also home to reptiles like Indian rock pythons, monitor lizards, and amphibians like frogs and toads.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

News:https://indialegallive.com/constitutional-law-news/courts-news/nahargarh-wildlife-sanctuary-boundary-dispute-supreme-court-asks-activist-to-pursue-challenge-to-revised-map-before-rajasthan-high-court/

Answer: d

Explanation:

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully test-fired an indigenous Pralay quasi-ballistic missile from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, off the Odisha coast, recently.

About Pralay Missile:

• It is an indigenously developed short-range, surface-to-surface quasi-ballistic missile.
• It has been developed by the Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, in collaboration with several DRDO laboratories and Indian industry partners.
• Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited are among the industrial partners involved in its production and system integration.
• The missile is optimised to destroy command centres, air defence sites, logistics hubs, and airbases.
• Features:
  • It is powered by a solid-propellant rocket motor, allowing it to remain in a ready-to-launch state for extended periods.
  • It can also be launched from mobile platforms, offering greater operational flexibility.
  • It can carry multiple types of warheads against various targets. It has a payload capacity of 500-1,000 kg.
  • It has an operational range of up to 500 kilometres.
  • It reaches terminal speeds of Mach 6.1.
  • It is equipped with guidance systems that provide a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of less than 10 meters.
  • Unlike conventional ballistic missiles, which generally follow a predictable trajectory, a quasi-ballistic missile can fly at a relatively lower altitude and maneuver during its flight.
  • These mid-course and terminal-phase manoeuvres make it more challenging for enemy radar and missile defence systems to track and intercept.

Hence both statements are not correct.

News: https://newsonair.gov.in/drdo-successfully-tests-surface-to-surface-quasi-ballistic-missile-pralay-from-chandipur-in-odisha/

Answer: b

Explanation:

The union Defence minister recently addressed the Delhi Defence Dialogue 2026, organised by the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), in New Delhi recently.

About Delhi Defence Dialogue (DDD):

• It is a flagship platform of the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) for addressing the multifaceted challenges of defence and security in India.
• Organised annually, the DDD brings together government officials, military leaders, defence experts, industry representatives, and international delegates to engage in constructive dialogue and exchange ideas.
• The inaugural edition of the DDD was held in 2024.
• The platform is designed to discuss the evolving landscape of international security and defence strategies, with a focus on India’s defence.
• DDD serves as a critical forum for addressing the need for a robust defence strategy that not only addresses immediate threats but also anticipates future challenges.
• DDD 2026:
  • It is the third edition of the dialogue.
  • Location: New Delhi
  • Theme: “Defence Reforms, Aatmanirbharta, Collaborations and Exports”

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

News:

https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Nov/03/rajnath-singh-says-military-technological-preparedness-cannot-be-separate-in-21st-century

Answer: d

Explanation:

A rare white stork was recently spotted at the Okhla Bird Sanctuary, drawing a steady stream of naturalists, ornithologists, and wildlife photographers to the wetlands.

About White Stork:

• It is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae.
• Scientific Name: Ciconia ciconia
• Habitat and Distribution:
  • White storks are found across Europe, Asia Minor, the northern part of Africa, and the Middle East.
  • By the winter months, they migrate into tropical regions of Africa, some parts of the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent.
  • They prefer to feed in grassy meadows, agricultural fields, pastures, steppes, savannas, and shallow wetlands, avoiding areas overgrown with tall grass and shrubs.
  • They fly with their necks outstretched and legs trailing, utilizing soaring to conserve energy.
• Features:
  • When standing, it measures about 95 to 110 centimetres, and it has a wingspan of around 183 to 217 centimetres.
  • The sexes are identical in appearance, except that males are larger than females on average.
  • The white stork is easily recognisable by its white plumage, its black wing and shoulder feathers, as well as its long red bill (measuring 14-19 centimetres), and its red legs.
  • Life span: Up to 40 years.
  • Their diet consists mainly of small animals found in shallow water and fields.
  • White storks are gregarious and non-territorial
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Hence both statements are not correct.

News: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rare-white-stork-spotted-at-okhla-bird-sanctuary-since-nov-1-101793756817823.html

Answer: a

Explanation:

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying announced that the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India, will establish a Centre of Excellence for the conservation and development of the indigenous Siri cattle breed in Sikkim.

About Siri Cattle:

• It is a dual purpose cattle breed.
• Distribution: It is a vital indigenous zebu-derived livestock breed native to the Eastern Himalayan region, primarily found in Sikkim, the Darjeeling hills of West Bengal, and Bhutan.
• It is a small sized draught purpose breed of hilly region of West Bengal and Sikkim.
• The breed is also known as “Trahbum”. 
• Appearance:
  • The breed is either black or brown with white patches, though totally black or brown animals are also available.
  • The hump is cervico-thoracic type with tuft of hair on it.
  • Horns are medium sized and curved outward, forward and slightly upward with sharp and pointed tips.
  • The males are mainly reared for draught purpose in the hilly area and sometimes they are the only source of draught power.
• The breed produces very less amount of milk averaging around 425.8 kg per lactation with fat percentage varying from 2.8 to 5.5%.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2331820&reg=48&lang=1

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, the NITI Aayog launched the ‘India Science and Technology (S&T) Scoreboard.

About India Science and Technology (S&T) Scoreboard:

• It is an interactive data platform aimed at mapping the country’s science and innovation ecosystem across states and Union Territories (UTs).
• It enables policymakers to assess performance, identify gaps and compare their progress with other states.
• It is developed by NITI Aayog’s Science and Technology Division.
• Features
  • Information: It will bring together information on research institutions, publications, patents, start-ups, research funding and state-level policies in one place.
  • National Overview: The platform will provide a national overview of India’s science and technology ecosystem, alongside state-wise profiles and benchmarking.
    • Users will be able to compare any two states or UTs, examine their research output and assess their performance across sectors.
  • Priority Areas: It will also cover 11 priority research areas of national importance, including clean energy, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, critical minerals and agriculture, allowing users to assess research output and compare progress across these sectors.
  • Comprehensive Data: The scoreboard will capture data on central, state and private higher education institutions, R&D laboratories, deep-tech startups, Atal Tinkering Labs, and research funding from central, state and private sources.
  • For patents, the platform will provide information on applications filed, patent strength, research areas and collaboration between states.
  • It will also document state science and technology, startup and innovation policies, along with notable practices that other states can study and adopt.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2332136&reg=48&lang=1

Answer: d

Explanation:

Recently, the central government has launched the indigenous AI foundational models Eka-1, Dhir 2B and Dhir 5B developed by domestic companies with support under the IndiaAI Mission. 

About Eka-1, Dhir 2B and Dhir 5B:

• It is a new AI model developed by Soket Labs Technology and Research.
• Features of Eka-1:
  • It is a powerful Foundation Model featuring 26.3 billion parameters and trained on approximately 7.5 trillion tokens.
  • It demonstrates advanced capabilities, spanning all 22 scheduled Indian languages alongside English.
  • It is built as an open, sparse hybrid language model and is designed for math, code, reasoning, and agentic use.

About Dhir 2B and Dhir 5B:

• These two are open-source models developed by ZenteiQ AiTech Innovations.
• Features:
  • These models can be deployed as secure, on-premise, multilingual assistants supporting English and 10 Indian languages.
  • The models can run on different computing platforms, including GPUs and TPUs.
  • Their lightweight architecture also allows on-device deployment on mobile phones without depending on cloud connectivity,
  • It enable offline-capable, document-grounded automation, knowledge retrieval, and citizen or enterprise services across defence, government, industrial, and educational sectors particularly in low-connectivity or sensitive environments.

Hence option (d) is correct answer.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/indiaai-mission-releases-indigenous-foundation-models-eka-1-dhir-2b-and-dhir-5b/article71663984.ece

Answer: c

Explanation:

The Madras High Court has ordered immediate closure of 87 resorts functioning in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve without obtaining planning permission/building approval from the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP). 

About Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve:

• Location: It is located in the state of Tamil Nadu.
• It is nestled at the junction of the Eastern and the Western Ghats in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
• It is contiguous with the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka), and BR Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary (Karnataka).
• Terrain: The terrain is hilly and undulating with altitude ranging between 750 m and 1649 m.
• Climate: It mainly has subtropical and dry type of climate.
• Rivers: Some of the prominent rivers in the region include the Bhavani, Moyar, and Noyyal rivers.
• Tribal Communities: It is home to several indigenous tribal communities, including the Irula and Kurumba tribes.
• Vegetation: It consists of southern tropical dry thorn forests, mixed deciduous forests, semi-evergreen forests, and riparian forests.
• Flora: It includes teak, sandalwood, bamboo, Terminalia, and Albizia, alongside medicinal plants and shrubs that support both wildlife and local communities.
• Fauna: The major species are Elephant, Tiger, Panther, Sloth bear, Gaur, Black Buck, Spotted deer, Wild boar, Black napped hare, Common langur Nilgiri langur, Striped neck mongoose, and Bonnet macaque.

Hence all statements are correct.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/madras-high-court-orders-immediate-closure-of-87-illegal-resorts-in-sathyamangalam-tiger-reserve/article71660472.ece

Answer: a

Explanation:

Researchers found that Cellophane bee Colletes inaequalis produces a kind of plastic that also degrades within a year.

About Colletes inaequalis:

• It is a solitary, ground-nesting bee belongs to Colletidae family.
• They pollinate red maple, willow, and apple trees.
• Unique Nesting Capacity:
  • These bees line the inner walls of its nest with a transparent, cellophane-like film, earning it the nickname “cellophane bee.”
  • The nest lining of the ground-nesting bee is translucent, flexible, resilient and degrades within a year.
  • This cellophane like film is a flexible, translucent material made from polyester and silk.
  • The material is produced in a specialized gland, called the Dufour’s gland, that is connected to the bee’s stinger.
  • The polyester produced by cellophane bees resembles polyethylene in its molecular packing.

Hence option (a) is correct answer.

News: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/cellophane-bees-produce-a-kind-of-plastic-that-also-degrades-study-finds/article71660428.ece