UPSC Daily Quiz 7 March 2026

Answer: b

Explanation:

Health officials in Maryland, United States recently issued an alert after confirming an uptick in mumps cases.

About Mumps:

• It is a contagious disease caused by the mumps virus, which belongs to a group of viruses known as paramyxoviruses.
• It can cause painful swelling in your parotid salivary glands (parotitis).
• Transmission:
  • Humans are the only known host for the mumps virus, which is spread from person to person by drops of moisture from the nose and mouth, such as through sneezing.
  • It is also spread through direct contact with items that have infected saliva on them.
• Mumps occurs worldwide and usually affects children and young adults.
• Incubation period: Typically 16 to 18 days; ranging from 12 to 25 days.
• Symptoms:
  • Face pain
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • Loss of appetite
  • Swelling of the parotid glands (the largest salivary glands, located between the ear and the jaw)
  • Swelling of the temples or jaw (temporomandibular area)
• Normally mumps is a mild, self-limiting disease and disappears without sequelae.
• However, complications may occur, such as encephalitis or sensorineural deafness.
• Orchitis (a painful inflammation of the testes) occurs in 20% of young adult males who develop mumps.
• Treatment: There is no specific treatment for mumps. The various symptoms may be relieved with medicines.
• Prevention:
  • Vaccination is the main preventive measure against mumps.
  • MMR immunization (vaccine) protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.

Hence option b is the correct answer.

News: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/03/05/health/mumps-virus-vaccine-wellness

Answer: a

Explanation:

The Wildlife Wing of the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department recently recorded the presence of sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) in high-altitude protected areas of Chamba district through camera traps for the first time.

About Sambar Deer:

• It is a large deer native to the Indian Subcontinent, southern China and Southeast Asia.
• Scientific Name: Rusa unicolor
• Several races of sambar are recognized, among them the large Indian sambar and the smaller Malayan sambar.
• Habitat and Distribution:
  • They are native to India, Pakistan, Ceylon, Sri Lanka, Burma, the Philippines, southern China, Taiwan, Borneo, Malaysia, Sumatra, and Java.
  • Sambars inhabit both gently sloping and steep forested hillsides.
  • They reside preferably near cultivated areas, such as gardens and plantations, in order to acquire food, but are also found in thick forests, swamp forests, and open scrub.
• Features:
  • A large, relatively long-tailed deer, it stands 1.2–1.4 m (47–55 inches) at the shoulder.
  • It is the largest oriental deer, with some adult males reaching 550 kg in weight.
  • Its body is covered with a hairy coat that is colored yellowish brown to dark gray.
  • Its underside is usually dark or chestnut in color.
  • Its hairs are generally long and more so around the neck particularly in males.
  • It has a long black tail. The underside of this tail is usually white in color.
  • Males have antlers and tend to be heavier and darker. Their antlers can grow up to 42 inches long and have 3 or 4 tines (points) and are shed periodically.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUSN Red List: Vulnerable

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News:https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/sambar-spotted-at-high-altitudes-in-chamba-for-first-time/

Answer: d

Explanation:   

Scientists exploring the Pacific Ocean seafloor have reported the presence of what they describe as “dark oxygen” in an environment where sunlight does not reach.

About Dark Oxygen:

• It is the oxygen that is being produced thousands of feet below the ocean surface, without any light or photosynthesis.
• The phenomenon was first observed in 2013 while studying the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, an area in the Pacific Ocean between Mexico and Hawaii.
• Why is the discovery important?
  • Until now, it was thought that oxygen was created only through photosynthesis, a process that requires sunlight.
  • Oceanic plankton, drifting plants, algae, and some bacteria are the primary elements attributed to the production of oxygen in the ocean. All these organisms are capable of photosynthesis.
  • The production of oxygen at such depths is thought to be impossible because there isn’t enough sunlight for plants to do photosynthesis.
  • However, in this case, oxygen is not being produced by plants.
  • The oxygen comes out of polymetallic nodules that are similar in resemblance to lumps of coal.
  • These nodules, made up of metals like manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, and lithium, produce oxygen without the process of photosynthesis.
  • These nodules generate enough electricity to drive electrolysis, which splits water molecules apart and releases oxygen.
  • The researchers think the same process-battery-powered oxygen production that requires no light and no biological process – could be happening on other moons and planets, creating oxygen-rich environments where life could thrive.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

News:https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/dark-oxygen-discovered-4000-meters-below-the-pacific-ocean-where-sunlight-has-never-reached/articleshow/129031668.cms

Answer: a

Explanation:   

The United States used Precision Strike Missiles (PrSMs) for the first time during its ongoing war with Iran, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said recently.

About Precision Strike Missile (PrSM):

• It is a surface-to-surface guided ballistic missile to strike targets at long distances with high precision.
• It is being developed and manufactured primarily for the US Army by Lockheed Martin (a US aerospace and defence company).
• It entered US service in late 2023.
• Features:
  • It features an open systems architecture and a modular design.
  • It is launched from existing artillery platforms, including the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and the M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).
  • The missile uses solid rocket propellant and advanced navigation systems, including GPS and inertial guidance, to hit targets accurately over long distances, even in challenging weather conditions.
  • It has a range of at least 500 km.
  • It has a hypersonic-class ballistic trajectory that can even be integrated with satellites, drones and radar systems.
  • It is equipped with an Insensitive Munitions (IM) energetic payload, designed to reduce the risk of accidental detonation.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

News:https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/6/what-is-the-prsm-missile-that-the-us-used-for-the-first-time-in-iran

Answer: c

Explanation:

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting recently asked the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to suspend publication of Television Rating Points (TRPs) for TV news channels for four weeks or until further direction.

About Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC):

• It is a joint industry company founded by stakeholder bodies that represent Broadcasters, Advertisers and Advertising & Advertising Agencies.
• It owns and manages a transparent, accurate, and inclusive TV audience measurement system.
• Established in 2010, the BARC has since been the sole body which can measure and publish television audience data in the country.
• It is based in Mumbai, India.

What is Television Rating Point (TRP)?

• It is a metric used to measure the popularity and viewership of television programs.
• The more viewers a program has, the higher its TRP rating.
• It is calculated by measuring the viewership of a particular program over a period of time, usually a week.
• TRP ratings are used by broadcasters and advertisers to determine the popularity of different TV programs.
• According to the TRP of a TV channel or programme, advertisers decide where to display their advertisements, and investors will decide about the investment of the money.

How is TRP Calculated in India?

• In India, TRP is calculated by BARC using “BAR-O-meters”, that are installed in televisions in selected households.
• It uses audio watermark technology to measure viewership of TV channels, and it also measures time-shifted viewing and simulcasts.
• BARC has installed “BAR-O-meters” in over 58,000 impanelled households.
• These gadgets record data about the channel or programme watched by the family members or selected people. This method is called the People meters.
• In this way, some thousand viewers are surveyed in the form of justice and sampling.
• The data is then extrapolated to estimate the viewership of the entire population.
• Another method is known as picture matching, where the people meter records a small portion of the picture that is being watched on the TV.
  • This data is collected from a set of homes in the form of pictures and later on is analysed to calculate the TRPs.
• The BARC releases weekly TRP results every Thursday ranking all TV channels and TV programmes.

Hence both statements are correct.

News:https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/govt-directs-barc-to-immediately-stop-reporting-on-trps-for-tv-news-channels/article70712975.ece

Answer: b

Explanation:

Recently, the Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have urged the inclusion of the striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) in Appendix I and II of the Convention of Migratory Species (CMS) at the upcoming Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP15).

• It is one of four species belonging to the family Hyaenidae.
  • Other three are the Spotted Hyena, the Brown Hyena and the Aardwolf.
• Appearance: It is a bit smaller than the spotted hyenas and has stripes all over their bodies. 
• Habitat: It inhibits in savannas, grasslands, semi-deserts, open woodlands, and mountainous regions.
• Distribution: It is mainly found in South Asia (India, Nepal, Afghanistan), North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Asia, and Central Asia.
• Characteristics of Striped Hyena
  • They are territorial creatures and scent-mark their territorial boundaries as a warning to their rivals.
  • Diet: Striped hyenas are primarily scavengers and eat mainly carrion and human refuse
  • Adult Striped hyena females are dominant over males and aggressive toward other females.
  • The striped hyena is generally considered solitary, but has some social organization.
  • Movements: It exhibits diverse movement patterns including long-distance dispersal events and seasonal or nomadic movements in response to prey availability and environmental conditions.
    • In arid and semi-arid regions, where resources are scarce and patchily distributed, striped hyenas may range widely and crossing international borders in search of food and water.
  • Conservation Status:
    • IUCN: Near Threatened.
    • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

Hence only statements 1 and 3 are correct.

News: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/in-run-up-to-cms-cop15-tajikistan-and-uzbekistan-urge-inclusion-of-striped-hyena-in-appendix-i-and-ii-of-the-convention-of-migratory-species

Answer: c

Explanation:

 Recently, under Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0, Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation has deployed an AI-powered G-SPIDER robot.

• It is an automated canal cleaning robot, created by Genrobotic Innovations.
• It is engineered to operate in complex, high-risk canal environments without any human entry.
• Features of G- SPIDER Robot:
  • Efficient Operation: It is designed to function efficiently even during high water levels and continuous flow conditions.
  • Advanced Technology:
    • It is built on Cable-Driven Parallel Robotics (CDPR) architecture and powered by AI-enabled vision and sensor intelligence.
    • It has five-degrees-of-freedom robotic mechanism, equipped with a biomimetic claw-type grabber, ensures accurate positioning and secure handling of mixed and irregular debris.
    • It enables precise detection, assessment, and removal of accumulated waste.
    • By using advanced machine vision, the system autonomously identifies and adapts to different waste types, flow conditions, and structural challenges in real time.
  • The extracted waste is directly transferred into designated collection vehicles, enabling a fully hands-free and end-to-end canal cleaning process— from detection to safe disposal.
  • Uninterrupted Maintenance: It ensures uninterrupted and consistent maintenance of urban waterways.
  • Safe Waste Extraction: It is capable of safely extracting mixed and hazardous waste—including plastics, sharp debris, and other harmful materials.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2235846&reg=3&lang=2

Answer: c

Explanation:

Recently, the union Minister for Earth Sciences visited the Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plant at Kavaratti in Lakshadweep and reviewed the functioning of desalination facilities. 

• It is a process under which the warm surface sea water is flash evaporated at low pressure and the vapour is condensed with cold deep sea water.
• The LTTD technology does not require any chemical pre and post-treatment of seawater and thus the pollution problems are minimal and suitable for island territories.
• Working Principle:
  • This technique works on the principle that water in the ocean 1,000 or 2,000 feet below is about 4º C to 8º C colder than surface water.
  • So, salty surface water is collected in a tank and subject to high pressure (via an external power source).
  • This pressured water vapourises and this is trapped in tubes or a chamber.
  • Cold water plumbed from the ocean depths is passed over these tubes and the vapour condenses into fresh water and the resulting salt diverted away.
  • It produces potable water without the use of chemical additives or high-pressure membranes.
• Significance: Since no effluent treatment is required, it gives less operational maintenance problems compared to other desalination processes.
• The first LTTD plant in Lakshadweep was commissioned in Kavaratti in 2005.

Hence both statements are correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2236133&reg=3&lang=2

Answer: b

Explanation:

Recently, the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) celebrated the seven-year journey of its flagship initiative, SWAYATT – Startups, Women and Youth Advantage through e-Transactions. 

• It was launched in February 2019.
• It was conceptualised with a clear objective of invigorating participation of women-led enterprises and youth in public procurement.
• Objective: It democratizes government procurement by enabling startups, women entrepreneurs, youth, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), Self Help Groups (SHGs) and last-mile sellers to directly participate in the public procurement ecosystem through Government e-Marketplace.
• It is rooted in GeM’s foundational pillar of social inclusion.
• SWAYATT focuses on addressing three critical challenges often faced by emerging enterprises—access to markets, access to finance and access to value addition.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

News: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2236036&reg=3&lang=1

Answer: d

Explanation:

Recently, in a rare incident a female one-horned rhinoceros was killed by two tigers in Sonaripur forest range of Rhino Rehabilitation Enclosure-I in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR). 

• Location: It is located on the Indo-Nepal border in the district of Lakhimpur-Kheri in Uttar Pradesh.
• It includes the Dudhwa National Park and two nearby sanctuaries, viz. Kishanpur and Katerniaghat.
• Topography: It is a typical Tarai-Bhabar habitat of the upper Gangetic plains biogeographic province.
• Rivers: The Sharda River flows by the Kishanpur WL Sanctuary, the Geruwa River flows through the Katerniaghat WL Sanctuary, and the Suheli and Mohana streams flow in the Dudhwa National Park, all of which are tributaries of the mighty Ghagra River.
• Vegetation: The vegetation is of the North Indian Moist Deciduous type, containing some of the finest examples of Sal forests in India.
• Flora: It mainly consists of Sal Forest along with its associate tree species like Terminalia alata (Asna), Lagerstroemia parviflora (Asidha), Adina cordifolia (Haldu), etc.
• Fauna: Tiger, leopard, Swamp deer, Rhinoceros, chital, hog deer, barking deer, Sambhar, wild boar, and Ratel.
• There are about 400 species of birds in the park, such as the Florican and black-necked storks.

Hence option (d) is the correct answer.

News: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/tiger-kills-rhino-dudhwa-tiger-reserve-rare-wildlife-incident-10567763/