Pratidin

UPSC current affairs quiz, 3 September 2026

18 Prelims-style questions on the day's news, in the formats UPSC uses (statement-based, How many, Statement-I and II), each with the answer and an explanation. Try each one before you open the answer.

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UNEP says 1.5°C will be crossed and maps an 'overshoot, peak and decline' path

  1. With reference to the report 'Limiting Overshoot' released in September 2026, consider the following statements:
    1. It was released by the United Nations Environment Programme.
    2. It proposes an 'overshoot, peak and decline' pathway.
    3. It projects that warming will peak below 1.5°C if all current commitments are delivered.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 1 and 2 only
    3. 2 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only. UNEP released the report and proposes the 'overshoot, peak and decline' pathway. Statement 3 is wrong: even the best case peaks at about 1.8°C.

  2. Consider the following statements about UNEP's 'Limiting Overshoot' report:
    1. It says exceeding 1.5°C of warming is now widely assessed as unavoidable.
    2. It treats carbon dioxide removal as a substitute for rapid emission cuts.
    3. It says mitigation and adaptation must advance together.
    How many of the statements given above are correct?

    1. Only one
    2. Only two
    3. All three
    4. None
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) Only two. 1 is correct: the report states that exceedance of 1.5°C is now widely assessed as unavoidable. 2 is incorrect: UNEP says removal is not a substitute for rapid emission reduction. 3 is correct: it is one of the report's key messages. So two statements are correct.

  3. Consider the following:
    1. Afforestation
    2. Soil management that stores carbon
    3. Direct air capture with storage
    4. Capturing CO2 at a factory chimney before it reaches the air
    How many of the above remove carbon dioxide already present in the atmosphere?

    1. Only one
    2. Only two
    3. Only three
    4. All four
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) Only three. 1, 2 and 3 take CO2 out of the air: afforestation and soil management are conventional removal, and direct air capture is novel removal. 4 is capture at source; it stops new emissions but does not remove CO2 already in the atmosphere. So three are correct.

  4. Consider the following statements:
    Statement-I: UNEP wants any overshoot above 1.5°C to be as short as possible, not merely as small as possible.
    Statement-II: The likelihood of crossing irreversible tipping points increases with both the magnitude and the duration of warming.
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
    2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
    3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
    4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
    Show answer

    Answer: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I. Statement-I is correct: UNEP stresses both the peak and the duration of exceedance, and Guterres asked that the overshoot be 'as small and short as possible'. Statement-II is correct and is the reason: the risk of tipping points grows with how high and how long temperatures stay above 1.5°C.

  5. With reference to the Paris Agreement, which of the following statements is/are correct?
    1. Its temperature goal refers to long-term warming, not the temperature of a single year.
    2. It fixes a binding temperature limit for each country separately.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Show answer

    Answer: (a) 1 only. 1 is correct: the 1.5°C and 2°C goals concern long-term global average warming, so one year above 1.5°C, such as 2024, is not a formal breach. 2 is incorrect: the goal is collective; each country sets its own nationally determined contribution.

  6. In the 'overshoot, peak and decline' pathway, what is needed to bring global temperatures back down after they peak?

    1. Reaching net-zero CO2 emissions alone
    2. Sustained net-negative CO2 emissions
    3. Halting the use of coal only
    4. Planting trees only in the tropics
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) Sustained net-negative CO2 emissions. Net-zero CO2 stops further warming from CO2 but does not reverse it. Bringing temperatures down requires removing more CO2 than is emitted, that is, sustained net-negative emissions supported by carbon dioxide removal.

Supreme Court ties Bar Council of India's policy decisions to the AG and SG

  1. With reference to the Bar Council of India, consider the following statements:
    1. It is a statutory body constituted under the Advocates Act, 1961.
    2. The Attorney General of India and the Solicitor General of India are its ex officio members.
    3. Its Chairman is appointed by the Chief Justice of India.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 1 and 2 only
    3. 2 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only. Statements 1 and 2 follow from Section 4 of the Advocates Act, 1961. Statement 3 is wrong: the Chairman and Vice-Chairman are elected by the Council itself.

  2. Consider the following statements about the Bar Council of India:
    1. It is constituted under the Advocates Act, 1961.
    2. The Attorney General of India is its ex officio member.
    3. Its Chairman is nominated by the Chief Justice of India.
    How many of the statements given above are correct?

    1. Only one
    2. Only two
    3. All three
    4. None
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) Only two. 1 is correct: Section 4 of the Advocates Act, 1961 constitutes the BCI. 2 is correct: the Attorney General and the Solicitor General are ex officio members. 3 is incorrect: the Chairman and Vice-Chairman are elected by the Council itself. So two statements are correct.

  3. Consider the following statements about the Attorney General of India:
    1. The office is created by Article 76 of the Constitution.
    2. The Attorney General has a right of audience in all courts in India.
    3. The Attorney General may speak in either House of Parliament and may vote there.
    4. The Attorney General holds office during the pleasure of the President.
    How many of the statements given above are correct?

    1. Only one
    2. Only two
    3. Only three
    4. All four
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) Only three. 1 is correct: Article 76 creates the office. 2 is correct: Article 76(3) gives a right of audience in all courts in India. 3 is incorrect: Article 88 lets the Attorney General speak and take part in proceedings of either House, but not vote. 4 is correct: the Attorney General holds office during the pleasure of the President. So three statements are correct.

  4. Consider the following statements:
    Statement-I: In September 2026 the Supreme Court required the Attorney General and the Solicitor General to be actively associated with every policy decision of the Bar Council of India.
    Statement-II: Both the Attorney General and the Solicitor General are ex officio members of the Bar Council of India under the Advocates Act, 1961.
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
    2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
    3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
    4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
    Show answer

    Answer: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I. Statement-I is correct: the Bench led by CJI Surya Kant recorded this on 2 September 2026. Statement-II is correct: Section 4 of the Advocates Act makes both law officers ex officio members. Statement-II explains Statement-I, because the Court used members whom the statute already places on the BCI as an interim check, rather than bringing in outsiders.

  5. With reference to State Bar Councils, which of the following statements is/are correct?
    1. They admit persons as advocates on their roll.
    2. Each State Bar Council elects one of its members to the Bar Council of India.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2. 1 is correct: enrolment of advocates is a core function of State Bar Councils under the Advocates Act. 2 is correct: under Section 4, each State Bar Council elects one member from among its members to the BCI.

  6. Under the Supreme Court's order of 8 December 2025, what share of seats in State Bar Councils is to be held by women?

    1. 10%
    2. 20%
    3. 30%
    4. 33%
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) 30%. The Court ordered that 30% of seats be held by women. In the current round, 20% are to be filled by election and 10% by co-option, which is why the September 2026 timetable begins with the co-option of women members.

RBI's special forex swap window draws $136.38 billion, led by FCNR(B) deposits

  1. Consider the following statements about the Reserve Bank of India's special forex swap facility of 2026:
    1. Banks sold dollars raised through FCNR(B) deposits to the RBI and received rupees.
    2. The window for FCNR(B) deposits remains open till December 2026.
    3. FCNR(B) deposits accounted for more than 90% of the inflows reported till 31 August 2026.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only. Statement 1 describes the swap. Statement 2 is wrong: the FCNR(B) window closed on 31 August 2026; only the ECB and OFCB windows run till 31 December. Statement 3 is right: $127.23 billion of $136.38 billion is about 93%.

  2. Consider the following statements about the RBI's special USD-INR swap facility of 2026:
    1. It opened on 8 June 2026.
    2. The FCNR(B) window closed on 31 August 2026.
    3. External commercial borrowings brought in more money than FCNR(B) deposits.
    How many of the statements given above are correct?

    1. Only one
    2. Only two
    3. All three
    4. None
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) Only two. 1 is correct: the facility opened on 8 June 2026. 2 is correct: the FCNR(B) window closed on 31 August, a month earlier than planned. 3 is incorrect: FCNR(B) deposits brought in $127.23 billion against $3.89 billion through ECBs. So two statements are correct.

  3. Consider the following statements:
    1. FCNR(B) deposits are held in foreign currency.
    2. In an NRE account, the depositor bears the exchange-rate risk.
    3. In an FCNR(B) deposit, the depositor bears the exchange-rate risk.
    4. FCNR(B) deposits can be held for up to five years.
    How many of the statements given above are correct?

    1. Only one
    2. Only two
    3. Only three
    4. All four
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) Only three. 1 is correct. 2 is correct: NRE balances are in rupees, so a falling rupee hurts the depositor. 3 is incorrect: in FCNR(B) the bank bears the exchange-rate risk because it repays in the same currency. 4 is correct: the term is one to five years. So three statements are correct.

  4. Consider the following statements:
    Statement-I: Under the 2026 swap facility, banks could offer more attractive rates on FCNR(B) deposits.
    Statement-II: Under the facility, the RBI bore the cost of hedging the currency risk on the swapped funds.
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
    2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
    3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
    4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
    Show answer

    Answer: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I. Both statements are correct, and Statement-II explains Statement-I: with the RBI absorbing the hedging cost, banks' cost of raising foreign currency deposits fell, so they could pay depositors more.

  5. Which of the following are components of India's foreign exchange reserves?
    1. Foreign currency assets
    2. Gold
    3. Special Drawing Rights
    4. Reserve tranche position in the IMF
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    1. 1 and 2 only
    2. 1, 2 and 3 only
    3. 2, 3 and 4 only
    4. 1, 2, 3 and 4
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4. India's reserves consist of all four: foreign currency assets (the largest part), gold, SDRs and the reserve tranche position in the IMF.

  6. In a buy/sell foreign exchange swap between the RBI and a bank, the RBI:

    1. buys dollars permanently and never sells them back
    2. buys dollars now and agrees to sell them back on a fixed future date
    3. lends rupees to the bank against government securities
    4. sells gold to the bank in exchange for dollars
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) buys dollars now and agrees to sell them back on a fixed future date. A buy/sell swap is two linked trades: the RBI buys dollars today and agrees to sell them back later at terms fixed today. That is why the dollars raised under the 2026 window must eventually be returned.