Pratidin

UPSC current affairs quiz, 5 September 2026

24 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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Supreme Court asks States to raise district judges' retirement age from 60 to 62

  1. With reference to the subordinate judiciary in India, consider the following statements:
    1. Appointments, postings and promotions of district judges are made by the Governor of the State in consultation with the High Court.
    2. The control over district courts and courts subordinate to them is vested in the High Court.
    3. The retirement age of district judges is fixed by Article 217 of the Constitution.
    Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

    Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only. Statement 1 is Article 233. Statement 2 is Article 235. Statement 3 is wrong: Article 217 fixes the retirement age of High Court judges (62); the age of district judges is set by State service rules, which is why the Supreme Court asked States to amend their rules.

  2. Consider the following statements about the Supreme Court's order of 1 September 2026:
    1. It directed seven States to raise the retirement age of judicial officers to 62.
    2. The extension is automatic and requires no assessment.
    3. The remaining States and UTs were given two weeks to reconsider.
    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. 2 is wrong: the extension is subject to a suitability assessment by the High Court at 60. 3 is correct. So two statements are correct.

  3. Consider the following statements:
    Statement-I: The Supreme Court rejected the argument that raising judicial officers' retirement age would force States to do the same for all government employees.
    Statement-II: The Supreme Court has held that judicial service is not 'employment' in the ordinary sense and judges are not employees.
    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 are correct. The Court rejected the parity worry precisely because, as held in 1993, judges hold sovereign judicial office and are not employees. Statement-II explains Statement-I.

  4. Consider the following pairs:
    1. Article 124 : Retirement age of Supreme Court judges
    2. Article 217 : Retirement age of High Court judges
    3. Article 233 : Appointment of district judges
    4. Article 235 : Control of High Court over subordinate courts
    How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

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

    Answer: (d) All four. All four are correctly matched: Article 124(2) (65 years), Article 217(1) (62 years), Article 233 (Governor in consultation with the High Court) and Article 235 (High Court control).

  5. Which one of the following raised the retirement age of judicial officers from 58 to 60?

    1. The Shetty Commission in 1999
    2. The Supreme Court in the All India Judges Association case of 1991
    3. The 15th Amendment to the Constitution
    4. The Law Commission's 14th Report
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) The Supreme Court in the All India Judges Association case of 1991. The Supreme Court's 1991 judgment in All India Judges Association raised the age to 60. The 15th Amendment (1963) raised the High Court judges' age from 60 to 62, not district judges'. The Shetty Commission recommended 62, which the Court did not accept in 2002.

  6. Consider the following statements:
    1. Officers who retired on or after 31 March 2026 in the seven States may rejoin, subject to conditions.
    2. The order will take effect only after Parliament amends the Constitution.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    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, if they have not taken other employment and surrender retirement benefits, subject to assessment. 2 is wrong: the change is made by amending State service rules; no constitutional amendment is needed.

GSLV-F17 launches EOS-05, India's first imaging satellite for geosynchronous orbit

  1. With reference to EOS-05, launched by ISRO in September 2026, consider the following statements:
    1. It was launched by a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.
    2. It is meant to operate from a geosynchronous orbit.
    3. It carries hyperspectral imagers in addition to a multispectral camera.
    Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

    Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only. 1 is wrong: it was launched by GSLV-F17. 2 is correct: it will be raised to geosynchronous orbit. 3 is correct: it has a six-channel multispectral VNIR camera and two hyperspectral imagers (VNIR and SWIR).

  2. Consider the following statements about geosynchronous orbits:
    1. A satellite in geosynchronous orbit completes one revolution in about one day.
    2. Every geosynchronous orbit is also geostationary.
    3. Geosynchronous satellites orbit at about 36,000 km altitude.
    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: its period equals one sidereal day. 2 is wrong: only a circular geosynchronous orbit over the Equator with zero inclination is geostationary. 3 is correct: about 35,786 km. Two statements are correct.

  3. Consider the following statements:
    Statement-I: A geosynchronous imaging satellite can observe the same region many times an hour.
    Statement-II: A geosynchronous satellite's orbital period matches Earth's rotation, so it stays over roughly the same region.
    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 are correct and II explains I: because the satellite keeps pace with Earth, it keeps the same region in view, allowing EOS-05 to image selected areas every five minutes.

  4. Consider the following statements about EOS-05:
    1. Its finest resolution is 42 metres.
    2. It carries a 256-channel short-wave infrared hyperspectral imager.
    3. It was placed directly in its final orbit by the rocket.
    4. It is India's first imaging satellite for geosynchronous orbit.
    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, 2 and 4 are correct. 3 is wrong: the rocket placed it in a sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit; the satellite raises itself to the final orbit using its own engine. Three statements are correct.

  5. The cryogenic stage of the GSLV uses which of the following propellant combinations?

    1. Liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen
    2. Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene and ammonium perchlorate
    3. Unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide
    4. Kerosene and liquid oxygen
    Show answer

    Answer: (a) Liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. Cryogenic stages burn liquid hydrogen with liquid oxygen, both stored at very low temperatures. HTPB with ammonium perchlorate is a solid propellant; a UDMH-based fuel with N2O4 is used in the Vikas engine; kerosene and liquid oxygen is semi-cryogenic.

  6. Consider the following statements:
    1. Hyperspectral imaging records reflected light in many narrow, contiguous wavelength bands.
    2. A higher number of spectral channels always means finer spatial resolution.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    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. 2 is wrong: on EOS-05 the 6-channel camera sees 42 m while the 158-channel imager sees 318 m; splitting light into more bands usually costs spatial detail.

As India revises its Model BIT, an op-ed seeks consultation and Parliament's scrutiny

  1. With reference to India's 2015 Model Bilateral Investment Treaty, consider the following statements:
    1. It requires a foreign investor to pursue remedies in domestic courts for a period before starting international arbitration.
    2. It includes a most-favoured-nation clause.
    3. It excludes taxation measures from its scope.
    Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

    Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only. 1 is correct: five years under the 2015 model. 2 is wrong: the model omits MFN, which investors had used (as in White Industries) to import better terms from other treaties. 3 is correct: taxation is carved out.

  2. Consider the following statements about India's 2015 Model BIT:
    1. It requires investors to exhaust local remedies for five years before arbitration.
    2. It includes an MFN clause.
    3. It excludes taxation measures.
    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 and 3 are correct. 2 is wrong: the model omits MFN. Two statements are correct.

  3. Consider the following statements:
    Statement-I: India terminated most of its older bilateral investment treaties after 2015.
    Statement-II: India had faced a series of investor claims under its older treaties, beginning with the White Industries award of 2011.
    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 are correct and II explains I: the arbitration losses and claims pushed India to adopt a stricter model and end treaties that did not match it.

  4. Consider the following countries:
    1. Belarus
    2. Kyrgyzstan
    3. Brazil
    4. Uzbekistan
    How many of the above countries have signed an investment treaty with India after it adopted the 2015 Model BIT?

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

    Answer: (d) All four. All four, along with Taiwan, signed investment treaties with India after 2015 (Brazil's is called an Investment Cooperation and Facilitation Treaty).

  5. In India, the power to negotiate and ratify international treaties rests with:

    1. Parliament, through a resolution of both Houses
    2. The Union executive
    3. The President acting on the advice of the Chief Justice
    4. The Inter-State Council
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) The Union executive. Treaty-making is an executive function of the Union (Article 73, read with Entry 14 of the Union List). Parliament comes in when legislation is needed under Article 253.

  6. Consider the following statements:
    1. Investor-state dispute settlement lets a foreign investor bring a claim directly against the host State before an international tribunal.
    2. Only the investor's home government can start a claim under a BIT.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    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: ISDS gives investors direct standing. 2 is wrong: that describes State-to-State dispute settlement, which BITs also contain, but ISDS lets the investor act on its own.

Mecca defence pact prompts a call for India to add a security role in the Gulf

  1. Consider the following pairs:
    1. Strait of Hormuz : Connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman
    2. Bab-el-Mandeb : Connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden
    3. Strait of Hormuz : Separates Yemen from Djibouti
    Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

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

    Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only. Pairs 1 and 2 are correct. Pair 3 is wrong: Bab-el-Mandeb separates Yemen from Djibouti and Eritrea; Hormuz lies between Iran and Oman.

  2. Consider the following countries:
    1. Saudi Arabia
    2. Türkiye
    3. Pakistan
    4. United Arab Emirates
    How many of the above signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August 2026?

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

    Answer: (c) Only three. Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan signed it. The UAE is not a party. Three are correct.

  3. Consider the following statements:
    Statement-I: The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement treats an armed attack on any member as an attack on all members.
    Statement-II: The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement is a formal NATO partnership arrangement.
    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: (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect. Statement-I is correct: that is its collective defence clause. Statement-II is wrong: it is modelled on the idea of NATO's Article 5 but has nothing to do with NATO.

  4. Consider the following groupings or initiatives:
    1. I2U2
    2. India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor
    3. Operation Sankalp
    How many of the above involve India?

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

    Answer: (c) All three. All three involve India: I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE, US), IMEC (announced at the G20 in New Delhi, 2023) and Operation Sankalp (Indian Navy, since 2019).

  5. The Strait of Hormuz lies between which two countries?

    1. Iran and Oman
    2. Yemen and Djibouti
    3. Saudi Arabia and Egypt
    4. Iraq and Kuwait
    Show answer

    Answer: (a) Iran and Oman. Hormuz lies between Iran to the north and Oman's Musandam peninsula to the south, linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. Yemen and Djibouti flank Bab-el-Mandeb.

  6. Consider the following statements about the Hindu lead article of 5 September 2026:
    1. It recommends that India join the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement.
    2. It recommends flexible minilateral security partnerships with the UAE, Israel and Saudi Arabia.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

    Answer: (b) 2 only. 1 is wrong: the article does not suggest joining the pact, and it prefers flexible arrangements over alliances. 2 is correct.