UPSC current affairs quiz, 31 October 2026

With reference to the World Bank's global poverty lines updated in June 2025, consider the following pairs:
1. International (extreme) poverty line : USD 3.00 per person per day
2. Lower-middle-income line : USD 4.20 per person per day
3. Upper-middle-income line : USD 6.85 per person per day
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

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

Consider the following statements about the World Bank's October 2026 Poverty and Equity Brief for India:
1. Poverty at the USD 4.20 a day line fell from 57.7% in 2011 to 16.1% in 2023.
2. Extreme poverty at USD 3.00 a day fell to 2.6% in 2023.
3. The brief found that real earnings of workers rose sharply over the period.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: The World Bank's poverty lines changed in June 2025 even though no country's poverty changed on that day.
Statement-II: The World Bank moved from 2017 to 2021 purchasing power parity prices, which changed the dollar value of its lines.
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

According to the World Bank's October 2026 brief, which of the following were drivers of India's poverty decline?
1. Strong growth in household consumption
2. Rising employment, especially among women
3. Social transfers, including food subsidies
4. Rising real earnings in high-productivity jobs
How many of the above are cited as drivers?

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

Which of the following statements about multidimensional poverty in India is/are correct?
1. OPHI's Multidimensional Poverty Index for India fell from 53.8% in 2005-06 to 16.4% in 2019-21.
2. The World Bank's own multidimensional poverty measure for India was 15.5% in 2022-23.
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

The World Bank's October 2026 brief projects poverty at the USD 4.20 a day line in India to be about what level by 2028?

1. 2.6%
2. 12.1%
3. 16.1%
4. 27.1%

With reference to Census 2027, consider the following statements:
1. The reference date for population enumeration in most States is 00:00 hours on 1 March 2027.
2. Census 2027 will enumerate caste for the first time since the 1931 Census.
3. The census is conducted under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008.
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

Consider the following statements about the Census 2027 schedule notified on 30 October 2026:
1. Self-enumeration will be open from 10 to 24 January 2027.
2. The revisional round will run from 1 to 5 March 2027.
3. Manipur will be enumerated along with the four poll-bound States from 1 December 2026.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: Ladakh and the snow-bound areas of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir were enumerated in September 2026, ahead of the rest of India.
Statement-II: Winter snow makes these areas hard to reach in January and February.
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

Consider the following about the Census Act, 1948:
1. It is a permanent law, so a fresh Act is not needed for each census.
2. Section 15 makes individual census records confidential and inadmissible as evidence.
3. Section 8 requires people to answer census questions truthfully.
4. It vests the conduct of the census in the Election Commission of India.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Which of the following are new in Census 2027 compared with Census 2011?
1. Caste enumeration for all communities
2. Collection of data through a mobile application
3. Questions on digital literacy and the number of bank accounts
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

The freeze on readjusting seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies lasts until the first census taken after which year?

1. 2011
2. 2021
3. 2026
4. 2031

Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, sexual intercourse obtained by deceitful means, including a false promise to marry, is dealt with under which section?

1. Section 28
2. Section 63
3. Section 69
4. Section 90

Consider the following statements about the Supreme Court's ruling of 30 October 2026:
1. It discharged the accused of rape and cheating charges.
2. It held that a man's withdrawal from a relationship by itself amounts to deception.
3. It said that converting every soured consensual relationship into a rape accusation dilutes the gravity of the offence.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: Consent obtained by a false promise to marry, made with no intention of keeping it, may not be valid consent.
Statement-II: Consent given under a misconception of fact is not valid consent under the criminal law.
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

Consider the following pairs of IPC and BNS provisions:
1. IPC section 375 : BNS section 63
2. IPC section 90 : BNS section 28
3. IPC section 375 : BNS section 69
4. BNS section 69 : intercourse by deceitful means
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

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

In the case decided by the Supreme Court on 30 October 2026, the complainant alleged that the accused had:

1. Used force to obtain consent
2. Concealed a subsisting marriage and married her
3. Promised her government employment
4. Impersonated another man

With reference to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It came into force on 1 July 2024.
2. Its section 69 provides a maximum punishment of ten years for intercourse obtained by deceitful means.
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

Under the Code on Social Security, 2020, the contribution of an aggregator towards social security of gig and platform workers is:

1. 0.5% to 1% of annual turnover, with no cap
2. 1% to 2% of annual turnover, capped at 5% of amounts paid or payable to gig and platform workers
3. 2% to 5% of annual profit
4. A fixed amount per worker notified by the State Government

Consider the following statements about the National Social Security Board notified in October 2026:
1. It is chaired by the Union Minister for Labour and Employment.
2. It must meet at least three times a year.
3. Its notification launched a new cash benefit for gig workers.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: The National Social Security Board has a different membership when it deals with gig and platform workers.
Statement-II: Section 114(6) of the Code on Social Security, 2020 adds representatives of aggregators and of gig and platform workers when the Board acts for them.
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

Which of the following are functions of the National Social Security Board?
1. Recommending schemes for unorganised, gig and platform workers
2. Monitoring centrally administered welfare schemes for them
3. Reviewing expenditure from the social security fund and account
4. Adjudicating disputes between aggregators and workers
How many of the above are functions of the Board?

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

Under the Social Security (Central) Rules, 2026, a gig worker working for several aggregators qualifies for benefits after how many days of work in the previous financial year?

1. 60 days
2. 90 days
3. 120 days
4. 180 days

Which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. The Code on Social Security, 2020 consolidates nine earlier social security laws.
2. The four labour codes came into force on 21 November 2025.
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

Consider the following statements about the Centre's finances in April to September 2026:
1. The fiscal deficit was 42.1% of the full-year Budget Estimate.
2. The full-year fiscal deficit target for 2026-27 is 4.3% of GDP.
3. The fiscal deficit for the period was lower in absolute terms than in April to September 2025.
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

Consider the following statements about the Centre's accounts for April to September 2026:
1. Net tax revenue reached 44.5% of the Budget Estimate.
2. Total expenditure reached 47.7% of the Budget Estimate.
3. The fiscal deficit reached more than half of the full-year target.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: Excise duty collections of the Centre fell sharply in the first half of 2026-27.
Statement-II: Excise duties on petrol and diesel were cut.
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

Consider the following items:
1. Salaries of government employees
2. Interest payments
3. Construction of a national highway
4. Food and fertiliser subsidies
How many of the above are revenue expenditure of the Union Government?

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

The fiscal deficit of the Union Government is best defined as:

1. Revenue expenditure minus revenue receipts
2. Total expenditure minus total receipts other than borrowings
3. Fiscal deficit minus interest payments
4. Total expenditure minus tax revenue

Which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. The Centre's fiscal deficit target for 2026-27 is 4.3% of GDP.
2. The Centre achieved its 2025-26 fiscal deficit target of 4.4% of GDP.
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