UPSC current affairs quiz, 4 November 2026

With reference to the Capital Expenditure Support Scheme for Promoting Critical Mineral Processing approved in November 2026, consider the following statements:
1. It provides a capital subsidy of 30% of eligible investment.
2. It will support two lithium and two nickel processing plants.
3. Beneficiaries are chosen on the basis of the highest committed production capacity.
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 critical mineral processing scheme approved in November 2026:
1. It will support four processing plants in all.
2. Incentives are paid in three tranches linked to targets.
3. It provides a capital subsidy of 50% of eligible investment.
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 2026 capex scheme selects its beneficiaries through financial bidding on the capital subsidy sought.
Statement-II: Choosing the applicant who seeks the lowest subsidy limits the cost of the scheme to the government.
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 India's critical minerals policy:
1. The National Critical Mineral Mission was approved by the Cabinet in January 2025.
2. The Mission covers only exploration and mining, not recycling.
3. A ₹1,500 crore recycling incentive scheme was approved in September 2025.
4. KABIL acquired lithium exploration areas in Catamarca, Argentina.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Under the 2026 processing scheme, which of the following end uses is NOT among those the government listed?

1. Electric mobility
2. Battery energy storage systems
3. Specialty steel
4. Nuclear fuel fabrication

Which of the following correctly matches a scheme with its period?
1. Critical mineral processing capex scheme: 2026-27 to 2030-31
2. Critical mineral recycling incentive scheme: 2025-26 to 2030-31
Select the correct answer using the code below.

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

With reference to the India-Bangladesh Ganga Water Treaty of 1996, consider the following statements:
1. It shares the waters of the Ganga at the Farakka Barrage throughout the year.
2. It was concluded for a period of thirty years and is renewable by mutual consent.
3. Disputes not resolved by its Joint Committee are referred to the Indo-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission.
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 Ganga Water Treaty, 1996:
1. It provides for review at five-year intervals.
2. It requires India to release at least 90% of Bangladesh's share if no agreed adjustment is made after a review.
3. It provides for emergency consultations if flow at Farakka falls below 50,000 cusecs in a ten-day 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: India built the Farakka Barrage to divert Ganga water into the Bhagirathi-Hooghly.
Statement-II: The diversion was meant to flush silt from Kolkata harbour and reduce dredging.
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:
1. 1977 agreement: signed by Morarji Desai and Ziaur Rahman
2. 1996 treaty: signed by H.D. Deve Gowda and Sheikh Hasina
3. Joint Rivers Commission: set up in 1996
4. Farakka Barrage: located in Murshidabad district
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

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

Under the Annexure I formula of the 1996 treaty, if the flow at Farakka is 80,000 cusecs, India's share is:

1. 40,000 cusecs
2. 35,000 cusecs
3. 50% of the flow
4. 45,000 cusecs

Which of the following statements about the November 2026 developments is/are correct?
1. The MEA described the Joint Rivers Commission as the structured mechanism for all cross-boundary rivers, including the Ganga.
2. India announced a fixed date for the Bangladesh Prime Minister's visit.
Select the correct answer using the code below.

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

With reference to the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), consider the following statements:
1. It derives its role as the national agency for incident response from the Information Technology Act, 2000.
2. It functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
3. Its 2022 directions require reporting of specified cyber incidents within six hours.
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 CERT-In's access to the Mythos model:
1. IT Ministry sources said CERT-In would deploy the model across all government systems immediately.
2. A MeitY official said the government does not want to put its code on the cloud.
3. The model is available only to a limited group of organisations.
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: Anthropic did not make Claude Mythos Preview generally available.
Statement-II: The model's ability to find and exploit software vulnerabilities could be misused if widely released.
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 CERT-In's 28 April 2022 directions:
1. They require reporting of cyber incidents within six hours.
2. They require clock synchronisation with NIC or NPL time servers.
3. They impose extra duties on VPN service providers.
4. They were issued under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Which one of the following best describes 'dual-use' in the context of AI vulnerability-finding models?

1. They can run both on cloud and on local servers
2. The same capability can help defenders patch flaws and help attackers exploit them
3. They serve both civilian and military users under one licence
4. They can analyse both text and images

Which of the following regulators was cited in November 2026 as having proposed a draft framework for responsible AI use in its sector?

1. SEBI
2. RBI
3. TRAI
4. IRDAI

With reference to the Protected Area Permit (PAP) and the Inner Line Permit (ILP), consider the following statements:
1. The PAP is required by foreign nationals, while the ILP is required by Indian citizens from other States.
2. The ILP has its origin in the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873.
3. The PAP is issued under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873.
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:
1. The Protected Area Permit is required by Indian citizens visiting Nagaland from other States.
2. The Ministry of Home Affairs reimposed the protected area regime in Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram in December 2024.
3. The Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order was issued under the Foreigners Act, 1946.
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: Nagaland cannot itself withdraw the Protected Area Permit requirement for foreign tourists.
Statement-II: The Inner Line Permit is issued by the State government.
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 States:
1. Arunachal Pradesh
2. Manipur
3. Mizoram
4. Meghalaya
How many of the above have the Inner Line Permit system?

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

The Hornbill Festival is held every year at:

1. Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh
2. Kisama Heritage Village, near Kohima
3. Loktak Lake, Manipur
4. Aizawl, Mizoram

Which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Parts of Sikkim are under protected area and restricted area rules.
2. Parts of Rajasthan are notified as protected areas.
Select the correct answer using the code below.

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

With reference to international climate negotiations, consider the following statements:
1. Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement places the obligation to provide financial resources on developed country Parties.
2. The New Collective Quantified Goal agreed at COP29 sets at least $300 billion a year by 2035 for developing countries.
3. COP31 is being held in Belem, Brazil.
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 India's COP31 priorities:
1. India wants a Climate Finance Work Programme on Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement.
2. India supports new top-down global emission targets for all countries.
3. India wants carbon market participation to remain voluntary.
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: India wants climate finance to be largely public and concessional.
Statement-II: India argues that finance should not add to the debt burden of developing countries.
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 countries:
1. Brazil
2. South Africa
3. India
4. Indonesia
How many of the above are members of the BASIC group?

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

The New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance was agreed at:

1. COP26, Glasgow
2. COP28, Dubai
3. COP29, Baku
4. COP30, Belem

Which of the following did India cite at the UN in October 2026?
1. Reaching 50% non-fossil installed electricity capacity five years ahead of its 2030 target.
2. Support for carbon border adjustment mechanisms as a tool for climate action.
Select the correct answer using the code below.

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