1. Consider the following Nordic countries:
1. Norway
2. Sweden
3. Finland
4. Denmark
5. Iceland
Which of the above are collectively referred to as the Nordic countries?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
2. With reference to Svalbard, consider the following statements:
1. Svalbard is an archipelago located in the Arctic Ocean, north of mainland Norway.
2. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is located on this archipelago.
3. The Indian research station “Himadri” is located at Ny-Ålesund in Svalbard.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
3. In the context of international disease outbreaks, why does WHO often advise against blanket border closures?
(a) Because border closures are prohibited under international law in all circumstances.
(b) Because they may disrupt aid, surveillance, contact tracing and movement of essential medical supplies.
(c) Because diseases like Ebola cannot cross international borders.
(d) Because WHO has no role in advising countries on travel and health measures.
4. The Netherlands is a member of which of the following?
1. European Union
2. NATO
3. Schengen Area
4. Eurozone
5. OECD
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
(c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
5. Consider the following pairs:
| Energy Storage System | Basic Principle |
| 1. Pumped hydro storage | Pumping water to a higher reservoir and releasing it through turbines |
| 2. Battery energy storage | Storing electricity through electrochemical reactions |
| 3. Flywheel storage | Storing energy as rotational kinetic energy |
| 4. Gravity storage | Using compressed hydrogen as the main storage medium |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
6. With reference to copper plate inscriptions in ancient and medieval India, consider the following statements:
1. They were often used to record land grants, tax exemptions and royal donations.
2. They are useful sources for reconstructing revenue systems, village administration and royal genealogy.
3. The famous copper plate inscriptions are prominently associated with the Chola period, particularly the reigns of Rajaraja Chola I and Rajendra Chola I.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 3
7. Consider the following statements:
Statement I: Nalanda University was established during the reign of Kumaragupta I of the Gupta dynasty.
Statement II: Nalanda University was a major centre of learning for Buddhist studies as well as subjects like medicine, astronomy, and mathematics.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, and Statement II explains Statement I
(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, but Statement II does not explain Statement I
(c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect
(d) Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct
8. With reference to Captagon, consider the following statements:
1. It is associated with synthetic stimulant drugs.
2. It is generally linked to amphetamine-type substances.
3. It is a naturally occurring opioid obtained from poppy plants.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
9. With reference to the recently developed carbon-free analogue of ferrocene, consider the following statements:
1. It expands the idea of sandwich compounds beyond traditional carbon-based ring systems.
2. In this analogue, boron rings were used in-stead of carbon-based rings.
3. Osmium, a transition metal, was involved in the compound.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
10. Operation RAGEPILL, recently seen in the news, is best associated with which of the following?
(a) Anti-narcotics operation targeting drug trafficking networks
(b) Military operation against insurgents in Northeast India
(c) Cybersecurity initiative to combat digital fraud
(d) Public health campaign against synthetic drug abuse
ANSWERS for Daily Current Affairs Prelims Practice (18-04-2026):
1. Answer: D
2. Answer: D
3. Answer: B
4. Answer: D
5. Answer: C
6. Answer: C
7. Answer: B
8. Answer: A
9. Answer: D
10. Answer: A
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