1. With reference to the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) approved in 2026, consider the following statements:
1. Eligibility includes cities with ≥10 lakh popu-lation, all State/UT capitals, industrial cities with >1 lakh population, and smaller/hilly/NE ULBs via a credit guarantee window.
2. The scheme follows a financing model of 50% Central assistance, 25% State/ULB share, and 25% market finance.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
2. With reference to the Critical Minerals in the Indian context, consider the following statements:
1. They are minerals that are essential for eco-nomic development and national security but face a high risk of supply chain disrup-tion.
2. The Ministry of Mines has the authority to conduct auctions for these minerals under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
3. Examples of critical minerals include lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements, and iron ore.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
3. Which of the following best describes the ‘Primary Deficit’ in the context of a Union Budget?
(a) The difference between Total Expenditure and Total Receipts excluding borrowings.
(b) The excess of Revenue Expenditure over Revenue Receipts.
(c) The Fiscal Deficit of the current year minus the interest payments on previous borrowings.
(d) The total amount of market borrowings required by the government in a financial year.
4. With reference to Tuberculosis (TB), consider the following statements:
1. It is a viral infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other organs such as the kidneys and spine.
2. The disease is transmitted through contam-inated water and food consumption in over-crowded urban areas.
3. Under the National TB Elimination Pro-gramme (NTEP), India has set a target to eliminate the disease by 2030.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) None of the above
5. Consider the following statements about the National Flag of India:
1. It was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 22 July 1947.
2. The Flag Code of India, 2002 allows citizens to hoist the flag on all days.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither1 nor 2
6. With reference to the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana (BHAVYA), consider the following statements:
1. It aims to develop “future-ready” industrial parks integrated with the PM GatiShakti programme.
2. The scheme provides for the development of industrial parks ranging between 10 to 100 acres.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
7. With reference to the election of members to the Rajya Sabha, consider the following statements:
1. Members are elected by the elected mem-bers of the Legislative Assemblies of the States in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.
2. The Constitution mandates that the elec-tion must be held through a secret ballot to ensure the independence of the voters.
3. A person must be a registered parliamentary elector in the specific state from which they are seeking election to the Rajya Sabha.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
8. Consider the following pairs regarding India-China border trade routes:
Trade Route Location
1. Lipulekh Pass Uttarakhand
2. Nathu La Pass Arunachal Pradesh
3. Shipki La Pass Himachal Pradesh
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
9. Which of the following best describes the primary mechanism of GLP-1 receptor agonists like Semaglutide in managing obesity and diabetes?
(a) Accelerating gastric emptying to reduce meal duration
(b) Stimulating glucagon release from the liver
(c) Enhancing insulin secretion in response to high glucose while suppressing appetite
(d) Inhibiting insulin production to prevent hy-poglycemia
10. Consider the following statements regarding the RELIEF Scheme:
1. It provides credit insurance cover to exporters affected by disruptions in West Asia.
2. It ensures insurance premiums at reduced rates compared to pre-conflict levels.
3. It focuses particularly on supporting MSMEs.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
ANSWERS for Daily Current Affairs Prelims Practice (23-03-2026):
1. Answer: (a)
2. Answer: (b)
3. Answer: (c)
4. Answer: (d)
5. Answer: (c)
6. Answer: (a)
7. Answer: (a)
8. Answer: (b)
9. Answer: (c)
10. Answer: (b)
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