Daily UPSC Prelims Quiz (October 10, 2026): 5 High-Yield MCQs & Explanations

Daily UPSC Prelims Quiz (October 10, 2026): 5 High-Yield MCQs & Explanations

Daily UPSC Prelims Quiz: 5 High-Yield Questions with Detailed Explanations (October 10, 2026)

Test your knowledge with today's UPSC Prelims practice questions derived from today's top newspaper editorials. Attempt each question before reading the explanation and trap alerts.

Question 1: BRICS and West Asian Geopolitics

Context: Consider the following statements regarding the BRICS grouping and its engagement with West Asia:

  1. The BRICS expansion is governed by a formal, legally binding treaty that mandates automatic membership for all G20 nations upon application.
  2. India’s strategic approach in West Asia, within the BRICS framework, emphasizes the "Look West" policy to balance ties between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Iran.
  3. The New Development Bank (NDB), established by BRICS, is restricted solely to funding projects within member nations.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

ЁЯСЙ Click to Reveal Answer & Detailed Explanation

Correct Answer: (b)

Detailed Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect; BRICS expansion is based on consensus and invitation, not a binding treaty for G20 nations. Statement 2 is correct; India utilizes forums like BRICS to maintain a delicate balance in West Asia. Statement 3 is incorrect; the NDB has expanded its membership to include non-BRICS countries (e.g., Bangladesh, UAE, Egypt, Uruguay).

⚠️ UPSC Prelims Trap Alert: UPSC often frames "automatic membership" or "legally binding" clauses for flexible international forums like BRICS to trap aspirants. BRICS is an informal grouping.

Syllabus Match: GS Paper 2 - Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India.

Question 2: Space Governance and Weapons

Context: With increasing concerns regarding 'on-orbit' space control weapons, consider the following statements regarding international space law:

  1. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty (OST) explicitly prohibits the placement of all types of weapons, including conventional missiles, in Earth's orbit.
  2. The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) is the primary body responsible for reviewing the legal regime governing space activities.
  3. The Moon Agreement (1979) has achieved near-universal ratification, making its provisions on space resource exploitation binding on all space-faring nations.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

ЁЯСЙ Click to Reveal Answer & Detailed Explanation

Correct Answer: (b)

Detailed Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect; the OST prohibits WMDs (Weapons of Mass Destruction) in orbit, but does not explicitly ban conventional weapons. Statement 2 is correct; COPUOS is the UN body for this. Statement 3 is incorrect; the Moon Agreement has very few ratifications and is not considered a success in space law.

⚠️ UPSC Prelims Trap Alert: The "All types of weapons" phrasing is a classic extreme statement. Always differentiate between 'WMDs' (banned) and 'Conventional Weapons' (gray area) in space law.

Syllabus Match: GS Paper 2 - International Relations / GS Paper 3 - Awareness in the fields of Space.

Question 3: Excess Liquidity and Monetary Policy

Context: Regarding the management of excess liquidity in the Indian banking system, consider the following statements:

  1. Excess liquidity in the banking system typically exerts downward pressure on the market interest rates.
  2. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) utilizes the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) as a primary tool to absorb excess liquidity from the market.
  3. Open Market Operations (OMO) involving the sale of government securities are an effective method to drain liquidity from the system.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

ЁЯСЙ Click to Reveal Answer & Detailed Explanation

Correct Answer: (b)

Detailed Explanation: Statement 1 is correct; surplus liquidity leads to lower short-term interest rates. Statement 2 is incorrect; MSF is a window for banks to *borrow* from the RBI, not absorb excess liquidity. The Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) or Reverse Repo are used to absorb liquidity. Statement 3 is correct; selling G-secs absorbs liquidity.

⚠️ UPSC Prelims Trap Alert: Do not confuse "liquidity absorption" (SDF/Reverse Repo) with "liquidity injection" (MSF/Repo). UPSC often swaps these functions.

Syllabus Match: GS Paper 3 - Indian Economy (Banking and Monetary Policy).

Question 4: Carbon Credits Trading Scheme (CCTS)

Context: With the recent updates to India's Carbon Credits Trading Scheme (CCTS), consider the following statements:

  1. The CCTS is notified under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
  2. The scheme aims to create a domestic carbon market to incentivize the transition to low-carbon technologies.
  3. Under the current framework, carbon credits generated can be freely traded in international markets without any government oversight or verification.

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

ЁЯСЙ Click to Reveal Answer & Detailed Explanation

Correct Answer: (a)

Detailed Explanation: Statement 1 is correct; the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022 empowers the government to establish CCTS. Statement 2 is correct; this is the primary objective. Statement 3 is incorrect; the scheme involves strict verification and government oversight, and international trading is subject to specific regulations to prevent 'double counting'.

⚠️ UPSC Prelims Trap Alert: Watch out for the word "freely". Carbon markets are highly regulated to ensure environmental integrity and prevent double counting (under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement).

Syllabus Match: GS Paper 3 - Environment and Economy.

Question 5: Urbanisation and Migration

Context: Regarding global patterns of migration and rapid urbanisation, consider the following statements:

  1. "Counter-urbanisation" refers to the process where people move from urban areas to rural areas, often driven by technological connectivity and lifestyle changes.
  2. The Global Compact for Migration is a legally binding international treaty ratified by all UN member states.
  3. Rapid urbanisation in developing nations is often characterized by the growth of the informal sector and urban sprawl.

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

ЁЯСЙ Click to Reveal Answer & Detailed Explanation

Correct Answer: (c)

Detailed Explanation: Statement 1 is correct; this is a recognized demographic shift. Statement 2 is incorrect; the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) is a *non-binding* framework. Statement 3 is correct; informal economies and unplanned sprawl are hallmark challenges of rapid urbanization in the Global South.

⚠️ UPSC Prelims Trap Alert: UPSC loves to test whether international agreements (like the Global Compacts) are "legally binding" or "non-binding". Most of these soft-law instruments are non-binding.

Syllabus Match: GS Paper 1 - Urbanisation, their problems and their remedies / Population and associated issues.

Prelims Revision Flashcards

  • BRICS: Operates on consensus; expansion is by invitation; NDB is the primary multilateral development bank associated with the grouping.
  • Space Law: The Outer Space Treaty (1967) prohibits WMDs in orbit; COPUOS is the primary UN body for space governance.
  • Liquidity Management: RBI uses SDF and Reverse Repo to absorb liquidity; Repo and MSF are used to inject liquidity.
  • CCTS: Anchored in the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 (as amended in 2022); aimed at India's Net Zero targets.
  • Migration: Counter-urbanisation is a trend in developed economies; Global Compacts (Migration/Refugees) are non-binding.

Conclusion

How did you fare in today's quiz? A score of 4/5 or above indicates strong conceptual clarity. Post your score in the comments below, and let us know which topic you would like us to cover in tomorrow's deep-dive analysis!

ЁЯПЫ️ Official Government & Policy Updates (PIB Gazette Connect)

Key national initiatives, Cabinet & Ministry releases aligned with GS-2 and GS-3:

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