The Indian Express Daily Quiz 7 October 2026: 20 MCQs with Authentic UPSC PYQs & Solutions
🏛️ UPSC PRELIMS DAILY PRACTICE PORTAL 🗓️ 7 October 2026

The Indian Express Daily Editorial Quiz (10 Topics • 20 MCQs)

Master 10 high-yield editorial themes with paired Expected Current Affairs MCQs immediately followed by authentic Official UPSC CSE Past Year Questions (PYQs).

📌 10 Paired Editorial Topics Covered Today:
1. BrahMos Fire-Control Systems & Buy (Indian-IDDM) 2. Integrated Transport and Logistics Authority (ITLA) 3. ₹10,000-Crore SME Growth Fund & Patient Capital 4. Andhra Pradesh Drought & Agriculture Resilience 5. Indian Seafarers, Strait of Hormuz & Maritime Law 6. UPI, Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) & DPI Rails 7. Ebola Virus Disease & Cross-Border Health Security 8. Data-Centre Expansion & Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) 9. Secondary Sanctions, Geoeconomics & UNCLOS 10. Higher U.S. Bond Yields & India's Macro Resilience
Correct: 0
Wrong: 0
Score: 0/20
Q1 Expected MCQ
Topic 1: BrahMos Fire-Control Systems & DAP
With reference to the 'Buy (Indian-IDDM)' procurement category under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP), consider the following statements:
1.It refers to products that are indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured.
2.It is accorded the highest priority among all capital procurement categories in the DAP.
3.Products under this category require a minimum of 50% Indigenous Content (IC) if designed indigenously.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A
1 and 2 only
B
1, 2 and 3
C
2 and 3 only
D
1 and 3 only
Correct Answer: B (1, 2 and 3)

Under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP), 'Buy (Indian-IDDM)' stands for Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured. It is accorded topmost priority among all capital procurement categories to drive self-reliance.

💡 UPSC Prelims Booster: DAP 2020 prioritizes procurements in this order: Buy (Indian-IDDM) > Buy (Indian) > Buy & Make (Indian) > Buy (Global - Manufacture in India) > Buy (Global).
Q2 UPSC CSE PYQ
UPSC CSE PYQ: Missile Systems
With reference to the Agni and BrahMos missiles, consider the following statements:
1.Agni is a surface-to-surface ballistic missile, whereas BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile.
2.BrahMos can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land-based mobile launchers.
3.Unlike Agni, BrahMos is powered exclusively by a solid propellant rocket throughout its flight.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A
1 and 2 only
B
2 and 3 only
C
1 only
D
1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: A (1 and 2 only)

Statement 3 is incorrect because BrahMos operates on a two-stage propulsion system: a solid propellant booster motor in the first stage and a liquid ramjet engine in the second cruise stage.

💡 UPSC Prelims Booster: Cruise missiles fly at low altitudes within the Earth's atmosphere with continuous thrust, while ballistic missiles follow a parabolic sub-orbital trajectory.
Q3 Expected MCQ
Topic 2: Integrated Transport and Logistics Authority (ITLA)
Consider the following statements regarding the newly approved Integrated Transport and Logistics Authority (ITLA):
1.It acts as an apex body for integrated multimodal transport planning with a master plan horizon of at least 10 years.
2.It is empowered to technically appraise and monitor major Union infrastructure projects of ₹500 crore or more.
3.A National Transport Data Repository will be established under it, integrating data from FASTag, Vahan, and e-way bills.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A
1 and 2 only
B
2 and 3 only
C
1 and 3 only
D
1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: D (1, 2 and 3)

All three statements are correct. ITLA ensures unified planning across roads, railways, ports, airports, and inland waterways, reducing logistics costs and infrastructure bottlenecks.

💡 UPSC Prelims Booster: ITLA handles technical appraisal only; financial approvals continue under existing Ministry of Finance / PIB mechanisms.
Q4 UPSC CSE PYQ
UPSC CSE PYQ: Infrastructure & Planning
With reference to the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, consider the following statements:
1.It aims to provide multimodal connectivity infrastructure to various economic zones across India.
2.It incorporates the infrastructure schemes of various Ministries and State Governments like Bharatmala, Sagarmala, and inland waterways.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A
1 only
B
2 only
C
Both 1 and 2
D
Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: C (Both 1 and 2)

Both statements are correct. PM GatiShakti leverages GIS-based planning to break ministerial silos and synchronize logistical connectivity.

💡 UPSC Prelims Booster: GatiShakti is driven by 7 engines: Roads, Railways, Airports, Ports, Mass Transport, Waterways, and Logistics Infrastructure.
Q5 Expected MCQ
Topic 3: ₹10,000-Crore SME Growth Fund
With reference to the ₹10,000-Crore SME Growth Fund, consider the following statements:
1.It is designed to provide long-term equity support (patient capital) rather than conventional debt financing.
2.The fund commitment is routed through an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) structure.
3.It primarily targets manufacturing SMEs in Tier-II and Tier-III industrial clusters.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A
1 and 2 only
B
2 and 3 only
C
1 and 3 only
D
1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: D (1, 2 and 3)

All three statements are correct. Patient capital provides equity without the regular repayment pressure of debt, enabling MSMEs to invest in R&D, automation, and global scale.

💡 UPSC Prelims Booster: In India, MSMEs account for approximately 30% of GDP and nearly 45% of total manufacturing exports.
Q6 UPSC CSE PYQ
UPSC CSE PYQ: Financial Regulators
In India, which of the following regulatory authorities is responsible for the regulation and registration of 'Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs)'?
Select the correct authority:
A
Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
B
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI)
C
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
D
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA)
Correct Answer: C (SEBI)

SEBI regulates AIFs under the SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012, categorized into Category I (Venture Capital, SME funds), Category II (Private Equity, Real Estate), and Category III (Hedge funds).

💡 UPSC Prelims Booster: Angel funds and Social Venture Funds fall under Category I AIFs.
Q7 Expected MCQ
Topic 4: Drought Classification & Indicators
Consider the following pairs regarding types of drought:
1.Meteorological Drought: Significant deficit in rainfall compared to the long-period average over an area.
2.Agricultural Drought: Inadequate soil moisture leading to crop wilting and harvest failure.
3.Hydrological Drought: Marked depletion of water levels in surface reservoirs, streams, and aquifers.
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
A
Only one pair
B
Only two pairs
C
All three pairs
D
None of the pairs
Correct Answer: C (All three pairs)

All three definitions are officially recognized in the Manual for Drought Management (Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare).

💡 UPSC Prelims Booster: IMD classifies rainfall deficit between 26% and 50% as Moderate Drought, and greater than 50% as Severe Drought.
Q8 UPSC CSE PYQ
UPSC CSE PYQ: Disaster Management
In India, which of the following authorities has the statutory responsibility for officially declaring drought and notifying affected areas?
Select the correct option:
A
Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt of India
B
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
C
Respective State Government
D
Central Water Commission (CWC)
Correct Answer: C (Respective State Government)

Under India's constitutional setup, agriculture and disaster relief are primarily State subjects; State Governments make the official drought declaration based on scientific triggers.

💡 UPSC Prelims Booster: Relief assistance from NDRF is provided by the Central Government after receiving a memorandum from the State Government.
Q9 Expected MCQ
Topic 5: Strait of Hormuz & Commercial Shipping
Which of the following bodies of water are directly connected by the strategically vital 'Strait of Hormuz'?
Select the correct pair:
A
Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
B
Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea
C
Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
D
Persian Gulf and Red Sea
Correct Answer: C (Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman)

The Strait of Hormuz is located between Iran and Oman/UAE, linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

💡 UPSC Prelims Booster: Bab-el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden; Bosporus and Dardanelles connect the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea.
Q10 UPSC CSE PYQ
UPSC CSE PYQ: Global Chokepoints
Consider the following pairs of straits and water bodies:
1.Strait of Malacca: Andaman Sea and South China Sea
2.Bab-el-Mandeb: Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
3.Strait of Hormuz: Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
A
Only one pair
B
Only two pairs
C
All three pairs
D
None
Correct Answer: C (All three pairs)

All three pairs are correctly matched. These straits are the primary maritime choke points for international crude oil and container logistics.

💡 UPSC Prelims Booster: More than 80% of India's crude oil imports transit through one of these strategic maritime passages.
Q11 Expected MCQ
Topic 6: Digital Payments & Merchant Discount Rate (MDR)
What does the term 'Merchant Discount Rate (MDR)' refer to in digital payment ecosystems?
Select the correct statement:
A
Cashback discount offered by merchants to consumers
B
Annual subsidy provided by RBI to fintech platforms
C
Tax incentive given on point-of-sale machines
D
Fee charged to merchants by payment service providers for processing digital transactions
Correct Answer: D

MDR is paid by merchants to acquiring banks and payment networks for facilitating digital transactions. Under current Indian regulations, a zero-MDR policy applies to UPI and RuPay debit cards.

Q12 UPSC CSE PYQ
UPSC CSE PYQ: National Payments Corporation of India
Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the 'National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)'?
1.NPCI was created by the RBI and the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
2.It is registered as a 'Not for Profit' company under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013.
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A
1 only
B
2 only
C
Both 1 and 2
D
Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: C (Both 1 and 2)

NPCI is the umbrella organization for operating retail payment systems in India, registered as a Section 8 non-profit company.

Q13 Expected MCQ
Topic 7: Ebola Virus Disease & Cross-Border Health
Regarding Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), consider the following statements:
1.It spreads through direct contact with blood or body fluids of infected persons.
2.The incubation period of the virus can extend from 2 to 21 days.
3.'Ring vaccination' is a strategy used to vaccinate contacts and primary contacts of detected cases.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A
1 and 2 only
B
2 and 3 only
C
1 and 3 only
D
1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: D (1, 2 and 3)

EVD is not airborne; it spreads through direct contact with infectious bodily fluids.

Q14 UPSC CSE PYQ
UPSC CSE PYQ: Communicable Diseases
Which of the following diseases can be transmitted from animals to humans (zoonotic)?
1.Ebola Virus Disease
2.Rabies
3.Nipah Virus
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A
1 and 2 only
B
2 and 3 only
C
1 and 3 only
D
1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: D (1, 2 and 3)

All three diseases are classic zoonoses transmitted from animal hosts (bats, mammals, dogs) to humans.

Q15 Expected MCQ
Topic 8: Data-Centre Expansion & Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE)
The metric 'Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE)' is widely used in the technology sector to measure:
Select the correct option:
A
Energy efficiency of data center facilities
B
Solar photovoltaic conversion efficiency
C
Electric vehicle battery range
D
Subsea internet cable bandwidth loss
Correct Answer: A

PUE = Total Facility Energy / IT Equipment Energy. A lower ratio closer to 1.0 represents optimal cooling and power efficiency.

Q16 UPSC CSE PYQ
UPSC CSE PYQ: Cyber Security Architecture
In modern information security architecture, what is the core tenet of 'Zero-Trust Architecture'?
Select the best description:
A
Trusting all employees within corporate local networks
B
Banning cloud computing across all state departments
C
Never trust, always verify: continuous authentication for every user and device accessing network assets
D
Disabling firewalls to maximize transfer speeds
Correct Answer: C

Zero Trust operates on explicit verification, least privileged access, and assuming breach conditions.

Q17 Expected MCQ
Topic 9: Secondary Sanctions & Extraterritoriality
In international law and sanctions regimes, what are 'Secondary Sanctions'?
Select the correct definition:
A
Sanctions imposed on intermediate raw agricultural produce
B
Economic penalties imposed on third-country entities doing business with a primary targeted state
C
Mandatory resolutions passed by the UN General Assembly
D
Tariffs on imports of second-hand electronic goods
Correct Answer: B

Secondary sanctions exert extraterritorial leverage by penalizing non-domestic companies that deal with sanctioned nations (e.g. US Helms-Burton Act or CAATSA).

Q18 UPSC CSE PYQ
UPSC CSE PYQ: UNCLOS & Maritime Zones
With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), consider the following statements:
1.A coastal State has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles.
2.Ships of all States, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
3.The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extends up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A
1 and 2 only
B
2 and 3 only
C
1 and 3 only
D
1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: D (1, 2 and 3)

All three statements are fundamental provisions under UNCLOS 1982.

Q19 Expected MCQ
Topic 10: Bond Yield Dynamics & Imported Inflation
Which of the following statements correctly describes the fundamental relationship between bond prices and bond yields?
Select the correct option:
A
Bond prices and yields move in the same direction
B
Bond prices and bond yields are inversely related: when bond prices rise, yields fall
C
Bond yields remain constant irrespective of central bank policy rates
D
Bond yield is determined solely by stock market volatility
Correct Answer: B

Bond price and yield have an inverse relationship because the fixed interest payment becomes a smaller fraction of a higher purchasing price.

Q20 UPSC CSE PYQ
UPSC CSE PYQ: Global Capital Flows & Rupee Depreciation
An increase in the interest rates/yields on US Treasury securities generally results in which of the following for emerging economies like India?
1.Outflow of Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) capital.
2.Depreciation pressure on the Indian Rupee against the US Dollar.
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A
1 only
B
2 only
C
Both 1 and 2
D
Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: C (Both 1 and 2)

Higher yields in safe US Treasuries draw foreign capital away from emerging markets, placing depreciation pressure on local currencies.

Indian Express Daily Quiz
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