The Indian Express Daily Quiz 8 October 2026: 20 MCQs with Authentic UPSC PYQs & Solutions
🏛️ UPSC PRELIMS DAILY PRACTICE PORTAL 🗓️ 8 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. Unauthorised GM Cotton Hybrids & GEAC Regulations 2. WHO Guidelines on Childhood Obesity & GLP-1 Drugs 3. Black Sea Commercial Attacks & Turkish Straits 4. Detention vs Arrest (BNSS) & Article 22 Safeguards 5. Constituent Assembly & Election Commission Appointments 6. WWF Living Planet Report 2026 & Biodiversity Loss 7. RBI Monetary Policy Pivot & Inflation Targeting 8. Nobel Prize in Physics & IceCube Neutrino Astronomy 9. RBI Rural Consumer Sentiment Survey & Indices 10. Interoperability of Account Aggregators (AAs) & DPI
Correct: 0
Wrong: 0
Score: 0/20
Q1 Expected MCQ
Topic 1: Unauthorised GM Cotton Hybrids
With reference to Genetically Modified (GM) cotton cultivation in India, consider the following statements:
1.India has legally approved only insect-resistant Bt cotton carrying cry1Ac and cry2Ab genes for commercial cultivation.
2.Herbicide-Tolerant Bt (HtBt) cotton containing the cp4-epsps gene has received commercial approval from the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).
3.The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A
1 and 2 only
B
1 and 3 only
C
2 and 3 only
D
1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: B (1 and 3 only)

Statement 2 is incorrect because Herbicide-Tolerant (HtBt) cotton has NOT been approved by GEAC for commercial cultivation in India; its presence in fields is illegal and unauthorized.

💡 UPSC Prelims Booster: Bt cotton is the ONLY GM crop officially approved for commercial cultivation in India (approved in 2002). GM Mustard (DMH-11) has received environmental release approval.
Q2 UPSC CSE PYQ
UPSC CSE PYQ: Environmental Legislation
The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is constituted under the:
Select the correct Act:
A
Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
B
Geographical Indications of Goods Act, 1999
C
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
D
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
Correct Answer: C (Environment (Protection) Act, 1986)

GEAC is notified under Rules 1989 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for appraisal of activities involving large-scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants.

Q3 Expected MCQ
Topic 2: Childhood Obesity & GLP-1 Analogues
With reference to the WHO guidelines on managing childhood obesity and GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs, consider the following statements:
1.GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic an incretin hormone that enhances insulin secretion and slows gastric emptying to regulate appetite.
2.WHO strongly recommends bariatric surgery and pharmacotherapy as the primary first-line intervention for all children with overweight.
3.'Double burden of malnutrition' refers to the coexistence of undernutrition alongside overweight and obesity within the same population.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A
1 and 2 only
B
1 and 3 only
C
2 and 3 only
D
1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: B (1 and 3 only)

Statement 2 is incorrect because WHO cautions against pharmacotherapy and surgery for young children, prioritizing diet, physical activity, and behavioral changes as the first line of defense.

Q4 UPSC CSE PYQ
UPSC CSE PYQ: Public Health & Nutrition
In the context of public health in India, what does the 'Double Burden of Malnutrition' signify?
Select the most accurate statement:
A
Deficiency of both carbohydrates and proteins among rural adults
B
Coexistence of undernutrition (stunting/wasting) along with overweight/obesity and non-communicable diseases
C
High healthcare costs borne by both state and central governments
D
High prevalence of communicable diseases in both urban and rural settings
Correct Answer: B

The double burden of malnutrition is characterized by the coexistence of undernutrition alongside overweight and obesity, or diet-related noncommunicable diseases, within individuals, households, and populations.

Q5 Expected MCQ
Topic 3: Black Sea Geography & Turkish Straits
The Black Sea connects to the Mediterranean Sea through which of the following straits and maritime passages?
1.Bosporus Strait
2.Sea of Marmara
3.Dardanelles Strait
Select the correct sequential maritime passage from north to south:
A
1 → 3 → 2
B
1 → 2 → 3 (Bosporus → Marmara → Dardanelles)
C
3 → 2 → 1
D
2 → 1 → 3
Correct Answer: B (1 → 2 → 3)

A vessel leaving the Black Sea enters the Bosporus Strait, passes the Sea of Marmara, traverses the Dardanelles Strait into the Aegean Sea, and enters the Mediterranean.

Q6 UPSC CSE PYQ
UPSC CSE PYQ: Black Sea Bordering Nations
Which of the following countries have coastlines bordering the Black Sea?
1.Turkey
2.Bulgaria
3.Syria
4.Georgia
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A
1, 2 and 3 only
B
1, 2 and 4 only
C
2, 3 and 4 only
D
1, 2, 3 and 4
Correct Answer: B (1, 2 and 4 only)

The 6 countries bordering the Black Sea are: Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania. Syria borders the Mediterranean Sea.

Q7 Expected MCQ
Topic 4: Detention vs Arrest & BNSS Provisions
With reference to preventive powers under criminal procedure and constitutional safeguards in India, consider the following statements:
1.Under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), police are empowered to arrest a person to prevent the commission of a cognizable offence without an order from a Magistrate.
2.Article 22(2) of the Constitution mandates that every person arrested must be produced before the nearest magistrate within 24 hours.
3.Constitutional safeguards under Article 22(1) and 22(2) are equally available to persons detained under preventive detention laws.
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: A (1 and 2 only)

Statement 3 is incorrect because Article 22(3) explicitly states that the safeguards of clauses (1) and (2) (right to be informed of grounds, consult a lawyer, 24-hr magistrate production) do NOT apply to persons arrested under preventive detention laws.

Q8 UPSC CSE PYQ
UPSC CSE PYQ: Indian Constitution & Article 22
According to the Constitution of India, a person arrested and detained in custody shall be produced before the nearest magistrate within a period of:
Select the correct duration:
A
12 hours excluding journey time
B
24 hours excluding journey time
C
48 hours
D
7 days
Correct Answer: B

Article 22(2) provides that no person shall be detained in custody beyond 24 hours without the authority of a magistrate, excluding the time necessary for the journey.

Q9 Expected MCQ
Topic 5: Election Commission of India Appointment
With reference to the Election Commission of India (ECI) and appointment debates, consider the following statements:
1.Article 324(2) provides that the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners shall be appointed by the President, subject to the provisions of any law made by Parliament.
2.The Constitution specifies the educational and judicial qualifications required for the appointment of Election Commissioners.
3.The Chief Election Commissioner can only be removed from office in like manner and on the like grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A
1 and 2 only
B
1 and 3 only
C
2 and 3 only
D
1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: B (1 and 3 only)

Statement 2 is incorrect because the Constitution has NOT prescribed any specific educational, administrative, or legal qualifications for members of the Election Commission.

Q10 UPSC CSE PYQ
UPSC CSE PYQ: Constitutional Bodies
Consider the following statements regarding the Election Commission of India:
1.The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners enjoy equal powers and receive equal salary and allowances.
2.In case of difference of opinion between the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners, the matter is decided by the majority.
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. CEC and ECs have equal rank, salary (equivalent to Supreme Court Judge), and all decisions are taken collectively or by majority vote.

Q11 Expected MCQ
Topic 6: Living Planet Report 2026 & Wildlife Trends
With reference to the 'Living Planet Report 2026', consider the following statements:
1.The Living Planet Index (LPI) measures trends in the average abundance of monitored vertebrate species populations globally.
2.It is published biennially by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in collaboration with the Zoological Society of London.
3.Freshwater species populations have experienced the highest average decline among all monitored ecosystem categories.
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. The 2026 report indicates an average 73% decline in monitored vertebrate wildlife populations between 1970 and 2022, with freshwater species suffering the steepest drop (around 85%).

Q12 UPSC CSE PYQ
UPSC CSE PYQ: Global Environmental Reports
The 'Living Planet Report' is a flagship publication brought out by which of the following organizations?
Select the correct organization:
A
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
B
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
C
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
D
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Correct Answer: C (WWF)

The Living Planet Report is published every two years by WWF.

Q13 Expected MCQ
Topic 7: Monetary Policy Framework & Inflation
In India's monetary policy framework, what is the primary difference between 'Headline Inflation' and 'Core Inflation'?
Select the correct statement:
A
Headline inflation measures only wholesale prices, while core inflation measures retail prices
B
Core inflation excludes volatile components like food and fuel from the headline CPI basket
C
Headline inflation is calculated by RBI, while core inflation is calculated by NITI Aayog
D
Core inflation includes only imported manufacturing goods
Correct Answer: B

Headline inflation measures total CPI inflation, whereas Core inflation strips out volatile food and energy/fuel prices to reflect long-term underlying trend inflation.

Q14 UPSC CSE PYQ
UPSC CSE PYQ: Monetary Policy Committee
With reference to the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), consider the following statements:
1.It decides the RBI’s benchmark policy repo rate.
2.It is a 6-member body including the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.
3.The Union Finance Minister chairs the meetings of the MPC.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A
1 and 2 only
B
2 only
C
3 only
D
1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: A (1 and 2 only)

Statement 3 is incorrect because the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India is the ex-officio Chairperson of the MPC (not the Finance Minister).

Q15 Expected MCQ
Topic 8: Neutrino Astronomy & IceCube Observatory
With reference to Neutrinos and the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, consider the following statements:
1.Neutrinos are subatomic particles with zero electric charge and extraordinarily small mass that interact only via weak subatomic forces and gravity.
2.The IceCube Observatory is embedded deep in the Antarctic ice sheet at the South Pole to detect Cherenkov radiation emitted by neutrino interactions.
3.Unlike photons, high-energy cosmic neutrinos can pass directly through dense celestial matter without absorption or magnetic deflection.
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. Known as "ghost particles", neutrinos carry uncorrupted cosmic signatures from violent deep-space phenomena like blazars and supernovae.

Q16 UPSC CSE PYQ
UPSC CSE PYQ: Particle Physics & Neutrinos
In the context of modern physics and astrophysics, which of the following statements is correct regarding 'Neutrinos'?
Select the correct statement:
A
They possess a strong positive electric charge
B
They can be easily stopped by a thin sheet of lead
C
They interact only very weakly with ordinary matter and have three known flavours (electron, muon, tau)
D
They are heavier than protons and neutrons
Correct Answer: C

Neutrinos interact only via weak interaction and gravitation, and oscillate across three flavours: electron, muon, and tau.

Q17 Expected MCQ
Topic 9: Rural Economic Indicators & RBI Surveys
With reference to consumer sentiment surveys and macroeconomic trends in India, consider the following statements:
1.A value below 100 in the Consumer Confidence / Current Situation Index indicates optimism.
2.In India, food items carry a significantly higher weighting in the Rural Consumer Price Index (CPI-Rural) compared to CPI-Urban.
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: B (2 only)

Statement 1 is incorrect because 100 is the neutral threshold; readings above 100 indicate optimism, while readings below 100 reflect pessimism. Food weightage in CPI-Rural is ~54.2% versus ~36.3% in CPI-Urban.

Q18 UPSC CSE PYQ
UPSC CSE PYQ: Price Indices in India
With reference to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Wholesale Price Index (WPI) in India, consider the following statements:
1.The weight of food in Consumer Price Index (CPI) is higher than that in Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
2.The WPI does not capture changes in the prices of services, which CPI does.
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. Food has ~45.86% weight in CPI-Combined versus ~24.38% in WPI. WPI tracks only manufactured goods and primary articles, excluding services.

Q19 Expected MCQ
Topic 10: Account Aggregator (AA) Ecosystem
With reference to the RBI’s Account Aggregator (AA) framework, consider the following statements:
1.An Account Aggregator is a non-banking financial company (NBFC) that acts as a consent manager to facilitate sharing of financial data.
2.Account Aggregators are legally permitted to view, store, or sell user financial data passing through their encrypted rails.
3.Interoperability enables a user registered with one AA to share financial information seamlessly across entities registered with other AAs.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A
1 and 2 only
B
1 and 3 only
C
2 and 3 only
D
1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: B (1 and 3 only)

Statement 2 is incorrect because Account Aggregators operate on a 'data-blind' principle — data is encrypted end-to-end between the Financial Information Provider (FIP) and Financial Information User (FIU), and AAs cannot view or store it.

Q20 UPSC CSE PYQ
UPSC CSE PYQ: Digital Financial Architecture
In the context of India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), what is the primary role of the 'Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture (DEPA)'?
Select the correct statement:
A
Nationalizing all private fintech server infrastructure
B
Giving individuals complete control over their personal and financial data through secure consent-based electronic sharing
C
Providing direct government cash subsidies to commercial banks
D
Restricting Indian citizens from using international cloud platforms
Correct Answer: B

DEPA empowers citizens to access and share their personal data with service providers using a secure, consent-driven techno-legal framework.

Indian Express Daily Quiz
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