Government Updates for UPSC Preparation – 13 August 2026

Factual Chain:
22 August 1907 → Bhikaji Cama → Stuttgart, Germany → International Socialist Congress Summit → Saptarishi / Stuttgart Flag → First Indian flag hoisted on foreign soil

Designers: Savarkar + Shyamji Krishna Varma + Bhikaji Cama

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Saptarishi Flag:

1. It was unfurled by Madam Bhikaji Cama at Stuttgart in 1907.
2. It was the first Indian flag to be hoisted on foreign soil.
3. "Vande Mataram" was written in Devanagari script on the saffron band.
4. The seven sages of ancient India are represented through the Saptarishi symbolism.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1, 2 and 3 only
C) 2, 3 and 4 only
D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Chronology:
1962 → INCOSPAR → 1969 → ISRO

Awards: 1962 → Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar | 1966 → Padma Bhushan | 1972 → Padma Vibhushan (Posthumous)

Q. Consider the following statements:

1. INCOSPAR was established in 1962 under Dr. Vikram Sarabhai's visionary leadership.
2. INCOSPAR later evolved into ISRO in 1969.
3. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai began India's space programme from Thumba in Kerala.
4. He received the Padma Vibhushan posthumously in 1972.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1, 2 and 3 only
C) 1, 2, 3 and 4
D) 2 and 4 only

Core Associations:
Ahilyabai Holkar → Public welfare → Women's empowerment → Justice → Good governance

Q. Ahilyabai Holkar is remembered particularly for her contribution to:

1. Public welfare
2. Women's empowerment
3. Justice
4. Good governance

Select the correct answer using the code below:

A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1, 2 and 3 only
C) 2, 3 and 4 only
D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q. Consider the following statements:

1. India is home to nearly 60% of the world's wild Asian elephants.
2. Project Elephant includes mitigation of human-elephant conflict.
3. East-Central India has the highest number of identified elephant corridors among the regions listed.
4. 59 elephant corridors show increased elephant use.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1, 2 and 3 only
C) 1, 2, 3 and 4
D) 2, 3 and 4 only

Quick Link:
Udara Shakti 2026 → India + Malaysia → IAF + RMAF → Subang Airbase → Joint field training → SME exchanges → Operational learning → Interoperability

Q. With reference to Exercise Udara Shakti 2026, consider the following statements:

1. It is a bilateral exercise between India and Malaysia.
2. It involves the Indian Air Force and Royal Malaysian Air Force.
3. It is being conducted at Subang Airbase in Malaysia.
4. Enhancing interoperability is one of its objectives.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1, 2 and 3 only
C) 2, 3 and 4 only
D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Samudra Manthan:

1. Its Phase-I has a financial outlay of ₹84,084 crore.
2. ₹28,534 crore is allocated for 2D and 3D seismic surveys.
3. ₹43,200 crore is allocated for drilling.
4. ₹10,000 crore is provided for shared production and evacuation facilities in select basins.
5. An Oil & Gas Manufacturing and Services Zone is to be established with ₹2,000 crore.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A) 1, 2 and 3 only
B) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
C) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
D) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Event Chain:
Okinawa (Japan) → East China Sea → Eastern China → Extreme rainfall → Flooding + Landslides

Key Numbers: Journey ~6,000 km | Winds ~150 kmph | Evacuated >1 million | Rainfall ~400 mm/24 hrs

Q. Consider the following statements:

1. Typhoon, cyclone and hurricane refer essentially to the same type of tropical weather phenomenon.
2. Typhoons are associated with the Western North Pacific and South China Sea.
3. Hurricanes are associated with the Atlantic and Eastern/Central North Pacific.
4. A tropical storm can continue to cause heavy rainfall and flooding even after its winds weaken inland.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1, 2 and 3 only
C) 1, 2, 3 and 4
D) 2, 3 and 4 only