Competitive Exam Practice: 5 Key Questions on Indian Polity, Geography, Economy & Defence

 

Question 1 — Indian Polity & Constitution

Difficulty: Moderate

Question: Under which Article of the Constitution of India is the Right to Constitutional Remedies guaranteed?

A) Article 14
B) Article 19
C) Article 32
D) Article 226

Correct Answer: C) Article 32

Explanation: Article 32 empowers citizens to approach the Supreme Court for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights. Dr B.R. Ambedkar described it as the “heart and soul” of the Constitution. Article 226 gives High Courts a wider writ jurisdiction, extending beyond Fundamental Rights.

---

Question 2 — Indian History

Difficulty: Easy

Question: The Permanent Settlement of Bengal, introduced in 1793, was associated with which Governor-General?

A) Lord Cornwallis
B) Lord Wellesley
C) Warren Hastings
D) Lord Dalhousie

Correct Answer: A) Lord Cornwallis

Explanation: Lord Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement with the objective of fixing land revenue permanently and creating a loyal class of zamindars. Warren Hastings was associated with earlier revenue experiments, while Lord Wellesley introduced the Subsidiary Alliance. Lord Dalhousie is chiefly associated with the Doctrine of Lapse.

---

Question 3 — Geography (India & World)

Difficulty: Moderate

Question: Which one of the following rivers flows through the Rift Valley between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges?

A) Godavari
B) Narmada
C) Mahanadi
D) Yamuna

Correct Answer: B) Narmada

Explanation: The Narmada flows westward through a structural rift valley between the Vindhya Range to the north and the Satpura Range to the south before draining into the Arabian Sea. The Godavari and Mahanadi generally flow eastward, while the Yamuna is a tributary of the Ganga.

---

Question 4 — Economy

Difficulty: Difficult

Question: In the context of monetary policy, what is meant by a repo rate?

A) The rate at which commercial banks lend to customers
B) The rate at which the government borrows from foreign institutions
C) The rate at which the RBI lends short-term funds to commercial banks against securities
D) The rate paid by banks on savings deposits

Correct Answer: C) The rate at which the RBI lends short-term funds to commercial banks against securities

Explanation: The repo rate is the short-term policy rate at which the Reserve Bank of India lends funds to eligible banks against government securities under a repurchase arrangement. A rise in the repo rate generally makes borrowing costlier and can help moderate inflation.

---

Question 5 — Science & Technology / Current Affairs — July 2026

Difficulty: Difficult

Question: In July 2026, which indigenous Indian system was showcased as an anti-swarm drone weapon system?

A) Pinaka
B) Bhargavastra
C) Akash Prime
D) Nagastra-1

Correct Answer: B) Bhargavastra

Explanation: Bhargavastra was reported in July 2026 as an indigenous anti-swarm drone system designed to counter coordinated attacks by multiple unmanned aerial vehicles. Pinaka is a multi-barrel rocket launcher, Akash Prime is a surface-to-air missile variant, and Nagastra-1 is a loitering munition.

Explain E20 ethanol targets

 

E20 Ethanol Blending: Key Facts

• Target: India aims for 20% ethanol blending in petrol (E20) by 2025–26, requiring about 10.11 billion litres of ethanol. Distillery capacity has expanded to roughly 18–20 billion litres.
• Economic benefit: The programme has reportedly saved about ₹2 lakh crore in foreign exchange by reducing crude-oil imports. Around 10 billion litres of ethanol could replace roughly 32 million tonnes of crude imports.
• Feedstock: Ethanol is mainly produced from sugarcane, molasses and foodgrains such as FCI rice. Current sugar stocks appear stable, but poor monsoons or crop shortages could create pressure on food and ethanol supplies.
• Vehicle compatibility: Newer BS6 Phase 2 vehicles (post-April 2023) are designed for E20. Older vehicles were generally designed for E5/E10, raising concerns about long-term compatibility and component wear.
• Efficiency debate: IIT Kanpur's research cited in the source indicates less than 5% efficiency loss, while mechanics and vehicle users have reported component-related concerns in older vehicles.
• Pricing: OMCs reportedly procure ethanol at around ₹70/litre, versus petrol retailing around ₹105/litre. However, different taxation and cost structures make it difficult to establish exactly how much E20 affects pump prices.

Bottom line: E20 is designed to reduce India's dependence on imported crude and keep more money within the domestic economy, but feedstock security, older-vehicle compatibility and the actual impact on petrol prices remain important challenges.

KBC-Style Practice Quiz: Indian Polity, Economy, Current Affairs, Science & Sports MCQs

 

1. Indian Polity & Constitution

Q. In the Indian Constitution, which Article deals with the President’s power to promulgate Ordinances when Parliament is not in session?

A. Article 72
B. Article 123
C. Article 143
D. Article 356

Answer: B. Article 123

Explanation: Article 123 empowers the President to promulgate Ordinances when either House of Parliament is not in session and immediate action is necessary. Article 72 deals with the President's pardoning powers, Article 143 with the Supreme Court's advisory jurisdiction, and Article 356 with President's Rule in a State.

---

2. Economy

Q. Which of the following best describes the term "repo rate" in India?

A. The rate at which RBI lends money to commercial banks
B. The rate at which banks lend to the public
C. The rate of inflation in the economy
D. The rate at which RBI buys government securities

Answer: A. The rate at which RBI lends money to commercial banks

Explanation: The repo rate is the interest rate at which the Reserve Bank of India lends short-term funds to commercial banks against government securities. It is one of the RBI's primary monetary policy tools to manage inflation and liquidity in the economy.

---

3. Current Affairs (August 2026)

Q. In August 2026, which Indian state's wetland became India's 101st Ramsar Site?

A. Arunachal Pradesh
B. Assam
C. Uttarakhand
D. Himachal Pradesh

Answer: A. Arunachal Pradesh

Explanation: Glaw Lake in Arunachal Pradesh was designated as India's 101st Ramsar Site on August 3, 2026. It is also the first Ramsar Site in the state, marking a significant milestone in wetland conservation.

---

4. Science & Technology

Q. What is the primary function of a QR code?

A. To store only audio files
B. To enable quick scanning and retrieval of encoded information
C. To work only without internet access
D. To be used only for digital payments

Answer: B. To enable quick scanning and retrieval of encoded information

Explanation: A QR (Quick Response) code is a two-dimensional barcode that stores encoded information. It can be scanned quickly using smartphones or other devices and is widely used for payments, website links, authentication, tickets, and product information.

---

5. Sports

Q. Which country won the FIFA World Cup 2026?

A. France
B. Brazil
C. Spain
D. Argentina

Answer: C. Spain

Explanation: Spain won the FIFA World Cup 2026 by defeating Argentina in the final. The victory marked Spain's second FIFA World Cup title, following its first triumph in 2010.

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini

 Question 1 Consider the following statements regarding Ayatollah Khomeini’s political stance towards different groups during the Iranian revolution, as described in the text:

1. He explicitly prohibited the nonreligious left from expressing their views or participating in the political life of the Islamic republic.
2. His stated hostility towards Israel was primarily rooted in Israel's historical support for the Shah and its failure to resolve the Palestinian question.

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

Answer: B) 2 only

Detailed Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: Ayatollah Khomeini indicated that the nonreligious left would be entirely free to express their views and participate in the political life of the Islamic republic. The only condition he placed was that they must not "commit treason against the country" by establishing foreign connections, which was a veiled reference to Soviet interference.
• Statement 2 is correct: While Khomeini offered reassurances to the Jewish community in Iran, his hostility towards Israel was specifically qualified by geopolitical grievances, namely Israel's support for the Shah and its stance on the Palestinian question.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Question 2 With reference to the governance model and religious orientation envisioned for post-revolution Iran, consider the following statements:

1. The key appointees to the provisional Government were uniformly radical clerics who rejected modern economic development.
2. The author notes that the Shiite tradition is characterized by a flexible approach to the Koran, evolving interpretations to meet the changing needs of the people.
3. Khomeini intended to govern directly from the capital, assuming daily administrative control over the new republic.

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

Answer: B) 2 only

Detailed Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: The text states that Khomeini's close advisers were uniformly moderate and progressive. Key appointees to the provisional government, such as Prime Minister Mehdi Bazargan and leaders of the National Front, were widely respected outside religious circles, had strong human rights records, and were eager to achieve economic development to satisfy the population's basic needs.
• Statement 2 is correct: The text highlights that the Shiite tradition is flexible in its approach to the Koran and evolves its interpretations to correspond to the changing experiences and needs of the people, with a distinctive focus on resisting oppression and promoting social justice.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: Khomeini believed the role of a religious leader was to "inspire politics, not to govern". It was expected that he would retreat to the holy city of Qum, removing himself from the daily exercise of power, to function instead as a guide or critic of the republic.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Question 3 Consider the following statements regarding the geopolitical context and the nature of the Iranian revolution:

1. Ayatollah Khomeini praised the political systems of Saudi Arabia, Libya, and Pakistan as exemplary models of genuine Islamic governments.
2. The text portrays the Iranian revolution as a new model of popular revolution that relied predominantly on nonviolent tactics.

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

Answer: B) 2 only

Detailed Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: Ayatollah Khomeini did not view these nations as exemplary models; rather, he frequently made it clear that he scorned what he considered to be the "so-called Islamic Governments" in Saudi Arabia, Libya, and Pakistan. He hoped instead to show the world what a genuine Islamic government could do for its people.
• Statement 2 is correct: The author describes the events in Iran as having created a "new model of popular revolution based, for the most part, on nonviolent tactics". The text suggests that this could provide the Third World with a desperately needed model of humane governance

The 2026 Dossier

The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) in Telangana is one of the largest and most complex multi-stage lift irrigation projects in the world, designed to lift about 180 TMC (5 billion cubic meters) of water from the Godavari River and its tributary Pranahita to irrigate and stabilize around 26 lakh acres of agricultural land across the state.

Current affairs for KBC

 

🌪️ Cyclone Ditwah: Catastrophic Floods in Sri Lanka (Late Nov–Early Dec 2025)

Cyclone Ditwah, named by Yemen, was a relatively weak cyclonic storm in terms of wind speed (max winds $\approx$ 60–65 km/h) that caused catastrophic flooding and landslides in Sri Lanka and affected parts of South India in late November and early December 2025.

---

Key Facts and Impact

• Formation and Track: Formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal around November 24–26, 2025. It intensified, moved north along Sri Lanka's eastern coast, making landfall on November 27. After crossing Sri Lanka, it re-emerged, briefly re-intensified near the Coromandel Coast, and dissipated by December 2–3.

• Sri Lanka Disaster: Despite low winds, the storm produced exceptional rainfall (up to $\approx$ 400 mm in 24 hours) over Sri Lanka's hilly terrain, causing its worst flood disaster in two decades.

  • Toll: Over 600 confirmed deaths, hundreds missing, over 1 million people affected, and more than 200,000 displaced. It is the country's deadliest disaster since the 2004 tsunami.

• India Impact: The weakened system brought very heavy rain and flooding to coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, especially around Chennai, causing significant disruption to transport.

• Cause of Large Damage: The disaster was driven by the combination of the storm's slow movement, extreme rainfall over vulnerable steep terrain in Sri Lanka, and limited capacity for evacuation and resilient infrastructure.

Current affairs for KBC

COP30 in Belém and the G20 summit in Johannesburg in November 2025 highlighted “fragmented multilateralism”: both forums recognised the urgency of climate action, but neither adopted binding commitments to phase out fossil fuels, instead relying on voluntary, non‑binding roadmaps and cautious language on climate finance, revealing deep North–South divides and the growing veto power of fossil‑fuel‑exporting states.

***

India’s first-ever digital Census — the Census 2027 — is currently being test-run (pre-test phase) across selected areas in all States and Union Territories. The final enumeration will take place between April 1, 2026, and February 28, 2027, as per the Census Act, 1948.

***

Current affairs for KBC

Soybeans had been the single largest American export to China, valued at $12.6 billion last year, but their trade volume dropped significantly because tariffs made the crop..Unattractive for Chinese buyers

***.

The number now stands at 54 percent, the lowest recorded since Gallup first posed the question in 1939. For comparison, alcohol consumption among Americans reached its peak in the late 1970s, when 71 percent identified as drinkers. As The New York Times noted, the latest survey reinforces a steady trend that has been building for more than a decade: young people are drinking less than previous generations.

***

Current affairs for KBC

India’s first private sector rocket is Vikram-S, developed by the Hyderabad-based startup Skyroot Aerospace.

Current affairs for KBC

Justice Surya Kant, who rose from a middle-class family in Hisar, was sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI) on November 24, 2025, with a tenure lasting until February 9, 2027.

His judicial record includes landmark rulings on the Article 370 abrogation, the Pegasus spyware case, and electoral roll revisions.

CJI Kant's top priorities are addressing the Supreme Court's backlog of nearly 90,000 pending cases and improving judicial efficiency, strongly advocating for the use of mediation and resolving cases at lower courts to ease the burden on the apex court.

Current affairs for KBC

A notable fact from the Johannesburg G-20 summit is that India, Australia, and Canada announced a trilateral technological partnership for the first time without involvement from the UK or US, highlighting a new axis of cooperation among rising middle powers in fields like artificial intelligence, biotech, and clean energy.

***

Current affairs for KBC

The Caribbean island of Curaçao, home to around 185,000 people, became the smallest nation ever to qualify for a FIFA World Cup. Curaçao secured its historic spot by completing an unbeaten qualifying campaign and drawing with Jamaica in the final round, surpassing previous records set by Iceland in 2018

***

Current affairs for KBC

Arvind Krishna is the chairman and CEO of IBM. He has held the CEO position since April 2020 and became chairman in January 2021. He is known for leading IBM's focus on AI, cloud computing, and quantum computing, and has played key roles in major company initiatives like the acquisition of Red Hat. His leadership emphasizes delivering enterprise technology solutions and advancing innovation in AI and automation. (KBC)

***

Fátima Bosch Fernández of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2025 on November 21, 2025, in Bangkok, marking a dramatic and inspiring victory for the 25-year-old. Her win came amidst a turbulent contest where she stood up to public bullying from one of the hosts, the Thai national director Nawat Itsaragrisil, who had publicly criticized her during a pre-sash ceremony. Bosch defended herself against these attacks, which led to security escorting her out and several contestants walking out in solidarity with her. Celebrated not just for her beauty but also for her resilience and advocacy, Fátima aims to be a voice for women and girls championing important causes. Her victory has been hailed as a powerful example of standing up against injustice and has earned praise from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who emphasized the importance of women speaking up and participating actively in society. The runner-up was Praveenar Singh from Thailand, and the second runner-up was Stephany Adriana Abasali Nasser of Venezuela.

***

Current affairs for KBC

 The concept of "creamy layer" was introduced by the Supreme Court of India in 1992 through the landmark Indra Sawhney judgment, aiming to exclude socially and economically advanced members of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) from reservation benefits, and its application to Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) remains a subject of ongoing legal and political debate

***

Current affairs for KBC

India’s Election Commission (ECI), while defending the transparency of the 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections, faced growing concerns over AI-generated deepfakes and misinformation that allegedly influenced voter perception, highlighting the urgent need for enforceable AI-labelling regulations and ethical media standards to protect electoral integrity and press freedom under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

***

A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court observed that the stagnation in India’s subordinate judiciary has contributed to the huge pendency of 4.69 crore cases in district courts, stressing the need for procedural reforms, better training for judges, and modernization of the Code of Civil Procedure to ensure faster and more effective justice delivery.

***

Current affairs for KBC

India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, was notified more than eight years after the Supreme Court recognized privacy as a fundamental right in the landmark 2017 Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India judgment, highlighting the gap between technological advancement and regulatory response in the country.

Current affairs for KBC

 Two top BBC executives—Director General Tim Davie and News CEO Deborah Turness—resigned over a controversy involving edited clips from a Panorama documentary about Donald Trump's speech on January 6, 2021, related to the US Capitol riot. The BBC was accused of misleadingly editing the speech, stitching together remarks that were originally more than 50 minutes apart, which gave the impression that Trump directly called for violent action at the Capitol. This sparked widespread criticism, legal threats from Trump, and accusations of editorial bias, leading to the resignations and a formal apology from the BBC for the error in judgment.

***

Current affairs for KBC

India tops global migration with the world’s largest emigrant population of over 18.5 million people living overseas as of 2024, accounting for about 6% of all international migrants worldwide. This figure has tripled since 1990, reflecting a significant rise in Indian emigration over the decades, particularly concentrated in Asia with half residing in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

***

Current affairs for KBC

According to the Reserve Bank of India’s Financial Stability Report (2024), India’s household debt rose to 42% of GDP — a sharp increase from 26% in 2015 — with nearly 55% of this borrowing coming from non-housing retail loans like credit cards, personal and gold loans, reflecting a growing cost-of-living crisis in urban India.

***

India’s household debt-to-GDP ratio reached 42.9% in June 2024, reflecting a major shift as over half (about 55%) of these loans are now non-housing retail borrowings like credit cards and personal loans instead of traditional asset-building housing loans.

***

Hungarian-British author David Szalay won the 2025 Booker Prize for his novel ‘Flesh,’ a hypnotically tense portrait of a man’s life, beating Kiran Desai’s ‘The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny,’ who narrowly missed becoming only the fifth double Booker winner in history.

***

Current affairs for KBC

Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) as high as 419 in November 2025, marking some of the worst air pollution levels in five years, reaching the “Hazardous” category in several areas, and exposing millions to dangerous, toxic air.

***

The name of the military operation during the 1971 war in which Indian forces struck Karachi was Operation Trident. (KBC, November 10, 2025).

***