UPSC Daily Current Affairs Quiz : 09 February 2026

Correct Answer (b) 1, 2 and 4 only

Explanation: 

• Statement 1 – Correct India and Malaysia signed a framework pact to deepen engagement in semiconductors, a high-priority advanced manufacturing sector.
• Statement 2 - Correct. Both leaders appreciated efforts to promote the use of local currencies - the Indian rupee and the Malaysian ringgit - for trade settlement, aimed at reducing dependence on third currencies.
• Statement 3 – Incorrect: Malaysia supported India’s bid for permanent membership in a reformed UNSC, not opposed it.
• Statement 4 – Correct Both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing, and maritime security, reflecting Indo-Pacific security priorities.

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Explanation: 

• Statement 1 – Correct India protected its agricultural sensitivities by excluding products where it is self-sufficient and does not require imports. This was described as a key “red line.”
• Statement 2 – Correct The U.S. is opening its market at 0% reciprocal tariff for many Indian products such as spices, tea, coffee, coconut products, nuts, fruits, and vegetables.
• Statement 3 – Incorrect: Trade agreements do not liberalise immigration. Mobility provisions are limited to the implementation of trade contracts and are separate from immigration policy.
• Statement 4 – Incorrect. The $500 billion figure is an intention, not a legally binding commitment. It reflects India’s expected future import demand diversification, not a mandatory obligation.

Correct Answer : (a) 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation: 

• Statement 1 – Correct Prof. G.N. Devy supports an open-field response method followed by layered scrutiny using linguistic, ancestry, and cultural markers.
• Statement 2 – Correct. The 2011 SECC returned over 46 lakh caste names, largely due to duplication, spelling variations, and inconsistent entries.
• Statement 3 – Correct Institutions like the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) were suggested to validate and certify post-Census classification.
• Statement 4 – Incorrect. Denotified Tribes were labelled under the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871, a colonial-era law, not a post-Independence Indian law. The Act was repealed after Independence.

Answer: (a)

Explanation: The article notes that research shows small but consistent associations, not strong causal proof → Statement 1 is incorrect.  Most studies are not India-based → Statement 3 is incorrect.  Statement 2 is directly supported.

Answer: (b)

Explanation: The concept from Stanley Cohen refers to society vilifying “folk devils” and responding with exaggerated, symbolic solutions.