UPSC Daily Current Affairs Quiz : 16 February 2026

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

• Statement 1: Correct. China’s proposed mega hydropower project is planned at the Great Bend (Great “U” turn) of the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River in Medog County, Tibet, where the river makes a sharp turn before entering India.

• Statement 2: Correct. The project is expected to surpass the Three Gorges Dam in installed capacity, making it the largest hydropower project in the world if completed as planned.
• Statement 3: Incorrect. The dam site is upstream, not downstream, of Gelling in Arunachal Pradesh. The river enters India near Gelling after flowing past the proposed Chinese dam site. Hence, only statements 1 and 2 are correct.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

• Statement 1: Correct. The PM explicitly stated that FTAs aim to reduce non-tariff barriers and expand market access, especially for MSMEs.
• Statement 2: Incorrect. The passage clearly says trade competitiveness is not only about tariffs, but also liquidity, certification, technology adoption, and compliance with global standards.
• Statement 3: Correct. The FTAs are expected to benefit MSME-heavy sectors such as textiles, leather, processed food, engineering goods, chemicals, handicrafts, and gems & jewellery. Therefore, only statements 1 and 3 are correct.

Explanation:

• Statement 1: Correct. Officials highlighted that this is the first time the AI Impact Summit is being hosted in a Global South country, marking a shift in global digital governance discourse.
• Statement 2: Correct. The event is organised around three thematic “chakras”: People, Planet and Progress, focusing on inclusive and human-centric AI.
• Statement 3: Incorrect. India has clarified that it is not pushing for a binding regulatory framework. Instead, the summit emphasizes a human-centric, development-oriented approach and equitable access to AI. Therefore, only statements 1 and 2 are correct.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

• Statement 1: Correct. Farmer bodies argue that cheaper zero-duty imports could lower domestic market prices, worsening agrarian distress.
• Statement 2: Correct. The Swaminathan Commission recommended MSP = C2 cost + 50%, i.e., at least 1.5 times the comprehensive cost of production.
• Statement 3: Correct. India is among the largest cotton producers globally, and cotton is a key cash crop in States such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Punjab, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh. Hence, all three statements are correct.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

• Statement 1: Correct. LVM3 (earlier called GSLV Mk III) is ISRO’s heaviest operational rocket, capable of carrying heavy payloads.

• Statement 2: Correct. It is a three-stage vehicle consisting of solid strap-on boosters, a liquid core stage, and a cryogenic upper stage.
• Statement 3: Incorrect. LVM3 is not limited to LEO missions; it is designed for GTO missions, deep space missions, and human spaceflight (Gaganyaan) as well. Hence, only statements 1 and 2 are correct.