UPSC Daily Current Affairs Quiz : 29 January 2026

Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Incorrect: The NHRC has opposed blanket or mass re-verification. It clearly stated that scrutiny should be limited only to cases where there is specific suspicion, as mass re-verification can lead to human rights violations.
• Statement 2 – Correct: The revised SOP issued by the Centre in October 2025 was meant to be applied prospectively, i.e., only to new applicants, and not retrospectively to reassess existing beneficiaries.
• Statement 3 – Correct: The NHRC recommended UDID-based digital verification as the default mechanism, with medical reassessment only as an exception, based on clearly defined and evidence-based suspicion.
• Statement 4 – Incorrect: On the contrary, the NHRC recommended eliminating the need to re-issue certificates for persons living with permanent and irreversible disabilities.

Correct Answer: (c) 1, 3 and 4 only

Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Correct: The President underlined that social justice, as inspired by the Constitution and the ideas of B.R. Ambedkar, means ensuring that every citizen can exercise full rights without discrimination.
• Statement 2 – Incorrect: The President did not state that the UGC regulations were withdrawn. She only noted that the government was working with “full sensitivity” towards Dalits, Backward Classes, marginalised groups, and tribal communities amid concerns over the regulations.
• Statement 3 – Correct: She referred to Operation Sindoor to highlight the valour of Indian armed forces and asserted that terrorist attacks would be met with decisive action, while emphasising responsible use of power.
• Statement 4 – Correct: The President mentioned the India–EU Free Trade Agreement, stating that its conclusion would give impetus to manufacturing and services and create new employment opportunities.

Correct Answer: (a) 1 only

Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Correct: The DoPT report states that over 66% of Group C sanitation workers in the Union government belong to SC, ST and OBC categories combined, highlighting the caste-linked occupational concentration in sanitation work.
• Statement 2 – Incorrect: While the report provides detailed data on SC, ST and OBC representation, it does not provide any data on EWS employees, despite a 10% reservation mandate for EWS in direct recruitment.

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only

Explanation 

• Statement 1 – Correct: Under Article II and Article VIII of the Outer Space Treaty, states cannot claim sovereignty over celestial bodies, but they do retain jurisdiction and control over registered space objects.

Statement 2 – NOT correct: Patent law does not apply seamlessly in outer space. The article highlights that shared infrastructure, multinational collaboration, and permanent habitation weaken the territorial anchors on which patent law depends, creating legal uncertainty.

Correct Answer: (d) 2 only

Explanation 

• Statement 1 – Correct: The EU agreed to drop tariffs on 99.5% of Indian export items, with most going down to zero immediately.
• Statement 2 – NOT correct: India explicitly excluded strategic agricultural sectors and dairy from the FTA. Hence, tariff concessions were not provided on all such products.
• Statement 3 – Correct: A quota-based system was adopted for automobiles and wine, protecting Indian manufacturers while allowing limited access to European exporters.
• Statement 4 – Correct: India did not receive any special exemption under CBAM; however, it ensured that any concession granted to a third country would automatically apply to India.