Home > Daily-mcqs

Daily-mcqs 18 May 2026

Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams 18 May 2026

image
Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams

Q1:

Consider the following statements regarding the BRICS grouping and its recent Foreign Ministers' Meeting:

  1. The recent meeting in New Delhi concluded with the unanimous adoption of a Joint Declaration outlining the bloc's unified stance on West Asian maritime security.
  2. The expanded BRICS+ configuration currently includes Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran.
  3. The New Development Bank (NDB), which finances infrastructure projects for the bloc, is headquartered in New Delhi.

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

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The meeting did not adopt a joint declaration due to sharp disagreements between Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Instead, it resulted in a "Chair’s Statement and Outcome Document."


Statement 2 is correct: the newly expanded BRICS+ bloc includes Egypt, UAE, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran.


Statement 3 is incorrect: The New Development Bank (NDB) is headquartered in Shanghai, China, not New Delhi.


                            

Q2:

With reference to India's historical and current geopolitical stance on the Israel–Palestine conflict, consider the following statements:

  1. India officially recognized the State of Palestine before establishing full diplomatic relations with Israel.
  2. Under its current "de-hyphenation" policy, India maintains completely independent bilateral relationships with both Israel and Palestine.
  3. The 1993 Oslo Accords, which established mutual recognition between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), were initiated by the UN Partition Plan.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A: 1 and 2 only

B: 1 and 3 only

C: 2 and 3 only

D: 1, 2, and 3

Answer: A

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: India recognized the State of Palestine early on in 1988, whereas it established full diplomatic ties with Israel later in 1992.


Statement 2 is correct: India's current foreign policy follows a "de-hyphenation" approach. This allows India to assess its ties with Israel (condemning terrorism and supporting security concerns) and Palestine (advocating for a two-state solution and humanitarian aid) independent of each other.


Statement 3 is incorrect: The 1947 UN Partition Plan and the 1993 Oslo Accords are two distinct historical events separated by decades. The Oslo Accords were a direct bilateral peace process framework between Israel and the PLO, not an initiative started by the 1947 UN Partition Plan.


                            

Q3:

Consider the following statements regarding the Ganges soft-shell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica):

  1. It is legally protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972.
  2. The species is endemic only to the river systems of the Ganga and Brahmaputra.
  3. It has a distinctive arrowhead-shaped marking on its head.
  4. Its conservation status on the IUCN Red List is Critically Endangered.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A: 1 and 2 only

B: 1 and 3 only

C: 1, 2 and 3 only

D: 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Ganges soft-shell turtle is provided the highest degree of legal protection in India and is included under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.


Statement 2 is incorrect: While found in the Ganga and Brahmaputra, its native distribution is much wider across South Asia. It is also found in the Indus, Yamuna, and Mahanadi river systems.


Statement 3 is correct: One of the most important identifying morphological features of this turtle is a distinct arrowhead-shaped marking on the top of its head.


Statement 4 is incorrect: The species is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, not Critically Endangered.


                            

Q4:

With reference to the recent initiative to satellite-tag the Ganges soft-shell turtle, consider the following statements:

  1. The project was carried out exclusively by the Assam Forest Department.
  2. It aims to study the turtle’s seasonal movement patterns, habitat use, and breeding behaviour.
  3. The funding support for this initiative was provided by the National Geographic Society.
  4. Out of the eight soft-shell turtle species found in India, five are reported from the Kaziranga landscape.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A: 1 and 2 only

B: 1,3 and 4 only

C: 2 ,3 and 4 only

D: 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: C

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The initiative was not carried out exclusively by the Assam Forest Department. It is a collaborative effort involving the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), the Assam Forest Department, and the Kaziranga National Park authorities.


Statement 2 is correct: The primary goal of the satellite-tagging project is to study the seasonal movement patterns, habitat use, nesting areas, and breeding behavior of these freshwater turtles in the Brahmaputra river basin.


Statement 3 is correct: This pioneering freshwater biodiversity conservation initiative received essential funding support from the National Geographic Society.


Statement 4 is correct: Assam is globally recognized as a priority region for freshwater turtle conservation. Out of the eight species of soft-shell turtles found in India, five are native to the Kaziranga landscape.


                            

Q5:

Consider the following statements regarding the recent bilateral outcomes and investments between India and the UAE:

  1. The UAE committed an investment of USD 5 billion in India, which includes commitments from entities like ADIA–NIIF and IHC.
  2. The UAE is India’s largest LPG supplier and is a key participating partner in India's Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) programme.
  3. The bilateral trade between India and the UAE crossed USD 100 billion, with a target set to reach USD 200 billion by 2030.

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: A

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: During the visit, the UAE announced major investment commitments totaling USD 5 billion. This includes USD 3 billion by Emirates NBD in RBL Bank, and USD 1 billion each by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), and International Holding Company (IHC) in Sammaan Capital.


Statement 2 is correct: Energy security forms the bedrock of India–UAE ties. The UAE is India’s largest LPG supplier, 3rd largest LNG supplier, and 4th largest crude oil supplier. Furthermore, the UAE is the only partner deeply involved in India's Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) programme.


Statement 3 is incorrect: The India–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has successfully pushed bilateral trade beyond USD 100 billion. However, the bilateral target is set to reach USD 200 billion by 2032, not 2030.


                            
Aliganj Gomti Nagar Prayagraj