Home > Daily-mcqs

Daily-mcqs 18 Jun 2026

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

image
Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams

Q1:

Consider the following statements regarding the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA):

  1. It is an alliance exclusively focused on maritime security and counter-piracy operations.
  2. It operates strictly on the principle of open regionalism, emphasizing economic and technical cooperation without rigid political alignment.
  3. Both India and China are full member states of the association.
  4. Its Secretariat and headquarters are located in Mauritius.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A: 1 and 2 only

B: 2 and 4 only

C: 1, 2 and 3 only

D: 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: IORA is not exclusively a maritime security alliance. While maritime safety and security is one of its core focus areas, it is fundamentally an intergovernmental organization with a broad socio-economic and sustainable development mandate. Its priorities also include Trade and Investment Facilitation, the Blue Economy, Disaster Risk Management, and Women's Economic Empowerment.


Statement 2 is correct: IORA operates on the foundational principle of "open regionalism." This focuses on fostering cooperation among nations without the baggage of rigid political alignments or military blocs.


Statement 3 is incorrect: India is a full member state of IORA. However, China is not a full member; China participates as one of IORA's Dialogue Partners, alongside the US, Japan, Russia, and the UK.


Statement 4 is correct: The institutional framework of IORA is supported by a permanent Secretariat which is headquartered in Port Louis, Mauritius.


                            

Q2:

With reference to the institutional structure and recent developments in the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), consider the following statements:

  1. The Council of Ministers (COM) is the apex decision-making body of IORA.
  2. The Indian Ocean Dialogue (IOD) is a functional initiative operating under the aegis of IORA to discuss regional cooperation and security challenges.
  3. Recently, India chaired the 28th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) of IORA in New Delhi.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

A: Only one

B: Only two

C: All three

D: None

Answer: C

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Council of Ministers (COM) is the apex decision-making organ of IORA. Composed of the Foreign/External Affairs Ministers of all member states, it meets annually to formulate broad policies, review structural progress, and set the group's direction.


Statement 2 is correct: The Indian Ocean Dialogue (IOD) serves as an effective mechanism within IORA to bring together scholars, academics, and officials. It allows them to exchange views and build capacity on crucial issues like regional security, marine pollution, and the Blue Economy.


Statement 3 is correct: India currently holds the Chairship of IORA. Under its leadership, India successfully hosted the 28th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) in New Delhi. This meeting was significant as it reviewed institutional progress and advanced discussions on the upcoming IORA Action Plan (2028–2032).


                            

Q3:

With reference to Amoebic Meningoencephalitis, differentiate between Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) and Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis (GAE) by considering the following statements:

  1. While PAM is generally an acute and rapidly progressing disease affecting healthy individuals, GAE is a subacute/chronic condition that mostly affects immunocompromised individuals.
  2. PAM is caused by Naegleria fowleri, whereas GAE is primarily caused by Acanthamoeba and Balamuthia mandrillaris.
  3. Both conditions have a similar transmission route, entering the human body solely through nasal inhalation during aquatic activities.

Which of the statements given above is/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: PAM is an acute, fulminant infection that advances rapidly, affecting otherwise healthy individuals. GAE is a subacute or chronic infection developing over weeks to months, typically targeting immunocompromised individuals.


Statement 2 is correct: PAM is caused specifically by Naegleria fowleri. GAE is caused by other free-living amoebae like Acanthamoeba and Balamuthia mandrillaris.


Statement 3 is incorrect: Unlike PAM, where nasal entry during aquatic activity is the sole mechanism of CNS infection, amoebae responsible for GAE can enter the body via the respiratory tract or broken skin, subsequently spreading via the bloodstream to the brain.


                            

Q4:

Consider the following statements regarding Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM):

  1. It is a highly fatal central nervous system infection primarily caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri.
  2. The infection is contracted by consuming water or food contaminated with the amoeba.
  3. The amoeba typically enters the human body through the nasal passages during swimming or bathing in warm freshwater.
  4. The disease is highly communicable and spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets.

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: PAM is a rare but almost universally fatal infection of the central nervous system, characterized by severe inflammation and destruction of brain tissue. It is caused by Naegleria fowleri, often referred to as the "brain-eating amoeba".


Statement 2 is incorrect: Infection does not occur through drinking or ingesting contaminated water. The amoeba is harmless if swallowed because stomach acid destroys it.


Statement 3 is correct: Transmission occurs exclusively when contaminated warm freshwater enters the nasal cavity (e.g., during diving, swimming, or ritual ablutions). From the nose, the amoeba travels through the olfactory nerve directly to the brain.


Statement 4 is incorrect: PAM is an environmental infection and is not contagious. It cannot spread from person to person.


                            

Q5:

Consider the following statements regarding the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) in India:

  1. It measures the changes in the price of goods at the wholesale stage as well as services consumed by households.
  2. It is published by the Office of the Economic Adviser under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  3. Weights in the WPI basket are currently based on Gross Value of Output (GVO) instead of earlier valuation methods.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A: 1 and 2 only

B: 1 and 3 only

C: 2 and 3 only

D: 1, 2, and 3

Answer: C

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: WPI strictly measures changes in the prices of goods traded at the wholesale level. It excludes all services from its purview. Services are measured under the Consumer Price Index (CPI).


Statement 2 is correct: The WPI is officially compiled and published by the Office of the Economic Adviser under the DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.


Statement 3 is correct: As part of the statistical and classification improvements in the new WPI series framework, the index now utilizes the Gross Value of Output (GVO) for assigning weights, improving the representation of the economy compared to older valuation methods.


                            
Aliganj Gomti Nagar Prayagraj