UPSC Monthly Mock - January 2026 with solutions Attempt Free MCQ Test

1. Statement 1 is correct: Over the past decade, India has indeed transitioned from conducting experimental missions to achieving operational reliability with the successful launches of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and GSLV LVM-3. This indicates a significant advancement in India's space capabilities, moving towards consistent and reliable space missions.

2. Statement 2 is correct: The absence of a comprehensive national space law in India has led to regulatory ambiguities. This situation imposes additional burdens on the national space agency, which is tasked with roles that might be better handled by specialized regulatory bodies. The lack of clear legislation creates challenges in governance and oversight within the space sector.

3. Statement 3 is incorrect: While technological innovation is crucial for competitiveness in the global space sector, significant investment in advanced manufacturing systems is also essential. The global space economy demands cost-efficiency and robust production capabilities, which require substantial investment in advanced manufacturing, not just reliance on technological innovation alone.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only, as statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is not.

High-performing States in India express concerns about the erosion of fiscal autonomy due to the impact of factors like the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and discrepancies between their contributions to Union revenues and the shares they receive in devolution. This issue highlights the ongoing debate on central transfers in the country, reflecting a clash between equity, efficiency, and legitimacy principles within the federal design.

Statement-I correctly summarizes the objective of the SHINE Scheme, which is to empower women by enhancing their knowledge of safety, quality standards, and consumer protection. Statement-II accurately provides the full name of the scheme, which is "Standards Help Inform & Nurture Empowered Women." Statement-II explains the purpose and focus of the SHINE Scheme mentioned in Statement-I, making both statements correct and coherent.

Thiruvalluvar, a celebrated Tamil poet and philosopher from the Sangam age, is best known for his literary work Tirukkural. This classic Tamil text consists of 1330 couplets focusing on ethics, governance, and social harmony. Thiruvalluvar's teachings are revered across South India, emphasizing moral values and practical wisdom.

According to the Global Risks Report 2026, the top-ranked risk is geoeconomic confrontation. This risk is characterized by the use of tariffs, sanctions, investment restrictions, and control over critical minerals. Geoeconomic confrontation has been identified as the most significant immediate global risk in the report, reflecting the current state of global affairs where economic factors play a crucial role in international relations and potential conflicts.

Let's analyze each statement:

Statement 1: Correct. Startup India was indeed launched in 2016 with the objective to foster a favorable ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship. This initiative has been pivotal in transforming India into a hub for job creators.

Statement 2: Incorrect. The Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) has been allocated ₹25,000 crore, not ₹50,000 crore. This fund is aimed at supporting the growth of startups in India through various funding mechanisms.

Statement 3: Correct. The statement about inclusivity under the Startup India initiative is accurate, where over 45% of recognized startups have at least one woman director, highlighting the significant role of women in the entrepreneurship sector.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C, as statements 1 and 3 are correct, while statement 2 is incorrect due to the misreported figure of the allocated fund.

Statement-I correctly highlights the lack of adequate safety oversight in the non-scheduled aviation sector, specifically mentioning private jets and charter aircraft. Statement-II supports Statement-I by explaining that the DGCA recommended enhancing surveillance through surprise inspections and rigorous audits to ensure safety standards are met. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II provides additional information that explains the situation described in Statement-I.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The central issue being examined by the Supreme Court is whether the Enforcement Directorate (ED), as a part of the Union Government, possesses the right to file writ petitions under Article 226 of the Constitution. This Article is generally used by individuals or entities to enforce fundamental rights or address legal wrongs. The ability of the ED to file such petitions is under scrutiny and not explicitly granted, hence statement 1 is incorrect.

Statement 2 is correct. The controversy arises because the ED is often viewed not as a separate juristic person with the capacity to initiate legal actions independently but rather as an extension of the Union Government's executive branch. This raises questions about its locus standi to file writ petitions, which is why the ED's ability to do so is contested.

Statement 3 is correct. If the ED were permitted to file writ petitions, it might utilize this power to circumvent State authority and constitutional safeguards designed to maintain the balance of power between the Centre and the States. This could lead to executive overreach and impact the principle of federalism, potentially infringing upon State autonomy.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option D: 2 and 3 Only, as these statements accurately reflect the legal and constitutional debates surrounding the ED's powers.

- Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. The Parliamentary Committee highlighted concerns that the growth of India’s aviation sector is outpacing necessary regulatory oversight, indicating that the current pace is not adequately matched by regulatory oversight.

- Statement 2: This statement is correct. The committee indeed recommended that the DGCA enhance its surveillance of private and charter aircraft through surprise inspections and more rigorous audits to ensure adherence to safety standards.

- Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. The committee noted that Air Traffic Control (ATC) staffing levels have not increased proportionally with rising traffic levels, and there is a need for accelerated recruitment to address the high workload and prevent fatigue-related human errors.

Thus, only statement 2 is correct, making Option C the right answer.

Answer: A

Article 6 of the Paris Agreement is designed to enable cooperative approaches between countries so they can achieve their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) more cost-effectively; central to this is the use of international carbon markets and other cooperation mechanisms that promote global emission reductions.

Article 6.2 permits the transfer of Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) between Parties, Article 6.4 establishes a supervised mechanism to generate emission reductions with environmental integrity, and Article 6.8 recognises non-market approaches. Together these provisions facilitate the lowering of emissions across countries.

Because the mechanisms under Article 6 are focused on enabling and accounting for cross-border emission reductions and ensuring their integrity, the primary purpose aligns with enhancing global carbon neutrality.

Measures such as technology transfer or industrial modernization may occur as co-benefits of cooperation, but they are not the principal objective of Article 6 mechanisms.

The collapse of the Pahlavi monarchy in Iran in 1979 was primarily triggered by the 1953 coup orchestrated by the British and U.S., aimed at reinstating Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to power. This event, which reinforced the monarchy's rule with Western support, significantly contributed to the build-up of discontent and ultimately led to the revolution that culminated in the establishment of the Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Khomeini.

1. Statement 1: This statement is correct. The German Chancellor's visit to India coincided with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Germany. This milestone highlights the long-standing diplomatic ties between the two nations.

2. Statement 2: This statement is correct. During the visit, a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDoI) was indeed signed to outline a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap. This roadmap focuses on co-development, technology partnerships, and the expedited clearance of defence exports from Germany, indicating a commitment to enhancing strategic and defence cooperation.

3. Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. The bilateral trade between India and Germany surpassed USD 50 billion in 2024, not USD 75 billion. Therefore, the figure mentioned in the statement is inaccurate.

Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is not. Hence, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

1. Rani Ahilyabai Holkar - Founder of the Holkar dynasty: Incorrect. Rani Ahilyabai Holkar was not the founder of the Holkar dynasty. The dynasty was founded by Malhar Rao Holkar, her father-in-law. Ahilyabai became a prominent ruler of the Holkar state after the deaths of Khanderao Holkar and Male Rao Holkar.

2. Maheshwar - Capital of Holkar dynasty under Rani Ahilyabai: Correct. Rani Ahilyabai Holkar established Maheshwar as the capital of the Holkar dynasty, moving it from Indore.

3. Kashi Vishwanath Temple - Reconstructed by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar: Correct. Rani Ahilyabai Holkar is renowned for her contributions to the reconstruction of several temples across India, including the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi.

4. Jallikattu - Traditional sport during Diwali festival: Incorrect. Jallikattu is a traditional bull-taming sport played during the Pongal harvest festival in Tamil Nadu, not during the Diwali festival.

Thus, only pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched.

Let's examine each statement to determine their accuracy:

1. Statement 1: Rani Ahilyabai Holkar was indeed instrumental in the reconstruction of both the Kashi Vishwanath and Somnath temples during the 18th century. Her contributions to temple restoration are well-documented and form a significant part of her legacy.

2. Statement 2: Rani Ahilyabai Holkar did appoint Tukoji Rao Holkar as the commander of the army. This decision was part of her efforts to stabilize and strengthen her administration after assuming power in 1767.

3. Statement 3: She actively promoted various social reforms, including the Maheshwari weaving industry, which she helped flourish. The Maheshwari sarees are renowned across India and indeed hold a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, highlighting her contributions to economic development and cultural preservation.

All three statements are factual and accurately reflect Rani Ahilyabai Holkar's contributions to history, making Option D the correct answer. Each statement aligns perfectly with the historical records of her multifaceted role as a ruler and reformer.

1. Datacentres in Orbit: This pair is correctly matched. Space-based datacentres are proposed to utilize solar energy in space, reducing terrestrial issues such as land use and energy constraints. This concept aims to provide a sustainable solution to the increasing energy demands of AI workloads by harnessing uninterrupted solar energy available in space.

2. Technical Architecture: This pair is correctly matched. The technical architecture of space-based datacentres involves using dense inter-satellite communication to ensure high internal bandwidth, which is crucial for efficiently processing AI workloads.

3. Economic Viability: This pair is incorrectly matched. The economic viability of space-based datacentres hinges on reducing launch costs and ensuring hardware durability, not maintaining high launch costs and hardware fragility. The goal is to make space-based datacentres more cost-effective and reliable as technology advances.

4. CERC's Proposal: This pair is incorrectly matched. The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC)'s proposal suggests granting future transmission connectivity based on signed Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) rather than Letters of Award (LoAs). The proposal is aimed at ensuring that projects have secured long-term commitments before being granted transmission connectivity, to prevent issues like grid congestion and to enhance grid efficiency.

Thus, only pairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched.

Statement-I correctly highlights the characteristic of forever chemicals, particularly PFAS, emphasizing their persistence and toxicity in the environment over extended periods. Statement-II provides an explanation for the durability of PFAS by mentioning the unique structure of PFAS molecules with strong carbon-fluorine bonds. The presence of these bonds indeed contributes to the durability of PFAS, making both statements correct, with Statement-II offering an elucidation for the property mentioned in Statement-I.

Statement-I is accurate as central banks are indeed shifting their reserve management strategies and increasingly buying gold, as mentioned in the key takeaways from the passage. This is supported by the example provided about various central banks, including the RBI, increasing their gold holdings.
Statement-II is also correct as it accurately connects Trump's policies, like trade wars and sanctions, to the diminishing trust in dollar-denominated assets. This has, in turn, led to gold regaining its status as a politically neutral reserve asset, as mentioned in the passage.
Therefore, both statements are factually correct, and Statement-II logically explains why central banks are increasingly buying gold, making option (a) the correct answer.

The humanoid robot ASC Arjun, introduced by the Indian Railways, is notable for its advanced AI capabilities, including a Face Recognition System (FRS) for intrusion detection and AI-based crowd monitoring for real-time alerts to Railway Protection Force (RPF) control rooms. This feature enables the robot to enhance station operations and passenger assistance efficiently.

Statement-I correctly highlights the transformation of India's space programme into a more citizen-facing, market-enabled, and globally integrated ecosystem from a mission-centric model. Statement-II accurately summarizes the evolution of India's space journey, emphasizing the foundational vision of achieving scientific self-reliance and mass participation in space missions. The second statement provides the historical context that explains the shift outlined in the first statement. Hence, both statements are correct, and Statement-II explains the essence of Statement-I.

1. Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) - Provides rail connectivity to the Sikkim region

This pair is incorrectly matched. The USBRL project connects the Kashmir Valley in Jammu and Kashmir, not Sikkim. It is a 272-km railway project providing all-weather connectivity to the Kashmir Valley.

2. Chenab Rail Bridge - World's highest railway arch bridge

This pair is correctly matched. The Chenab Rail Bridge is indeed the world's highest railway arch bridge, standing 359 meters above the Chenab River, and is part of the USBRL project.

3. New Pamban Railway Bridge - India's first cable-stayed railway bridge

This pair is incorrectly matched. The New Pamban Railway Bridge is India's first vertical-lift sea bridge, not a cable-stayed bridge. The Anji Rail Bridge is India's first cable-stayed railway bridge.

4. Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor - Fully commissioned between Ludhiana and Sonnagar

This pair is correctly matched. The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor has been fully commissioned from Ludhiana to Sonnagar, enhancing freight movement efficiency.

Thus, only two pairs (pairs 2 and 4) are correctly matched.

1. 5.56 x 45 mm CQB Carbine - Developed by Bharat Forge Ltd: Incorrect. The 5.56 x 45 mm CQB Carbine is designed and developed by the Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), which is part of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and is produced by Bharat Forge Ltd. The development is attributed to ARDE, not Bharat Forge, which is responsible for production.

2. CQB Carbine - Effective range of 200 meters: Correct. The CQB Carbine indeed has an effective range of 200 meters, making it suitable for urban warfare and close-range combat.

3. PathGennie - Designed for simulating chemical reactions: Correct. PathGennie is applicable to various problems, including chemical reactions, making this pair correctly matched.

4. PathGennie - Eliminates bias introduced by force-based simulations: Correct. PathGennie eliminates bias by not using artificial acceleration or external force, which is typical in standard simulation methods.

Thus, pairs 2, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, making the correct answer Option C: Only three pairs.

Statement-I correctly describes the Bureau of Energy Efficiency's Standards and Labelling Programme, which rates appliances on a scale of one to five stars based on their energy efficiency, empowering consumers to make informed choices and promoting energy-efficient technologies.
Statement-II accurately outlines the establishment and mandate of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in India, established in 2009 under the NIA Act, 2008, with the authority to investigate and prosecute cases related to terrorism and national security crimes.
While both statements are factually correct in their respective contexts, they address different entities and programs without any explanatory relationship, making option (b) the correct choice.

- Statement 1 is correct. The BEE's Standards and Labelling Programme was indeed launched in 2006 as part of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. This programme was established to promote energy efficiency across a wide range of appliances by providing consumers with information that would help them make informed choices.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. The star labelling system under the BEE programme rates appliances on a scale of one to five stars, where five stars indicate the most energy-efficient products, not one star. This is a key feature of the programme that allows consumers to identify and purchase more energy-efficient appliances easily.

- Statement 3 is correct. The programme plays a significant role in reducing national electricity demand, lowering consumer power bills, and has been reported to contribute to the reduction of approximately 60 million tonnes of CO₂ annually. This impact illustrates the programme's effectiveness in enhancing India's energy security and promoting sustainable consumption.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 3, making Option C the correct answer.

The discussion on street dogs in India and the involvement of the Supreme Court primarily raises concerns about the separation of powers. This issue underscores the potential encroachment of the judiciary on executive functions, reflecting debates on the proper division of power among different branches of government. In this context, it becomes essential to ensure that each state organ operates within its designated jurisdiction to maintain the balance of power and uphold constitutional principles.

Option C is correct.

Frédéric Sorrieu produced lithographs around 1848 that visualise a dream of democratic and social republics; the primary focus of these works is the fraternity among nations, shown by groups and allegorical figures moving together under banners of liberty.

The prints emphasise international republican solidarity and mutual recognition rather than celebrating absolutism or a narrow nationalist state; they use allegorical figures, national delegations and symbolic banners to convey unity, peace and shared republican values.

• Option A is incorrect: the images oppose absolutist rule and instead promote republican government.
• Option B is incomplete: while the prints relate to 19th-century political change, their aim is universal republican fraternity rather than promoting exclusive nationalism or the modern nation-state.
• Option D is incorrect: the works are allegorical visions of republican unity, not a depiction focused on the Storming of the Bastille.

- Statement 1 is correct. Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) is a water management technique used in rice cultivation that involves periodically drying and re-flooding the fields. This practice helps to disrupt the anaerobic conditions that are conducive to methane-producing microbes, thereby reducing methane emissions. Methane emissions occur when soil is continuously flooded, creating anaerobic conditions which favor the activity of methanogenic bacteria.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. While continuous flooding in rice cultivation does contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, it primarily leads to methane emissions, not nitrous oxide. Methane (CH₄) is the predominant greenhouse gas emitted from flooded rice fields, whereas nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions are more associated with fertilized fields subjected to aerobic conditions.

- Statement 3 is correct. Farmers who adopt the AWD method can potentially earn additional income through carbon credits. By reducing methane emissions, they can quantify these reductions in terms of carbon dioxide-equivalent and sell carbon credits on international markets. This provides a financial incentive for farmers to implement environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

Thus, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

1. Prohibition on the Use of Force - Correctly matched. Article 2(4) of the UN Charter indeed prohibits the use of force against another state's territorial integrity or political independence, allowing only for self-defense or actions approved by the Security Council.

2. Head-of-State Immunity - Correctly matched. International law provides heads of state with immunity from prosecution in foreign courts, and this immunity applies regardless of the legitimacy of their elections.

3. Law-Enforcement Justifications - Incorrectly matched. Law enforcement does not justify military operations in another state’s territory under international law. Such justifications stretch international law and undermine the distinction between domestic and international jurisdictions.

4. Right to Disconnect - Incorrectly matched. This concept is not currently a legal framework in India. While there is discussion about implementing such rights, India does not yet have specific legal provisions for the right to disconnect as countries like France and Portugal do.

Thus, only pairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched, making Option B: Only two pairs the correct answer.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme provides financial incentives, including a reimbursement of up to 50% of eligible expenditure, with a maximum limit of ₹15 crore per application for semiconductor design projects. This is a core feature of the scheme aimed at promoting domestic chip design.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. The DLI Scheme is open to startups, MSMEs, and domestic companies owned by resident Indian citizens, not non-resident Indian citizens. This inclusive approach encourages participation from a broad range of enterprises within India.

3. Statement 3 is correct. The ChipIN Centre, operated by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), offers access to advanced National Electronic Design Automation (EDA) Tool Grid and Multi-Project Wafer (MPW) prototyping. This support is essential for reducing entry barriers and facilitating indigenous semiconductor design capabilities.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 3. Therefore, the answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

The increasing trade deficit with Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partners is mainly attributed to the widening trade dynamics with ASEAN partners, as outlined in the NITI Aayog's 'Trade Watch Quarterly' report. This trend has significantly impacted India's overall export performance and trade balance. Efforts to address these challenges and recalibrate FTAs are crucial to improving market access and enhancing export competitiveness, especially in labor-intensive sectors.