UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Quiz: February 1-7, 2026 MCQs for Prelims Preparation
UPSC Weekly Quiz Feb 1-7, 2026: MCQs for Prelims

UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Quiz: February 1 to February 7, 2026

As the UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2026 approaches, focusing on current affairs becomes crucial for aspirants. This weekly quiz, curated specifically for competitive exam preparation, offers a comprehensive review of key topics from the past week. Engage with these multiple-choice questions every Saturday to enhance your knowledge and analytical skills, complete with detailed explanations to solidify your understanding.

QUESTION 1: The Delhi Declaration

The Delhi Declaration, signed during the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers Meeting, primarily addresses:

  1. Establishing a formal India–Arab collective security alliance against maritime threats.
  2. Creating a preferential trade agreement between India and the Arab League.
  3. Endorsing a common currency framework for West Asian economies.
  4. The need to uphold the “sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity” of Sudan, Somalia and Libya, and “rejects interference” in their internal affairs.

Why this question is important for UPSC Prelims 2026: This question tests awareness of normative principles like sovereignty and non-interference, which are central to India's diplomatic outreach in West Asia. It reflects the exam's trend toward evaluating conceptual understanding of international relations.

Explanation: India hosted 22 members of the League of Arab States for this meeting, a decade after the first iteration in Bahrain. The declaration emerged amid escalating regional tensions, including Iran-US conflicts and Saudi-UAE rifts. It uniformly emphasizes respecting the sovereignty of Sudan, Somalia, and Libya, rejecting external interference, making option (d) correct.

QUESTION 2: Financial Instruments

Consider the following pairs:

  1. Bond – A debt instrument where an investor loans money to an entity for a defined period at a variable or fixed interest rate.
  2. Government Security – Money market instruments, short-term debt issued by the Government of India in tenors of 91, 182, and 364 days.
  3. Treasury Bills – Tradeable instruments issued by the Central or State Governments.

How many pairs are correctly matched?

  1. Only one pair
  2. Only two pairs
  3. All three pairs
  4. None of the pairs

Why this question is important for UPSC Prelims 2026: UPSC emphasizes conceptual accuracy in economics, moving beyond rote memorization. This question distinguishes between bonds, government securities, and Treasury Bills, testing deep understanding of financial market classifications.

Explanation: Pair 1 is correct as bonds are indeed debt instruments. Pair 2 is incorrect because Government Securities (G-Secs) include both short-term and long-term instruments, not just money market ones. Pair 3 is incorrect as Treasury Bills are specifically short-term instruments issued by the Government of India, not tradeable instruments broadly. Thus, only one pair is correct, making option (a) the answer.

QUESTION 3: The 1837 Serengsia Battle

The 1837 Serengsia Battle was:

  1. An armed resistance by Ho Adivasis against British East India Company.
  2. A revolt led by Santhal tribes against the Permanent Settlement system.
  3. A peasant uprising in Bengal triggered by European indigo planters.
  4. A princely revolt supported by regional zamindars against annexation.

Why this question is important for UPSC Prelims 2026: This question highlights UPSC's focus on tribal resistance and subaltern histories in India's colonial past, shifting away from elite narratives to explore localized armed oppositions against colonial rule.

Explanation: The battle occurred in present-day Jharkhand, where Ho Adivasis resisted British encroachment. It marked a significant conflict following the British establishment of a camp in Chaibasa, leading to a treaty that imposed taxes and language changes on the Adivasis. Hence, option (a) is correct.

QUESTION 4: India-Russia Energy Trade

With reference to India-Russia energy trade, consider the statements:

  1. It was around 2% of India's energy imports before the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
  2. In 2024, it reached a record high, with Russian oil imports comprising the bulk.

Which is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Why this question is important for UPSC Prelims 2026: This question tests understanding of India's external economic adjustments amid geopolitical shifts, focusing on trade data, strategic autonomy, and energy security trends.

Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as pre-2022 trade was minimal. Statement 2 is correct, with bilateral trade hitting $68.7 billion in FY 2024-25, driven by oil imports. Thus, option (c) is correct.

QUESTION 5: Graphics Processing Units (GPUs)

With reference to GPUs, consider the statements:

  1. India's AI Mission subsidises GPU access for startups and researchers.
  2. India has a local GPU production capacity.
  3. The Netherlands leads in global GPU production.

How many are correct?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None

Why this question is important for UPSC Prelims 2026: This evaluates awareness of AI infrastructure, state support for technology access, and India's reliance on external ecosystems for critical hardware like GPUs.

Explanation: Statement 1 is correct due to the IndiaAI Mission's subsidies. Statement 2 is incorrect as India lacks local production. Statement 3 is incorrect with the US leading production. Hence, only one statement is correct, making option (a) the answer.

QUESTION 6: T-cells

With reference to T-cells, consider the statements:

  1. These are a type of red blood cells.
  2. They can kill harmful cells directly or signal other immune cells.
  3. These are central to immunotherapy.

Which is/are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Why this question is important for UPSC Prelims 2026: This integrates basic biology with modern medical applications, testing understanding of immune systems and their role in advanced therapies like CAR T-cell treatment.

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect as T-cells are white blood cells. Statements 2 and 3 are correct, highlighting their functions in immunity and immunotherapy. Thus, option (c) is correct.

QUESTION 7: Under-19 Indian Cricket Team World Cup Wins

In which years did the under-19 Indian cricket team win the World Cup?

  1. 2008
  2. 2018
  3. 2024
  4. 2026

Select the correct answer:

  1. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  2. 2, 3 and 4
  3. 1 and 4 only
  4. 1, 2 and 4

Why this question is important for UPSC Prelims 2026: This assesses awareness of significant sports achievements that reflect national prestige and youth development, often highlighted in policy and media.

Explanation: India has won the Under-19 World Cup in 2000, 2008, 2012, 2018, 2022, and 2026. Thus, from the options, 2008, 2018, and 2026 are correct, making option (d) the answer.

QUESTION 8: Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I & II)

The START I and START II treaties were signed between:

  1. Russia and India
  2. Russia and Germany
  3. India and the United States
  4. The United States and Russia

Why this question is important for UPSC Prelims 2026: This tests knowledge of Cold War-era arms control agreements that influence contemporary nuclear strategy and disarmament issues.

Explanation: START I was signed in 1991, and START II in 1993, both between the US and Russia to reduce strategic arsenals. Hence, option (d) is correct.

QUESTION 9: Project Cheetah

Consider the statements:

  1. Project Cheetah was launched in 2023.
  2. Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park is the only home to the Namibian cheetah.
  3. In India, the Asiatic cheetah was declared extinct in 1952.

How many are correct?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None

Why this question is important for UPSC Prelims 2026: This evaluates understanding of wildlife conservation policies, historical extinction events, and current reintroduction efforts.

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect as the project launched in 2022. Statement 2 is correct with Kuno as the sole location. Statement 3 is correct regarding the 1952 extinction declaration. Thus, two statements are correct, making option (b) the answer.

QUESTION 10: India-US Agricultural Trade

Consider the statements:

  1. India's agricultural export to the US has consistently increased from 2020 to 2025.
  2. India maintained a trade surplus in agricultural exports to the US in the last decade.

Which is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Why this question is important for UPSC Prelims 2026: This focuses on trade dynamics, testing ability to discern between long-term trends and short-term fluctuations in agricultural exports.

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect as exports have not consistently risen year-on-year. Statement 2 is correct with India maintaining a surplus. Hence, option (b) is correct.

Consolidate your UPSC CSE preparation by regularly attempting such quizzes to stay updated with current affairs and enhance your exam readiness.