26 April 2026 — Current Affairs Questions with Answers for UPSC, SSC, Banking & MPSC

Explanation

The Supreme Court, in its order, declared that safety of commuters and the right to safe passage on highways are part of the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; the Court prohibited construction/operation on the 'right of way', not within a 500-meter radius. Statement 3 is incorrect; the article states National Highways constitute approximately 2% (not 5%) of the road length.

Explanation

The Supreme Court order explicitly states that National Highways account for nearly 30% of all road fatalities in India, despite forming only about 2% of the total road length.

Explanation

The Supreme Court derived the directive from Article 21 (Right to Life), imposing a positive obligation on the state to protect citizens from avoidable hazards on highways. This is a judicial interpretation of a fundamental right, not based on directive principles, fundamental duties, or the distribution of legislative powers.

Explanation

As per the article, the solid propulsion system of Vikram-1 is called 'Kalam'. The liquid system is 'Raman' and the cryogenic is 'Dhawan'. This tests static linkage to honoring Indian scientists.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as explicitly stated. Statement 2 is incorrect: Vikram-1 is a multi-stage vehicle made of carbon composite, designed for Low Earth Orbit. Statement 3 is incorrect: Exports fell 2.2% in dollar terms, and the article notes growth in INR terms but decline in USD terms, indicating a loss of competitiveness.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that textiles and garment exports fell 2.2 per cent to USD 35.8 billion in 2025-26. The other options are close distractors.

Explanation

The article's core point is that Skyroot is 'likely to become the first private company to launch an orbital space rocket' with Vikram-1. This signifies a major milestone for India's private space industry. The other options describe capabilities or models not mentioned for Vikram-1.

Explanation

The Strait of Malacca, located between Indonesia and Malaysia, is a crucial chokepoint in Southeast Asia for oil shipments from the Middle East to East Asia. The other options are chokepoints in different regions: Gibraltar (Europe-Africa), Bosporus (Turkey), and Dover (UK-France).

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The article states the Middle East accounts for nearly 70% of India's basmati exports and these have been halted. Statement 2 is incorrect: Domestic urea production has FALLEN by 40% (not increased) due to LNG shortage. Statement 3 is correct: The article mentions a 100% price increase for nitrile. Hence, both 1 and 3 are correct.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that '90 per cent of India’s LPG imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz'. The other options are plausible but incorrect distractors.

Explanation

The article concludes that the answer 'lies in diversification, fewer single-source choke points'. It explicitly argues against autarky ('The answer does not lie in rushed policies in favour of autarky'). While subsidies and domestic manufacturing are mentioned in the context of existing problems, diversification is presented as the core strategic lesson.

Explanation

The article explicitly mentions that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted below-normal rainfall for the 2026 monsoon season. IMD is the primary national agency for weather forecasting and meteorological observations.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as IMD forecasts 92% LPA rainfall. Statement 2 is correct: the article states the number has been 'comfortably above 100 every year since 2017'. Statement 3 is correct: the article mentions disaster-inducing rainfall incidents happened in years like 2015, 2018, and 2023 when overall rainfall was low.

Explanation

The article states that 'In 2024, as many as 181 extreme rainfall events were recorded'. The number 64 refers to the maximum in the 2008-2011 period, 100 is the threshold post-2017, and 160 is the count for 2023.

Explanation

The article emphasizes that the 'new headache' during monsoon is excessive, localized rainfall in urban areas, driven by the increasing trend of extreme rainfall events (more frequent and intense) linked to climate change. Poor urban planning is a contributing factor, but the primary trigger is the unprecedented rainfall events.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the Ganga Expressway was developed by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA). This is the nodal agency for expressway development in UP, while NHAI and MoRTH are central bodies.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect because the airstrip is located in Shahjahanpur, not Bulandshahr. This is a classic examiner trap swapping district names. Statement 3 is correct as mentioned. Hence, option C is correct.

Explanation

The article specifically states the Ganga Expressway was built at a total cost of around Rs 36,230 crore. The other options are close distractors with similar number patterns.

Explanation

The article states that the Ganga Expressway is expected to serve as a backbone for a broader expressway network in the state, linking several other corridors. While it may aid tourism and decongest roads, its strategic role as a network spine is the primary highlighted impact.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that Germanwatch, a Bonn-based non-governmental organization, releases the Climate Risk Index (CRI) report. The CRI has been published by Germanwatch since 2006.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article states the study was led by PIK researchers. Statement 2 is correct as the article mentions this exact projection. Statement 3 is incorrect; the article states that native species typically showed higher vulnerability than non-native species.

Explanation

The article clearly states that India has been ranked 9th in the list of countries worst affected by climate-related disasters in the last 30 years, showing an improvement of one rank over the previous 2023 report.

Explanation

The article states that for every 1 degree Celsius rise, the atmosphere holds about 7% more moisture, which leads to heavier, longer, and more frequent precipitation events, ultimately causing severe flooding and making storms more dangerous.

Explanation

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through its Department of Commerce, is the nodal agency for formulating and implementing India's foreign trade policy and negotiating international trade agreements like FTAs.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; the article states the deal provides 100% duty-free access for Indian exporters, not New Zealand's exports to India. Statement 3 is correct as the article mentions negotiations were announced in March 2025 and concluded in December 2025.

Explanation

The article's headline and content explicitly state that India and New Zealand are to sign the FTA on April 27, 2026. April 24th was the date of the minister's welcome, and April 25th was when a social media post was made.

Explanation

The core benefit highlighted in the article's headline and content is that the deal provides Indian exporters with 100% duty-free access, making Indian goods more price-competitive in New Zealand. The other options, while possible broader outcomes, are not the primary immediate benefit stated.

Explanation

The article explicitly deals with anticipatory bail, which is the legal remedy provided under Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. This section grants the High Court or Court of Session the power to grant bail in anticipation of arrest.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article states a court can reject anticipatory bail. Statement 2 is incorrect as the core ruling is that a court has 'no jurisdiction' to direct surrender upon rejection. Statement 3 is correct as the Bench composition is mentioned in the article. Hence, option C is correct.

Explanation

The article clearly states that the ruling was delivered by 'A Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Ujjal Bhuyan,' which indicates a two-judge Bench. This is a factual detail directly from the source.

Explanation

The ruling's core implication is to define the boundary of a court's authority under Section 438 CrPC. It establishes that the power to reject a bail application does not include the power to dictate the subsequent procedural step (surrender), thereby reinforcing that judicial powers are confined by the statute.

Explanation

The article states the pact will be signed in the presence of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. Trade agreements and negotiations are primarily handled by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article's target of doubling trade to USD 5 billion. Statement 2 is incorrect; the investment commitment is over 15 years, not 10 years. Statement 3 is correct as India made no concessions on dairy, onions, sugar, spices, edible oils, and rubber.

Explanation

The article explicitly mentions that New Zealand will give a temporary employment entry visa pathway with a quota of 5,000 visas annually. The other numbers are distractors.

Explanation

The article states the pact will help Indian exporters, reeling under the impact of global uncertainties including the West Asia crisis, diversify shipments in the Oceania region. Options A and C are incorrect as India excluded dairy and did not eliminate tariffs on spices/edible oils. Option D is not mentioned as an objective of the FTA.

Explanation

The article discusses rules for international waters, straits, and territorial seas, which are comprehensively codified in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), often called the 'constitution for the oceans'.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article states the toll fee 'ran to more than a million dollars per ship'. Statement 2 is incorrect; the U.S. seized ships 'between Sri Lanka and Indonesia on the high seas', not within Iran's territorial waters. Statement 3 is correct as the article explicitly mentions India was among the biggest beneficiaries with Iran allowing passage to its ships.

Explanation

The article states: 'transits across the Strait of Hormuz dwindled from some 100 vessels on a typical day to a handful.' Therefore, the typical daily transit was around 100 vessels.

Explanation

The article describes that Iran 'put in place a system of allowing transits based on geopolitical considerations and a toll fee'. It did not completely halt all traffic, nor was there UN intervention or permanent closure mentioned.

Explanation

The Committee on Subordinate Legislation, in both Houses of Parliament, scrutinizes rules, regulations, and other subordinate legislation made by the executive to ensure they are within the scope of the parent Act and the Constitution.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the committee report was on 'Infirmities in the regulations framed under the National Medical Commission Act'. Statement 2 is incorrect because the committee was 'taken aback' to find the regulations were NOT vetted by the Law Ministry. Statement 3 is correct as the article states the committee said such vetting is essential from legal, constitutional, and drafting points of view.

Explanation

The article explicitly mentions that the committee report is based on the examination of the 'National Medical Commission (Recognition of Medical Qualifications) Regulations, 2023, among others'.

Explanation

The core concern, as stated in the article, is that skipping the Law Ministry's vetting—which is meant to check legal, constitutional, and drafting aspects—could lead to 'future infirmities' in the regulations, making them vulnerable to being struck down by courts.