Archive · 18 Jan 2026
UPSC Weekly Quiz Covers Key Events
This week's UPSC quiz covers a variety of important topics.
It includes questions about the Indian Navy Sailing Vessel (INSV) Kaundinya, which is modelled on an ancient vessel and built using traditional techniques.
There are also questions about the third stage of the PSLV rocket, the chief guests for India's Republic Day, and the Central Vigilance Commission.
The quiz touches on environmental topics like Kaziranga National Park and the Orobanche weed, as well as global issues like the Nipah Virus and Western Disturbances.
It also includes questions about specific places like the Shaksgam Valley and Sela Lake, and entities like World Liberty Financial and the Jamma Bane land tenure system.
The quiz is designed to help UPSC aspirants prepare for the exam by testing their knowledge on these diverse and relevant topics.
INSV Kaundinya is modelled on a fifth-century vessel and built using ancient Indian shipbuilding techniques.
The third stage of the PSLV rocket uses solid fuel for rapid acceleration and increases velocity with each stage.
The President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission will be the chief guests at India's 77th Republic Day celebrations.
The Central Vigilance Commission was established in 1964 and has a Central Vigilance Commissioner and two Vigilance Commissioners.
Kaziranga National Park is home to the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceros and is located on the Brahmaputra floodplains.
- Who
- UPSC aspirants and current affairs enthusiasts.
- What
- A weekly quiz covering key events and topics relevant to UPSC Prelims 2026.
- When
- January 11 to January 17, 2026.
- Where
- India, with a focus on various regions and global events.
- Why
- To help aspirants prepare for the UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 by testing their knowledge on current affairs and relevant topics.
- INSV Kaundinya
- Modelled on a fifth-century vessel from Ajanta caves, built using ancient Indian shipbuilding techniques.
- PSLV Third Stage
- Uses solid fuel for rapid acceleration, vehicle moves horizontally, velocity increases with each stage.
- Republic Day Chief Guests
- President of the European Council and President of the European Commission.
- Central Vigilance Commission
- Established in 1964, has a Central Vigilance Commissioner and two Vigilance Commissioners.
- Kaziranga National Park
- Home to the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceros, located on the Brahmaputra floodplains.
- Polar Bears
- Carnivorous, skilled swimmers, have black skin, and fur with light-reflecting properties.
- Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs)
- Required to transact in securities on a delivery basis, not allowed to square-off transactions intra-day.
- Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR)
- Percentage of population over 15 years either employed or actively seeking work.
- Sela Lake
- Located in Arunachal Pradesh, altitude of over 13,000 feet.
- Nipah Virus
- Zoonotic infection, can transmit to humans via close contact with infected animals.
- Western Disturbances
- Extratropical weather systems originating over the Mediterranean, bring winter precipitation to north and northwest India.
- Orobanche
- Root-parasitic flowering weed threatening mustard yields in key Indian states.
- Shaksgam Valley
- Ceded by Pakistan to China in 1963, claimed by India.
- World Liberty Financial
- Crypto company linked with US President Donald Trump.
- Jamma Bane
- Hereditary land tenure system in parts of Karnataka.
