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UPSC Prelims 2026

100 questions, in the order they were asked.

2026 · Q51Science & TechnologyComputer & Information Technologymoderate

Which of the following statements regarding the features of blockchain technology are correct ? 1. Records stored in the database may be made visible to relevant stakeholders without risk of alteration. 2. Copies of the entire database are stored on multiple computers on a network, syncing within seconds. 3. Consortium blockchain is a blend of public and private blockchains allowing selective data access. 4. Mathematical algorithms make it impossible to change or delete any data once recorded and accepted. Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1 and 3
  2. (b)2 and 4 only
  3. (c)1, 2 and 4
  4. (d)1 and 4 only
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Official answer(c) 1, 2 and 4

2026 · Q54Indian EconomyDigital Payments & Financial Inclusionmoderate

Which one of the following best describes the key objective of India’s ‘Open Network for Digital Commerce’ (ONDC) initiative ?

  1. (a)To allow government control over all digital commerce transactions
  2. (b)To replace private e-commerce players
  3. (c)To break the dominance of large e-commerce platforms by enabling interoperability across networks
  4. (d)To mandate UPI-based payments for all online transactions
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Official answer(c) To break the dominance of large e-commerce platforms by enabling interoperability across networks

2026 · Q55Indian EconomyDigital Payments & Financial Inclusionmoderate

Which one of the following statements about Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Central Bank Digital Currency (Digital Rupee) is not correct ?

  1. (a)UPI is a real-time payment system but Digital Rupee is akin to sovereign paper currency.
  2. (b)In case of UPI, settlement for end users happens instantly as the money gets immediately debited or credited but in case of Digital Rupee, there is no settlement as the wallet balance gets transferred to another wallet.
  3. (c)UPI transactions are recorded by banks and reflected in bank statements but in case of Digital Rupee, no data is captured in bank statements as transactions are from one wallet to another.
  4. (d)In both the cases (UPI and Digital Rupee), the liability lies with the users and their respective banks.
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Official answer(d) In both the cases (UPI and Digital Rupee), the liability lies with the users and their respective banks.

2026 · Q56Indian EconomyFinancial Markets & Capital Marketsdifficult

Which of the following statements about Real-World Assets (RWA) Tokenization are correct ? 1. Tokenization is the process of turning real world assets into digital tokens using blockchain technology. 2. Tokenization of real world assets offers 24 × 7 access, promoting financial inclusion. 3. Tokenization of real world assets will allow the access to high growth investment opportunities for individuals in India. Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1, 2 and 3
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1 and 2 only
  4. (d)1 and 3 only
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Official answer(a) 1, 2 and 3

2026 · Q58Indian EconomyBanking & Financial Sectordifficult

Which of the following statements about M1xchange’s role in Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) financing is/are correct ? 1. M1xchange provides collateral based loans to MSMEs. 2. M1xchange facilitates discounting of invoices and Bills of Exchange for MSMEs. 3. M1xchange functions as a credit rating agency for MSMEs. Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1, 2 and 3
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)2 and 3 only
  4. (d)1 only
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Official answer(b) 2 only

2026 · Q59Indian EconomyFiscal Policy & Budgetmoderate

Which one of the following best describes the ‘Crowding Out Effect’ in the context of fiscal policy ?

  1. (a)A situation where private investment increases due to increased Government spending
  2. (b)A situation where Government borrowing leads to higher interest rates, which reduces private investment
  3. (c)A situation where an increase in taxes leads to increased private sector investment
  4. (d)A situation where Government spending has no impact on aggregate demand
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Official answer(b) A situation where Government borrowing leads to higher interest rates, which reduces private investment

2026 · Q60Indian EconomyInfrastructure & Industrymoderate

Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct ? 1. Modern technological innovations including Artificial Intelligence, robotics and space exploration extensively utilise Rare Earth Elements (REEs). 2. China has the highest share in mining of REEs followed by India. 3. The Government of India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in 2025 to establish a robust framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector. 4. Rare Earth Elements are a set of 13 metallic elements. Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1 and 3 only
  2. (b)3 only
  3. (c)1, 3 and 4
  4. (d)1, 2 and 4
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Official answer(a) 1 and 3 only

2026 · Q61Indian EconomyBanking & Financial Sectordifficult

Which of the following statements about insurance in aviation sector is/are correct ? 1. ‘Aviation Hull Insurance’ covers the physical aircraft, including the body, engine, and on-board equipment. 2. Under the Montreal Convention, adopted in 1999 by over 130 countries, including India, airlines are strictly liable to pay compensation to the family/nominee of every deceased passenger without requiring the family to prove fault. Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
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Official answer(c) Both 1 and 2

2026 · Q62Indian EconomyFinancial Markets & Capital Marketsmoderate

Which of the following statements about Crowdfunding is/are correct ? 1. Crowdfunding is solicitation of funds (small amount) from multiple investors through a web-based platform or social networking site for a specific project. 2. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are able to raise funds at lower cost of capital without undergoing rigorous procedures. Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
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Official answer(c) Both 1 and 2

2026 · Q63Indian EconomyBanking & Financial Sectormoderate

With reference to different Committees in India, consider the following details : Sl. No. | Committee | Objective | Organization under which it was formed 1. | R.N. Malhotra Committee | Comprehensive reforms of Insurance sector in India | Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India 2. | L.C. Gupta Committee | Preparing a roadmap for the introduction of derivatives trading in India | Securities and Exchange Board of India 3. | Urjit R. Patel Committee | Preparing a roadmap for reforming bank lending to the Housing sector | Reserve Bank of India 4. | Y.H. Malegam Committee | Preparing a roadmap for reforms in Microfinance sector in India | Reserve Bank of India In which of the above rows are all the details correctly matched ?

  1. (a)2 only
  2. (b)2 and 3
  3. (c)1, 3 and 4
  4. (d)2 and 4
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Official answer(d) 2 and 4

2026 · Q64Indian EconomyBanking & Financial Sectormoderate

Consider the following statements about the Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in India : 1. NBFCs cannot accept demand deposits. 2. All the NBFCs operating in India have to be registered with the RBI. 3. NBFCs form part of the payment and settlement system and can issue cheque drawn on itself. 4. Deposit insurance facility of Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) is not available to the depositors of deposit taking NBFCs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  1. (a)1 and 4
  2. (b)1, 2 and 3
  3. (c)4 only
  4. (d)2, 3 and 4
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Official answer(a) 1 and 4

2026 · Q65Indian EconomyHuman Development, Poverty & Employment Schemesmoderate

Consider the following statements about Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) : 1. MPI is calculated using Alkire-Foster methodology. 2. MPI calculated by NITI Aayog has a total of twelve indicators. 3. Maternal Health and Bank Account are common indicators in the MPI of NITI Aayog and MPI of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  1. (a)1 and 2 only
  2. (b)1, 2 and 3
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)2 only
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Official answer(a) 1 and 2 only

2026 · Q66Science & TechnologyBiotechnology & Geneticsmoderate

Which of the following statements with regard to genetic medicine is/are correct ? 1. Genetic medicines correct/compensate for the faulty genes responsible for disease. 2. Engineered viruses and lipid nanoparticles are used as carriers of the genetic medicine. 3. Genetic medicines alter the entire DNA sequence. Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1 and 2 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(c) 1 and 2 only

2026 · Q67Science & TechnologyComputer & Information Technologymoderate

Which of the following statements with regard to Large Language Models (LLMs) used in machine learning is/are correct ? 1. LLMs assign probabilities to the next possible words and then pick the one with the highest probability. 2. LLMs process data through mathematical optimization to minimise prediction errors. 3. LLMs produce unbiased outputs. Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)1 and 2 only
  3. (c)2 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(b) 1 and 2 only

2026 · Q68Science & TechnologyDefence Technologymoderate

Which of the following statements with regard to stealth technology is/are correct ? 1. Stealth objects have a very small radar cross-section and are coated with Radar Absorbing Material. 2. Stealth objects can be detected using specific frequencies. 3. Stealth objects are coated with metamaterials to increase the scattering of electromagnetic radiation. Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1 and 2 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(c) 1 and 2 only

2026 · Q69Science & TechnologyMaterials & Engineeringmoderate

Which of the following statements with regard to Black Boxes used in modern aircrafts is/are correct ? 1. They carry a beacon emitting red light pulses to facilitate underwater detection. 2. They record both the cockpit voice and flight data. 3. Their memory units are made using either stainless steel or titanium. Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1 and 2 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(b) 2 and 3 only

2026 · Q70Science & TechnologyEnergy & Environmentmoderate

Which of the following statements with regard to Green Hydrogen is/are correct ? 1. It is decarbonized hydrogen obtained from natural gas reforming combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS). 2. It is produced using electrolysis of water with electricity generated by renewable energy. 3. National Green Hydrogen Mission of India aims for abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)2 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(b) 2 and 3 only

2026 · Q71Science & TechnologySpace Technology & Astronomymoderate

Consider the following statements with regard to involvement of private entities in India’s space programme : 1. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is an autonomous agency formed to facilitate participation of private entities. 2. Agnikul Cosmos launched the world’s first flight using 3D-printed rocket engine. 3. Skyroot Aerospace has developed liquid fuel for GSLV. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1 and 2 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(c) 1 and 2 only

2026 · Q72Science & TechnologyDefence Technologymoderate

Which of the following statements with regard to drone swarms is/are correct ? 1. They use Terahertz band of frequency to communicate with the command centre. 2. Individual drones in the swarm can communicate with other drones in the swarm. 3. GPS Spoofing is a commonly used technique to counter drone swarm attack. Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1 and 2 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(b) 2 and 3 only

2026 · Q73Science & TechnologyBiotechnology & Geneticsmoderate

Which of the following statements with regard to GenomeIndia Project is/are correct ? 1. It is a part of the Human Genome Project. 2. The project is funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India. 3. Its primary aim is to build a catalogue of genetic diversity of the Indian population. Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1 and 2 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(b) 2 and 3 only

2026 · Q74Science & TechnologyScience & Technology Institutionsmoderate

Which of the following statements with regard to the National Quantum Mission (NQM) is/are correct ? 1. It aims at developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50 – 1000 physical qubits. 2. Its implementation includes setting up of four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in academic and national R&D institutes across India. Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
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Official answer(c) Both 1 and 2

2026 · Q75Science & TechnologyScience & Technology Institutionsmoderate

Which of the following statements with regard to India’s Deep Ocean Mission is/are correct ? 1. It was launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India. 2. Matsya-6000 has been designed to carry 3 people for deep sea exploration. 3. Samudrayaan is a project under this mission. Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1 and 2 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(b) 2 and 3 only