Current Affairs MCQs – August 07, 2026

With reference to the Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica), consider the following statements:

1. The Asiatic Lion is naturally restricted to India, with its present wild population concentrated in and around the Gir landscape of Gujarat.
2. The Asiatic Lion is listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List and is included in Appendix I of CITES.
3. Unlike the African Lion, the Asiatic Lion faces little risk from infectious diseases because its population occurs entirely within a protected landscape.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica) is found in the wild only in India, with its population concentrated in and around the Gir landscape of Gujarat.

Statement 2 is correct

• The Asiatic Lion is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is listed in Appendix I of CITES, which provides it with the highest level of protection under CITES.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• The Asiatic Lion is vulnerable to infectious diseases, including Canine Distemper Virus (CDV). Its concentration in a single landscape can actually increase the risk of a disease outbreak affecting a large proportion of the population.

Answer: (b) Only two; Difficulty Level: Medium

 With reference to notified disasters under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), consider the following disasters:

1. Hailstorm
2. Landslide
3. Cloudburst
4. Pest attack
5. Frost and cold wave
6. Heatwave
7. Lightning

How many of the above are included in the list of notified disasters for the purposes of SDRF/NDRF?

1. Only four
2. Only five
3. Only six
4. All seven

Explanation

• Heatwave and lightning have been included in the list of notified natural calamities under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

• Disaster Management Act defines disaster as a “catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence” arising from “natural or man-made causes” that results in substantial loss of life, destruction of property, or damage to the environment.

• The current list of notified disasters has 12 entries: cyclone, drought, earthquake, fire, flood, tsunami, hailstorm, landslides, avalanches, cloudburst, pest attack, and frost and cold waves.

Answer: (d) All seven; Difficulty Level: Easy

 With reference to India’s extradition framework, consider the following statements:

1. The Consular, Passport and Visa (CPV) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs is the nodal authority for administering the Extradition Act, 1962.
2. The principle of dual criminality requires that the conduct for which extradition is sought must constitute an offense under the laws of both the requesting and requested countries.
3. Under the rule of specialty, a person extradited to India may generally be prosecuted for any offense committed before extradition, irrespective of the offense for which extradition was granted.
4. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) functions as India’s National Central Bureau for Interpol and facilitates the location of fugitives through mechanisms such as Red Notices.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The Consular, Passport and Visa (CPV) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is the nodal authority responsible for administering matters under the Extradition Act, 1962.

Statement 2 is correct

• Dual criminality means that the act for which extradition is sought must be considered an offence under the laws of both countries involved.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• The rule of specialty provides protection to an extradited person by generally restricting the requesting state from prosecuting that person for offences other than those for which extradition was granted, subject to applicable exceptions.

Statement 4 is correct

• The CBI serves as India’s National Central Bureau for Interpol and works through Interpol mechanisms, including Red Notices, to help identify and locate persons wanted by Indian law-enforcement authorities.

Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4 only; Difficulty Level: Medium

Lesotho is completely surrounded by the territory of which one of the following countries, making it an enclave within another country?

1. Botswana
2. Namibia
3. South Africa
4. Eswatini

Explanation

• India and Lesotho reviewed their bilateral relationship during the 6^th meeting of the India-Lesotho Joint Bilateral Commission for Cooperation (JBCC) held in New Delhi.

• Lesotho is a landlocked country, completely encircled by the South Africa. Capital: Maseru.
• Mountains: Two-thirds of Lesotho consists of mountains. It is often called the “Kingdom in the Sky” due to its high elevation. Major mountain ranges are Drakensberg, Maloti etc.
  • Lesotho is the only country in the world entirely above 1,400 meters in elevation.

Answer: (c) South Africa; Difficulty Level: Easy

 With reference to the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) and the South-East Asia Regulatory Network (SEARN), consider the following statements:

1. The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission has been recognized by the WHO South-East Asia Regulatory Network as a Regional Centre of Excellence in Pharmacovigilance and a Technical Centre in Quality of Medicines.
2. SEARN is a collaborative platform established by the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) to promote regulatory cooperation, capacity building and convergence among National Regulatory Authorities of Member States.

Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has been recognized by WHO-SEARN as a Regional Centre of Excellence in Pharmacovigilance and a Technical Centre in Quality of Medicines. The recognition was made at the 10th Anniversary Meeting of SEARN held in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Statement 2 is correct

• SEARN is a collaborative platform established by the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) to strengthen regulatory systems among Member States. Since its inception in 2016, it has promoted knowledge sharing, regulatory convergence, capacity building and reliance mechanisms.

Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2; Difficulty Level: Medium