Current Affairs MCQs – September 05, 2026

With reference to international relations, which one of the following best describes “minilateralism”?

1. Cooperation among a limited number of countries to address a specific issue or pursue shared strategic interests
2. Cooperation involving all countries under universal, treaty-based international institutions
3. Bilateral cooperation between two countries based exclusively on formal defence commitments
4. Unilateral action undertaken by a country without consulting international partners

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• With traditional multilateral institutions such as the United Nations and WTO facing geopolitical divisions, consensus difficulties and institutional gridlock, minilateralism is emerging as a flexible mechanism for countries to address specific global and strategic challenges.
• It refers to cooperation among a small group of countries or organisations to address a common problem or pursue specific strategic interests. Examples: Quad, BRICS, and G20.
• Origin of the Term: International political economist Miles Kahler is credited with introducing the term minilateralism in academic discussions in 1992.
• Key Characteristic: Minilateral groups generally have smaller membership, greater flexibility and issue-specific cooperation, allowing faster decision-making.

Answer: (a) Cooperation among a limited number of countries to address a specific issue or pursue shared strategic interests; Difficulty Level: Medium

Consider the following statements regarding the language used in the proceedings of the Supreme Court and High Courts in India:

1. The Constitution generally provides for the use of English in the proceedings of the Supreme Court and High Courts.
2. The Governor of a State may, with the previous consent of the President, authorise the use of Hindi or any other official language of the State in the proceedings of the High Court.
3. Judgements, decrees and orders of a High Court issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by an English translation.
4. The State Legislature can, by law, completely dispense with the requirement of publishing an English translation of State laws enacted in a language other than English.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Article 348(1) provides that proceedings in the Supreme Court and High Courts, as well as authoritative texts of Bills, Acts, Ordinances, rules, etc., shall generally be in English.

Statement 2 is correct

• Under Article 348(2), the Governor, with the previous consent of the President, may authorise the use of Hindi or any other official language of the State in proceedings of the High Court.

Statement 3 is correct

• The Official Languages Act, 1963 permits the use of a State’s official language for High Court judgments, decrees and orders, subject to an English translation being accompanied.

Statement 4 is incorrect

• Where a State Legislature prescribes a language other than English for Bills, Acts, Ordinances, orders, rules, regulations or bye-laws, an English translation is required to be published. The State Legislature cannot simply dispense with this requirement.

Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only; Difficulty Level: Medium

With reference to the Northern Goshawk, locally known as “Baaz”, consider the following statements:

1. It exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females generally larger than males.
2. It inhabits mature coniferous as well as deciduous forests.
3. The Northern Goshawk is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

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 Northern Goshawk exhibits sexual dimorphism, meaning males and females differ noticeably in size. Females are significantly larger and heavier than males, sometimes weighing nearly twice as much.

Statement 2 is correct

• It is primarily associated with mature, old-growth forests, including both coniferous and deciduous forests. Dense canopies provide suitable nesting cover, while relatively open areas within the forest help it hunt efficiently.

Statement 3 is correct

• The Northern Goshawk is included in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, providing it with a high level of legal protection in India.

Answer: (c) All three; Difficulty Level: Medium

The “Limiting Overshoot” report, which highlights the risks associated with temporarily exceeding the 1.5°C global warming threshold, was released by which one of the following organisations?

1. World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
2. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
3. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
4. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• The “Limiting Overshoot” report was released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The report examines the implications of a temporary breach of the 1.5°C temperature limit under the Paris Agreement and outlines pathways to bring global temperatures back below the threshold.

Answer: (b) United Nations Environment Programme; Difficulty Level: Easy

With reference to cotton cultivation in India, consider the following statements:

1. Cotton is a semi-xerophytic crop requiring a long frost-free growing season.
2. Its cultivation is confined to black soils because alluvial soils lack the moisture-retention capacity required for its growth.
3. India commercially cultivates all four cultivated species of cotton, including Gossypium hirsutum and Gossypium barbadense.

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

• Cotton is a tropical and subtropical semi-xerophytic Kharif cash crop needing a long frost-free season under semi-arid conditions, with temperatures of 21°C–30°C and 50–100 cm rainfall.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Soil: Thrives in deep, moisture-retentive Black Cotton Soil (Regur), as well as northern alluvial and southern red or laterite soils.

Statement 3 is correct

• India uniquely cultivates all four recognized commercial species: Gossypium arboreum and G. herbaceum (Asian), G. hirsutum (American Upland), and G. barbadense (Egyptian).

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