Current Affairs Questions in UPSC Prelims 2026 featured 14 questions from this segment, highlighting its continued relevance in the overall paper. This year, the questions were not limited to direct factual recall but also required candidates to connect recent events with static subjects such as polity, economy, environment, and governance. Compared to earlier trends, the 2026 current affairs questions reflected a more analytical approach, testing awareness of recent developments along with conceptual understanding and the ability to apply them in exam-oriented scenarios. 

Current Affairs Questions in UPSC Prelims 2026 Overview

The 2026 Current Affairs section required in-depth understanding of topics, confirming UPSC's trend toward analytical rather than factual questions.

Detailed Breakdown of Current Affairs Questions in UPSC Prelims 2026 

A significant number of Current Affairs Questions in UPSC Prelims 2026 General Studies Paper I are drawn from recent global and national events. These questions highlight the importance of staying updated with contemporary developments and their implications. In this year’s Paper, there were 14 questions asked from the current affairs. Here are the questions of current affairs, asked in the examination:

Ques. With reference to Madhav National Park, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in India in 2025.

2. Sakhya Sagar, which is designated as a Ramsar Site, is situated within this National Park.

3. Its area is shared between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Select the answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2

(c) 2 and 3

(d) 3 only

Correct Answer- B (1 and 2)

 Ques. Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience), a platform of institutions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is/are correct?

1. Ecosystem Survey and Analysis is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata.

2. Research and Management of Ecosystem Service is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi.

3. Capacity Development Support is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal.

Select the answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 only

(d) 3 only

Correct Answer-  B ( 1 and 3 )Ques. Consider the following statements with regard to the film 'Boong':

1. The film has recently won the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Award in the Children's and Family Film category.

2. The film is directed by Lakshmipriya Devi.

3. This is the first Indian film to win a BAFTA award in the Children's and Family Film category.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 3 only

Correct Answer- A (1,2,3)

Tungurahua Volcano, which was declared a Global Geopark by UNESCO in 2025, is situated in which one among the following countries?

(a) Ecuador

(b) Peru

(c) Bolivia

(d) Colombia

Correct Answer- (a) Ecuador

At the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) held in June, 2025 in France, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations demonstrated its leading voice on marine and ocean issues, especially on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for resilient livelihood and "Blue Transformation". Which of the following combinations about the "Four Betters" proposed by FAO for "Blue Transformation" is correct?

(a) Better production, better nutrition, better environment and better ocean

(b) Better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life

(c) Better coral reefs, better nutrition, better environment and better life

(d) Better estuaries, better nutrition, betterenvironment and better mangrove vegetation

Correct Answer- (b) Better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life

 Ships from which of the following countries have to cross the Strait of Hormuz to reach out to the Indian Ocean?

1. Bahrain

2. Syria

3. Qatar

4. Egypt

Select the answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 1 and 3

(c) 2 and 3

(d) 3 and 4

Correct Answer- (b) 1 and 3

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists:

Code:

A B C D

(a) 3 1 2 4

(b) 3 2 1 4

(c) 4 2 1 3

(d) 4 1 2 3

 Correct Answer- (c) 4 2 1 3

The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are not correct in terms of outcomes of this visit?

1. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and the University of Hamburg

2. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Youth Hockey Development between Hockey India and the German Hockey Federation

3. Establishment of a bilateral dialogue mechanism on the Indo-Pacific

4. Opening of an Honorary Consul of Germany in Lucknow

Select the answer using the code given below:

(a) 2 and 3

(b) 1 and 4

(c) 3 and 4

(d) 1 only

Correct Answer- (b) 1 and 4

'X', born in the UK, was conferred the Nobel Prize in 2025. He was a professor in an American university when this prize was announced. Identify 'X':

(a) Michel H. Devoret

(b) Richard Robson

(c) John Clarke

(d) Joel Mokyr

Correct Answer- (c) John Clarke

 A bond whose proceeds are used only to finance or refinance a combination of both environmental and social projects is called:

(a) Green Bond

(b) Social Bond

(c) Sustainability Bond

(d) Sovereign Bond

Correct Answer- (c) Sustainability Bond

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:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer- (c) Both 1 and 2

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:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer- (b) 2 and 3 only

Which of the following statements about a Zero First Information Report (Zero FIR) under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023 is/are correct?

1. A Zero FIR can be lodged at a police station, even though the place of commission of a cognizable/non- cognizable offence is outside the territorial jurisdiction of that police station.

2. The Officer-in-Charge of the police station where a Zero FIR has been lodged may, with the permission of the competent authority, initiate a preliminary enquiry.

3. Under Zero FIR, it is obligatory for the informant to furnish information electronically.

 Select the answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 only

(d) 2 only

Correct Answer- (d) 2 only

 With reference to the organisations under the Government of India, consider the following details:

In how many of the above rows are the given details correctly matched?

(a) 1

(b) 2

(c) 3

(d) None

Correct Answer- (a) 1

These instances clearly demonstrate how many questions are asked from Current Affairs in UPSC Prelims are integrated into the examination, making comprehensive preparation in this area crucial for aspirants.

How to prepare Current Affairs Questions  for UPSC Prelims

To prepare current affairs questions for UPSC Prelims, focus on limited sources, regular revision, and connecting news with static subjects. UPSC-oriented guidance consistently recommends reading one reliable newspaper daily, using one monthly compilation, and revising the last 12 to 18 months of important issues before the exam.

• Read one newspaper daily and note only UPSC-relevant issues.

• Use one monthly current affairs compilation for structured revision.

• Make short notes under headings like polity, economy, environment, science, and international relations.

• Focus on issues, not just news headlines, because UPSC asks concept-based questions.

• Revise repeatedly in the final months and solve MCQs from current affairs test series.