Daily current-affairs MCQs for the RPSC RAS exam, dated 12 July 2026 — with answers and explanations.
Environment / Species
1. With reference to the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros, consider the following statements:
(I) In India it is found mainly in the flood plains of Assam, with Kaziranga National Park holding the largest population.
(II) It is listed as 'Vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List.
(III) It is also found in Nepal.
(IV) It has two horns.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
I and IV only
II and IV only
I, II and III only
I, II, III and IV
Answer: C. I, II and III only — Statement IV is false: the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros has a single horn (as its name implies). Statements I-III are correct — it lives in Assam's flood plains (Kaziranga has the largest population) and Nepal, and is IUCN 'Vulnerable'.
Source: National Board for Wildlife / IUCN (static)
Environment / Conservation
2. With reference to sacred groves, recently in the news over a conservation scheme, consider the following statements:
(I) Sacred groves are patches of forest protected by local communities on religious or cultural grounds.
(II) In Rajasthan such community-protected groves are known as 'Orans' (and 'Dev-vans').
(III) The Union government has approved a scheme to conserve thousands of sacred groves across India.
(IV) Sacred groves are commercial timber plantations run by the Forest Department.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
I and IV only
II and IV only
I, II and III only
I, II, III and IV
Answer: C. I, II and III only — Statement IV is false: sacred groves are community-protected forest patches (Orans in Rajasthan), not commercial timber plantations. Statements I-III are correct.
Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (static)
Geography / Rivers
3. With reference to the Karnaphuli (Khawthlangtuipui) river, consider the following statements:
(I) It originates in the Lushai (Mizo) Hills of Mizoram.
(II) It is a transboundary river shared by India and Bangladesh.
(III) It drains into the Bay of Bengal.
(IV) It drains into the Arabian Sea.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
I and IV only
II and IV only
I, II and III only
I, II, III and IV
Answer: C. I, II and III only — Statement IV is false: the Karnaphuli flows from Mizoram through Bangladesh into the Bay of Bengal, not the Arabian Sea. Statements I-III are correct.
Source: Static geography / press, July 2026
Economy / IPR
4. With reference to a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, consider the following statements:
(I) A GI identifies goods as originating from a specific place, with qualities or a reputation due to that origin.
(II) In India, GIs are governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
(III) A GI is a form of intellectual property right.
(IV) A GI tag is granted to a single individual company as its private trademark.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
I and IV only
II and IV only
I, II and III only
I, II, III and IV
Answer: C. I, II and III only — Statement IV is false: a GI is a collective right linked to a place and its community of producers, not a single company's private trademark. Statements I-III are correct.
Source: GI Act, 1999 / CGPDTM (static)
Polity / Health Regulation
5. With reference to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), consider the following statements:
(I) It is a statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
(II) It functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
(III) It lays down standards for food articles and regulates their manufacture, storage and sale.
(IV) It functions under the Ministry of Agriculture.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
I and IV only
II and IV only
I, II and III only
I, II, III and IV
Answer: C. I, II and III only — Statement IV is false: the FSSAI functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, not the Ministry of Agriculture. Statements I-III are correct.