Answer: (B)
UN membership does not grant automatic membership to the UNHRC. The UNHRC is a limited-seat body of only 47 members. A UN member state must be specifically elected by the General Assembly to sit on the Council. Hence,Statement 1 is Incorrect
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is indeed the Council's most inclusive mechanism. It reviews the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States approximately every 4.5 to 5 years. Hence,Statement 2 is Correct
UNHRC resolutions are not legally binding. Unlike the UN Security Council (which can pass binding resolutions under Chapter VII), the UNHRC’s outputs are recommendations that carry moral and political weight but lack legal enforcement power. Hence,Statement 3 is Incorrect

Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Consider the following countries
1. Somalia
2. Ethiopia
3. Sudan
4. Uganda
5. Tanzania
6. Rwanda

Answer: (B)
Kenya is strategically located in East Africa. It is bordered by five countries:
● East: Somalia
● North: Ethiopia
● North-West: South Sudan
● West: Uganda
● South: Tanzania

Therefore, option B is the correct answer

Consider the following statements regarding the Anti-Defection Law (Tenth Schedule) in
India:
1. An elected member of a House shall be disqualified for being a member of the House
if they voluntarily give up the membership of their political party.
2. A member is protected from disqualification if they defect to another party along with
at least one-third of the members of their original legislative party.

Answer: (A)
Under the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, an elected member of a House (Parliament or State Legislature) is disqualified if they voluntarily give up the membership of the political party on whose ticket they were elected. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
"Voluntarily giving up membership" is not limited to a formal resignation. The Supreme Court has ruled that a member's conduct (e.g., publicly criticizing their own party or attending rallies of an opposition party) can be interpreted as voluntarily giving up
membership. A merger is only valid if at least two-thirds of the members of the legislative party agree to
it. The "one-third" split provision has been completely deleted from the Tenth Schedule to prevent frequent floor-crossing. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
Apart from voluntarily resigning, a member can also be disqualified if:
● They vote or abstain from voting in the House contrary to any direction (whip) issued
by their political party without prior permission.
● An independently elected member joins any political party.
● A nominated member joins any political party after the expiry of six months from
the date they take their seat.

Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

Consider the following statements regarding India’s global ranking in energy sectors:
1. India ranks fourth in the world in wind energy capacity.
2. India ranks first in solar energy capacity.
3. India ranks third in nuclear energy capacity.

Answer: (A)
India consistently maintains the fourth position globally in total installed wind power capacity, trailing only China, the United States, and Germany. This growth has been driven primarily by significant offshore and onshore projects in states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
India does not rank first. While India has seen some of the fastest growth in solar capacity in recent years, it currently ranks fourth globally. China holds the top position by a significant margin, followed by the United States and Japan. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
India does not rank third in nuclear energy. It currently ranks outside the top ten in terms of total installed capacity (around 13th or 14th). The top three spots are held by the United States, France, and China. However, India is notable for its advanced research into
Three-Stage Nuclear Power and the utilization of thorium. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

Consider the following statements regarding the National Commission for Scheduled Castes
(NCSC):
1. The Commission has the powers of a civil court while investigating matters.
2. The tenure of members of the Commission is fixed by the Constitution.
3. All members of the Commission are appointed by the Prime Minister of India.

Answer: (A)
The Commission, while investigating any matter or inquiring into any complaint, has all the powers of a civil court trying a suit. Specifically, it can:
● Summon and enforce the attendance of any person from any part of India and examine
them on oath.
● Require the discovery and production of any document.
● Receive evidence on affidavits.
● Requisition any public record from any court or office. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
The Constitution does not fix the tenure of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, or other members. According to the Constitution, they shall hold office for such terms as the President may determine. Under current rules (NCSC Rules, 2004), the tenure is fixed at three years, and members are not eligible for appointment for more than two terms. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and other members of the Commission are appointed by the President of India by warrant under his hand and seal, not by the Prime Minister. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

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Comprehensive Current Affairs *Prelims 2027* by Israel Jebasingh, Ex-IAS

Current Affairs is no longer about reading more. It is about reading what matters.
Hundreds of PDFs. Thousands of pages. Endless topics.
But UPSC asks only what truly matters.

This program gives you clarity on what matters, what to ignore, and what UPSC actually expects.

In just 45 minutes a day, cover Polity, Economy, History Environment, Science & Tech, International Relations, Schemes & more with:

* Conceptual clarity
* Interlinkages
* Exam-oriented approach

Comprehensive coverage of *both Conventional and Current Affairs dimensions of every subject*

Batch Starts on *4th Sept 2026*

Stay tuned!

https://youtu.be/GMjGvCg60A8?si=PP1qzJhyIO3QRaYN

In so called toughest paper, where it was like a storm, CCA stayed as an anchor and as a pole star. Other than these questions, many more questions have come from CCA classes and from CCA practice questions and CCA full length test papers. Just selected few questions and shown in this video.
I will post the Expected cutoff video as soon as possible.

Regards,
R.A.Israel Jebasingh.

Dear Students,

The provisional answer key for the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 has been released by the UPSC.

We are sharing the official answer key here for your reference and self-evaluation. Kindly go through it carefully and calculate your probable score.

Download Now: https://www.upsc.gov.in/whats-new/Civil%20Services%20%28Preliminary%29%20Examination%2C%202026/Provisional%20Answer%20Key

Wishing you all the very best for a positive result and the next stage of preparation.

– Team Officers IAS Academy

The Supreme Court had recently delivered a verdict on SIR of Bihar electoral rolls. My article in the Hindu summarising the court ruling.

Article by the Polity Faculty of Our Officers IAS Academy
Mr. Rangarajan (Ex-IAS Officer)