UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Preparation, not fear, will help tackle El Nino: Minister

Q1. The El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle is conventionally described as consisting of how many distinct phases?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Five

Q2. The Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), used to track the state of ENSO, is based on which one of the following?

  • A. The sea-level atmospheric pressure difference between Tahiti (eastern South Pacific) and Darwin (western Pacific)
  • B. The sea-surface temperature anomaly between the eastern and central equatorial Pacific
  • C. The difference in trade-wind speed between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
  • D. The salinity gradient between the western and eastern Indian Ocean

Q3. As per the India Meteorological Department's classification, a 'deficient' southwest monsoon for the country as a whole is defined as seasonal rainfall that is:

  • A. Less than 90% of the Long Period Average
  • B. Between 90% and 96% of the Long Period Average
  • C. Between 96% and 104% of the Long Period Average
  • D. Between 104% and 110% of the Long Period Average

Q4. According to IMD's 2026 southwest monsoon forecast, which one of the following regions is expected to be the LEAST affected, receiving rainfall closest to normal?

  • A. Northwest India
  • B. Central India
  • C. South Peninsular India
  • D. Northeast India

Q5. IMD's 2026 forecast places the seasonal southwest monsoon rainfall for the country as a whole at approximately what percentage of the Long Period Average?

  • A. 86%
  • B. 90%
  • C. 96%
  • D. 104%

Q6. As part of the 2026 Kharif preparedness exercise, how many districts has the Centre identified as vulnerable to a weak/deficient monsoon?

  • A. 111
  • B. 176
  • C. 315
  • D. 420

Q7. The District Agriculture Contingency Plans (DACPs) used to manage droughts and erratic rainfall were originally developed by which one of the following institutions?

  • A. ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (ICAR-CRIDA)
  • B. ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI)
  • C. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
  • D. India Meteorological Department (IMD)

Q8. The identification of El Nino-vulnerable districts and the coordination of District Agriculture Contingency Plans for Kharif 2026 is led by which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Earth Sciences
  • B. Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
  • C. Ministry of Jal Shakti
  • D. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change