UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Smart AI caching can keep the data flowing when disaster strikes

Q1. The cooperative AI caching approach for disaster-resilient networks that prompted recent attention was formalised in a 2026 research paper. In which one of the following journals was it published?

  • A. IEEE Transactions on Services Computing
  • B. IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing
  • C. IEEE Communications Magazine
  • D. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications

Q2. With reference to the cooperative AI caching mechanism proposed for disaster-response networks, consider the following statements: 1. Multiple nodes proactively store copies of high-demand content so that any node can serve requests even when the network backbone is severed. 2. It relies on a single central server that alone distributes all content to the nodes. 3. Nodes such as satellites, drones (UAVs) and base stations participate together as caching nodes in a heterogeneous network. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Multiple nodes proactively store copies of high-demand content so that any node can serve requests even when the network backbone is severed.
  2. It relies on a single central server that alone distributes all content to the nodes.
  3. Nodes such as satellites, drones (UAVs) and base stations participate together as caching nodes in a heterogeneous network.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. With reference to the 2026 study proposing cooperative caching for disaster networks, consider the following statements: 1. It was motivated by communication blackouts during recent disasters such as Indian landslides and floods. 2. It is designed to work only after terrestrial cellular networks have been fully restored. 3. It uses predicted content demand to pre-position (cache) critical data across network nodes. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It was motivated by communication blackouts during recent disasters such as Indian landslides and floods.
  2. It is designed to work only after terrestrial cellular networks have been fully restored.
  3. It uses predicted content demand to pre-position (cache) critical data across network nodes.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. The 2026 study proposing cooperative caching for disaster-response networks was led by Sangita Dhara, a researcher affiliated with which one of the following institutions?

  • A. Trinity College Dublin
  • B. University College Dublin
  • C. Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
  • D. Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)

Q5. SACHET, India's national disaster alert portal that forms part of the Common Alerting Protocol project and is implemented by the NDMA, is developed and maintained by which one of the following organisations?

  • A. Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT)
  • B. Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)
  • C. National Informatics Centre (NIC)
  • D. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)

Q6. The following statements describe recent Indian disaster events cited in the context of communication blackouts hampering rescue: 1. The Mundakkai–Churalmala landslides of 2024 occurred in Kerala. 2. The Dharali washout of 2025 occurred in Uttarakhand. 3. Northeast India experienced widespread floods during the 2025 monsoon. 4. The May 2026 Uttar Pradesh rains resulted in no reported fatalities. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Mundakkai–Churalmala landslides of 2024 occurred in Kerala.
  2. The Dharali washout of 2025 occurred in Uttarakhand.
  3. Northeast India experienced widespread floods during the 2025 monsoon.
  4. The May 2026 Uttar Pradesh rains resulted in no reported fatalities.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4 only

Q7. How many global targets does the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 set out?

  • A. Four
  • B. Five
  • C. Seven
  • D. Ten

Q8. Under the disaster management architecture created by the Disaster Management Act, 2005, consider the following: 1. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is headed by the Prime Minister. 2. A State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) is headed by the Chief Minister of the State. 3. A District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) is headed by the District Magistrate/Collector. 4. The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) is the apex body mandated to lay down policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is headed by the Prime Minister.
  2. A State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) is headed by the Chief Minister of the State.
  3. A District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) is headed by the District Magistrate/Collector.
  4. The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) is the apex body mandated to lay down policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4 only

Q9. With reference to India's disaster-management framework, consider the following statements: 1. The Disaster Management Act was enacted in 2005, whereas the first National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) was prepared in 2016. 2. The NDMP was first prepared in 2016 and subsequently revised in 2019. 3. The NDMP aligns India's disaster management with the Hyogo Framework, which succeeded the Sendai Framework. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Disaster Management Act was enacted in 2005, whereas the first National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) was prepared in 2016.
  2. The NDMP was first prepared in 2016 and subsequently revised in 2019.
  3. The NDMP aligns India's disaster management with the Hyogo Framework, which succeeded the Sendai Framework.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3