UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Government has introduced a Model Context Protocol server to facilitate linking of Artificial Intelligence tools with Official Statistical databases

Q1. Which one of the following is the first Indian official-statistics portal to be equipped with a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for AI-based access to government data?

  • A. eSankhyiki
  • B. National Data and Analytics Platform (NDAP)
  • C. data.gov.in (Open Government Data Platform)
  • D. India Data Portal

Q2. With reference to the institutional ownership of the eSankhyiki MCP server, consider the following statements: 1. It was launched by the National Statistics Office (NSO). 2. The NSO functions under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. 3. The eSankhyiki portal is hosted by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. 4. The MCP pilot project is undertaken by NITI Aayog. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It was launched by the National Statistics Office (NSO).
  2. The NSO functions under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
  3. The eSankhyiki portal is hosted by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
  4. The MCP pilot project is undertaken by NITI Aayog.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 2 and 4

Q3. How many distinct tools does the eSankhyiki MCP server expose to AI clients in its prescribed sequential workflow?

  • A. 4
  • B. 7
  • C. 21
  • D. 25

Q4. The eSankhyiki portal, launched in 2024, was primarily designed to replace which one of the following as MoSPI's main mode of disseminating official statistics?

  • A. Static PDF-based document dissemination
  • B. The National Data and Analytics Platform (NDAP)
  • C. The data.gov.in Open Government Data platform
  • D. Printed statistical gazettes sold through Government presses

Q5. At its launch in 2024, the eSankhyiki portal carried time-series data of four major data products of MoSPI. Consider the following: 1. National Accounts Statistics 2. Consumer Price Index 3. Periodic Labour Force Survey 4. Annual Survey of Industries Which of the above is/are correctly identified as among those four products available at the 2024 launch?

  1. National Accounts Statistics
  2. Consumer Price Index
  3. Periodic Labour Force Survey
  4. Annual Survey of Industries
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q6. The beta MCP server's coverage on eSankhyiki was scaled up from 7 statistical products to 21 statistical products in which year?

  • A. 2024
  • B. 2025
  • C. 2026
  • D. 2023

Q7. Under which Union Ministry is the eSankhyiki MCP server (including its scaling to 21 statistical products) operationalised?

  • A. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
  • B. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
  • C. NITI Aayog
  • D. Ministry of Planning

Q8. With reference to the licensing and release model of the eSankhyiki MCP server, consider the following statements: 1. Its source code is released under the MIT License. 2. It is a pilot/beta released as open source, allowing anyone to inspect and reuse the code. 3. Unlike its beta release, the scaled-up version was made proprietary and distributed only as a closed binary to government departments. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Its source code is released under the MIT License.
  2. It is a pilot/beta released as open source, allowing anyone to inspect and reuse the code.
  3. Unlike its beta release, the scaled-up version was made proprietary and distributed only as a closed binary to government departments.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. The MIT-licensed source code of the eSankhyiki MCP server is published and maintained on a public code repository by which one of the following?

  • A. National Statistics Office (nso-india)
  • B. National Informatics Centre (NIC)
  • C. Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)
  • D. NITI Aayog

Q10. Third-party AI assistants such as Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor and Windsurf are able to query India's official statistics through the eSankhyiki server because the server conforms to which one of the following open standards?

  • A. Model Context Protocol (MCP)
  • B. Open Data Protocol (OData)
  • C. Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange (SDMX)
  • D. GraphQL Federation

Q11. With reference to the broader data ecosystem around eSankhyiki and its MCP server, consider the following statements: 1. eSankhyiki's API layer feeds the National Data and Analytics Platform (NDAP). 2. NDAP is a platform of NITI Aayog. 3. The MCP server anchors AI outputs to verified official government data, reducing reliance on unverified sources. 4. NDAP is owned and maintained by the Reserve Bank of India. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. eSankhyiki's API layer feeds the National Data and Analytics Platform (NDAP).
  2. NDAP is a platform of NITI Aayog.
  3. The MCP server anchors AI outputs to verified official government data, reducing reliance on unverified sources.
  4. NDAP is owned and maintained by the Reserve Bank of India.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • NRAA-Funded Wild Rice Conservation Project Secures Major Milestone in Assam
    NRAA-Funded Wild Rice Conservation Project Secures Major Milestone in Assam

    The notification of Borjuli site in Sonitpur, Assam as a Biodiversity Heritage Site under an NRAA-funded wild rice conservation project is a named, verifiable fact. Biodiversity Heritage Sites and wild crop genetic resource conservation are tested Prelims topics.

  • India Advances Global Green Hydrogen Leadership under National Green Hydrogen Mission

    Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), a landmark commercial deal for green ammonia and methanol export to Japan (IHI Corporation named) is a concrete outcome. India's green hydrogen ambitions and NGHM are recurring Prelims themes; this adds a factual export-deal hook.

  • NITI Aayog launches report on "Strategic Roadmap for Making Ayurveda Global"
    NITI Aayog launches report on "Strategic Roadmap for Making Ayurveda Global"

    A named NITI Aayog report on Ayurveda's global expansion is testable as a policy document. NITI Aayog reports, AYUSH sector initiatives, and traditional medicine diplomacy are recurring Prelims themes; the report's launch date and authoring body are clean factual hooks.

  • INDIAN NAVAL SHIP TRIKAND RESPONDS TO PIRACY ATTEMPT ON MV GOLDEN ARSENAL IN THE GULF OF ADEN

    A named Indian Navy anti-piracy operation with specific ship (INS Trikand — identified as a stealth frigate), vessel flag state (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), and location (Gulf of Aden) offers testable facts. India's maritime security operations are plausible Prelims hooks but appear occasionally, not frequently.

  • Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan launches nationwide ‘Viksit Bharat – G-Ram G Act’ from Andhra Pradesh with Chief Minister Shri Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Pawan Kalyan

    A newly named nationwide scheme launched by the Rural Development ministry that explicitly positions itself as moving 'beyond MGNREGA' is potentially testable. However, the excerpt lacks concrete numbers or statutory grounding, keeping it at 3 rather than 4.

  • MANAS: A Digital Shield Against Drugs

    MANAS is a named government digital initiative (national narcotics helpline) with a specific mandate under Nasha Mukt Bharat. Named government portals/helplines with specific functions are tested in Prelims, though this release is a backgrounder without new launch data.

  • VB-G RAM G Act comes into force across the country from today; “A historic day for rural India”: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

    The VB-G RAM G Act (likely a renamed/revised MGNREGA or rural employment guarantee framework) came into force across India from July 1, 2026. Key facts: national launch in Tirupati on July 2; revised wage rates notified with no daily wage below ₹300; national average wage increased by over 10%. A new central Act coming into force with specific wage figures is high-priority Prelims material.

  • India Achieves Major Milestone with Approval of Country’s First PinS Instrument Approach Procedure for Helicopter Operations

    DGCA approved India's first Private Point-in-Space (PinS) Instrument Approach Procedure for helicopter operations, implemented at Undavalli Heliport (developed by AAI). This is a named first in Indian aviation with a specific location and implementing body — classic Prelims material for science/tech and aviation sections.

  • 11 Years of Digital India: Better Healthcare & Digital Markets Making Lives Easier

    This release contains high-quality testable data: Greece is named as the 10th country to adopt UPI; every second real-time digital transaction globally is processed via India's UPI; 13 lakh Anganwadi workers connected via Poshan Tracker covering 9 crore beneficiaries. Multiple concrete facts that are prime Prelims material.

  • India, EU Advance Cooperation on Sustainable Ship Recycling; Three Indian Yards Ready for EU Recognition

    India has a 35.4% global market share in sustainable ship recycling. Three Indian ship-recycling yards are ready for EU recognition. India committed $8 billion to strengthen shipbuilding and recycling, with a target of recycling 16,000 ships. These are specific, verifiable figures in a sector where India leads globally — strong Prelims material on maritime/shipping sector.

  • GAGAN: Navigating India’s Skies with Precision

    Detailed backgrounder on GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation), India's Satellite-Based Augmentation System developed jointly by ISRO and Airports Authority of India (AAI). It enhances GPS accuracy for aviation, is certified to international standards, and supports satellite-based landing approaches. GAGAN is a recurring Prelims topic and this backgrounder consolidates key testable facts about its developers, purpose, and certification status.

  • The Hindu

    Latest PIB

    Latest from The Hindu

    Explore