Governance MCQs for UPSC Prelims — February 2026

Q1. The Union Government's intention to encourage HPV vaccination of girls against cervical cancer was first announced through which one of the following?

  • A. The Union Budget 2023-24
  • B. The Interim Union Budget 2024-25
  • C. The Economic Survey 2023-24
  • D. The Union Budget 2025-26

Q2. The nationwide HPV vaccination programme launched in February 2026 is operationalised primarily under which one of the following Union ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Women and Child Development
  • B. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • C. Ministry of AYUSH
  • D. Ministry of Science and Technology

Q3. Under the India Semiconductor Mission, the Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) unit of Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test (TSAT), with an investment of about Rs 27,000 crore, is being set up in which State?

  • A. Assam
  • B. Gujarat
  • C. Odisha
  • D. Uttar Pradesh

Q4. Which one of the following was the first semiconductor unit to become operational and begin commercial production under the India Semiconductor Mission?

  • A. Micron's ATMP facility at Sanand
  • B. Tata Electronics' fab at Dholera
  • C. CG Power's OSAT facility at Sanand
  • D. Kaynes Semicon's unit at Sanand

Q5. The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), the nodal agency for the Semicon India Programme, functions as an independent institution under which Union Ministry?

  • A. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
  • B. Ministry of Heavy Industries
  • C. Ministry of Science and Technology
  • D. Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Q6. As of December 2025, how many semiconductor projects had been approved under the Semicon India Programme / India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)?

  • A. 6 projects
  • B. 8 projects
  • C. 10 projects
  • D. 12 projects

Q7. The Government of India first announced its intent to encourage HPV vaccination for girls aged 9-14 years to prevent cervical cancer in which one of the following Union Budget presentations?

  • A. Interim Budget 2024-25
  • B. Union Budget 2022-23
  • C. Union Budget 2023-24
  • D. Union Budget 2025-26

Q8. Under the 2026 nationwide HPV vaccination programme, the vaccine is delivered free of cost to eligible girls at government facilities through the Universal Immunization Programme, which is implemented by which one of the following Union ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • B. Ministry of Women and Child Development
  • C. Ministry of Science and Technology
  • D. Ministry of AYUSH

Q9. In the context of India's HPV vaccination programme, the term 'U-WIN' refers to which one of the following?

  • A. A digital platform used for registration, recording and reporting of vaccinations
  • B. An indigenously developed quadrivalent HPV vaccine
  • C. A cold-chain logistics network for vaccine storage
  • D. A school-based cervical cancer screening initiative

Q10. The recommendation to introduce the HPV vaccine into India's Universal Immunization Programme, with a one-time catch-up for girls aged 9-14, was made by which one of the following bodies?

  • A. National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI)
  • B. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
  • C. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
  • D. National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)

Q11. The inclusion of the HPV vaccine in India's public immunisation framework, which preceded the 2026 national rollout, was recommended by which one of the following bodies?

  • A. National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI)
  • B. Drug Controller General of India (DCGI)
  • C. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
  • D. National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)

Q12. Under the SHANTI Act, 2025, what is the overall ceiling of liability per nuclear incident expressed in Special Drawing Rights (SDR)?

  • A. 150 million SDR
  • B. 200 million SDR
  • C. 300 million SDR
  • D. 500 million SDR

Q13. The Public Interest Litigation challenging the constitutionality of the SHANTI Act, 2025 was heard in February 2026 by a Supreme Court Bench headed by which one of the following?

  • A. Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna
  • B. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
  • C. Justice B. R. Gavai
  • D. Justice Joymalya Bagchi

Q14. With reference to the differences between the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act, 2010 and the SHANTI Act, 2025, consider the following statements: 1. Whereas the CLND Act, 2010 capped operator liability at a flat ₹1,500 crore for reactors above 10 MW, the SHANTI Act introduces a sliding-scale operator cap rising up to ₹3,000 crore. 2. Section 17(b) of the CLND Act gave operators an automatic statutory right of recourse against suppliers, but under the SHANTI Act such recourse is available only through express contract or proven intentional misconduct. 3. Unlike the CLND Act, the SHANTI Act expressly permits private and foreign entities to build, own and operate nuclear power plants in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Whereas the CLND Act, 2010 capped operator liability at a flat ₹1,500 crore for reactors above 10 MW, the SHANTI Act introduces a sliding-scale operator cap rising up to ₹3,000 crore.
  2. Section 17(b) of the CLND Act gave operators an automatic statutory right of recourse against suppliers, but under the SHANTI Act such recourse is available only through express contract or proven intentional misconduct.
  3. Unlike the CLND Act, the SHANTI Act expressly permits private and foreign entities to build, own and operate nuclear power plants in India.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q15. Which one of the following is the nodal Union ministry for restructuring the Forest Rights Act Cells into 'one-stop' Project Monitoring Units?

  • A. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • B. Ministry of Panchayati Raj
  • C. Ministry of Tribal Affairs
  • D. Ministry of Rural Development

Q16. With reference to the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), consider the following statements: 1. The total outlay of the Abhiyan is approximately Rs 79,156 crore. 2. It is funded entirely by the Union Government with no matching share from State Governments. 3. The Abhiyan covers around 63,843 villages across 30 States/UTs. 4. The scheme's implementation period extends up to 31 March 2034. Which of the statements given above are NOT correct?

  1. The total outlay of the Abhiyan is approximately Rs 79,156 crore.
  2. It is funded entirely by the Union Government with no matching share from State Governments.
  3. The Abhiyan covers around 63,843 villages across 30 States/UTs.
  4. The scheme's implementation period extends up to 31 March 2034.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q17. The Forest Rights Cells, currently being restructured into Project Monitoring Units by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, are mandated to support the implementation of which one of the following statutes?

  • A. The Indian Forest Act, 1927
  • B. The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
  • C. The Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996
  • D. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006

Q18. With reference to the recent move by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to convert FRA Cells into 'one-stop' Project Monitoring Units (PMUs), consider the following statements: 1. The earlier FRA Cells were financed under the DAJGUA programme for a period of two years at the State and district/sub-divisional levels. 2. Under the new arrangement, PMUs will replace the Gram Sabha as the primary authority to receive and verify forest rights claims. 3. The shift to PMUs was prompted by concerns that dedicated FRA-only cells were increasing administrative costs and creating fragmented communication with States. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The earlier FRA Cells were financed under the DAJGUA programme for a period of two years at the State and district/sub-divisional levels.
  2. Under the new arrangement, PMUs will replace the Gram Sabha as the primary authority to receive and verify forest rights claims.
  3. The shift to PMUs was prompted by concerns that dedicated FRA-only cells were increasing administrative costs and creating fragmented communication with States.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q19. With reference to the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), under which the Forest Rights Act cells are funded, consider the following statements: 1. It was launched on 2 October 2024 from Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. 2. The Centre and the States share the total outlay of approximately Rs 79,156 crore in a 60:40 ratio. 3. It is implemented through 25 interventions by 17 line ministries of the Union Government. 4. Its implementation period extends up to 31 March 2029. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. It was launched on 2 October 2024 from Hazaribagh, Jharkhand.
  2. The Centre and the States share the total outlay of approximately Rs 79,156 crore in a 60:40 ratio.
  3. It is implemented through 25 interventions by 17 line ministries of the Union Government.
  4. Its implementation period extends up to 31 March 2029.
  • A. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q20. Which one of the following is the statutory authority that lays down the standards for food fortification and owns the '+F' logo used on fortified foods in India?

  • A. Food Corporation of India (FCI)
  • B. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
  • C. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
  • D. Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD)

Q21. Consider the following pairs of staple food and the micronutrient(s) with which it is fortified under FSSAI standards: 1. Salt : Iodine and Iron 2. Edible oil : Vitamins A and D 3. Milk : Vitamins A and D 4. Wheat flour : Iodine Which of the pairs given above is/are NOT correctly matched?

  1. Salt : Iodine and Iron
  2. Edible oil : Vitamins A and D
  3. Milk : Vitamins A and D
  4. Wheat flour : Iodine
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 1 and 4

Q22. The Cabinet's October 2024 approval to continue the universal supply of free fortified rice up to December 2028 entails an estimated central outlay of approximately:

  • A. ₹4,270 crore
  • B. ₹11,000 crore
  • C. ₹17,082 crore
  • D. ₹35,000 crore

Q23. Which one of the following is the nodal department that operationalises the supply of fortified rice under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)?

  • A. Department of Consumer Affairs
  • B. Department of Food and Public Distribution
  • C. Department of Food Processing Industries
  • D. Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare

Q24. The IIT Kharagpur study cited for the pause in rice fortification identified certain variables as critically affecting the shelf life of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK). Consider the following: 1. Moisture content 2. Relative humidity 3. Packaging material 4. The soil type of the district where paddy was cultivated Which of the above is/are correctly identified as such variables?

  1. Moisture content
  2. Relative humidity
  3. Packaging material
  4. The soil type of the district where paddy was cultivated
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q25. With reference to the 2026 decision on rice fortification, consider the following statements: 1. The decision to temporarily discontinue rice fortification was taken by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. 2. It pauses a continuation of free fortified rice that the Union Cabinet had, in October 2024, approved as a Central Sector initiative with 100% central funding up to December 2028. 3. The decision followed a shelf-life study by IIT Kharagpur, which concluded that packaging material and relative humidity have no significant bearing on the stability of fortified rice. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The decision to temporarily discontinue rice fortification was taken by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
  2. It pauses a continuation of free fortified rice that the Union Cabinet had, in October 2024, approved as a Central Sector initiative with 100% central funding up to December 2028.
  3. The decision followed a shelf-life study by IIT Kharagpur, which concluded that packaging material and relative humidity have no significant bearing on the stability of fortified rice.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q26. In the phased national rollout of fortified rice, which one of the following was covered FIRST, i.e. in Phase-I (targeted for completion by March 2022)?

  • A. ICDS (Anganwadi) and PM POSHAN
  • B. TPDS and Other Welfare Schemes in aspirational and high-burden districts
  • C. The remaining districts under TPDS
  • D. All Fair Price Shops across every district

Q27. With reference to fortification of rice in India, consider the following micronutrients: 1. Iron 2. Vitamin B12 3. Iodine 4. Vitamin D Which of the above is/are correctly identified as micronutrients mandatorily added to fortified rice under FSSAI norms?

  1. Iron
  2. Vitamin B12
  3. Iodine
  4. Vitamin D
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q28. As per the FSSAI (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2018, how many micronutrients are mandatorily added when rice is fortified?

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

Q29. The HPV vaccination initiative first flagged in the Interim Budget 2024-25 is operationally executed as a public-health immunisation activity by which ministry?

  • A. Ministry of Finance
  • B. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • C. Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology
  • D. Ministry of Women and Child Development

Q30. With reference to the history of HPV vaccination in India, consider the following statements: 1. HPV vaccines entered India's private market in 2008. 2. CERVAVAC was indigenously developed by the Serum Institute of India. 3. The Interim Budget 2024-25 targeted girls in the 9-14 age group. 4. The 2026 nationwide programme targets about 1.15 crore girls aged 14 annually. Which of the statements given above is/are correctly stated?

  1. HPV vaccines entered India's private market in 2008.
  2. CERVAVAC was indigenously developed by the Serum Institute of India.
  3. The Interim Budget 2024-25 targeted girls in the 9-14 age group.
  4. The 2026 nationwide programme targets about 1.15 crore girls aged 14 annually.
  • A. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • B. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1 and 3 only