Free daily practice · Prelims and Mains
Daily Current Affairs Quiz 1 November 2026
Daily Current Affairs Quiz · Free
How it works
- 20 questions from 1 November’s current affairs, 20 minutes.
- Test timer counts down and submits at zero; a clock on each question shows your time.
- +2 for right, −0.67 for wrong; blanks carry no penalty.
- Answers, explanations and your time per question appear after you submit.
- Your first attempt today is ranked (ties go to less time); later attempts are practice.
- Free, no login. Mains practice with model answers is below.
Mains practice
2 questions · write first, then compareGS-215 marks250 words
Q1. Fast removal of unlawful online content is needed to protect public order, but it must not chill free speech. Examine this balance in the light of the recent amendment requiring platforms to act within three hours.
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Introduction: Under the amended Rule 3(1)(d) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, platforms must remove unlawful content within three hours of a government order, down from 36 hours. Many users recently found posts and accounts blocked in India.
Why speed is needed: (1) Fake videos and deepfakes spread in minutes and can trigger riots. (2) Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 allows blocking for sovereignty, security and public order. (3) Under Section 79(3)(b), platforms lose safe harbour if they ignore notices, which makes the rule enforceable.
Concerns for free speech: (1) Automated blocking can hit lawful criticism and protest posts. (2) Users are rarely told the reason. (3) Blocking orders are kept confidential. (4) Three hours leaves little time for careful review, so platforms may over-remove.
Safeguards: (1) Article 19(2) allows only reasonable restrictions. (2) Shreya Singhal (2015) upheld Section 69A only with procedural safeguards. (3) Users can appeal to the Grievance Appellate Committee or the courts.
Way forward: (1) Give users written reasons and quick appeals. (2) Publish data on blocking orders. (3) Use independent audits of how feeds rank content. (4) Keep the three-hour limit for clearly harmful content such as deepfakes and incitement.
Conclusion: Speed and free speech can go together if every takedown is lawful, reasoned and open to review.
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GS-215 marks250 words
Q2. Discuss the role of the Finance Commission in India's fiscal federalism. How do additional instalments of tax devolution help States?
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Introduction: On 31 October 2026 the Centre released ₹1,09,019 crore as an additional instalment of tax devolution, the second this year, so that States can speed up capital spending before the festive season. Uttar Pradesh received the largest share, ₹19,208 crore.
Role of the Finance Commission: (1) Set up under Article 280 every five years. (2) Recommends the vertical share: 41% of the divisible pool now goes to States. (3) Sets horizontal criteria such as income distance, population, area, forest cover, demographic performance and tax effort. (4) Recommends grants to States and local bodies. (5) The 16th Finance Commission, chaired by Arvind Panagariya, covers 2026–27 to 2030–31.
How additional instalments help: (1) States get cash early and can start roads, power and irrigation projects. (2) Capital spending creates jobs and future income. (3) Poorer States with large populations gain most. (4) It eases cash-flow gaps during the year.
Concerns: (1) It is an advance, so later monthly payments may be smaller. (2) Cesses and surcharges stay outside the divisible pool, shrinking the States' share. (3) States may use it for salaries rather than assets.
Way forward: (1) Fold more cesses into the divisible pool. (2) Predictable release calendars. (3) States should publish capital spending outcomes.
Conclusion: A strong Finance Commission and timely transfers keep cooperative federalism working.
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