Daily Quiz 22 April 2026

Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is Incorrect: While birds certainly track environmental conditions, recent global studies show that birds do not migrate primarily to maintain a constant thermal niche. In fact, approximately 36.5% of altitudinal migrant populations do not track temperature seasonally any better than if they had stayed in one place. Some species even move into colder thermal niches (upslope migration during winter) to exploit specific resources or avoid competition.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: Elevational migration is widespread in equatorial regions despite minimal temperature variation. For example, in the Neotropics and the Western Ghats (tropical regions), a significant percentage of bird species exhibit seasonal altitudinal shifts driven by factors like rainfall and seasonal fruit or nectar availability rather than just temperature.
Statement 3 is Correct: Seasonal resource availability (food and nesting sites) is a key driver of migratory patterns. Birds often move to higher elevations in summer to exploit seasonal surges in arthropod (insect) or plant productivity and return to lower elevations in winter as those food sources become scarce at higher altitudes.

Answer: (c)
Explanation: 

The hectocotylus is a modified arm found in male cephalopods. Its primary job is to pick up sperm packets (spermatophores) from the male’s own body and deposit them into the female’s mantle cavity. In some species, this arm is even detachable.

Answer: (a)
Explanation:

• Statement 1 is Correct: As part of the next-generation GST 2.0 reforms, it has been proposed to allow states limited flexibility to vary their State GST (SGST) component within a narrow band (e.g., +/- 2%). This is intended to restore fiscal agency to states, allowing them to adjust revenues during local crises without requiring constant prior approval from the GST Council.
• Statement 2 is Incorrect: The GST Council does not operate on a “one-state-one-vote” principle. Instead, it uses a weighted voting system:
  • The Central Government’s vote has a weightage of one-third (33.33%).
  • The votes of all State Governments combined have a weightage of two-thirds (66.67%).
  • Decisions require a three-fourths majority (75%) of the weighted votes, giving the Centre a de facto veto.

Statement 3 is Correct: Reform proposals for GST 2.0 include decentralising the GST Network (GSTN) architecture. The goal is to move toward a federated model (similar to UPI) where states can build their own front-end portals to better access data for audits and local administration, rather than relying solely on a single centralized hub.

Answer: (b)
Explanation: 

Stagflation is a rare and problematic economic condition where three negative indicators occur simultaneously: 

• Stagnant Economic Growth: The overall output of the economy (GDP) declines or stalls.
• High Inflation: Prices for goods and services rise rapidly.

High Unemployment: As growth slows and production costs rise, businesses often cut jobs.

Answer: (b)
Explanation:

• Statement 1 is Incorrect: The entire 4,096.7 km India–Bangladesh border is not physically fenced. As of early 2025, approximately 78% (around 3,180–3,240 km) has been fenced. Significant stretches remain unfenced due to terrain difficulties and diplomatic objections.
• Statement 2 is Correct: Riverine areas, flood-prone plains, and marshy terrains (such as the Sundarbans and parts of the Brahmaputra) pose massive logistical challenges. In these “non-feasible” stretches, physical fencing is often impractical, and the Border Security Force (BSF) relies on its water wing and technological surveillance instead.

Statement 3 is Correct: In a unique security proposal, the BSF has discussed using reptiles (specifically crocodiles and bees/hornets) as natural deterrents in riverine and unfenced stretches to prevent illegal infiltration and cattle smuggling. This is intended as a low-cost, biological layer of security where traditional barriers fail.