Daily Challenge
Monday, 19 October 2026
Daily Challenge — 19 October 2026
Three UPSC Prelims-pattern questions — one each from the GS I, GS II and GS III subject areas. Attempt all three before checking your answers.
Prehistory and the Indus Valley Civilisation
Consider the following statements about the Harappan Civilisation:
- Its baked bricks followed a standard ratio of 4:2:1.
- Its weights followed a binary system in the smaller denominations.
- Its script was written mostly from left to right.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct answer: A
Statements 1 and 2 are correct: standard bricks (4:2:1) and binary weights (1, 2, 4, 8, 16…) show striking standardisation. Statement 3 is wrong: the undeciphered script was written mostly from right to left.Fundamental Rights
During the operation of a National Emergency, the enforcement of which of the following Articles cannot be suspended by the President under Article 359?
Correct answer: C
Since the 44th Amendment (1978), the President cannot suspend the enforcement of Articles 20 and 21 under Article 359, even during a National Emergency.National Income and Growth
Consider the following pairs of method of estimating national income and what it adds up:
- Production method - value of output minus intermediate consumption.
- Income method - compensation of employees, operating surplus and mixed income.
- Expenditure method - final consumption, gross capital formation and net exports.
- Expenditure method - total intermediate consumption of all firms.
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Correct answer: C
Pairs 1, 2 and 3 are correct descriptions of the value-added, income and expenditure methods. Pair 4 is wrong: adding intermediate consumption would double count, because intermediate goods are already included in the value of final goods. So only three pairs are correct.