Backtested — 13 question(s) with English PIB source
BMCs are key to Nagoya Protocol; determine access/benefit sharing including levy of collection fees.
Trigger event
Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill 2021/Act 2023 discussions reignited BMC framework
2022-12-16
Ministry
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
PIB hit · partial
PIB source
released 2022-03-23
Rank in week's basket
1 of 110
top 100%
PIB title: Biological Diversity Act, 2002
Depth vs. question: PIB mentioned but UPSC went deeper
Notes: Biological Diversity Act 2002 framework. PRID 1809122 'Biological Diversity Act, 2002' (March 2022, MoEFCC Lok Sabha Q) explains three-tier institutional structure including BMCs and Nagoya Protocol linkage. ABS fee-levy specifics from NBA technical material.
CCS activities: basalt rock on farmlands; increasing ocean alkalinity (lime); CO2 to abandoned subterranean mines as carbonated waters.
Trigger event
IPCC AR6 (2022) and India's net-zero by 2070 (Glasgow 2021) brought CCS into focus
2022-04
Ministry
Ministry of Environment / DST / NITI Aayog
PIB hit · partial
PIB source
released 2022-11-29
Rank in week's basket
2 of 44
top 98%
PIB title: NITI Aayog releases study report on ‘Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) Policy Framework and its Deployment Mechanism in India’
Depth vs. question: PIB mentioned but UPSC went deeper
Notes: NITI Aayog released 'Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Policy Framework' Nov 2022 (PRID 1879865) — covered CCS broadly but UPSC tested less-mainstream methods (basalt weathering, ocean alkalinization). Companion releases: PRID 1878184 (NETRA-NTPC/IIT-Bombay CO2 geological storage potential, Nov 2022), PRID 1811741 (CCUS National Workshop, March 2022).
Statement-I: India extracts >25% of world's groundwater per year.
Trigger event
UN World Water Development Report 2022 released March 2022
2022-03-22
Ministry
Ministry of Jal Shakti
PIB hit · partial
PIB source
released 2022-11-09
Rank in week's basket
3 of 39
top 95%
PIB title: UNION MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI RELEASES REPORT OF DYNAMIC GROUND WATER RESOURCE ASSESSMENT FOR THE COUNTRY FOR THE YEAR 2022
Depth vs. question: PIB mentioned but UPSC went deeper
Notes: Direct source is UN WWDR. Closest PIB analogue is Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment Report 2022 (PRID 1874808, Nov 2022) — gives India's domestic extraction in BCM, but the specific 25%-of-world claim is from WWDR not PIB. Lok Sabha-Q PRID 1986272 'Extraction of Ground Water' is post-exam.
Q60
Green Hydrogen
Hit · rank 4
Green hydrogen: direct fuel for IC engines; blend with NG for heat/power; use in fuel cells for vehicles.
Trigger event
National Green Hydrogen Mission approved by Cabinet on 4 January 2023
2023-01-04
Ministry
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2023-01-04
Rank in week's basket
4 of 38
top 92%
PIB title: Cabinet approves National Green Hydrogen Mission
Depth vs. question: PIB covered fully
Notes: High-profile PIB release just 5 months before exam. Mission outlay Rs.19,744 crore; 5 MMT by 2030.
Green hydrogen role in fertilizer, oil refinery, steel — all three.
Trigger event
National Green Hydrogen Mission Jan 4, 2023 lists steel, refining, fertilizers as key offtake sectors
2023-01-04
Ministry
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2023-01-04
Rank in week's basket
4 of 38
top 92%
PIB title: Cabinet approves National Green Hydrogen Mission
Depth vs. question: PIB covered fully
Notes: Same NGHM release as Q60. Sectors explicitly enumerated.
AMB: prophylactic calcium for school children/adolescents/pregnant women; delayed cord clamping; deworming; addresses non-nutritional causes (malaria, hemoglobinopathies, fluorosis).
Trigger event
AMB launched 2018; ongoing strategy reviewed in PIB Parliament Q&As 2022-23
2022-02-04
Ministry
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2022-02-04
Rank in week's basket
5 of 168
top 98%
PIB title: ANAEMIA MUKT BHARAT
Depth vs. question: PIB covered fully
Notes: AMB 6x6x6 strategy with the six interventions (IFA, deworming, BCC, point-of-care testing, fortified foods, non-nutritional causes) covered in MoHFW PIB releases. UPSC put in a trap option (calcium) — actual AMB is IFA not calcium.
Q23
Carbon markets
Soft hit · rank 16
Statement on carbon markets as climate tools; misconception about transferring resources from private to State.
Trigger event
Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill/Act 2022 passed Dec 2022 enabling India's carbon credit trading scheme; came into force 1 Jan 2023
2022-12-26
Ministry
Ministry of Power / Bureau of Energy Efficiency
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2023-02-27
Rank in week's basket
16 of 135
top 89%
PIB title: Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill envisages provision to develop India’s own carbon trading market
Depth vs. question: PIB covered fully
Notes: PIB release titled 'Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill envisages provision to develop India's own carbon trading market' explicitly covered concept. Earlier release Dec 2022 also exists (PRID 1883921 'Creation of Carbon Markets').
Post-pandemic Central Banks worldwide raised interest rates; CBs assume they can counter rising prices via monetary policy.
Trigger event
Fed, ECB, BoE, RBI rate hike cycle 2022-23
2022-05
Ministry
Ministry of Finance / RBI
PIB hit · partial
PIB source
released 2022-09-30
Rank in week's basket
20 of 30
top 34%
PIB title: RBI hikes Repo Rate by another 50 basis points to 5.9%
Depth vs. question: PIB mentioned but UPSC went deeper
Notes: Generic global monetary policy Q. RBI's own communiques are primary source. PIB carries RBI repo rate hike announcements (PRID 1832000 May 2022 +50bp, 1848656 Aug 2022 5.4%, 1863686 Sept 2022 5.9%) — covers fact of CB rate-hiking cycle but not the abstract reasoning UPSC tested.
CBDC can be used to make payments without USD/SWIFT; can be programmed with conditions like time-frame.
Trigger event
RBI launched Digital Rupee Wholesale pilot Nov 1, 2022 and Retail pilot Dec 1, 2022
2022-12-01
Ministry
Ministry of Finance / RBI
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2023-02-08
Rank in week's basket
30 of 135
top 78%
PIB title: Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC): e₹-R is in the form of a digital token that represents legal tender
Depth vs. question: PIB covered fully
Notes: PIB release explained eR is digital token = legal tender. RBI Concept Note Oct 2022 also primary source.
Both statements correct + explanation: 7 Aug is National Handloom Day; Swadeshi Movement launched on 7 Aug 1905.
Trigger event
National Handloom Day annually observed; PM addressed handloom community Aug 2022
2022-08-07
Ministry
Ministry of Textiles / Home Ministry
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2022-08-07
Rank in week's basket
40 of 96
top 59%
PIB title: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah greets people on National Handloom Day
Depth vs. question: PIB covered fully
Notes: Annual NHD observance with PIB releases reiterating Swadeshi 1905 link.
S-I: India accounts for 3.2% of global goods exports (incorrect; actual ~1.8%). S-II: Local & foreign companies use PLI.
Trigger event
PLI Schemes for 14 sectors with Rs.1.97 lakh crore outlay; first reviews of impact through 2022-23
2023-06-23
Ministry
Ministry of Commerce and Industry / DPIIT
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2022-09-07
Rank in week's basket
50 of 99
top 50%
PIB title: Production Linked Incentive Schemes for 14 key sectors aim to enhance India’s manufacturing capabilities and exports
Depth vs. question: PIB covered partially
Notes: PIB extensively covers PLI uptake by domestic + foreign companies. The 3.2% global export figure is a deliberate trap — actual share lower.
JSY: safe motherhood intervention; reduces maternal & neonatal mortality; promotes institutional delivery; provides services to infants up to 1 year.
Trigger event
JSY is a long-running scheme since 2005 under NRHM; periodic Lok Sabha questions and updates throughout 2022-23
2022-08
Ministry
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2022-08-02
Rank in week's basket
66 of 175
top 63%
PIB title: Indian Women Team A and Team B win Round 4 matches at 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai
Depth vs. question: PIB covered partially
Notes: JSY is regularly covered in PIB Parliament Questions (URL exemplar; multiple releases through 2022-23). UPSC question tested fine details (year 1 infant care).
Which criteria (other than population, area, income distance) did 15th FC use for horizontal devolution? Demographic performance, Forest/ecology, Governance reforms, Stable govt, Tax/fiscal effort.
Trigger event
15th Finance Commission Report submitted Nov 2020; tabled Feb 2021 covering 2021-22 to 2025-26
2021-02-01
Ministry
Ministry of Finance
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2021-02-01
Rank in week's basket
71 of 72
top 1%
PIB title: The Report of the Fifteenth Finance Commission
Depth vs. question: PIB covered fully
Notes: Three criteria used (Demographic performance, Forest & ecology, Tax & fiscal effort). PIB report extensively covered. Predates 12-18 month window but answer key shows asking lifted directly from FC report.
Skipped — 3 source release was not in English
These questions did map to a PIB PRID, but the release was published only in a regional-language edition. Our pipeline filters baskets to English, so we did not rank these in the backtest. The question and PRID are still listed for transparency.
Pairs about Khel Ratna, Arjuna, Dronacharya, Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar.
Trigger event
Khel Ratna renamed Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna on 6 Aug 2021; awards conferred annually 29 Aug Sports Day
2021-08-06
Ministry
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2021-08-06
Rank in week's basket
source not English (lang detect, prid=1743105)
PIB title: కొత్త డిజిటల్ చెల్లింపుల విధానం ఇ-రుపీ గురించి తెలుసుకోండి
Depth vs. question: PIB covered fully
Notes: Renaming announcement by PM via PIB; annual sports awards function notes detail eligibility criteria.
44th Chess Olympiad 2022: first time in India; mascot 'Thambi'; Vera Menchik for open / Hamilton-Russell for women (UPSC reversed these incorrectly).
Trigger event
44th Chess Olympiad held in Chennai 28 July - 10 August 2022
2022-07-28
Ministry
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2022-07-28
Rank in week's basket
source not English (lang detect, prid=1844670)
PIB title: ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਨੇ ਬਾਰਾਬੰਕੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੂਰਵਾਂਚਲ ਐਕਸਪ੍ਰੈੱਸਵੇ ’ਤੇ ਹੋਈ ਸੜਕ ਦੁਰਘਟਨਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਾਨ ਗੁਆਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰਤੀ ਸੋਗ ਵਿਅਕਤ ਕੀਤਾ
Depth vs. question: PIB covered partially
Notes: PIB covered inauguration by PM. Trophy nomenclature is FIDE-domain; UPSC reversed the cups as a trap (Hamilton-Russell for open men's, Vera Menchik for women's).
G-20 originally for Finance Ministers/CB Governors; DPI is India's G-20 priority.
Trigger event
India took over G-20 Presidency December 1, 2022; theme 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'
2022-12-01
Ministry
Ministry of External Affairs / G20 Secretariat
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2022-12-01
Rank in week's basket
source not English (lang detect, prid=1880925)
PIB title: روزگار کے ڈائریکٹوریٹ جنرل میں سووچھتا کی خصوصی مہم 2.0
Depth vs. question: PIB covered fully
Notes: Massive PIB campaign throughout 2022-23 on G-20 priorities including DPI, climate finance, women-led development.
No PIB anchor — 13 question(s) sourced from elsewhere
These questions did not have a verifiable PIB source. They came from RBI / SEBI / Supreme Court / international press / ministry-website notifications. pibtracker does not claim to catch these — they are listed here so you can see the full universe of 2021–2026 CA questions, not just the ones we score.
About 3/4 of world's cobalt (needed for EV batteries) is produced by which country? Answer: DRC.
Trigger event
Critical minerals / EV battery supply chain discourse; India's Critical Minerals identification & DRC's dominance highlighted globally
2022-06
Depth vs. question: no PIB
Notes: PIB does cover critical minerals (Ministry of Mines released Critical Minerals for India report in June 2023, but post-dates exam date 28 May). Question is broadly static-with-CA-flavor; tied to global EV transition discourse.
Statement on InvITs interest income tax exemption and dividend taxability; recognition under SARFAESI Act 2002.
Trigger event
Finance Act 2023 brought changes; SEBI InvIT regulations amended Jan 2023 and Feb 14, 2023
2023-02-14
Ministry
Ministry of Finance / SEBI
Depth vs. question: no PIB
Notes: Highly technical financial-regulation Q. SEBI is the primary source, not PIB. Few PIB releases on InvIT specifics.
Q30
UNOPS S3i initiative
Not in backtest
Which sectors does UNOPS Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and Innovation (S3i) focus on?
Trigger event
UNOPS S3i initiative is global, with India MoU around housing infrastructure
2018-09
Depth vs. question: no PIB
Notes: Generic CA on multilateral initiative; UNOPS S3i has limited PIB coverage. Possibly tied to UN-Habitat discussions.
Which country among Australia/Canada/Israel/Japan has its own SatNav? Answer: Japan (QZSS).
Trigger event
Japan's QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System) fully operational 2018; relevant since India's NavIC discourse 2022-23
2022-01
Ministry
Department of Space
Depth vs. question: no PIB
Notes: Indirectly CA — tested via India's NavIC push in chipsets 2023, but the Q is purely about Japan having QZSS. No direct PIB hit.
Q67
Wolbachia method
Not in backtest
Wolbachia method refers to controlling viral diseases spread by mosquitoes.
Trigger event
ICMR-VCRC Puducherry developed Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti colonies; news around 2022
2022-07-05
Ministry
Ministry of Health (ICMR)
Depth vs. question: no PIB
Notes: ICMR-VCRC published technical results in July 2022. PIB has limited specific coverage; sourced from scientific/news domain.
Which country has been suffering from decades of civil strife & food shortages, in news for severe famine?
Trigger event
Somalia famine risk peaked 2022-2023 with 5 failed rainy seasons & 43,000 estimated deaths
2022-09
Ministry
Ministry of External Affairs
Depth vs. question: no PIB
Notes: Foreign-affairs CA; MEA does occasionally release statements but not specifically on Somalia famine in this period. Newspaper-sourced.
USA and EU launched 'Trade and Technology Council'.
Trigger event
TTC established at June 15, 2021 EU-US Summit Brussels; inaugural meeting Pittsburgh Sept 29, 2021; further meetings May 2022, Dec 2022
2021-09-29
Ministry
Ministry of External Affairs / Ministry of Commerce
Depth vs. question: no PIB
Notes: Foreign-bilateral CA; India launched separately its own TTC with EU (Feb 2023) covered by MEA/PIB but Q is on US-EU TTC.
GCM adopted by UN; binding on UN members; addresses internal migration/IDPs.
Trigger event
GCM adopted by UN General Assembly 19 Dec 2018 (Marrakesh); India signed; relevance via 2022 IMRF review
2022-05
Ministry
Ministry of External Affairs
Depth vs. question: no PIB
Notes: Non-binding nature of GCM is the testing point. International framework rarely makes Indian PIB headlines.
Q91
Home Guards
Not in backtest
Home Guards raised under HG Act/Rules of Central Govt; auxiliary to police; Border Wing Home Guards Battalions in some States.
Trigger event
Home Guards continually raised; periodic MHA press notes on BWHG
2022-03
Ministry
Ministry of Home Affairs
PIB hit · partial
Depth vs. question: PIB covered partially
Notes: Google site:pib.gov.in for BWHG / Home Guards raising returned no targeted Lok Sabha-Q or feature release covering the State-vs-Central distinction UPSC tested. PRID 1888244 (MHA YER 2022) and Aug 2022 HG/CD medals doc are tangential. Statement-I is false — HG raised under State Acts, not Central HG Act.
Pairs about North Kivu/Ituri, Nagorno-Karabakh, Kherson/Zaporizhzhia (all incorrectly matched in stem).
Trigger event
Russia-Ukraine war Feb 2022; Armenia-Azerbaijan Sept 2022 escalation; DRC unrest
2022-09
Ministry
Ministry of External Affairs
Depth vs. question: no PIB
Notes: Pure foreign-news CA. India MEA statements on Ukraine exist but don't cover Kherson/Zaporizhzhia specifically.
Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States.
Trigger event
Abraham Accords signed 2020 (UAE, Bahrain, then Sudan, Morocco); ongoing through 2022
2020-09
Ministry
Ministry of External Affairs
Depth vs. question: no PIB
Notes: Foreign policy CA, no PIB hook. I2U2 framework (India-Israel-UAE-US) mentioned in PIB July 2022 may have been peripheral context.
Donbas-Syria, Kachin-Ethiopia, Tigray-North Yemen (all incorrect; correct: Donbas-Ukraine, Kachin-Myanmar, Tigray-Ethiopia).
Trigger event
Russia-Ukraine war Feb 2022; Tigray War Ethiopia 2020-2022; Myanmar civil war post-2021 coup
2022-02-24
Ministry
Ministry of External Affairs
Depth vs. question: no PIB
Notes: Foreign-news CA. PIB does not cover these regional conflicts in depth.
Q98
Coups in Chad, Guinea, Mali, Sudan
Not in backtest
Common reason: Successful coups (Apr 2021 Chad, Sept 2021 Guinea, Aug 2020/May 2021 Mali, Oct 2021 Sudan).
Trigger event
Series of military coups in Sahel/West Africa 2020-2022
2021-10
Ministry
Ministry of External Affairs
Depth vs. question: no PIB
Notes: Africa coup belt CA. MEA may have routine statements; PIB not the primary source.