Daily Current Affairs MCQ – 30 August 2026
UPSC & State PCS | 20 Questions with Answers & Explanations
Q1. India’s cumulative southwest monsoon rainfall deficit by the end of August 2026 was reported to be close to:
A. 5%
B. 8%
C. 14%
D. 22%
Answer: C. 14%
Explanation: The cumulative rainfall deficit since 1 June was close to 14%, with large regional variations.
Q2. Which of the following states was among those reporting a rainfall deficit of more than 40% during the 2026 monsoon season?
A. Punjab
B. Bihar
C. Gujarat
D. Maharashtra
Answer: B. Bihar
Explanation: Bihar was among the states facing a particularly large seasonal rainfall deficit, making the issue important for agriculture and State PCS preparation.
Q3. Consider the following statements about El Niño:
- It refers to abnormal warming of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.
- It always causes drought in India.
- It can influence the Indian southwest monsoon.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B. 1 and 3 only
Explanation: El Niño can increase the probability of a weaker Indian monsoon, but it does not automatically produce drought.
Q4. Which of the following is generally a kharif crop?
A. Wheat
B. Mustard
C. Rice
D. Gram
Answer: C. Rice
Explanation: Rice is one of India’s major kharif crops and is generally sown with the southwest monsoon.
Q5. Why is lower maize acreage important beyond food security?
A. Maize is India’s main crude-oil substitute
B. Maize is used in poultry feed and ethanol production
C. Maize is primarily used for textile production
D. Maize determines MSP for wheat
Answer: B. Maize is used in poultry feed and ethanol production
Explanation: Maize has growing importance as animal feed and as a feedstock for ethanol, so lower production can affect several sectors.
Q6. Prisons in India are primarily included in:
A. Union List
B. State List
C. Concurrent List
D. Residuary powers of Parliament
Answer: B. State List
Explanation: Prison administration is primarily a responsibility of state governments.
Q7. Open prisons are best described as:
A. Prisons without any legal custody
B. Minimum-security correctional institutions based more on trust and responsibility
C. Temporary detention centres for undertrials only
D. Institutions run only by local governments
Answer: B. Minimum-security correctional institutions based more on trust and responsibility
Explanation: Open prisons allow eligible inmates greater freedom and responsibility while they continue serving their sentences.
Q8. Which Article of the Constitution is most closely associated with the dignity and fundamental rights of prisoners?
A. Article 14 only
B. Article 19 only
C. Article 21
D. Article 32 only
Answer: C. Article 21
Explanation: The Supreme Court has repeatedly linked humane prison conditions and prisoner dignity with Article 21 — Right to Life and Personal Liberty.
Q9. The Model Prison Manual commonly referred to in Indian prison reforms was issued in:
A. 2005
B. 2010
C. 2016
D. 2023
Answer: C. 2016
Explanation: The Model Prison Manual, 2016 provides a reform-oriented framework for prison administration.
Q10. The Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act was introduced by the Union government in:
A. 2018
B. 2020
C. 2023
D. 2026
Answer: C. 2023
Explanation: The Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2023 places greater emphasis on correction, rehabilitation and modern prison management.
Q11. India and Uzbekistan agreed in August 2026 to elevate their relationship to:
A. Special Economic Partnership
B. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
C. Defence Alliance
D. Customs Union
Answer: B. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Explanation: During the 30 August talks in Tashkent, India and Uzbekistan agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Q12. India and Uzbekistan have set a bilateral trade target of:
A. $2 billion by 2028
B. $3 billion by 2030
C. $5 billion by 2030
D. $10 billion by 2035
Answer: C. $5 billion by 2030
Explanation: The two countries aim to raise bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2030.
Q13. Which port is particularly important for India’s access to Central Asia without relying on a land route through Pakistan?
A. Gwadar
B. Hambantota
C. Chabahar
D. Duqm
Answer: C. Chabahar
Explanation: Chabahar Port in Iran is strategically important for India’s connectivity with Afghanistan and Central Asia.
Q14. The International North-South Transport Corridor is best described as:
A. A military alliance connecting India and Russia
B. A multimodal transport corridor linking India with Iran, Central Asia, Russia and beyond
C. An inland-waterway project only
D. A China-led connectivity programme
Answer: B. A multimodal transport corridor linking India with Iran, Central Asia, Russia and beyond
Explanation: INSTC uses sea, road and rail routes to improve India’s access to Eurasia.
Q15. The Integrated Fertilizer Management System (iFMS) is administered under which ministry?
A. Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
B. Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers
C. Ministry of Rural Development
D. Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Answer: B. Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers
Explanation: iFMS is used by the Department of Fertilizers, under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers.
Q16. AgriStack is best understood as:
A. A physical grain-storage network
B. India’s farmer-centric Digital Public Infrastructure for agriculture
C. A fertilizer subsidy account
D. A crop-export portal
Answer: B. India’s farmer-centric Digital Public Infrastructure for agriculture
Explanation: AgriStack brings together Farmer IDs, land information, crop data and other digital agricultural services.
Q17. Under the emerging Framework for Fertilizer Sale, which of the following may be used?
- Farmer ID
- QR-based booking
- Point-of-Sale verification
- Land and crop information
Select the correct answer:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation: The new phased framework combines farmer and agricultural data with digital booking and PoS verification.
Q18. Consider the following statements regarding fertilizer DBT in India:
- The farmer generally buys fertilizer at the subsidised retail price.
- The full subsidy amount is first transferred directly to every farmer’s bank account before purchase.
- Verified retail sales are used for settling subsidy claims with fertilizer companies.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B. 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Fertilizer DBT differs from schemes such as PM-KISAN. The subsidy is generally settled with companies after verified sales, rather than transferred upfront to the farmer.
Q19. The Vehicle Location Tracking System linked with fertilizer management is primarily intended to:
A. Calculate MSP
B. Track fertilizer consignments during transportation
C. Monitor crop insurance claims
D. Measure soil nutrients automatically
Answer: B. Track fertilizer consignments during transportation
Explanation: VLTS improves visibility over fertilizer movement and can help detect delays or diversion.
Q20. Which of the following best captures the common policy theme behind today’s monsoon, prison-reform, India–Uzbekistan and iFMS stories?
A. Complete withdrawal of government intervention
B. Building resilience through better institutions, technology and cooperation
C. Replacement of state governments by central institutions
D. Exclusive focus on private-sector solutions
Answer: B. Building resilience through better institutions, technology and cooperation
Explanation: Today’s major stories are connected by a common theme—better management of risks through climate resilience, correctional reform, regional partnerships and digital governance.
Today’s Score Guide
17–20: Excellent
13–16: Good
9–12: Needs one revision
Below 9: Revise today’s main articles once again
