Today Current Affairs MCQ — 2 September 2026
For UPSC & State PCS | 15 Questions
Q1. The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) recently signed an MoU with which organisation for cooperation on tiger landscapes and nature-positive finance?
A. World Bank
B. Asian Development Bank
C. UNEP
D. Global Environment Facility
Answer: B. Asian Development Bank
Explanation: IBCA and ADB signed an MoU covering landscape conservation, sustainable development, capacity building, knowledge exchange and nature-positive finance.
Q2. Which of the following big cats are covered under the International Big Cat Alliance?
- Tiger
- Snow Leopard
- Jaguar
- Puma
- Cheetah
Select the correct answer:
A. 1, 2 and 5 only
B. 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
C. 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Explanation: IBCA covers seven big cats: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma.
Q3. In environmental economics, the term natural capital is best understood as:
A. Government expenditure on national parks
B. Financial assets owned by forest communities
C. Natural assets that provide ecological, economic and social benefits
D. Revenue earned only from ecotourism
Answer: C. Natural assets that provide ecological, economic and social benefits
Explanation: Forests, rivers, soils, wetlands and biodiversity can provide services such as water regulation, carbon storage, livelihoods and climate resilience.
Q4. HADR, frequently seen in the context of India’s assistance to Nepal, stands for:
A. Humanitarian Aid and Development Response
B. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief
C. High-Altitude Disaster Rescue
D. Human Assistance and Defence Relief
Answer: B. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief
Explanation: HADR includes relief supplies as well as specialised rescue, medical, engineering, evacuation and other disaster-response assistance.
Q5. India’s recent forensic assistance to Nepal is particularly associated with:
A. Satellite mapping of forests
B. DNA-based Disaster Victim Identification
C. Glacier drilling
D. River-water quality testing
Answer: B. DNA-based Disaster Victim Identification
Explanation: Indian forensic specialists are assisting with DNA analysis to help identify victims of the Nepal floods.
Q6. Which of the following may be used in Disaster Victim Identification?
- DNA profiles
- Fingerprints
- Dental records
- Medical records
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: Modern DVI can use multiple scientific and documentary methods to establish the identity of victims.
Q7. The Strait of Hormuz connects:
A. Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
B. Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
C. Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal
D. Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea
Answer: B. Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
Explanation: The Strait of Hormuz is a critical energy chokepoint between Iran and Oman’s Musandam Peninsula.
Q8. Consider the following pairs:
| Maritime Chokepoint | Connects |
|---|---|
| 1. Strait of Hormuz | Persian Gulf – Gulf of Oman |
| 2. Bab el-Mandeb | Red Sea – Gulf of Aden |
| 3. Strait of Malacca | Indian Ocean – South China Sea |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
Answer: C. All three
Explanation: All three are major maritime chokepoints and are important for global trade and energy flows.
Q9. A prolonged rise in global crude-oil prices can affect India through which of the following channels?
- Higher import bill
- Pressure on trade deficit
- Imported inflation
- Pressure on the rupee
Select the correct answer:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation: Since India imports a large share of its crude requirement, an oil shock can affect the external sector, inflation and currency simultaneously.
Q10. Recent government discussions on India’s data-centre ecosystem highlighted a potential investment opportunity of around:
A. USD 50 billion
B. USD 100 billion
C. USD 150 billion
D. USD 200 billion
Answer: D. USD 200 billion
Explanation: The government-industry roundtable highlighted the possibility of roughly USD 200 billion in data-centre investment.
Q11. A hyperscaler is best described as:
A. A company operating very large and rapidly scalable computing infrastructure
B. A high-speed railway signalling system
C. A satellite internet regulator
D. A digital-payment intermediary
Answer: A. A company operating very large and rapidly scalable computing infrastructure
Explanation: Hyperscalers operate massive cloud and data-centre infrastructure needed for AI, storage and large-scale digital services.
Q12. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) was established under:
A. Information Technology Act, 2000
B. Essential Commodities Act, 1955
C. Consumer Protection Act, 2019
D. Competition Act, 2002
Answer: C. Consumer Protection Act, 2019
Explanation: The CCPA acts against unfair trade practices, misleading advertisements and violations affecting consumer interests.
Q13. PESO, seen in connection with regulation of ammonium nitrate, stands for:
A. Petroleum and Energy Safety Organisation
B. Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation
C. Public Explosives Standards Office
D. Petroleum Emergency Services Organisation
Answer: B. Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation
Explanation: PESO regulates several hazardous and explosive substances and related licensing requirements.
Q14. India’s current GDP series uses which base year?
A. 2011–12
B. 2015–16
C. 2020–21
D. 2022–23
Answer: D. 2022–23
Explanation: India’s new National Accounts series uses 2022–23 as the base year.
Q15. In the context of national accounts, double deflation refers to:
A. Calculating GDP twice using two separate currencies
B. Separately adjusting output prices and input prices before estimating real value added
C. Adjusting GDP once for CPI and once for WPI
D. Removing both direct and indirect taxes from GDP
Answer: B. Separately adjusting output prices and input prices before estimating real value added
Explanation: Under double deflation, output and intermediate inputs are deflated separately, which can give a more accurate estimate of real GVA when their prices move differently.
Quick Score
13–15: Excellent — today’s concepts are well revised
10–12: Very good — revise the trap points once
7–9: Good — read today’s compilation once more
Below 7: Revise the core concepts and attempt again
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1 September 2026 Current Affairs MCQ for UPSC & State PCS
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