Practice 15 UPSC Prelims-level current affairs MCQs for 17 September 2026 with answers and explanations. The quiz covers important developments from 16 September with current-to-static linkages for UPSC, BPSC and UPPCS.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz – 17 September 2026
15 UPSC Prelims-Level MCQs | Current Affairs + Static Linkage | UPSC • BPSC • UPPCS
Q1. With reference to India's climate-action digital platforms launched on World Ozone Day 2026, consider the following statements:
1. India's Net Zero Portal allows entities to voluntarily register and showcase progress towards net-zero emissions.
2. The NAPCC Dashboard enables consolidated monitoring across India's National Missions on climate change.
3. Both platforms were launched by the Ministry of Power.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
The Net Zero Portal is designed for voluntary net-zero commitments, while the NAPCC Dashboard tracks progress across national climate missions. They were launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, not the Ministry of Power.
Source: PIB
Q2. With reference to India's ozone-layer protection efforts, consider the following statements:
1. India is a Party to both the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol.
2. India has met its scheduled commitments relating to ozone-depleting substances under the Montreal Protocol.
3. Training in low-global-warming-potential technologies in the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector can support both ozone protection and India's cooling transition.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
India has participated in the Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol framework since 1992 and has met its phase-out commitments. Training technicians in climate-friendly refrigerants also supports the India Cooling Action Plan.
Source: PIB
Q3. With reference to PM Vishwakarma, consider the following statements:
1. It is a Central Sector Scheme.
2. It covers 18 notified family-based traditional trades.
3. It was launched in September 2023 to provide end-to-end support to traditional artisans and craftspeople.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
PM Vishwakarma was launched on 17 September 2023. It is a Central Sector Scheme covering 18 traditional trades and seeks to combine recognition, skilling, credit, toolkit and market support.
Source: PIB
Q4. Regarding financial and skill support under PM Vishwakarma, consider the following statements:
1. Eligible beneficiaries can receive a toolkit incentive of up to ₹15,000.
2. Collateral-free Enterprise Development Loans of up to ₹3 lakh can be provided in two tranches.
3. Beneficiary loans are provided at a concessional interest rate of 5%.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
The scheme provides modern toolkits, collateral-free credit in two tranches and concessional credit. The Government bears interest subvention to reduce the effective rate for beneficiaries.
Source: PIB
Q5. With reference to Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Urban (PMAY-U), consider the following statements:
1. It is aimed at providing pucca housing with basic civic amenities to eligible urban households.
2. Its target groups include EWS, LIG, MIG families and slum dwellers.
3. Implementation experience under the original mission led to the launch of PMAY-U 2.0 in 2024.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
PMAY-U is an urban housing mission focused on eligible lower- and middle-income households and vulnerable groups. PMAY-U 2.0 was launched in 2024.
Source: PIB
Q6. With reference to SEMICON India 2026, consider the following statements:
1. The fifth edition is being held at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi.
2. It is jointly organised by the India Semiconductor Mission, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and SEMI.
3. Its theme is “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem.”
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
SEMICON India 2026 runs from 17–19 September at Yashobhoomi and brings together stakeholders across semiconductor design, manufacturing, investment, research and talent development.
Source: PIB
Q7. With reference to the Kishau Multipurpose Project, consider the following statements:
1. It is proposed on the Tons River.
2. The Tons is a major tributary of the Yamuna.
3. The project site lies along the border between Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Kishau is a proposed multipurpose dam and hydropower project on the Tons, a major Yamuna tributary. Its location straddles Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Source: The Indian Express
Q8. In the context of the Kishau project and inter-State water governance, consider the following statements regarding Article 262 of the Constitution:
1. Parliament may by law provide for adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-State rivers or river valleys.
2. Parliament may provide that neither the Supreme Court nor any other court shall exercise jurisdiction over such disputes.
3. Article 262 itself establishes a permanent national river-water tribunal and specifies its membership.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Article 262 empowers Parliament to legislate on adjudication of inter-State water disputes and to exclude court jurisdiction. It does not itself create or prescribe the composition of a permanent tribunal.
Source: The Indian Express + Static Polity Linkage
Q9. With reference to government bonds and bond yields, consider the following statements:
1. Bond prices and bond yields generally move in opposite directions.
2. One hundred basis points are equal to one percentage point.
3. A sustained rise in government bond yields generally lowers the government's borrowing cost.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Bond prices and yields move inversely. A rise in yields generally means governments must pay more to borrow, increasing interest costs rather than reducing them.
Source: The Indian Express / Times of India
Q10. With reference to plurilateral agreements in the World Trade Organization (WTO), consider the following statements:
1. A plurilateral agreement may involve only a subset of WTO members rather than the entire membership.
2. The Investment Facilitation for Development initiative was launched at the WTO in 2017.
3. Incorporation of a plurilateral agreement into the WTO family of agreements requires consensus.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Plurilateral agreements differ from fully multilateral agreements because participation is limited to a subset of members. The IFD initiative began in 2017, and incorporation into the WTO legal framework requires consensus.
Source: The Indian Express
Q11. With reference to Hilsa fish, recently in news, consider the following statements:
1. Hilsa is an anadromous fish.
2. It spends much of its life in marine waters but migrates into freshwater rivers for spawning.
3. Its natural distribution in India is restricted exclusively to the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna system.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Hilsa migrates from marine waters into rivers for breeding. It is not confined to the eastern river system; it also occurs along western Indian waters, including the Gujarat coast.
Source: The Indian Express
Q12. With reference to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), consider the following statements:
1. Section 29A places restrictions on certain defaulting promoters, wilful defaulters and connected persons from bidding for an insolvent company.
2. The term “haircut” is not specifically defined in the IBC.
3. The National Company Law Tribunal is the appellate authority over the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Section 29A restricts specified persons from regaining control through the resolution process. NCLAT, not NCLT, hears appeals against NCLT orders.
Source: The Indian Express
Q13. With reference to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and Himalayan hazards, consider the following statements:
1. A GLOF involves a sudden release of water stored in a glacial lake.
2. Cryospheric hazards originating in the Himalayas can generate transboundary risks through connected river systems.
3. Every flood or debris flow triggered by a glacier or avalanche must necessarily be classified as a GLOF.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
GLOF is a specific type of hazard involving sudden drainage of a glacial lake. Avalanches can also generate cascading debris flows without the event technically being a GLOF.
Source: The Indian Express
Q14. With reference to the Dadasaheb Phalke Award announced on 16 September 2026, consider the following statements:
1. Actor Anant Nag was selected for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2024.
2. The award is to be presented at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony.
3. Anant Nag has made a particularly significant contribution to Kannada cinema.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Anant Nag was announced as the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024. The award is scheduled to be presented at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony in September 2026.
Source: PIB
Q15. With reference to Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026, consider the following statements:
1. The campaign has been observed annually since 2017.
2. SHS 2026 begins on 17 September.
3. Its 2026 theme is “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag; Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat.”
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
SHS has been organised annually since 2017. The 2026 campaign begins on 17 September and emphasises public participation, especially students and youth, in sustained cleanliness behaviour.
Source: PIB
