Daily Current Affairs Quiz – 22 September 2026
Based on 21 September 2026 Current Affairs • UPSC CSE Prelims 2027 • Moderate to Hard • 15 Questions
Question 1
With reference to the Index of Core Industries (ICI) for August 2026, consider the following statements:
1. The ICI recorded a year-on-year growth of 4.8% in August 2026.
2. Cement and electricity recorded double-digit year-on-year growth.
3. Coal, natural gas, crude oil and fertilizers recorded negative growth.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. The ICI recorded a year-on-year growth of 4.8% in August 2026.
2. Cement and electricity recorded double-digit year-on-year growth.
3. Coal, natural gas, crude oil and fertilizers recorded negative growth.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C. 1, 2 and 3
ICI grew 4.8% year-on-year in August 2026. Cement grew 12.5% and electricity 11.6%, while coal, natural gas, crude oil and fertilizers contracted.Question 2
Consider the following statements regarding the revised Index of Core Industries series:
1. Its base year is 2022–23.
2. Electricity carries a higher weight than refinery products.
3. Iron ore is included in the revised core-industries basket.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. Its base year is 2022–23.
2. Electricity carries a higher weight than refinery products.
3. Iron ore is included in the revised core-industries basket.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
The revised ICI uses 2022–23 as base year. Electricity has the largest weight in the current basket, and iron ore is included.Question 3
With reference to the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, consider the following statements:
1. It is scheduled to enter into force on 20 October 2026.
2. From entry into force, 100% of India’s exports to New Zealand will receive duty-free access.
3. India and New Zealand have an aspirational goal of doubling bilateral trade in goods and services to NZ$7 billion by 2030.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. It is scheduled to enter into force on 20 October 2026.
2. From entry into force, 100% of India’s exports to New Zealand will receive duty-free access.
3. India and New Zealand have an aspirational goal of doubling bilateral trade in goods and services to NZ$7 billion by 2030.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C. 1, 2 and 3
The FTA enters into force on 20 October 2026. New Zealand will provide zero-duty access to all Indian export tariff lines from day one, while the bilateral roadmap targets NZ$7 billion in two-way trade by 2030.Question 4
In the context of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), which one of the following best describes the role of “Rules of Origin”?
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B. They determine whether a product qualifies as originating in an FTA partner for preferential tariff treatment.
Rules of Origin prevent trade deflection by specifying when a product genuinely originates in an FTA partner and can therefore claim preferential tariff treatment.Question 5
With reference to Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT 2026, consider the following statements:
1. It is a bilateral military exercise between India and Mongolia.
2. The 18th edition commenced at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.
3. It includes training for counter-insurgency operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under a United Nations mandate.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. It is a bilateral military exercise between India and Mongolia.
2. The 18th edition commenced at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.
3. It includes training for counter-insurgency operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under a United Nations mandate.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
The 18th edition began on 21 September 2026 at Pithoragarh. Both armies fielded 45 personnel, with training covering counter-insurgency, cyber security, drones and counter-drone systems.Question 6
The Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) contracted for Indian Army T-72 and T-90 tanks are intended to provide electrical power for which of the following?
1. Fire-control system
2. Firing circuit
3. Gun-stabilisation system
4. Other tank ancillaries
1. Fire-control system
2. Firing circuit
3. Gun-stabilisation system
4. Other tank ancillaries
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
An APU allows essential systems to receive electric power without relying continuously on the tank’s main propulsion engine, improving operational efficiency and sustainability.Question 7
With reference to the procurement of APUs for T-72 and T-90 tanks, consider the following statements:
1. The contract value is ₹586 crore.
2. The procurement is linked to the Make-II route.
3. It represents indigenous development of a critical armoured-platform subsystem.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. The contract value is ₹586 crore.
2. The procurement is linked to the Make-II route.
3. It represents indigenous development of a critical armoured-platform subsystem.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C. 1, 2 and 3
The ₹586-crore contract is an example of industry-led indigenous R&D translated into production and induction under the Make-II mechanism.Question 8
With reference to the ADMM-Plus Joint Cooperation Activity in the Philippines, consider the following statements:
1. Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Kulish arrived at Subic Bay to participate.
2. ADMM-Plus brings together ASEAN Member States and eight Plus countries.
3. India linked its participation with the Act East Policy and MAHASAGAR vision.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Kulish arrived at Subic Bay to participate.
2. ADMM-Plus brings together ASEAN Member States and eight Plus countries.
3. India linked its participation with the Act East Policy and MAHASAGAR vision.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C. 1, 2 and 3
The deployment to Subic Bay reflects India’s participation in ASEAN-led maritime security mechanisms and growing maritime engagement with the Philippines.Question 9
Why is recycling of critical minerals strategically important for India?
1. It can support clean-energy technologies.
2. It can strengthen defence and advanced manufacturing supply chains.
3. It can reduce pressure on primary mineral extraction and imports.
4. It is consistent with a circular-economy approach.
1. It can support clean-energy technologies.
2. It can strengthen defence and advanced manufacturing supply chains.
3. It can reduce pressure on primary mineral extraction and imports.
4. It is consistent with a circular-economy approach.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Critical-mineral recycling supports strategic sectors while recovering valuable materials from secondary sources, thereby improving resource security and circularity.Question 10
With reference to legacy dumpsite remediation under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0, consider the following statements:
1. Biomining can separate legacy waste into recoverable fractions such as recyclables and refuse-derived fuel.
2. SBM-U 2.0 was launched in October 2021.
3. Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP) is intended to speed up remediation of remaining legacy dumpsites.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. Biomining can separate legacy waste into recoverable fractions such as recyclables and refuse-derived fuel.
2. SBM-U 2.0 was launched in October 2021.
3. Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP) is intended to speed up remediation of remaining legacy dumpsites.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C. 1, 2 and 3
Scientific remediation excavates and segregates accumulated legacy waste. Under SBM-U 2.0, DRAP accelerates remediation while biomining enables resource recovery and land reclamation.Question 11
Consider the following pairs:
1. Refuse-derived fuel — Can be used for co-processing in cement industries
2. Leachate management — Helps reduce contamination risks around dumpsites
3. Biomining — Scientific excavation, segregation and processing of legacy waste
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
1. Refuse-derived fuel — Can be used for co-processing in cement industries
2. Leachate management — Helps reduce contamination risks around dumpsites
3. Biomining — Scientific excavation, segregation and processing of legacy waste
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C. All three
PIB’s legacy-dumpsite examples show RDF being sent for cement co-processing, leachate safeguards around remediated sites and biomining as a major scientific remediation method.Question 12
With reference to India’s new National Accounts Statistics series, consider the following statements:
1. The base year has been revised from 2011–12 to 2022–23.
2. It represents the eighth base-year revision of India’s National Accounts Statistics.
3. The series was subsequently updated to incorporate changes arising from new PPI and IIP series.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. The base year has been revised from 2011–12 to 2022–23.
2. It represents the eighth base-year revision of India’s National Accounts Statistics.
3. The series was subsequently updated to incorporate changes arising from new PPI and IIP series.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C. 1, 2 and 3
MoSPI released the new 2022–23-base National Accounts series in February 2026 and later updated it to reflect revised PPI and IIP series.Question 13
According to WMO’s State of Global Water Resources 2025 report, consider the following statements:
1. 2025 was one of the driest years for global river discharge in more than three decades.
2. Earth’s land-water storage has shown a decline over the past decade.
3. Widespread glacier loss occurred across all regions for a fourth consecutive year.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. 2025 was one of the driest years for global river discharge in more than three decades.
2. Earth’s land-water storage has shown a decline over the past decade.
3. Widespread glacier loss occurred across all regions for a fourth consecutive year.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C. 1, 2 and 3
The WMO report highlights increasingly erratic hydrology, declining terrestrial freshwater storage and continued widespread glacier retreat.Question 14
With reference to the Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana (AVYAY), consider the following statements:
1. Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana is one of its components.
2. Elderline 14567 provides support services for senior citizens.
3. Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana is implemented through ALIMCO for eligible senior citizens with age-related disabilities or infirmities.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana is one of its components.
2. Elderline 14567 provides support services for senior citizens.
3. Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana is implemented through ALIMCO for eligible senior citizens with age-related disabilities or infirmities.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
AVYAY includes support through Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana, Elderline and geriatric-caregiver training. RVY is implemented through ALIMCO.Question 15
Which of the following initiatives are associated with DISHA 2.0 under the Department of Justice?
1. Tele-Law
2. Nyaya Bandhu
3. Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Programme
4. VIDHI-Sanjeevani
1. Tele-Law
2. Nyaya Bandhu
3. Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Programme
4. VIDHI-Sanjeevani
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
DISHA 2.0 focuses on access to justice through technology, legal awareness and pro bono services. Its initiatives include Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu, legal-literacy programmes and VIDHI-Sanjeevani.