Today Current Affairs MCQ 17 September 2026 | UPSC, BPSC & UPPCS

September 17, 2026

Today Current Affairs MCQ – 17 September 2026

UPSC CSE • BPSC • UPPCS | 15 Prelims Questions
Q1. With reference to SEMICON India 2026, consider the following statements:
  1. It is being held at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi.
  2. Its theme is “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem”.
  3. It is the fifth edition of SEMICON India.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
SEMICON India 2026 is the fifth edition, being held at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, from 17–19 September 2026 under the theme “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem”.
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding Semicon 2.0:
  1. It was approved in July 2026.
  2. It has an outlay of ₹1,27,500 crore.
  3. Its focus includes chip design, semiconductor equipment and materials, fabs and talent development.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
Semicon 2.0 was approved on 15 July 2026 with an outlay of ₹1,27,500 crore. Its six pillars cover R&D, design, machines and materials, fabs, talent and ATMP/OSAT.
Q3. In the semiconductor ecosystem, the abbreviations ATMP and OSAT are associated primarily with:
  1. Mining of semiconductor-grade minerals
  2. Assembly, testing and packaging of semiconductor devices
  3. Generation of electricity for semiconductor fabs
  4. Regulation of semiconductor imports
Show Answer
Answer: B
ATMP means Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging, while OSAT refers to Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test. Both relate to important post-fabrication stages of the chip value chain.
Q4. With reference to the 16th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions, consider the following statements:
  1. It offers 25 coal blocks across nine coal-bearing States.
  2. It permits 100% FDI through the automatic route.
  3. Commercially mined coal is subject to compulsory end-use restrictions.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 1 and 2 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
The commercial coal mining framework allows 100% FDI through the automatic route and has no end-use restriction. Hence Statement 3 is incorrect.
Q5. Regarding the coal blocks offered in the 16th commercial auction round, which one of the following is correct?
  1. All 25 mines are fully explored.
  2. 21 are fully explored and 4 are partially explored.
  3. 19 are fully explored and 6 are partially explored.
  4. All mines are offered only under the MMDR Act.
Show Answer
Answer: B
Of the 25 blocks, 21 are fully explored and four partially explored. Six are offered under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act and 19 under the MMDR Act.
Q6. Consider the following regarding Swachhata Hi Seva 2026:
  1. It began on 17 September 2026.
  2. Its theme is “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag; Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat”.
  3. Students and youth constitute an important focus of the campaign.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
SHS 2026 began on 17 September and places particular emphasis on Jan Bhagidari and participation of students and youth.
Q7. Which of the following are among the key pillars of Swachhata Hi Seva 2026?
  1. Transformation of Cleanliness Target Units
  2. Swachh Paathshala – Yuva for Swachhata
  3. SafaiMitra Suraksha Evam Samman Shivir
  4. Swachhata se Samriddhi

Select the correct answer using the code below:

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 1, 2 and 3 only
  3. 2, 3 and 4 only
  4. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer
Answer: D
All four are part of the five key pillars. The fifth is Jan Bhagidari for Swachhata.
Q8. A recently launched GHG Calculator for solid-waste management is primarily intended to help:
  1. State Pollution Control Boards calculate GST on waste-processing plants
  2. Urban Local Bodies compare emissions from alternative waste-management technologies
  3. Households calculate their individual income-tax liability
  4. Mining companies measure coal reserves
Show Answer
Answer: B
The digital tool uses a Life Cycle Assessment framework to help ULBs quantify and compare emissions from technologies such as composting, recycling, anaerobic digestion, waste-to-energy and landfilling.
Q9. With reference to regulation of stem-cell therapy in India, consider the following statements:
  1. Stem-cell therapy may be offered as standard clinical care only for approved indications.
  2. Therapeutic use of stem cells for Autism Spectrum Disorder is restricted to approved clinical trials.
  3. Unauthorised promotion of stem-cell therapies beyond approved indications may constitute professional misconduct.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 1 and 2 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
The Health Ministry's advisory reiterates all three principles. Unproven stem-cell interventions cannot be marketed as routine standard care.
Q10. The Union Health Ministry's proposed 2026 amendment concerning Schedule H, H1 and X drugs seeks to:
  1. Remove prescription requirements for these medicines
  2. Introduce mandatory CCTV surveillance at medical stores as an additional safeguard
  3. Transfer drug regulation entirely to local governments
  4. Prohibit online sale of all medicines in India
Show Answer
Answer: B
The proposed amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945 seeks mandatory CCTV surveillance at medical stores to strengthen monitoring of Schedule H, H1 and X drugs and curb unauthorised sales.
Q11. In the context of Himalayan glaciers, “Peak Water” refers to:
  1. The maximum elevation at which snowfall occurs
  2. The maximum annual glacier meltwater contribution before long-term runoff begins to decline
  3. The highest flood level recorded in a Himalayan river
  4. The point at which monsoon rainfall exceeds annual evaporation
Show Answer
Answer: B
Glacier melt can initially increase as temperatures rise. Peak Water occurs when annual meltwater contribution reaches its maximum; continued glacier shrinkage can thereafter reduce long-term meltwater supply.
Q12. Consider the following statements regarding black carbon:
  1. It is produced mainly through incomplete combustion.
  2. Its deposition on snow can reduce surface albedo.
  3. Its deposition can accelerate snow and glacier melting.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 1 and 2 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
Black carbon is a product of incomplete combustion. When deposited on snow and ice, its darker colour increases absorption of solar radiation, reducing albedo and accelerating melting.
Q13. With reference to PM Vishwakarma, consider the following statements:
  1. It is a Central Sector Scheme.
  2. It covers artisans and craftspeople engaged in 18 identified traditional trades.
  3. It was launched on 17 September 2023.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
PM Vishwakarma is a Central Sector Scheme launched on 17 September 2023 for artisans and craftspeople working in 18 traditional trades.
Q14. Which of the following forms part of the support package under PM Vishwakarma?
  1. Skill upgradation
  2. Toolkit incentive
  3. Credit support
  4. Digital transaction incentives
  5. Marketing support

Select the correct answer:

  1. 1, 2 and 3 only
  2. 1, 3 and 5 only
  3. 2, 4 and 5 only
  4. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Show Answer
Answer: D
PM Vishwakarma provides recognition, skill upgradation, toolkit support, concessional credit, digital-payment incentives and marketing support. The scheme has reached its target of 30 lakh registered beneficiaries.
Q15. Consider the following pairs:
  1. Semiconductor ecosystem — Strategic supply-chain resilience
  2. Commercial coal mining — Domestic energy security
  3. Life Cycle Assessment — Comparison of environmental impacts across alternative systems
  4. PM Vishwakarma — Support for traditional artisans and craftspeople

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. Only three
  4. All four
Show Answer
Answer: D
All four are correctly matched. Together, they illustrate how today's current-affairs developments connect technology, energy security, environmental governance and livelihood policy.
Verified Sources

Related reading: Current Affairs MCQ 16 September 2026 | UPSC, BPSC & UPPCS Quiz · Today Current Affairs MCQ 18 September 2026 | UPSC, BPSC & UPPCS

Tags
Prepared & reviewed by

UPSCJOURNAL prepares exam-oriented educational content using official and primary sources, standard references where appropriate, and clear syllabus linkage. Corrections and feedback are welcome through our Contact Us page.

You may like these posts

Show more