Today Current Affairs MCQ 20 September 2026 | UPSC, BPSC & UPPCS

September 20, 2026

Today Current Affairs MCQ – 20 September 2026

UPSC CSE • BPSC • UPPCS | 15 Exam-Focused Questions
Q1. With reference to Coal India Limited's diversification strategy, consider the following:
  1. Coal gasification and coal-to-chemicals
  2. Renewable energy and energy storage
  3. Critical minerals and advanced materials
  4. Diversified minerals including iron ore

How many of the above form part of its strategic diversification platforms?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. Only three
  4. All four
Show Answer
Answer: D
All four are included. CIL's broader portfolio also includes thermal power. The strategy reflects a shift from a conventional coal-mining enterprise towards a diversified energy and materials company.
Q2. With reference to coal gasification, consider the following statements:
  1. It converts coal into synthesis gas or syngas.
  2. Syngas can be used to produce methanol and ammonia.
  3. Coal gasification necessarily eliminates the lifecycle greenhouse-gas emissions associated with coal.

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
Coal gasification produces syngas, which can serve as feedstock for chemicals and fuels. However, gasification does not automatically make coal carbon-free; lifecycle emissions remain relevant.
Q3. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) can support India's energy transition through which of the following?
  1. Storing surplus renewable electricity
  2. Supporting grid balancing
  3. Helping manage variability of solar and wind generation
  4. Completely eliminating the need for transmission networks

Select the correct answer:

  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: B
BESS can store energy, provide grid flexibility and help integrate variable renewables. It complements rather than eliminates transmission infrastructure.
Q4. With reference to the 9th India International Water Week 2026, consider the following statements:
  1. It is scheduled to be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
  2. Its theme is “Climate Resilient Water Management”.
  3. It is being organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in collaboration with multiple stakeholders.

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
The five-day event is scheduled for 22–26 September 2026 at Bharat Mandapam under the theme “Climate Resilient Water Management”.
Q5. Which of the following best reflects a climate-resilient approach to water management?
  1. Increasing dam capacity alone
  2. Managing surface water without considering groundwater
  3. Combining river-basin planning, demand management, ecosystem restoration and efficient water use
  4. Replacing all irrigation systems with groundwater extraction
Show Answer
Answer: C
Climate resilience requires an integrated approach covering demand, supply, ecosystems, groundwater, agriculture, floods and droughts rather than a single infrastructure solution.
Q6. With reference to Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin Phase II, consider the following statements:
  1. It seeks to sustain Open Defecation Free behaviour.
  2. It includes solid and liquid waste management in villages.
  3. Its focus is restricted exclusively to construction of new household toilets.

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
Phase II moves beyond toilet construction towards sustaining ODF behaviour and improving solid and liquid waste management.
Q7. Consider the following pairs regarding ODF Plus villages:
  1. ODF Plus Aspiring — Management of either solid or liquid waste
  2. ODF Plus Rising — Management of both solid and liquid waste
  3. ODF Plus Model — Solid and liquid waste management along with visual cleanliness and ODF Plus messaging

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None
Show Answer
Answer: C
All three are correctly matched. The categories represent progressive levels of rural sanitation and waste-management performance.
Q8. GOBARdhan, associated with rural sanitation and circular economy, primarily promotes:
  1. Conversion of organic and cattle waste into biogas, compressed biogas and organic manure
  2. Exclusive incineration of plastic waste
  3. Construction of large thermal power stations in rural areas
  4. Replacement of all chemical fertilisers through imported compost
Show Answer
Answer: A
GOBARdhan promotes conversion of cattle dung, crop residue and biodegradable waste into useful products such as biogas, CBG and organic manure, linking sanitation with Waste-to-Wealth.
Q9. With reference to Community Resource Persons (CRPs) in rural development, consider the following statements:
  1. They are largely drawn from local communities.
  2. They may work in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, banking and enterprise development.
  3. Their role illustrates community-based last-mile service delivery.

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
CRPs are community-based cadres trained to support livelihood, finance, enterprise and social-development interventions at the grassroots level.
Q10. Consider the following statements regarding DAY-NRLM and its community institutions:
  1. It promotes women-led Self-Help Groups in rural India.
  2. BC Sakhis can provide doorstep digital financial services.
  3. Bank Sakhis can assist SHGs in accessing formal credit.

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
All three are correct. DAY-NRLM uses community institutions to strengthen livelihoods, financial inclusion and women's participation in local development.
Q11. The Rashtriya Sankalp Samaroh under the Nasha Mukt Yuva campaign on 20 September 2026 was planned across:
  1. Exactly 100 locations
  2. 500 locations
  3. 1,067 locations
  4. All Gram Panchayats of India simultaneously
Show Answer
Answer: C
The nationwide mobilisation was planned across 1,067 locations through MY Bharat and partner organisations.
Q12. Article 47 of the Constitution of India is most directly associated with:
  1. Protection of monuments
  2. Public health, nutrition and efforts to prohibit intoxicating drinks and harmful drugs
  3. Organisation of village panchayats
  4. Protection of linguistic minorities
Show Answer
Answer: B
Article 47 is a Directive Principle concerning nutrition, standard of living and public health. It also directs the State to endeavour to prohibit intoxicating drinks and drugs injurious to health except for medicinal purposes.
Q13. With reference to SLINEX-26, consider the following statements:
  1. It is a bilateral maritime exercise between India and Sri Lanka.
  2. The 2026 exercise is being conducted at Visakhapatnam.
  3. INS Kavaratti and INS Jyoti are participating from the Indian Navy.
  4. SLINEX-26 is the 13th edition of the exercise.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. Only three
  4. All four
Show Answer
Answer: D
All four are correct. SLINEX-26 is being conducted from 17–21 September 2026 and includes Harbour and Sea phases.
Q14. Consider the following pairs:
  1. INS Kavaratti — Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette
  2. INS Jyoti — Fleet Tanker
  3. SLNS Sindurala — Sri Lanka Navy

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None
Show Answer
Answer: C
All three are correctly matched. These platforms are participating in SLINEX-26.
Q15. Consider the following statements:
  1. Critical-mineral security is increasingly linked with India's clean-energy transition.
  2. Climate-resilient water management requires consideration of both floods and droughts.
  3. Rural sanitation outcomes depend on behaviour change as well as infrastructure.
  4. Grassroots community cadres can strengthen decentralised service delivery.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  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 correct. These statements capture the static-current linkages behind today's major issues in energy security, environment, sanitation and grassroots governance.

Related reading: Today Current Affairs MCQ 19 September 2026 | UPSC, BPSC & UPPCS · Today Current Affairs MCQ 21 September 2026 | UPSC, BPSC & UPPCS

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