Today Current Affairs MCQ 22 September 2026 | UPSC, BPSC & UPPCS

September 22, 2026
Today Current Affairs MCQ 22 September 2026 for UPSC BPSC UPPCS with 15 questions on biodiversity Project Rhino TRAI narcotics UDAN NAMASTE and energy security

Today Current Affairs MCQ – 22 September 2026

UPSC CSE • BPSC • UPPCS | 15 Exam-Focused Questions
Q1. With reference to the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, consider the following statements:
  1. It extends across Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
  2. It forms part of the southern Western Ghats.
  3. It is included in UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

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
Agasthyamalai lies across Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the southern Western Ghats and was included in UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2016.
Q2. A recent botanical checklist of Agasthyamalai documented which of the following?
  1. More than 3,200 flowering plant species
  2. More than 1,000 endemic taxa
  3. More than 200 steno-endemic taxa

How many of the above are correct?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None
Show Answer
Answer: C
The checklist recorded 3,261 flowering plant species, 1,018 endemic taxa and 245 steno-endemic taxa.
Q3. Which one of the following correctly distinguishes an endemic species from an endangered species?
  1. Endemic refers to extinction risk, while endangered refers to geographic restriction.
  2. Endemic refers to geographic restriction, while endangered refers to extinction risk.
  3. Both terms necessarily mean the same thing.
  4. Only animal species can be endemic.
Show Answer
Answer: B
Endemism concerns geographical distribution. Endangered status concerns the risk of extinction. A species can be endemic without necessarily being endangered.
Q4. With reference to Project Rhino announced on World Rhino Day 2026, consider the following statements:
  1. It focuses on the greater one-horned rhinoceros.
  2. Assam supports nearly 80% of the world's population of this species.
  3. The initiative includes habitat management and scientific population management.

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
Project Rhino aims to strengthen protection, habitat management and scientific conservation of the greater one-horned rhinoceros.
Q5. Why is distribution of a threatened species across multiple viable habitats generally considered desirable?
  1. It eliminates the need for habitat protection.
  2. It reduces the risk that a single flood, disease outbreak or other local event affects most of the population.
  3. It guarantees that genetic diversity will always increase.
  4. It removes the need for population monitoring.
Show Answer
Answer: B
Concentrating a species in only a few locations creates systemic risk. Multiple viable populations can improve resilience against local disasters, disease and habitat disturbance.
Q6. With reference to TRAI, consider the following statements:
  1. It is a statutory body.
  2. It was established under the TRAI Act, 1997.
  3. It regulates aspects of India's telecommunications sector.

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
TRAI is a statutory regulator created under the TRAI Act, 1997.
Q7. The Telecom Consumer Protection amendment discussed in September 2026 primarily seeks to improve:
  1. Availability of affordable Voice-and-SMS-only tariff vouchers for users who may not require data
  2. Compulsory purchase of mobile-data packs by every subscriber
  3. Replacement of all prepaid plans by postpaid plans
  4. Government ownership of telecom networks
Show Answer
Answer: A
The change aims to improve consumer choice by making Voice-and-SMS-only Special Tariff Vouchers available across more relevant validity periods.
Q8. With reference to current narcotics-control challenges, consider the following:
  1. Synthetic drugs
  2. Clandestine laboratories
  3. Darknet markets
  4. Cryptocurrency-linked financial transactions

How many of the above were identified as important contemporary challenges at the ANTF conference?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. Only three
  4. All four
Show Answer
Answer: D
Modern narcotics trafficking increasingly combines organised crime with digital platforms, synthetic-drug production and complex financial channels.
Q9. Which of the following best describes an effective modern anti-narcotics strategy?
  1. Focusing only on the quantity of drugs seized
  2. Combining seizures with cartel disruption, financial investigation, digital forensics, prevention and rehabilitation
  3. Restricting enforcement exclusively to district police
  4. Treating narcotics solely as a public-health issue with no security implications
Show Answer
Answer: B
Narcotics networks intersect with organised crime, cybercrime, money laundering and public health. A network-disruption approach therefore requires multiple tools and agencies.
Q10. With reference to the UDAN scheme, consider the following statements:
  1. UDAN stands for Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik.
  2. It seeks to improve regional air connectivity to underserved and unserved areas.
  3. The Modified UDAN framework includes development of aerodromes from existing unserved airstrips.

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
UDAN is India's Regional Connectivity Scheme. Modified UDAN places additional emphasis on airport infrastructure, regional viability and connectivity to smaller markets.
Q11. The “Challenge Mode” under Modified UDAN allows:
  1. States and Union Territories to nominate airstrips and helipads based on connectivity needs
  2. Only foreign airlines to identify future airports
  3. All airports to operate without competitive route bidding
  4. States to abolish aviation safety regulations
Show Answer
Answer: A
Challenge Mode gives States and UTs a proactive role in identifying infrastructure needs, after which suitable routes can be taken up through the scheme's competitive process.
Q12. With reference to the NAMASTE Scheme, consider the following statements:
  1. NAMASTE stands for National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem.
  2. It seeks to improve safety and dignity of sanitation workers.
  3. Mechanisation is intended to reduce hazardous human entry into sewers and septic tanks.

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
NAMASTE combines mechanisation, occupational safety, health protection, training and livelihood support for sanitation workers.
Q13. Manual entry into sewers and septic tanks can expose workers to which of the following?
  1. Toxic gases
  2. Oxygen deficiency
  3. Biological hazards
  4. Risk of sudden collapse or drowning

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: D
Sewer and septic-tank work can expose workers to multiple life-threatening chemical, biological and physical hazards.
Q14. Which of the following best captures the meaning of energy security?
  1. Availability of domestic coal alone
  2. Availability, affordability, reliability and resilience of energy supplies
  3. Complete elimination of imported energy immediately
  4. Maximum consumption of fossil fuels regardless of cost
Show Answer
Answer: B
Energy security includes reliable access, affordability, diversity of supply and resilience to geopolitical or market disruptions.
Q15. Consider the following statements:
  1. High endemism can make biodiversity-rich mountain ecosystems especially vulnerable to habitat loss.
  2. Species reintroduction can help reduce conservation risks associated with highly concentrated populations.
  3. Regional connectivity infrastructure can influence tourism, investment and access to services.
  4. Mechanisation of sanitation work is both a technological and social-justice intervention.

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. They represent the broader static-current linkages that UPSC is more likely to test than simple headline recall.

Related reading: Today Current Affairs MCQ 21 September 2026 | UPSC, BPSC & UPPCS · Today Current Affairs MCQ 23 September 2026 | UPSC, BPSC & UPPCS

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