Practice 15 UPSC Prelims-level current affairs MCQs for 20 September 2026 with answers and explanations. This quiz covers important developments from 19 September with current-to-static linkages for UPSC 2027, BPSC and UPPCS.
Today Current Affairs Quiz – 20 September 2026
15 UPSC Prelims-Level MCQs | Current Affairs + Static Linkage | UPSC • BPSC • UPPCS
Q1. With reference to Doppler Weather Radar (DWR), consider the following statements:
1. It transmits radio waves and analyses signals reflected by precipitation particles.
2. The Doppler shift can provide information about the motion of precipitation particles towards or away from the radar.
3. It can only detect rainfall intensity and provides no information useful for analysing storm movement.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Select one option:
Show Answer & Explanation
DWR uses reflected radio waves and the Doppler effect to obtain information on precipitation and motion within weather systems. Such information is useful for tracking thunderstorms, cyclones and other severe-weather systems.
Source: The Indian Express
Q2. With reference to Mission Mausam, consider the following statements:
1. It is a Central Sector initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
2. It seeks to make India a “Weather-ready and Climate-smart” nation.
3. Expansion of Doppler Weather Radars and strengthening of early-warning systems are among its objectives.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Select one option:
Show Answer & Explanation
Mission Mausam strengthens weather observation, modelling, forecasting and early-warning capabilities. It includes deployment of next-generation radars, satellites, advanced computing and AI-enabled forecasting systems.
Source: PIB / The Indian Express
Q3. With reference to Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), consider the following statements:
1. A PHEV generally combines an internal-combustion engine with an electric motor and rechargeable battery.
2. Its battery can be charged from an external electricity source.
3. A conventional hybrid electric vehicle necessarily requires external plug-in charging for normal operation.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Select one option:
Show Answer & Explanation
A PHEV can operate using both battery-electric propulsion and an internal-combustion engine. Unlike a PHEV, a conventional hybrid generally charges its battery through regenerative braking and the engine rather than external plug-in charging.
Source: The Indian Express
Q4. With reference to the Himalayan Monal, recently in news, consider the following statements:
1. It is the State Bird of Uttarakhand.
2. It occurs across parts of the Himalayan region, including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim.
3. A recent study found that monals in noisier areas used higher-frequency calls than those in relatively quieter areas.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Select one option:
Show Answer & Explanation
Researchers studying Himalayan Monals in the Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary found differences in calls between quieter and noisier landscapes, raising concerns about the ecological effects of traffic and tourism noise.
Source: The Indian Express
Q5. With reference to recent proposals concerning crop-residue burning in northern India, consider the following statements:
1. A “red entry” may be made in land or revenue records where crop-residue burning is detected.
2. Under the proposed framework, such an entry may initially continue for up to 15 months.
3. A red entry automatically and permanently extinguishes the farmer's ownership rights over the land.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Select one option:
Show Answer & Explanation
The red-entry mechanism is intended as an enforcement and disincentive measure against stubble burning. It does not itself amount to permanent extinguishment of land ownership.
Source: The Indian Express / CAQM
Q6. In international economic relations, the term “secondary sanctions” is best understood as:
Select one option:
Show Answer & Explanation
Secondary sanctions seek to influence third-country firms, banks or other entities by penalising transactions with a directly sanctioned country, person or organisation. They are distinct from ordinary tariffs and export subsidies.
Source: The Indian Express
Q7. With reference to the National Rozgar Mela, consider the following statements:
1. The initiative was launched in October 2022.
2. The 20th Rozgar Mela was held on 19 September 2026 and distributed more than 51,000 appointment letters.
3. Across 20 editions, about 12.75 lakh appointment letters have been distributed.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Select one option:
Show Answer & Explanation
The Rozgar Mela is a mission-mode recruitment initiative for filling vacancies in Central Government ministries, departments and organisations through established recruitment processes.
Source: PIB
Q8. With reference to DDU-GKY 2.0, consider the following statements:
1. It is associated with skill development of rural youth.
2. Training of 34,920 rural youth in 1,164 batches is scheduled to begin in October 2026 across 14 States and Union Territories in the first phase.
3. The scheme is administered by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Select one option:
Show Answer & Explanation
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya-Grameen Kaushalya Yojana is a rural skill-development initiative under the Ministry of Rural Development, not the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Source: PIB
Q9. With reference to Biometric Aadhaar Authentication (BAA) for domestic LPG consumers, consider the following statements:
1. From 1 October 2026, completion of BAA is required to book subsidised domestic LPG refills at the regulated selling price with applicable subsidy.
2. Consumers who have already completed authentication are not required to repeat the process.
3. Consumers unable or unwilling to complete authentication are legally prohibited from purchasing any LPG cylinder.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Select one option:
Show Answer & Explanation
Consumers who do not complete BAA can still obtain LPG at the applicable market price through the specified mechanism; the restriction relates to subsidised supply, not access to LPG altogether.
Source: PIB
Q10. With reference to Kavach 4.0, consider the following statements:
1. It is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection system.
2. It can automatically apply brakes in specified unsafe situations, including Signal Passing at Danger risks.
3. On 19 September 2026, Indian Railways approved Kavach 4.0 on about 607.7 route kilometres of the Lucknow Division of North Eastern Railway.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Select one option:
Show Answer & Explanation
Kavach is India's indigenous Automatic Train Protection technology. The ₹252-crore Lucknow Division project covers 607.7 route kilometres.
Source: PIB
Q11. With reference to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), consider the following statements:
1. It organised the International Conference on “The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics” in New Delhi on 19–20 September 2026.
2. An NGT Mobile Application was launched during the inaugural session.
3. The NGT was created directly under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Select one option:
Show Answer & Explanation
The NGT was established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. The conference focused on climate justice, environmental law, green infrastructure, energy transition and international cooperation.
Source: PIB / Times of India
Q12. With reference to SEMICON India 2026, consider the following statements:
1. It was the fifth edition of India's flagship semiconductor conference.
2. It was held from 17–19 September 2026 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi.
3. The event recorded more than 600 exhibitors and 56 MoUs, announcements and strategic initiatives.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Select one option:
Show Answer & Explanation
SEMICON India 2026 was held under the theme “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem” and brought together companies, governments, researchers, start-ups and global semiconductor stakeholders.
Source: PIB
Q13. With reference to the report “Forests for Food: Nourishing People, Sustaining the Planet”, consider the following statements:
1. It was released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
2. Forests and trees contribute to food security not only through direct foods but also through services such as pollination, water regulation and soil fertility.
3. The report argues that the contribution of forest foods is already comprehensively captured in national food statistics across the world.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Select one option:
Show Answer & Explanation
The report emphasises that forest foods and their contribution to nutrition remain comparatively under-documented in many statistics and policy frameworks.
Source: FAO / GKToday cross-check
Q14. With reference to Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY), consider the following statements:
1. It is aimed at the socio-economic empowerment of Scheduled Caste communities.
2. Its Adarsh Gram component focuses on integrated development of Scheduled Caste-majority villages by addressing gaps in infrastructure and essential services.
3. The scheme is administered by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Select one option:
Show Answer & Explanation
PM-AJAY is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Its Adarsh Gram component seeks integrated development of SC-majority villages.
Source: PIB
Q15. With reference to the concept of a circular textile economy, consider the following statements:
1. Textile recycling and reuse can reduce the demand for virgin raw materials.
2. Cleaner production and green technologies can reduce resource use and waste generation in the textile value chain.
3. The “take-make-dispose” production model represents the basic principle of a circular economy.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Select one option:
Show Answer & Explanation
A circular economy seeks to keep materials and products in productive use for longer through reuse, repair, recycling and resource efficiency. “Take-make-dispose” describes a linear rather than circular model.
Source: PIB
