UPSC current affairs quiz, 14 September 2026

With reference to the New Development Bank (NDB), consider the following statements:
1. It was agreed upon at the BRICS summit held at Fortaleza.
2. Its founding members hold equal shares in its capital.
3. Its headquarters is in New Delhi.
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

Consider the following countries:
1. Bangladesh
2. Egypt
3. Indonesia
4. Algeria
How many of the above are members of the New Development Bank?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Consider the following statements about the New Development Bank:
1. Its initial subscribed capital was $50 billion.
2. China holds the largest share of its capital.
3. Its first president was from India.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: Lending in a borrower's own currency reduces the borrower's exchange-rate risk.
Statement-II: The New Development Bank issues Panda bonds to raise funds in Chinese yuan.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Which one of the following best describes a 'Panda bond'?

1. A bond issued by the Chinese government in U.S. dollars
2. A yuan-denominated bond issued in mainland China by a non-Chinese entity
3. A green bond issued by any BRICS central bank
4. A rupee-denominated bond issued abroad by an Indian company

With reference to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is headquartered in Beijing.
2. India holds the second-largest voting share after China.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

With reference to the Great Indian Bustard, consider the following statements:
1. It is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
2. Its natural habitat includes Desert National Park in Rajasthan.
3. It is found only in Rajasthan.
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

Consider the following statements about the Supreme Court's orders in M.K. Ranjitsinh v Union of India:
1. The April 2021 order restricted overhead transmission lines across about 99,000 sq km.
2. In March 2024 the Court found no basis for a general prohibition on transmission lines in that area.
3. The December 2025 judgment barred all solar plants, of any size, in GIB priority areas.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Consider the following measures reported for Great Indian Bustard recovery in Kutch in September 2026:
1. Restoration of about 11 sq km of grassland degraded by Prosopis juliflora
2. Predator-proof fencing enclosing about 15 sq km
3. Replacement of infertile wild eggs with viable eggs
4. Release of captive-bred cheetahs into the bustard enclosure
How many of the above are part of the GIB recovery work described in the PIB release?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: The Supreme Court has ordered critical overhead power lines in Great Indian Bustard priority areas to be buried or rerouted.
Statement-II: Collision with overhead power lines is a major cause of death for Great Indian Bustards.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

In wildlife conservation, a 'soft release' refers to:

1. Releasing animals directly into the wild without any preparation
2. Holding animals for a period in an enclosure within their natural habitat before letting them go
3. Releasing only young animals born in zoos
4. Relocating a problem animal to a rescue centre

With reference to the MISHTI programme, which of the following statements is/are correct as per the PIB release of 14 September 2026?
1. It concerns plantation of mangroves.
2. Plantation reported covers 27,652 hectares against a target of 29,250 hectares for 2023-24 to 2026-27.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

With reference to India's air defence, consider the following statements:
1. The S-400 air defence system was developed jointly by India and Russia.
2. The Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) is operated by the Indian Air Force.
3. The S-400 is known as 'Sudarshan Chakra' in Indian service.
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

Consider the following statements about the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS):
1. It is an automated air defence command and control system of the Indian Air Force.
2. It integrates civil radars as well as military radars.
3. It was conceived after the Purulia arms drop case of 1995.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Consider the following statements about India's S-400 deal:
1. The contract was signed in October 2018.
2. It covers five squadrons.
3. The first squadron was delivered in 2019.
4. The system was designed by Almaz-Antey.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: India's purchase of the S-400 raised the risk of U.S. sanctions.
Statement-II: The U.S. law CAATSA provides for sanctions on significant defence purchases from Russia.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Operation Sindoor was launched in response to which event?

1. The Uri attack of 2016
2. The Pulwama attack of 2019
3. The Pahalgam attack of 22 April 2025
4. The Parliament attack of 2001

With reference to the Defence Ministry's Annual Report 2025-26 as reported in September 2026, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It says the Pakistani aircraft destroyed at 314 km was a fighter jet.
2. It says protocols were in place to avoid engaging civil aircraft.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

In the context of international trade, a 'tariff-rate quota' means:

1. A ban on imports beyond a fixed quantity
2. A lower tariff on imports up to a fixed quantity, and a higher tariff on imports beyond it
3. A tariff fixed as a percentage of the importing country's GDP
4. A quota on the number of countries that can export a product

Consider the following sectors:
1. Iron and steel
2. Fertilisers
3. Hydrogen
4. Textiles
How many of the above are covered by the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Consider the following statements about the India-EU FTA as reported in September 2026:
1. India's tariff on EU cars falls to 10% for all EU cars without any limit.
2. India gets an annual steel quota of 1.64 million tonnes in the EU.
3. The European Commission presented the agreement to the EU Council on 11 September 2026.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: Indian steel exporters may pay a carbon cost in the EU even on steel that enters within the FTA quota.
Statement-II: Under CBAM, EU importers of steel must buy certificates matching the carbon emitted in producing it.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

The 'Most Favoured Nation' principle of the WTO requires a member to:

1. Give its most favoured trading partner lower tariffs than all others
2. Extend any trade advantage given to one WTO member to all other WTO members
3. Allow free movement of workers from favoured nations
4. Grant developing countries duty-free access for all products

With reference to the India-EU FTA, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. The European Commission says tariffs will be cut or removed on 96.6% of EU goods exports to India.
2. Electric vehicles from the EU get tariff concessions from the first year of the agreement.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Which one of the following is NOT one of the six services provided under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme?

1. Supplementary nutrition
2. Pre-school non-formal education
3. Immunisation
4. Free secondary school textbooks

Consider the following:
1. Supplementary nutrition
2. Immunisation
3. Referral services
4. Old-age pension
How many of the above are among the six services of the Integrated Child Development Services scheme?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Consider the following statements:
1. Mission Poshan 2.0 is implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
2. POSHAN Abhiyaan was launched in March 2018.
3. The Poshan Tracker app monitors anganwadi services in real time.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: Nutrition programmes in India target pregnant and lactating women, not only young children.
Statement-II: The period from pregnancy to a child's second birthday, the first 1,000 days, is critical for brain development.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

The theme of the 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah, launched in September 2026, is:

1. Suposhit Bharat, Saksham Bharat
2. Hamari Anganwadi, Hamari Jimmedari
3. Poshan Bhi, Padhai Bhi
4. Har Ghar Poshan

With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It evolved from the Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana launched in 2010.
2. It implements the cash maternity benefit provided for under the National Food Security Act, 2013.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2