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UPSC current affairs quiz, 18 September 2026

30 Prelims-style questions on the day's news, in the formats UPSC uses (statement-based, How many, Statement-I and II), each with the answer and an explanation. Try each one before you open the answer.

Read 18 September 2026 first17 September 2026 quiz19 September 2026 quizTimed test in the app

EPFO wage ceiling raised from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 a month

  1. The Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) scheme is administered by:

    1. LIC
    2. ESIC
    3. EPFO
    4. Ministry of Finance
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) EPFO. EDLI is one of the three schemes run by the EPFO, along with EPF and EPS-95.

  2. The Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) scheme is administered by:

    1. Ministry of Finance
    2. EPFO
    3. LIC
    4. ESIC
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) EPFO. EDLI is one of EPFO's three schemes.

  3. Consider the following about the 2026 EPFO change:
    1. It applies to establishments with 10 or more workers.
    2. The wage ceiling rises to ₹25,000 a month.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

    Answer: (b) 2 only. The EPF Act applies to establishments with 20 or more employees.

  4. The EPF and MP Act was enacted in:

    1. 1948
    2. 1972
    3. 1995
    4. 1952
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) 1952. 1952.

  5. Before 2026, the EPFO wage ceiling was last revised in:

    1. 2004
    2. 2020
    3. 2011
    4. 2014
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) 2014. In 2014, to ₹15,000.

  6. EPS-95 provides:

    1. Life insurance
    2. Unemployment benefit
    3. Health insurance
    4. A lifelong monthly pension
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) A lifelong monthly pension. The Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995.

Supreme Court asks the Centre to defer the three-language rule for Class 6

  1. Which Article of the Constitution directs States to provide mother-tongue instruction at the primary stage to children of linguistic minority groups?

    1. Article 343
    2. Article 345
    3. Article 350A
    4. Article 351
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) Article 350A. Article 350A, added in 1956, deals with instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage.

  2. Which Article directs States to provide mother-tongue instruction at the primary stage to linguistic minority children?

    1. Article 351
    2. Article 343
    3. Article 350A
    4. Article 345
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) Article 350A. Article 350A, added in 1956.

  3. Consider the following about the CBSE policy:
    1. It requires at least two native Indian languages among three.
    2. It allows a foreign language as the second language.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

    Answer: (a) 1 only. Foreign languages can only be the third or fourth language.

  4. The three-language formula was first adopted in the:

    1. NPE 1986
    2. Kothari Commission 1964 only
    3. NPE 1968
    4. NEP 2020
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) NPE 1968. The National Policy on Education, 1968, based on the Kothari Commission.

  5. Education was moved to the Concurrent List by the:

    1. 44th Amendment
    2. 73rd Amendment
    3. 24th Amendment
    4. 42nd Amendment
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) 42nd Amendment. The 42nd Amendment in 1976.

  6. The Supreme Court suggested the mandate for Class 6 apply from:

    1. 2031
    2. January 2027
    3. July 2026
    4. April 2027
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) January 2027. From January 2027, without prejudice to the challenge.

PM Vishwakarma completes three years

  1. How many traditional trades are covered under PM Vishwakarma?

    1. 12
    2. 15
    3. 18
    4. 21
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) 18. The scheme covers 18 family-based traditional trades, such as carpenters, potters, blacksmiths and tailors.

  2. How many traditional trades are covered under PM Vishwakarma?

    1. 12
    2. 18
    3. 21
    4. 15
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) 18. 18 trades.

  3. Consider the following about PM Vishwakarma:
    1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
    2. Its loans carry 5% interest.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

    Answer: (b) 2 only. It is a Central Sector Scheme, fully funded by the Centre.

  4. The maximum first-tranche loan under PM Vishwakarma is:

    1. ₹3 lakh
    2. ₹50,000
    3. ₹2 lakh
    4. ₹1 lakh
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) ₹1 lakh. Up to ₹1 lakh, followed by up to ₹2 lakh.

  5. Which pillar of PM Vishwakarma covers recognition through certificates and ID cards?

    1. Samriddhi
    2. Sahyog
    3. Samarthya
    4. Samman
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) Samman. Samman means respect or recognition.

  6. The biggest gap in PM Vishwakarma after three years is:

    1. No training
    2. No toolkits delivered
    3. Low registration
    4. Low conversion of registrations into loans
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) Low conversion of registrations into loans. 30 lakh registered but only about 6.19 lakh loans sanctioned.

SEMICON India 2026 opens with a push from design to systems

  1. The India Semiconductor Mission functions under which ministry?

    1. Ministry of Science and Technology
    2. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
    3. Ministry of Heavy Industries
    4. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. ISM is a division within MeitY's Digital India Corporation.

  2. The India Semiconductor Mission functions under which ministry?

    1. Commerce and Industry
    2. Science and Technology
    3. Heavy Industries
    4. Electronics and Information Technology
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) Electronics and Information Technology. MeitY.

  3. Consider the following:
    1. The India Semiconductor Mission was set up in 2021.
    2. SEMI is a government agency of India.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

    Answer: (a) 1 only. SEMI is a global industry association.

  4. The initial outlay of the India Semiconductor Mission was:

    1. ₹50,000 crore
    2. ₹76,000 crore
    3. ₹1 lakh crore
    4. ₹10,000 crore
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) ₹76,000 crore. ₹76,000 crore.

  5. Which stage of the chip value chain comes after fabrication?

    1. Design
    2. Software licensing
    3. Mining
    4. Assembly, testing and packaging
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) Assembly, testing and packaging. ATMP/OSAT follows wafer fabrication.

  6. 'China+1' refers to:

    1. A BRICS initiative
    2. A trade deal with China
    3. Companies diversifying production beyond China
    4. A Chinese chip standard
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) Companies diversifying production beyond China. Firms adding production outside China to reduce risk.

India's first payments to farmers for soil carbon

  1. Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) is promoted mainly because it:

    1. Increases methane emissions
    2. Saves water and labour compared with transplanting
    3. Requires more fertiliser
    4. Needs continuous flooding
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) Saves water and labour compared with transplanting. DSR avoids nursery raising and puddling, saving water and labour and cutting methane from flooded fields.

  2. Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) is promoted mainly because it:

    1. Needs continuous flooding
    2. Saves water and labour compared with transplanting
    3. Requires more fertiliser
    4. Increases methane emissions
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) Saves water and labour compared with transplanting. DSR avoids puddling and nursery raising.

  3. Consider the following about India's first soil carbon payments:
    1. They were sold in a compliance carbon market.
    2. The credits were issued under Verra's VM0042 standard.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

    Answer: (b) 2 only. They were sold in the voluntary carbon market.

  4. India's domestic carbon market framework is the:

    1. Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023
    2. Green Credit Programme only
    3. Perform, Achieve and Trade scheme
    4. National Clean Energy Fund
    Show answer

    Answer: (a) Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023. The Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023.

  5. Which practice stores carbon in soil and cuts air pollution in Punjab?

    1. Flood irrigation
    2. Deep ploughing every season
    3. Burning stubble
    4. Keeping crop residue in the field
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) Keeping crop residue in the field. Residue retention adds organic matter and avoids smoke.

  6. 'MRV' in carbon markets stands for:

    1. Methane Reduction Volume
    2. Market, Regulation, Value
    3. Minimum Rate of Value
    4. Measurement, Reporting and Verification
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) Measurement, Reporting and Verification. Measurement, reporting and verification.