UPSC current affairs quiz, 20 September 2026

With reference to the Constitution of India, consider the following statements:
1. Article 47 directs the State to endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption of intoxicating drinks, except for medicinal purposes.
2. Intoxicating liquors are a subject in the Union List of the Seventh Schedule.
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

Consider the following statements about the Supreme Court's September 2026 ruling on Maharashtra's methanol rules:
1. It struck down Rules 18A and 18B of the Maharashtra Poisons Rules, 1972.
2. It held that the rules violated Article 21 alone.
3. It directed that methanol be transported in dedicated tankers to prevent pilferage.
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: A Directive Principle such as Article 47 cannot by itself be enforced by a court against the State.
Statement-II: Article 37 declares that the provisions of Part IV shall not be enforceable by any court.
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

Consider the following statements:
1. Gujarat has a total prohibition on liquor.
2. Bihar has a total prohibition on liquor.
3. Nagaland has a total prohibition on liquor.
4. Kerala has a total prohibition on liquor.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Which one of the following best describes why intoxicating liquor policy differs across Indian States?

1. Liquor is in the Concurrent List, so States may override Union law
2. Liquor is in Entry 8 of the State List, so each State legislates on it
3. Article 47 allows each State to opt out of prohibition
4. The Poisons Act, 1919 assigns liquor to the States

With reference to the proportionality test used by Indian courts, consider the following statements:
1. A restriction on a fundamental right must pursue a legitimate aim.
2. The measure must be suitable, that is, rationally connected to the aim.
3. The State need not consider whether a less restrictive alternative exists.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

With reference to the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 of the United States, consider the following statements:
1. It makes a 100% tariff on imports from the top five buyers of Russian oil automatic from the date of enactment.
2. It allows the U.S. President to waive its tariffs or sanctions by certifying to Congress that a waiver is in the national 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

Consider the following statements about the U.S. Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026:
1. It passed the U.S. Senate by 86-11 on 7 August 2026.
2. It raises tariffs on all goods from Russia to up to 500%.
3. Its tariff and sanctions powers are permanent.
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: The top five importers of Russian crude oil can escape the Act's tariffs by stopping new purchases.
Statement-II: The Act applies to new purchases made on or after 30 days from enactment and reassesses eligible countries every 180 days.
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

Consider the following statements:
1. Secondary sanctions penalise third countries for dealing with a sanctioned state.
2. The U.S. law allows the President to waive tariffs by certifying national interest to Congress.
3. The Act's third-country tariffs cover only crude oil and not natural gas.
4. The Act extends the Iran Sanctions Act to 2031.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

The term 'shadow fleet', seen in the news with the U.S. sanctions law, refers to:

1. Unmanned naval drones used to patrol sea lanes
2. Ageing tankers used to move Russian oil outside Western price and shipping rules
3. Warships escorting convoys through the Strait of Hormuz
4. Reserve merchant ships requisitioned in wartime

With reference to U.S. sanctions laws affecting India, consider the following statements:
1. CAATSA, enacted in 2017, threatens sanctions on countries making significant defence deals with Russia.
2. The 2026 Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act was named after Senator Lindsey Graham.
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

With reference to India's climate commitments, consider the following statements:
1. India's updated NDC of 2022 aims to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030 from the 2005 level.
2. India has committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050.
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

Consider the following statements about the National Green Tribunal:
1. It was established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
2. Its principal bench is in New Delhi.
3. An appeal against its order lies to the High Court of the State concerned.
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: India argues that developed countries should take the lead in cutting emissions.
Statement-II: The UNFCCC recognises common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities of countries.
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

Consider the following statements:
1. The Kyoto Protocol placed binding emission targets on developed countries only.
2. Under the Paris Agreement, emission targets are set by each country itself.
3. The Paris Agreement was adopted at COP26 in Glasgow.
4. India's updated NDC targets about 50% of installed power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Which of the following is NOT one of the principles the National Green Tribunal is required to apply while deciding cases?

1. Sustainable development
2. Precautionary principle
3. Polluter pays principle
4. Doctrine of pleasure

With reference to international initiatives mentioned by the Prime Minister, consider the following statements:
1. The International Solar Alliance was launched at COP21 in Paris in 2015.
2. Mission LiFE stands for Lifestyle for Environment.
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

With reference to the Indian monsoon, consider the following statements:
1. As per IMD's revised normal dates, the southwest monsoon begins to withdraw from northwest India around 17 September.
2. The southwest monsoon covers the entire country by the normal date of 1 June.
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

Consider the following statements about the monsoon in 2026:
1. The southwest monsoon began withdrawing from parts of West Rajasthan on 19 September.
2. All-India rainfall up to 19 September was above normal.
3. The withdrawal line passed through Phalodi.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Consider the following statements:
1. IMD does not declare monsoon withdrawal from any area before 1 September.
2. The formation of an anticyclone in the lower atmosphere is one sign IMD uses to declare withdrawal.
3. Withdrawal of the southwest monsoon begins from south India and moves north.
4. As per IMD's revised normal dates, the monsoon covers the whole country by 8 July.
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: Coastal Tamil Nadu receives much of its annual rainfall between October and December.
Statement-II: During the northeast monsoon, winds blowing from the northeast pick up moisture over the Bay of Bengal before reaching the Tamil Nadu coast.
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

According to IMD, a region's seasonal rainfall that is 30% below its normal is classified as:

1. Normal
2. Deficient
3. Large deficient
4. No rain

In the order of intensity used by IMD for weather systems, which one of the following is correct, from weakest to strongest?

1. Depression, low-pressure area, cyclonic storm, deep depression
2. Low-pressure area, depression, deep depression, cyclonic storm
3. Low-pressure area, deep depression, depression, cyclonic storm
4. Depression, deep depression, low-pressure area, cyclonic storm

With reference to the H-1B visa of the United States, consider the following statements:
1. It is meant for workers in 'specialty occupations' that generally require at least a bachelor's degree.
2. The proclamation of September 2026 abolished the annual cap on H-1B visas.
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

Consider the following statements about the U.S. actions of 18 September 2026 on H-1B visas:
1. They extend the $100,000 payment requirement until September 2027.
2. They abolish the H-1B lottery.
3. They direct agencies to consider an employer's recent or planned layoffs.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Consider the following statements:
1. The H-1B visa is for specialty occupations generally requiring at least a bachelor's degree.
2. The regular annual H-1B cap is 65,000.
3. An additional 20,000 H-1B visas are reserved for holders of U.S. Master's or higher degrees.
4. The $100,000 payment rule was first imposed by a law passed by the U.S. Congress.
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: H-1B registrations by the largest IT staffing and outsourcing firms fell by about 92% after the $100,000 payment rule.
Statement-II: The payment rule applies only to workers already in the United States on student visas.
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 power used by the U.S. President to impose the $100,000 H-1B payment rule comes from:

1. Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
2. Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act
3. The International Emergency Economic Powers Act
4. Article I of the U.S. Constitution

With reference to the H-1B changes, consider the following statements:
1. The share of FY 2027 registrants with at least a U.S. Master's degree was 66.1%.
2. The Secretary of Labor must begin reviewing past labour condition application data within 30 days of the executive order.
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