UPSC Current Affairs Quiz — 15 September 2026

1.

Consider the following statements about the description of Ingerana aizawl:

1.Frogs earlier recorded in Mizoram as Ingerana borealis proved to be a distinct species.

2.The study combined body characteristics with genetic evidence, called integrative taxonomy.

3.When two species share one name their records get mixed, so the new description lets earlier records be reconsidered.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: Ingerana aizawl: New Frog Species Named after Mizoram's Capital Open full article →

2.

Consider the following statements about Mizoram:

1.It adjoins Myanmar to the east and south.

2.It adjoins Bangladesh to the west.

3.Within India it borders Nagaland.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: Ingerana aizawl: New Frog Species Named after Mizoram's Capital Open full article →

3.

In zoological naming, the type locality of a species is:

The place where the species is most abundant The only place where the species occurs The place of origin of the name-bearing reference specimen The capital of the state where it was found

From: Ingerana aizawl: New Frog Species Named after Mizoram's Capital Open full article →

4.

When a population is split off under a new name, its conservation status should be:

Inherited automatically from the previously used name Established through targeted surveys of occurrence, habitat and pressures Assumed to be secure because the frog was already known Copied from a related species

From: Ingerana aizawl: New Frog Species Named after Mizoram's Capital Open full article →

5.

Consider the following statements about the institutions behind the initiative:

1.The National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research belongs to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and was formed in 2021 by merging two institutions.

2.SARAL is an initiative of NITI Aayog.

3.The institute publishes the English-language magazine Science Reporter.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: SARAL AI: CSIR-NIScPR Turns Research Papers into Videos Open full article →

6.

A research paper and a patent document differ in that:

A patent presents experimental evidence while a paper claims legal rights A paper presents research evidence, while a patent concerns a claimed invention and its legal protection Both prove that a product is ready for widespread use Only patents can be turned into videos

From: SARAL AI: CSIR-NIScPR Turns Research Papers into Videos Open full article →

7.

Why does an AI-generated science video still need human checking against its source?

A polished, confident presentation is not evidence of scientific accuracy Videos cannot be translated Researchers are not allowed to watch them The software refuses to summarise limitations

From: SARAL AI: CSIR-NIScPR Turns Research Papers into Videos Open full article →

8.

The September 2026 announcement about SARAL videos establishes that:

Viewers learned more than they would from the papers Every translation is accurate The videos changed public behaviour An activity took place and a distribution route exists, while audience outcomes need separate evaluation

From: SARAL AI: CSIR-NIScPR Turns Research Papers into Videos Open full article →

9.

Consider the following statements about Kawal Tiger Reserve:

1.It lies in northern Telangana within the Godavari landscape.

2.It lies in the Western Ghats.

3.Dry deciduous forest with teak and bamboo characterises much of its habitat.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: Kawal Tiger Reserve: Prey for 30 Tigers but No Resident Population Open full article →

10.

The study's finding that Kawal's prey base could support more than thirty tigers is:

A count of tigers living in the reserve A carrying-capacity estimate of what the food base could sustain, not a prediction that tigers will settle there Proof that thirty tigers have already bred there A census of visiting tigers

From: Kawal Tiger Reserve: Prey for 30 Tigers but No Resident Population Open full article →

11.

A passing male tiger recorded at Kawal shows that:

Some movement into the reserve is possible, but not that a resident breeding population exists Population recovery is already secure Females have established territories The reserve has never been visited before

From: Kawal Tiger Reserve: Prey for 30 Tigers but No Resident Population Open full article →

12.

Consider the following statements about Kawal's structure and connections:

1.The core and buffer are distinct, and looking only at the core can miss pressures on the routes animals use to arrive.

2.Its links towards Maharashtra's Tadoba-Andhari and Tipeshwar are landscape relationships, not assured corridors.

3.Roads, settlements and other land uses can interrupt a promising route.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: Kawal Tiger Reserve: Prey for 30 Tigers but No Resident Population Open full article →

13.

Judging Kawal's management involves two connected tests. Besides ecological function, the other is:

The number of tourists visiting Whether people affected by relocation have been properly informed, heard and supported The size of the core area The number of camera traps installed

From: Kawal Tiger Reserve: Prey for 30 Tigers but No Resident Population Open full article →

14.

Consider the following statements about Kandaleru Dam:

1.It stands on the Kandaleru river, a tributary of the Penna, in southern Andhra Pradesh.

2.The water it sends towards Chennai is called Krishna water because it arrives through the Telugu Ganga transfer network.

3.The dam's local river and the wider transfer network are different geographical relationships, so there is no contradiction.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: Kandaleru Dam: Andhra Halts Chennai's Krishna Water Supply Open full article →

15.

Consider the following statements about the transfer route to Chennai:

1.Somasila and Kandaleru form important parts of the Telugu Ganga chain.

2.From Kandaleru the canal system continues towards the Tamil Nadu border and Poondi reservoir.

3.Poondi reservoir lies on the Krishna river.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: Kandaleru Dam: Andhra Halts Chennai's Krishna Water Supply Open full article →

16.

A cusec, a reservoir's storage and an annual allocation are three different measures. A cusec is:

A volume of water held at a particular time A yearly entitlement under an interstate arrangement A rate of flow, one cubic foot of water passing a point each second The height of water behind a dam

From: Kandaleru Dam: Andhra Halts Chennai's Krishna Water Supply Open full article →

17.

The September 2026 report that Andhra Pradesh halted Chennai's supply from Kandaleru meant that:

The dam's gates were entirely closed The Chennai-bound component stopped while releases for other needs such as irrigation continued Chennai had exhausted all its water sources The Telugu Ganga agreement was cancelled

From: Kandaleru Dam: Andhra Halts Chennai's Krishna Water Supply Open full article →

18.

Chennai draws on several kinds of water source. Desalination is:

Removing salts from seawater to make it usable Pumping groundwater from deep wells Storing monsoon rain in reservoirs Reusing treated wastewater for non-drinking purposes

From: Kandaleru Dam: Andhra Halts Chennai's Krishna Water Supply Open full article →

19.

Consider the following statements about the Paniya community:

1.The Paniya, also recorded as Paniyan, are a Scheduled Tribe in Kerala.

2.The community has a long association with agricultural work such as paddy planting and harvesting.

3.Traditional leadership includes a hereditary Koyma at the territorial level and Chemmi heads within settlements.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: Paniya Families: Rights Panel Acts on Seven Years in Plastic Tents Open full article →

20.

The Chaliyar, across which the Vaniyampuzha settlement lies, is best described as:

An east-flowing river of the Deccan A tributary of the Cauvery A west-flowing river of the Nilambur landscape reaching the coast towards Kozhikode A canal built for irrigation

From: Paniya Families: Rights Panel Acts on Seven Years in Plastic Tents Open full article →

21.

Consider the following statements about the Kerala State Human Rights Commission's role:

1.The commission itself constructs the houses for the displaced families.

2.Under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, it can inquire on a complaint or on its own initiative, known as suo motu action.

3.Its powers include seeking information, examining evidence and making recommendations.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: Paniya Families: Rights Panel Acts on Seven Years in Plastic Tents Open full article →

22.

Emergency shelter that continues for years after a disaster indicates:

A sustained gap in recovery, distinct from the immediate relief it was meant to provide That the families prefer temporary housing That rehabilitation has been completed That the disaster is still ongoing

From: Paniya Families: Rights Panel Acts on Seven Years in Plastic Tents Open full article →

23.

Consider the following statements about Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary:

1.It protects part of the southern Delhi Ridge near the Delhi-Haryana boundary.

2.The Delhi Ridge is the northern continuation of the Aravalli landscape.

3.Its landscape of rocky ridges, scrub, wooded patches and old excavations is not a uniform forest.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: Asola-Bhatti: Abandoned Mines Now Among the Richest Bird Habitats Open full article →

24.

Habitat heterogeneity, the ecological idea behind the Asola-Bhatti findings, means:

A single dominant habitat covering the whole landscape Variation within a landscape, where different habitats support different communities The total number of trees in a sanctuary The presence of invasive plants

From: Asola-Bhatti: Abandoned Mines Now Among the Richest Bird Habitats Open full article →

25.

Consider the following statements about the bird survey:

1.Abandoned mining habitats and deep lakes were among the richer settings, while Lantana and sewage habitats had lower richness.

2.The result concerns the habitats examined in this sanctuary, not a universal ranking of every mine or lake.

3.The study justifies new mining inside protected areas because birds now use old pits.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: Asola-Bhatti: Abandoned Mines Now Among the Richest Bird Habitats Open full article →

26.

The findings suggest that restoration at Asola-Bhatti should:

Plant trees on every open patch as quickly as possible Leave invasive vegetation untouched because it looks green Identify the desired habitat before choosing an intervention, since indiscriminate planting could remove useful open and water-margin conditions Fill in the deep lakes

From: Asola-Bhatti: Abandoned Mines Now Among the Richest Bird Habitats Open full article →

27.

Which one of the following is a sound reading of the Asola-Bhatti result?

Mining generally benefits birds Every abandoned quarry is equally valuable A habitat's present value does not erase the damage of its creation or justify fresh disturbance The one-year survey settles long-term population security

From: Asola-Bhatti: Abandoned Mines Now Among the Richest Bird Habitats Open full article →

28.

Consider the following statements about beetle taxonomy:

1.Beetles have hardened forewings called elytra that cover and protect the wings beneath.

2.The arrangement of grooves, intervals and punctures on the elytra helps distinguish similar species.

3.An identification key guides a reader through successive choices between observable features.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: Steneucyrtus wayanadensis: New Darkling Beetle from Wayanad Sanctuary Open full article →

29.

Steneucyrtus pexicollis, described in 1896, was documented again in the same study. This rediscovery means:

Renewed scientific documentation of an already named species, not necessarily recovery from extinction The species had gone extinct and re-evolved It is a second new species Its earlier description was wrong

From: Steneucyrtus wayanadensis: New Darkling Beetle from Wayanad Sanctuary Open full article →

30.

Consider the following statements about Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary:

1.It lies in southern Kerala and borders Tamil Nadu only.

2.Its northern and southern sections are commonly associated with Tholpetty and Muthanga.

3.Nearby protected landscapes include Bandipur in Karnataka and Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu, within the wider Nilgiri landscape.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: Steneucyrtus wayanadensis: New Darkling Beetle from Wayanad Sanctuary Open full article →

31.

The beetles were collected using light traps in the Chethalayam forest. This method:

Reveals the species' complete daily behaviour and range Works only during the day Attracts insects active around artificial light, establishing how specimens were obtained but not their full ecology Captures only beetles

From: Steneucyrtus wayanadensis: New Darkling Beetle from Wayanad Sanctuary Open full article →

32.

PNG, CNG and LNG describe different arrangements for natural gas. PNG is:

Gas stored under high pressure, commonly for vehicles Gas cooled into liquid form for storage and transport Gas delivered through a pipeline network to the user, with a meter recording consumption Gas supplied in cylinders

From: Domestic PNG Scheme: 200 SCM of APM Gas per Extra Billed Connection Open full article →

33.

Consider the following statements about the domestic piped-gas incentive scheme:

1.It rewards City Gas Distribution companies for adding billed connections beyond an area-specific threshold.

2.The reward is lower-priced Administered Price Mechanism gas replacing costlier gas the company would otherwise buy.

3.Each newly connected household receives 200 standard cubic metres of free gas.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: Domestic PNG Scheme: 200 SCM of APM Gas per Extra Billed Connection Open full article →

34.

The scheme counts billed connections rather than installed ones because:

An installed pipe and meter can remain unused, while a billed connection shows supply has moved into actual use Installed connections are illegal Meters cannot be installed before billing Households prefer not to be billed

From: Domestic PNG Scheme: 200 SCM of APM Gas per Extra Billed Connection Open full article →

35.

Consider the following statements about City Gas Distribution:

1.The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board authorises entities for specified Geographical Areas.

2.An authorisation defines where a company may develop its network under the regulatory framework.

3.An authorisation is not evidence that pipes already reach every settlement in the area.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: Domestic PNG Scheme: 200 SCM of APM Gas per Extra Billed Connection Open full article →

36.

Natural gas is counted among fuels considered clean for health at the point of use. This means that:

It is a zero-carbon fuel Ventilation and equipment maintenance become unnecessary Methane leaks have no climate effect It compares favourably with polluting solid fuels or kerosene, while its combustion still emits carbon dioxide and leaked methane contributes to warming

From: Domestic PNG Scheme: 200 SCM of APM Gas per Extra Billed Connection Open full article →

37.

Consider the following statements about vitamin D:

1.It helps the body absorb calcium and supports normal bone health.

2.The skin can produce it after ultraviolet exposure, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D made in the liver is the main form measured to assess status.

3.Severe deficiency can cause rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: Vitamin D: Low Levels Linked to More Pain after Mastectomy Open full article →

38.

The Egyptian study compared pain after surgery between women who already had low or adequate vitamin D levels. This design shows:

An association, which cannot establish that correcting a low level would reduce pain That vitamin D supplements prevent postoperative pain That vitamin D causes surgical pain The result of a treatment trial

From: Vitamin D: Low Levels Linked to More Pain after Mastectomy Open full article →

39.

The study reported an odds ratio of 3.12 for moderate-to-severe pain in the deficient group. This means that:

Their pain was three times as intense Three times as many patients were affected The odds of the outcome were higher in the deficient group by that ratio, which is not the same as threefold intensity or a threefold proportion The result was not statistically adjusted

From: Vitamin D: Low Levels Linked to More Pain after Mastectomy Open full article →

40.

Consider the following statements about vitamin D guidance and safety:

1.The Endocrine Society's 2024 guideline recommends routine vitamin D screening for all healthy adults.

2.That guideline notes that optimal blood levels for preventing many diseases have not been established through clinical trials.

3.Excessive supplementation can cause abnormally high blood calcium and serious complications.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: Vitamin D: Low Levels Linked to More Pain after Mastectomy Open full article →

41.

Consider the following statements about how the study was organised:

1.It followed women having a modified radical mastectomy, an operation removing the breast and most underarm lymph nodes.

2.Patients were classified by their preoperative vitamin D level into deficient and adequate groups.

3.Patients were randomly assigned to receive vitamin D supplements or a placebo.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: Vitamin D: Low Levels Linked to More Pain after Mastectomy Open full article →

42.

Consider the following statements about MERCOSUR:

1.Its name comes from the Spanish for Southern Common Market.

2.Chile is one of its founding members.

3.Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay founded it through the Treaty of Asuncion in 1991.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: MERCOSUR: India Signs Protocol for Electronic Certificates of Origin Open full article →

43.

The India-MERCOSUR agreement is a preferential trade agreement, which means that it:

Eliminates duties on all trade between the parties Offers specified tariff treatment for covered goods, subject to the agreement's conditions Creates a common external tariff for India Establishes a customs union

From: MERCOSUR: India Signs Protocol for Electronic Certificates of Origin Open full article →

44.

Consider the following statements about rules of origin:

1.They are criteria for determining a product's national source when production involves materials or processing in several countries.

2.Goods shipped from a particular port do not necessarily originate in that country.

3.Simple repacking does not by itself turn imported goods into originating products under the India-MERCOSUR rules.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: MERCOSUR: India Signs Protocol for Electronic Certificates of Origin Open full article →

45.

Consider the following statements about the protocol signed on 14 September 2026:

1.It gives an eligible electronic Certificate of Origin the same legal standing as its paper counterpart, amending Article 16 of the origin rules.

2.Signing alone did not bring it into force; internal procedures and notification must still be completed.

3.It removes all duties on trade between India and MERCOSUR.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

From: MERCOSUR: India Signs Protocol for Electronic Certificates of Origin Open full article →

46.

Which two MERCOSUR State Parties are landlocked?

Argentina and Uruguay Paraguay and Bolivia Brazil and Paraguay Uruguay and Bolivia

From: MERCOSUR: India Signs Protocol for Electronic Certificates of Origin Open full article →