UPSC Current Affairs Quiz — 21 September 2026

1.

Consider the following statements about Ophiopogon japonicus:

1.It is a grass species of the family Poaceae.

2.Commonly called mondo grass or dwarf lilyturf, it belongs to Asparagaceae, the asparagus family.

3.It is an evergreen perennial with small pale flowers and later blue, berry-like structures.

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: Ophiopogon japonicus: Mondo Grass Recorded in Arunachal Open full article →

2.

The September 2026 study reporting this plant from Arunachal Pradesh is best described as:

The discovery of a species previously unknown anywhere in the world Proof that the plant reached India only in 2026 A report of a newly bred garden cultivar A new documented floristic record for India, not the discovery of a species new to science

From: Ophiopogon japonicus: Mondo Grass Recorded in Arunachal Open full article →

3.

The Arunachal collection came from West Kameng at about 2,185 metres, beside the road between Shergaon and Gyuto monastery. What does this setting illustrate?

An Eastern Himalayan mountain habitat with moist, shaded forest margins, unlike the hot lowland environment often assumed for the north-east That the plant grows only in hot lowland forests That roadside plants are always escaped garden specimens That altitude has no effect on which plants occur

From: Ophiopogon japonicus: Mondo Grass Recorded in Arunachal Open full article →

4.

Consider the following statements about recording a plant found outside its known range:

1.Botanists must note whether it was planted, escaped from cultivation or growing independently.

2.A garden plant growing outside its original range is automatically evidence of a wild population.

3.Comparison with botanical descriptions and preserved specimens supports a reliable identification.

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: Ophiopogon japonicus: Mondo Grass Recorded in Arunachal Open full article →

5.

West Kameng district, where the plant was recorded, lies:

In the Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu In the western part of Arunachal Pradesh, near Bhutan In the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand On the Bay of Bengal coast of Odisha

From: Ophiopogon japonicus: Mondo Grass Recorded in Arunachal Open full article →

6.

Consider the following statements about the khejri tree:

1.Being a seasonal crop, it must be sown afresh each year.

2.Its scientific name is Prosopis cineraria and it belongs to the legume family.

3.It is strongly associated with Rajasthan's arid Thar region, though its range is not confined to that state.

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: Khejri Tree: Remembering the 1730 Khejarli Sacrifice Open full article →

7.

The Khejarli sacrifice commemorated by the Lok Sabha Speaker in September 2026 refers to:

The Chipko movement of the Himalayan foothills in the 1970s A colonial-era forest law passed in Marwar The 1730 resistance by Amrita Devi and other Bishnoi villagers to the felling of green trees near Jodhpur A twentieth-century afforestation drive in the Thar

From: Khejri Tree: Remembering the 1730 Khejarli Sacrifice Open full article →

8.

Consider the following statements about khejri's survival in dry conditions:

1.Research by the Central Arid Zone Research Institute describes strong root development reaching deeper moisture.

2.A felled mature tree can be replaced immediately by planting a seedling.

3.Young plants invest in roots before developing a large crown.

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: Khejri Tree: Remembering the 1730 Khejarli Sacrifice Open full article →

9.

Why can khejri coexist with rain-fed crops in the same field?

Because the tree needs no water once established Because crops and trees never compete for light or nutrients Because the tree is planted only on field boundaries by law Crops rely mainly on moisture in shallower soil while the tree draws on deeper layers, which reduces but does not abolish competition

From: Khejri Tree: Remembering the 1730 Khejarli Sacrifice Open full article →

10.

A permanent magnet in an electric motor:

Maintains a magnetic field without a continuous supplied current, and interacts with current-carrying coils to produce turning force Generates the electricity the motor consumes Stores energy chemically like a battery Replaces the need for any external power supply

From: NdFeB Magnets: India's Missing Map of Magnet-Making Capacity Open full article →

11.

Consider the following statements about NdFeB magnets:

1.Every commercial magnet with this name performs identically regardless of manufacturing.

2.The name identifies the principal elements neodymium, iron and boron.

3.An important magnetic phase has the formula Nd2Fe14B, whose numbers give the atoms in the compound rather than mass percentages.

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: NdFeB Magnets: India's Missing Map of Magnet-Making Capacity Open full article →

12.

In magnet design, 'coercivity' refers to:

The strength of the field produced at room temperature Resistance to losing magnetisation when an opposing magnetic field is applied The density of the magnet material The speed at which a motor can rotate

From: NdFeB Magnets: India's Missing Map of Magnet-Making Capacity Open full article →

13.

Consider the following statements about the policy analysis published on 21 September 2026:

1.It argued for mapping the whole production chain rather than judging readiness from mineral resources alone.

2.It was a newly notified government scheme for magnet manufacturing.

3.India has already approved support for integrated rare-earth magnet manufacturing.

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: NdFeB Magnets: India's Missing Map of Magnet-Making Capacity Open full article →

14.

Why does the analysis treat mineral resources as an insufficient measure of magnet-making capability?

Because India has no rare-earth deposits Because magnets are made entirely from imported boron Because minerals are irrelevant to magnet performance Because ore must pass through separation, metal-making, alloying and magnet production, and a country can hold minerals without those processing stages

From: NdFeB Magnets: India's Missing Map of Magnet-Making Capacity Open full article →

15.

AASHVAST stands for Assessment and Analysis of Electronic Systems Hardware for Vulnerabilities and Security Threats. The laboratories examine:

Hardware such as chips, boards and communication modules, and the firmware controlling them, in devices including drones Only the mobile applications used to operate a device Only the physical strength of equipment casings Only network traffic between military units

From: AASHVAST Labs: Army Opens Hardware Vulnerability Testing Open full article →

16.

Consider the following statements about the September 2026 report on these laboratories:

1.The Indian Express reported that a Delhi laboratory had been inaugurated, with at least five more planned.

2.All six laboratories are already operating across the country.

3.Drones must undergo these checks, while surveillance-camera testing is a planned extension.

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: AASHVAST Labs: Army Opens Hardware Vulnerability Testing Open full article →

17.

Why does firmware deserve separate security attention from ordinary application software?

Because firmware is never updated after manufacture Because it controls how the underlying device behaves, so a weakness there can affect communication and access controls beyond the component itself Because applications cannot contain vulnerabilities Because firmware is stored outside the device

From: AASHVAST Labs: Army Opens Hardware Vulnerability Testing Open full article →

18.

Consider the following statements about hardware security assessment:

1.A vulnerability is a weakness open to exploitation, whether deliberately inserted or caused by a coding error.

2.A supplier's nationality is by itself a complete technical finding about a product.

3.Assessment must examine the actual component, software and configuration.

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: AASHVAST Labs: Army Opens Hardware Vulnerability Testing Open full article →

19.

Consider the following statements about Nevados de Chillan:

1.It is a single simple cone with one unchanging summit vent.

2.It lies in Chile's Nuble Region in the Andes, near 37 degrees south latitude.

3.The Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program describes it as a compound system with several cones, lava domes and older calderas.

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: Nevados de Chillan: Ash Pulse Rises 380 m Above the Crater Open full article →

20.

What did Chile's geological service report about the 18 September 2026 event?

A major eruption that forced evacuations A column of ash reaching 380 kilometres into the atmosphere A lava flow that reached the Pacific coast An ash column rising about 380 metres above the crater, lasting roughly 45 to 50 minutes, with no harmful impact reported on nearby people or territory

From: Nevados de Chillan: Ash Pulse Rises 380 m Above the Crater Open full article →

21.

A Yellow Technical Alert for a volcano indicates:

Activity above its normal baseline, calling for enhanced monitoring, rather than an imminent major eruption That an eruption is certain within 24 hours That the volcano has returned to complete rest That the area must be evacuated immediately

From: Nevados de Chillan: Ash Pulse Rises 380 m Above the Crater Open full article →

22.

Consider the following statements about the tectonic setting of the Andes here:

1.The oceanic Nazca Plate descends beneath the South American Plate, a process called subduction.

2.An earthquake at this boundary automatically means a nearby volcano will erupt.

3.Water and other volatiles released from the descending plate promote melting in the mantle above it.

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: Nevados de Chillan: Ash Pulse Rises 380 m Above the Crater Open full article →

23.

Why can the behaviour of dissolved gases make an eruption more or less explosive?

Because gases cool the magma until it solidifies Gas escaping gradually allows less explosive activity, while pressure building behind obstructed pathways can fragment material violently Because gas content has no effect on eruption style Because gases only matter in underwater volcanoes

From: Nevados de Chillan: Ash Pulse Rises 380 m Above the Crater Open full article →

24.

Consider the following statements about Painganga Wildlife Sanctuary:

1.It was declared a new tiger reserve in 2026.

2.It lies in southern Vidarbha along the Yavatmal-Nanded district boundary in Maharashtra, close to Telangana.

3.The Painganga river, which gives it its name, joins the Wardha, and the Wardha and Wainganga form the Pranhita, which joins the Godavari.

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: Painganga Sanctuary: Third Tiger Moved from Tadoba in 2026 Open full article →

25.

The September 2026 relocation to Painganga involved:

The first tiger ever released in Maharashtra A male tiger moved from Pench in 2025 A tigress captured outside the state A sub-adult tigress identified as T163-SAF2 from Tadoba-Andhari, the third tiger moved there during 2026, making two females and one male

From: Painganga Sanctuary: Third Tiger Moved from Tadoba in 2026 Open full article →

26.

A conservation translocation is best described as:

Deliberately moving an animal to achieve a conservation benefit, which requires adequate prey, space, security and attention to people around the release area Releasing an animal into any empty patch of forest Moving an animal purely for tourism display Transferring an animal permanently into a zoo

From: Painganga Sanctuary: Third Tiger Moved from Tadoba in 2026 Open full article →

27.

Consider the following statements about dry-deciduous forest habitat:

1.It changes markedly between wet and dry seasons, with leaf fall and seasonal water affecting cover and animal distribution.

2.A map of protected boundaries alone shows whether prey and usable habitat are available inside them.

3.Riverine patches provide different conditions within the wider 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: Painganga Sanctuary: Third Tiger Moved from Tadoba in 2026 Open full article →

28.

Consider the following statements about the Damodar River:

1.Its lower course is a single channel ending directly in the Bay of Bengal.

2.It rises in the Chota Nagpur Plateau of Jharkhand and flows into West Bengal.

3.The Barakar is an important tributary, joining near Dishergarh, and Konar and Bokaro also belong to its network.

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: Damodar River: Rare Hilsa Caught Upstream at Khandaghosh Open full article →

29.

Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) is commonly described as anadromous. This means that:

It completes its whole life cycle in a freshwater pond Adults move from marine or coastal waters into freshwater to reproduce It migrates from rivers to the sea to spawn It lives permanently in estuarine water

From: Damodar River: Rare Hilsa Caught Upstream at Khandaghosh Open full article →

30.

What does the September 2026 catch at Khandaghosh in Purba Bardhaman establish?

That the Damodar's water quality has been restored That hilsa breed successfully throughout the Damodar That this was the river's first hilsa record That an individual fish reached that place, without by itself proving improved water quality, a restored breeding population or passage across every upstream barrier

From: Damodar River: Rare Hilsa Caught Upstream at Khandaghosh Open full article →

31.

Consider the following statements about interpreting a single unusual fish catch:

1.A catch confirms presence at a location but cannot explain every stage of the fish's journey.

2.The reported catch identifies the exact route the fish took through the lower river network.

3.Repeated, comparable observations are needed before describing a trend.

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: Damodar River: Rare Hilsa Caught Upstream at Khandaghosh Open full article →

32.

Consider the following statements about SLINEX-26:

1.It is the thirteenth edition of the Sri Lanka-India naval exercise, held at Visakhapatnam from 17 to 21 September 2026.

2.It created a new defence treaty between the two countries.

3.INS Kavaratti and INS Jyoti participated alongside SLNS Sindurala.

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: SLINEX-26: India and Sri Lanka Hold the 13th Naval Exercise Open full article →

33.

Visakhapatnam, the venue of the exercise, lies:

On Andhra Pradesh's coast facing the Bay of Bengal, on India's eastern seaboard On the Arabian Sea coast of Kerala On the Palk Strait facing Sri Lanka On the Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu

From: SLINEX-26: India and Sri Lanka Hold the 13th Naval Exercise Open full article →

34.

In naval cooperation, 'interoperability' means:

Using identical ships and weapons in both navies Merging two navies under a single command Sharing classified technology automatically Being able to perform a task together without incompatible procedures preventing cooperation, which involves people and procedures as well as equipment

From: SLINEX-26: India and Sri Lanka Hold the 13th Naval Exercise Open full article →

35.

Consider the following statements about the structure of the exercise:

1.It began with a Harbour Phase, followed by a Sea Phase.

2.The Harbour Phase was conducted under the aegis of the Eastern Naval Command.

3.Every bilateral exercise addresses outstanding fisheries and boundary issues between the countries.

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: SLINEX-26: India and Sri Lanka Hold the 13th Naval Exercise Open full article →

36.

India's official account traces SLINEX's conception to 2005 and calls the 2026 programme its thirteenth edition. The careful reading of this is that:

The exercise has been held thirteen times since being conceived in 2005, which does not prove an uninterrupted annual sequence There has been exactly one exercise every year since 2005 The first exercise was held in 2026 Sri Lanka joined the series only in 2026

From: SLINEX-26: India and Sri Lanka Hold the 13th Naval Exercise Open full article →

37.

Consider the following statements about sulphur:

1.It is a non-metallic element with symbol S and atomic number 16, familiar as a yellow solid.

2.Elemental sulphur, sulphur dioxide and sulphuric acid are interchangeable names for the same industrial product.

3.Burning sulphur produces sulphur dioxide, which is processed further to make sulphuric acid.

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: Sulphur: Import Prices Near $1,100 Squeeze Fertiliser Supply Open full article →

38.

Why does disruption in oil and gas processing affect sulphur supply?

Because sulphur is mined mainly from offshore oil wells Because refineries are the largest consumers of sulphur Because sulphur is transported only in oil tankers Much industrial sulphur is recovered as a by-product while processing petroleum and natural gas to meet fuel-quality and pollution rules

From: Sulphur: Import Prices Near $1,100 Squeeze Fertiliser Supply Open full article →

39.

How does a by-product supply constraint differ from a shortage in a dedicated mining industry?

A higher price cannot quickly make a refinery or gas plant produce more sulphur independently of its main operations By-product supply responds faster to price than mining does By-product supply is unaffected by transport disruption Mines cannot expand output at all

From: Sulphur: Import Prices Near $1,100 Squeeze Fertiliser Supply Open full article →

40.

Consider the following statements about the September 2026 sulphur price report:

1.The Indian Express reported landed import quotations of roughly US$1,050-1,100 per tonne including ocean freight.

2.The report linked the squeeze to disruption affecting oil and gas infrastructure and stronger demand from nickel processing.

3.These figures are government-notified retail fertiliser prices.

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: Sulphur: Import Prices Near $1,100 Squeeze Fertiliser Supply Open full article →

41.

Why does the sulphur price matter for farmers?

Because sulphur is applied directly to fields as the main fertiliser Because farmers buy sulphur to vulcanise rubber Because sulphur replaces urea in Indian agriculture Manufacturers convert sulphur into sulphuric acid, an important input for phosphate fertilisers, so costs in energy or metals can reach the fertiliser supply chain

From: Sulphur: Import Prices Near $1,100 Squeeze Fertiliser Supply Open full article →

42.

The Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) scheme:

Reimburses specified unrefunded central and state taxes and levies embedded in eligible apparel and made-up textile exports Refunds the Goods and Services Tax already credited to exporters Provides a cash bonus on the value of every Indian export Exempts textile factories from state electricity duty

From: RoSCTL: Textile Export Rebate Weighed for an Extension Open full article →

43.

Consider the following statements about the scheme's coverage:

1.It covers eligible apparel, garments and made-ups within its notified scope, with product coverage referenced to customs tariff Chapters 61, 62 and 63.

2.Made-ups are finished textile articles such as bed linen and towels rather than all yarn or fabric.

3.Every Indian textile export is covered by RoSCTL.

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: RoSCTL: Textile Export Rebate Weighed for an Extension Open full article →

44.

What was the position on the scheme as reported on 20 September 2026?

The Cabinet had approved an extension to 2030 The scheme had been withdrawn with immediate effect The scheme had been merged into RoDTEP The government was considering an extension beyond the approaching September deadline, which is not the same as approval

From: RoSCTL: Textile Export Rebate Weighed for an Extension Open full article →

45.

Why do exporters seek early clarity about such a scheme's continuation?

Because the rebate is paid before an order is received Because exports cannot be shipped without a rebate claim Because the scheme fixes the price of cotton Because they may accept orders before goods are produced and shipped, so the applicable rebate affects pricing decisions made in advance

From: RoSCTL: Textile Export Rebate Weighed for an Extension Open full article →