UPSC Current Affairs Quiz — 22 September 2026

1.

Consider the following statements about river flow and groundwater:

1.Pumping groundwater cannot reduce the flow of a nearby stream, because aquifers and rivers are separate systems.

2.River discharge is the volume of water passing a point on a river in a given time.

3.Only part of the rain falling on land recharges aquifers; the rest runs off, stays in the soil or returns to the atmosphere.

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: State of Global Water Resources 2025: Driest Rivers in 35 Years Open full article →

2.

Which one of the following statements about the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and its Follow-On mission is correct?

They sense combined changes in water mass, from which groundwater must be separated They produce direct images of individual aquifers, showing their depth and boundaries They measure the water level in individual village wells with centimetre precision They can be used only in regions that already have dense networks of monitoring wells

From: State of Global Water Resources 2025: Driest Rivers in 35 Years Open full article →

3.

Consider the following:

1.Soil moisture

2.Snow and ice on land

3.Water vapour in the atmosphere

4.Water in lakes and reservoirs

How many of the above are components of terrestrial water storage?

Only one Only two Only three All four

From: State of Global Water Resources 2025: Driest Rivers in 35 Years Open full article →

4.

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: Prolonged groundwater over-extraction can cause land subsidence where compressible sediments occur.

Statement-II: Falling groundwater pressure shifts more of the overlying load onto sediment grains, compacting clay layers.

Statement-III: Groundwater is usually stored in large underground caverns that collapse when emptied.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct and both of them explain Statement-I Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct, but only one of them explains Statement-I Only one of Statement-II and Statement-III is correct and that is the explanation of Statement-I Neither Statement-II nor Statement-III is correct

From: State of Global Water Resources 2025: Driest Rivers in 35 Years Open full article →

5.

Consider the following statements about the State of Global Water Resources 2025:

1.It ranks 2025 among the driest years for river discharge in 35 years.

2.Below-normal flow over about 36% of global basin area means 36% of rivers dried up.

3.It found generally stronger flows in South Asia even as parts of India had groundwater deficits.

4.All major glacier regions again recorded net mass losses.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 3 only 2 and 4 only 1, 2, 3 and 4 1, 3 and 4 only

From: State of Global Water Resources 2025: Driest Rivers in 35 Years Open full article →

6.

Consider the following statements about the Visegrad Group:

1.It was founded in 1991 by three states: Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia.

2.It has four members because Czechoslovakia split peacefully into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

3.Its political cooperation is run by a permanent supranational secretariat whose decisions bind all members.

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: Visegrad Group: V4 Backs India's UN Security Council Bid Open full article →

7.

Under the Charter of the United Nations, an amendment adding a new permanent member to the Security Council comes into force when it is:

Adopted by a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly alone, without ratification by member states Adopted by two-thirds of the General Assembly, then ratified by two-thirds of members including all five permanent members Approved by nine members of the Security Council, including the concurring votes of all five permanent members Ratified by a simple majority of United Nations members, including at least three of the five permanent members

From: Visegrad Group: V4 Backs India's UN Security Council Bid Open full article →

8.

Consider the following statements about the United Nations Security Council:

1.It has five permanent members and ten non-permanent members.

2.Its non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms.

3.A retiring non-permanent member is eligible for immediate re-election.

4.The Charter confers on it primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1, 2, 3 and 4 1, 2 and 4 only

From: Visegrad Group: V4 Backs India's UN Security Council Bid Open full article →

9.

Consider the following statements about the members of the Visegrad Group:

1.Poland is the only member with a sea coastline.

2.Hungary shares land borders with both Slovakia and Poland.

3.Czechia shares land borders with both Poland and Slovakia.

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: Visegrad Group: V4 Backs India's UN Security Council Bid Open full article →

10.

Consider the following statements about the Outer Space Treaty, 1967:

1.It bars national appropriation of the Moon by claim of sovereignty, use, occupation or any other means.

2.A state keeps jurisdiction and control over a spacecraft on its registry even after it lands on the Moon.

3.States bear international responsibility for national space activities, including those of private companies.

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: Outer Space Treaty: Why No Country Can Own the Moon Open full article →

11.

Consider the following statements regarding the Outer Space Treaty, 1967:

1.It prohibits placing nuclear weapons in orbit around the Earth.

2.It prohibits military bases and weapons testing on the Moon.

3.It bars military personnel from taking part in scientific research on celestial bodies.

4.It prohibits all military satellites in Earth orbit.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 1, 2 and 4 only 1, 2 and 3 only 3 and 4 only

From: Outer Space Treaty: Why No Country Can Own the Moon Open full article →

12.

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: The Artemis Accords affirm that extracting space resources does not inherently constitute national appropriation under the Outer Space Treaty.

Statement-II: The Artemis Accords are a legally binding amendment to the Outer Space Treaty that applies to all its parties.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is not correct Statement-I is not correct, but Statement-II is correct

From: Outer Space Treaty: Why No Country Can Own the Moon Open full article →

13.

Which one of the following international instruments declares the Moon and its natural resources to be the 'common heritage of mankind'?

The Outer Space Treaty, 1967 The Moon Agreement, 1979 The Liability Convention, 1972 The Artemis Accords, 2020

From: Outer Space Treaty: Why No Country Can Own the Moon Open full article →

14.

Consider the following statements about the Outer Space Treaty, 1967:

1.It applies international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, to activities in outer space.

2.It requires states to avoid harmful contamination of the Moon and other celestial bodies.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2

From: Outer Space Treaty: Why No Country Can Own the Moon Open full article →

15.

Consider the following statements about dermatophytes:

1.They are fungi that use keratin and usually infect the skin, hair and nails.

2.The name 'ringworm' reflects infection by a parasitic worm that forms ring-shaped lesions.

3.Infection can be acquired from other people, from animals or from soil.

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: Dermatophytes: Ringworm and the Rise of Antifungal Resistance Open full article →

16.

Consider the following statements about Candida auris and antifungal resistance:

1.Candida auris is a yeast associated with serious healthcare-related infections.

2.The ERG11 gene encodes an azole-targeted enzyme needed to make ergosterol, a fungal membrane sterol.

3.Extra copies of the ERG11 region reduce the amount of drug target, making the fungus more susceptible to treatment.

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: Dermatophytes: Ringworm and the Rise of Antifungal Resistance Open full article →

17.

Consider the following statements about resistant ringworm:

1.Trichophyton indotineae, widespread in South Asia, can show reduced susceptibility to terbinafine.

2.Resistance belongs to the patient, whose body becomes immune to the drug.

3.A steroid-containing cream can make a fungal rash look better without clearing it.

4.Look-alike dermatophytes can need molecular tests for correct identification.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 3 only 2 and 4 only 1, 2, 3 and 4 1, 3 and 4 only

From: Dermatophytes: Ringworm and the Rise of Antifungal Resistance Open full article →

18.

Consider the following organisms:

1.Trichophyton indotineae

2.Mycobacterium tuberculosis

3.Aspergillus fumigatus

How many of the above are fungi?

Only one Only two All three None

From: Dermatophytes: Ringworm and the Rise of Antifungal Resistance Open full article →

19.

Consider the following statements about the National Formulary of India:

1.Inclusion of a medicine in it guarantees free supply of that medicine at every public health facility.

2.It is published by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission.

3.It is a reference on the appropriate use of medicines for doctors, pharmacists and nurses.

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: National Formulary of India 2026: Seventh Edition Launched Open full article →

20.

Consider the following statements:

1.The National List of Essential Medicines forms the basis for price control of scheduled formulations under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013.

2.The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2

From: National Formulary of India 2026: Seventh Edition Launched Open full article →

21.

Consider the following statements about drug-safety monitoring in India:

1.A suspected adverse drug reaction can be reported before it is established that the medicine caused it.

2.Adverse events linked to medical devices are monitored alongside those linked to medicines.

3.The new Biovigilance Programme of India covers adverse events linked to products used in organ and tissue transplants.

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: National Formulary of India 2026: Seventh Edition Launched Open full article →

22.

Consider the following statements about the National Formulary of India 2026:

1.It is the first national formulary published in India.

2.Each fixed-dose combination in it has more than one active ingredient in one formulation.

3.Its immunologicals are medicines that work through the immune system.

4.Its monographs are aligned with the National List of Essential Medicines.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

2, 3 and 4 only 1, 2 and 3 only 2 and 4 only 1, 2, 3 and 4

From: National Formulary of India 2026: Seventh Edition Launched Open full article →

23.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines the rational use of medicines through several requirements. Which one of the following is NOT one of them?

Medicines appropriate to the patient's clinical needs Doses that meet the patient's individual requirements The lowest cost to the patient and the community The smallest number of medicines, whatever the illness

From: National Formulary of India 2026: Seventh Edition Launched Open full article →

24.

Consider the following statements about scrub typhus:

1.A vaccine against it is routinely given under India's immunisation programme.

2.It is caused by the bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi.

3.Its early symptoms, such as fever, headache and body pain, can resemble those of many other infections.

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: Scrub Typhus: A Mite-Borne Fever That Needs Early Treatment Open full article →

25.

Consider the following statements about diseases with similar names:

1.Epidemic typhus is spread by the human body louse.

2.Murine typhus is spread mainly by mosquitoes.

3.Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella Typhi and spreads through contaminated food and water.

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: Scrub Typhus: A Mite-Borne Fever That Needs Early Treatment Open full article →

26.

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: Measures aimed only at eliminating mosquito breeding do not protect people against scrub typhus.

Statement-II: Scrub typhus is transmitted by the bite of infected larval mites, called chiggers.

Statement-III: Scrub typhus can be treated with the antibiotic doxycycline.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct and both of them explain Statement-I Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct, but only one of them explains Statement-I Only one of Statement-II and Statement-III is correct and that is the explanation of Statement-I Neither Statement-II nor Statement-III is correct

From: Scrub Typhus: A Mite-Borne Fever That Needs Early Treatment Open full article →

27.

Consider the following statements about the diagnosis and treatment of scrub typhus:

1.An eschar, a dark scab-like lesion at the bite site, is a useful clue.

2.The absence of an eschar rules out scrub typhus.

3.Antibody tests can be negative early in the illness.

4.Treatment should be withheld until a laboratory test confirms the infection.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 3 only 1, 3 and 4 only 2 and 4 only 1, 2 and 3 only

From: Scrub Typhus: A Mite-Borne Fever That Needs Early Treatment Open full article →

28.

Consider the following statements about a 2023 clinical trial in severe scrub typhus:

1.It showed that every mild case of scrub typhus needs the same combination therapy.

2.Intravenous doxycycline plus azithromycin did better than either drug alone on a combined outcome measure.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2

From: Scrub Typhus: A Mite-Borne Fever That Needs Early Treatment Open full article →

29.

Consider the following statements about the Parbati-II hydroelectric project, which has four units of 200 megawatts (MW) each:

1.Its installed capacity falls in a year when river flow is low.

2.Its 800 MW capacity is a rate of generation, not an annual total of energy.

3.The energy it actually generates depends on water availability, operating hours and maintenance.

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: Parbati-II: Valve Failure Floods Rella Village in Kullu Open full article →

30.

In a hydropower project, the headrace tunnel:

Carries water discharged by the turbines back to the river Stores surplus water for release in the dry season Absorbs sudden pressure surges when the flow to the turbines changes Carries water from the intake towards the turbines

From: Parbati-II: Valve Failure Floods Rella Village in Kullu Open full article →

31.

Consider the following statements about hydropower schemes:

1.A run-of-river scheme relies mainly on river flow and has little or no seasonal storage.

2.A pumped-storage scheme uses electricity to pump water to an upper reservoir for later generation.

3.A run-of-river scheme needs no dam, tunnel or other water-control 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: Parbati-II: Valve Failure Floods Rella Village in Kullu Open full article →

32.

Consider the following statements about the Beas river system:

1.The Parbati and the Sainj are part of the Beas river system.

2.The Beas rises near the Rohtang Pass.

3.The Beas joins the Sutlej in Punjab.

4.Under the Indus Waters Treaty, 1960, the Beas is one of the western rivers allocated to Pakistan.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 1, 2 and 3 only 2, 3 and 4 only 1, 2, 3 and 4

From: Parbati-II: Valve Failure Floods Rella Village in Kullu Open full article →

33.

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: The Parbati-II project uses Pelton turbines.

Statement-II: Parbati-II is a run-of-river scheme with small pondage.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is not correct Statement-I is not correct, but Statement-II is correct

From: Parbati-II: Valve Failure Floods Rella Village in Kullu Open full article →

34.

Consider the following statements about Pilibhit Tiger Reserve:

1.It lies in the Terai of northern Uttar Pradesh, along India's border with Nepal.

2.Its landscape is a mosaic of sal forest, grassland and wetland.

3.Its extended tourism season gives visitors unrestricted access to every part of the reserve.

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: Pilibhit Tiger Reserve: Tourism Season Now 1 November to 30 June Open full article →

35.

Consider the following statements about tiger reserves in India:

1.A tiger reserve is notified by the State Government on the recommendation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

2.Its core or critical tiger habitat is to be kept inviolate.

3.Its buffer zone promotes co-existence of wildlife and human activity.

4.The NTCA is a constitutional body set up under Article 48A.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 3 only 2 and 4 only 1, 2 and 3 only 1, 2, 3 and 4

From: Pilibhit Tiger Reserve: Tourism Season Now 1 November to 30 June Open full article →

36.

Consider the following statements about the Terai belt:

1.It lies to the south of the Bhabar belt.

2.Streams that disappear in the porous Bhabar re-emerge in it, creating marshy conditions.

3.It extends into the lowlands of southern Nepal.

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: Pilibhit Tiger Reserve: Tourism Season Now 1 November to 30 June Open full article →

37.

Consider the following statements about the habitat links of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve:

1.Nandhaur, towards which it has a habitat link, is a protected area in Nepal.

2.Kishanpur links it towards the Dudhwa landscape of Uttar Pradesh.

3.The Lagga-Bagga area links it towards Shuklaphanta in Nepal.

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: Pilibhit Tiger Reserve: Tourism Season Now 1 November to 30 June Open full article →

38.

Match List I with List II:

List I (Strait)

A. Tsugaru Strait

B. La Perouse (Soya) Strait

C. Tatar Strait

D. Korea Strait

List II (Lies between)

1.Sakhalin and the Asian mainland

2.Honshu and Hokkaido

3.The Korean Peninsula and Kyushu

4.Hokkaido and Sakhalin

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3 A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3 A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2 A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3

From: Sea of Japan: North Korean Missiles and a Shared Sea Open full article →

39.

Consider the following countries:

1.China

2.Russia

3.North Korea

4.South Korea

How many of the above have a coastline on the Sea of Japan?

Only one Only two Only three All four

From: Sea of Japan: North Korean Missiles and a Shared Sea Open full article →

40.

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: In winter, the Sea of Japan side of Japan receives much heavier snowfall than the Pacific side.

Statement-II: Cold air from the Asian continent gains heat and moisture over the Sea of Japan and is forced to rise over Japan's mountains.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is not correct Statement-I is not correct, but Statement-II is correct

From: Sea of Japan: North Korean Missiles and a Shared Sea Open full article →

41.

Consider the following statements about the Sea of Japan:

1.It is a marginal sea of the north-western Pacific Ocean.

2.Its connecting straits are much shallower than its deep interior basins.

3.The Tsushima Warm Current enters it from the south through the Korea Strait.

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: Sea of Japan: North Korean Missiles and a Shared Sea Open full article →

42.

The water body called the 'East Sea' in Korean usage is the:

Sea of Japan East China Sea Yellow Sea Sea of Okhotsk

From: Sea of Japan: North Korean Missiles and a Shared Sea Open full article →

43.

Consider the following statements about Exercise Nomadic Elephant:

1.It is an annual exercise between the armies of India and Mongolia.

2.It is held under a mutual-defence treaty that obliges each country to assist the other militarily.

3.Its venue alternates between India and Mongolia.

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: Nomadic Elephant 2026: India-Mongolia Exercise at Pithoragarh Open full article →

44.

Consider the following statements:

1.Mongolia is a landlocked country bordered only by Russia and China.

2.Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand shares international borders with Nepal and China.

3.Mongolia is the largest landlocked country in the world.

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: Nomadic Elephant 2026: India-Mongolia Exercise at Pithoragarh Open full article →

45.

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: United Nations (UN) peacekeepers are permitted to use force in certain circumstances.

Statement-II: Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate is a basic principle of UN peacekeeping.

Statement-III: Impartiality requires UN peacekeepers to stay inactive when a party violates a peace agreement.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct and both of them explain Statement-I Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct, but only one of them explains Statement-I Only one of Statement-II and Statement-III is correct and that is the explanation of Statement-I Neither Statement-II nor Statement-III is correct

From: Nomadic Elephant 2026: India-Mongolia Exercise at Pithoragarh Open full article →

46.

Consider the following statements about Exercise Nomadic Elephant 2026 and India-Mongolia ties:

1.The exercise focuses on counter-insurgency under a United Nations (UN) mandate.

2.Practising a UN-mandated scenario in it creates a UN peacekeeping mission.

3.It is a platoon-level exercise centred on small-unit coordination.

4.India and Mongolia describe their relationship as a strategic partnership.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 4 only 2 and 3 only 1, 2, 3 and 4 1, 3 and 4 only

From: Nomadic Elephant 2026: India-Mongolia Exercise at Pithoragarh Open full article →