50 Current Affairs Questions and Answers with Explanation – 16 September 2026
Current Affairs Questions and Answers for Competitive Exams – 16 September 2026
Welcome to today’s 50 Current Affairs Questions and Answers with Explanations. These questions cover important national and international developments in India, economy, banking, environment, science & technology, defence, sports, government schemes and important days.
These questions are useful for SSC, Banking, Railway, UPSC, State PSC, Defence, Insurance and other competitive examinations.
1. What is the maximum UPI transaction amount mentioned in the recent notification for which no direct or indirect charges can be imposed?
A. ₹1,000
B. ₹2,000
C. ₹5,000
D. ₹10,000
Answer: B. ₹2,000
Explanation: The Ministry of Finance notified that banks and payment-system providers cannot impose direct or indirect MDR charges on UPI transactions up to ₹2,000.
2. Which organisation operates the Unified Payments Interface (UPI)?
A. SEBI
B. NPCI
C. IRDAI
D. NABARD
Answer: B. NPCI
Explanation: UPI is operated by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the organisation responsible for India’s retail digital-payment infrastructure.
3. Under which Act was the recent notification concerning charges on UPI transactions issued?
A. RBI Act, 1934
B. Banking Regulation Act, 1949
C. Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007
D. Companies Act, 2013
Answer: C. Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007
Explanation: The notification was issued using powers under Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
4. Which debit-card network is specifically covered by the no-charge notification?
A. Visa
B. Mastercard
C. RuPay
D. American Express
Answer: C. RuPay
Explanation: The notification covers debit cards powered by RuPay and UPI transactions up to ₹2,000.
5. What does MDR stand for in digital payments?
A. Market Digital Rate
B. Merchant Discount Rate
C. Monthly Deposit Rate
D. Merchant Deposit Reserve
Answer: B. Merchant Discount Rate
Explanation: MDR is the fee associated with processing a digital payment received by a merchant. It is generally borne by the merchant rather than being a direct customer charge.
6. Which scheme completed seven years of implementation in September 2026?
A. PM-KISAN
B. PM-KMY
C. PMFBY
D. PMAY
Answer: B. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana
Explanation: PM-KMY completed seven years in September 2026. It provides an old-age pension framework for eligible small and marginal farmers.
7. PM-KMY primarily provides what type of benefit?
A. Crop insurance
B. Old-age pension
C. Free irrigation
D. Fertilizer subsidy
Answer: B. Old-age pension
Explanation: PM-KMY is a voluntary contributory pension scheme designed to provide social-security support to eligible small and marginal farmers.
8. Which organisation implements PM-Kisan Maandhan Yojana in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture?
A. LIC
B. SBI
C. NABARD
D. SIDBI
Answer: A. LIC
Explanation: PM-KMY was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and is implemented in collaboration with the Life Insurance Corporation of India.
9. What is the eligible landholding limit for small and marginal farmers under PM-KMY?
A. 1 hectare
B. 2 hectares
C. 5 hectares
D. 10 hectares
Answer: B. 2 hectares
Explanation: Eligible small and marginal farmers must have cultivable landholding of up to 2 hectares, subject to the scheme’s other conditions.
10. At what age does the assured monthly pension under PM-KMY begin?
A. 50 years
B. 55 years
C. 60 years
D. 65 years
Answer: C. 60 years
Explanation: PM-KMY provides an assured monthly pension beginning at the age of 60 to eligible subscribers.
11. India recently signed an additional protocol with which South American trade bloc?
A. ASEAN
B. MERCOSUR
C. SAARC
D. GCC
Answer: B. MERCOSUR
Explanation: India and MERCOSUR signed the First Additional Protocol to their Preferential Trade Agreement to facilitate paperless trade through electronic Certificates of Origin.
12. What does MERCOSUR refer to?
A. A European defence alliance
B. A South American trade bloc
C. An Asian banking organisation
D. An African economic community
Answer: B. A South American trade bloc
Explanation: MERCOSUR, or the Southern Common Market, is a South American regional trade bloc.
13. What does e-CoO stand for?
A. Electronic Certificate of Origin
B. Economic Code of Operations
C. Electronic Council of Organisations
D. Export Control Organisation
Answer: A. Electronic Certificate of Origin
Explanation: The India-MERCOSUR protocol facilitates acceptance of electronic Certificates of Origin, helping modernise customs and preferential-trade procedures.
14. Which ministry launched the Mangrove GIS Portal in Gujarat?
A. Ministry of Agriculture
B. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
C. Ministry of Science and Technology
D. Ministry of Earth Sciences
Answer: B. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Explanation: Union Minister Bhupender Yadav launched the Mangrove GIS Portal during a mangrove-conservation workshop in Bhuj, Kachchh, Gujarat.
15. What is the main purpose of the Mangrove GIS Portal?
A. Railway mapping
B. Mangrove conservation and habitat monitoring
C. Crop insurance
D. Tourism promotion
Answer: B. Mangrove conservation and habitat monitoring
Explanation: The portal supports science-based mangrove conservation, habitat monitoring, conservation planning and technology-driven restoration management.
16. Which state is associated with the Guneri Inland Mangroves mentioned in recent current affairs?
A. Gujarat
B. Odisha
C. Kerala
D. West Bengal
Answer: A. Gujarat
Explanation: Guneri Inland Mangroves in Kachchh are associated with Gujarat and were recognised as the state’s first Biodiversity Heritage Site in January 2025.
17. Which organisation proposed a new weapon and missile testing range at Junput?
A. ISRO
B. DRDO
C. HAL
D. BHEL
Answer: B. DRDO
Explanation: DRDO proposed establishing a new weapon and missile testing range at Junput in West Bengal.
18. Junput is located in which state?
A. Odisha
B. Andhra Pradesh
C. West Bengal
D. Tamil Nadu
Answer: C. West Bengal
Explanation: Junput is a coastal village in Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal along the Bay of Bengal.
19. Which organisation is responsible for India’s defence research and development?
A. DRDO
B. ISRO
C. CSIR
D. NITI Aayog
Answer: A. DRDO
Explanation: The Defence Research and Development Organisation works under the Ministry of Defence and develops technologies and systems for India’s defence requirements.
20. Where was the Colombo Security Conclave Table Top Exercise held?
A. Mumbai
B. Visakhapatnam
C. Kochi
D. Chennai
Answer: B. Visakhapatnam
Explanation: A three-day Table Top Exercise under the Colombo Security Conclave concluded at the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam.
21. What was the primary focus of the Colombo Security Conclave exercise?
A. Space exploration
B. Maritime security
C. Agricultural production
D. Cyber taxation
Answer: B. Maritime security
Explanation: The exercise focused on coordinated responses to illegal maritime activities in the Indian Ocean Region.
22. Which village was declared Ladakh’s first designated Heritage Village in September 2026?
A. Kumik
B. Leh
C. Nubra
D. Hanle
Answer: A. Kumik
Explanation: Kumik village in Zanskar was declared Ladakh’s first designated Heritage Village on 15 September 2026.
23. Kumik village is located in which region?
A. Zanskar
B. Kashmir Valley
C. Ladakh Plateau
D. Spiti
Answer: A. Zanskar
Explanation: Kumik is a village in the Zanskar region of Ladakh.
24. Which organisation signed an MoU with HPCL for smart classrooms in Eklavya Model Residential Schools?
A. NSTFDC
B. UGC
C. AICTE
D. NCERT
Answer: A. NSTFDC
Explanation: The National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited signed an MoU for integrated computer labs-cum-smart classrooms in EMRS.
25. What does EMRS stand for?
A. Eklavya Model Residential Schools
B. Educational Model Rural Schools
C. Elite Modern Residential Schools
D. E-Governance Model Rural Schools
Answer: A. Eklavya Model Residential Schools
Explanation: EMRS are residential schools intended to provide quality education to Scheduled Tribe students.
26. How many one-horned rhinoceroses were recorded in Assam as of September 2026?
A. 2,260
B. 3,260
C. 4,260
D. 5,260
Answer: B. 3,260
Explanation: Assam recorded 3,260 greater one-horned rhinoceroses as of September 2026, representing about 80% of the global population.
27. Approximately what share of the global greater one-horned rhinoceros population was recorded in Assam?
A. 40%
B. 60%
C. 80%
D. 95%
Answer: C. 80%
Explanation: The September 2026 figure for Assam was reported as about 80% of the global greater one-horned rhinoceros population.
28. Which two new-to-science amphibian species were recorded in Mizoram?
A. Duttaphrynus phawngpui and Ingerana aizawl
B. Rana indica and Bufo assamensis
C. Ichthyophis mizoramensis and Rana khasi
D. Microhyla mizoramensis and Bufo indica
Answer: A. Duttaphrynus phawngpui and Ingerana aizawl
Explanation: Two new-to-science amphibian species, Duttaphrynus phawngpui and Ingerana aizawl, were reported from Mizoram.
29. What is ‘Gegeneophis chandgadi’?
A. A bird
B. A fish
C. A subterranean amphibian
D. A reptile
Answer: C. A subterranean amphibian
Explanation: Gegeneophis chandgadi is a newly described legless, subterranean amphibian discovered in Maharashtra’s Northern Western Ghats.
30. In which state was Gegeneophis chandgadi discovered?
A. Kerala
B. Maharashtra
C. Karnataka
D. Goa
Answer: B. Maharashtra
Explanation: The species was discovered at Buzawade in Chandgad, Kolhapur district, Maharashtra.
31. What type of amphibian is a caecilian?
A. Winged amphibian
B. Worm-like legless amphibian
C. Aquatic frog
D. Tree-dwelling lizard
Answer: B. Worm-like legless amphibian
Explanation: Caecilians are worm-like, legless amphibians adapted largely to underground life.
32. Who won the men’s singles title at the 2026 US Open?
A. Ben Shelton
B. Alexander Zverev
C. Novak Djokovic
D. Carlos Alcaraz
Answer: B. Alexander Zverev
Explanation: Germany’s Alexander Zverev defeated Ben Shelton in the men’s final to win the 2026 US Open singles title.
33. Who won the women’s singles title at the 2026 US Open?
A. Aryna Sabalenka
B. Elena Rybakina
C. Iga Świątek
D. Coco Gauff
Answer: B. Elena Rybakina
Explanation: Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan defeated two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the women’s final.
34. Which country does Alexander Zverev represent?
A. Austria
B. Germany
C. Switzerland
D. France
Answer: B. Germany
Explanation: Alexander Zverev is a German professional tennis player and won the 2026 US Open men’s singles title.
35. Which country does Elena Rybakina represent?
A. Russia
B. Kazakhstan
C. Ukraine
D. Belarus
Answer: B. Kazakhstan
Explanation: Elena Rybakina represents Kazakhstan and won the 2026 US Open women’s singles title.
36. Who became the first Indian male recurve archer to win the Archery World Cup Final men’s individual title?
A. Atanu Das
B. Dhiraj Bommadevara
C. Tarundeep Rai
D. Abhishek Verma
Answer: B. Dhiraj Bommadevara
Explanation: Dhiraj Bommadevara won the men’s individual recurve title at the 2026 Archery World Cup Final in Saltillo, Mexico.
37. In which country was the 2026 Archery World Cup Final held?
A. India
B. Mexico
C. Japan
D. France
Answer: B. Mexico
Explanation: The season-ending Archery World Cup Final was held in Saltillo, Mexico.
38. Who did Dhiraj Bommadevara defeat in the Archery World Cup Final?
A. Junya Nakanishi
B. Kim Woo-jin
C. Brady Ellison
D. Mete Gazoz
Answer: A. Junya Nakanishi
Explanation: Bommadevara defeated Japan’s Junya Nakanishi 6–5 and won the shoot-off 10–9.
39. How many medals did India win across the four stages of the 2026 Archery World Cup?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 9
Answer: C. 7
Explanation: India won seven medals across the four 2026 Archery World Cup stages: four gold, one silver and two bronze.
40. Which country hosted the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in September 2026?
A. India
B. South Africa
C. Canada
D. Australia
Answer: B. South Africa
Explanation: The 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference was being held in Cape Town, South Africa, from 13–19 September 2026.
41. Where was the 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 launched?
A. New Delhi
B. Jaipur
C. Varanasi
D. Mumbai
Answer: C. Varanasi
Explanation: The 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah was launched on 9 September 2026 in Varanasi.
42. What was the theme of the 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026?
A. Poshan for All
B. Hamari Anganwadi, Hamari Jimmedari
C. Swasth Bharat, Saksham Bharat
D. Poshan Se Pragati
Answer: B. Hamari Anganwadi, Hamari Jimmedari
Explanation: The 2026 Poshan Maah focused on community ownership of Anganwadi Centres and nutrition-related priorities under the theme “Hamari Anganwadi, Hamari Jimmedari.”
43. When is National Engineers’ Day observed in India?
A. 5 September
B. 14 September
C. 15 September
D. 16 September
Answer: C. 15 September
Explanation: National Engineers’ Day is observed every year on 15 September to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya.
44. Whose birth anniversary is commemorated on National Engineers’ Day?
A. C. V. Raman
B. M. Visvesvaraya
C. Homi J. Bhabha
D. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Answer: B. M. Visvesvaraya
Explanation: National Engineers’ Day commemorates Bharat Ratna Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya and his contribution to engineering and nation-building.
45. In which year did India first observe National Engineers’ Day?
A. 1958
B. 1965
C. 1968
D. 1975
Answer: C. 1968
Explanation: The Government of India designated 15 September as National Engineers’ Day in 1968, and the first observance was held that year.
46. On which date is Hindi Diwas observed in India?
A. 10 September
B. 14 September
C. 15 September
D. 20 September
Answer: B. 14 September
Explanation: Hindi Diwas is observed annually on 14 September, commemorating the Constituent Assembly’s 1949 decision concerning Hindi in the Devanagari script.
47. Which script was associated with Hindi in the Constituent Assembly’s 1949 decision commemorated by Hindi Diwas?
A. Roman
B. Devanagari
C. Gurmukhi
D. Bengali
Answer: B. Devanagari
Explanation: Hindi in the Devanagari script was adopted by the Constituent Assembly in 1949 as one of the official languages of the Union.
48. Which Indian police officer became the first woman officer to head the CRPF’s CoBRA unit?
A. Kiran Bedi
B. Sanjukta Parashar
C. Meera Borwankar
D. Aparna Kumar
Answer: B. Sanjukta Parashar
Explanation: IPS officer Sanjukta Parashar became the first woman officer to head the CRPF’s CoBRA unit in September 2026.
49. Which cities were appointed to host future UEFA Champions League finals at a September 2026 meeting?
A. London and Paris
B. Munich and Barcelona
C. Madrid and Rome
D. Berlin and Lisbon
Answer: B. Munich and Barcelona
Explanation: The UEFA Executive Committee appointed Munich and Barcelona as host cities for future UEFA Champions League finals at its 15 September 2026 meeting in Thessaloniki, Greece.
50. Which organisation launched India’s Net Zero Portal and NAPCC Dashboard on 16 September 2026?
A. Ministry of Finance
B. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
C. Ministry of Power
D. NITI Aayog
Answer: B. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Explanation: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched the India Net Zero Portal and the National Action Plan on Climate Change Dashboard on 16 September 2026.
Quick Revision – Today’s Important Current Affairs
- UPI: No direct or indirect MDR charges on UPI transactions up to ₹2,000 under the cited notification.
- PM-KMY: Completed seven years.
- MERCOSUR: India signed an additional protocol for paperless trade.
- Mangrove GIS Portal: Launched in Gujarat.
- Junput: Proposed DRDO missile-testing range in West Bengal.
- Kumik: Ladakh’s first designated Heritage Village.
- Assam: 3,260 greater one-horned rhinos reported.
- Gegeneophis chandgadi: New subterranean amphibian from Maharashtra.
- US Open 2026: Alexander Zverev and Elena Rybakina won the singles titles.
- Archery World Cup Final: Dhiraj Bommadevara won the men’s individual recurve title.
- Rashtriya Poshan Maah: Theme — “Hamari Anganwadi, Hamari Jimmedari.”
- Engineers’ Day: 15 September.
- Hindi Diwas: 14 September.
- CRPF CoBRA: Sanjukta Parashar became the first woman officer to head the unit.
- UEFA Champions League: Munich and Barcelona appointed as future final host cities.
Source note: Current-affairs information can change during the day. This compilation reflects information available on 16 September 2026 and should be updated if later official announcements revise any detail.
