50 Important Current Affairs MCQs with Answers & Analytical Explanations – 29 September 2026 For UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway, State PSC, Defence & Other Competitive Exams
Here is an exam-oriented set based mainly on developments reported on 28–29 September 2026, with emphasis on India, economy, science & technology, international affairs, environment and sports. (The Economic Times)
The current-affairs material above is anchored to developments reported on September 28–29, including the UPI MDR decision, LNG train, monetary-policy developments, TakeMe2Space’s orbital-computing mission and Asian Games results. (The Indian Express)
Exam Tip: For SSC, Banking, Railway and State PSC exams, memorize the person + place + date + organization + number associated with each news item. For UPSC, also understand the underlying concepts such as MDR, monetary policy, KAVACH, CITES, underwater archaeology and orbital computing.
🇮🇳 National Affairs
1. The Supreme Court recently refused to stay the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework for certain UPI transactions. What is the proposed MDR for specified person-to-merchant UPI payments above ₹2,000?
A) 0.2%
B) 0.3%
C) 0.4%
D) 0.5%
Answer: C) 0.4%
Analytical Explanation: Under the new framework, a 0.4% MDR is applicable to specified UPI person-to-merchant transactions above ₹2,000 from October 15, 2026. The Supreme Court declined to stay the framework while seeking responses from the Centre and other parties. (The Indian Express)
2. The new UPI MDR framework is scheduled to become applicable from:
A) October 1, 2026
B) October 10, 2026
C) October 15, 2026
D) November 1, 2026
Answer: C) October 15, 2026
Explanation: The government announced the new MDR framework on September 15, with implementation for specified merchant transactions beginning October 15. (The Indian Express)
3. Who is the Chief Justice of India mentioned in the Supreme Court proceedings concerning UPI MDR?
A) D.Y. Chandrachud
B) Surya Kant
C) Sanjiv Khanna
D) B.R. Gavai
Answer: B) Surya Kant
Explanation: The bench that considered the challenge to the UPI MDR framework was headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana. (The Indian Express)
4. India’s first LNG-powered train was flagged off from which railway station?
A) Vadodara
B) Sabarmati
C) Surat
D) Ahmedabad Central
Answer: B) Sabarmati
Explanation: India’s first LNG-powered train was flagged off from Sabarmati Railway Station in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on September 27, 2026. (Press Information Bureau)
5. India’s first LNG-powered train uses which propulsion arrangement?
A) LNG-only system
B) Hydrogen-electric system
C) LNG-diesel dual-fuel system
D) CNG-diesel system
Answer: C) LNG-diesel dual-fuel system
Explanation: The train can operate using both LNG and diesel. LNG can replace roughly 40% of diesel consumption, providing operational flexibility while reducing fuel use and emissions. (The Indian Express)
6. India’s first LNG-powered train initially operates between:
A) Mumbai and Pune
B) Sabarmati and Mahesana Junction
C) Ahmedabad and Surat
D) Vadodara and Rajkot
Answer: B) Sabarmati and Mahesana Junction
Explanation: The inaugural LNG-diesel dual-fuel DEMU service operates between Sabarmati and Mahesana Junction in Gujarat. (The Indian Express)
7. Which organization developed India’s LNG-diesel dual-fuel train?
A) BHEL
B) RDSO
C) Integral Coach Factory
D) HAL
Answer: C) Integral Coach Factory
Explanation: The train was developed by the Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF). (The Indian Express)
8. What is the principal purpose of KAVACH technology in Indian Railways?
A) Passenger ticketing
B) Automatic train protection
C) Railway catering
D) Freight billing
Answer: B) Automatic train protection
Explanation: KAVACH is a railway safety system designed to provide continuous speed supervision and help prevent incidents such as Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD) and train collisions. (The Indian Express)
9. The National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign 2026 was held on:
A) September 25–26
B) September 26–27
C) September 28–29
D) September 29–30
Answer: C) September 28–29
Explanation: The two-day conference brought together State Agriculture Ministers, officials, ICAR and other stakeholders to discuss preparedness for the upcoming Rabi season. (Press Information Bureau)
10. The National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign 2026 was organized by which ministry?
A) Ministry of Rural Development
B) Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare
C) Ministry of Food Processing Industries
D) Ministry of Cooperation
Answer: B) Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare
Explanation: The conference was organized by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. (Press Information Bureau)
💰 Economy & Banking
11. What was the RBI repo rate after its August 2026 policy meeting?
A) 4.75%
B) 5.00%
C) 5.25%
D) 5.50%
Answer: C) 5.25%
Explanation: The RBI kept the benchmark repo rate at 5.25% in August for the fourth consecutive bi-monthly review. (Reuters)
12. According to a recent Reuters poll, approximately what percentage of economists expected an RBI repo-rate hike at the October 2026 meeting?
A) 25%
B) 40%
C) 60%
D) 80%
Answer: C) 60%
Explanation: 35 of 61 economists, approximately 60%, expected a 25-basis-point increase to 5.50% at the October 5–7 meeting. This is a poll result, not an announced RBI decision. (Reuters)
13. What repo rate was economists in the Reuters poll expecting after a possible 25-basis-point hike?
A) 5.25%
B) 5.40%
C) 5.50%
D) 5.75%
Answer: C) 5.50%
Explanation: The poll indicated expectations of a 25-basis-point increase from 5.25% to 5.50%. (Reuters)
14. India’s economy expanded by approximately what rate in the April–June 2026 quarter?
A) 6%
B) 7%
C) Nearly 8%
D) More than 10%
Answer: C) Nearly 8%
Explanation: Recent data showed India’s economy expanding at nearly 8% in the April–June quarter, while bank credit growth also strengthened. (Reuters)
15. India’s bank credit growth rose to more than what level in July 2026?
A) 10%
B) 15%
C) 19%
D) 25%
Answer: C) 19%
Explanation: Bank credit growth exceeded 19% in July, pointing toward stronger domestic demand and credit activity. (Reuters)
16. On September 28, 2026, the Indian rupee settled at approximately:
A) ₹89.98 per US dollar
B) ₹92.50 per US dollar
C) ₹95.98 per US dollar
D) ₹101.50 per US dollar
Answer: C) ₹95.98 per US dollar
Explanation: The rupee weakened to around ₹95.9825 per US dollar amid higher oil prices and geopolitical uncertainty. (Reuters)
17. What approximate percentage of India’s crude oil requirements are imported?
A) 50%
B) 65%
C) 75%
D) Nearly 90%
Answer: D) Nearly 90%
Explanation: India’s heavy dependence on imported crude makes the rupee particularly sensitive to international oil-price movements. (Reuters)
18. Brent crude rose to approximately what price per barrel on September 28, 2026?
A) $88.2
B) $98.2
C) $108.2
D) $118.2
Answer: C) $108.2
Explanation: Brent crude rose nearly 4% to around $108.2 per barrel, increasing concerns over imported inflation in oil-dependent economies. (Reuters)
19. Which institution is responsible for India’s monetary policy and management of the repo rate?
A) SEBI
B) RBI
C) NABARD
D) Finance Commission
Answer: B) RBI
Explanation: The Reserve Bank of India is India’s central bank and is responsible for monetary policy, including policy interest rates.
20. What does MDR stand for in digital payments?
A) Market Deposit Ratio
B) Merchant Discount Rate
C) Monetary Deposit Reserve
D) Merchant Digital Regulation
Answer: B) Merchant Discount Rate
Explanation: MDR refers to the fee associated with processing certain merchant payment transactions. The current affairs issue concerns its application to specified UPI merchant transactions. (The Indian Express)
🌍 International Affairs
21. India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited which country from September 27–29, 2026?
A) UAE
B) Qatar
C) Saudi Arabia
D) Oman
Answer: B) Qatar
Explanation: Sitharaman undertook an official visit to Qatar from September 27 to 29, including participation in the AIIB annual meeting. (Press Information Bureau)
22. Which annual meeting did Nirmala Sitharaman attend in Doha?
A) World Bank Annual Meeting
B) IMF Annual Meeting
C) AIIB Annual Meeting
D) WTO Ministerial Meeting
Answer: C) AIIB Annual Meeting
Explanation: She attended the 11th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Doha. (Press Information Bureau)
23. India is the world’s second-largest shareholder in which institution?
A) IMF
B) AIIB
C) WTO
D) ADB
Answer: B) AIIB
Explanation: According to the Finance Ministry release, India is the second-largest shareholder of AIIB. (Press Information Bureau)
24. India recently dispatched about three tonnes of anti-tuberculosis medicines to:
A) Nepal
B) Bangladesh
C) Sri Lanka
D) Maldives
Answer: C) Sri Lanka
Explanation: India sent around three tonnes of anti-TB medicines to Colombo aboard an Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft as part of its support for Sri Lanka’s public health system. (NDTV)
25. The anti-TB medicines sent by India to Sri Lanka were transported by which aircraft?
A) C-17 Globemaster
B) C-130J
C) AN-32
D) Dornier 228
Answer: B) C-130J
Explanation: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that the medicines were dispatched aboard an IAF C-130J aircraft. (NDTV)
26. The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly is being held in:
A) Geneva
B) Paris
C) New York
D) Vienna
Answer: C) New York
Explanation: The UN General Assembly holds its annual high-level meetings at UN Headquarters in New York. The 81st session is currently underway. (United Nations)
27. On September 28, 2026, the UN held a high-level meeting commemorating the 25th anniversary of which document?
A) Paris Agreement
B) Durban Declaration and Programme of Action
C) Kyoto Protocol
D) Rio Declaration
Answer: B) Durban Declaration and Programme of Action
Explanation: The UN held a high-level meeting to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, concerning racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. (United Nations)
28. India and which country are working toward strengthening their economic and diplomatic partnership, including discussions around a CEPA?
A) Canada
B) Brazil
C) Germany
D) Australia
Answer: A) Canada
Explanation: India and Canada have recently signalled efforts to deepen bilateral relations, including work toward a proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). (The Indian Express)
29. Who is Canada’s Foreign Minister mentioned in recent India-Canada discussions?
A) Mélanie Joly
B) Anita Anand
C) Chrystia Freeland
D) Marie-Claude Bibeau
Answer: B) Anita Anand
Explanation: Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand highlighted efforts to build renewed partnerships with major economies including India. (The Indian Express)
30. Poompuhar, recently discussed in the context of underwater archaeology, is located in which Indian state?
A) Kerala
B) Andhra Pradesh
C) Tamil Nadu
D) Odisha
Answer: C) Tamil Nadu
Explanation: Poompuhar/Kaveripoompattinam was an important ancient port settlement in present-day Tamil Nadu and is associated with Sangam-era maritime trade. (The Indian Express)
🔬 Science, Technology & Environment
31. Which Indian startup plans to launch what it describes as India’s first orbital computing satellite?
A) Skyroot Aerospace
B) Agnikul Cosmos
C) TakeMe2Space
D) Pixxel
Answer: C) TakeMe2Space
Explanation: Bengaluru/India-based space startup TakeMe2Space plans to launch its MOI-1A orbital computing satellite aboard a SpaceX rideshare mission. (Reuters)
32. What is the name of the orbital computing satellite planned by TakeMe2Space?
A) MOI-1A
B) GSAT-25
C) EOS-10
D) RISAT-4
Answer: A) MOI-1A
Explanation: The MOI-1A spacecraft is designed to perform computing and AI processing in orbit rather than sending all raw data back to Earth. (The Indian Express)
33. MOI-1A is scheduled to fly aboard which SpaceX mission?
A) Starlink-20
B) Transporter-18
C) Crew-12
D) Artemis-3
Answer: B) Transporter-18
Explanation: MOI-1A is scheduled to fly on SpaceX’s Transporter-18 rideshare mission. (The Indian Express)
34. Which processors will be carried by the MOI-1A satellite?
A) Google TPU v5
B) Nvidia Orin NX
C) Intel Xeon
D) AMD EPYC
Answer: B) Nvidia Orin NX
Explanation: The sub-50-kg spacecraft is planned to carry Nvidia Orin NX edge-computing processors for AI processing in orbit.
35. What is the principal concept behind orbital computing?
A) Producing fuel in space
B) Processing data in orbit
C) Building satellites on the Moon
D) Transmitting television signals only
Answer: B) Processing data in orbit
Explanation: Orbital computing seeks to process data close to where it is collected in space, potentially reducing the need to transmit large volumes of raw data to Earth. (Reuters)
36. Which climatic phenomenon has recently raised concerns for India toward late 2026?
A) La Niña
B) El Niño
C) Polar vortex
D) Indian Ocean Dipole only
Answer: B) El Niño
Explanation: Recent reports have raised concerns that El Niño could become very strong toward late 2026, potentially influencing India’s weather patterns. (The Economic Times)
37. Which body is India’s statutory multi-disciplinary agency for combating organized wildlife crime?
A) NTCA
B) WCCB
C) NGT
D) CPCB
Answer: B) WCCB
Explanation: The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) works under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to combat organized wildlife crime. (The Indian Express)
38. What does CITES stand for?
A) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
B) Council for International Trade in Environmental Species
C) Convention for Indian Trade in Endangered Species
D) Committee on International Terrestrial Ecosystem Security
Answer: A) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Explanation: CITES is an international agreement designed to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. (The Indian Express)
39. CITES entered into force in which year?
A) 1970
B) 1973
C) 1975
D) 1980
Answer: C) 1975
Explanation: CITES was drafted in 1973 and entered into force on July 1, 1975. (The Indian Express)
40. Poompuhar is particularly significant for understanding which historical phenomenon?
A) Mughal administration
B) Sangam-era maritime trade
C) Gupta coinage
D) Mauryan military organization
Answer: B) Sangam-era maritime trade
Explanation: Archaeological and literary evidence links Poompuhar with wider Indian Ocean maritime trade, including connections with West Asia and other regions. (The Indian Express)
🏅 Sports & Asian Games 2026
41. The 2026 Asian Games are being held in:
A) Seoul
B) Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
C) Jakarta
D) Doha
Answer: B) Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
Explanation: The 2026 Asian Games are being held in the Aichi-Nagoya region of Japan. (Olympics)
42. Which Indian athlete won silver in men’s javelin throw at the 2026 Asian Games on September 28?
A) Rohit Yadav
B) Yashvir Singh
C) Neeraj Chopra
D) Kishore Jena
Answer: B) Yashvir Singh
Explanation: Yashvir Singh won silver with a personal best, while compatriot Rohit Yadav won bronze, producing a double Indian podium finish. (Press Information Bureau)
43. Who won bronze alongside Yashvir Singh in men’s javelin?
A) Rohit Yadav
B) Gulveer Singh
C) Tajinderpal Singh Toor
D) Sarvesh Kushare
Answer: A) Rohit Yadav
Explanation: Rohit Yadav secured the bronze medal, giving India two medals in men’s javelin at the Asian Games. (Press Information Bureau)
44. Murali Sreeshankar won a medal in which event at the 2026 Asian Games?
A) Triple jump
B) Long jump
C) High jump
D) Pole vault
Answer: B) Long jump
Explanation: Murali Sreeshankar won silver in the men’s long jump. (Akashvani News)
45. Vithya Ramraj won bronze in which event?
A) Women’s 200m
B) Women’s 400m hurdles
C) Women’s 800m
D) Women’s 400m
Answer: B) Women’s 400m hurdles
Explanation: Vithya Ramraj won bronze in the women’s 400m hurdles and broke a national record that had stood for 42 years. (India Today)
46. Whose 42-year-old national record did Vithya Ramraj break?
A) PT Usha
B) Anju Bobby George
C) Hima Das
D) Shiny Wilson
Answer: A) PT Usha
Explanation: Ramraj’s performance surpassed a 42-year-old national record associated with PT Usha. (Outlook India)
47. Gulveer Singh won silver in which event at the 2026 Asian Games?
A) 800m
B) 1500m
C) 5000m
D) 10,000m
Answer: B) 1500m
Explanation: Gulveer Singh won the silver medal in the men’s 1500m event. (Press Information Bureau)
48. Parul Chaudhary won bronze in which event?
A) Women’s 1500m
B) Women’s 3000m steeplechase
C) Women’s 5000m
D) Women’s 10,000m
Answer: C) Women’s 5000m
Explanation: Parul Chaudhary won bronze in the women’s 5000m, recording a time of 15:14.61. (Rediff)
49. Esha Singh won silver in which event at the 2026 Asian Games?
A) Women’s 10m air rifle
B) Women’s 25m pistol
C) Women’s skeet
D) Women’s 50m rifle
Answer: B) Women’s 25m pistol
Explanation: Esha Singh won silver in the women’s 25m pistol individual event after a shoot-off. (The Times of India)
50. Pincky Balhara won bronze in which sport/event?
A) Boxing – 75 kg
B) Kurash – Women’s -78 kg
C) Judo – Women’s -78 kg
D) Wrestling – 76 kg
Answer: B) Kurash – Women’s -78 kg
Explanation: Pincky Balhara won bronze in the women’s -78 kg Kurash event at the 2026 Asian Games. (Akashvani News)
⚡ Quick Revision — 15 Most Important Facts
| Topic | Key Fact |
| UPI MDR | 0.4% for specified P2M transactions above ₹2,000 |
| UPI MDR implementation | 15 October 2026 |
| RBI repo rate | 5.25% after August review |
| Expected October RBI rate | 5.50% according to Reuters poll |
| India’s Q1 FY27 growth | Nearly 8% |
| Rupee on Sept. 28 | ₹95.9825/$ |
| LNG train | First LNG-powered train in India |
| LNG train route | Sabarmati–Mahesana |
| LNG system | LNG-diesel dual fuel |
| Orbital computing startup | TakeMe2Space |
| Orbital satellite | MOI-1A |
| SpaceX mission | Transporter-18 |
| Anti-TB aid | About 3 tonnes to Sri Lanka |
| AIIB | India is second-largest shareholder |
| Asian Games | Aichi-Nagoya, Japan |
