Here is 50-question current-affairs MCQ set for 30 September 2026, based on latest Asian Games, UPI, economy, governance, science and international updates. (The Economic Times)
50 Important Current Affairs MCQs with Answers & Analytical Explanations – 30 September 2026
Table of Contents
National Current Affairs
1. Who recently became the first Indian woman to win an individual gold medal in women’s trap shooting at the Asian Games?
A. Manisha Keer
B. Neeru Dhanda
C. Aashima Ahlawat
D. Rajeshwari Kumari
Answer: B. Neeru Dhanda
Analytical Explanation: Neeru Dhanda created history at the 2026 Asian Games by winning India’s first individual gold in women’s trap shooting. Her achievement added another landmark to India’s shooting performance at the Games.
2. The 2026 Asian Games are being hosted in which country?
A. China
B. South Korea
C. Japan
D. Indonesia
Answer: C. Japan
Analytical Explanation: The 2026 Asian Games are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The event has provided Indian athletes opportunities across athletics, shooting, boxing and other disciplines.
3. Which Indian athlete completed a three-medal haul at the 2026 Asian Games?
A. Gulveer Singh
B. Avinash Sable
C. Kishore Jena
D. Tejaswin Shankar
Answer: A. Gulveer Singh
Analytical Explanation: Gulveer Singh won medals in the 10,000m, 1,500m and 5,000m events, completing a medal hat-trick at the Games.
4. India won gold in which women’s athletics relay event at the 2026 Asian Games?
A. 4×100m relay
B. 4×400m relay
C. 4×800m relay
D. Mixed 4×400m relay
Answer: B. 4×400m relay
Analytical Explanation: The Indian women’s 4×400m relay team won gold in Aichi-Nagoya. The team clocked 3:29.69, adding another athletics gold to India’s medal tally.
5. Which organization commissioned INS Nipun in September 2026?
A. Indian Army
B. Indian Air Force
C. Indian Navy
D. Coast Guard
Answer: C. Indian Navy
Analytical Explanation: INS Nipun is a Diving Support Vessel commissioned by the Indian Navy. Such vessels strengthen underwater operations, diving support and submarine-rescue capabilities.
6. INS Nipun belongs to which class of vessels?
A. Shivalik class
B. Nistar class
C. Kamorta class
D. Sandhayak class
Answer: B. Nistar class
Analytical Explanation: INS Nipun is the second indigenous Nistar-class Diving Support Vessel. Its commissioning strengthens India’s specialized underwater support infrastructure.
7. From which month and year will Indian Standard Time become mandatory for official and commercial purposes under the new rules?
A. January 2027
B. March 2027
C. July 2027
D. January 2028
Answer: B. March 2027
Analytical Explanation: The Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026 provide for IST to become the single mandatory time reference for official, legal and commercial activities from March 2027.
8. Which institution unveiled the indigenous ‘Chitra Core’ coronary drug-eluting stent?
A. AIIMS New Delhi
B. SCTIMST
C. IIT Madras
D. DRDO
Answer: B. SCTIMST
Analytical Explanation: The Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology in Thiruvananthapuram unveiled Chitra Core. It represents an indigenous effort to develop affordable cardiovascular medical technology.
9. Which authority made AI-based Monitoring and Control mandatory for certain large national highway projects?
A. NITI Aayog
B. NHAI
C. Ministry of Electronics and IT
D. BIS
Answer: B. NHAI
Analytical Explanation: The National Highways Authority of India introduced the requirement for AI-based monitoring for qualifying large highway construction and expansion projects.
10. Under the revised Delhi Solar Policy, free rooftop solar installations of up to what capacity are proposed for eligible domestic households?
A. 1 kW
B. 2 kW
C. 3 kW
D. 5 kW
Answer: C. 3 kW
Analytical Explanation: Delhi’s revised solar policy provides for free 3-kW rooftop solar systems for eligible households consuming up to 400 units per month, with a stated target of expanding rooftop solar capacity.
Economy & Banking
11. India’s real GDP growth during Q1 FY27 was reported at approximately:
A. 5.8%
B. 6.5%
C. 7.8%
D. 8.9%
Answer: C. 7.8%
Analytical Explanation: India’s real GDP grew 7.8% year-on-year during April–June 2026. Manufacturing, construction and investment activity were among the factors supporting growth.
12. India’s gross GST revenue for August 2026 was approximately:
A. ₹1.49 lakh crore
B. ₹1.69 lakh crore
C. ₹1.99 lakh crore
D. ₹2.49 lakh crore
Answer: C. ₹1.99 lakh crore
Analytical Explanation: Gross GST collections reached around ₹1.99 lakh crore in August 2026, reflecting continued tax collection and economic activity.
13. What Merchant Discount Rate is scheduled to apply to eligible UPI merchant transactions above ₹2,000 from 15 October 2026?
A. 0.2%
B. 0.4%
C. 0.6%
D. 1.0%
Answer: B. 0.4%
Analytical Explanation: The new framework introduces a 0.4% MDR for specified person-to-merchant UPI transactions above ₹2,000. Person-to-person transactions remain outside this MDR framework.
14. From which date is the new UPI MDR framework scheduled to take effect?
A. 1 October 2026
B. 10 October 2026
C. 15 October 2026
D. 1 November 2026
Answer: C. 15 October 2026
Analytical Explanation: The announced framework is scheduled to begin on 15 October 2026. The Supreme Court has been examining the legal basis of the charge but did not stay its implementation.
15. Which institution operates the Unified Payments Interface (UPI)?
A. SEBI
B. NPCI
C. IRDAI
D. NABARD
Answer: B. NPCI
Analytical Explanation: UPI is operated by the National Payments Corporation of India. NPCI is central to India’s retail digital-payments infrastructure.
16. The Supreme Court recently asked the Centre, RBI and NPCI to clarify the legal basis of which issue?
A. FASTag charges
B. UPI MDR
C. ATM withdrawal limits
D. GST on digital wallets
Answer: B. UPI MDR
Analytical Explanation: The Supreme Court sought clarification regarding the legal basis of the proposed merchant discount rate on specified UPI transactions.
17. What is the new mandatory EPFO wage ceiling announced in September 2026?
A. ₹15,000 per month
B. ₹20,000 per month
C. ₹25,000 per month
D. ₹30,000 per month
Answer: C. ₹25,000 per month
Analytical Explanation: The Union Cabinet increased the mandatory EPFO coverage wage ceiling from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month, expanding the potential coverage of formal social-security arrangements.
18. Which rating agency upgraded India’s long-term issuer rating from BBB+ to A- in September 2026?
A. Moody’s
B. Fitch
C. Japan Credit Rating Agency
D. S&P Global
Answer: C. Japan Credit Rating Agency
Analytical Explanation: Japan Credit Rating Agency upgraded India’s rating to A- with a stable outlook, marking an improvement in its assessment of India’s credit profile.
19. Which organization issued final Basel III market-risk capital directions effective from April 2027?
A. SEBI
B. RBI
C. Finance Commission
D. PFRDA
Answer: B. RBI
Analytical Explanation: The Reserve Bank of India issued the relevant directions for commercial banks, with implementation scheduled from 1 April 2027.
20. Which platform became the first TReDS platform to operationalize CGTMSE guarantee cover?
A. M1xchange
B. UdyamSetu
C. GeM
D. Bharat BillPay
Answer: A. M1xchange
Analytical Explanation: M1xchange completed the first invoice-discounting transaction backed by CGTMSE guarantee cover on the TReDS platform.
Science & Technology
21. What is the name of India’s new semiconductor programme notified in September 2026?
A. Chip India Mission
B. Semicon 2.0
C. India ChipNet
D. Silicon Bharat Programme
Answer: B. Semicon 2.0
Analytical Explanation: Semicon 2.0, also referred to as ISM 2.0, focuses on strengthening India’s semiconductor ecosystem, including fabs, packaging, chip design and related capabilities.
22. The approximate financial outlay of Semicon 2.0 is:
A. ₹25,000 crore
B. ₹50,000 crore
C. ₹1 lakh crore
D. ₹1.27–1.28 lakh crore
Answer: D. ₹1.27–1.28 lakh crore
Analytical Explanation: The programme has a very large financial outlay aimed at building domestic semiconductor manufacturing and supporting infrastructure.
23. Which ministry is the nodal ministry for Semicon 2.0?
A. Ministry of Heavy Industries
B. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
C. Ministry of Finance
D. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Answer: B. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
Analytical Explanation: MeitY is the nodal ministry responsible for India’s semiconductor-development initiatives.
24. What is the term used for the sharp increase in semiconductor prices driven partly by demand for AI-related chips?
A. Chipflation
B. Techflation
C. Silicon shock
D. AI inflation
Answer: A. Chipflation
Analytical Explanation: “Chipflation” describes rising semiconductor prices associated with strong demand, including demand for high-bandwidth memory and AI accelerator hardware.
25. Which satellite was earlier known as GISAT-1A?
A. EOS-02
B. EOS-05
C. EOS-07
D. RISAT-3
Answer: B. EOS-05
Analytical Explanation: EOS-05 is the Earth Observation Satellite-05, formerly referred to as GISAT-1A in the reported mission planning.
26. Which rocket was scheduled to carry EOS-05?
A. PSLV-C60
B. SSLV-D4
C. GSLV-F17
D. LVM3-M7
Answer: C. GSLV-F17
Analytical Explanation: The mission was scheduled to use the GSLV-F17 launch vehicle from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota.
27. Which institution developed the Chitra Core coronary stent?
A. SCTIMST
B. IISc Bengaluru
C. BARC
D. CSIR-IGIB
Answer: A. SCTIMST
Analytical Explanation: Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology developed the indigenous cardiovascular device, highlighting India’s growing medical-device research capabilities.
28. Project Suncatcher is associated with research into:
A. Ocean mapping
B. Space-based AI computing
C. Lunar mining
D. Asteroid deflection
Answer: B. Space-based AI computing
Analytical Explanation: Project Suncatcher explores the feasibility of using satellite infrastructure for AI computing in orbit.
29. Which Indian research institution was reported to have developed an AI dataset using satellite data to monitor crops and predict agricultural yields?
A. IIT Delhi
B. IIIT-Delhi
C. IIT Bombay
D. IISER Pune
Answer: B. IIIT-Delhi
Analytical Explanation: Researchers at IIIT-Delhi were reported to be using satellite-derived information and AI techniques for agricultural monitoring and yield prediction.
30. What is the main purpose of Earth-observation satellites?
A. Conduct underwater mining
B. Observe and collect information about Earth’s surface and atmosphere
C. Manufacture semiconductors
D. Provide nuclear energy
Answer: B. Observe and collect information about Earth’s surface and atmosphere
Analytical Explanation: Earth-observation satellites provide data useful for agriculture, weather, disaster management, environmental monitoring and resource mapping.
International Current Affairs
31. Where was the 26th SCO Summit held in 2026?
A. New Delhi
B. Bishkek
C. Beijing
D. Astana
Answer: B. Bishkek
Analytical Explanation: The 26th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.
32. Which country chaired BRICS in 2026?
A. Brazil
B. India
C. China
D. Russia
Answer: B. India
Analytical Explanation: India holds the BRICS chairship in 2026 and is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
33. The 18th BRICS Summit in 2026 is being hosted in:
A. Mumbai
B. Bengaluru
C. New Delhi
D. Hyderabad
Answer: C. New Delhi
Analytical Explanation: India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi during its 2026 chairship.
34. Which international organization released a report highlighting digital hawala as a rising money-laundering channel?
A. WTO
B. FATF
C. IMF
D. UNESCO
Answer: B. FATF
Analytical Explanation: The Financial Action Task Force examined underground banking, professional money laundering and the use of hawala and similar service providers.
35. What does FATF stand for?
A. Financial Action Task Force
B. Federal Anti-Terror Finance
C. Financial Assessment and Trade Forum
D. Foreign Assets Tracking Framework
Answer: A. Financial Action Task Force
Analytical Explanation: FATF is an international body focused on combating money laundering, terrorist financing and related financial crimes.
36. Which country completed construction of the approximately 730-km Chabahar-Zahedan railway in September 2026?
A. India
B. Iran
C. Afghanistan
D. Pakistan
Answer: B. Iran
Analytical Explanation: The railway connects Chabahar Port with Zahedan and Iran’s wider railway network, giving the port greater connectivity toward Central Asia.
37. Chabahar Port is located on which body of water?
A. Persian Gulf
B. Gulf of Oman
C. Red Sea
D. Caspian Sea
Answer: B. Gulf of Oman
Analytical Explanation: Chabahar is an important Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman and has strategic significance for regional connectivity.
38. Which countries signed a defence Letter of Intent with India during September 2026?
A. Belgium and India
B. France and India
C. Japan and India
D. Germany and India
Answer: A. Belgium and India
Analytical Explanation: During Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s visit, India and Belgium signed a defence Letter of Intent and launched an investment fast-track mechanism.
39. Which summit marked the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in 2026?
A. 25th SCO Summit
B. 26th SCO Summit
C. 27th SCO Summit
D. 30th SCO Summit
Answer: B. 26th SCO Summit
Analytical Explanation: The 26th SCO Summit was held in Bishkek in 2026, a year marking 25 years of the organization.
40. The inaugural Partners for Multilateralism summit in September 2026 was held on the sidelines of which event?
A. COP31
B. UN General Assembly
C. G20 Summit
D. WTO Ministerial Conference
Answer: B. UN General Assembly
Analytical Explanation: The P4M summit was held in New York on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Sports Current Affairs
41. Neeru Dhanda won gold in which event at the 2026 Asian Games?
A. Women’s skeet
B. Women’s individual trap
C. Women’s 10m air rifle
D. Women’s 50m rifle
Answer: B. Women’s individual trap
Analytical Explanation: Dhanda’s gold was India’s first individual gold in women’s trap shooting at the Asian Games.
42. Gulveer Singh won a bronze medal in which event at the 2026 Asian Games?
A. 800m
B. 1,500m
C. 5,000m
D. Marathon
Answer: C. 5,000m
Analytical Explanation: Gulveer added the 5,000m bronze to his earlier medals, completing a three-medal haul at the Games.
43. Which Indian boxer won bronze in the men’s +90 kg category after losing in the semifinal?
A. Ankush Panghal
B. Narender Berwal
C. Nishant Dev
D. Amit Panghal
Answer: B. Narender Berwal
Analytical Explanation: Narender Berwal secured a bronze medal after his semifinal defeat to Kazakhstan’s Aibek Oralbay.
44. Which Indian women’s doubles pair won bronze at the 2026 BWF World Championships?
A. Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand
B. Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto
C. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty
D. Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra
Answer: A. Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand
Analytical Explanation: Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand won bronze, marking an important achievement for Indian women’s doubles badminton.
45. Who became the first Indian to win the Grand Chess Tour title?
A. D. Gukesh
B. R. Praggnanandhaa
C. Viswanathan Anand
D. Arjun Erigaisi
Answer: B. R. Praggnanandhaa
Analytical Explanation: Praggnanandhaa won the 2026 Grand Chess Tour title after defeating Fabiano Caruana in the final in St. Louis.
46. Which team did the Indian women’s hockey team defeat to finish fifth at the 2026 FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup?
A. Netherlands
B. Germany
C. Australia
D. Argentina
Answer: B. Germany
Analytical Explanation: India defeated Germany 3–1 to finish fifth. The result was reported as India’s best Women’s Hockey World Cup finish since 1974.
47. Who was named FPAI Indian Men’s Player of the Year 2026?
A. Sunil Chhetri
B. Lallianzuala Chhangte
C. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
D. Sandesh Jhingan
Answer: B. Lallianzuala Chhangte
Analytical Explanation: Lallianzuala Chhangte received the FPAI Indian Men’s Player of the Year award for 2026.
48. Who won the FPAI Indian Women’s Player of the Year 2026 award?
A. Manisha Kalyan
B. Bala Devi
C. Anju Tamang
D. Soumya Guguloth
Answer: A. Manisha Kalyan
Analytical Explanation: Manisha Kalyan was named the FPAI Indian Women’s Player of the Year, recognizing her contribution to Indian football.
Important Days & General Awareness
49. International Translation Day is observed on:
A. 21 September
B. 27 September
C. 28 September
D. 30 September
Answer: D. 30 September
Analytical Explanation: International Translation Day is observed annually on 30 September. The date is associated with St. Jerome, traditionally regarded as the patron saint of translators.
50. World Tourism Day is observed every year on:
A. 21 September
B. 25 September
C. 27 September
D. 30 September
Answer: C. 27 September
Analytical Explanation: World Tourism Day is observed on 27 September to highlight tourism’s social, cultural, economic and developmental significance.
Quick Revision – 50 One-Liners
- Neeru Dhanda – Women’s individual trap gold at Asian Games 2026.
- Aichi-Nagoya, Japan – Host of Asian Games 2026.
- Gulveer Singh – Completed a three-medal haul at Asian Games 2026.
- Women’s 4×400m relay – India’s athletics gold event.
- INS Nipun – Indian Navy Diving Support Vessel.
- Nistar class – Class of INS Nipun.
- March 2027 – IST becomes mandatory under the new rules.
- Chitra Core – Indigenous coronary drug-eluting stent.
- NHAI – Mandated AI-based monitoring for qualifying highway projects.
- 3 kW – Rooftop solar capacity under Delhi’s revised policy.
- 7.8% – India’s Q1 FY27 real GDP growth.
- ₹1.99 lakh crore – August 2026 gross GST revenue.
- 0.4% – Proposed MDR on specified UPI merchant transactions above ₹2,000.
- 15 October 2026 – Scheduled start of the new UPI MDR framework.
- NPCI – Operates UPI.
- Supreme Court – Sought clarification on the legal basis of UPI MDR.
- ₹25,000 – New mandatory EPFO wage ceiling.
- Japan Credit Rating Agency – Upgraded India’s rating to A-.
- RBI – Issued final Basel III market-risk directions.
- M1xchange – First TReDS platform to operationalize CGTMSE cover.
- Semicon 2.0 – India’s new semiconductor programme.
- ₹1.27–1.28 lakh crore – Approximate Semicon 2.0 outlay.
- MeitY – Nodal ministry for Semicon 2.0.
- Chipflation – Term for semiconductor price pressures.
- EOS-05 – Formerly referred to as GISAT-1A.
- GSLV-F17 – Scheduled launch vehicle for EOS-05.
- SCTIMST – Developed Chitra Core.
- Project Suncatcher – Space-based AI computing research.
- IIIT-Delhi – Reported AI agricultural satellite-data research.
- Earth observation satellites – Monitor Earth’s surface and atmosphere.
- Bishkek – Venue of 26th SCO Summit.
- India – BRICS chair in 2026.
- New Delhi – Host of 18th BRICS Summit.
- FATF – Reported on digital hawala risks.
- Financial Action Task Force – Full form of FATF.
- Iran – Completed Chabahar-Zahedan railway.
- Gulf of Oman – Location of Chabahar Port.
- Belgium – Signed defence Letter of Intent with India.
- 26th SCO Summit – Marked the SCO’s 25th anniversary year.
- UN General Assembly – Venue context for the P4M summit.
- Women’s individual trap – Neeru Dhanda’s gold event.
- 5,000m – Gulveer Singh’s bronze event.
- Narender Berwal – Asian Games boxing bronze.
- Treesa Jolly & Gayatri Gopichand – BWF World Championships bronze.
- R. Praggnanandhaa – Grand Chess Tour champion.
- Germany – Defeated by India’s women’s hockey team.
- Lallianzuala Chhangte – FPAI Men’s Player of the Year.
- Manisha Kalyan – FPAI Women’s Player of the Year.
- 30 September – International Translation Day.
- 27 September – World Tourism Day.
Source note: The latest September 2026 developments used above were cross-checked against recent reporting on the Asian Games, UPI/MDR, industrial output, government policy, science and international affairs. (indianexpress.com)
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