Daily Current Affairs Quiz, 16 September 2026MCQs for UPSC, MPSC, SSC, Banking & Teaching Exams
Practice the Daily Current Affairs Quiz for 16 September 2026 with 15 MCQs and explanations. Questions sourced from The Hindu and Indian Express, selected for UPSC, MPSC, SSC, Banking & Teaching exam preparation. Topics covered include Science Tech, Environment, Social Issues and Security.
9 Core questions and 6 High Probability questions , AI-ranked by exam importance.
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15
MCQs
5-7 min
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Explanations
2 Papers
Hindu + IE
Test your knowledge with 15 MCQs from today's current affairs. Each question includes an explanation for UPSC, MPSC, SSC, Banking & Teaching exam preparation.
All Questions in Today's Current Affairs Quiz
Q1Which research institute in India holds a repository of 15,000 clinical fungal isolates that aided the study on Candida auris resistance?
View Answer ▾
Which research institute in India holds a repository of 15,000 clinical fungal isolates that aided the study on Candida auris resistance?
Answer: Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh
The article explicitly states that PGIMER, Chandigarh began storing fungal pathogens 25 years ago and now holds a stock of 15,000 clinical fungal isolates, which were used by researchers at JNCASB for their study.
Science Tech · Environment · Social Issues · easy
Q2Which ministry is primarily responsible for publishing the annual report that details Operation Sindoor and the LAC situation?
View Answer ▾
Which ministry is primarily responsible for publishing the annual report that details Operation Sindoor and the LAC situation?
Answer: Ministry of Defence
The article explicitly refers to the 'Defence Ministry’s annual report for 2025-26'. The Ministry of Defence is responsible for India's defence policy, armed forces, and related reports. The other ministries handle external affairs, internal security, and legal matters respectively.
Security · International Relations · easy
Q3Which international grouping is highlighted in the article as offering an alternative to a geopolitical view of AI development?
View Answer ▾
Which international grouping is highlighted in the article as offering an alternative to a geopolitical view of AI development?
Answer: BRICS
The article states that the BRICS Summit offered an alternative view of how geopolitics should respond to the rapidly evolving AI situation. BRICS is the grouping highlighted in the editorial as a forum for AI cooperation.
International Relations · Science Tech · Security · easy
Q4Which organization issued the circular allowing MDR on UPI payments?
View Answer ▾
Which organization issued the circular allowing MDR on UPI payments?
Answer: National Payments Corporation of India
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) released the circular about additional charges on certain UPI payments. NPCI is the umbrella organisation for retail payment systems in India, under the oversight of RBI and IBA.
Economy · Banking Regulation · easy
Q5Which US military branch was established in 2019 and is responsible for space operations?
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Which US military branch was established in 2019 and is responsible for space operations?
Answer: US Space Force
The US Space Force is the branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for space warfare and operations. It was established in 2019 as a separate military service under the Department of the Air Force.
International Relations · Security · Science Tech · easy
Q6Which agency identified recurring malpractices under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and flagged them as a thrust area at its 36th Quarterly Conference of Zonal Officers?
View Answer ▾
Which agency identified recurring malpractices under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and flagged them as a thrust area at its 36th Quarterly Conference of Zonal Officers?
Answer: Enforcement Directorate
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) held its 36th QCZO at IIM Bengaluru, where it identified IBC frauds and disproportionate haircuts as core thrust areas. The ED is the investigating agency under PMLA, not a regulator of IBC.
Polity · Economy · Banking Regulation · Governance · easy
Q7Which ministry primarily represents India in WTO matters and was responsible for communicating India's opposition to the IFD agreement?
View Answer ▾
Which ministry primarily represents India in WTO matters and was responsible for communicating India's opposition to the IFD agreement?
Answer: Ministry of Commerce and Industry
The article mentions that the Commerce and Industry Ministry stated India's position on IFD in March 2026. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry leads India's trade negotiations at the WTO, making it the correct answer.
Economy · International Relations · easy
Q8Which ministry is responsible for issuing the notification designating an organization as a terrorist group under the UAPA?
View Answer ▾
Which ministry is responsible for issuing the notification designating an organization as a terrorist group under the UAPA?
Answer: Ministry of Home Affairs
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is the nodal ministry for internal security and counter-terrorism in India. It issues notifications under the UAPA to designate organizations as terrorist groups, as seen in the case of the Shahzad Bhatti Network.
Q9Consider the following statements regarding Candida auris and antifungal resistance:
1. Candida auris was first reported in Japan in 2009.
2. The 'Eagle effect' refers to the phenomenon where a pathogen dies at lower concentrations of a drug but survives at exceptionally high concentrations due to compensatory mechanisms.
3. All clinical isolates of C. auris are resistant to azole antifungals.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
View Answer ▾
Consider the following statements regarding Candida auris and antifungal resistance:
1. Candida auris was first reported in Japan in 2009.
2. The 'Eagle effect' refers to the phenomenon where a pathogen dies at lower concentrations of a drug but survives at exceptionally high concentrations due to compensatory mechanisms.
3. All clinical isolates of C. auris are resistant to azole antifungals.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: Both 1 and 2
Statement 1 is correct: the first report of C. auris was in Japan in 2009. Statement 2 correctly describes the Eagle effect as paradoxical survival at high drug doses due to compensatory pathways. Statement 3 is incorrect: the article says 'more than 90% clinical isolates' are resistant, not all (100%). Hence option C is correct.
Science Tech · Environment · Social Issues · hard
Q10Consider the following statements regarding Operation Sindoor as described in the Defence Ministry's annual report:
1. Operation Sindoor was launched in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack and struck nine identified terrorist targets in Pakistan and PoK.
2. The Indian Air Force used long-range precision-guided weapons and intelligence-based targeting, causing significant civilian and military collateral damage.
3. The Navy deployed a Carrier Battle Group in the North Arabian Sea, which the report credits with contributing to Pakistan's request for a ceasefire on May 10.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
View Answer ▾
Consider the following statements regarding Operation Sindoor as described in the Defence Ministry's annual report:
1. Operation Sindoor was launched in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack and struck nine identified terrorist targets in Pakistan and PoK.
2. The Indian Air Force used long-range precision-guided weapons and intelligence-based targeting, causing significant civilian and military collateral damage.
3. The Navy deployed a Carrier Battle Group in the North Arabian Sea, which the report credits with contributing to Pakistan's request for a ceasefire on May 10.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: Both 1 and 3
Statement 1 is correct: the report confirms strikes on nine targets in Pakistan and PoK. Statement 2 is incorrect: the report explicitly says the strikes 'caused no collateral damage' and avoided civilian and military targets. Statement 3 is correct: the Navy's posture was cited as a factor for Pakistan seeking an urgent ceasefire on May 10. Hence option C is correct.
Security · International Relations · hard
Q11Consider the following statements:
1. The US government and frontier AI firms have framed large investments in data centres as key to U.S.-China competition.
2. Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a 'BRICS AI closed-source community' to preserve one country's dominance.
3. India has joined protests against US-led AI models.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
View Answer ▾
Consider the following statements:
1. The US government and frontier AI firms have framed large investments in data centres as key to U.S.-China competition.
2. Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a 'BRICS AI closed-source community' to preserve one country's dominance.
3. India has joined protests against US-led AI models.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: Only 1
Statement 1 is directly supported by the article. Statement 2 is incorrect because Xi Jinping proposed an 'open source community', not a closed-source one, and it was meant to challenge dominance, not preserve it. Statement 3 is incorrect because India has not joined protests against US-led models; it has taken a middle path.
International Relations · Science Tech · Security · hard
Q12According to the recent study, what percentage of Indian clinical isolates of Candida auris are resistant to azole-based antifungals such as fluconazole?
View Answer ▾
According to the recent study, what percentage of Indian clinical isolates of Candida auris are resistant to azole-based antifungals such as fluconazole?
Answer: More than 90%
The article quotes Prof. Sanyal: 'More than 90% clinical isolates of C. auris are resistant to common azole-based antifungals, such as fluconazole.' The other options are close distractors; only 'More than 90%' matches the data.
Science Tech · Environment · Social Issues · medium
Q13According to the Defence Ministry’s annual report, at what distance did an S-400 unit successfully engage a Pakistani special mission aircraft?
View Answer ▾
According to the Defence Ministry’s annual report, at what distance did an S-400 unit successfully engage a Pakistani special mission aircraft?
Answer: 314 km
The article states 'an S-400 unit successfully engaged a Pakistani special mission aircraft at a distance of 314 km.' This is a specific data point about India's long-range air defence capability. The other options are plausible distractors: 200 km and 250 km are shorter ranges, while 400 km is the maximum theoretical range of the S-400.
Security · International Relations · medium
Q14According to the article, which AI systems were pulled out globally, adversely affecting the Global South?
View Answer ▾
According to the article, which AI systems were pulled out globally, adversely affecting the Global South?
Answer: Anthropic's Fable and Mythos models
The article explicitly mentions 'a global pull out of Anthropic's powerful Fable and Mythos models' as an example of how the Global South suffers from great-power rivalry dynamics. The other options are not supported by the article.
International Relations · Science Tech · Security · medium
Q15What percentage of all UPI transactions by volume will remain free under the new MDR system?
View Answer ▾
What percentage of all UPI transactions by volume will remain free under the new MDR system?
Answer: 97.5%
The article states that 97.5% of all UPI transactions by volume will remain free. This includes all P2P transactions (37%) and P2M transactions up to ₹2,000 (60.5%). Only 2.5% of transactions by volume (P2M above ₹2,000) will attract MDR.
Economy · Banking Regulation · medium
Topics Covered
- Science Tech
- Environment
- Social Issues
- Security
- International Relations
- Economy
- Banking Regulation
- Polity
- Governance
Relevant for UPSC Prelims, MPSC, SSC CGL, Banking , Teaching and State PSC exams.
Articles Covered
- Candida auris Shows 90% Azole Resistance; Study Reveals Gene Duplication & Eagle Effect Challenging Antifungals
- Defence Ministry Annual Report 2025-26 Details Operation Sindoor and LAC Situation with PLA Reduction
- BRICS Summit: India Keeps AI Insulated from National Rivalries as China Pitches Open Source Community
- NPCI Allows 0.4% MDR on UPI Payments Above ₹2,000 from October 15, 2026
- US Admits Active Space Weapons: Outer Space Treaty Gaps, ASAT Tests, Legal Ambiguity
- ED Identifies Recurring IBC Malpractices Including Section 29A Circumvention and Disproportionate Haircuts
- India Signals Shift on Plurilateral Trade Deals at BRICS 2026 Summit, Opens WTO Pathways
- MHA Declares Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) as 46th Terrorist Group Under UAPA
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Why Practice Daily Current Affairs Quiz?
For UPSC, MPSC, SSC, Banking & Teaching exams, reading current affairs is only half the work. Practising MCQs immediately after reading triggers active recall, which is scientifically proven to improve long-term retention compared to passive reading.
- Identify Knowledge Gaps: MCQs reveal what you missed, specific percentages, committee names, constitutional articles, or ministry affiliations.
- Build Elimination Skills: Exam-style distractors train you to eliminate wrong options confidently, especially in UPSC statement-based questions.
- Daily Revision in 5 Minutes: Solving 10-20 questions takes just 5 minutes but serves as an effective daily revision mechanism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What topics are covered in the 16 September 2026 current affairs quiz?▼
The 16 September 2026 quiz covers Science Tech, Environment, Social Issues, Security with 15 MCQs sourced from The Hindu and Indian Express.
How to use 16 September 2026 daily quiz for UPSC preparation?▼
Attempt the quiz after reading the daily current affairs. Focus on understanding the explanation for each question. Link each topic to your static GK notes for comprehensive preparation.
How many MCQs should I practice daily for competitive exams?▼
Experts recommend 10-20 current affairs MCQs daily. This takes only 5-7 minutes but significantly improves retention through active recall, which is more effective than passive reading.
Are these quiz questions based on The Hindu and Indian Express?▼
Yes. All questions are derived from important news articles published in The Hindu and Indian Express, filtered and ranked by AI for exam relevance across UPSC, MPSC, SSC, Banking & Teaching exams.
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