Daily Current Affairs 18-September-2026 – Latest MCQs & News Analysis for UPSC, SSC & Banking Exams.
1. Which ministry is the nodal agency for implementing the newly approved Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA) scheme?
A) Ministry of Rural Development
B) Ministry of Tribal Affairs
C) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
D) Ministry of Panchayati Raj
Correct answer: B) Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Notes: According to a PIB release, the Union Cabinet recently approved the **Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan** to improve the socio-economic conditions of India’s tribal families. Implemented primarily by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, this massive welfare scheme targets over five crore tribal people residing across 63,000 villages in 30 states and Union Territories. This comprehensive initiative focuses on filling critical gaps in social infrastructure, healthcare access, education, and sustainable livelihood opportunities. It deploys twenty-five unique interventions through seventeen distinct line ministries. Analyzing this scheme’s structured outreach remains vital for evaluating federal welfare governance in India.
2. What is the primary objective of the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) recently approved by the Union Cabinet of India?
A) To land a robotic rover on the Venusian surface
B) To study the atmosphere, chemistry, and space environment of Venus
C) To search for signs of liquid water in Venusian craters
D) To establish a joint interplanetary space station with NASA
Correct answer: B) To study the atmosphere, chemistry, and space environment of Venus
Notes: As per an ISRO official statement, the Union Cabinet has approved the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) to study Venus’s atmosphere, surface, and solar wind interactions. This ambitious planetary mission aims to investigate the dense atmosphere of Venus and unravel its geological history. Scheduled for a launch opportunity in the near future, the mission represents a major leap for India’s space science program. Aspirants tracking latest news analysis must note that VOM will be managed by ISRO, fostering deep scientific exploration and technological self-reliance, which are critical themes for science and technology papers in competitive exams.
3. The recently approved ‘Bio-RIDE’ scheme of the Department of Biotechnology primarily aims to support which of the following sectors?
A) Marine fisheries and deep-sea mineral exploration
B) Bio-manufacturing, bio-entrepreneurship, and healthcare innovations
C) Organic farming certification for small-scale farmers
D) Traditional tribal medicine and herbal export promotions
Correct answer: B) Bio-manufacturing, bio-entrepreneurship, and healthcare innovations
Notes: According to an official PIB release statement, the Union Cabinet approved the ‘Bio-RIDE’ scheme alongside the landmark **Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan** to accelerate high-tech growth. ‘Bio-RIDE’ merges existing biotechnology support programs to foster bio-entrepreneurship, support advanced research, and scale up domestic bio-manufacturing. By extending critical funding to academic labs and emerging startups, the initiative aligns with India’s goal of a USD 300 billion bio-economy by 2030. For national exam preparation, analyzing such integrated policy interventions highlights India’s structural shift toward sustainable development, industrial self-reliance, and clean energy solutions.
4. The Indian Navy’s proposal for constructing “Next Generation Destroyers” (NGDs), recently cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), aims to:
A) Replace all existing diesel-electric submarines of the Kalvari class
B) Induct heavy-duty surface combatants to secure the Indian Ocean Region
C) Build unmanned aerial vehicle carrier ships for coastal patrolling
D) Upgrade the communications suite of existing stealth frigates only
Correct answer: B) Induct heavy-duty surface combatants to secure the Indian Ocean Region
Notes: Based on a Ministry of Defence press statement, the Defence Acquisition Council has cleared the indigenous procurement of Next Generation Destroyers (NGDs) to boost maritime capabilities. These advanced warships will be designed and constructed domestically, promoting the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives. These massive surface combatants will defend sea lanes, counter piracy, and ensure regional security in the vital Indian Ocean Region. In the context of UPSC current affairs, this strategic modernization represents a key shift in maritime defense doctrine, emphasizing long-range combat readiness, missile defense superiority, and blue-water naval operational capabilities.
5. India has recently agreed to link its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with the national payment network of which neighboring country to enhance digital integration?
A) Myanmar
B) Maldives
C) China
D) Pakistan
Correct answer: B) Maldives
Notes: As reported in a Ministry of External Affairs statement, India and the Maldives have officially agreed to introduce the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in the island nation. This landmark digital partnership will facilitate seamless cross-border transactions, boost tourism, and strengthen trade ties between the two countries. For aspirants studying international relations, this development showcases India’s effective deployability of its digital public infrastructure (DPI) as an instrument of soft power diplomacy. This initiative aligns with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, deepening economic cooperation, reducing transaction costs, and establishing robust financial networks across South Asia.
Daily Current Affairs FAQs on Today’s Current Affairs
Q1. What is the target population of India’s newly approved tribal welfare scheme, PM-JUGA?
The PM-JUGA initiative targets over 5 crore tribal citizens residing across 63,000 tribal-majority villages in 30 states and Union Territories. It focuses on elevating socio-economic indicators by filling developmental gaps through 25 targeted interventions over the next five years.
Q2. What is the scientific purpose of ISRO’s Venus Orbiter Mission?
The scientific purpose of the Venus Orbiter Mission is to conduct a detailed exploration of the Venusian atmosphere, surface topography, and solar wind interactions. It seeks to analyze chemical compositions and understand how planetary atmospheres evolve under extreme greenhouse effects.
Q3. What are Next Generation Destroyers cleared for the Indian Navy?
Next Generation Destroyers are advanced indigenous warships cleared for construction to secure the Indian Ocean Region. These heavy-duty surface combatants will feature cutting-edge stealth, advanced radar systems, and modern missile capabilities, significantly enhancing the naval force’s blue-water operational reach.
