Daily Current Affairs 20-September-2026 – Latest MCQs & News Analysis for UPSC, SSC & Banking Exams.
1. What is the primary objective of ISRO’s Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), which was recently approved by the Union Cabinet?
A) To search for subterranean water reservoirs on Mars.
B) To study the atmospheric chemistry and surface processes of Venus.
C) To land a robotic explorer on the volcanic plains of Venus.
D) To build a permanent satellite system in Venusian space.
Correct answer: B) To study the atmospheric chemistry and surface processes of Venus.
Notes: According to an official ISRO press statement, the Union Cabinet approved the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) to explore our neighboring planet. This scientific endeavor aims to investigate the Venusian atmosphere and surface characteristics to understand planetary evolution. Understanding Venus helps scientists study runaway greenhouse effects, offering valuable lessons for Earth’s climate stability. While the PM E-DRIVE Scheme promotes zero-emission transport solutions on Earth, the Venus mission expands our scientific horizons in outer space. For candidates engaged in competitive exam preparation, keeping track of such interplanetary missions is critical as India establishes itself as a leading global space power capable of executing highly complex cosmic voyages.
2. Which scheme has been recently approved by the Union Cabinet to replace the FAME-II program for promoting electric vehicles?
A) PM-EV Mitra Yojana
B) PM E-DRIVE Scheme
C) National Electric Mobility Mission 2.0
D) PM-Suryodaya Transport Scheme
Correct answer: B) PM E-DRIVE Scheme
Notes: As per a PIB release statement, the Union Cabinet approved the PM E-DRIVE Scheme with a massive budget to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption across India. This crucial initiative replaces the FAME-II program and focuses on subsidizing electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, ambulances, and e-buses. Crucially, the PM E-DRIVE Scheme aims to install over seventy-two thousand public charging stations nationwide to address range anxiety among users. This government policy update is highly relevant for UPSC current affairs as it directly impacts India’s transition to a sustainable economy. It also represents a major step toward achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, fostering clean public transportation systems.
3. Which of the following is a key feature of the newly approved Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for central government employees?
A) It provides a fully non-contributory pension funded entirely by the state.
B) It guarantees an assured pension of 50% of the average basic pay of the last 12 months.
C) It completely replaces the Old Pension Scheme without any employee contribution.
D) It offers a fixed pension irrespective of the length of service of the employee.
Correct answer: B) It guarantees an assured pension of 50% of the average basic pay of the last 12 months.
Notes: According to a Ministry of Finance statement, the Union Government has introduced the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) to address the grievances of central employees under the National Pension System. The UPS guarantees an assured pension equal to fifty percent of the average basic pay received during the last twelve months before retirement. It requires a minimum qualifying service of twenty-five years for full pension benefits. This scheme also features an assured family pension and a minimum pension of ten thousand rupees per month. This reform is vital for general awareness, representing a major fiscal balance between social security and sustainable state exchequer management.
4. Nanjarayan Lake, which was recently designated as a Ramsar site of international importance, is located in which Indian state?
A) Kerala
B) Tamil Nadu
C) Karnataka
D) Andhra Pradesh
Correct answer: B) Tamil Nadu
Notes: According to a Press Information Bureau notification, India has expanded its wetland protection coverage by designating Nanjarayan Lake in Tamil Nadu as its newest Ramsar site. This picturesque water body acts as a vital sanctuary for migratory birds, including the unique bar-headed goose and spot-billed pelican. This designation highlights local conservation achievements and enhances India’s global conservation standing. For aspirants tracking environmental policies, understanding the locations of these ecological reserves is crucial. It underscores the nation’s efforts under the Ramsar Convention to preserve highly fragile water bodies, combat habitat loss, and foster sustainable local ecotourism initiatives across different states of the Indian sub-continent.
5. Which of the following statements is correct regarding “Exercise Tarang Shakti 2024”, which concluded its final phase recently?
A) It is a bilateral naval exercise conducted between India and the United States.
B) It is the largest multinational air exercise ever hosted by the Indian Air Force.
C) It is a joint military exercise involving the land forces of ASEAN nations.
D) It is an annual tri-service coastal defense exercise led by the Indian Navy.
Correct answer: B) It is the largest multinational air exercise ever hosted by the Indian Air Force.
Notes: According to an Indian Air Force official statement, Exercise Tarang Shakti concluded successfully as the largest multinational air combat drill hosted by India. The comprehensive exercise focused on advancing regional stability, enhancing tactical interoperability, and displaying indigenous military hardware like the Tejas light combat aircraft. High-profile participating nations, including Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, collaborated to execute complex aerial operations in simulated combat scenarios. This defense update is highly significant for competitive exams, reflecting India’s growing strategic air power. It also demonstrates the nation’s capacity to build security partnerships and lead sophisticated defense diplomacy maneuvers in the Indo-Pacific region to project air superiority.
Daily Current Affairs FAQs on Today’s Current Affairs
Q1. What is the primary purpose of India’s newly approved Venus Orbiter Mission?
The primary purpose of India’s Venus Orbiter Mission is to explore the Venusian atmosphere and study its surface chemistry. This mission aims to analyze planetary evolution and examine runaway greenhouse effects, helping scientists compare Venusian atmospheric conditions with Earth’s climate systems.
Q2. What percentage of pension is guaranteed under the Unified Pension Scheme?
Under the Unified Pension Scheme, retired central government employees are guaranteed an assured pension of fifty percent of their average basic pay drawn during the last twelve months of service. This benefit requires a minimum qualifying service period of twenty-five years.
Q3. Where is Nanjarayan Lake located and what is its ecological significance?
Nanjarayan Lake is located in Tamil Nadu and serves as a vital Ramsar-designated wetland. Its key ecological significance is providing a crucial sanctuary for diverse migratory bird species, including the bar-headed goose and spot-billed pelican, aiding global bio-diversity conservation.
