Daily Current Affairs 21-September-2026 – Latest MCQs & News Analysis for UPSC, SSC & Banking Exams.
1. What is the primary scientific objective of ISRO’s recently approved Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), scheduled for launch in March 2028?
A) Mapping the polar ice caps of Venus
B) Investigating Venusian atmospheric chemistry and surface geology
C) Establishing a permanent space station in Venusian orbit
D) Studying the impact of solar winds on Martian soil
Correct answer: B) Investigating Venusian atmospheric chemistry and surface geology
Notes: According to an official ISRO release statement, the Union Cabinet has formally approved the development of the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM). Scheduled for launch in March 2028, the mission aims to study the dense atmosphere, surface topography, and volcanic activity of Venus. This ambitious venture represents a major step forward for the ISRO Venus Orbiter Mission in exploring Earth’s sister planet. By analyzing the Venusian atmosphere’s chemical composition, scientists hope to unlock crucial insights into planetary evolution and runaway greenhouse effects. For UPSCcurrent affairs, understanding planetary exploration missions is highly relevant for Science and Technology papers.
2. Which country recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with India to establish the “Critical Minerals Partnership” to secure supply chains?
A) Australia
B) Argentina
C) Chile
D) United States
Correct answer: A) Australia
Notes: As per a Ministry of External Affairs press release, India and Australia have formalized a landmark bilateral agreement under the Critical Minerals Partnership. This strategic alliance focuses on securing stable supply chains for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements essential for clean energy technologies. Australia, holding vast mineral reserves, will collaborate on joint extraction and processing projects with Indian public sector undertakings. This cooperation strengthens India’s transition toward electric mobility and renewable energy manufacturing. In international relations, such bilateral resource-security agreements are critical topics for global supply chain diversification and exam preparation.
3. Which Indian state’s wetland was recently added as the country’s latest Ramsar Site, taking the total tally of Ramsar sites in India to 86?
A) Tamil Nadu
B) Madhya Pradesh
C) Odisha
D) Gujarat
Correct answer: B) Madhya Pradesh
Notes: According to a Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notification, Madhya Pradesh’s famous Sirpur Wetland has secured international recognition as a critical Ramsar Site, bringing India’s total count to 86. This status highlights the ecological importance of central India’s inland wetlands in hosting migratory waterbirds and maintaining local microclimates. The designation will ensure enhanced funding and strict conservation protocols under the Ramsar Convention guidelines. For competitive exam preparation, candidates must closely follow India’s expanding wetland network, as conservation policies and ecological maps are highly recurring themes in environment and ecology sections.
4. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently introduced the ‘Unified Lending Interface’ (ULI) platform. What is its primary objective?
A) To facilitate cross-border stock trading for retail investors
B) To enable seamless, friction-free credit delivery to rural and MSME borrowers
C) To regulate decentralized cryptocurrency transactions in India
D) To manage the government’s external debt portfolio dynamically
Correct answer: B) To enable seamless, friction-free credit delivery to rural and MSME borrowers
Notes: As per an RBI press statement, the central bank has officially rolled out the Unified Lending Interface (ULI) nationwide. Designed to replicate the revolutionary success of UPI in payments, ULI simplifies the consent-based flow of digital information, including land records and credit histories, from multiple data providers to lenders. This drastically reduces the time required for loan appraisal and disbursement, particularly benefiting small farmers and MSME entrepreneurs. Just as the ISRO Venus Orbiter Mission marks a technological leap in space exploration, the nationwide launch of ULI signals a massive leap in India’s fintech and digital public infrastructure.
5. DRDO recently conducted a successful flight test of the indigenous ‘Pralay’ missile. What type of missile system is Pralay?
A) Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)
B) Quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface short-range missile
C) Supersonic cruise missile
D) Submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM)
Correct answer: B) Quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface short-range missile
Notes: According to a DRDO official statement, India successfully test-fired the indigenous quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface missile, Pralay, off the Odisha coast. Designed for battlefield deployment, the solid-fuel missile has a strike range of 150 km to 500 km and can carry payloads up to one ton. Crucially, its quasi-ballistic trajectory allows it to maneuver in mid-flight, making it highly difficult for enemy air defense systems to intercept. For defense aspirants, the deployment of Pralay strengthens the tactical deterrence capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces along borders, making it a critical latest news analysis topic.
Daily Current Affairs FAQs on Today’s Current Affairs
Q1. What is the scheduled launch year and target of the newly approved Indian mission to Venus?
The newly approved Indian planetary mission to Venus is scheduled for launch in March 2028. It targets the comprehensive scientific investigation of the planet’s dense atmosphere, cloud chemistry, volcanic activity, and surface topography to unlock secrets of planetary evolution.
Q2. How many recognized Ramsar Sites does India currently have as of September 2026?
India currently has 86 recognized Ramsar Sites as of September 2026. The latest wetland added to this global list is the Sirpur Wetland in Madhya Pradesh, recognized for its critical role in hosting migratory birds and conserving regional biodiversity.
Q3. What is the operational strike range of DRDO’s indigenous tactical missile ‘Pralay’?
The tactical missile ‘Pralay’ developed by DRDO features a strike range of 150 kilometers to 500 kilometers. This solid-fuel, quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface weapon system can carry up to a one-ton payload and maneuver dynamically in mid-flight to evade interception.
