Daily Current Affairs 23-September-2026 – Latest MCQs & News Analysis for UPSC, SSC & Banking Exams.
1. Which Indian space mission recently achieved a key milestone with the successful thermal-vacuum testing of its high-resolution synthetic aperture radar payload?
A) Shukrayaan-1
B) Aditya-L1
C) Gaganyaan-1
D) Chandrayaan-4
Correct answer: A) Shukrayaan-1
Notes: According to an ISRO official statement, India’s Venus Orbiter Mission, Shukrayaan-1, successfully completed its high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) thermal-vacuum endurance tests. This represents a massive step forward for the mission, designed to map the dust-shrouded Venusian surface and study its atmospheric chemistry. For candidates focusing on UPSC current affairs analysis, understanding payload parameters is critical as ISRO transitions from lunar exploration to planetary atmospheric studies. The indigenous SAR payload will enable high-penetration radar imaging, helping scientists analyze active volcanism and surface geology. This milestone ensures the mission remains on track for its scheduled launch window.
2. The Reserve Bank of India has introduced a comprehensive framework allowing offline retail transactions using which digital instrument to boost rural financial inclusion?
A) Unified Payments Interface (UPI-Lite)
B) Central Bank Digital Currency (e-Rupee)
C) Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS)
D) National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT)
Correct answer: B) Central Bank Digital Currency (e-Rupee)
Notes: As per an RBI press statement, the central bank has issued new regulatory guidelines enabling offline transactions for the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), also known as the e-Rupee. This reform aims to resolve internet connectivity bottlenecks in remote and rural areas. By utilizing Near Field Communication and Bluetooth-based peer-to-peer protocols, users can now transact securely without active cellular networks. Economists view this development as a significant milestone in India’s transition toward a sovereign digital economy. For competitive examinations, this move underscores the central bank’s strategic policy shift to integrate hard-to-reach demographics into the formal digital financial ecosystem.
3. Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has revised the emissions threshold for green hydrogen to include which standard?
A) Maximum 2 kg CO2 equivalent per kg of hydrogen
B) Maximum 1 kg CO2 equivalent per kg of hydrogen
C) Maximum 3 kg CO2 equivalent per kg of hydrogen
D) Maximum 0.5 kg CO2 equivalent per kg of hydrogen
Correct answer: A) Maximum 2 kg CO2 equivalent per kg of hydrogen
Notes: According to a PIB release statement, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has formally clarified the environmental standards under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, keeping the threshold at a strict maximum of 2 kg CO2 equivalent per kg of produced hydrogen. This comprehensive definition encompasses water treatment, electrolysis, gas purification, and compression processes. Incorporating this standard is vital for international trade compliance, enabling Indian manufacturers to qualify for global green energy credits. Integrating this data into your UPSC current affairs analysis will help you understand India’s domestic manufacturing capabilities, global supply chain roles, and the broader decarbonization pathway.
4. India recently signed a comprehensive Green and Sustainable Development Partnership agreement to accelerate clean energy transition and green technology collaboration with which nation?
A) France
B) Germany
C) Australia
D) Japan
Correct answer: B) Germany
Notes: According to a Ministry of External Affairs statement, India and Germany have signed a bilateral green and sustainable development agreement to speed up the transition to clean energy. The deal sets up a dedicated joint task force to deploy offshore wind projects, green hydrogen corridors, and grid integration technologies. This diplomatic initiative aligns with India’s ambitious target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity. For international relations studies, this partnership represents a major shift toward technology-driven climate diplomacy, bolstering the Indo-Pacific green energy architecture while unlocking foreign direct investment for India’s domestic renewable manufacturing sectors.
5. Which indigenously developed long-range glide bomb was successfully flight-tested from a Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft off the Odisha coast by DRDO?
A) Gaurav
B) Gautam
C) Rudram-II
D) SAAW-II
Correct answer: A) Gaurav
Notes: According to a PIB release statement, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a flight trial of the ‘Gaurav’ long-range glide bomb from a Su-30 MKI fighter jet off the coast of Odisha. Gaurav is an air-launched, 1,000-kg class smart glide weapon designed to target enemy installations with extreme accuracy using an indigenous hybrid navigation system. This successful test highlights India’s expanding capabilities in developing precision-guided standoff weapons. In the national security context, this capability reduces risk to launch platforms during hostile operations, significantly strengthening the Indian Air Force’s tactical deterrence.
Daily Current Affairs FAQs on Today’s Current Affairs
Q1. What is the main objective of India’s Shukrayaan-1 mission?
The primary objective of Shukrayaan-1 is to map the surface of Venus and analyze its atmospheric chemistry. Using high-resolution synthetic aperture radar, the mission aims to study active volcanism, geological patterns, and the planet’s atmospheric composition to understand solar wind interactions.
Q2. What is the maximum carbon emission limit set for green hydrogen production in India?
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has set the national threshold at a maximum of 2 kg carbon dioxide equivalent per kilogram of produced hydrogen. This standard includes emissions from water treatment, electrolysis, gas purification, and compression processes to meet global trade requirements.
Q3. How does the ‘Gaurav’ glide bomb enhance the capability of the Indian Air Force?
The ‘Gaurav’ long-range glide bomb provides a 1,000-kg class smart standoff weapon capability. Tested from Su-30 MKI jets, it utilizes a hybrid navigation system to hit enemy installations accurately, allowing launch aircraft to remain safe from hostile air defense systems.
