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PIB Digest & Quiz: 2026-09-29 Daily Verified Archive Editorial Digest Included

Current Affairs Test — September 30, 2026

Dedicated daily current affairs & news roundup test for September 30, 2026.

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Verified PIB Daily Editorial Digest

Coverage: 29 September 2026Press Information Bureau (PIB)Daily Executive Brief

Daily PIB Summary — 29 September 2026

1. Agriculture, Food Security & Rural Economy

•
National Agriculture Conference (Rabi Campaign 2026): The Union Minister for Agriculture chaired the conference, urging Centre and States to work under the spirit of ‘Team Agriculture’ to position India as a global food basket. Over ₹1,200 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) was sanctioned across 10 States (PIB Release).
•
Agricultural Performance Trends: India's farm growth rate escalated from 3% to 4.5% since 2015, with average annual foodgrain production expanding from 40 lakh tonnes to 84 lakh tonnes per year. Rabi foodgrain output grew by 205 lakh tonnes between 2023–24 and 2025–26.
•
Institutional Institutionalisation & Campaigns:
•
Nationwide ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ scheduled from 22 October to 30 November focusing on Soil Health Card-based fertiliser balancing and post-paddy pulse expansion in eastern rice fallows (Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal).
•
Institutionalisation of fixed pre-season interface meetings: Kharif (District: May 10, State: May 17) and Rabi (District: Sept 10, State: Sept 17).
•
100% assured procurement for tur, urad, and masoor under MSP with clearance within 48 hours.
•
Rural Connectivity Impact Assessment: The National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA) signed a 4-year longitudinal study MoU with IIM Kolkata covering 10 States/UTs, 50 districts, and 5,000 households to evaluate long-term outcomes under PMGSY-IV and PM-JANMAN (PIB Release).
•
Landscape & River Rejuvenation: The Department of Land Resources (DoLR) held a national workshop emphasizing watershed development to rejuvenate 1st, 2nd, and 3rd order streams through catchment baseline treatment, water balances, and convergence with CAMPA and Jal Shakti schemes (PIB Release).

2. Environment, Forestry & Urban Sustainability

•
PRAMAAN Certification Scheme: MoEFCC awarded India’s first PRAMAAN (Programme for Recognition and Accreditation of sustainable Management practices for Agroforestry And Natural forestry resources) certificates under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS) to Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation (33,000 ha) and an Odisha bamboo farmer (PIB Release). Certified against the National Working Plan Code (NWPC) 2023 and accredited by NABCB (QCI) to meet global deforestation-free timber mandates (e.g., EUDR).
•
Air Quality & GRAP Overhaul: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) overhauled the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) schedule across NCR (PIB Release):
•
Total actions restructured to 48 actions (Stage-I: 25, Stage-II: 8, Stage-III: 10, Stage-IV: 5).
•
Pre-emptive shift: Restrictions on DG Sets and entry of BS-IV and below interstate buses advanced from Stage-II to Stage-I.
•
Removal of essential commodity exemptions for BS-IV and below goods vehicles under Stages III and IV.
•
Extension of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel LMV bans to Sonipat.
•
PRAGATI-50 for Urban Swachhata: MoHUA launched PRAGATI-50 under SBM-U 2.0 to establish 50 clean model cities across 24 States, alongside the launch of the Swachh Bharat Test Bed & Innovation Centre at CSIR-CMERI Durgapur, the 3rd startup cohort with IIT Kanpur, and the Swachhata Behaviour Change Digital Kosh (PIB Release).
•
Special Campaign 6.0: Ministries across the board (Commerce, Coal, MoRTH, MoPSW, MSDE, Tourism) initiated preparatory phases (15–30 Sept) ahead of implementation (2–31 Oct 2026), focusing on systematic e-waste disposal under E-Waste Rules 2022, scrap monetization, and clearance of executive/parliamentary pendencies (PIB Release).

3. Defence, Security & High Technology

•
Apex Naval Strategy: The Defence Minister addressed the 2nd Naval Commanders’ Conference 2026, highlighting India's role as 'First Responder and Preferred Security Partner' in the IOR (PIB Release). Key operational highlights: transit escort of LPG tankers in the Strait of Hormuz via Operation Urja Suraksha, command of Combined Task Force-154 (CTF-154) under CMF, and deployment of INS Sudarshini for Lokayan-26.
•
Bilateral Defence Industrial Cooperation: India and the Republic of Korea convened the 10th Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) on Defence Industries and Logistics Cooperation in New Delhi, co-chaired by DDP (MoD) and DAPA (ROK), involving key industrial majors like L&T, BEML, Hanwha Aerospace, and KAI (PIB Release).
•
Deep-Tech & Semiconductor Sensor Platform: Technology Development Board (TDB-DST) sanctioned ₹37.51 crore under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund to develop an indigenous Platform MEMS + CMOS AFE SoC Multi-Gas Sensor (scaling TRL-4 to TRL-9) for hydrogen safety and process monitoring (PIB Release).

4. Governance, Economy, Education & Culture

•
Digital Identity Transformation: On its 17th Foundation Day, UIDAI launched 5 major initiatives at Aadhaar Samvaad Kolkata, including SWIK Portal 2.0 for structured private-entity authentication approval under Good Governance rules, and the Sub-AUA/Sub-KUA (LITE) Framework for low-volume entity onboarding (PIB Release).
•
Statistical Business Register (SBR): Ministry of MSME and MoSPI executed an MoU to integrate unit-level Udyam Registration data via two-way APIs to operationalize the National Statistical Business Register (NSBR) for granular macroeconomic tracking (PIB Release).
•
Grassroots Spatial Governance: NITI Aayog organized the national workshop on *"Viksit Panchayat"* under the State Support Mission in Assam, emphasizing spatial integration of Village Master Plans and GIS into Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP) and Part IX mandates (PIB Release).
•
Education & Literacy Trajectory: A comprehensive review underscored India's literacy climb to 81.1% (PLFS 2025; 89% urban, 77.4% rural), with ULLAS enrolling 4.03 crore learners (targeting 5 crore by 2027) and 10 States/UTs declaring full functional literacy (≥95%) (PIB Release).
•
Tribal Cultural Heritage: Ministry of Tribal Affairs and IGNCA partnered via an MoU for the comprehensive documentation, digitisation, and archival of vanishing tribal arts, languages, and customary practices, including dedicated galleries on tribal freedom fighters (PIB Release).

Archived MCQs & Explanations (15 Questions)

Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB)
Question 1 of 15Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (29 September 2026)

What is the base year for the trial Index of Services Production (ISP) released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)?

सांख्यिकी और कार्यक्रम कार्यान्वयन मंत्रालय (MoSPI) द्वारा जारी सेवा उत्पादन सूचकांक (ISP) के ट्रायल संस्करण का आधार वर्ष क्या है?

A2011–12
B2017–18
C2020–21
D2024–25Correct Key
Explanation & Analytical Context:

MoSPI released the trial Index of Services Production (ISP) across 19 sub-sectors with the updated base year of 2024–25.

Question 2 of 15Ministry of Commerce & Industry / DGFT Trade Notice (07 07 September 2026)

Consider the following statements regarding the Certificate of Origin (CoO) and the recently introduced Open API facility on the Trade Connect e-Platform: 1. Preferential Certificates of Origin are issued under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) to enable exporters to claim tariff concessions. 2. Non-Preferential Certificates of Origin provide tariff benefits in the importing country for customs clearance and trade remedies. 3. The Open API facility allows exporters to integrate their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software directly with the DGFT's CoO system, eliminating repetitive data entry. Which of the statements given above are correct?

उत्पत्ति प्रमाण पत्र (CoO) और ट्रेड कनेक्ट ई-प्लेटफॉर्म पर हाल ही में शुरू की गई ओपन एपीआई सुविधा के संबंध में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए: 1. Preferential CoO, FTA और RTA के तहत जारी किए जाते हैं ताकि निर्यातकों को शुल्क रियायतें मिलने का दावा करने में सक्षम बनाया जा सके। 2. Non-Preferential CoO सीमा शुल्क निकासी और व्यापार उपचार के लिए आयातित देश में शुल्क लाभ प्रदान करते हैं। 3. ओपन एपीआई सुविधा निर्यातकों को अपने एंटरप्राइज़ रिसोर्स प्लानिंग (ERP) सॉफ्टवेयर को सीधे DGFT के CoO सिस्टम के साथ एकीकृत करने की अनुमति देती है। उपर्युक्त कथनों में से कौन-से सही हैं?

A1 and 3 onlyCorrect Key
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 2 only
D1, 2 and 3
Explanation & Analytical Context:

• **Statement 1 is correct**: Preferential CoOs are issued under FTAs, RTAs, and PTAs to claim applicable tariff concessions in the importing country. • **Statement 2 is incorrect**: Non-Preferential CoOs are issued for customs clearance, compliance, and trade remedies *without* providing tariff benefits. • **Statement 3 is correct**: The Open API facility enables direct integration of ERP or accounting software with the DGFT platform to transfer application data electronically.

Question 3 of 15Bihar Current Affairs Compilation — 08 September 2026

According to the NFHS-6 data cited for Bihar, what is the recorded percentage of institutional deliveries in the state?

बिहार के लिए उद्धृत NFHS-6 डेटा के अनुसार, राज्य में संस्थागत प्रसव (institutional deliveries) का दर्ज प्रतिशत कितना है?

A76.2%
B79.4%
C81.1%Correct Key
D85.6%
Explanation & Analytical Context:

• Institutional deliveries in Bihar increased substantially from 76.2% to 81.1% according to NFHS-6 data.

Question 4 of 15Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (29 September 2026)

The nationwide ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ announced by the Ministry of Agriculture focuses primarily on:

कृषि मंत्रालय द्वारा घोषित राष्ट्रव्यापी ‘खेत बचाओ अभियान’ मुख्य रूप से किस पर केंद्रित है?

ABalanced fertiliser use based on Soil Health Cards and pulse cultivation in eastern rice fallowsCorrect Key
BReplacing canal irrigation networks entirely with drip systems across semi-arid regions
CComplete prohibition of commercial chemical exports across certified seed zones
DSubsidising drone-based spraying of bio-herbicides exclusively in hilly states
Explanation & Analytical Context:

The 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan' (scheduled from Oct 22 to Nov 30) aims to protect soil health by promoting balanced chemical/natural fertiliser usage using Soil Health Cards and driving pulse farming in post-harvest rice fallow lands of Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal.

Question 5 of 15Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (29 September 2026)

Which dedicated scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment focuses on creating an enabling, mechanized ecosystem to eliminate hazardous manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks?

सामाजिक न्याय और अधिकारिता मंत्रालय की कौन सी समर्पित योजना सीवरों और सेप्टिक टैंकों की खतरनाक मैन्युअल सफाई को समाप्त करने हेतु मशीनीकृत पारिस्थितिकी तंत्र बनाने पर केंद्रित है?

ASMILE Scheme
BNAMASTE SchemeCorrect Key
CSHREYAS Scheme
DPM-DAKSH Scheme
Explanation & Analytical Context:

The NAMASTE Scheme (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem) focuses on the safety, health insurance, mechanization, PPE provision, and alternative livelihood training of sewer and septic tank workers.

Question 6 of 15Ministry of Education / PIB (29 September 2026)

According to the benchmark set by the Department of School Education and Literacy, a State or Union Territory is considered to have attained 'full literacy' when its literacy rate reaches:

स्कूल शिक्षा और साक्षरता विभाग द्वारा निर्धारित मानक के अनुसार, किसी राज्य या केंद्र शासित प्रदेश को 'पूर्ण साक्षर' कब माना जाता है जब उसकी साक्षरता दर पहुंच जाती है:

A90%
B95%Correct Key
C98%
D100%
Explanation & Analytical Context:

The Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, considers 95% literacy in a State or Union Territory as equivalent to full literacy.

Question 7 of 15Ministry of Communications / PIB Release ID: 2307088 — September 06, 2026

Dr. Vinaya Prakash Singh has been re-elected as the Secretary-General of which international organization for a second consecutive term?

डॉ. विनय प्रकाश सिंह को किस अंतरराष्ट्रीय संगठन के महासचिव के रूप में लगातार दूसरे कार्यकाल के लिए फिर से चुना गया है?

AUniversal Postal Union (UPU)
BAsian-Pacific Postal Union (APPU)Correct Key
CInternational Telecommunication Union (ITU)
DWorld Postal Cooperation Council (WPCC)
Explanation & Analytical Context:

• Dr. Vinaya Prakash Singh was re-elected unopposed by acclamation as the Secretary-General of the Asian-Pacific Postal Union (APPU) at the 14th APPU Congress held in Bangkok.

Question 8 of 15Ministry of Education (29 September 2026)

With reference to the 'ULLAS - Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram' (New India Literacy Programme), consider the following statements: 1. It is a Central Sector Scheme fully financed by the Central Government with no state contribution. 2. The scheme caters to non-literate persons aged 15 years and above who could not access formal schooling. 3. The teaching-learning process relies primarily on community volunteerism (Janbhagidari) assisted by digital tools through the ULLAS app. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

'उल्लास - नव भारत साक्षरता कार्यक्रम' (New India Literacy Programme) के संदर्भ में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए: 1. यह एक केंद्रीय क्षेत्र की योजना (Central Sector Scheme) है जो बिना किसी राज्य अंशदान के केंद्र सरकार द्वारा पूर्णतः वित्तपोषित है। 2. यह योजना 15 वर्ष और उससे अधिक आयु के उन असाक्षर व्यक्तियों के लिए है जो औपचारिक स्कूली शिक्षा प्राप्त नहीं कर सके। 3. शिक्षण-अधिगम प्रक्रिया मुख्य रूप से उल्लास ऐप के माध्यम से डिजिटल उपकरणों द्वारा समर्थित सामुदायिक स्वयंसेवा (जनभागीदारी) पर निर्भर करती है। उपर्युक्त कथनों में से कौन सा/से सही है/हैं?

A1 only
B2 and 3 onlyCorrect Key
C1 and 2 only
D1, 2 and 3
Explanation & Analytical Context:

Statement 1 is incorrect because ULLAS is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (sharing financial outlay between Centre and States), covering 2022–27. Statements 2 and 3 are correct: it targets individuals aged 15+ using volunteerism, hybrid digital modules, and the FLNAT assessment test.

Question 9 of 15Bihar Current Affairs Compilation — 08 September 2026

The establishment of Farmer Drone Custom Hiring Centres in Bihar is implemented under which agricultural roadmap of the state?

बिहार में फार्मर ड्रोन कस्टम हायरिंग सेंटर्स की स्थापना राज्य के किस कृषि रोड मैप के तहत लागू की जा रही है?

ASecond Agricultural Road Map
BThird Agricultural Road Map
CFourth Agricultural Road MapCorrect Key
DFifth Agricultural Road Map
Explanation & Analytical Context:

• The initiative for Farmer Drone Custom Hiring Centres is implemented under Bihar’s Fourth Agricultural Road Map.

Question 10 of 15Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (29 September 2026)

Under the revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) approved by the CAQM, to which additional NCR district have vehicular restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel LMVs been extended?

CAQM द्वारा अनुमोदित संशोधित ग्रैप (GRAP) अनुसूची के तहत, BS-III पेट्रोल और BS-IV डीजल LMVs पर प्रतिबंध किस अतिरिक्त एनसीआर जिले में विस्तारित किया गया है?

APanipat
BSonipatCorrect Key
CMeerut
DRohtak
Explanation & Analytical Context:

The revised GRAP schedule extended restrictions on the plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel or below standard 4-wheelers to Sonipat district, in addition to Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar.

Question 11 of 15Bihar Current Affairs — August 2026

In which year did Mithila Makhana receive its Geographical Indication (GI) tag?

मिथिला मखाना को किस वर्ष भौगोलिक संकेत (GI) टैग प्राप्त हुआ था?

A2020
B2021
C2022Correct Key
D2023
Explanation & Analytical Context:

• Mithila Makhana received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2022 as an agricultural product associated with the Mithila region.

Question 12 of 15Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (29 September 2026)

Regarding the recent modifications to the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) by the CAQM, consider the following statements: 1. Enforcement of restrictions on diesel generator (DG) sets has been moved up from Stage-II to Stage-I. 2. In Stages III and IV, goods vehicles carrying essential commodities continue to enjoy total exemption even if they do not meet BS-IV norms. 3. The statutory web-portal monitoring of dust control measures has been extended to eligible construction projects situated beyond municipal limits. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

CAQM द्वारा ग्रेडेड रिस्पांस एक्शन प्लान (GRAP) में हालिया संशोधनों के संबंध में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए: 1. डीजल जनरेटर (DG) सेटों पर प्रतिबंध को स्टेज-II से हटाकर स्टेज-I में लागू कर दिया गया है। 2. स्टेज-III और IV में, आवश्यक वस्तुओं को ले जाने वाले मालवाहक वाहनों को BS-IV मानकों को पूरा न करने पर भी पूर्ण छूट मिलती रहेगी। 3. धूल नियंत्रण उपायों की वैधानिक वेब-पोर्टल निगरानी को नगरपालिका सीमा से परे स्थित पात्र निर्माण परियोजनाओं तक बढ़ा दिया गया है। उपर्युक्त कथनों में से कौन सा/से सही है/हैं?

A1 and 2 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 onlyCorrect Key
D1, 2 and 3
Explanation & Analytical Context:

Statement 1 is correct: DG set restrictions and BS-IV interstate bus bans were shifted to Stage-I. Statement 2 is incorrect: CAQM explicitly removed exemptions for BS-IV and below goods vehicles carrying essential commodities under Stages III and IV. Statement 3 is correct: web-portal dust monitoring was widened beyond municipal limits to industrial zones and highway corridors for plots ≥ 500 sq. m.

Question 13 of 15Ministry of Commerce & Industry / DARPG (29 September 2026)

What is the defining focal area of the Government of India's 'Special Campaign 6.0' organized in October 2026 across Central Ministries?

केंद्रीय मंत्रालयों में अक्टूबर 2026 के दौरान आयोजित भारत सरकार के 'विशेष अभियान 6.0' का मुख्य केंद्र बिंदु क्या है?

AMandatory installation of rooftop rainwater harvesting in private housing
BTransitioning all official civil vehicles to electric battery power
CScientific disposal of e-waste, scrap monetization, and clearance of pending referencesCorrect Key
DConversion of all district courts into digital paperless tribunals
Explanation & Analytical Context:

Special Campaign 6.0 (conducted from 2 to 31 October 2026) focuses across all ministries on institutionalizing workplace cleanliness, reducing pendency of parliamentary/public references, freeing office space, and prioritizing the scientific disposal of e-waste under the 2022 Rules.

Question 14 of 15Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (29 September 2026)

What is the primary target of the newly launched 'PRAGATI-50' initiative by MoHUA?

MoHUA द्वारा शुरू की गई नई 'PRAGATI-50' पहल का प्राथमिक लक्ष्य क्या है?

AElectrifying 50 Tier-I railway terminal zones
BDeveloping 50 model cities across 24 States to showcase high sanitation and circular waste standardsCorrect Key
CSelecting 50 heritage sites for solar roof mandate installations
DProviding piped natural gas to 50 peri-urban municipal corporations
Explanation & Analytical Context:

Under PRAGATI-50, MoHUA has identified 50 model cities across 24 States to establish benchmark performance parameters in visible cleanliness, solid waste management, and circularity under SBM-Urban 2.0.

Question 15 of 15Ministry of Defence (29 September 2026)

What is the primary objective of the Indian Navy's 'Operation Urja Suraksha'?

भारतीय नौसेना के 'ऑपरेशन ऊर्जा सुरक्षा' का प्राथमिक उद्देश्य क्या है?

AAnti-piracy patrols along the Mozambique Channel
BDeploying deep-sea robotic sensors across the Nine Degree Channel
CEnsuring safe transit of Indian-flagged tankers through the Strait of HormuzCorrect Key
DJoint hydrographic surveys with East African littoral states
Explanation & Analytical Context:

Operation Urja Suraksha was highlighted by the Raksha Mantri as the Indian Navy's initiative ensuring the safe transit of Indian-flagged merchant vessels—particularly LPG and crude oil tankers—through the Strait of Hormuz amidst West Asian regional tensions.

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