Polity & Governance Current Affairs Quiz — Last 6 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Which body organised the 16th National Meet of State Biodiversity Boards and UT Biodiversity Councils at Chandigarh in September 2026?
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Correct answer: C — National Biodiversity Authority
The meet was organised by the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA).
Where is the headquarters of the National Biodiversity Authority, as provided under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002?
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Correct answer: D — Chennai
The Act provides that the head office of the NBA shall be at Chennai.
Consider the following statements about the institutional structure under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002: 1. Biodiversity Management Committees function at the local body level. 2. State Biodiversity Boards are set up by the Central Government. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. BMCs work at the local level; SBBs are established by the respective State Governments under Section 22 of the Act.
Under which Article of the Constitution did the National Commission for Scheduled Castes act on the Punjab lecturer recruitment complaint in September 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Article 338
The NCSC exercised the powers conferred under Article 338 of the Constitution.
The NCSC's September 2026 inquiry concerns alleged denial of SC reservation in recruitment for how many lecturer posts in Punjab?
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Correct answer: B — 1,013
The complaint relates to 1,013 lecturer posts notified by the Punjab Education Department.
Consider the following statements about the NCSC notice on Punjab lecturer recruitment: 1. The Chief Secretary of Punjab was asked to submit facts and records within seven days of receiving the notice. 2. If no reply is received in time, the NCSC may exercise the powers of a civil court under Article 338 and summon officials. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as stated in the NCSC release.
Under which provisions did the National Financial Reporting Authority constitute its Advisory Committee on Audit Quality, Assurance and Technology in September 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Rules 15 and 16 of the NFRA Rules, 2018
NFRA acted under Rules 15 and 16 of the NFRA Rules, 2018, which authorise it to form committees, study groups and task forces.
NFRA's first advisory body, the Technical Advisory Committee, was constituted in which year?
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Correct answer: D — 2020
The Technical Advisory Committee was constituted in 2020 and its term ended in December 2022.
How many children were rescued from child labour under the NCPCR's Pan-India Rescue and Rehabilitation Campaign in 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Over 3,800
The NCPCR, with State authorities, rescued over 3,800 children.
During which period did the NCPCR run its 2026 Pan-India Rescue and Rehabilitation Campaign against child labour?
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Correct answer: D — 12 June – 31 August 2026
The campaign was launched on 12 June 2026 and continued up to 31 August 2026.
Consider the following statements about the NCPCR's 2026 rescue campaign: 1. The NCPCR is a statutory body under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. 2. More than 575 FIRs were registered during the campaign. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Ministry of Women and Child Development release.
Who led the NHRC's two-day open hearing and camp sitting in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, which concluded on 3 September 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Justice V. Ramasubramanian
The NHRC sitting was led by Chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian.
How many alleged cases of human rights violations did the NHRC hear at its Gujarat open hearing in September 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 129
The Commission heard 129 alleged cases, including bonded labour; 45 were heard on the first day.
Consider the following statements about the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): 1. It was established on 12 October 1993. 2. It is established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, which was amended in 2019. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the NHRC: it was established on 12 October 1993 under the PHRA, 1993, as amended by the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2019.
Which of the following was NOT among the Himalayan States/UTs whose GLOF and avalanche preparedness was reviewed by the Union Home Secretary on 3 September 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Meghalaya
The States/UT were Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
In disaster management, what does the abbreviation GLOF stand for?
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Correct answer: A — Glacial Lake Outburst Flood
GLOF stands for Glacial Lake Outburst Flood, the hazard reviewed by the MHA along with snow avalanches.
What is the tagline of the Election Commission's Electoral Literacy Clubs 2.0 (ELC 2.0) initiative?
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Correct answer: D — Learn Democracy. Lead Democracy.
ELC 2.0 carries the tagline 'Learn Democracy. Lead Democracy.'
Where did the ECI hold its fourth regional conference on ELC 2.0 and ECINet on 3 September 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Goa
The fourth regional conference was held in Goa and addressed by CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
For listing which substance without mandatory safeguards did the CCPA fine Dial4Trade ₹10 lakh in September 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Ammonium nitrate
The penalty was for facilitating online listing and sale of ammonium nitrate without the required safeguards.
Under which law did the Central Consumer Protection Authority pass its order against Dial4Trade?
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Correct answer: B — Consumer Protection Act, 2019
The order was passed under Sections 10, 20 and 21 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019; the Explosives Act, 1884 classifies the substance.
Consider the following statements about the CCPA's Dial4Trade order: 1. The CCPA found no mechanism for traceability of transactions as required under the Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012. 2. The order was passed by a CCPA bench headed by Chief Commissioner Anupam Mishra. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the CCPA is headed by Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare; Anupam Mishra is a Commissioner.
Which ministry organised the National Departmental Summit on Water whose valedictory session PM Modi chaired on 2 September 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Ministry of Jal Shakti
The two-day summit was organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Consider the following statements about the National Departmental Summit on Water (September 2026): 1. It was the first in a series of Departmental Summits envisioned by the Prime Minister to deepen cooperative federalism. 2. It was a three-day summit held in Gandhinagar. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: it was a two-day summit, and the release does not place it in Gandhinagar.
The NHRC was established under which law, which is also a topic of its Human Rights Quiz 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993
The NHRC was set up under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993; the quiz covers the PHRA and NHRC's functions.
The NHRC's Human Rights Quiz 2026 runs until 10 October, ahead of its 33rd Foundation Day. On which date was the NHRC established?
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Correct answer: B — 12 October 1993
The NHRC was established on 12 October 1993, so 12 October 2026 is its 33rd Foundation Day.
According to PM Modi's 137th Mann Ki Baat (August 2026), women make up about what share of PM SVANidhi Yojana beneficiaries?
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Correct answer: D — 46%
The Prime Minister said women account for approximately 46% of PM SVANidhi beneficiaries.
From which date did the name 'Keralam' come into effect under the MHA notification?
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Correct answer: C — 25 August 2026
The Ministry of Home Affairs notified the name 'Keralam' with effect from 25 August 2026.
Consider the following statements about the Kerala circular of 29 August 2026 on the name 'Keralam': 1. Existing stationery is to be used until stocks run out, with corrections in ink. 2. All existing signboards must be replaced within one month. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: existing signboards need not be replaced immediately; only new material must carry 'Keralam'.
The Karnataka Zilla Parishads, Taluk Panchayat Samitis, Mandal Panchayats and Nyaya Panchayats Act, recalled at Ramakrishna Hegde's centenary, was enacted in which year?
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Correct answer: B — 1985
The Vice President cited the Act of 1985, passed during Ramakrishna Hegde's tenure.
Which Constitutional Amendment gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions, as noted at the Ramakrishna Hegde centenary?
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Correct answer: D — 73rd Amendment
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions; the 74th deals with urban local bodies.
Under the settlement that ended the tribal students' hunger strike in Maharashtra on 29 August 2026, recruitment to how many ST-reserved posts is to begin within six months?
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Correct answer: C — 12,500
The government agreed to begin recruitment to 12,500 posts reserved for Scheduled Tribes within six months.
Sanchar Saathi, which crossed 75,000 handset recoveries in a single month in 2026, is an initiative of which department?
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Correct answer: A — Department of Telecommunications
Sanchar Saathi is the Department of Telecommunications' citizen-centric initiative.
By how much did monthly handset recoveries through Sanchar Saathi rise between April 2025 and July 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 201%
Monthly recoveries rose 201% between April 2025 and July 2026.
In August 2026, Justice Biswaroop Chowdhury was appointed a permanent judge of which High Court?
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Correct answer: D — Calcutta High Court
Justice Biswaroop Chowdhury, an additional judge, was appointed a permanent judge of the Calcutta High Court.
The Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026 were notified by which department?
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Correct answer: D — Department of Consumer Affairs
The Department of Consumer Affairs notified the Rules on 27 August 2026.
When will the Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026 come into force?
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Correct answer: D — 180 days after publication in the Official Gazette
The Rules come into force 180 days from their publication in the Official Gazette (29 August 2026), giving organisations time to adapt systems.
Consider the following statements about Indian Standard Time (IST) under the 2026 framework: 1. CSIR-NPL generates IST using an ensemble of atomic clocks and keeps it traceable to UTC. 2. UTC is maintained by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM). Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: CSIR-NPL, India's National Metrology Institute, generates IST with atomic clocks traceable within nanoseconds to UTC, which BIPM maintains.
Secondary IST timescales have been set up at Regional Reference Standard Laboratories (RRSLs) in five cities. Which of the following is NOT one of them?
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Correct answer: B — Kolkata
The five RRSLs are at Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Faridabad and Guwahati; Kolkata is not among them.
In August 2026, judicial officer Chirag Bhanu was appointed a Judge of which High Court?
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Correct answer: A — Himachal Pradesh High Court
Chirag Bhanu was appointed a Judge of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, along with two Additional Judges.
Who led India's delegation at its 11th periodic review before the UN CERD in Geneva in August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Solicitor General Tushar Mehta
India's inter-ministerial delegation was led by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) monitors the implementation of which treaty?
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Correct answer: B — ICERD
CERD monitors the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).
Consider the following statements about India and the UN CERD in August 2026: 1. India's 11th periodic review under ICERD was held in Geneva on 11–12 August 2026. 2. India accepted the Committee's observations and said no response was needed. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: India rejected the 'politically motivated' references and said it would respond through the established procedure.
What does the acronym PRAGATI, the platform whose 53rd meeting the PM chaired on 25 August 2026, stand for?
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Correct answer: A — Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation
PRAGATI is the ICT-enabled, multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation.
The six projects reviewed at the 53rd PRAGATI meeting had a cumulative cost of more than:
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Correct answer: C — ₹30,000 crore
The six Railway, Road and Power projects, spread over nine states, cost more than ₹30,000 crore in total.
Consider the following statements about the 53rd PRAGATI meeting: 1. The six projects reviewed were from the Railway, Road and Ports sectors. 2. AgriStack was reviewed as part of the National e-Governance Plan. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong. The projects were from the Railway, Road and Power sectors, and AgriStack falls under the Digital Agriculture Mission.
In July 2026 the NHRC took suo motu cognizance of reported malaria deaths in which district of Chhattisgarh?
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Correct answer: B — Kanker
The NHRC took cognizance of five malaria deaths in 13 days in Kanker district, Chhattisgarh.
On 30 July 2026 the Rajya Sabha passed an amendment to which law, completing its passage through Parliament?
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Correct answer: B — Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024
The Rajya Sabha passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, as passed by the Lok Sabha.
Under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, what is the jail term for individual offenders?
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Correct answer: D — 5 to 10 years
The Bill raises the jail term for individual offenders from 3–5 years to 5–10 years, with a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh.
Consider the following statements about the Public Examinations Amendment Bill, 2026: 1. Investigation of an exam fraud case must be completed within two months. 2. Special Fast Track Courts must complete the trial within 3 months of the chargesheet. 3. It was passed by the Rajya Sabha by division vote. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
The Bill sets a two-month deadline for investigation and a 3-month deadline for trial by Special Fast Track Courts; the Rajya Sabha passed it by voice vote, not a division.
Under the 2026 amendment, organised exam-fraud syndicates face a minimum fine of how much?
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Correct answer: C — Rs 10 crore
For organised crime (Section 11), the jail term becomes 7–10 years with a fine of at least Rs 10 crore (earlier at least Rs 1 crore).
In July 2026 the Union Jal Shakti Minister met the Chief Ministers of which two states to facilitate settlement of the Mahanadi water dispute?
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Correct answer: B — Chhattisgarh and Odisha
C. R. Paatil chaired a meeting with the CMs of Chhattisgarh (Vishnu Deo Sai) and Odisha (Mohan Charan Majhi).
The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal was constituted in which year under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956?
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Correct answer: C — 2018
The Government of India constituted the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal on 12 March 2018 at Odisha's request.
SAMPATH, approved by the Kerala Cabinet in July 2026, is a platform for what purpose?
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Correct answer: D — A registry of all government-owned assets
SAMPATH (Special Asset Management Platform for Administration, Tracking and Harmonisation) will maintain records of all government assets – land, buildings, roads, bridges, dams, vehicles and machinery.
PlanSpace 2.0, approved by the Kerala Cabinet on 29 July 2026, is:
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Correct answer: B — A geotagged GIS-based register of government capital projects
PlanSpace 2.0 expands the existing PlanSpace portal into a GIS-based, geotagged register of all capital projects approved by government departments.
DAANVEER, launched in July 2026, enables citizens to voluntarily contribute computers to Gram Panchayats through which app?
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Correct answer: D — Meri Panchayat App
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj's DAANVEER lets citizens contribute computers and other identified needs of Gram Panchayats through the Meri Panchayat App.
In the 'Model OSR Rules' for Panchayats released in July 2026, what does OSR stand for?
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Correct answer: C — Own Source of Revenue
OSR stands for Own Source of Revenue; the Model OSR Rules give States a framework to strengthen Panchayat revenues.
The SAMARTH Panchayat Portal launched on 27 July 2026 is mainly meant to:
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Correct answer: B — Strengthen efficiency in Panchayat revenue collection
The SAMARTH Panchayat Portal is meant to strengthen efficiency in Panchayat revenue collection.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj received the Gold Award under the National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG) 2026 for which initiative?
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Correct answer: D — Panchayat Advancement Index
The Gold Award under NAeG 2026 was for the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) – Data Driven Governance for Viksit Bharat.
'Chongpreng', a three-stringed bamboo musical instrument mentioned in Mann Ki Baat on 26 July 2026, belongs to which State?
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Correct answer: C — Tripura
The PM described Chongpreng as an instrument from Tripura, popular among its tribal communities, whose tune resembles the sarod.
The traditional 'Vagu' mat, whose revival was praised in the 136th Mann Ki Baat, is made from what and belongs to which region?
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Correct answer: A — Reeds and paddy straw – Kashmir
Vagu is Kashmir's traditional mat crafted from reeds and paddy straw; it keeps cool in summer and warm in winter.
According to the PM's Mann Ki Baat of 26 July 2026, Khadi sales have grown how much over the last 12 years?
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Correct answer: B — Six-fold, to nearly ₹8,000 crore
The PM said Khadi sales have increased six-fold over the last 12 years and reached nearly ₹8,000 crore.
'Aksharakanduk', mentioned in the 136th episode of Mann Ki Baat, is:
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Correct answer: D — A school project in Ernakulam, Kerala that teaches Sanskrit letters through football terms
Aksharakanduk is a project of a school Sanskrit club in South Chittoor, Ernakulam, Kerala, where a teacher explains Sanskrit letters by linking them to football terms.
Who heads the high-powered task force on examination reforms announced by the Prime Minister on 26 July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Nandan Nilekani
The task force is led by Nandan Nilekani. S. Somanath and V. Kamakoti are members.
The Nilekani-led task force constituted in July 2026 is to recommend reforms mainly for examinations conducted by which body?
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Correct answer: B — National Testing Agency
The task force will recommend technology-driven and structural reforms for examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Which of the following is a former Director of the Intelligence Bureau named as a member of the examination-reforms task force in July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Tapan Deka
Tapan Deka is the former IB director on the panel. Anita Karwal is a former education secretary and Amrit Lal Meena a logistics expert and former civil servant.
Consider the following statements about the examination-reforms task force announced on 26 July 2026: 1. It has six members. 2. Former ISRO chairman S. Somanath is a member. 3. The Director of IIT Madras is a member. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct: the six members are Nandan Nilekani (chair), S. Somanath, Tapan Deka, V. Kamakoti (Director, IIT Madras), Anita Karwal and Amrit Lal Meena.
Who took charge of the Union Ministry of Education on 26 July 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Pralhad Joshi
Pralhad Joshi took charge of the Ministry of Education at Kartavya Bhavan. Jayant Chaudhary is the Minister of State for Education.
Besides Education, which of the following Ministries does Pralhad Joshi also hold, as stated when he took charge in July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — New and Renewable Energy
He also holds Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy.
Pralhad Joshi took over the Education Ministry after the resignation of which minister on 25 July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Dharmendra Pradhan
Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Education Minister on 25 July 2026.
'Prarambh', which concluded on 26 July 2026, was:
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Correct answer: B — A two-day orientation workshop for newly elected and nominated Rajya Sabha members
Prarambh was a two-day orientation workshop for new Rajya Sabha members; Deputy Chairman Harivansh gave the valedictory address.