Daily Current Affairs Quiz 16th September, 2026 for Banking & Competitive Exams |

Daily Current Affairs: 16 September 2026

Q1. What was the overall Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) recorded for persons aged 15 years and above in August 2026?

(a) 50.4%

(b) 52.8%

(d) 55.6%

(e) 58.2%

Answer: d

Solution:

The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for persons aged 15 years and above, under the Current Weekly Status (CWS), increased to 55.6% in August 2026 from 55.4% in July 2026.
Rural LFPR increased from 58.0% to 58.2%, while urban LFPR remained unchanged at 50.4% during the same period.
Compared with August 2025, overall LFPR increased by 0.6 percentage point, from 55.0% to 55.6%. Rural LFPR rose by 1.2 percentage points to 58.2%, while urban LFPR declined by 0.5 percentage point to 50.4%.
Female LFPR increased for the second consecutive month, rising from 34.4% in July to 34.8% in August 2026.
Rural female LFPR increased from 38.8% to 39.4%, while urban female LFPR remained broadly stable at 25.4%.
On a year-on-year basis, overall female LFPR increased by 1.1 percentage points, from 33.7% in August 2025 to 34.8% in August 2026. Rural female LFPR rose by 2 percentage points to 39.4%, while urban female LFPR declined by 0.7 percentage point to 25.4%.
The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) increased from 52.5% in July to 52.8% in August 2026, mainly due to increased workforce participation in rural areas.
Rural WPR rose from 55.4% to 55.8%, while urban WPR remained unchanged at 47.0%.
The overall WPR increased by 0.6 percentage point year-on-year, from 52.2% in August 2025 to 52.8% in August 2026. Rural WPR increased by 1.3 percentage points, while urban WPR declined by 0.5 percentage point.
The overall Unemployment Rate (UR) declined marginally from 5.1% in July to 5.0% in August 2026.
Rural UR declined from 4.5% to 4.1%, while urban UR remained broadly stable at 6.8%.
Rural UR declined by 0.2 percentage point year-on-year, from 4.3% in August 2025 to 4.1% in August 2026, marking its lowest level since January 2026.
Male UR declined for the third consecutive month to 4.9% in August 2026, from 5.4% in May 2026. Rural male UR fell to 4.3%, while urban male UR increased marginally to 6.1%.
Female UR declined for the second consecutive month to 5.1% in August 2026, from 5.9% in June 2026. Rural female UR declined to 3.9%, while urban female UR remained broadly stable.
The overall female WPR increased year-on-year from 32.0% in August 2025 to 33.0% in August 2026.

Q2. What is the total sanctioned length and outlay for the Varuna Elevated Corridor approved by the Union Cabinet?

(a) 32.50 km; ₹8,500 crore

(b) 43.218 km; ₹10,998 crore

(d) 40.00 km; ₹9,800 crore

(e) 48.60 km; ₹11,200 crore

Answer: b

Solution:

The ₹10,998-crore Varuna Elevated Corridor will be developed in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, as part of the city’s future transport network.
The 43.218-km corridor will connect NH-31 with the Varanasi Ring Road, running along the Varuna River.
The project received Union Cabinet approval in July 2026 and will be developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
The predominantly elevated corridor will be 6/4-lane and will include the main carriageway, flyovers, loops, ramps and service roads.
The project will feature an iconic cable-stayed bridge and an extradosed foot over bridge-cum-major bridge.
The corridor forms an important part of the Varanasi Decongestion Plan, aimed at improving connectivity between major highways, railway stations, the airport and key urban destinations.
It will improve access to Varanasi Airport, Varanasi Cantonment, Varanasi City Railway Station, Kashi Railway Station and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction.
The corridor will also strengthen connectivity to Ramnagar Port and important areas along the Varuna River corridor.
Designed for speeds of 80–100 kmph, the corridor is expected to reduce travel time between NH-31 and Kashi Railway Station from around 40 minutes to nearly 20 minutes.
The project is expected to ease congestion on existing urban roads, reduce vehicle operating costs and facilitate faster and more predictable movement of passengers and freight.

Q3. Engineers’ Day is observed in India every year on 15 September to recognise the contribution of engineers to the country’s development and honour the legacy of Sir M. Visvesvaraya. In which year was Sir M. Visvesvaraya conferred the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award?

(a) 1947

(b) 1950

(d) 1962

(e) 1968

Answer: c

Solution:

Engineers’ Day is observed in India every year on 15 September to recognise the contribution of engineers to the country’s development and honour the legacy of Sir M. Visvesvaraya.
Engineers’ Day 2026 is being observed on Tuesday, 15 September 2026.
The day marks the birth anniversary of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, who was born on 15 September 1861 at Muddenahalli, Karnataka.
India has been observing Engineers’ Day since 1968 in his honour.
The occasion highlights the role of engineering in infrastructure development, technology, industrialisation and public welfare.

About Sir M. Visvesvaraya

Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (1861–1962) was a renowned civil engineer, administrator and statesman who made significant contributions to India’s infrastructure and industrial development.
He began his career in the Bombay Public Works Department in 1884.
He developed and patented automatic water-control floodgates, which were first installed at Khadakvasla Reservoir in 1903.
He played an important role in the development of the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam across the Cauvery River.
He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1955 for his contribution to nation-building.

Q4. Doordarshan marks its Foundation Day on 15 September. In which year was color television broadcasting introduced on Doordarshan, coinciding with a major international sporting event in New Delhi?

(a) 1975

(b) 1982

(d) 1990

(e) 1997

Answer: b
Solution:

Doordarshan (DD) is celebrating its 67th Foundation Day on 15 September 2026.
Doordarshan began on 15 September 1959 as an experimental television service under All India Radio (AIR).
The first broadcast was inaugurated by the then President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad, on 15 September 1959.
Doordarshan remained a part of All India Radio until 1975.
A major milestone came on 1 April 1976, when Doordarshan was separated from All India Radio and granted operational autonomy to expand its broadcasting network.
Colour television was introduced in 1982, coinciding with the Asian Games in Delhi, significantly transforming Doordarshan’s visual appeal and viewership.
Prasar Bharati was established as an autonomous corporation on 23 September 1997 under the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990, bringing Doordarshan and All India Radio under a unified public broadcasting framework.
Doordarshan has grown into an important platform for information dissemination, cultural preservation and national integration, reaching nearly 100% of the population through satellite and Direct-to-Home (DTH) services.
It operates a network of 35 satellite channels and 66 Studio Centres, providing content to diverse linguistic and cultural communities.
Doordarshan delivers programmes in more than 24 languages and various dialects.

Q5. What is the upper transaction limit for UPI payments specified in the government notification in September 2026 on which banks cannot impose any direct or indirect charges?

(a) ₹500

(b) ₹1,000

(d) ₹5,000

(e) ₹10,000

Answer: c

Solution:

The government has clarified that banks cannot impose charges on UPI transactions of up to ₹2,000.
Similarly, no charges can be imposed on payments of up to ₹2,000 made through RuPay-powered debit cards.
According to the government notification, no bank or system provider can levy any direct or indirect charge on a person making or receiving payments through these modes.
The Ministry of Finance notified the changes under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act to provide clarity regarding charges on UPI transactions.
The notification specifically categorised UPI transactions up to ₹2,000 and RuPay-powered debit card transactions as “electronic modes of payment.

Q6. The First Additional Protocol to the India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) was signed primarily to enable paperless trade through the acceptance of which digital document?

(a) Electronic Bill of Lading (e-BL)

(b) Electronic Certificate of Origin (e-CoO)

(d) Electronic Phytosanitary Permit (e-Phyto)

(e) Digital Shipping Manifest

Answer: b

Solution:

India and MERCOSUR signed the First Additional Protocol to the India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to facilitate the acceptance of electronic Certificates of Origin (e-CoOs) and promote paperless trade.
The Protocol amends Article 16 of Annex III (Rules of Origin) of the India–MERCOSUR PTA.
It provides that electronic Certificates of Origin will have the same legal validity and identical value as paper-based Certificates of Origin.
The e-CoOs will be issued and electronically signed in accordance with the respective domestic laws of the Parties by duly authorised entities and officials.
The Protocol will come into force after India and the MERCOSUR Parties complete their respective internal procedures and notify each other accordingly.

India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement

The India–MERCOSUR PTA was signed on 25 January 2004 and entered into force on 1 June 2009.
Under the PTA, India provides preferential tariff concessions on 450 tariff lines, while the MERCOSUR side provides concessions on 452 tariff lines.

MERCOSUR

MERCOSUR stands for Southern Common Market and is a regional economic organisation in South America.
MERCOSUR was established in 1991 through the Treaty of Asunción.
Its objective is to promote the free movement of goods, services, capital and people among its members.
MERCOSUR became a customs union in January 1995.
The original founding members were Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Bolivia and Venezuela subsequently joined the bloc; Venezuela has been suspended since 1 December 2016.
Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Suriname are associate members.
The headquarters of MERCOSUR is located in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Its official working languages are Spanish and Portuguese.
The Common Market Council is the highest decision-making body of MERCOSUR and coordinates major foreign and economic policies.
The presidency of MERCOSUR rotates every six months among its full members.

Q7. International Day of Democracy is observed annually on 15 September to promote democratic principles, public participation, human rights and accountable governance. In which year was the resolution establishing the International Day of Democracy adopted by the UN General Assembly?

(a) 1997

(b) 2001

(d) 2008

(e) 2015

Answer: c

Solution:

International Day of Democracy is observed annually on 15 September to promote democratic principles, public participation, human rights and accountable governance.
The United Nations General Assembly established the day in 2007 through a consensus resolution.
The first observance of International Day of Democracy took place in 2008.
International Day of Democracy 2026 provides an opportunity to review the functioning of democratic institutions and promote citizen participation, freedom of expression and accountable governance.
The day also highlights the important role of parliaments in promoting peaceful, inclusive and participatory governance.

Q8. Which government department won the First Prize under ‘Rajbhasha Kirti’ in the category of ministries/departments with fewer than 300 personnel for 2025–26?

(a) Department of Economic Affairs

(b) Department of Financial Services

(d) Department of Expenditure

(e) Department of Investment and Public Asset Management

Answer: b
Solution:

The Department of Financial Services (DFS) was awarded the First Prize under the ‘Rajbhasha Kirti’ category for ministries/departments having fewer than 300 personnel.
The award recognised the department’s outstanding implementation, effective use and innovative achievements in the field of Official Language Hindi during 2025–26.
The award was presented during the 6th All India Official Language Conference and Hindi Diwas organised by the Department of Official Language, Ministry of Home Affairs.
The conference was held on 14–15 September 2026 at the CIDCO Exhibition Centre, Vashi, Navi Mumbai.
The conference was held under the chairmanship of Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah.
The award recognised DFS’s efforts to effectively implement the Official Language policy, encourage the maximum use of Hindi in official work, and promote its innovative and creative use.
The Rajbhasha Kirti Award is conferred by the Department of Official Language in recognition of notable achievements in the implementation and promotion of Hindi in official work.

Q9. What rank did Jammu secure in Category-II (population between 3 lakh and 10 lakh) in the Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2026 rankings?

(a) 10th

(b) 15th

(d) 20th

(e) 25th

Answer: d
Solution:

In the latest Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan ranking, Jammu, the winter capital of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, secured 20th rank in Category-II, which covers cities with a population between 3 lakh and 10 lakh.
Jammu has improved its ranking by 18 places since 2023 and by 2 places over the previous year.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) score of Jammu improved significantly from 102.8 in 2023 to 168.2 in 2025 and further to 176.5 in 2026.
The 2026 Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan also recognised three wards of Jammu under the state-level awards.
Greater Kailash Ward 68 was recognised under Category-I.
New Plot Ward 16 was recognised under Category-II.
Bhagwati Nagar Ward 14 was recognised under Category-III.

Q10. What is the quantum of penalty imposed by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on Roppen Transportation Services Private Limited (Rapido) for dark patterns and misleading practices in September, 2026?

(a) ₹2 lakh

(b) ₹5 lakh

(d) ₹25 lakh

(e) ₹50 lakh

Answer: c

Solution:

CCPA imposed a ₹10 lakh penalty on Roppen Transportation Services Pvt. Ltd. (Rapido) for misleading advertisements, unfair trade practices and dark patterns.
Rapido prompted riders to pay more before ride confirmation, using messages such as “Higher the price, higher the chance of getting a ride.”
CCPA classified the practice as “Confirm Shaming”, creating pressure and fear of losing the ride.
Rapido’s colour-coded “Set your price” slider was classified as “Interface Interference” for steering users towards higher fares.
CCPA held that a tip should ordinarily be voluntary and offered after the ride, not as a pre-ride condition.
Under the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, tipping is permitted only after completion of the ride.
Rapido could not provide evidence that paying more actually increased the chances of getting a ride; hence, the claim was deemed unsubstantiated and misleading.