Rajasthan and national news for RAS, Patwari, VDO and other exams·42 items·each with its source·published 6 October 2026
Rajasthan
PM-SETU approves ₹241 crore ITI cluster plan for Rajasthan with Government ITI Bhiwadi as hub
On 7 September 2026, the 5th National Steering Committee of PM-SETU approved a ₹241 crore investment plan for an ITI cluster in Rajasthan. Government ITI Bhiwadi is the hub, with Government ITIs at Alwar, Neemrana, Tijara and Kishangarh Bas as spokes; H.G. Infra Engineering Ltd is the industry partner. The meeting, chaired by Skill Development Secretary Debashree Mukherjee, cleared ₹735.70 crore for clusters in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana.
Exam anglePM-SETU hub ITI in Rajasthan (Bhiwadi); scheme of Skill Development Ministry
Justice Sanjay Kumar Agrawal sworn in as Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court on 7 September 2026
Governor Haribhau Bagade administered the oath of office to Justice Sanjay Kumar Agrawal as Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court in Jaipur on 7 September 2026. The Centre notified his appointment after a Supreme Court Collegium recommendation of 31 August 2026. He earlier served for about 13 years at the Chhattisgarh High Court. Until then, the Rajasthan High Court was working under an Acting Chief Justice.
Exam angleOath to a High Court Chief Justice is given by the Governor
Rajasthan elects 309 urban local bodies in two phases (9 and 11 September 2026); results on 14 September
Elections to 309 urban local bodies of Rajasthan, including 10 municipal corporations, were held in two phases: 162 bodies on 9 September and 147 bodies on 11 September 2026. Votes were counted on 14 September, and heads of most bodies were elected on 21 September. On 25 September, mayors were elected in Jaipur (Sunil Kothari), Jodhpur (Prasannachand Mehta) and Kota (Anusuiya Goswami).
Exam angleNumber of urban local bodies (309) and municipal corporations (10) in Rajasthan
Baba Ramdev Jayanti celebrated on 13 September 2026; annual Ramdevra fair in Jaisalmer in full swing
The birth anniversary of folk deity Baba Ramdev was celebrated on Bhadrapada dooj (dwitiya), 13 September 2026. The annual fair at the Ramdevra temple in Jaisalmer began with panchamrit abhishek and flag hoisting on the temple spire and continues till Dashami. Devotees from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and other states attend; a fair was also held at Baba Balinath's samadhi at Masuria in Jodhpur.
Exam angleRamdevra fair: district (Jaisalmer) and tithi (Bhadrapada dooj to Dashami)
IAF holds its first ‘Dronathon-2026’ at Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer, from 14 September
The Indian Air Force held its first Dronathon-2026, a three-day event, at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer from 14 to 16 September 2026. Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit inaugurated it. Indian companies, start-ups and innovators showed indigenous drone (UAS) and counter-drone technologies through live demonstrations, in line with Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Exam angleVenue of IAF's first Dronathon (Pokhran, Jaisalmer)
Eklavya Model Residential Schools in Rajasthan to get computer labs-cum-smart classrooms worth over ₹16 crore
On 15 September 2026, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs said Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in Rajasthan will get computer labs-cum-smart classrooms worth over ₹16 crore. The project is funded by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) under Corporate Social Responsibility with the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC). Tribal Affairs Secretary Ranjana Chopra said over 450 EMRS students qualified for JEE Advanced and over 350 for NEET-UG this year.
22nd India–US exercise Yudh Abhyas begins on 15 September at Auli and Rajasthan's Mahajan Field Firing Range
The 22nd edition of the India–US joint military exercise Yudh Abhyas began on 15 September 2026 at the Auli Foreign Training Node in Uttarakhand and the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. About 600 soldiers from each army are training for Integrated Battle Groups in mountain and semi-mountain terrain, with drones and long-range precision fires. Live-fire drills in Rajasthan used M777 howitzers, Dhanush guns and Pinaka rocket launchers.
Exam angleYudh Abhyas: partner country, edition and Rajasthan venue
Om Birla pays tribute at Khejadli on Khejadli Sacrifice Day, 21 September 2026
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla visited Khejadli village in Rajasthan on 21 September 2026, Khejadli Sacrifice Day. He paid tribute to Amrita Devi Bishnoi and the villagers who gave their lives in the 18th century to protect Khejri trees, the state tree of Rajasthan. He said the Khejadli story shows that environmental conservation is neither new nor modern in India.
Exam angleKhejadli sacrifice: Amrita Devi Bishnoi and the Khejri tree
WWF Global Conservation Conference opens in Jaipur on 21 September 2026; delegates from over 100 countries
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav inaugurated the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) Global Conservation Conference in Jaipur on 21 September 2026. He said that in a decade India's protected areas rose from about 750 to over 1,000, tiger reserves from 47 to 58, elephant reserves from 30 to 33 and Ramsar sites from 24 to 101. He cited cheetah reintroduction and the Great Indian Bustard conservation breeding programme in Rajasthan as key successes.
Exam angleHost city Jaipur; India's tiger reserve and Ramsar site counts
India–Japan air exercise Veer Guardian 2026 concludes at Air Force Station Jodhpur on 22 September
The Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force held the bilateral air exercise Veer Guardian 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur from 9 to 22 September. It was the first time Japanese fighter aircraft operated from Indian soil in a bilateral exercise; Japan brought F-2A fighters and the IAF flew Tejas, Su-30MKI and Rafale. On 20 September, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh and Japan's air chief General Takehiro Morita flew a sortie in the Tejas.
Exam angleExercise Veer Guardian: partner country (Japan) and venue (Jodhpur)
Second edition of IAF's multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti begins at Jodhpur on 26 September 2026
Tarang Shakti 2026, the second edition of the Indian Air Force's multinational air exercise, began on 26 September at Air Force Station Jodhpur and nearby air bases and runs till 12 October. Countries taking part with aircraft include Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, the UAE and the USA. Missions include counter-air, air defence, reconnaissance, airlift and air-to-air refuelling.
Exam angleTarang Shakti: edition (second) and venue (Jodhpur)
Rajasthan terracotta artist Chandra Shekhar Sain among 20 Lalit Kala Akademi National Award winners
On 27 September 2026, the Lalit Kala Akademi announced 20 National Akademi Awards at its 65th National Exhibition of Art. Chandra Shekhar Sain, a terracotta artist from Rajasthan, won in the sculpture category for his terracotta work ‘My Entire World-I’. He is the only artist from Rajasthan among this year's awardees.
Exam angleAwarding body (Lalit Kala Akademi) and art form (terracotta)
CM launches 249 projects worth ₹993.41 crore at Bayana (Bharatpur) on 28 September 2026
On 28 September 2026, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 249 projects worth ₹993.41 crore at Bayana in Bharatpur district, covering Bharatpur, Deeg, Dholpur, Karauli and Sawai Madhopur districts. Earlier, on 26 September at Pratapgarh, he launched 1,452 projects worth ₹924 crore for the seven districts of the Udaipur division.
Exam angleBayana (Bharatpur) projects: number, value and districts covered
NSO releases first-ever district-level estimates of unincorporated non-farm enterprises from ASUSE 2025
On 10 September 2026, the National Statistical Office released the first district-level estimates of India's unincorporated non-agricultural sector, based on the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2025. They cover 757 of 770 districts; the top 50 districts account for about one-third of the sector's activity. The national average gross value added (GVA) per worker is ₹1,56,539, and Jaipur district alone has 11.70% of Rajasthan's unincorporated establishments.
Exam angleSurvey name (ASUSE); first district-level estimates by NSO
India crosses 80 lakh HPV vaccinations under campaign launched from Ajmer in February 2026
The Union Health Ministry said on 11 September 2026 that India had crossed 80 lakh HPV vaccinations given to protect girls against cervical cancer. The nationwide campaign for girls of 14 years was launched by the Prime Minister from Ajmer, Rajasthan, in February 2026. About 200 women die of cervical cancer in India every day, the report noted.
Exam angleHPV vaccine targets cervical cancer; launch city Ajmer
Dryland Congress 2026 ends in New Delhi with ‘Delhi Declaration on Drylands’
The three-day Dryland Congress 2026, organised by ICRISAT and ICAR, concluded in New Delhi on 12 September 2026, the UN Day for South-South Cooperation. Its theme was ‘Transforming Dryland Agriculture with South–South Cooperation’. It adopted the Delhi Declaration on Drylands (3D) for more collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovation in dryland farming across the Global South.
Exam angleOrganisers (ICAR, ICRISAT) and the declaration adopted
Six states including Rajasthan sign agreement for Kishau multipurpose dam on the Tons river
On 15 September 2026 in New Delhi, in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Haryana signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the Kishau multipurpose project. It plans a 232.6-metre-high concrete gravity dam on the Tons river, a tributary of the Yamuna, along the Uttarakhand–Himachal Pradesh border, storing 1,562 million cubic metres. It will irrigate about 97,000 hectares and produce 1,476 million units of hydropower; the Centre will bear 90% of the cost of the water component.
Exam angleKishau dam river (Tons, Yamuna basin); six partner states
Kavach 4.0 commissioned on South Central Railway's 108-km Malkajgiri–Kamareddi section
On 23 September 2026, Indian Railways commissioned version 4.0 of its indigenous automatic train protection system Kavach on the 108-route-km Malkajgiri–Kamareddi section of South Central Railway's Hyderabad division. It is the first Kavach 4.0 deployment on this zone, which earlier had version 3.2 on 1,465 route km. Version 4.0 gives better location accuracy and station-to-station Kavach links through optical fibre cable.
Exam angleKavach = indigenous automatic train protection system
Mann Ki Baat (138th episode): over 32 crore families covered in first phase of Census 2027
In the 138th episode of Mann Ki Baat on 27 September 2026, the Prime Minister said data of over 32 crore families had been recorded in the first phase of Census 2027. More than 2.6 crore people registered themselves through the self-enumeration mobile portal, available in Hindi and 16 other languages. Census work continued in remote, snow-bound areas of Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand.
Exam angleCensus 2027 first phase coverage; self-enumeration portal
Belgian PM Bart De Wever's first official India visit: aim to double bilateral trade in five years
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever visited India from 2 to 4 September 2026, his first official visit since taking office in February 2025, and held talks with the Prime Minister on 3 September. The two sides agreed to work towards doubling bilateral trade in five years and to set up an India–Belgium Investment Fast-Track Mechanism. Outcomes included a Letter of Intent on defence cooperation, a renewed MoU on renewable energy and a CBI–Belgian Federal Police MoU on cybercrime and transnational crime.
18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi adopts ‘New Delhi Declaration’; China to chair BRICS in 2027
India hosted the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12–13 September 2026 under its chairship, and leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration. It backed reform of global governance and stronger cooperation under three pillars: political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people. China will chair and host the BRICS Summit in 2027; India held over 400 meetings in 30 cities during its chairship.
Exam angleBRICS 2026 host city; declaration name; next chair (China)
IBSA foreign ministers meet in New York on 24 September 2026, seek comprehensive UN Security Council reform
The foreign ministers of India (S. Jaishankar), Brazil (Mauro Vieira) and South Africa (Ronald Lamola) met in New York on 24 September 2026 on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly. They called for comprehensive UN Security Council reform, including permanent seats for India, Brazil and Africa, and for reform of global governance institutions to give developing countries a greater say. They noted that the IBSA Fund has supported 53 projects in 43 countries over two decades.
Exam angleIBSA members (India, Brazil, South Africa); IBSA Fund
15th UN Crime Congress opens in Abu Dhabi on 26 September 2026; Arjun Ram Meghwal leads India
The 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, organised by UNODC, was held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from 26 September to 1 October 2026. Union Law Minister of State (Independent Charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal led India and highlighted India's new criminal laws, digital justice and action against cybercrime and terrorism. The Congress theme linked crime prevention and the rule of law to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the digital age.
Exam angleVenue (Abu Dhabi) and organiser (UNODC) of 15th UN Crime Congress
Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri appointed Morocco's first woman Prime Minister on 29 September 2026
King Mohammed VI appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as Morocco's first woman Prime Minister (head of government) on 29 September 2026. Her Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) won the most seats, 97, in the parliamentary elections of 23 September; under Morocco's constitution the king names the head of government from the leading party. A lawyer, she was earlier housing minister and mayor of Marrakech.
Exam angleFirst woman PM of Morocco; her party (PAM)
Cabinet raises EPFO wage ceiling for mandatory coverage from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 a month
On 16 September 2026, the Union Cabinet approved raising the wage ceiling for mandatory coverage under the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month. Over 51 lakh more employees will come under provident fund (EPF), pension (EPS) and insurance (EDLI) cover. The ceiling was last revised in September 2014; the extra yearly cost is estimated at ₹11,339 crore.
Exam angleNew EPFO wage ceiling (₹25,000); Labour & Employment Ministry
SEMICON India 2026, the fifth edition, opens at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, on 17 September
The Prime Minister inaugurated the fifth edition of SEMICON India at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi, on 17 September 2026. He said 12 semiconductor projects have been approved and plants at Mohali and Surat have begun commercial chip production. He also spoke of the second phase of the India Semiconductor Mission and said 70,000 engineering students have been trained against a target of one lakh.
Exam angleSEMICON India 2026 edition and venue (Yashobhoomi)
Rabi MSP 2027-28: wheat ₹2,610, mustard ₹6,613 a quintal; safflower gets the highest hike
On 30 September 2026, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs raised the MSP of all six mandated Rabi crops for marketing season 2027-28. Wheat goes up by ₹25 to ₹2,610 per quintal and rapeseed-mustard by ₹413 to ₹6,613; barley is ₹2,286, gram ₹5,958 and lentil (masur) ₹7,390. Safflower gets the highest increase, ₹675, to ₹7,215 per quintal.
Exam angleWheat and mustard MSP 2027-28; crop with highest MSP hike
Cabinet approves Green Energy Corridor Phase-III: ₹1,86,405 crore for 135 GW evacuation and 50 GWh storage
On 30 September 2026, the Union Cabinet approved Green Energy Corridor Phase-III to strengthen intra-state transmission and evacuate up to 135 GW of renewable energy by 2032-33. It includes 50 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The total outlay is ₹1,86,405 crore, with central financial support of ₹54,082 crore; state transmission utilities will implement it.
Exam angleGEC-III targets: 135 GW RE, 50 GWh BESS, by 2032-33
GSLV-F17 launches EOS-05, India's first imaging satellite for geosynchronous orbit, on 4 September
ISRO's GSLV-F17 lifted off from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 2:55 am on 4 September 2026, carrying the 2,367-kg EOS-05. It is India's first imaging satellite designed to work from geosynchronous orbit (about 36,000 km), giving real-time imagery for agriculture and disaster management. It replaces the EOS-03 satellite lost in the failed GSLV-F10 mission of 2021.
Exam angleEOS-05: launch vehicle, orbit type, satellite it replaces
World Ozone Day 2026: India's Net Zero Portal and NAPCC Dashboard launched
On World Ozone Day, 16 September 2026, Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh launched India's Net Zero Portal and the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) Dashboard. The Net Zero Portal lets organisations register voluntary climate commitments and report greenhouse gas emissions. The NAPCC Dashboard tracks the progress of the national climate missions in one place.
Exam angleWorld Ozone Day date (16 Sept); portals launched
Project Cheetah completes four years; India has 52 cheetahs, 32 of them born in India
Project Cheetah completed four years on 17 September 2026; the first cheetahs from Namibia were released in India on 17 September 2022. India now has 52 cheetahs, including 32 born in the country – 49 in Kuno National Park and 3 in Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary. Cheetahs have been brought from Namibia (2022), South Africa (2023) and Botswana (2026).
Exam angleCheetah sites (Kuno, Gandhi Sagar); total count after four years
First PRAMAAN certificates issued under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme
On 29 September 2026 in New Delhi, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav handed over India's first PRAMAAN certificates under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS). PRAMAAN stands for Programme for Recognition and Accreditation of sustainable Management practices for Agroforestry And Natural forestry resources. The first certificates went to the Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation for 33,000 hectares of plantations and to Odisha bamboo farmer Govind Mohapatra.
US Open 2026: Alexander Zverev and Elena Rybakina win the singles titles
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan beat defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 on 12 September 2026 to win her first US Open and third Grand Slam title. On 13 September, Germany's Alexander Zverev beat Ben Shelton of the USA 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 in the men's final. Zverev had also won the French Open (Roland Garros) in June 2026.
Exam angleUS Open 2026 singles winners and runners-up
India win both men's and women's titles at AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026 hockey in Moqi, China
India's junior men's team beat Korea 4-1 and the junior women's team beat China 1-0 in the finals of the AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026 at Moqi, China, on 13 September 2026. The men defended their title. Both teams qualified for the Junior Hockey World Cup.
Exam angleJunior Asia Cup 2026 venue and final opponents
Asian Games 2026: India's women retain cricket gold, beating Sri Lanka – India's first gold of the Games
India beat Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the women's cricket final at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin (Japan), on 22 September 2026 to retain the Asian Games title, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur. India scored 216/3, with Smriti Mandhana making 79 – the highest total in women's cricket at the Asian Games. It was India's first gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
Exam angleIndia's first gold at Aichi-Nagoya 2026; final opponent
46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand: India win Open silver and Women's bronze
The 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad ended at Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on 27 September 2026. Host Uzbekistan won the Open gold, with India silver and Germany bronze. In the Women's section China won gold, Kazakhstan silver and India bronze.
Exam angleChess Olympiad 2026 venue; India's medals in both sections
72nd National Film Awards presented at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat – first ceremony held outside Delhi
President Droupadi Murmu presented the 72nd National Film Awards at Ekta Nagar (Narmada district), Gujarat, on 22 September 2026, the first time the ceremony was held outside the national capital. ‘Article 370’ won Best Feature Film and Yami Gautam Best Actress for it; Mammootty (‘Bramayugam’) and Kartik Aaryan (‘Chandu Champion’) shared Best Actor. The Santhali film ‘Angen’ became the first Santhali film to win in the non-feature section.
Exam angleFirst National Film Awards ceremony outside Delhi; Best Feature Film
Veteran actor Anant Nag receives Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 on 22 September 2026
President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 on veteran actor Anant Nag at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony on 22 September 2026. Known mainly for Kannada cinema, he has acted in more than 300 films over 50 years, besides Hindi films, theatre and television. The President praised his acting as natural, restrained and authentic.
GFCI 40: GIFT City climbs nine places to 37th and enters Asia-Pacific top 15
In the 40th Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI 40), released in September 2026, GIFT City rose nine places from 46th to 37th. It also entered the top 15 financial centres of the Asia-Pacific region, the only Indian centre in that group, and improved its FinTech rank from 29th to 26th.
11th Ayurveda Day on 23 September 2026 with the theme ‘Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow’
The 11th Ayurveda Day was observed on 23 September 2026 with the theme ‘Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow’, with the main national event in Nagpur. A study by RIS (Research and Information System for Developing Countries) released there put India's Ayush services economy at $36.92 billion in 2024-25. Ayurveda is the largest Ayush system, with about 48% of the sector's revenue.
Exam angleAyurveda Day 2026: edition, theme and host city
WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026: India ranked 31st of 110 economies; Japan tops
In the World Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2026, released in September, India was ranked 31st among 110 economies, an improvement on its 2024 position. Japan was first, followed by the United States, Spain, Australia and France. India is among the top 10 for cultural World Heritage sites, and 101 of the 110 economies improved their scores since 2024.
Exam angleIndia's TTDI 2026 rank (31st) and top country (Japan)
World Tourism Day 2026 observed on 27 September with focus on digital agenda and AI
World Tourism Day was observed on 27 September 2026 with the theme ‘Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism’. In India, the day highlighted the use of digital tools and AI to plan, book and manage travel.
15 questions on this news. Think of your answer, then press “Show answer”.
Q1
In September 2026, elections were held in two phases (9 and 11 September) for how many urban local bodies of Rajasthan?
(1)309✓ Correct answer
(2)213
(3)352
(4)286
Answer: (1) 309
Explanation
Polls were held for 309 urban local bodies, including 10 municipal corporations, on 9 and 11 September. Counting took place on 14 September 2026.
Q2
In September 2026, the PM-SETU National Steering Committee approved a ₹241 crore ITI cluster plan for Rajasthan. Which Government ITI is the hub of this cluster?
(1)Government ITI Neemrana
(2)Government ITI Bhiwadi✓ Correct answer
(3)Government ITI Alwar
(4)Government ITI Tijara
Answer: (2) Government ITI Bhiwadi
Explanation
Government ITI Bhiwadi is the hub; ITIs at Alwar, Neemrana, Tijara and Kishangarh Bas are its spokes. H.G. Infra Engineering Ltd is the industry partner.
Q3
Where did the Indian Air Force hold its first ‘Dronathon-2026’ on 14–16 September 2026?
(1)Mahajan Field Firing Range, Bikaner
(2)Air Force Station Jodhpur
(3)Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer✓ Correct answer
(4)Air Force Station Hindon
Answer: (3) Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer
Explanation
Dronathon-2026 was held at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer. It showcased indigenous drone and counter-drone technologies.
Q4
The bilateral air exercise ‘Veer Guardian 2026’, held at Air Force Station Jodhpur in September 2026, was conducted by the Indian Air Force with the air force of which country?
(1)France
(2)Australia
(3)United States
(4)Japan✓ Correct answer
Answer: (4) Japan
Explanation
Veer Guardian is an India–Japan air exercise; the Japan Air Self-Defense Force brought its F-2A fighters to Jodhpur. It concluded on 22 September 2026.
Q5
Consider the following statements about Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026, which began in September 2026:
1. It is the second edition of the IAF's multinational air exercise.
2. It is being held at Air Force Station Jodhpur and adjoining air bases.
3. Only five foreign countries are taking part with their aircraft.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(1)1 and 2 only✓ Correct answer
(2)2 and 3 only
(3)1 and 3 only
(4)1, 2 and 3
Answer: (1) 1 and 2 only
Explanation
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: countries taking part with aircraft include Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, the UAE and the USA – more than five.
Q6
In September 2026, Chandra Shekhar Sain of Rajasthan won a Lalit Kala Akademi National Akademi Award at the 65th National Exhibition of Art. In which medium is his awarded work?
(1)Blue pottery
(2)Terracotta✓ Correct answer
(3)Miniature painting
(4)Phad painting
Answer: (2) Terracotta
Explanation
He was selected for his terracotta work ‘My Entire World-I’. He is the only artist from Rajasthan among this year's awardees.
Q7
On 15 September 2026, six states including Rajasthan signed an agreement for the Kishau multipurpose project. On which river is the Kishau dam planned?
(1)Giri
(2)Yamuna
(3)Tons✓ Correct answer
(4)Beas
Answer: (3) Tons
Explanation
The Kishau project plans a 232.6-metre-high concrete gravity dam on the Tons, a tributary of the Yamuna, along the Uttarakhand–Himachal Pradesh border. The Centre will bear 90% of the water component's cost.
Q8
In the 138th episode of Mann Ki Baat on 27 September 2026, the Prime Minister said data of how many families had been recorded in the first phase of Census 2027?
(1)Over 22 crore
(2)Over 28 crore
(3)Over 42 crore
(4)Over 32 crore✓ Correct answer
Answer: (4) Over 32 crore
Explanation
Data of over 32 crore families had been recorded. More than 2.6 crore people had used the self-enumeration mobile portal.
Q9
In September 2026, Kavach version 4.0 was commissioned for the first time on which railway zone, on its Malkajgiri–Kamareddi section?
(1)South Central Railway✓ Correct answer
(2)South Western Railway
(3)Central Railway
(4)East Coast Railway
Answer: (1) South Central Railway
Explanation
Kavach 4.0 was commissioned on 108 route km of the Malkajgiri–Kamareddi section in South Central Railway's Hyderabad division on 23 September 2026. Kavach is India's indigenous automatic train protection system.
Q10
At the 18th BRICS Summit held in New Delhi in September 2026, it was announced that which country will chair and host the BRICS Summit in 2027?
(1)Brazil
(2)China✓ Correct answer
(3)Russia
(4)South Africa
Answer: (2) China
Explanation
The summit adopted the New Delhi Declaration, and China will chair and host BRICS in 2027. India held over 400 meetings in 30 cities during its chairship.
Q11
Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, appointed in September 2026 as the first woman Prime Minister of Morocco, was earlier the mayor of which city?
(1)Casablanca
(2)Rabat
(3)Marrakech✓ Correct answer
(4)Fez
Answer: (3) Marrakech
Explanation
She is a lawyer who was earlier housing minister and mayor of Marrakech. Her Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) won the most seats in the 23 September 2026 elections.
Q12
Among the Rabi crops whose MSP for marketing season 2027-28 was raised in September 2026, which crop got the highest absolute increase?
(1)Rapeseed and mustard
(2)Lentil (masur)
(3)Barley
(4)Safflower✓ Correct answer
Answer: (4) Safflower
Explanation
Safflower got the highest increase of ₹675, to ₹7,215 per quintal, followed by rapeseed-mustard (₹413). Wheat MSP rose by ₹25 to ₹2,610.
Q13
When Project Cheetah completed four years in September 2026, India had 52 cheetahs. Apart from Kuno National Park, at which site were cheetahs kept?
(1)Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary✓ Correct answer
(2)Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve
(3)Nauradehi Sanctuary
(4)Banni Grassland
Answer: (1) Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary
Explanation
Of the 52 cheetahs, 49 were in Kuno National Park and 3 in Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary. 32 of them were born in India.
Q14
The 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad, in which India won silver in the Open section and bronze in the Women's section, ended in September 2026 in which city?
(1)Tashkent
(2)Samarkand✓ Correct answer
(3)Almaty
(4)Bukhara
Answer: (2) Samarkand
Explanation
The Olympiad ended at Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on 27 September 2026. Uzbekistan won the Open gold and China the Women's gold.
Q15
In September 2026, the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony was held outside Delhi for the first time. Where was it held?
(1)Gandhinagar, Gujarat
(2)Panaji, Goa
(3)Ekta Nagar, Gujarat✓ Correct answer
(4)Mumbai, Maharashtra
Answer: (3) Ekta Nagar, Gujarat
Explanation
President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat's Narmada district on 22 September 2026. ‘Article 370’ won Best Feature Film.