Daily Current Affairs — 26 September 2026
Daily Current Affairs · 26 September 2026
10 fully-analysed topics · 30 bilingual MCQs · 3 embedded videos · built for UPSC Prelims & Mains
🎯 30 MCQs
🎬 3 Videos
🇮🇳 Hindi + English
Indian History MCQ Quiz · भारतीय इतिहास प्रश्नोत्तरी
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Economy
12 Years of Make in India
The Government of India's flagship 'Make in India' initiative completed exactly 12 years since its launch.
- Make in India has significantly expanded India's manufacturing base
- However, challenges remain in manufacturing's GVA share, private investment, employment, domestic value addition
- Launch: It was launched on 25th September 2014, with the ambition of transforming India into a global hub for manufacturing, design, and innovation.
- Core Philosophy: The initiative is guided by the principle of 'Minimum Government
Show 6 more facts
- Evolution (Make in India 2.0): Launched in February 2021, the initiative was subsequently expanded under Make in India 2.0
- Electronics and Mobile Manufacturing: Electronics production increased nearly sevenfold
- In 2025, smartphones became India's largest exported product category, strengthening the country's electronics manufacturing ecosystem
- Between 2020-21 and 2024-25, passenger vehicle and commercial vehicle output grew by 65% each, three-wheelers by 71%, and two-wheelers by 30%.
- Domestic manufacturing of medical devices expanded by 48.2% (2019-25).
- Domestic breakthroughs include: Trastuzumab Emtansine: The world's first biosimilar antibody-drug conjugate for breast cancer.
3. What is the significance of the PLI Scheme for Make in India? PLI covers 14 sectors
Which of the following statements about 12 Years of Make in India is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
Economy
Make in India
Recently, over a dozen "restrictive and discriminatory" conditions which prevented local suppliers from participating in the bidding process were flagged by the Union Government to boost 'Make in India' initiative.
- These conditions were in violation of the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order
- About: Launched in 2014, Make in India aims to transform the country into a leading global manufacturing and investment destination.
- It is being led by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
- The initiative is an open invitation to potential investors and partners across the globe to participate in the growth story of 'New India'.
Show 6 more facts
- Make In India has substantial accomplishments across 27 sectors under Make in India 2.0 which include strategic sectors of manufacturing
- Target of an increase in manufacturing sector growth to 12-14% per annum over the medium term
- To increase the share of manufacturing sector in the country's Gross Domestic Product from 16% to 25% by 2022
- To create 100 million additional jobs by 2022.
- New Processes: 'Make in India' recognizes 'Ease of Doing Business' as the single most important factor to promote entrepreneurship for
- The aim is to de-license and de-regulate the industry during the entire life cycle of a business.
With reference to Make in India, consider the following statements:
- These conditions were in violation of the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order
- About: Launched in 2011 Make in India aims to transform the country into a leading global manufacturing and investment destination
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source.
Not quite. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source. The green option is the correct one.
Economy
Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS)
The Union Cabinet has approved the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS) with a budgetary outlay of ₹62,500 crore to strengthen India's mobile phone manufacturing ecosystem.
- About: MPMS is a government scheme aimed at scaling up mobile phone production in India
- Scheme Tenure: MPMS will operate for five years, from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31.
- Incentive Support: The scheme provides incentive support on eligible sales of mobile phones manufactured in India at differentiated rates ranging
- Domestic Sourcing Incentive: It provides an additional incentive of up to 1.5% linked to the domestic sourcing of key components and sub-assemblies.
Show 6 more facts
- Scale Up Production: The scheme aims to further increase mobile phone manufacturing capacity in India
- Deepen Domestic Value Addition: MPMS seeks to increase local sourcing of components and sub-assemblies, thereby reducing dependence on imports.
- Strengthen Supply Chains: The scheme aims to make India's electronics supply chains deeper, more resilient and globally competitive.
- Production Target: During the scheme period, cumulative mobile phone production in India is expected to reach around ₹39 lakh crore.
- Export Expansion: MPMS is expected to significantly increase mobile phone exports and strengthen India's role in global electronics value chains.
- Employment Generation: The scheme is expected to generate around 60,000 direct jobs, supporting industrial employment and economic growth.
Which of the following statements about Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS) is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
Economy
Production Linked Incentive Scheme
Recently, a debate has emerged over the effectiveness of India's Production-Linked Incentive (PLI), an Electronics Manufacturing scheme, suggesting.
- About: The PLI scheme was conceived to scale up domestic manufacturing capability
- Launched in March 2020, the scheme initially targeted three industries: Mobile and allied Component Manufacturing
- The 14 sectors are mobile manufacturing, manufacturing of medical devices, automobiles
- The incentives given, are calculated on the basis of incremental sales
Show 6 more facts
- In FY 2017-18, mobile phone imports were USD 3.6 billion, while exports were a mere USD 334 million, resulting in a –USD 3.3 billion trade deficit.
- By FY 2022-23, imports reduced to USD 1.6 billion, while exports surged to nearly USD 11 billion, yielding a positive net exports of USD 9.8 billion.
- Assembly vs. Value Addition: The subsidy in the scheme for Mobile and allied Component Manufacturing is paid only for finishing the phone in India
- So India still imports much of what goes into the mobile phones
- Incidentally, these are the same two years when mobile phone exports jumped the most.
- Although India's aspiration to make chips is sound, chips are complex components.
With reference to Production Linked Incentive Scheme, consider the following statements:
- About: The PLI scheme was conceived to scale up domestic manufacturing capability
- Launched in March 2022 the scheme initially targeted three industries: Mobile and allied Component Manufacturing
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source.
Not quite. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source. The green option is the correct one.
Economy
Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets
The Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets has brought renewed focus on India's efforts to build a domestic permanent magnet manufacturing ecosystem and reduce dependence on China.
- REPM Manufacturing Scheme aims to create 6,000 MTPA domestic capacity for sintered rare-earth permanent magnets
- India faces heavy rare-earth shortages, weak refining capacity, monazite-thorium constraints and limited recycling
- About: Approved by the Union Cabinet in November 2025
- This capacity will be allocated among five beneficiaries (1,200 MTPA each) selected through a global competitive bidding process.
Show 6 more facts
- The financial outlay includes a Rs 750 crore capital subsidy for setting up units and Rs 6,450 crore in sales-linked incentives.
- Surging Demand & Import Dependence: India's demand for REPMs is projected to double by 2030
- Supply Chain Vulnerability: Between 2022 and 2025, China supplied 60–90% of India's permanent magnets
- About: REPMs are high-performance magnets made from rare earth elements such as Samarium (Sm)
- Sintered NdFeB (neodymium-iron-boron) and SmCo (samarium-cobalt) magnets are the strongest commercially available permanent magnets.
- Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act
Which of the following statements about Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
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Economy
Indigenous Defence Production Hits Record
Recently, India's indigenous defense production reached a record high of Rs 1.27 lakh crore in 2023-24, a growth of 16.7% over the FY 2022-23.
- The value of defense production in FY 2022-23 was Rs 1.08 lakh crore.
- India's annual defense production target is set to reach Rs 3 lakh crore by 2028-29.
- 79.2% of the total value of production came from Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and other PSUs, while 20.8% was from the private sector.
- The growth in defense production value has been over 60% since 2019-20.
Show 2 more facts
- Defense exports grew by 32.5% from Rs 15,920 crore in FY 2022-23 to reach Rs 21,083 crore in 2023-24
- The defence budget for 2024-25 has been allocated Rs 6.21 lakh crore
With reference to Indigenous Defence Production Hits Record, consider the following statements:
- The value of defense production in FY 2022-23 was Rs 1.08 lakh crore
- India's annual defense production target is set to reach Rs 2 lakh crore by 2028-29
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source.
Not quite. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source. The green option is the correct one.
Defence
IAF to Receive First Tejas Mk1A Fighter Jet
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to receive its first Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A, marking a significant milestone in India's indigenous fighter jet programme.
- About: The Tejas Mk1A is an upgraded variant of India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
- Purpose: This version is aimed to enhance operational and combat capabilities, survivability and maintainability over the baseline Mk1.
- Upgraded Flight Control Computer (DFCC Mk1A) for better maneuverability and stability.
- About: The LCA Tejas programme, initiated by the Government of India in 1984, aimed to replace the ageing MiG-21 fighter jets
Show 3 more facts
- Tejas Trainer: 2-seater operational conversion trainer for training air force pilots.
- LCA Tejas Navy MK2: This is phase 2 of the LCA Navy variant.
- LCA Tejas Mk-1A: This is an improvement over the LCA Tejas Mk1 with a higher thrust engine.
Which of the following statements about IAF to Receive First Tejas Mk1A Fighter Jet is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
Economy
Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna
The Union Cabinet has approved the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA) with an outlay of Rs. 33,660 crore to establish 100 plug-and-play industrial parks.
- Plug-and-Play Ecosystem: The scheme provides pre-approved land and ready infrastructure (100 to 1,000 acres)
- Financial Support: The Centre will provide up to Rs
- Selection Mechanism: Projects will be selected via a "Challenge Mode," ensuring high-quality
- Strategic Integration: Aligned with PM GatiShakti principles
Show 2 more facts
- Implementation Framework: It will be implemented under the framework of the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) by the
- Secondary beneficiaries include workers, logistics providers, service sector enterprises, and local communities.
Which of the following statements about Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
Economy
Cabinet Approves Semicon 2.0
The Union Cabinet approved the Semicon 2.0 programme.
- About: Building upon the foundation laid by the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 1.0 (launched in 2021)
- Financial Outlay: Rs 1,27,500 crore to holistically build the semiconductor ecosystem.
- Setting up more Fabs: Encouraging capital-intensive investments in silicon fabs
- Talent Development: Training industry-ready talent
Show 5 more facts
- Growth in Electronics Manufacturing: Over the last eleven years, electronics production has grown 7-fold, and exports 11-fold
- Inclusive Job Creation: The rapid expansion of the electronics manufacturing ecosystem has generated approximately 25 lakh jobs over the last decade
- Semicon India Programme (Semicon 1.0) launched in 2021 with an outlay of Rs 76,000 crore
- Geostrategic imperative: The US–China chip conflicts has shown that semiconductors are strategic assets
- Economic competitiveness: Electronics constitute India's second-largest import bill after crude oil
Which of the following statements about Cabinet Approves Semicon 2.0 is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
Economy
BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, has approved the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan (BHAVYA Rasayan) Scheme for establishing three dedicated Chemical Parks across India.
- About: Announced in the Union Budget 2026–27, BHAVYA Rasayan aims to establish three dedicated Chemical Parks
- Funding: The scheme has a total outlay of Rs. 3,030 crore, comprising Rs. 3,000 crore for common infrastructure and basic utilities and Rs
- Centre-State Contribution: The Central Government will provide up to Rs. 1,000 crore per park, subject to a minimum contribution of Rs
- Implementation: The scheme will be implemented for five years
Show 4 more facts
- Land Requirement: Each Chemical Park must have at least 8 sq. km. or 2,000 acres of contiguous and encumbrance-free land.
- Infrastructure: The parks will provide plug-and-play facilities such as effluent treatment plants
- Economic Benefits: The scheme will reduce logistics and production costs
- Significance: Sustainable infrastructure and better environmental compliance will support employment generation
With reference to BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme, consider the following statements:
- About: Announced in the Union Budget 2026–27, BHAVYA Rasayan aims to establish three dedicated Chemical Parks
- Funding: The scheme has a total outlay of Rs. 3,030 crore, comprising Rs. 6,000 crore for common infrastructure and basic utilities and Rs
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source.
Not quite. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source. The green option is the correct one.
Indian Geography MCQ Quiz · भारतीय भूगोल प्रश्नोत्तरी
A second members-only subject quiz – lock in today's study session
Current affairs alone will not clear Prelims. Close the day on the static syllabus with this members-only quiz.
