Daily Current Affairs — 11 September 2026
Daily Current Affairs · 11 September 2026
10 fully-analysed topics · 30 bilingual MCQs · 3 embedded videos · built for UPSC Prelims & Mains
🎯 30 MCQs
🎬 3 Videos
🇮🇳 Hindi + English
Indian Geography MCQ Quiz · भारतीय भूगोल प्रश्नोत्तरी
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Environment
DRC's Sovereign Control Over Geological Data
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) announced plans to tighten state control over its geological data by creating a comprehensive national databank for critical minerals.
- Location: Located in Central Africa, it is the 2nd-largest country in Africa (after Algeria) and the 11th largest in the world.
- Congo River: It is the 2nd-longest river in Africa (after the Nile) and uniquely crosses the equator twice
- Congo Rainforest: It is the second-largest tropical rainforest in the world (after the Amazon), acting as a crucial global carbon sink.
- Great Lakes: Its eastern border is flanked by the African Great Lakes
Show 1 more facts
- The DRC is the world's largest producer of cobalt (holding reserves estimated at 6 million tons) and it is Africa's largest producer of copper
Which of the following statements about DRC's Sovereign Control Over Geological Data 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.
Geography
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
The conflict in eastern DRC saw two major developments-a U.S.-brokered peace agreement between Rwanda and the DRC, and a ceasefire between the DRC and M23 (March 23 Movement) rebels, mediated by Qatar.
- Despite these efforts, M23 resumed its offensive, undermining the peace objectives.
- The country also has a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean to the southwest.
- The main areas of conflict are North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri.
- It has the mineral-rich Katanga Plateau (cobalt, copper, tin, uranium, diamonds).
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- The DRC is home to several significant lakes, including Lake Tanganyika, Lake Albert, Lake Edward, and Lake Kivu.
- Mount Nyiragongo, an active volcano in the Virunga Mountains, is one of the country's notable geological features.
Geography
Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Recent clashes in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have sparked international concern and worsened the already severe humanitarian situation in the area.
- Many fatalities and thousands displaced due to clashes between the Congolese army
- The DRC is 2nd largest country in Africa and the 11th largest in the world.
- It has a small coastline with the Atlantic Ocean
Economy
Lake Tanganyika: East Africa
As per a report by Save the Children (a humanitarian organisation), migration in East Africa's Burundi in recent years has been seen mainly because of the rapid and significant rise of Lake Tanganyika.
- It is the second largest lake in eastern Africa. It covers about 12,700 square miles,
- It is the longest freshwater lake in the world and the second deepest after Lake Baikal in Russia.
- The lake is shared among four countries namely Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Tanzania and Zambia
- It is situated on the line dividing the floral regions of eastern and western Africa
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- The largest rivers discharging into the lake are the Malagarasi, the Ruzizi, and the Kalambo
- Rice and subsistence crops are grown along the shores, and fishing is of some significance
Which of the following statements about Lake Tanganyika: East Africa 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.
Polity
Curbing Misuse of Political Funding Through RUPPs
The discourse around political funding has intensified following allegations of large-scale tax evasion and money laundering involving Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs).
- Reforms should focus on empowering the ECI, strengthening audits, regulating corporate funding, capping party expenditure, plugging tax loopholes
- About: Political funding refers to the methods and sources through which political parties
- Constitutional Provisions: Article 324: Vests the superintendence
- Article 19(1)(a): The Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed that voters have a fundamental "Right to Know" regarding the sources of political funding
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- Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1951: Section 29A: Governs the formal registration of associations as political parties
- Section 29B: Grants parties the legal entitlement to accept voluntary contributions from individuals and non-government corporations.
- Section 29C: Mandates every registered party to submit an annual Contribution Report to the ECI declaring donations received in excess of Rs 20,000.
- Following the Supreme Court's 2024 verdict on Electoral Bonds
- However, amendments through the Finance Acts of 2016
- Section 13A of the Income Tax (IT) Act, 1961: Political parties registered under the Representation of the People Act, 1951 can claim tax exemption
2. What is the significance of Section 13A of the Income Tax Act
Which of the following statements about Curbing Misuse of Political Funding Through RUPPs 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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Polity
Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPP)
The Election Commission ordered the deletion of 111 registered unrecognised political parties that it found to be "non-existent".
- This was the second such action in the recent past against registered parties that have been found violating the Representation of the People Act
- Earlier, the EC had deleted 87 non-existent registered unrecognised political parties.
- The EC said the 111 parties in question had violated sections of the Act that required them to submit their address of communication
- Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPP): Either newly registered parties or those
Show 6 more facts
- A recognised political party shall either be a National party or a State party if it meets certain laid down conditions.
- To become a recognised political party either at the state or national level
- The recognition granted by the Commission to the parties determines their right to certain privileges like allocation of the party symbols
- A party is recognised as a national party if any of the following conditions is fulfilled: If it secures 6% of valid votes polled in any four or more
- If it wins 2% of seats in the Lok Sabha at a general election and these candidates are elected from three states, or
- If it is recognised as a state party in four states.
With reference to Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPP), consider the following statements:
- This was the second such action in the recent past against registered parties that have been found violating the Representation of the People Act
- Earlier, the EC had deleted 44 non-existent registered unrecognised political parties
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.
Polity
Election Commission of India
Recently, the Election Commissioner of India resigned from his post, just days ahead of the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections.
- About: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering Union
- It is not concerned with the elections to panchayats and municipalities in the states
- Part XV (Article 324-329): It deals with elections and establishes a commission for these matters.
- Article 324: Superintendence, direction and control of elections to be vested in an Election Commission.
Show 6 more facts
- Article 325: No person to be ineligible for inclusion in
- Article 326: Elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assemblies of States to be based on adult suffrage.
- Article 327: Power of Parliament to make provision with respect to elections to Legislatures.
- Article 328: Power of Legislature of a State to make provision with respect to elections to such Legislature.
- Article 329: Bar to interference by courts in electoral matters.
- Originally the commission had only one election commissioner but after the Election Commissioner Amendment Act 1989, it was made a multi-member body.
Which of the following statements about Election Commission of 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.
Polity
Rise in Donation Through Electoral Trust
The Electoral Trust Contribution reports released by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the FY 2023-24, indicate a significant increase in donations to political parties through electoral trusts.
- This increase followed the Association for Democratic Reforms vs Union of India case
- Highlights of the Report: Surge in Donations: The contribution to the Prudent Electoral Trust (PET) increased almost three-fold from 2022-23 to
- Comparative Analysis: Unlike electoral bonds, which enabled Rs 12,000 crore in anonymous donations between 2018
- About; The Electoral Trusts, introduced in 2013, are non-profit entities established to collect funds from donors
Show 6 more facts
- Legal Framework: These trusts are regulated under the Companies Act, 1956
- Eligibility for Donations: Section 17CA of the Income Tax Act
- Donors are required to provide their PAN (for residents) or passport number (for NRIs) at the time of making contributions.
- About:The Electoral Bonds Scheme, introduced in 2018, is a money instrument similar to promissory notes, available for purchase by individuals
- The person purchasing the bonds can either buy them singly or jointly with others.
- Electoral bonds are valid for 15 days from issuance. If not deposited within that time, they cannot be used
With reference to Rise in Donation Through Electoral Trust, consider the following statements:
- This decrease followed the Association for Democratic Reforms vs Union of India case
- Highlights of the Report: Surge in Donations: The contribution to the Prudent Electoral Trust (PET) increased almost three-fold from 2022-23 to
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
Political Funding Reforms
A report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) focuses on donations of Rs 20,000 or more declared to the Election Commission of India (ECI).
- It revealed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received Rs 6,074 crore in donations during FY 2024-25
- The 2024-25 ADR report highlights a 161% surge in national party donations, with corporate contributions accounting for over 92% of the total.
- The report emphasizes the dominance of Electoral Trusts and the BJP's 91% share of aggregate funding.
- This data underscores the urgent need for transparency reforms and stricter ECI oversight to ensure democratic accountability.
Show 6 more facts
- Massive Funding Surge: Total donations (above Rs 20,000) to National parties rose by 161% to Rs 6,648 crore
- Dominance of Corporate Funding: Business sectors contributed 92.18% of total donations, while individual contributors accounted for only 7.61%.
- Role of Electoral Trusts: The Prudent Electoral Trust remains the largest donor
- Zero-Declaration Trend: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) maintained its 19-year streak of declaring nil donations above the Rs 20,000 threshold.
- About: Political funding refers to the methods and sources through which political parties
- Primary Sources: Political parties in India generally receive funds through the following channels: Individual Donations: Voluntary contributions
1. What is the significance of Section 29C of the Representation of the People Act
Which of the following statements about Political Funding Reforms 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
Money Laundering Issue in India
A report submitted by the Finance Minister in the Rajya Sabha reveals.
- Also, in another development the Supreme Court held that ED must follow the rule of law, urged fast-track courts for PMLA cases
- About: It is the process of disguising illegal proceeds from criminal activities (e.g.
- Legal and Enforcement Gaps: Misuse of Section 5 of PMLA (property attachment without registered offence)
- Complex Laundering Techniques: Use of digital currencies/ cryptocurrencies, fintech, and cross-border mechanisms make detection difficult
Show 6 more facts
- About: PMLA, 2002 (enforced in 2005) was enacted to prevent money laundering and provide for the confiscation of property derived from such activities
- Enacted under Article 253 of the Constitution to fulfill international commitments.
- Attachment, Seizure & Confiscation: The Act empowers authorities to attach, seize, and confiscate property derived from crime
- The ED derives its powers under PMLA, 2002 from various sections (3, 4, 5, 16, 17 etc) to investigate, attach, seize
- The 2023 amendment expanded disclosure obligations for NGOs and redefined Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) to include prominent foreign officials
- In P. Chidambaram vs. ED, 2019, case Supreme Court (SC) held that concealing the illegal source of money impacts the financial system
Which of the following statements about Money Laundering Issue 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.
Indian Economy MCQ Quiz · भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्था 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.
