Practice APSC Current Affairs MCQs for 19 September 2026 on election symbols, bamboo cultivation in Assam, 75/25 NCD initiative and AMRUT 2.0, Election Symbols Order 1968, ECI election symbols, free and reserved symbols India, bamboo economy Assam, bamboo cultivation Assam, 75/25 initiative hypertension diabetes, AMRUT Scheme, AMRUT 2.0 water secure cities, APSC Prelims Current Affairs, Assam Current Affairs 2026.
Daily Current Affairs Challenge – 19 September 2026 | Election Symbols, Bamboo Economy, 75/25 Initiative & AMRUT
Strengthen your APSC CCE and UPSC Current Affairs preparation with the Daily Current Affairs Challenge – 19 September 2026.
Today’s set contains 4 exam-oriented MCQs covering election-symbol rules in India, bamboo cultivation and its economic potential in Assam, India’s response to non-communicable diseases, and urban infrastructure under AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0.
Topics Covered: Election Symbols in India; Bamboo Cultivation in Assam; 75/25 Initiative; AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0.
Question 1 – APSC Current Affairs
Consider the following statements regarding the allotment of election symbols in India:
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) allots election symbols under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, with reserved symbols being exclusive to recognised political parties.
- Candidates of registered unrecognised political parties can choose only from reserved symbols of recognised political parties.
Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: B — Statement 2 only
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct, while Statement 2 is incorrect.
The Election Commission of India regulates the specification, reservation and allotment of election symbols through the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. The ECI’s current handbook distinguishes between reserved symbols, which are associated with recognised National or State parties, and free symbols. Candidates other than those sponsored by recognised parties generally choose from the notified list of free symbols, subject to the applicable provisions of the Symbols Order.
Therefore, a candidate belonging to a registered unrecognised political party does not simply choose from the reserved symbols of recognised parties.
Key Facts for APSC: Reserved Symbol → Recognised political party; Free Symbol → Available subject to ECI rules; Governing framework → Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.
Prelims Focus: Do not confuse reserved symbols with free symbols, particularly when questions involve recognised and registered-unrecognised parties.
Question 2 – APSC Current Affairs
With reference to bamboo cultivation and its economic significance in Assam, consider the following statements:
- Bamboo is botanically a grass rather than a tree.
- Once established, bamboo can continue to grow for generations with relatively low maintenance requirements.
- Bamboo cultivation is necessarily restricted to fertile agricultural land because it cannot thrive on marginal lands.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: A — 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct, while Statement 3 is incorrect.
Bamboo is botanically a grass, not a tree.
According to the supplied material, once established, bamboo requires relatively low investment and maintenance and can continue growing for long periods.
Statement 3 is incorrect because bamboo can grow on suitable marginal lands and is therefore not necessarily restricted to fertile agricultural land.
Why is Bamboo Important for Assam? In an APSC context, bamboo can be connected with rural livelihoods, value addition, local enterprise and the wider bio-based economy.
Key Facts for APSC: Bamboo → Grass → Fast-growing → Relatively low maintenance after establishment → Can grow on suitable marginal land.
Question 3 – APSC Current Affairs
The “75/25” initiative, in the context of India’s response to non-communicable diseases, is associated with:
A. Providing standardised care to 75 million people with hypertension and diabetes by 2025
B. Screening 75% of India’s population for all communicable diseases by 2025
C. Reducing NCD-related mortality by 75% by 2025
D. Establishing 75,000 specialised NCD hospitals by 2025
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: According to the source, the 75/25 initiative aimed to provide standardised care to 75 million people with hypertension and diabetes by 2025.
The initiative should therefore be remembered in connection with two major non-communicable diseases (NCDs):
Hypertension
Diabetes
Key Facts for APSC & UPSC: 75/25 → 75 million people → Hypertension + Diabetes → Standardised care → Target year 2025.
Prelims Focus: The numerical formulation itself is the easiest recall device — 75 million by 2025.
Question 4 – APSC Current Affairs
Consider the following statements regarding the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT):
- AMRUT was launched on June 25, 2015, with the objective of transforming 500 cities by improving basic civic amenities.
- AMRUT 2.0, launched in 2021, focuses on creating water-secure cities, including universal water supply coverage in all statutory towns and 100% sewerage and septage management in 500 AMRUT cities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Both statements are correct according to the supplied material.
AMRUT was launched on 25 June 2015 with a focus on improving basic urban civic amenities across 500 cities.
AMRUT 2.0 was launched on 1 October 2021 and places greater emphasis on water security. The source highlights areas including:
Universal water-supply coverage
Sewerage and septage management
Water-body rejuvenation
Aquifer management
Rainwater harvesting.
Key Facts for APSC & UPSC: AMRUT → 2015 → 500 cities; AMRUT 2.0 → 2021 → Water-secure cities + Sewerage + Water-body rejuvenation + Aquifer management + Rainwater harvesting.
Governance Link: AMRUT is useful for revising themes of urbanisation, municipal infrastructure, water management and sustainable urban development.
Quick Revision – 19 September 2026: Under India’s election-symbol framework, reserved symbols are associated with recognised parties, while other candidates generally operate within the notified framework of free symbols. Bamboo is a fast-growing grass and can grow on suitable marginal land. The 75/25 initiative aimed to provide standardised care to 75 million people with hypertension and diabetes by 2025. AMRUT was launched in 2015, while AMRUT 2.0 was launched in 2021 with a stronger emphasis on urban water security.
Why These Topics Matter for APSC CCE: Today’s set provides a useful combination of Indian Polity, Assam Economy, Health and Urban Governance. Election symbols strengthen procedural aspects of Indian elections; bamboo provides an Assam-linked economic and livelihood topic; the 75/25 initiative connects public health with NCD management; and AMRUT strengthens urban-governance preparation.
Follow the Lucent IAS Daily Current Affairs Challenge regularly for exam-oriented MCQs, explanations and revision points relevant to APSC CCE, UPSC and other competitive examinations.
