14 September 2026 Current Affairs: 45 Data Centre MCQs

1. Which description best defines a data centre?

A. A secure facility housing computing, storage and networking equipment

B. Only a mobile-phone shop

C. Only a printed-record library

D. A power station without computers

Correct answer: A. A secure facility housing computing, storage and networking equipment

2. Which everyday activity illustrates a service supported by data centres?

A. Reading a handwritten note without a device

B. Checking a bank balance online

C. Using a purely mechanical hand pump

D. Cooking without any digital equipment

Correct answer: B. Checking a bank balance online

3. A brief power interruption occurs. Which system provides immediate backup to critical equipment?

A. Uninterruptible Power Supply

B. Only a database index

C. Only an air filter

D. Only a router password

Correct answer: A. Uninterruptible Power Supply

4. For a prolonged power disruption, which backup complements the UPS?

A. Backup generators

B. A database query alone

C. An API name

D. A load-balancing rule alone

Correct answer: A. Backup generators

5. HVAC systems in a data centre mainly regulate what?

A. Database ownership

B. Internet domain names

C. Tax rates

D. Temperature and airflow

Correct answer: D. Temperature and airflow

6. Match the component with its core role: servers → ______.

A. Only cool the building

B. Only check entry cards

C. Process information and run applications

D. Only generate backup electricity

Correct answer: C. Process information and run applications

7. Which pair identifies storage devices mentioned in the article?

A. Routers and firewalls only

B. UPS and generators

C. Fans and chillers

D. HDDs and SSDs

Correct answer: D. HDDs and SSDs

8. Routers, high-speed switches and fibre-optic links primarily support which function?

A. Data communication within and beyond the facility

B. Only physical gate locking

C. Only water treatment

D. Only tax calculation

Correct answer: A. Data communication within and beyond the facility

9. One physical server runs several virtual machines. Which technology is being used?

A. Groundwater extraction

B. Manual filing

C. Only diesel generation

D. Virtualisation

Correct answer: D. Virtualisation

10. Which role is assigned to management software and automation tools?

A. Monitor systems, manage workloads and identify operational problems

B. Only display advertisements

C. Guarantee no equipment can ever fail

D. Replace all security and cooling permanently

Correct answer: A. Monitor systems, manage workloads and identify operational problems

11. In the article’s simplified request flow, what does the security layer do first?

A. Checks the request and protects against cyber threats

B. Allocates water permits

C. Cools the processor

D. Prints a tax certificate

Correct answer: A. Checks the request and protects against cyber threats

12. Incoming requests overload one server while another is free. Which component helps distribute them?

A. Only an access card

B. Load balancer

C. Only a generator

D. Only an SSD

Correct answer: B. Load balancer

13. Which component processes the application request and determines the needed service or information?

A. Physical fence

B. Cooling tower

C. Application server

D. UPS battery

Correct answer: C. Application server

14. An application communicates with another service through an API. What is API?

A. Application Programming Interface

B. Advanced Pipeline Inspection

C. Artificial Payment Income

D. Automatic Power Inverter

Correct answer: A. Application Programming Interface

15. A bank-balance request needs a stored account record. Which server retrieves that information?

A. Only the cooling controller

B. Only the backup generator

C. Only the entrance scanner

D. Database server

Correct answer: D. Database server

16. Arrange this simplified flow: 1. Database retrieval. 2. Security check. 3. Load balancing. 4. Application processing.

A. 2 → 3 → 4 → 1

B. 3 → 1 → 4 → 2

C. 1 → 2 → 3 → 4

D. 4 → 1 → 2 → 3

Correct answer: A. 2 → 3 → 4 → 1

17. The article says a request can take 1–2 seconds. Which reading is accurate?

A. The lifetime of a server

B. A compulsory legal response deadline for all websites

C. An illustrative response time, not a guarantee for every request

D. A guarantee regardless of network failure

Correct answer: C. An illustrative response time, not a guarantee for every request

18. Which organisation established the National Data Centres discussed in the article?

A. National Bamboo Mission

B. National Informatics Centre

C. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board

D. Life Insurance Corporation

Correct answer: B. National Informatics Centre

19. Identify the correct National Data Centre location set listed in the ebook.

A. Gangtok, Mamit, Dimapur and Gurugram

B. Only Mumbai and Jaipur

C. Only Chennai and Kochi

D. Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar

Correct answer: D. Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar

20. How many smaller NIC data centres at State Capitals are reported in the article?

A. 4

B. 1,570

C. 375

D. 37

Correct answer: D. 37

21. Installed data-centre power capacity in 2020 was approximately how much?

A. 375 MW

B. 17 GW

C. 375 GW

D. 8 GW

Correct answer: A. 375 MW

22. Convert the ebook’s August 2026 capacity of 1.57 GW into MW.

A. 1,570 MW

B. 157 MW

C. 1.57 MW

D. 15,700 MW

Correct answer: A. 1,570 MW

23. Using the ebook’s rounded figures, how much did capacity increase from 375 MW to 1,570 MW?

A. 1,195 MW

B. 157 MW

C. 375 MW

D. 1,945 MW

Correct answer: A. 1,195 MW

24. The nearly 8 GW figure for 2030 represents what in the article?

A. A confirmed 2030 outcome

B. A projection of future capacity

C. NIC’s number of offices

D. Already installed capacity in 2020

Correct answer: B. A projection of future capacity

25. What distinction does the article make between USD 70 billion and USD 90 billion of investments?

A. Both are NIC’s electricity bills

B. Both amounts are proven annual profits

C. Nearly 70 billion underway; another 90 billion announced

D. 90 billion already earned and 70 billion refunded

Correct answer: C. Nearly 70 billion underway; another 90 billion announced

26. In which Union Budget were data centres included in the Harmonized List of Infrastructure?

A. 2022–23

B. 2026–27 only

C. 2014–15

D. 2020–21

Correct answer: A. 2022–23

27. What is the main financing purpose of infrastructure status for data centres?

A. Improve access to suitable long-term credit

B. Guarantee unlimited grants to every operator

C. Make every data centre government-owned

D. Remove the need for all permissions

Correct answer: A. Improve access to suitable long-term credit

28. The ebook describes a tax holiday until 2047 for which eligible group?

A. Notified foreign cloud providers using India-based data centres for global operations

B. Every company regardless of activity

C. Every Indian household

D. Only domestic stationery shops

Correct answer: A. Notified foreign cloud providers using India-based data centres for global operations

29. Which tax-year range is stated for that cloud-provider incentive?

A. Only 2026–27

B. 2047–48 to 2050–51

C. 2026–27 to 2046–47

D. 2020–21 to 2022–23

Correct answer: C. 2026–27 to 2046–47

30. Semicon 2.0 is linked to which ecosystem in the article?

A. Trusted and resilient semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem

B. Only cylinder delivery

C. Only crop procurement

D. Only bamboo nurseries

Correct answer: A. Trusted and resilient semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem

31. Identify the budget outlay of the IndiaAI Mission stated in the article.

A. ₹1,27,500 crore

B. ₹1,037.19 crore

C. ₹40,000 crore

D. ₹10,371.92 crore

Correct answer: D. ₹10,371.92 crore

32. ECMS allocation increased from ₹22,000 crore to ₹40,000 crore. Calculate the increase.

A. ₹62,000 crore

B. ₹1,800 crore

C. ₹22,000 crore

D. ₹18,000 crore

Correct answer: D. ₹18,000 crore

33. PLI Scheme 2.0 for IT Hardware supports which relevant domestic product?

A. Only passenger coaches

B. Only LPG cylinders

C. Only agricultural seeds

D. Servers

Correct answer: D. Servers

34. According to the CEA estimate quoted in the ebook, data-centre power demand could reach what by 2031–32?

A. 375 MW

B. 17 MW

C. 17 GW

D. 1.57 MW

Correct answer: C. 17 GW

35. Which initiative set supports the clean-energy ecosystem described in the article?

A. Only data-entry recruitment

B. Green Energy Open Access Rules, Green Energy Corridor and Solar Park Scheme

C. Only paper-file digitisation

D. Only diesel-generator subsidies

Correct answer: B. Green Energy Open Access Rules, Green Energy Corridor and Solar Park Scheme

36. SHANTI expands to which name in the ebook?

A. Secure Hosting and Network Testing in India

B. Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India

C. Solar Heating and National Technology Initiative

D. Storage Hardware and Automated Network Transmission Interface

Correct answer: B. Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India

37. Which BIS technical committee covers cloud computing, IT and data centres in the article?

A. ECMS 2047

B. LITD 31

C. NIC 37

D. PNGRB 309

Correct answer: B. LITD 31

38. Match PUE with the correct term.

A. Power Usage Effectiveness

B. Public Utility Exemption

C. Processor Upgrade Entitlement

D. Pipeline Usage Estimate

Correct answer: A. Power Usage Effectiveness

39. A facility wants to track its water-use performance. Which indicator is relevant?

A. API

B. UPS

C. PUE only

D. WUE

Correct answer: D. WUE

40. Which pair is correctly matched?

A. CUE — Water Usage Effectiveness; CER — Server Count

B. CUE — Power Backup; CER — Storage Capacity

C. CUE — Cooling Efficiency Ratio; CER — Carbon Tax

D. CUE — Carbon Usage Effectiveness; CER — Cooling Efficiency Ratio

Correct answer: D. CUE — Carbon Usage Effectiveness; CER — Cooling Efficiency Ratio

41. Identify the correctly dated building-code pair mentioned in the article.

A. ECBC 2017 and ECSBC 2024

B. Both first issued in 2047

C. ECBC 2001 and ECSBC 2009

D. ECBC 2024 and ECSBC 2017

Correct answer: A. ECBC 2017 and ECSBC 2024

42. Groundwater extraction for industrial use is regulated under guidelines of which ministry?

A. Ministry of Jal Shakti

B. Ministry of Railways

C. Ministry of Culture

D. Ministry of External Affairs

Correct answer: A. Ministry of Jal Shakti

43. Which set contains advanced cooling technologies mentioned in the article?

A. Only hard-disk formatting

B. Only diesel combustion

C. Direct-to-chip liquid, adiabatic and immersion cooling

D. Only paper fans and open windows

Correct answer: C. Direct-to-chip liquid, adiabatic and immersion cooling

44. Consider two claims: 1. Closed-loop cooling can improve resource efficiency. 2. Every cooling design uses the same amount of water. Which is supported?

A. Neither claim

B. Only claim 1

C. Only claim 2

D. Both claims

Correct answer: B. Only claim 1

45. Which approach best reflects the article’s way forward?

A. Replace every regulation with an investment announcement

B. Treat all projections as completed achievements

C. Add servers while ignoring security and water

D. Expand capacity alongside cybersecurity, responsible data practices and efficient resource use

Correct answer: D. Expand capacity alongside cybersecurity, responsible data practices and efficient resource use

1. Which description best defines a data centre?

Correct answer: A. A secure facility housing computing, storage and networking equipment

A data centre stores, processes, manages and distributes digital information. Servers, storage, networks and supporting systems work together to deliver digital services.

2. Which everyday activity illustrates a service supported by data centres?

Correct answer: B. Checking a bank balance online

Online banking needs computing, stored records and network access. These functions explain why data centres are infrastructure for services, rather than just places to keep files.

3. A brief power interruption occurs. Which system provides immediate backup to critical equipment?

Correct answer: A. Uninterruptible Power Supply

A UPS bridges an immediate interruption so critical equipment can keep operating. Generators provide an additional layer for longer disruptions; these systems have complementary roles.

4. For a prolonged power disruption, which backup complements the UPS?

Correct answer: A. Backup generators

Backup generators and electrical distribution systems improve resilience during longer outages. A UPS handles the immediate gap, while longer backup depends on the facility’s design and resources.

5. HVAC systems in a data centre mainly regulate what?

Correct answer: D. Temperature and airflow

HVAC means Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. Removing heat and managing airflow help computing equipment stay within suitable operating conditions.

6. Match the component with its core role: servers → ______.

Correct answer: C. Process information and run applications

Servers perform computing tasks and run applications. Storage systems keep data, while cooling and power systems support the equipment doing that work.

7. Which pair identifies storage devices mentioned in the article?

Correct answer: D. HDDs and SSDs

Hard Disk Drives and Solid-State Drives hold digital data. A storage device should be distinguished from a power backup or network-routing device.

8. Routers, high-speed switches and fibre-optic links primarily support which function?

Correct answer: A. Data communication within and beyond the facility

Networking equipment moves information between systems and external users. Fibre-optic connections provide high-speed links, while servers perform the application’s computing work.

9. One physical server runs several virtual machines. Which technology is being used?

Correct answer: D. Virtualisation

Virtualisation allows multiple virtual computers to share one physical server. This can improve resource use without requiring a separate physical machine for every workload.

10. Which role is assigned to management software and automation tools?

Correct answer: A. Monitor systems, manage workloads and identify operational problems

Management tools help operators use computing resources efficiently and support maintenance. Automation assists operations; it does not remove the need for reliable hardware and oversight.

11. In the article’s simplified request flow, what does the security layer do first?

Correct answer: A. Checks the request and protects against cyber threats

The security layer inspects incoming requests before they move further in the example. Real systems may use several security controls at different stages, not only one entrance check.

12. Incoming requests overload one server while another is free. Which component helps distribute them?

Correct answer: B. Load balancer

A load balancer directs traffic towards available servers. Spreading work helps prevent one server from carrying too much of the incoming load.

13. Which component processes the application request and determines the needed service or information?

Correct answer: C. Application server

The application server runs the service logic. It may consult a database or communicate with another service before preparing a response for the user.

14. An application communicates with another service through an API. What is API?

Correct answer: A. Application Programming Interface

An API provides a defined way for software systems to interact. In the article’s example it acts as a messenger between the application and another service.

15. A bank-balance request needs a stored account record. Which server retrieves that information?

Correct answer: D. Database server

The database server retrieves stored information and returns it to the application server. The application then uses that information to produce the response.

16. Arrange this simplified flow: 1. Database retrieval. 2. Security check. 3. Load balancing. 4. Application processing.

Correct answer: A. 2 → 3 → 4 → 1

The article first checks the request, then directs it to an available server. The application processes it and retrieves database information when required; not every request must access a database.

17. The article says a request can take 1–2 seconds. Which reading is accurate?

Correct answer: C. An illustrative response time, not a guarantee for every request

Response time depends on networks, workload and the service being used. The 1–2-second example explains fast digital service rather than setting a universal performance guarantee.

18. Which organisation established the National Data Centres discussed in the article?

Correct answer: B. National Informatics Centre

NIC provides strategic data-centre infrastructure for government digital services. These facilities support reliable hosting, system management and round-the-clock operations.

19. Identify the correct National Data Centre location set listed in the ebook.

Correct answer: D. Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar

The ebook lists NIC Headquarters in Delhi and facilities in Pune, Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar. This is the stated NIC list, not a list of every commercial data-centre city.

20. How many smaller NIC data centres at State Capitals are reported in the article?

Correct answer: D. 37

The article reports 37 smaller centres at various State Capitals. They complement the National Data Centres; the number should not be confused with power capacity in megawatts.

21. Installed data-centre power capacity in 2020 was approximately how much?

Correct answer: A. 375 MW

The ebook uses around 375 MW as the 2020 baseline. Later capacity figures must use the same unit before growth is calculated.

22. Convert the ebook’s August 2026 capacity of 1.57 GW into MW.

Correct answer: A. 1,570 MW

One gigawatt equals 1,000 megawatts, so 1.57 × 1,000 = 1,570 MW. The ebook rounds the figure; the cited August ministry release reports about 1,575 MW.

23. Using the ebook’s rounded figures, how much did capacity increase from 375 MW to 1,570 MW?

Correct answer: A. 1,195 MW

Subtract the baseline: 1,570 − 375 = 1,195 MW. This is the absolute increase using rounded ebook figures, not an annual growth rate.

24. The nearly 8 GW figure for 2030 represents what in the article?

Correct answer: B. A projection of future capacity

Nearly 8 GW is a projection for 2030. It should not be combined with the August 2026 installed figure as though both were current operational capacity.

25. What distinction does the article make between USD 70 billion and USD 90 billion of investments?

Correct answer: C. Nearly 70 billion underway; another 90 billion announced

The ebook separates investment underway from announced projects. Announcements indicate a pipeline of interest but should not be counted as money already spent or capacity already operating.

26. In which Union Budget were data centres included in the Harmonized List of Infrastructure?

Correct answer: A. 2022–23

The article links infrastructure status to the Union Budget 2022–23. This recognition supports access to infrastructure financing and investment in the sector.

27. What is the main financing purpose of infrastructure status for data centres?

Correct answer: A. Improve access to suitable long-term credit

Infrastructure status can improve the financing environment for capital-intensive facilities. It does not itself guarantee that every borrower receives a loan or that all regulatory requirements disappear.

28. The ebook describes a tax holiday until 2047 for which eligible group?

Correct answer: A. Notified foreign cloud providers using India-based data centres for global operations

The article specifies eligible notified foreign companies and global cloud operations using Indian infrastructure. The stated scope should not be expanded into a blanket exemption for all data-centre-related income.

29. Which tax-year range is stated for that cloud-provider incentive?

Correct answer: C. 2026–27 to 2046–47

The ebook states Tax Years 2026–27 through 2046–47. The phrase until 2047 summarises this period; eligibility conditions still matter.

30. Semicon 2.0 is linked to which ecosystem in the article?

Correct answer: A. Trusted and resilient semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem

The ebook presents Semicon 2.0 under the India Semiconductor Mission, with an outlay of ₹1,27,500 crore and approval dated 15 July 2026. Chips are part of the domestic technology ecosystem supporting computing infrastructure.

31. Identify the budget outlay of the IndiaAI Mission stated in the article.

Correct answer: D. ₹10,371.92 crore

The IndiaAI Mission outlay is ₹10,371.92 crore. The article treats AI ecosystem development as a driver of demand for computing and data-centre capacity.

32. ECMS allocation increased from ₹22,000 crore to ₹40,000 crore. Calculate the increase.

Correct answer: D. ₹18,000 crore

The absolute increase is ₹40,000 − ₹22,000 = ₹18,000 crore. ECMS supports electronics components, a related manufacturing ecosystem rather than a data-centre operating bill.

33. PLI Scheme 2.0 for IT Hardware supports which relevant domestic product?

Correct answer: D. Servers

The article includes servers among IT hardware products. Domestic manufacturing can strengthen supply chains and reduce import reliance for computing infrastructure.

34. According to the CEA estimate quoted in the ebook, data-centre power demand could reach what by 2031–32?

Correct answer: C. 17 GW

The estimate is about 17 GW by 2031–32. This is projected power demand with its own date and scope, not the same measure as the 2030 capacity projection.

35. Which initiative set supports the clean-energy ecosystem described in the article?

Correct answer: B. Green Energy Open Access Rules, Green Energy Corridor and Solar Park Scheme

These initiatives improve the wider environment for renewable power deployment and access. They support energy-intensive digital infrastructure, but do not mean every facility already uses only renewables.

36. SHANTI expands to which name in the ebook?

Correct answer: B. Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India

The article connects SHANTI with the nuclear-energy framework for reliable clean power. It includes the possibility of future Small Modular Reactors and Micro Nuclear Reactors, not a claim that every data centre already has one.

37. Which BIS technical committee covers cloud computing, IT and data centres in the article?

Correct answer: B. LITD 31

The article identifies BIS committee LITD 31. Its standards include measures for electricity, carbon, cooling and water performance, helping facilities assess resource use.

38. Match PUE with the correct term.

Correct answer: A. Power Usage Effectiveness

PUE concerns the effectiveness of power use in a data centre. It is an efficiency indicator, not a measure of how many terabytes the centre stores.

39. A facility wants to track its water-use performance. Which indicator is relevant?

Correct answer: D. WUE

WUE means Water Usage Effectiveness. The ebook highlights water planning because cooling choices can change a data centre’s water requirements.

40. Which pair is correctly matched?

Correct answer: D. CUE — Carbon Usage Effectiveness; CER — Cooling Efficiency Ratio

CUE focuses on carbon-related performance, while CER assesses cooling efficiency. Keeping these indicators distinct avoids treating electricity, cooling, water and carbon as interchangeable measures.

41. Identify the correctly dated building-code pair mentioned in the article.

Correct answer: A. ECBC 2017 and ECSBC 2024

The ebook names the Energy Conservation Building Code 2017 and Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code 2024. It connects these BEE codes with energy-efficiency and water-conservation provisions relevant to buildings.

42. Groundwater extraction for industrial use is regulated under guidelines of which ministry?

Correct answer: A. Ministry of Jal Shakti

The article refers to Ministry of Jal Shakti guidelines governing groundwater extraction. Data-centre growth therefore needs water planning and compliance, not just additional electricity.

43. Which set contains advanced cooling technologies mentioned in the article?

Correct answer: C. Direct-to-chip liquid, adiabatic and immersion cooling

The article lists these cooling approaches as AI infrastructure expands. Direct-to-chip cooling brings liquid cooling close to heat-producing chips, while immersion cooling places equipment in a suitable cooling liquid.

44. Consider two claims: 1. Closed-loop cooling can improve resource efficiency. 2. Every cooling design uses the same amount of water. Which is supported?

Correct answer: B. Only claim 1

The ebook presents closed-loop liquid cooling as a resource-efficient option and says water needs depend on technology. A closed loop reuses circulating coolant, but that does not prove every facility has zero water demand.

45. Which approach best reflects the article’s way forward?

Correct answer: D. Expand capacity alongside cybersecurity, responsible data practices and efficient resource use

The article links digital sovereignty and growth with accountability, standards and sustainability. More capacity becomes useful public infrastructure when reliability, security and resource management grow with it.