Welcome to the Ujiyari Rajasthan Current Affairs notes for 13 September 2026, prepared for the RPSC RAS Prelims and Mains and other Rajasthan government examinations. The day sits between polling and count. The Rajasthan State Election Commission (SEC) will count votes for the urban local body elections on Monday, 14 September 2026 at 8 a.m., after the second phase closed at 70.01 per cent turnout. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has kept a yellow alert over eastern Rajasthan and the Hadoti belt, and Yudh Abhyas 2026, the annual India-US army exercise, is under way at Mahajan Field Firing Range, Bikaner. Each item carries a Prelims fact set and a Mains angle, followed by five practice MCQs.

1. Rajasthan ULB Poll: Phase 2 Closes at 70.01 Per Cent, Counting on 14 September

Why in News: According to the Rajasthan State Election Commission, the second and final phase of the urban local body elections closed at 70.01 per cent turnout, and counting for both phases will be held on Monday, 14 September 2026 at 8 a.m. The election of chairpersons is scheduled for 21 September and of deputy chairpersons for 22 September.

Phase-wise snapshot. Phase 1 closed at 76.41 per cent, with Arnod Municipality (Pratapgarh) recording the phase high of 91.98 per cent. Phase 2 covered six municipal corporations, 20 municipal councils and 121 municipalities, spread over 4,774 wards and 9,758 polling booths, with 18,266 candidates in the fray. Dhorimanna Municipality (Balotra district) recorded the phase high of 91.59 per cent and Kota Municipal Corporation the phase low of 57.02 per cent.

Constitutional framework. ULB elections are conducted under Article 243ZA, which vests the superintendence, direction and control of municipal elections in the State Election Commission, read with Part IX-A (Articles 243P to 243ZG) and the Twelfth Schedule (18 subjects). The state statute is the Rajasthan Municipalities Act, 2009.

Rajasthan Relevance:

  • Prelims: Counting for the Rajasthan ULB polls is on 14 September 2026 at 8 a.m.; chairpersons are elected on 21 September and deputies on 22 September.
  • Prelims: Phase 2 turnout 70.01 per cent: Dhorimanna (Balotra) highest at 91.59, Kota Municipal Corporation lowest at 57.02.
  • Prelims: Phase 1 turnout 76.41 per cent; Arnod (Pratapgarh) highest at 91.98.
  • Prelims: Phase 2 covered 6 corporations, 20 councils and 121 municipalities, 4,774 wards, 9,758 booths and 18,266 candidates.
  • Prelims: The State Election Commission conducts ULB polls under Article 243ZA; the Twelfth Schedule lists 18 municipal subjects.
  • Mains: The State Election Commission as a constitutional body distinct from the ECI; the small-town versus metropolitan turnout gradient (Kota corporation at 57 per cent against Dhorimanna at 91.59 per cent); direct versus indirect election of urban chairpersons (GS2 constitutional bodies, local governance).

2. IMD Yellow Alert: Monsoon Spell Across Eastern Rajasthan

Why in News: The India Meteorological Department extended its yellow alert through 12 and 13 September 2026 for Alwar, Baran, Bharatpur, Dausa, Deeg, Dholpur, Jhalawar, Karauli, Khairthal-Tijara, Kota, Kotputli-Behror and Sawai Madhopur, covering the eastern Rajasthan and Hadoti belt, with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds.

The geography of the spell. The alert districts lie east of the Aravalli range, which acts as a drainage and rainfall divide: to the east, the Chambal, Banas and Kalisindh system drains towards the Yamuna; to the west, the Luni drains towards the Rann of Kutch. Rainfall falls steeply from the south-eastern Hadoti districts such as Jhalawar and Baran, the wettest in the state, to Jaisalmer and Barmer in the far west, the driest.

Withdrawal calendar. Under IMD’s revised normal dates, the Southwest Monsoon begins withdrawing from western Rajasthan around 17 September. Late-season rain benefits rabi sowing through soil moisture but raises flash-flood risk in the Chambal ravines.

Rajasthan Relevance:

  • Prelims: IMD’s yellow alert (12 and 13 September 2026) covered 12 districts of eastern Rajasthan and the Hadoti belt, including Kota, Baran, Jhalawar and Sawai Madhopur.
  • Prelims: IMD colour codes: green (no warning), yellow (be aware), orange (be prepared), red (take action).
  • Prelims: The normal date for the monsoon’s withdrawal to begin from western Rajasthan is around 17 September.
  • Prelims: The Aravalli separates the Luni drainage (west) from the Chambal-Banas drainage (east).
  • Mains: The Aravalli as a climatological and drainage divide; late-monsoon rain as a rabi opportunity and a flash-flood risk (GS1 geography, GS3 disaster management).

3. Yudh Abhyas 2026 Under Way at Mahajan, Bikaner: India-US Army Exercise

Why in News: The 22nd edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas, the annual India-US bilateral army exercise, is under way at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Bikaner, Rajasthan. It began on 9 September 2026 and runs until 28 September 2026, and for the first time is being conducted across two theatres in sequence, desert terrain at Mahajan followed by a mountain phase at Auli, Uttarakhand.

Format and history. Yudh Abhyas alternates between India and the United States. It trains the two armies for interoperability in peacekeeping and counter-terrorism operations under a UN Chapter VII mandate. Recent venues: Auli (2022), Fort Wainwright, Alaska (2023), Mahajan (2024) and Fort Wainwright, Alaska (2025).

Bikaner as a training location. The Mahajan Field Firing Range is among the largest field firing ranges in Asia, allowing large-formation manoeuvres and live-fire drills in desert terrain.

Rajasthan Relevance:

  • Prelims: Yudh Abhyas 2026 (22nd edition) runs from 9 to 28 September 2026, beginning at Mahajan Field Firing Range, Bikaner, with a later mountain phase at Auli.
  • Prelims: It is the first edition conducted across two theatres in sequence.
  • Prelims: Recent venues: Auli (2022), Alaska (2023), Mahajan (2024), Alaska (2025).
  • Prelims: The exercise focuses on interoperability for UN Chapter VII peacekeeping and counter-terrorism operations.
  • Mains: Bilateral exercises as instruments of strategic partnership; the geography of India’s training grounds and desert-warfare specialisation (GS2 IR, GS3 security).

Practice MCQs

1. Counting of votes for the Rajasthan urban local body elections of September 2026 is scheduled for which date?

a) 11 September 2026 b) 21 September 2026 c) 22 September 2026 d) 14 September 2026

Answer: d

Explanation: Counting for both phases is scheduled for Monday, 14 September 2026, from 8 a.m. The second phase of polling closed at 70.01 per cent turnout. The dates of 21 and 22 September are for the election of chairpersons and deputy chairpersons respectively.

2. Under the Constitution, the superintendence, direction and control of elections to municipalities is vested in which body?

a) The Election Commission of India b) The State Election Commission, under Article 243ZA c) The Governor, acting on the advice of the State Council of Ministers d) The State Finance Commission, under Article 243Y

Answer: b

Explanation: Article 243ZA vests the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, municipal elections in the State Election Commission referred to in Article 243K. Article 243Y concerns the State Finance Commission’s review of municipal finances. The Rajasthan State Election Commission is conducting the 2026 ULB polls.

3. In Phase 2 of the Rajasthan ULB elections, which municipality recorded the highest turnout?

a) Arnod Municipality, Pratapgarh b) Kota Municipal Corporation c) Dhorimanna Municipality, Balotra d) Jaipur Heritage Municipal Corporation

Answer: c

Explanation: Dhorimanna Municipality in Balotra district recorded the Phase 2 high of 91.59 per cent, while Kota Municipal Corporation recorded the phase low of 57.02 per cent. Arnod Municipality in Pratapgarh was the high in Phase 1, at 91.98 per cent. Phase 2 as a whole closed at 70.01 per cent.

4. In the India Meteorological Department’s colour-coded warning system, a “yellow” alert signifies:

a) Be aware b) Take action c) Be prepared d) No warning

Answer: a

Explanation: IMD uses four colour codes: green for no warning, yellow for “be aware”, orange for “be prepared” and red for “take action”. A yellow alert was in force on 12 and 13 September 2026 for 12 districts of eastern Rajasthan and the Hadoti belt, including Kota, Baran, Jhalawar and Sawai Madhopur.

5. Consider the following statements about Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026: (i) It is an India-US bilateral army exercise that began at the Mahajan Field Firing Range, Bikaner. (ii) It runs from 9 to 28 September 2026. (iii) The 2025 edition was held at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Which of the statements given above are correct?

a) 1 only b) 1 and 2 only c) 2 and 3 only d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: d

Explanation: All three statements are correct. The 22nd edition of Yudh Abhyas began at Mahajan Field Firing Range, Bikaner, on 9 September 2026 and runs until 28 September, with a later mountain phase at Auli, making it the first edition conducted across two theatres. The exercise alternates between the two countries: Mahajan hosted it in 2024 and Fort Wainwright, Alaska, in 2025.