Dear Readers, Daily Current Affairs Questions Quiz for SBI, IBPS, RBI, RRB, SSC Exam 2026 of 01st October 2026. Daily GK quiz online for bank & competitive exam. Here we have given the Daily Current Affairs Quiz based on the previous days Daily Current Affairs updates. Candidates preparing for IBPS, SBI, RBI, RRB, SSC Exam 2026 & other competitive exams can make use of these Current Affairs Quiz.

 

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1) According to the news, the RBI Advisory Committee on Ways and Means Advances (WMA) to State Governments recommended increasing the aggregate WMA limit for states from ₹61,008 crore to what amount?

(a) ₹63,839 crore

(b) ₹65,839 crore

(c) ₹67,839 crore

(d) ₹69,839 crore

(e) ₹71,839 crore

2) Under the revised PMS framework approved by SEBI, what is the minimum ticket size for PMS providers to invest client funds in direct mutual fund schemes and Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs) under PRIM?

(a) ₹10 lakh

(b) ₹15 lakh

(c) ₹20 lakh

(d) ₹25 lakh

(e) ₹50 lakh

 

3) Which of the following statements regarding India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) in August 2026 is correct?

(a) IIP growth was 6.7%, compared with 8.0% in July 2026

(b) The base year of the revised IIP is 2011–12

(c) The IIP grew by 8.0% year-on-year, with the index rising to 123.3

(d) Manufacturing accounts for around 60% weight in the IIP

(e) The revised IIP covers only three broad sectors

4) According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), India’s net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rose sharply in July 2026. What was the net FDI recorded during the month?

(a) US$1.30 billion

(b) US$5.80 billion

(c) US$7.35 billion

(d) US$8.80 billion

(e) US$14.58 billion

5) In news, Bank of India (BoI) launched a programmable Digital Rupee (e₹) facility with auto-payment and auto-issuance functionality on 29 September 2026. On which platform does this facility operate?

(a) UPI platform developed by NPCI

(b) CBDC platform developed by Montran India

(c) Digital banking platform developed by RBI

(d) e₹ platform developed by SEBI

(e) Bharat Connect platform developed by NPCI

 

6) Which of the following general insurance companies launched VIBE, a mobile-first health insurance plan designed primarily for young consumers, particularly Gen Z, combining hospitalisation cover, outpatient care, mental-health support, teleconsultations and lifestyle benefits?

(a) HDFC ERGO General Insurance

(b) SBI General Insurance

(c) Bajaj Allianz General Insurance

(d) Tata AIG General Insurance

(e) ICICI Lombard General Insurance

7) Which portal was launched by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta under the Ease of Doing Business initiative to provide a single-window platform for licences, approvals and No Objection Certificates (NOCs)?

(a) Delhi Business Sahayata Portal

(b) Delhi Enterprise Facilitation Portal

(c) Delhi Industrial Clearance Portal

(d) Delhi Udyog Mitra Portal

(e) Delhi Single Window Business Portal

8) Which sector received the highest disbursement under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes, amounting to ₹19,090.98 crore up to June 2026?

(a) Pharmaceuticals

(b) Food Products

(c) Automobiles and Auto Components

(d) Textiles

(e) Large-Scale Electronics Manufacturing

9) Which traditional GI-tagged dairy product of Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir, also known as the “Mozzarella of Jammu”, is known for its distinctive meltability and stretchability?

(a) Kaladi

(b) Chhurpi

(c) Paneer

(d) Khoya

(e) Chhena

 

10) On which date was the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) launched by the Ministry of Rural Development to provide placement-linked skill training and employment opportunities to rural youth?

(a) 15 August 2014

(b) 25 September 2014

(c) 2 October 2014

(d) 26 January 2015

(e) 15 September 2015

 

11) Who inaugurated Arogya Manthan 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, marking 8 years of AB PM-JAY and 5 years of ABDM?

(a) Mansukh Mandaviya

(b) J. P. Nadda

(c) Rajiv Kumar

(d) Ashwini Vaishnaw

(e) Prataprao Jadhav

 

12) Where was the country’s first Victim Rights Centre inaugurated by Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant to provide legal rights, psychological support, counselling and other essential assistance to victims of crime?

(a) Ranchi, Jharkhand

(b) Patna, Bihar

(c) Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

(d) Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

(e) New Delhi, Delhi

13) Under which section of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 is a person who has not attained majority considered incompetent to contract, a legal issue examined by the Supreme Court in the context of minors independently creating social media accounts?

(a) Section 3

(b) Section 7

(c) Section 10

(d) Section 11

(e) Section 18

 

14) On which date was the Make in India initiative launched with the objective of establishing India as a global hub for manufacturing, design and innovation?

(a) 15 August 2014

(b) 25 September 2014

(c) 2 October 2014

(d) 26 January 2015

(e) 25 September 2015

15) Which of the following was recognised as one of the inaugural 2026 Cool Leaders under the Cool Leaders Award launched by the UNEP-led Cool Coalition?

(a) Singapore

(b) Japan

(c) India

(d) Germany

(e) Australia

16) Who was appointed as the Whole-time Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CRIF Credit Information Services Private Limited, effective 29 September 2026?

(a) Suresh Venkatesan

(b) Rajiv Ranjan

(c) Sanjay Malhotra

(d) Tuhin Kanta Pandey

(e) V. V. Chari

 

17) Which Indian Navy frontline destroyer made a port call at Salalah, Oman, on 29 September 2026, during which a PASSEX was conducted with the Royal Navy of Oman?

(a) INS Kolkata

(b) INS Chennai

(c) INS Rajput

(d) INS Visakhapatnam

(e) INS Ranvijay

 

18) Which Odisha-based start-up supplied 45 logistics Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the Indian Army’s Eastern Command on 28 September 2026?

(a) Garuda Aerospace

(b) ideaForge Technology

(c) BonV Aero

(d) NewSpace Research & Technologies

(e) Asteria Aerospace

19) Which Indian spacetech startup plans to launch India’s first networked orbital data centre mission in late 2028 using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 under the Waymaker 2 rideshare mission?

(a) Pixxel

(b) Agnikul Cosmos

(c) Skyroot Aerospace

(d) TakeMe2Space

(e) Dhruva Space

20) Which company launched the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics at Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA) Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu?

(a) Infosys Limited

(b) Tata Communications Limited

(c) HCL Technologies

(d) Wipro Limited

(e) Tech Mahindra Limited

21) Which company launched the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics at Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA) Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu?

(a) Infosys Limited

(b) Tata Communications Limited

(c) HCL Technologies

(d) Wipro Limited

(e) Tech Mahindra Limited

 

22) Which Hyderabad-based deeptech startup received an Indian patent for its miniaturised space telescope-based imaging system named MIRA?

(a) TakeMe2Space

(b) Pixxel

(c) EON Space Labs

(d) Skyroot Aerospace

(e)

23) Which institution signed an agreement with the Ministry of Minority Affairs for independent third-party monitoring of training under the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) Scheme across the South zone?

(a) Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru

(b) Indian Institute of Technology Madras

(c) Indian Institute of Management Bangalore

(d) IIMB Innovations (NSRCEL)

(e) Centre for Urbanization, Buildings & Environment (CUBE)

 

24) Which company signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Tourism to strengthen India’s homestay ecosystem, promote lesser-known destinations and support local communities?

(a) MakeMyTrip

(b) OYO

(c) Booking.com

(d) Airbnb

(e) EaseMyTrip

25) Recently, Mike Burton, a three-time Olympic swimming champion from which country, passed away at the age of 79?

(a) Australia

(b) United Kingdom

(c) Canada

(d) United States

(e) Germany

26) On which date is World Heart Day observed annually to raise awareness about cardiovascular diseases and the importance of heart health?

(a) 21 September

(b) 25 September

(c) 29 September

(d) 1 October

(e) 10 October

27) On which date is World Rabies Day observed every year to raise awareness about the impact of rabies on humans and animals?

(a) 28 September

(b) 25 September

(c) 27 September

(d) 29 September

(e) 1 October

28) On which date is World Contraception Day observed annually to raise awareness about contraceptive methods, family planning and sexual and reproductive health?

(a) 21 September

(b) 24 September

(c) 26 September

(d) 28 September

(e) 29 September

 

29) Under SEBI’s revised settlement framework, what is the maximum calculated settlement amount for eligible disclosure-related violations to qualify for the fast-track settlement mechanism without referral to the High Powered Committee?

(a) ₹5 lakh

(b) ₹10 lakh

(c) ₹15 lakh

(d) ₹25 lakh

(e) ₹50 lakh

 

30) During April–August 2026, India’s industrial output grew by what percentage, compared with 4.2% during the corresponding period of the previous year?

(a) 5.4%

(b) 6.7%

(c) 6.9%

(d) 7.2%

(e) 8.0%

Answers

1) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the Report of the Advisory Committee on Ways and Means Advances (WMA) to State Governments, chaired by Shri I. S. N. Prasad, former Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka.

The Committee was constituted to review State-wise WMA limits and other liquidity support/financial accommodation facilities available to state governments.

The RBI provides temporary liquidity support to states for cash-flow mismatches through Special Drawing Facility (SDF), Ways and Means Advances (WMA) and Overdraft (OD), in the sequence SDF → WMA → OD.

The Committee recommended increasing the aggregate WMA limit for states from ₹61,008 crore to ₹67,839 crore, representing an 11.2% increase, considering the growth in states’ budget sizes and liquidity requirements.

Detailed Explanation:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the Report of the Advisory Committee on Ways and Means Advances (WMA) to State Governments, chaired by Shri I. S. N. Prasad, former Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka.

The Committee was constituted to review State-wise WMA limits and other liquidity support/financial accommodation facilities available to state governments.

The RBI provides temporary liquidity support to states for cash-flow mismatches through Special Drawing Facility (SDF), Ways and Means Advances (WMA) and Overdraft (OD), in the sequence SDF → WMA → OD.

The Committee recommended increasing the aggregate WMA limit for states from ₹61,008 crore to ₹67,839 crore, representing an 11.2% increase, considering the growth in states’ budget sizes and liquidity requirements.

It recommended using States’ Revenue Receipts instead of Total Expenditure as the basis for determining state-wise WMA limits.

The Committee proposed that state-wise WMA limits should be revised annually with an upward revision capped at 4%, while ensuring that no state’s revised limit falls below its existing limit.

2) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approved a series of regulatory reforms covering Portfolio Management Services (PMS), settlement proceedings, Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs), commodity derivatives, and advertising norms.

SEBI approved a comprehensive overhaul of Portfolio Managers Regulations to expand the PMS industry, simplify compliance, consolidate regulations and remove outdated provisions.

Under the revised PMS framework, PRIM will allow PMS providers to invest client funds in direct mutual fund schemes and Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs), with a minimum ticket size of ₹25 lakh.

PMS providers can invest up to 10% of client AUM in investment-grade unlisted debt under discretionary PMS, subject to client consent.

The revised PMS framework allows investment in IPOs, primary debt issuances, newly listed debt securities and exchange-traded derivatives.

SEBI’s revised settlement framework introduces a formula-based method for determining settlement amounts and aims to reduce regulatory discretion in settlement proceedings.

Detailed Explanation:

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approved a series of regulatory reforms covering Portfolio Management Services (PMS), settlement proceedings, Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs), commodity derivatives, and advertising norms.

SEBI approved a comprehensive overhaul of Portfolio Managers Regulations to expand the PMS industry, simplify compliance, consolidate regulations and remove outdated provisions.

Under the revised PMS framework, PRIM will allow PMS providers to invest client funds in direct mutual fund schemes and Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs), with a minimum ticket size of ₹25 lakh.

PMS providers can invest up to 10% of client AUM in investment-grade unlisted debt under discretionary PMS, subject to client consent.

The revised PMS framework allows investment in IPOs, primary debt issuances, newly listed debt securities and exchange-traded derivatives.

SEBI’s revised settlement framework introduces a formula-based method for determining settlement amounts and aims to reduce regulatory discretion in settlement proceedings.

A fast-track settlement mechanism has been introduced for eligible disclosure-related violations where the calculated settlement amount is up to ₹10 lakh, without referral to the High Powered Committee.

The deadline for filing settlement applications has been extended from 60 days to 90 days from the date of the show-cause notice.

A separate 90-day one-time settlement window has been introduced for specified pending cases.

The revised settlement framework replaces the 2018 Settlement Proceedings Regulations and is aligned with provisions introduced in the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act.

 

3) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) grew by 8.0% year-on-year in August 2026, accelerating from 6.7% in July 2026 as per the Quick Estimates released by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

The August 2026 IIP growth of 8.0% was the second-highest growth in the revised IIP series since April 2024, after 8.8% recorded in June 2026.

The IIP index increased to 123.3 in August 2026, compared with 114.2 in August 2025.

The data was released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

The IIP is a monthly macroeconomic indicator that measures short-term changes in the volume of industrial production in India.

Detailed Explanation:

India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) grew by 8.0% year-on-year in August 2026, accelerating from 6.7% in July 2026 as per the Quick Estimates released by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

The August 2026 IIP growth of 8.0% was the second-highest growth in the revised IIP series since April 2024, after 8.8% recorded in June 2026.

The IIP index increased to 123.3 in August 2026, compared with 114.2 in August 2025.

The data was released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

The IIP is a monthly macroeconomic indicator that measures short-term changes in the volume of industrial production in India.

The base year of the revised IIP is 2022–23, replacing the earlier base structure.

The revised IIP covers four broad sectors, namely Mining and Quarrying, Manufacturing, Electricity and Gas Supply, and Water Supply, Sewerage and Waste Management.

The manufacturing sector, which has around 76% weight in the IIP, grew by about 9% in August 2026, marking its third consecutive month of growth of 8% or above.

Manufacturing growth was led by electrical equipment (30.9%), other transport equipment (25.3%), motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers (25.2%), rubber and plastics products (21.4%), computer, electronic and optical products (19.3%), and beverages (18.3%).

Out of 23 two-digit manufacturing industry groups, 18 groups recorded year-on-year growth, while 5 groups contracted in August 2026.

4) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reported that India’s net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rose to a 5-year high of US$7.35 billion in July 2026, the highest since May 2021 (US$8.80 billion).

Net FDI in July 2026 increased by 64% year-on-year, compared with the corresponding period of the previous year.

Gross FDI inflows stood at US$14.58 billion in July 2026, making it the third-highest monthly gross inflow in the last six years.

The increase in FDI was mainly supported by robust gross inflows, according to the RBI’s “State of the Economy” article in its latest monthly bulletin.

Communication, financial and computer services were the major sectors, together receiving more than four-fifths of equity FDI inflows.

Mauritius, the UAE and the United States were the major source countries, together accounting for around 70% of equity FDI inflows.

During April–July 2026, India’s net FDI increased to US$13.4 billion, compared with US$9.7 billion in the same period of the previous year, representing a 38% increase.

Detailed Explanation:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reported that India’s net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rose to a 5-year high of US$7.35 billion in July 2026, the highest since May 2021 (US$8.80 billion).

Net FDI in July 2026 increased by 64% year-on-year, compared with the corresponding period of the previous year.

Gross FDI inflows stood at US$14.58 billion in July 2026, making it the third-highest monthly gross inflow in the last six years.

The increase in FDI was mainly supported by robust gross inflows, according to the RBI’s “State of the Economy” article in its latest monthly bulletin.

Communication, financial and computer services were the major sectors, together receiving more than four-fifths of equity FDI inflows.

Mauritius, the UAE and the United States were the major source countries, together accounting for around 70% of equity FDI inflows.

During April–July 2026, India’s net FDI increased to US$13.4 billion, compared with US$9.7 billion in the same period of the previous year, representing a 38% increase.

During April–July 2026, gross FDI inflows rose by 12.6%, from US43.9 billion.

Net FDI in June 2026 stood at US$1.3 billion, showing a sharp increase to US$7.35 billion in July 2026.

Outward FDI/overseas investments increased in July 2026 after declining for two consecutive months.

More than two-thirds of outward FDI flows were directed towards Singapore, the UK and the UAE.

The major sectors receiving outward FDI were financial, insurance and business services, and manufacturing, together accounting for around two-thirds of outward FDI flows.

5) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Bank of India (BoI) launched programmable Digital Rupee (e₹) functionality with an auto-payment/auto-issuance facility on 29 September 2026.

The facility operates on BoI’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) platform, developed by Montran India.

The feature allows customers to schedule automatic e₹ transfers to a beneficiary’s CBDC wallet at a fixed amount and frequency, without requiring manual intervention for each transaction.

The facility also provides purpose-based spending controls, allowing the sender to restrict how the recipient can use the funds.

Detailed Explanation:

Bank of India (BoI) launched programmable Digital Rupee (e₹) functionality with an auto-payment/auto-issuance facility on 29 September 2026.

The facility operates on BoI’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) platform, developed by Montran India.

The feature allows customers to schedule automatic e₹ transfers to a beneficiary’s CBDC wallet at a fixed amount and frequency, without requiring manual intervention for each transaction.

The facility also provides purpose-based spending controls, allowing the sender to restrict how the recipient can use the funds.

The programmable e₹ facility can be used for recurring payments, including education allowances, household transfers and other purpose-bound payments.

The system supports user-level programmability, with the payment conditions and spending restrictions configured by the account holder.

The facility has been developed in compliance with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) guidelines.

6) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

ICICI Lombard General Insurance launched VIBE, a mobile-first health insurance plan designed mainly for young consumers, particularly Gen Z.

VIBE is built on ICICI Lombard’s IL TakeCare platform and combines hospitalisation cover, outpatient care, mental-health support, teleconsultations, health screenings and lifestyle benefits.

VIBE is available in six variants — Rookie, BasicFit, Upgrade, Flex, GOAT and Value, with sum insured options from ₹7 lakh to ₹1 crore.

All VIBE plans provide unlimited teleconsultations and a yearly gym membership for members above 18 years of age.

Detailed Explanation:

ICICI Lombard General Insurance launched VIBE, a mobile-first health insurance plan designed mainly for young consumers, particularly Gen Z.

VIBE is built on ICICI Lombard’s IL TakeCare platform and combines hospitalisation cover, outpatient care, mental-health support, teleconsultations, health screenings and lifestyle benefits.

VIBE is available in six variants — Rookie, BasicFit, Upgrade, Flex, GOAT and Value, with sum insured options from ₹7 lakh to ₹1 crore.

All VIBE plans provide unlimited teleconsultations and a yearly gym membership for members above 18 years of age.

The gym membership covers activities including gym, aerobics, Pilates, calisthenics, yoga and Zumba through network providers.

The core hospitalisation cover, called ReVibe, provides unlimited sum insured resets on plans from BasicFit onwards.

ReVibe covers in-patient treatment, day-care procedures, AYUSH hospitalisation, modern treatments and domestic road ambulance services.

VIBE offers a Green Flag Bonus, which accrues 20% of the sum insured per policy year on entry-level plans and up to 50% per year on Flex and GOAT, with the higher-tier bonus capped at 300%.

7) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the ‘Delhi Udyog Mitra’ portal under the Ease of Doing Business initiative to bring multiple approvals, licences and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) onto a single platform.

The Delhi Udyog Mitra portal functions as a single-window platform through which industrialists and entrepreneurs can apply for various licences, approvals and No Objection Certificates (NOCs).

More than 15 departments and 50 services have already been onboarded onto the portal.

Detailed Explanation:

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the ‘Delhi Udyog Mitra’ portal under the Ease of Doing Business initiative to bring multiple approvals, licences and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) onto a single platform.

The Delhi Udyog Mitra portal functions as a single-window platform through which industrialists and entrepreneurs can apply for various licences, approvals and No Objection Certificates (NOCs).

More than 15 departments and 50 services have already been onboarded onto the portal.

According to Delhi Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, the platform is expected to expand to 21 departments and more than 100 services by the following month.

The portal provides entrepreneurs and industrialists with necessary information related to obtaining permissions, reducing the need to visit multiple government offices.

Applicants can track the status of their applications online through the portal.

The platform also provides a facility to lodge grievances, enabling users to raise issues related to their applications and services.

 

8) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

The Government of India has disbursed ₹36,754 crore in incentives under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes since their launch in 2020, with the figures covering disbursements up to 30 June 2026.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade placed the data in the public domain on 25 September 2026.

Large-Scale Electronics Manufacturing received the highest disbursement among the PLI sectors, amounting to ₹19,090.98 crore up to June 2026.

The Pharmaceuticals sector received ₹6,662 crore, while the Food Products sector received ₹3,271.44 crore in PLI incentives during the same period.

Automobiles and Auto Components received ₹3,174.15 crore in incentives up to June 2026.

Detailed Explanation:

The Government of India has disbursed ₹36,754 crore in incentives under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes since their launch in 2020, with the figures covering disbursements up to 30 June 2026.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade placed the data in the public domain on 25 September 2026.

The Production Linked Incentive Scheme is a Central Government initiative that provides financial incentives linked to incremental production, sales or investment by eligible companies.

The PLI framework covers 14 key sectors and has an approved financial outlay of ₹1.91 lakh crore.

The scheme was introduced in 2020 to strengthen domestic manufacturing, attract investments, increase exports, generate employment and improve India’s competitiveness in global value chains.

Large-Scale Electronics Manufacturing received the highest disbursement among the PLI sectors, amounting to ₹19,090.98 crore up to June 2026.

The Pharmaceuticals sector received ₹6,662 crore, while the Food Products sector received ₹3,271.44 crore in PLI incentives during the same period.

Automobiles and Auto Components received ₹3,174.15 crore in incentives up to June 2026.

 

9) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that Kaladi, the traditional Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged dairy product of Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir, has reached a stage where it can be commercially scaled for wider domestic and global consumption.

Kaladi, also known as the “Mozzarella of Jammu”, is a traditional cheese of Udhampur known for its distinctive meltability and stretchability and is an important part of the region’s food heritage and rural dairy economy.

Detailed Explanation:

Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that Kaladi, the traditional Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged dairy product of Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir, has reached a stage where it can be commercially scaled for wider domestic and global consumption.

Kaladi, also known as the “Mozzarella of Jammu”, is a traditional cheese of Udhampur known for its distinctive meltability and stretchability and is an important part of the region’s food heritage and rural dairy economy.

Kaladi received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag on 3 October 2023, officially protecting its regional identity and authenticity.

Dr. Jitendra Singh, who represents the Udhampur-Doda-Kathua Lok Sabha constituency, shared the development with the people of Udhampur and Jammu and Kashmir through social media.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier highlighted the diversity of Indian cheese traditions, including Kalari (Kaladi) of Jammu and Kashmir and Chhurpi of Ladakh, and noted the role of value addition in giving traditional Indian flavours a wider identity.

The Gujjar-Bakarwal community has traditionally prepared and consumed Kaladi for generations.

10) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) completed 12 years in 2026, continuing to connect rural youth with industry- aligned skill training, employment opportunities and sustainable livelihood options.

The milestone is significant as India’s youth population is projected to reach nearly 345 million by 2036, highlighting the need to expand quality skilling opportunities for rural youth.

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana was launched on 25 September 2014 by the Ministry of Rural Development under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission to provide placement-linked skill training and employment opportunities to rural youth.

The scheme primarily targets rural youth aged 15–35 years from poor households and enables them to acquire industry-relevant skills and access sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Detailed Explanation:

The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) completed 12 years in 2026, continuing to connect rural youth with industry- aligned skill training, employment opportunities and sustainable livelihood options.

The milestone is significant as India’s youth population is projected to reach nearly 345 million by 2036, highlighting the need to expand quality skilling opportunities for rural youth.

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana was launched on 25 September 2014 by the Ministry of Rural Development under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission to provide placement-linked skill training and employment opportunities to rural youth.

The scheme primarily targets rural youth aged 15–35 years from poor households and enables them to acquire industry-relevant skills and access sustainable livelihood opportunities.

To promote social inclusion, DDU-GKY mandates coverage of 50% Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, 33% women and 5% persons with disabilities.

The upgraded DDU-GKY 2.0 Guidelines, notified in May 2025, strengthen the focus on industry-aligned training, employment outcomes, post-placement support and employment sustainability.

 

11) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J. P. Nadda inaugurated Arogya Manthan 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, marking 8 years of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and 5 years of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).

The event was organised by the National Health Authority (NHA) to review India’s health assurance and digital health ecosystem and discuss priorities for its next phase.

Arogya Manthan 2026 brought together government officials, healthcare providers, insurers, technology and digital health experts, academics, development partners and other stakeholders.

J. P. Nadda said the milestones of AB PM-JAY and ABDM provide an opportunity to assess progress and renew the commitment towards the welfare of poor and marginalised sections, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.”

Detailed Explanation:

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J. P. Nadda inaugurated Arogya Manthan 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, marking 8 years of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and 5 years of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).

The event was organised by the National Health Authority (NHA) to review India’s health assurance and digital health ecosystem and discuss priorities for its next phase.

Arogya Manthan 2026 brought together government officials, healthcare providers, insurers, technology and digital health experts, academics, development partners and other stakeholders.

J. P. Nadda said the milestones of AB PM-JAY and ABDM provide an opportunity to assess progress and renew the commitment towards the welfare of poor and marginalised sections, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.”

AB PM-JAY has emerged as the world’s largest health assurance programme, covering more than 60 crore beneficiaries and facilitating over 13 crore hospital admissions, involving treatment worth more than ₹2 lakh crore.

The scheme has been expanded to cover all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status.

Under ABDM, more than 97.8 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) IDs have been created, with over 121 crore health records linked. More than 5.6 lakh health facilities and around 11 lakh healthcare professionals are registered on the ABDM ecosystem.

12) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant inaugurated the country’s first Victim Rights Centre in Patna, Bihar, to provide legal rights and essential support to victims of various crimes, including invisible victims, under one roof.

The Victim Rights Centre has been established on the premises of the Bihar State Legal Services Authority.

The centre will provide victims with access to legal rights, essential assistance, psychological support, counselling and other required facilities at a single location.

Detailed Explanation:

Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant inaugurated the country’s first Victim Rights Centre in Patna, Bihar, to provide legal rights and essential support to victims of various crimes, including invisible victims, under one roof.

The Victim Rights Centre has been established on the premises of the Bihar State Legal Services Authority.

The centre will provide victims with access to legal rights, essential assistance, psychological support, counselling and other required facilities at a single location.

The initiative has been launched in Patna district as a one-year pilot project.

Following the pilot phase, the Victim Rights Centre is planned to be extended to all districts of Bihar.

 

13) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The Supreme Court of India has asked the Central Government to examine whether social media platforms should be legally required to ensure that users are at least 18 years old before independently creating accounts.

Section 11 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 states that a person who has not attained majority is not competent to contract.

Under Section 3 of the Majority Act, 1875, the age of majority is 18 years. The petition therefore questions how minors can independently accept contractual terms of digital platforms when they are legally incapable of entering into such contracts.

Detailed Explanation:

The Supreme Court of India has asked the Central Government to examine whether social media platforms should be legally required to ensure that users are at least 18 years old before independently creating accounts.

The matter concerns the legal capacity of minors to enter into agreements with digital platforms and the need for stronger online safety safeguards.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana, heard a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Just Rights for Children Alliance (JRCA) seeking stronger safeguards for minors on social media and other digital platforms.

The court asked whether the 18-year minimum age requirement should be incorporated into the statutory framework governing intermediaries rather than remaining merely a guideline.

The proceedings do not constitute a nationwide ban on social media access for persons below 18 years. The immediate legal question is whether platforms should be required to align their account-creation systems with the existing legal position concerning minors and contracts.

Section 11 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 states that a person who has not attained majority is not competent to contract.

Under Section 3 of the Majority Act, 1875, the age of majority is 18 years. The petition therefore questions how minors can independently accept contractual terms of digital platforms when they are legally incapable of entering into such contracts.

The petition has pointed out that several social media platforms generally permit users from 13 years of age to create accounts, often based on age or date-of-birth declarations. It has sought effective age-assurance mechanisms and restrictions on independently operated accounts of minors.

14) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

The flagship Make in India initiative completed 12 years on 25 September 2026, with the government highlighting its contribution to the expansion of domestic manufacturing, investment, exports and industrial capabilities across sectors.

Make in India was launched on 25 September 2014 with the objective of establishing India as a global hub for manufacturing, design and innovation.

The initiative has expanded to 27 sectors, comprising 15 manufacturing sectors and 12 service sectors, under Make in India 2.0.

India’s electronics production increased nearly sevenfold, from ₹1.9 lakh crore in 2014-15 to ₹13.11 lakh crore in 2025-26.

Indigenous defence production rose from ₹46,429 crore in 2014-15 to a record ₹1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26.

Mobile phone production increased approximately 33-fold, from ₹18,000 crore to ₹6.27 lakh crore during the same period. India is now the world’s second-largest mobile phone manufacturer by volume.

Detailed Explanation:

The flagship Make in India initiative completed 12 years on 25 September 2026, with the government highlighting its contribution to the expansion of domestic manufacturing, investment, exports and industrial capabilities across sectors.

Make in India was launched on 25 September 2014 with the objective of establishing India as a global hub for manufacturing, design and innovation.

The initiative has expanded to 27 sectors, comprising 15 manufacturing sectors and 12 service sectors, under Make in India 2.0.

India’s electronics production increased nearly sevenfold, from ₹1.9 lakh crore in 2014-15 to ₹13.11 lakh crore in 2025-26.

Indigenous defence production rose from ₹46,429 crore in 2014-15 to a record ₹1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26.

Mobile phone production increased approximately 33-fold, from ₹18,000 crore to ₹6.27 lakh crore during the same period. India is now the world’s second-largest mobile phone manufacturer by volume.

India’s vehicle production reached 31.03 million units in 2024-25, which was 33% higher than the level recorded in 2014-15. Several vehicle segments also registered significantly higher production in 2024-25 compared with 2020-21.

The pharmaceutical industry ranks third globally by volume and 11th by value. Its annual turnover reached ₹4,71,898 crore in 2024-25, recording a 9.5% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) since 2020-21.

15) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-led Cool Coalition launched the inaugural Cool Leaders Award during the Global Cooling Pledge Assembly 2026, held in Singapore.

The award recognises leadership, policy initiatives, technological innovation and practical efforts in sustainable cooling and climate resilience.

The Cool Leaders Award was established under the aegis of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and is administered through the UNEP-led Cool Coalition, in collaboration with Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL).

Detailed Explanation:

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-led Cool Coalition launched the inaugural Cool Leaders Award during the Global Cooling Pledge Assembly 2026, held in Singapore.

The award recognises leadership, policy initiatives, technological innovation and practical efforts in sustainable cooling and climate resilience.

The Cool Leaders Award was established under the aegis of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and is administered through the UNEP-led Cool Coalition, in collaboration with Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL).

The initiative promotes measures such as urban forests, green roofs and passive architectural ventilation, which can reduce dependence on mechanical cooling and potentially lower peak urban temperatures by up to 5°C.

It addresses rising cooling demand, with the global stock of conventional cooling appliances projected to nearly triple to 5.6 billion units by 2050.

The inaugural 2026 Cool Leaders were Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and Dong Mingzhu, Chairperson of Gree Electric Appliances.

Singapore was recognised for its integration of passive cooling, extensive urban greenery and heat-resilient urban planning in a densely populated tropical environment.

16) Answer: A

CRIF Credit Information Services Private Limited, formerly known as CRIF High Mark, appointed Suresh Venkatesan as its Whole-time Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 29 September 2026.

The Mumbai-based credit information company is licensed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The appointment aims to strengthen CRIF’s focus on data-driven decision-making and inclusive financial growth.

Suresh Venkatesan brings over three decades of experience in credit, risk, data analytics, regulatory reporting and business transformation.

17) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

INS Ranvijay, a frontline destroyer of the Indian Navy, made a port call at Salalah, Oman, on 29 September 2026 during its ongoing deployment.

The visit strengthened maritime cooperation and defence ties between India and Oman.

During the port call, professional engagements were held between INS Ranvijay and Oman’s RNOV Sadh.

A PASSEX (Passing Exercise) was conducted off Salalah between the Indian Navy and Royal Navy of Oman.

Detailed Explanation:

INS Ranvijay, a frontline destroyer of the Indian Navy, made a port call at Salalah, Oman, on 29 September 2026 during its ongoing deployment.

The visit strengthened maritime cooperation and defence ties between India and Oman.

During the port call, professional engagements were held between INS Ranvijay and Oman’s RNOV Sadh.

A PASSEX (Passing Exercise) was conducted off Salalah between the Indian Navy and Royal Navy of Oman.

INS Ranvijay is a destroyer designed for fleet escort, anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare and surface combat.

Oman’s strategic location near the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman makes it important for international maritime trade and sea-lane security.

Earlier in September 2026, a National Defence College (NDC) delegation visited Oman as part of a Strategic Neighbourhood Study Tour.

 

18) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Odisha-based start-up BonV Aero supplied 45 logistics Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the Indian Army’s Eastern Command on 28 September 2026 for tactical logistics and mission-specific operations in Northeast India.

The UAVs are designed to transport critical supplies, operational equipment and mission-configured payloads across difficult and inaccessible terrain.

The UAVs can operate at 10,000–15,000 feet, including in Electronic Warfare (EW)-challenged environments, and have a payload capacity of up to 10 kg with an endurance of 40–45 minutes.

Detailed Explanation:

Odisha-based start-up BonV Aero supplied 45 logistics Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the Indian Army’s Eastern Command on 28 September 2026 for tactical logistics and mission-specific operations in Northeast India.

The UAVs are designed to transport critical supplies, operational equipment and mission-configured payloads across difficult and inaccessible terrain.

The UAVs can operate at 10,000–15,000 feet, including in Electronic Warfare (EW)-challenged environments, and have a payload capacity of up to 10 kg with an endurance of 40–45 minutes.

BonV Aero has supplied 70 logistics drones to the armed forces over the last three years, with some deployed along the borders during Operation Sindoor.

BonV Aero has conducted drone operations and trials for the Army at Tawang, Siliguri, Dimapur, Kargil, Dras, Nyoma, Baramulla and Kupwara.

The company has trained more than 150 Army personnel on its drone systems under the Northern Command.

19 ) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

TakeMe2Space, a Hyderabad-based Indian spacetech startup, plans to launch India’s first networked orbital data centre mission in late 2028.

The mission will use SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket under the Waymaker 2 rideshare mission.

TakeMe2Space has signed a Launch Service Agreement with RIDE! Space, a France-based launch mission management company.

The mission will deploy two 100-kg MOI (My Orbital Infrastructure) satellites into a Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) at approximately 500 km altitude.

Each satellite will carry 10 NVIDIA Thor Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), 100 Terabytes (TB) of storage, and generate around 1.5 kilowatts (kW) of power for in-orbit computing.

Detailed Explanation:

TakeMe2Space, a Hyderabad-based Indian spacetech startup, plans to launch India’s first networked orbital data centre mission in late 2028.

The mission will use SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket under the Waymaker 2 rideshare mission.

TakeMe2Space has signed a Launch Service Agreement with RIDE! Space, a France-based launch mission management company.

The mission will deploy two 100-kg MOI (My Orbital Infrastructure) satellites into a Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) at approximately 500 km altitude.

Each satellite will carry 10 NVIDIA Thor Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), 100 Terabytes (TB) of storage, and generate around 1.5 kilowatts (kW) of power for in-orbit computing.

The satellites will use optical inter-satellite links to enable data and workload sharing, making the mission a networked in-orbit computing system.

The satellites will process Earth-observation data in orbit through the company’s OrbitLab platform, providing actionable outputs such as crop-stress maps, flood maps and ship counts instead of only raw data.

An orbital data centre is a space-based computing system that processes data in orbit, reducing the need to transmit large volumes of raw data to Earth.

The satellites will also feature a one-metre multispectral imager for Earth-observation applications.

 

20) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Tata Communications Limited (TCL) launched a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics at Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA) Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.

The CoE was formally launched by Ganesh Lakshminarayanan, Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tata Communications.

The facility was established through a combined investment of ₹3.5 crore by Tata Communications and SASTRA.

The Centre of Excellence aims to strengthen research, training, innovation and capacity building in cybersecurity and digital forensics.

Detailed Explanation:

Tata Communications Limited (TCL) launched a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics at Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA) Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.

The CoE was formally launched by Ganesh Lakshminarayanan, Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tata Communications.

The facility was established through a combined investment of ₹3.5 crore by Tata Communications and SASTRA.

The Centre of Excellence aims to strengthen research, training, innovation and capacity building in cybersecurity and digital forensics.

The CoE will develop skilled and specialised manpower capable of identifying and addressing different levels of digital and cyber vulnerabilities.

The facility is designed as a research and capacity-building centre, focusing on emerging cybersecurity threats and digital vulnerabilities.

SASTRA Deemed University is located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, and the CoE was launched alongside the university’s graduation ceremony.

Prince Jayakumar, Executive Vice-President and Global Head of Human Resources, HCL Technologies, highlighted the importance of evolving talent and integrating AI with a humanistic approach.

21) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Union Minister for Education Pralhad Joshi inaugurated the Seva First Innovation Challenge (SFIC) for the South Zone at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, Karnataka.

SFIC aims to encourage young people to identify community problems and develop innovative, testable and scalable solutions.

The challenge is organised by the Ministry of Education (MoE), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and University Grants Commission (UGC), with IISc Bengaluru serving as the South Zone Nodal Institute.

Detailed Explanation:

Union Minister for Education Pralhad Joshi inaugurated the Seva First Innovation Challenge (SFIC) for the South Zone at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, Karnataka.

SFIC aims to encourage young people to identify community problems and develop innovative, testable and scalable solutions.

The challenge is organised by the Ministry of Education (MoE), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and University Grants Commission (UGC), with IISc Bengaluru serving as the South Zone Nodal Institute.

IISc Bengaluru will provide technical evaluation, mentorship and innovation guidance to participants.

SFIC registration is open from 25 September to 24 October 2026, and the challenge will culminate in the National Finale in New Delhi from 10–17 December 2026.

The South Zone coverage includes 5 States — Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana — and 3 Union Territories — Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.

SFIC has three participation levels: Junior Level for Classes 6–12, Technical Level for ITI and polytechnic students, and Open Level for undergraduate, postgraduate and research scholars.

22) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Hyderabad-based deeptech startup EON Space Labs has received an Indian patent for its indigenously developed miniaturised space telescope-based imaging system named MIRA, for the invention “A Miniaturized Telescope-Based Imaging System.”

MIRA weighs only 502 grams and is manufactured from a single block of fused silica, which provides enhanced stability, reduced vibration sensitivity and high-quality imaging in a compact form factor.

The MIRA imaging system is certified as space-grade according to NASA standards and is designed to provide high-definition multispectral Earth observation imagery.

Detailed Explanation:

Hyderabad-based deeptech startup EON Space Labs has received an Indian patent for its indigenously developed miniaturised space telescope-based imaging system named MIRA, for the invention “A Miniaturized Telescope-Based Imaging System.”

MIRA weighs only 502 grams and is manufactured from a single block of fused silica, which provides enhanced stability, reduced vibration sensitivity and high-quality imaging in a compact form factor.

The MIRA imaging system is certified as space-grade according to NASA standards and is designed to provide high-definition multispectral Earth observation imagery.

MIRA can support applications in agriculture, marine monitoring, mining, supply-chain management and insurance, making it useful for multiple Earth-observation applications.

MIRA is integrated with TakeMe2Space’s MOI-1A satellite, which is described as India’s first orbital computing satellite.

MIRA is scheduled for its next orbital deployment aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-18 mission on 1 October 2026.

The Transporter-18 mission will mark MIRA’s second attempt at orbital deployment, following its first attempt aboard ISRO’s PSLV-C62 mission in January 2026.

23) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

The Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, signed multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with leading academic, research and innovation institutions at Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.

The collaborations aim to strengthen infrastructure quality, independent monitoring, entrepreneurship, innovation, skilling and sustainable economic opportunities for minority communities.

The MoUs were signed in the presence of Dr. Srivatsa Krishna, Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, along with senior officials from the Ministry and participating institutions.

The collaborations bring together the expertise of Centre for Urbanization, Buildings & Environment (CUBE), Indian Institute of Technology Madras; Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID), Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru; Indian Institute of Management Bangalore; and IIMB Innovations (NSRCEL).

The Ministry of Minority Affairs and Indian Institute of Management Bangalore signed an agreement for independent third-party monitoring of training under the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) Scheme across the South zone.

Detailed Explanation:

The Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, signed multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with leading academic, research and innovation institutions at Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.

The collaborations aim to strengthen infrastructure quality, independent monitoring, entrepreneurship, innovation, skilling and sustainable economic opportunities for minority communities.

The MoUs were signed in the presence of Dr. Srivatsa Krishna, Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, along with senior officials from the Ministry and participating institutions.

The collaborations bring together the expertise of Centre for Urbanization, Buildings & Environment (CUBE), Indian Institute of Technology Madras; Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID), Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru; Indian Institute of Management Bangalore; and IIMB Innovations (NSRCEL).

The Ministry of Minority Affairs and Indian Institute of Management Bangalore signed an agreement for independent third-party monitoring of training under the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) Scheme across the South zone.

The evidence generated through this monitoring will help identify implementation gaps, improve monitoring systems, strengthen programme quality and enhance outcomes under Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan.

The Ministry also signed an MoU with Centre for Urbanization, Buildings & Environment, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, for independent third-party technical and social quality assessment of infrastructure projects under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK).

24) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The Ministry of Tourism and Airbnb have signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen India’s homestay ecosystem, promote lesser-known destinations and expand tourism opportunities for local communities.

Under the partnership, Airbnb will serve as a capacity-building and digital onboarding partner to the Ministry of Tourism, supporting existing and prospective homestay hosts with the skills and digital tools needed to participate in the tourism economy.

The collaboration will provide host workshops and training resources covering areas such as listing creation, pricing, platform tools and hospitality practices.

Detailed Explanation:

The Ministry of Tourism and Airbnb have signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen India’s homestay ecosystem, promote lesser-known destinations and expand tourism opportunities for local communities.

Under the partnership, Airbnb will serve as a capacity-building and digital onboarding partner to the Ministry of Tourism, supporting existing and prospective homestay hosts with the skills and digital tools needed to participate in the tourism economy.

The collaboration will provide host workshops and training resources covering areas such as listing creation, pricing, platform tools and hospitality practices.

Airbnb will also assist homestay owners with digital onboarding onto its platform, helping improve their participation and visibility in the tourism market.

The partnership aims to promote lesser-known and emerging destinations and distribute the economic benefits of tourism more widely among local communities.

Under the two-year collaboration, the Ministry of Tourism and Airbnb will jointly identify and implement specific programmes and destinations.

The partnership will support destination-promotion initiatives aligned with the Incredible India campaign, showcasing India’s cultural heritage, diverse destinations and local travel experiences.

As part of the collaboration, Airbnb will promote its ‘Soul of India’ digital microsite, which brings together destinations, local communities and cultural heritage to encourage travellers to discover lesser-known places.

 

25) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

Mike Burton, a three-time Olympic swimming champion from the United States, died at the age of 79.

Born Michael Jay Burton on 3 July 1947 in Des Moines, Iowa, he turned to swimming after a serious bicycle accident at age 12 ended his participation in football and baseball.

Burton was the first American to win Olympic gold in the 1,500-metre freestyle at consecutive Olympic Games.

At the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Burton won gold in the 400-metre freestyle and 1,500-metre freestyle.

At the 1972 Munich Olympics, he successfully defended his 1,500-metre freestyle title with a world-record time of 15:52.58.

Detailed Explanation:

Mike Burton, a three-time Olympic swimming champion from the United States, died at the age of 79.

Born Michael Jay Burton on 3 July 1947 in Des Moines, Iowa, he turned to swimming after a serious bicycle accident at age 12 ended his participation in football and baseball.

Burton was the first American to win Olympic gold in the 1,500-metre freestyle at consecutive Olympic Games.

At the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Burton won gold in the 400-metre freestyle and 1,500-metre freestyle.

At the 1972 Munich Olympics, he successfully defended his 1,500-metre freestyle title with a world-record time of 15:52.58.

Burton was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1977 and was also a member of the UCLA Hall of Fame, having won five NCAA individual titles.

Bobby Finke later matched Burton’s achievement by winning consecutive 1,500-metre freestyle Olympic titles at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics.

Finke set a world record of 14:30.67 in the 1,500-metre freestyle at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

 

26) Answer: C

World Heart Day is observed every year on 29 September to increase awareness about cardiovascular diseases and the importance of heart health.

The 2026 theme is “Don’t Miss a Beat”, which forms part of the World Heart Federation’s multi-year “Use Heart for Action” campaign for 2024–2026.

The heart is the primary organ of the circulatory system. It is located between the lungs in the middle compartment of the chest and is approximately fist-sized.

27) Answer: A

World Rabies Day is observed every year on 28 September to increase awareness about the impact of rabies on humans and animals.

Rabies is caused by viruses belonging to the Lyssavirus genus, including the rabies virus and Australian bat lyssavirus.

World Rabies Day was established in 2007 by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) and is recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO).

 

28) Answer: C

World Contraception Day is observed annually on 26 September to create awareness about available contraceptive methods, family planning and sexual and reproductive health.

Contraception refers to methods of birth control used to prevent unwanted or unintended pregnancies.

The first World Contraception Day was observed on 26 September 2007 by 10 international family planning organisations to increase awareness about contraception.

29) Answer: B

SEBI’s revised settlement framework introduces a formula-based method for determining settlement amounts and aims to reduce regulatory discretion in settlement proceedings.

A fast-track settlement mechanism has been introduced for eligible disclosure-related violations where the calculated settlement amount is up to ₹10 lakh, without referral to the High Powered Committee.

The deadline for filing settlement applications has been extended from 60 days to 90 days from the date of the show-cause notice.

A separate 90-day one-time settlement window has been introduced for specified pending cases.

The revised settlement framework replaces the 2018 Settlement Proceedings Regulations and is aligned with provisions introduced in the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act.

 

30) Answer: B

During April–August 2026, India’s industrial output grew by 6.7%, compared with 4.2% during the corresponding period of the previous year.

The revised IIP expanded its product basket from 839 items across 407 groups to 1,042 products across 463 item groups, improving the coverage of industrial production.

The revised IIP also incorporates updated sectoral weights based on the revised GVA 2022–23 series.