Dear Readers, Daily Current Affairs Questions Quiz for SBI, IBPS, RBI, RRB, SSC Exam 2026 of 02nd 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) Which bank’s credit cards are initially supported by Apple Pay after its launch in India?

(a) HDFC Bank

(b) State Bank of India

(c) ICICI Bank

(d) Axis Bank

(e) Kotak Mahindra Bank

2) Which of the following statements regarding the Centre’s fiscal deficit for FY 2026-27 is/are correct?

1. The Centre’s fiscal deficit reached 41.9% of the Budget Estimates (BE) by August 2026.
2. The fiscal deficit stood at ₹7.10 lakh crore during April–August 2026.
3. The FY 2026-27 capital expenditure target of the Centre is ₹12.2 lakh crore.

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(c) Only 3

(d) All of the above

(e) None of the above

3) Which organisation is collaborating with Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to develop grading and rating standards for warehouses and cold-chain facilities in India?

(a) World Bank

(b) Asian Development Bank

(c) International Monetary Fund

(d) World Trade Organization

(e) New Development Bank

 

4) In news, HDFC Capital partnered with which company to establish a ₹750-crore investment platform for residential and mixed-use projects in Uttar Pradesh?

(a) Tata Realty

(b) Shalimar Corp

(c) DLF Limited

(d) Godrej Properties

(e) Prestige Estates

5) What was the amount invested by each partner, Jio Finance and Allianz Europe B.V., in Jio Allianz General Insurance Ltd. through the rights issue?

(a) ₹160.05 crore

(b) ₹250 crore

(c) ₹320.05 crore

(d) ₹375 crore

(e) ₹640.10 crore

6) Which organisation received a PRAMAAN certificate for plantations covering 33,000 hectares as part of the first issuance under India’s Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS)?

(a) Odisha Bamboo Development Agency

(b) Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation

(c) Indian Institute of Forest Management

(d) Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra

(e) Karnataka Forest Development Corporation

7) Where was the Aadhaar Samvaad stakeholders’ conference held by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), at which five new initiatives were launched to strengthen the Aadhaar ecosystem?

(a) New Delhi, Delhi

(b) Bengaluru, Karnataka

(c) Hyderabad, Telangana

(d) Kolkata, West Bengal

(e) Mumbai, Maharashtra

 

8) Which of the following was not one of the four newly added Madhya Pradesh sites included in India’s UNESCO World Heritage Convention Tentative List?

(a) Khajuraho Group of Monuments

(b) Udaigiri Caves

(c) Bagh Cave Paintings

(d) Ginnorgarh Fort

(e) Group of Temples of the Chambal Valley

9) What is the full form of UNICORN, the integrated shipborne antenna system being co-developed by India and Japan to enhance warship stealth capabilities and situational awareness?

(a) Unified Naval Integrated Communication and Radar Operations Network

(b) Unified Complex Radio Antenna

(c) Universal Networked Integrated Communication and Reconnaissance Node

(d) Unified Naval Communication and Radar Observation Network

(e) Universal Complex Radio and Operational Navigation

10) According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Joint Monitoring Programme report on WASH in schools, which country had the second-highest number of children without school sanitation services in 2025, after India?

(a) Ethiopia

(b) Nigeria

(c) Indonesia

(d) Democratic Republic of the Congo

(e) Bangladesh

11) Which Sustainable Development Goals are linked with school WASH services under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, covering quality education and clean water and sanitation?

(a) SDG 2 and SDG 3

(b) SDG 3 and SDG 5

(c) SDG 4 and SDG 6

(d) SDG 5 and SDG 10

(e) SDG 6 and SDG 13

12) Who was crowned as the 13th King (Omukama) of the Tooro Kingdom in Uganda, succeeding King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV?

(a) Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi I

(b) Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I

(c) Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma

(d) Best Kemigisa

(e) Ruth Komuntale

13) Who has been appointed as the new Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of South Indian Bank, effective from 1 October 2026?

(a) Mahesh Muralidhar Pai

(b) P. R. Seshadri

(c) Suresh Venkatesan

(d) Sanjay Malhotra

(e) Tuhin Kanta Pandey

14) Who has been appointed as the new Managing Director (MD) of Geojit Financial Services, effective from 1 October 2026?

(a) C J George

(b) Ranajit Kanjilal

(c) Jones George

(d) P. R. Seshadri

(e) Mahesh Muralidhar Pai

 

15) Which bank led the demand for Reliance Industries’ ₹13,000 crore 10-year bond issue completed in September 2026, reportedly purchasing nearly ₹5,000 crore of the bonds?

(a) HDFC Bank

(b) ICICI Bank

(c) Punjab National Bank

(d) Bank of Baroda

(e) State Bank of India

16) What is the theme of the Second Edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2026), conducted between Indian and ASEAN maritime forces?

(a) Together for Maritime Security

(b) United for Peace, Secure at Sea

(c) Anchored in Trust, United at Sea

(d) Partnership for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific

(e) Cooperation for Regional Maritime Stability

 

17) Which Annual Day of the Defence Accounts Department (DAD) will be celebrated on 1 October 2026 in New Delhi?

(a) 275th Annual Day

(b) 277th Annual Day

(c) 278th Annual Day

(d) 279th Annual Day

(e) 280th Annual Day

18) Where was the 11th Mega Eye Surgical Camp under Operation Drishti concluded on 30 September 2026?

(a) Tangdhar

(b) Kargil

(c) Leh

(d) Jammu

(e) Srinagar

19) Which proposed regional airline received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Civil Aviation to operate under the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN)?

(a) Air Ayodhya

(b) Fly91

(c) Air Kerala

(d) Star Air

(e) IndiaOne Air

 

20) Which two ministries signed an MoU to strengthen the Statistical Business Register (SBR) through API-based data sharing from the Udyam Registration ecosystem?

(a) MoMSME and MoSPI

(b) MoMSME and MoF

(c) MoSPI and MoCI

(d) MoMSME and MeitY

(e) MoSPI and MoRD

Answers:

1) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

Apple Inc., a United States-based multinational technology company, officially launched Apple Pay in India as a new digital payment feature.

Apple Pay enables users of iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch to make payments using Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

Apple Pay uses an encrypted Device Account Number secured through Mastercard’s tokenisation technology for secure transactions.

Payments through Apple Pay can be authenticated using Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode by holding the Apple device near a contactless payment terminal.

Detailed Explanation:

Apple Inc., a United States-based multinational technology company, officially launched Apple Pay in India as a new digital payment feature.

Apple Pay enables users of iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch to make payments using Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

Apple Pay uses an encrypted Device Account Number secured through Mastercard’s tokenisation technology for secure transactions.

Payments through Apple Pay can be authenticated using Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode by holding the Apple device near a contactless payment terminal.

To activate the service, customers can add their eligible Axis Bank credit card to Apple Wallet through the Axis Bank app or directly through the Wallet app on iPhone.

In the initial phase, Apple Pay is being rolled out across merchant categories such as food and beverage, travel, fashion, and lifestyle.

Apple has partnered with payment service providers including Cashfree, Juspay, Mswipe, Paytm, PayU, Pine Labs, Razorpay, and Worldline to facilitate Apple Pay acceptance in India.

2) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The Centre’s fiscal deficit reached 41.9% of the Budget Estimates (BE) for FY 2026-27 by August 2026, compared with 38.1% during the same period of FY 2025-26.

In absolute terms, the fiscal deficit stood at ₹7.10 lakh crore (₹7,10,249 crore) during April–August 2026.

The rise in the fiscal deficit was mainly attributed to an increase in subsidy expenditure, particularly fertiliser subsidies.

The fiscal deficit represents the difference between the government’s total expenditure and total receipts excluding borrowings.

The Controller General of Accounts (CGA) released the government’s monthly accounts data for the April–August 2026 period.

The Centre’s total receipts stood at approximately ₹13.7 lakh crore during April–August 2026, equivalent to 37.5% of the FY 2026-27 BE, compared with 36.7% during the corresponding period of the previous year.

The Centre’s total expenditure stood at approximately ₹20.8 lakh crore (₹20.78 lakh crore) during the first five months of FY 2026-27, accounting for 38.9% of BE, compared with 37.1% a year earlier.

Detailed Explanation:

The Centre’s fiscal deficit reached 41.9% of the Budget Estimates (BE) for FY 2026-27 by August 2026, compared with 38.1% during the same period of FY 2025-26.

In absolute terms, the fiscal deficit stood at ₹7.10 lakh crore (₹7,10,249 crore) during April–August 2026.

The rise in the fiscal deficit was mainly attributed to an increase in subsidy expenditure, particularly fertiliser subsidies.

The fiscal deficit represents the difference between the government’s total expenditure and total receipts excluding borrowings.

The Controller General of Accounts (CGA) released the government’s monthly accounts data for the April–August 2026 period.

The Centre’s total receipts stood at approximately ₹13.7 lakh crore during April–August 2026, equivalent to 37.5% of the FY 2026-27 BE, compared with 36.7% during the corresponding period of the previous year.

The Centre’s total expenditure stood at approximately ₹20.8 lakh crore (₹20.78 lakh crore) during the first five months of FY 2026-27, accounting for 38.9% of BE, compared with 37.1% a year earlier.

Revenue expenditure reached 38% of the full-year budget target by August 2026, compared with 36.7% during the same period of the previous year.

Capital expenditure (Capex) reached 41.7% of the budgeted target by August 2026, compared with 38.5% during the corresponding period of the previous year.

The FY 2026-27 capital expenditure target is ₹12.2 lakh crore.

The Centre’s net tax revenue reached approximately ₹8.38 lakh crore by August 2026, equivalent to 29.2% of the corresponding BE, compared with 28.6% during the same period of the previous fiscal year.

 

3) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is working with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to develop grading and rating standards for warehouses and cold-chain facilities in India.

DPIIT is also formulating guidelines for Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs) to improve logistics efficiency and promote better integration of different modes of transport.

The warehouse and cold-chain grading standards are aimed at creating more standardised and reliable logistics infrastructure in India.

The initiatives are expected to modernise India’s logistics sector, improve supply-chain efficiency, and build a more resilient logistics ecosystem.

Better warehouse and cold-chain infrastructure is expected to help reduce food wastage.

Detailed Explanation:

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is working with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to develop grading and rating standards for warehouses and cold-chain facilities in India.

DPIIT is also formulating guidelines for Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs) to improve logistics efficiency and promote better integration of different modes of transport.

The warehouse and cold-chain grading standards are aimed at creating more standardised and reliable logistics infrastructure in India.

The initiatives are expected to modernise India’s logistics sector, improve supply-chain efficiency, and build a more resilient logistics ecosystem.

Better warehouse and cold-chain infrastructure is expected to help reduce food wastage.

The initiatives are also expected to attract foreign investment into India’s logistics sector.

Standardised infrastructure and improved logistics systems are expected to help logistics businesses access easier and more affordable credit.

The overall objective is to improve logistics efficiency by reducing transportation time and transportation costs.

Answer: B

Short Explanation:

HDFC Capital, the real estate private equity arm of HDFC Group, has partnered with Shalimar Corp to establish a ₹750-crore investment platform.

The platform will focus on developing residential and mixed-use projects across three Uttar Pradesh cities — Lucknow, Varanasi and Kanpur.

The projects under the platform are expected to cover more than 5 million sq. ft. of development area and create approximately 3,000 homes.

Detailed Explanation:

HDFC Capital, the real estate private equity arm of HDFC Group, has partnered with Shalimar Corp to establish a ₹750-crore investment platform.

The platform will focus on developing residential and mixed-use projects across three Uttar Pradesh cities — Lucknow, Varanasi and Kanpur.

The projects under the platform are expected to cover more than 5 million sq. ft. of development area and create approximately 3,000 homes.

The partnership aims to tap the growing housing demand in emerging urban centres of Uttar Pradesh, supported by rising incomes, urbanisation and infrastructure development.

 

5) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Jio Finance and Allianz Europe B.V. have each invested ₹320.05 crore in Jio Allianz General Insurance Ltd. through a rights issue.

Jio Allianz General Insurance Ltd. is a 50:50 joint venture between Jio Financial Services and Allianz Europe B.V., with both partners making an equal investment in the latest capital infusion.

Each partner subscribed to and was allotted 32,00,50,000 equity shares of ₹10 each for cash at par, aggregating to ₹320.05 crore per partner.

The fresh capital infusion will be used by Jio Allianz General Insurance Ltd. to fund its business operations and growth plans and strengthen its capital base.

Detailed Explanation:

Jio Finance and Allianz Europe B.V. have each invested ₹320.05 crore in Jio Allianz General Insurance Ltd. through a rights issue.

Jio Allianz General Insurance Ltd. is a 50:50 joint venture between Jio Financial Services and Allianz Europe B.V., with both partners making an equal investment in the latest capital infusion.

Each partner subscribed to and was allotted 32,00,50,000 equity shares of ₹10 each for cash at par, aggregating to ₹320.05 crore per partner.

The fresh capital infusion will be used by Jio Allianz General Insurance Ltd. to fund its business operations and growth plans and strengthen its capital base.

Following the latest investment, Jio Finance’s aggregate investment in the joint venture has reached ₹375 crore.

The investment by Jio Finance is classified as a related-party transaction undertaken on an arm’s-length basis.

Jio Financial Services’ promoters, promoter group and other group companies have no interest in the latest investment, according to the regulatory filing.

6) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), handed over India’s first PRAMAAN certificates in New Delhi, Delhi, under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS).

PRAMAAN stands for Programme for Recognition and Accreditation of Sustainable Management practices for Agroforestry And Natural forestry resources.

The first issuance of PRAMAAN certificates marked the transition of India’s forest certification framework from policy to field-level implementation.

The Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS) is implemented by the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

The Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation (APFDC) received a PRAMAAN certificate for plantations covering 33,000 hectares.

Detailed Explanation:

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), handed over India’s first PRAMAAN certificates in New Delhi, Delhi, under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS).

PRAMAAN stands for Programme for Recognition and Accreditation of Sustainable Management practices for Agroforestry And Natural forestry resources.

The first issuance of PRAMAAN certificates marked the transition of India’s forest certification framework from policy to field-level implementation.

The Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS) is implemented by the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

The Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation (APFDC) received a PRAMAAN certificate for plantations covering 33,000 hectares.

Govind Mohapatra, a bamboo farmer associated with the Odisha Bamboo Development Agency (OBDA), was also among the first beneficiaries of the PRAMAAN certification.

The PRAMAAN certification framework covers Forest Management (FM), Trees Outside Forests (TOF), and Chain of Custody (CoC).

Chain of Custody (CoC) ensures the traceability of forest and non-timber forest products throughout their supply chains.

7) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), launched five new initiatives at the Aadhaar Samvaad stakeholders’ conference in Kolkata, West Bengal, marking the 17th Aadhaar Day.

The Aadhaar Samvaad is a stakeholder conference organised by UIDAI to discuss innovations, challenges, ideas, and service-delivery improvements for strengthening the Aadhaar ecosystem.

The 17th Aadhaar Day commemorates the issuance of the first Aadhaar number on 29 September 2010.

Union Minister of State Jitin Prasada, Ministry of Commerce and Industry and MeitY, attended the event as the Chief Guest.

Detailed Explanation:

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), launched five new initiatives at the Aadhaar Samvaad stakeholders’ conference in Kolkata, West Bengal, marking the 17th Aadhaar Day.

The Aadhaar Samvaad is a stakeholder conference organised by UIDAI to discuss innovations, challenges, ideas, and service-delivery improvements for strengthening the Aadhaar ecosystem.

The 17th Aadhaar Day commemorates the issuance of the first Aadhaar number on 29 September 2010.

Union Minister of State Jitin Prasada, Ministry of Commerce and Industry and MeitY, attended the event as the Chief Guest.

More than 600 stakeholders, including senior policymakers, industry leaders, technocrats, and professionals, participated in the Aadhaar Samvaad in Kolkata.

The five new initiatives launched by UIDAI are Face Authentication for ePDS, SWIK Portal 2.0, Sub-AUA/Sub-KUA (LITE) Framework, New Token Management System, and Revamped UIDAI Website.

Face Authentication for ePDS was jointly launched by UIDAI, Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), and National Informatics Centre (NIC).

Face Authentication for ePDS provides a consent-based and contactless authentication option for beneficiaries and offers an additional authentication method when fingerprint authentication is difficult.

States and Union Territories can integrate Face Authentication into their Electronic Public Distribution System (ePDS) ecosystems.

SWIK Portal 2.0 streamlines the process for obtaining approval for Aadhaar authentication under the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance framework.

8) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

The Permanent Delegation of India to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) announced the inclusion of 5 new Indian heritage sites/proposals in the Tentative List of UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention (WHC).

With these additions, the total number of Indian sites on UNESCO’s Tentative List increased to 78.

The 78 Indian sites on the Tentative List comprise 58 Cultural, 3 Mixed, and 17 Natural sites.

Four of the five newly added sites are located in Madhya Pradesh (MP), while the fifth is the Sites of Satyagraha, a serial transnational proposal between India and South Africa.

The four newly added Madhya Pradesh sites are Bagh Cave Paintings, Group of Temples of the Chambal Valley, Udaigiri Caves, and Ginnorgarh Fort.

Udaigiri Caves, also known as the Sunrise Caves, are located near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, and contain a rock-cut sacred ensemble developed during the late 4th and early 5th centuries CE under the Gupta Empire.

Detailed Explanation:

The Permanent Delegation of India to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) announced the inclusion of 5 new Indian heritage sites/proposals in the Tentative List of UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention (WHC).

With these additions, the total number of Indian sites on UNESCO’s Tentative List increased to 78.

The 78 Indian sites on the Tentative List comprise 58 Cultural, 3 Mixed, and 17 Natural sites.

Four of the five newly added sites are located in Madhya Pradesh (MP), while the fifth is the Sites of Satyagraha, a serial transnational proposal between India and South Africa.

The four newly added Madhya Pradesh sites are Bagh Cave Paintings, Group of Temples of the Chambal Valley, Udaigiri Caves, and Ginnorgarh Fort.

Udaigiri Caves, also known as the Sunrise Caves, are located near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, and contain a rock-cut sacred ensemble developed during the late 4th and early 5th centuries CE under the Gupta Empire.

Bagh Cave Paintings comprise nine rock-cut Buddhist caves located on the southern slope of the Vindhyan Range, along the Baghni River in Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh.

Ginnorgarh Fort is situated on a steep hill inside the present-day Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, and represents an important part of the region’s tribal heritage.

The Group of Temples of the Chambal Valley includes the Bateshwar, Padavali, and Kakarmath temples, located in the Chambal Valley region of Morena district, Madhya Pradesh.

9) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Japan has asked India to fast-track its internal official process for the agreement related to the UNICORN naval radar/antenna system.

UNICORN stands for Unified Complex Radio Antenna and is also known as NORA-50.

UNICORN is an integrated shipborne antenna system designed to enhance a warship’s stealth capabilities and situational awareness.

The UNICORN system was jointly developed by three Japanese companies — NEC Corporation, Sampa Kogyo K.K., and The Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd.

The system is already deployed on Japan’s Mogami-class frigates.

UNICORN reduces a warship’s radar cross-section (RCS) and electronic signature, making the naval platform more difficult for adversaries to detect.

India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Implementation (MOI) on 15 November 2024 for the co-development of UNICORN masts.

Detailed Explanation:

Japan has asked India to fast-track its internal official process for the agreement related to the UNICORN naval radar/antenna system.

UNICORN stands for Unified Complex Radio Antenna and is also known as NORA-50.

UNICORN is an integrated shipborne antenna system designed to enhance a warship’s stealth capabilities and situational awareness.

The UNICORN system was jointly developed by three Japanese companies — NEC Corporation, Sampa Kogyo K.K., and The Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd.

The system is already deployed on Japan’s Mogami-class frigates.

UNICORN reduces a warship’s radar cross-section (RCS) and electronic signature, making the naval platform more difficult for adversaries to detect.

India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Implementation (MOI) on 15 November 2024 for the co-development of UNICORN masts.

The 15 November 2024 MOI marked the first military hardware co-development agreement between India and Japan.

Under the agreement, Japan will provide design and engineering support, while India will undertake integration, adaptation and co-production.

India’s Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) will be involved in the integration, adaptation and co-production of the UNICORN system.

The UNICORN mast is expected to gradually replace existing communication and sensor masts across various Indian Navy platforms.

10) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) jointly released the report titled “Progress on Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools 2015–2025” under the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP).

The JMP monitors global progress and challenges in Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and provides internationally comparable estimates related to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets.

In 2025, around 244 million children worldwide had no sanitation service at their schools, with India accounting for 50 million children, the highest number among all countries.

Other countries with large numbers of children without school sanitation services were Nigeria (34 million), Ethiopia (26 million), Democratic Republic of the Congo (11 million), and Indonesia (8 million).

Detailed Explanation:

The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) jointly released the report titled “Progress on Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools 2015–2025” under the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP).

The JMP monitors global progress and challenges in Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and provides internationally comparable estimates related to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets.

In 2025, around 244 million children worldwide had no sanitation service at their schools, with India accounting for 50 million children, the highest number among all countries.

India’s 50 million children without school sanitation services represented nearly one-fifth of the global total of 244 million children without such services.

Other countries with large numbers of children without school sanitation services were Nigeria (34 million), Ethiopia (26 million), Democratic Republic of the Congo (11 million), and Indonesia (8 million).

India recorded a 14% reduction in the number of schools with no sanitation service during the period assessed.

Globally, around 362 million children had no hygiene service at their schools in 2025, including approximately 20 million children in India.

The report noted that insufficient recent data prevented the JMP from generating hygiene coverage estimates for India and Central and Southern Asia beyond 2024.

India performed comparatively better in school drinking-water access, with around 12 million Indian children lacking drinking-water services at school in 2025.

The 12 million Indian children without school drinking-water services represented roughly one in every 20 children globally without such services.

India was among 28 of 62 countries considered on track to achieve universal basic drinking-water coverage in schools by 2030.

11) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

India’s basic drinking-water coverage increased by more than 4% annually during the period assessed.

The report stated that the world is not on track to achieve universal basic WASH services in schools by 2030, with only five years remaining in the SDG period.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development links school WASH services with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

SDG 4 includes targets for inclusive and quality education and safe, effective, child-, disability- and gender-sensitive learning environments, including access to basic WASH services.

SDG 6 aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, including universal access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene.

Detailed Explanation:

India’s basic drinking-water coverage increased by more than 4% annually during the period assessed.

The report stated that the world is not on track to achieve universal basic WASH services in schools by 2030, with only five years remaining in the SDG period.

To achieve universal coverage by 2030, the current rate of progress needs to increase by four times for basic drinking water, five times for basic sanitation, and four times for basic hygiene.

Based on current trajectories for 2030, approximately 84% of schools are projected to have basic water services, 81% basic sanitation services, and 79% basic hygiene services.

By 2030, current trajectories indicate that around 10% of schools could still have no water service, 7% could have no sanitation service, and 12% could have no hygiene service.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development links school WASH services with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

SDG 4 includes targets for inclusive and quality education and safe, effective, child-, disability- and gender-sensitive learning environments, including access to basic WASH services.

SDG 6 aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, including universal access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene.

 

12) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, a former television news anchor, was crowned as the 13th King (Omukama) of the Tooro Kingdom in Uganda.

The coronation ceremony was held at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal, Uganda, and brought an end to a succession dispute in the Tooro Kingdom.

He succeeded King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who died on 27 August 2026.

Detailed Explanation:

Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, a former television news anchor, was crowned as the 13th King (Omukama) of the Tooro Kingdom in Uganda.

The coronation ceremony was held at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal, Uganda, and brought an end to a succession dispute in the Tooro Kingdom.

He succeeded King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who died on 27 August 2026.

The new king adopted the regnal name Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I after being crowned as the 13th Omukama of Tooro.

Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma was selected by a 21-member committee of the Babiito clan, which follows the kingdom’s traditional lineage-based succession system.

The new king is a cousin of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.

The succession process was contested by Queen Best Kemigisa and Princess Ruth Komuntale, contributing to the succession dispute that preceded the coronation.

13) Answer: A

South Indian Bank has appointed Mahesh Muralidhar Pai as its new Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO), effective from 1 October 2026.

Mahesh Muralidhar Pai succeeds P. R. Seshadri as the MD & CEO of South Indian Bank.

Before joining South Indian Bank, Mahesh Pai served as Chief General Manager (CGM) at Canara Bank, where he handled several strategic and business-critical responsibilities.

14) Answer: C

Geojit Financial Services has announced a leadership transition, with Jones George appointed as Managing Director (MD) and founder C J George moving to the position of Executive Chairman.

The new appointments will be effective from 1 October 2026 and were approved by the Board of Directors on 22 July 2026, based on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.

C J George founded Geojit in 1987 along with Ranajit Kanjilal and has led the Kerala-based financial services company for nearly four decades.

Under C J George’s leadership, Geojit established a strong presence in the Indian capital markets and introduced initiatives such as internet and mobile trading platforms.

15) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest lender, led demand for Reliance Industries’ ₹13,000 crore 10-year bond issue completed in September 2026.

SBI is estimated to have purchased nearly ₹5,000 crore of the bonds, accounting for around 40% of the total offering.

The Reliance Industries bonds were rated AAA by CRISIL and CareEdge, indicating very strong credit quality and a very low risk of default.

Detailed Explanation:

State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest lender, led demand for Reliance Industries’ ₹13,000 crore 10-year bond issue completed in September 2026.

SBI is estimated to have purchased nearly ₹5,000 crore of the bonds, accounting for around 40% of the total offering.

The Reliance Industries bonds were rated AAA by CRISIL and CareEdge, indicating very strong credit quality and a very low risk of default.

The bonds carry an annual coupon rate of 7.90% and have a 10-year maturity period.

An AAA credit rating is the highest credit rating, indicating an exceptionally strong capacity to meet debt obligations and a very low risk of default.

Major investors in the bond issue included ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, SBI Pension Fund, and ICICI Prudential Life Insurance.

16) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

The Second Edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2026) commenced at Subic Bay, Philippines, on 28 September 2026 with the participation of INS Sahyadri, INS Kulish and maritime forces from ASEAN Member States.

AIME-2026 is being conducted under the theme “Anchored in Trust, United at Sea” to enhance mutual understanding, cooperation and interoperability between Indian and ASEAN maritime forces.

The opening ceremony was attended by Shri Harsh Kumar Jain, Ambassador of India to the Philippines, as the Guest of Honour.

AIME-2026 consists of two phases: the Harbour Phase and the Sea Phase.

The Harbour Phase includes Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, sporting and cultural activities, community engagement, Operational Synchronisation and a Pre-Sail Brief.

Detailed Explanation:

The Second Edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2026) commenced at Subic Bay, Philippines, on 28 September 2026 with the participation of INS Sahyadri, INS Kulish and maritime forces from ASEAN Member States.

AIME-2026 is being conducted under the theme “Anchored in Trust, United at Sea” to enhance mutual understanding, cooperation and interoperability between Indian and ASEAN maritime forces.

The opening ceremony was attended by Shri Harsh Kumar Jain, Ambassador of India to the Philippines, as the Guest of Honour.

AIME-2026 consists of two phases: the Harbour Phase and the Sea Phase.

The Harbour Phase includes Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, sporting and cultural activities, community engagement, Operational Synchronisation and a Pre-Sail Brief.

The Sea Phase includes coordinated maritime exercises and operational serials aimed at improving professional understanding, operational coordination and interoperability.

INS Sahyadri is a Shivalik-class stealth frigate, while INS Kulish is a Kora-class corvette of the Indian Navy.

The exercise supports India’s Act East Policy and the vision of MAHASAGAR, which stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.

17) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The Defence Accounts Department (DAD) will celebrate its 279th Annual Day on 1 October 2026 in New Delhi.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will grace the celebrations at Dr. D.S. Kothari Auditorium, DRDO Bhawan.

Rajnath Singh will launch key IT initiatives of DAD, including the integration of Indian Army Financial Information System (IAFIS) with the SAKSHAM platform.

The revamped National Compilation System (NCS) for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will also be launched.

The Payment Routing and Integrated System Management (PRISM) Platform will be introduced for Treasury-Single Account Payments in the Ministry of Defence.

Detailed Explanation:

The Defence Accounts Department (DAD) will celebrate its 279th Annual Day on 1 October 2026 in New Delhi.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will grace the celebrations at Dr. D.S. Kothari Auditorium, DRDO Bhawan.

Rajnath Singh will launch key IT initiatives of DAD, including the integration of Indian Army Financial Information System (IAFIS) with the SAKSHAM platform.

The revamped National Compilation System (NCS) for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will also be launched.

The Payment Routing and Integrated System Management (PRISM) Platform will be introduced for Treasury-Single Account Payments in the Ministry of Defence.

The Comprehensive Statistical Handbook on Defence Expenditure (COSHE) 2026, Raksha Lekha Bharati (DAD’s in-house Hindi magazine), and the Market Intelligence Report 2025-2026 will be released.

A short film on SPARSH (System for Pension Administration (Raksha)), the flagship defence pensions system, will be released on the occasion.

The Raksha Mantri Awards for Excellence 2026 will be presented to DAD officers and staff for their exemplary performance and contribution to key initiatives of the Ministry of Defence and DAD.

The Defence Accounts Department traces its origin to the appointment of the Military Pay Master in 1747.

DAD provides important services in Internal Audit, Accounting, Financial Advice and Defence Pensions Management for the Defence Forces and Ministry of Defence.

18) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

The 11th Mega Eye Surgical Camp under Operation Drishti concluded at 92 Base Hospital, Srinagar, on 30 September 2026, completing the Kashmir leg of the initiative.

The Army Hospital (Research & Referral) (AHRR) surgical team, led by Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra, performed 364 eye surgeries across the Tangdhar and Srinagar camps.

Teams from 92 Base Hospital and 328 Field Hospital conducted 18 screening camps across remote and forward areas of the Kashmir Valley, screening nearly 6,000 people.

Detailed Explanation:

The 11th Mega Eye Surgical Camp under Operation Drishti concluded at 92 Base Hospital, Srinagar, on 30 September 2026, completing the Kashmir leg of the initiative.

The Army Hospital (Research & Referral) (AHRR) surgical team, led by Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra, performed 364 eye surgeries across the Tangdhar and Srinagar camps.

Teams from 92 Base Hospital and 328 Field Hospital conducted 18 screening camps across remote and forward areas of the Kashmir Valley, screening nearly 6,000 people.

Around 500 patients were identified as requiring surgical intervention and were subsequently treated under Operation Drishti.

The first phase was held at Tangdhar on 24–25 September 2026, along the Line of Control (LoC), where 220 sight-restoring surgeries were performed.

The Tangdhar camp was the first-ever mega eye surgical camp at the LoC conducted in an underground operation theatre.

The second phase was held at 92 Base Hospital, Srinagar, on 28–29 September 2026, where 144 eye surgeries were performed.

19) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Megamax Aviation Private Limited has received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Government of India, for its regional airline Air Ayodhya to operate under the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS–UDAN).

Air Ayodhya is a proposed regional airline that will primarily focus on improving air connectivity in Uttar Pradesh (UP).

The NOC marks the first key regulatory milestone for Air Ayodhya before starting commercial operations.

Detailed Explanation:

Megamax Aviation Private Limited has received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Government of India, for its regional airline Air Ayodhya to operate under the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS–UDAN).

Air Ayodhya is a proposed regional airline that will primarily focus on improving air connectivity in Uttar Pradesh (UP).

The NOC marks the first key regulatory milestone for Air Ayodhya before starting commercial operations.

After receiving the NOC, Air Ayodhya will begin the certification process with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for its Air Operator Certificate (AOC).

Commercial flight operations of Air Ayodhya will commence after obtaining the required Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the DGCA.

Air Ayodhya aims to connect tier-2 and tier-3 cities, pilgrimage centres, and tourism destinations in Uttar Pradesh with one another and with major aviation hubs.

20) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) to strengthen the Statistical Business Register (SBR).

The MoU was signed by Rajneesh, Additional Secretary and Development Commissioner, MoMSME, and Dalip Singh, Additional Director General (ADG), MoSPI.

The main objective of the MoU is to institutionalise a mechanism for sharing relevant data for the development and strengthening of the Statistical Business Register (SBR).

Detailed Explanation:

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) to strengthen the Statistical Business Register (SBR).

The MoU was signed by Rajneesh, Additional Secretary and Development Commissioner, MoMSME, and Dalip Singh, Additional Director General (ADG), MoSPI.

The main objective of the MoU is to institutionalise a mechanism for sharing relevant data for the development and strengthening of the Statistical Business Register (SBR).

Under the agreement, unit-level data from the Udyam Registration ecosystem of the Ministry of MSME will be shared with MoSPI through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).

The two-way API-based data exchange will support the preparation and strengthening of the National Statistical Business Register (NSBR).

The shared data is expected to improve the coverage, consistency, and reliability of business information used for statistical purposes.