Dear Readers, Daily Current Affairs Questions Quiz for SBI, IBPS, RBI, RRB, SSC Exam 2026 of 28th 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) What is the base value of the NDEX and FINNDEX equity indices launched by National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) in October 2026?

(a) 1,000

(b) 5,000

(c) 10,000

(d) 15,000

(e) 20,000

 

2) Who has been appointed as the Fund Manager for the Maritime Investment Fund (MIF) under the Maritime Development Fund (MDF)?

(a) SBI Ventures Limited

(b) Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited

(c) Dredging Corporation of India

(d) Goa Shipyard Limited

(e) State Bank of India

3) How many years of the Chinmaya Mission’s establishment are being commemorated through the Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav Global Sammelan 2026?

(a) 50 years

(b) 60 years

(c) 70 years

(d) 75 years

(e) 100 years

4) Which company’s garment manufacturing facility is scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh?

(a) Raymond Limited

(b) Arvind Limited

(c) Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited

(d) Welspun Living Limited

(e) Trident Limited

5) Recently, India’s Chemicals and Petrochemicals Sector Targets $1.6 Trillion Market Size by 2047. Which country was the partner country for the India Chem-2026 event held in Mumbai?

(a) United States

(b) Germany

(c) Japan

(d) South Korea

(e) France

6) By which month and year was the Government of India’s target of creating 11 crore Farmer IDs under the Digital Agriculture Mission originally scheduled to be achieved?

(a) December 2026

(b) January 2027

(c) February 2027

(d) March 2027

(e) June 2027

 

7) Which country confirmed its first human case of Shamonda virus on 22 October 2026?

(a) Germany

(b) France

(c) Italy

(d) Spain

(e) Belgium

8) Which country has been provisionally earmarked to receive funds from the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) for recovery from the August 2026 flash floods?

(a) Bangladesh

(b) Pakistan

(c) Bhutan

(d) Nepal

(e) Sri Lanka

9) Who was re-elected for a fourth non-consecutive presidential term in Brazil’s 2026 presidential election held on 25 October 2026?

(a) Jair Bolsonaro

(b) Flávio Bolsonaro

(c) Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

(d) Geraldo Alckmin

(e) Michel Temer

 

10) Who has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, effective from 1 November 2026?

(a) Atal Dulloo

(b) Dr. Sajjan Singh Yadav

(c) Manoj Sinha

(d) B. R. Sharma

(e) Ashish Chandra Verma

11) What was the approximate value of capital acquisition proposals for which the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) on 26 October 2026?

(a) ₹1.25 lakh crore

(b) ₹1.50 lakh crore

(c) ₹1.75 lakh crore

(d) ₹2.12 lakh crore

(e) ₹2.50 lakh crore

12) When was the earlier version of the Land Warfare Doctrine, replaced by the revised doctrine released in 2026, issued by the Indian Army?

(a) December 2016

(b) December 2017

(c) December 2018

(d) December 2019

(e) December 2020

13) What is the full form of AATAL, the integrated laboratory inaugurated to analyse atmospheric chemistry, aerosol toxicity and sources of air pollution?

(a) Atmospheric Analysis and Toxicity Assessment Laboratory

(b) Atmospheric Chemistry and Aerosol Toxicity Analysis Laboratory

(c) Advanced Atmospheric Technology and Air Laboratory

(d) Atmospheric Aerosol Testing and Assessment Laboratory

(e) Air Analysis and Toxicity Assessment Laboratory

14) In which year is the first satellite planned to be launched under the sovereign satellite communications partnership between ICEYE and Nokia?

(a) 2028

(b) 2027

(c) 2032

(d) 2029

(e) 2030

15) Which protein was identified by CSIR-CCMB, Hyderabad, for detecting viral RNA and activating the innate antiviral immune response?

(a) DDX3

(b) DZIP3

(c) MAVS

(d) RIG-I

(e) TBK1

16) Which project was launched to preserve shared Buddhist and civilisational heritage through the digitisation of ancient manuscripts between India and Sri Lanka?

(a) Buddhist Heritage Preservation Initiative

(b) India–Sri Lanka Manuscript Mission

(c) South Asian Cultural Archive

(d) SAMHiTA Project

(e) Digital Buddhist Knowledge Project

17) What is the proposed total investment by NLC India Limited and IPICOL for major industrial projects in Odisha?

(a) ₹25,000 crore

(b) ₹30,000 crore

(c) ₹35,000 crore

(d) ₹37,000 crore

(e) ₹40,000 crore

18) In Oct 2026, Renowned Tamil Chef and Padma Shri Recipient K. Damodaran (Chef Damu) Passed away at 72. Which Guinness World Records title did renowned Tamil Chef Damu, achieve in December 2010?

(a) Largest Variety of Dishes Prepared by a Team

(b) Longest Cooking Marathon by an Individual

(c) Fastest Preparation of 500 Dishes

(d) Largest Single Dish Prepared by an Individual

(e) Longest Cooking Marathon by a Team

19) By when does the Maritime Investment Fund (MIF) target to achieve its first close of ₹5,000 crore?

(a) November 2026

(b) December 2026

(c) January 2027

(d) March 2027

(e) June 2027

20) In which Union Territory is Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary located?

(a) Chandigarh

(b) Jammu and Kashmir

(c) Ladakh

(d) Puducherry

(e) Delhi

 

Answers:

1) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) launched two rule-based equity indices, NDEX and FINNDEX, on 22 October 2026, marking its entry into the equity and equity derivatives markets.

NDEX comprises 20 large and liquid Indian equities selected from the top 60 NSE-listed companies.

FINNDEX tracks 15 financial-sector stocks, excluding insurance companies, selected from the top 40 eligible companies.

The base month for both indices is January 2010, and their base value is 10,000.

The index values are disseminated in real time during market hours.

Detailed Explanation:

National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) launched two rule-based equity indices, NDEX and FINNDEX, on 22 October 2026, marking its entry into the equity and equity derivatives markets.

NDEX comprises 20 large and liquid Indian equities selected from the top 60 NSE-listed companies.

FINNDEX tracks 15 financial-sector stocks, excluding insurance companies, selected from the top 40 eligible companies.

The indices use a multi-factor selection and weighting methodology comprising free-float market capitalisation (30%), average daily traded value (30%), beta (20%) and volatility (20%).

The maximum weight of an individual stock in either index is capped at 15%.

NCDEX Ltd owns the indices, while NSE Indices Ltd calculates and maintains them.

The indices are reviewed and rebalanced twice a year, in March and September.

The base month for both indices is January 2010, and their base value is 10,000.

The index values are disseminated in real time during market hours.

2) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the corporate office of Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL) on 23 October 2026 at the Institute for Studies in Industrial Development (ISID), New Delhi.

Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL) is India’s first dedicated Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) for the maritime sector.

SMFCL provides long-term financing for port-led development, shipbuilding, coastal connectivity and maritime infrastructure.

SMFCL began its lending operations on 31 December 2025, with an initial loan sanction of approximately ₹4,300 crore.

Detailed Explanation:

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the corporate office of Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL) on 23 October 2026 at the Institute for Studies in Industrial Development (ISID), New Delhi.

Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL) is India’s first dedicated Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) for the maritime sector.

SMFCL provides long-term financing for port-led development, shipbuilding, coastal connectivity and maritime infrastructure.

SMFCL began its lending operations on 31 December 2025, with an initial loan sanction of approximately ₹4,300 crore.

SMFCL set a loan-book target of ₹8,000 crore for FY 2025–26.

As of 30 September 2026, SMFCL had sanctioned ₹11,563 crore in financing and disbursed ₹5,107 crore.

In 2026, SMFCL disbursed its first loan of ₹150 crore to the Dredging Corporation of India and a loan of ₹110 crore to Goa Shipyard.

SMFCL aims to achieve cumulative disbursements of ₹60,205 crore by the end of FY 2030–31, subject to adequate equity support and compliance with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) norms, including applicable debt-to-equity requirements.

The Maritime Development Fund (MDF) has two components: the Maritime Investment Fund (MIF) and the Interest Incentivisation Fund (IIF).

SBI Ventures Limited has been appointed as the Fund Manager for the Maritime Investment Fund (MIF).

 

3) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav Global Sammelan at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, and address the gathering.

The three-day Global Sammelan, scheduled from 23 to 25 October 2026, will bring together more than 9,000 participants from India and abroad.

It marks the culmination of the year-long celebrations commemorating 75 years of the Chinmaya Mission.

The Chinmaya Mission was founded by Swami Chinmayananda in 1951 to make the teachings of Vedanta and the Bhagavad Gita accessible to people worldwide. Its activities include spiritual education, cultural preservation, youth empowerment and community service.

Detailed Explanation:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav Global Sammelan at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, and address the gathering.

The three-day Global Sammelan, scheduled from 23 to 25 October 2026, will bring together more than 9,000 participants from India and abroad.

It marks the culmination of the year-long celebrations commemorating 75 years of the Chinmaya Mission.

The Chinmaya Mission was founded by Swami Chinmayananda in 1951 to make the teachings of Vedanta and the Bhagavad Gita accessible to people worldwide. Its activities include spiritual education, cultural preservation, youth empowerment and community service.

The year-long celebrations began in 2025 with the Prime Minister releasing a Tamil versification of the Bhagavad Gita, produced by the Chinmaya Mission with music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, at Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Tamil Nadu.

Other initiatives during the celebrations included mass havans at multiple locations and the consecration of the Maa Soundarya Chinmayi Temple in Tripura.

Under Chinmaya Gita Samarpanam, more than 1 lakh people worldwide chanted the 15th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita together online.

Another major initiative, Gita Panchamrit, focused on five selected verses from the Bhagavad Gita to communicate its teachings.

 

4) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Uttar Pradesh and Odisha to inaugurate a garment manufacturing facility in Varanasi, witness the Indian Air Force Day Aerial Display–2026, and inaugurate the Reserve Bank of India’s Data Centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute in Bhubaneswar.

Prime Minister will inaugurate Arvind Limited’s garment manufacturing facility in Varanasi.

The facility is expected to strengthen India’s textile and apparel manufacturing ecosystem, attract industrial investment, and create employment opportunities, particularly for women.

Detailed Explanation:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Uttar Pradesh and Odisha to inaugurate a garment manufacturing facility in Varanasi, witness the Indian Air Force Day Aerial Display–2026, and inaugurate the Reserve Bank of India’s Data Centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute in Bhubaneswar.

Prime Minister will inaugurate Arvind Limited’s garment manufacturing facility in Varanasi.

The facility is expected to strengthen India’s textile and apparel manufacturing ecosystem, attract industrial investment, and create employment opportunities, particularly for women.

 It is also expected to connect garments manufactured in Varanasi with international markets.

Narendra Modi will attend the Indian Air Force Day Aerial Display–2026 at Namo Ghat, Varanasi, as the Chief Guest. The event will commemorate the 94th anniversary of the Indian Air Force under the theme “Wings over Ganges.”

The aerial display will feature aircraft such as Tejas, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, Su-30MKI and Rafale, along with transport aircraft. Aircraft from the Indian Navy and Indian Army will also participate, highlighting jointness among the armed forces.

5) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Union Minister J. P. Nadda stated that India’s chemicals and petrochemicals sector needs to expand from its current market size of approximately $220 billion to $1 trillion by 2040 and $1.6 trillion by 2047.

Addressing the three-day India Chem-2026 event in Mumbai, Nadda described the chemicals and petrochemicals industry as a sunrise sector with significant potential to drive economic growth and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Japan was the partner country for India Chem-2026, reflecting the established trade relations between India and Japan in the chemicals and petrochemicals sector.

Detailed Explanation:

Union Minister J. P. Nadda stated that India’s chemicals and petrochemicals sector needs to expand from its current market size of approximately $220 billion to $1 trillion by 2040 and $1.6 trillion by 2047.

Addressing the three-day India Chem-2026 event in Mumbai, Nadda described the chemicals and petrochemicals industry as a sunrise sector with significant potential to drive economic growth and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Japan was the partner country for India Chem-2026, reflecting the established trade relations between India and Japan in the chemicals and petrochemicals sector.

The Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) Forum, chaired by Nadda, focused on strengthening industrial competitiveness and positioning India as a globally competitive chemicals and petrochemicals hub.

Discussions under the India–Japan, India–United States and India–European Union Chemicals and Petrochemicals Forums explored opportunities to expand trade, investment, technology cooperation and international partnerships.

The event witnessed participation from Japan, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, European Union member states, Latin American countries, the Republic of Korea and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.

 

6) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The Government of India has created 11 crore Farmer IDs across the country under the Digital Agriculture Mission, achieving the target five months ahead of the March 2027 deadline.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, announced the achievement through a video message.

He stated that the target set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for creating 11 crore Farmer IDs by March 2027 was achieved a day before the announcement.

The Farmer ID initiative provides farmers with a unique digital identity to enable transparent, efficient and timely access to government schemes, bank credit, crop insurance and disaster relief, while reducing paperwork and repeated verification.

Detailed Explanation:

The Government of India has created 11 crore Farmer IDs across the country under the Digital Agriculture Mission, achieving the target five months ahead of the March 2027 deadline.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, announced the achievement through a video message.

He stated that the target set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for creating 11 crore Farmer IDs by March 2027 was achieved a day before the announcement.

The Farmer ID initiative provides farmers with a unique digital identity to enable transparent, efficient and timely access to government schemes, bank credit, crop insurance and disaster relief, while reducing paperwork and repeated verification.

Farmer IDs will help farmers access bank loans, crop insurance, disaster relief assistance and agricultural markets to sell their produce. The initiative is intended to ensure that government benefits reach eligible farmers.

The Digital Agriculture Mission was approved by the Union Cabinet on 2 September 2024 and aims to strengthen digital public infrastructure for agriculture.

 

7) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

France confirmed its first human case of Shamonda virus on 22 October 2026; the patient, who was severely immunocompromised, died earlier that month.

The infection was described by French authorities as an exceptional case, and there was no identified risk to the general population at the time of the announcement.

The suspected route of infection was a bite from an infected biting midge in eastern France, where the virus had circulated among animals during spring and summer 2026.

Detailed Explanation:

France confirmed its first human case of Shamonda virus on 22 October 2026; the patient, who was severely immunocompromised, died earlier that month.

The infection was described by French authorities as an exceptional case, and there was no identified risk to the general population at the time of the announcement.

The suspected route of infection was a bite from an infected biting midge in eastern France, where the virus had circulated among animals during spring and summer 2026.

Shamonda virus belongs to the genus Orthobunyavirus and the family Peribunyaviridae.

Shamonda virus is an insect-borne virus primarily associated with livestock, especially cattle, and is transmitted by biting midges.

Arboviruses are viruses transmitted between hosts by arthropods, such as insects and ticks. Biting midges are the identified vector for Shamonda virus.

 

8) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) has provisionally earmarked funds for Nepal to support recovery from the devastating August 2026 flash floods, marking the first time the Fund has allocated money for a specific disaster in a specific country.

The FRLD Board approved a $21.6 million payout for Nepal, comprising $20 million for the disaster response and $1.6 million in oversight fees for organisations implementing and supervising the projects.

The decision was taken at the FRLD Board’s first extraordinary meeting, held virtually on 22 October 2026.

Nepal has been invited to submit a formal funding request, which will be considered at the Board’s 10th meeting in Manila in December 2026, and the money will be released only after approval.

Detailed Explanation:

The Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) has provisionally earmarked funds for Nepal to support recovery from the devastating August 2026 flash floods, marking the first time the Fund has allocated money for a specific disaster in a specific country.

The FRLD Board approved a $21.6 million payout for Nepal, comprising $20 million for the disaster response and $1.6 million in oversight fees for organisations implementing and supervising the projects.

The decision was taken at the FRLD Board’s first extraordinary meeting, held virtually on 22 October 2026.

Nepal has been invited to submit a formal funding request, which will be considered at the Board’s 10th meeting in Manila in December 2026, and the money will be released only after approval.

The Nepal allocation is significant because it represents the first country-specific funding decision by the Loss and Damage Fund and demonstrates an effort to provide rapid financial assistance after climate-related disasters.

The FRLD was established at the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2022, and its Governing Instrument was adopted at COP28 in Dubai, UAE, in 2023.

9) Answer: C

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the incumbent President of Brazil and leader of the Workers’ Party (Partido dos Trabalhadores – PT), was re-elected for a fourth non-consecutive presidential term in the 2026 Brazilian Presidential Election, held on 25 October 2026.

Lula defeated Flávio Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party (PL) in the second-round presidential runoff.

 

10) Answer: B

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) appointed Dr. Sajjan Singh Yadav, a 1995-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre, as the new Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

His appointment will take effect from 1 November 2026, or the date he assumes charge, whichever is later.

Dr. Sajjan Singh Yadav will succeed Atal Dulloo, a 1989-batch IAS officer, whose tenure is scheduled to end on 31 October 2026.

11) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals worth approximately ₹2.12 lakh crore (₹2,12,000 crore) on 26 October 2026.

The approvals cover the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force (IAF) to strengthen their operational capabilities, combat preparedness, mobility and modernisation.

Approximately 82% of the total procurement value will be sourced from the Indian domestic defence industry, boosting indigenous defence manufacturing.

Detailed Explanation:

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals worth approximately ₹2.12 lakh crore (₹2,12,000 crore) on 26 October 2026.

The approvals cover the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force (IAF) to strengthen their operational capabilities, combat preparedness, mobility and modernisation.

Approximately 82% of the total procurement value will be sourced from the Indian domestic defence industry, boosting indigenous defence manufacturing.

For the Indian Army, approval was granted for the procurement of High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs), Self-Propelled Tracked Gun Systems, Gun Shot Response Systems (GSRS), Light Multi-Role Helicopters (LMRH), Very Short-Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORADS), Platform-Based Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS), Long-Range Unmanned Aerial Systems, Surveillance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Integrated Surveillance and Strike Systems, and Long-Range Kamikaze Drone Systems.

For the Indian Air Force (IAF), approval was granted for the procurement of helicopters, air defence systems, weapons and Mobile X-Band Doppler Weather Radar Systems.

Special Utility Helicopters will help meet the Indian Air Force’s essential air transport requirements.

Mobile X-Band Doppler Weather Radar Systems will provide high-resolution, localised weather surveillance in forward areas, supporting operational planning and flight safety.

12) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the Land Warfare Doctrine to provide an overarching framework for preparing the Indian Army (IA) to address evolving warfare challenges and future conflicts.

The Land Warfare Doctrine was released during the Army Commanders’ Conference held in New Delhi, Delhi.

The revised doctrine replaces the earlier Land Warfare Doctrine of December 2018 and incorporates advanced technologies, drones, Artificial Intelligence (AI), precision warfare and multi-domain operations.

Detailed Explanation:

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the Land Warfare Doctrine to provide an overarching framework for preparing the Indian Army (IA) to address evolving warfare challenges and future conflicts.

The Land Warfare Doctrine was released during the Army Commanders’ Conference held in New Delhi, Delhi.

The revised doctrine replaces the earlier Land Warfare Doctrine of December 2018 and incorporates advanced technologies, drones, Artificial Intelligence (AI), precision warfare and multi-domain operations.

The revised doctrine aims to strengthen the Indian Army’s operational preparedness, technological capabilities and readiness for future conflicts.

The Army Commanders’ Conference is a biannual apex-level forum of the Indian Army that reviews operational preparedness, capability development and military modernisation.

The conference was chaired by General Dhiraj Seth, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS).

13) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) and Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), inaugurated the Atmospheric Chemistry and Aerosol Toxicity Analysis Laboratory (AATAL) at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in New Delhi, Delhi.

AATAL is a world-first integrated laboratory designed to analyse atmospheric chemistry and aerosol toxicity and identify the real-time sources of air pollution in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).

The laboratory was established under Mission Mausam, launched in 2025 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).

Detailed Explanation:

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) and Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), inaugurated the Atmospheric Chemistry and Aerosol Toxicity Analysis Laboratory (AATAL) at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in New Delhi, Delhi.

AATAL is a world-first integrated laboratory designed to analyse atmospheric chemistry and aerosol toxicity and identify the real-time sources of air pollution in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).

The laboratory was established under Mission Mausam, launched in 2025 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).

AATAL analyses atmospheric gases, aerosols, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), metals, toxic elements and other pollutants to determine the sources of air pollution.

The laboratory helps distinguish pollution sources, including vehicular emissions, industrial activities, biomass burning, crop-residue burning, construction dust, road dust and pollution transported from neighbouring regions.

AATAL is integrated with IITM’s AIRWISE, which stands for Air Quality Warning and Integrated Decision Support System for Emissions.

14) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

ICEYE, Nokia, and the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to explore cooperation in sovereign satellite communications.

The announcement was made during the visit of Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo to Ukraine, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.

ICEYE and Nokia announced their separate partnership to develop sovereign satellite communications systems on 1 October 2026, with the first satellite planned for launch in 2028.

Detailed Explanation:

ICEYE, Nokia, and the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to explore cooperation in sovereign satellite communications.

The announcement was made during the visit of Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo to Ukraine, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.

The partnership aims to strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities and reduce its dependence on foreign-controlled satellite networks, including Starlink.

The proposed system will use Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology to provide secure, high-performance broadband communications for defence, border security, emergency services and disaster response.

ICEYE and Nokia announced their separate partnership to develop sovereign satellite communications systems on 1 October 2026, with the first satellite planned for launch in 2028.

 

15) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, identified DZIP3, a protein that detects viral RNA and activates the body’s innate antiviral immune response.

The research was led by Dr. Santosh Chauhan, Senior Principal Scientist at CSIR-CCMB, and Dr. Rinku Sahu was the first author of the study.

The study was published in The EMBO Journal and the research was funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India.

Detailed Explanation:

CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, identified DZIP3, a protein that detects viral RNA and activates the body’s innate antiviral immune response.

The research was led by Dr. Santosh Chauhan, Senior Principal Scientist at CSIR-CCMB, and Dr. Rinku Sahu was the first author of the study.

The study was published in The EMBO Journal and the research was funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India.

DZIP3 detects viral RNA, changes its shape to become activated, and moves to the mitochondria, where it tags and activates key immune defence proteins.

This process triggers the production of Type-I interferons, which help prevent viruses from multiplying inside cells.

The researchers demonstrated the protective role of the DZIP3-mediated immune pathway against SARS-CoV-2, chikungunya virus and Japanese encephalitis virus.

16) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

India and Sri Lanka are strengthening cultural cooperation through the SAMHiTA Project (South Asian Manuscript Histories and Textual Archive), launched at Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to preserve their shared Buddhist and civilisational heritage.

The project aims to digitise ancient manuscripts and preserve their historical, religious and cultural knowledge for future generations.

The initiative is being implemented by the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi, with grant assistance from the Government of India. Gangaramaya Temple has become the first institution in Sri Lanka to partner with the project.

Detailed Explanation:

India and Sri Lanka are strengthening cultural cooperation through the SAMHiTA Project (South Asian Manuscript Histories and Textual Archive), launched at Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to preserve their shared Buddhist and civilisational heritage.

The project aims to digitise ancient manuscripts and preserve their historical, religious and cultural knowledge for future generations.

The initiative is being implemented by the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi, with grant assistance from the Government of India. Gangaramaya Temple has become the first institution in Sri Lanka to partner with the project.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in July 2026, a team of local experts is digitising 100 ancient manuscripts preserved at Gangaramaya Temple. The work is expected to be completed by the end of November 2026, with support from India.

The manuscripts contain valuable information on religious traditions, philosophy, languages and cultural practices, providing insights into South Asia’s intellectual and spiritual heritage.

The project seeks to safeguard historical records in digital form, improve their preservation and accessibility, and encourage more institutions across Sri Lanka to participate.

17) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

NLC India Limited (NLCIL) and the Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Limited (IPICOL) signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in Mumbai to undertake major industrial projects in Odisha with a proposed investment of ₹37,000 crore.

NLC India Limited will develop a 3,200-megawatt coal-based ultra-supercritical thermal power plant, comprising four units of 800 megawatts each, with a tentative investment of ₹35,000 crore.

Detailed Explanation:

NLC India Limited (NLCIL) and the Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Limited (IPICOL) signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in Mumbai to undertake major industrial projects in Odisha with a proposed investment of ₹37,000 crore.

NLC India Limited will develop a 3,200-megawatt coal-based ultra-supercritical thermal power plant, comprising four units of 800 megawatts each, with a tentative investment of ₹35,000 crore.

The project is expected to generate employment for approximately 4,000 people and strengthen Odisha’s power infrastructure and economic growth.

The company will establish a beach sand mineral processing facility with a proposed investment of ₹2,000 crore.

The facility is expected to generate employment for around 500 people, supporting regional industrial development and socioeconomic growth.

NLC India Limited will also explore a coal gasification and fertiliser project in Odisha by assessing the technical feasibility of producing synthesis gas (syngas) from coal for potential applications in the fertiliser sector.

A separate investment amount and employment estimate for this initiative have not been specified.

18) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

K. Damodaran, popularly known as Chef Damu, was a renowned Tamil chef and Padma Shri awardee who passed away at the age of 72 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on 25 October 2026, following a brief illness.

He was born in September 1954 in West Mambalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, to Kothandaraman, who worked at the Secretariat, and Kothainayaki, a homemaker.

He received the Padma Shri in 2025 for his outstanding contributions to the culinary arts.

In December 2010, he entered the Guinness World Records for the Longest Cooking Marathon by an Individual after preparing 617 dishes weighing 190 kg in 24 hours, 30 minutes and 12 seconds.

Detailed Explanation:

K. Damodaran, popularly known as Chef Damu, was a renowned Tamil chef and Padma Shri awardee who passed away at the age of 72 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on 25 October 2026, following a brief illness.

He was born in September 1954 in West Mambalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, to Kothandaraman, who worked at the Secretariat, and Kothainayaki, a homemaker.

He received the Padma Shri in 2025 for his outstanding contributions to the culinary arts.

He began his professional career as a management trainee at the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) in 1977.

He completed a diploma in Hotel Management and Catering Technology from the Institute of Hotel Management, Taramani, Chennai, followed by a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

In 2004, he earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Hotel Management and Catering Technology from the University of Madras, becoming the first Indian chef to receive a doctorate in this field.

In December 2010, he entered the Guinness World Records for the Longest Cooking Marathon by an Individual after preparing 617 dishes weighing 190 kg in 24 hours, 30 minutes and 12 seconds.

19) Answer: C

The Maritime Development Fund (MDF) has two components: the Maritime Investment Fund (MIF) and the Interest Incentivisation Fund (IIF).

SBI Ventures Limited has been appointed as the Fund Manager for the Maritime Investment Fund (MIF).

Registration of the MIF as an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is expected by the end of November 2026.

The MIF targets its first close of ₹5,000 crore by January 2027.

The Interest Incentivisation Fund (IIF) provides interest support to eligible borrowers in the maritime sector.

20) Answer: E

About Delhi (National Capital Territory):

Chief Minister: Rekha Gupta

Lieutenant Governor: Taranjit Singh Sandhu

Capital: New Delhi

National Parks: None

Wildlife Sanctuaries: Asola Bhatti (Indira Priyadarshini) Wildlife Sanctuary