Current affairs
News for UPSC, SSC and defence exams, with the reason it matters.
Practice Current Affairs sets
Monthly sets of current affairs MCQs. Every answer has an explanation.
October 2026
Set 10 25 QSet 9 25 QSet 8 25 QSet 7 25 QSet 6 25 QSet 5 25 Q
Latest Current Affairs MCQs
- Who chairs the High Level Committee on Banking for Viksit Bharat, constituted by the Finance Ministry in Oc… 31 Oct 2026 · Indian Economy
- Under the schedule notified on 30 October 2026, what is the reference date for the Census 2027 population c… 31 Oct 2026 · Indian Polity and Constitution
- NVS-03, launched by GSLV-F18 in October 2026, adds which new signal band to India’s NavIC constellation? 31 Oct 2026 · Science and Technology
- In September 2026, India’s IIP recorded positive year-on-year growth, but the growth rate was lower than in… 29 Oct 2026 · Indian Economy
- In October 2026, the Union Cabinet approved a Khelo India scheme for manufacturing sports goods. What is th… 29 Oct 2026 · Indian Economy
- The Cabinet approved a Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme in October 2026. In shipping, the unit TEU … 29 Oct 2026 · Indian Economy
- The Union Cabinet approved the PM Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana in October 2026. Its scheme period of 2026-27 t… 29 Oct 2026 · Indian Polity and Constitution
- In October 2026, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won a presidential run-off to secure his fourth term as Presiden… 28 Oct 2026 · International Relations
- In October 2026, a young cheetah from Kuno National Park died of gunshot pellet injuries, the first such ca… 28 Oct 2026 · Environment and Ecology
- After the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in 2026, eligible voters left out of Karnataka’s fi… 28 Oct 2026 · Indian Polity and Constitution
- Brazil is a member of which grouping with India and South Africa that is known as IBSA? 27 Oct 2026 · International Relations
- Which of these is true about Lula’s win in October 2026? 27 Oct 2026 · International Relations
- Who won Brazil’s presidential runoff held on 25 October 2026? 27 Oct 2026 · International Relations
- Bhavina Patel and Shubham Wadhwa won India’s first Asian Para Games mixed doubles medal in which sport? 27 Oct 2026 · General Knowledge
- Which two athletes won the compound mixed team archery gold for India at the 2026 Asian Para Games? 27 Oct 2026 · General Knowledge
- How many medals did India win at the 2026 Asian Para Games? 27 Oct 2026 · General Knowledge
- Which of these was the first Indian woman to win a Paralympic medal? 27 Oct 2026 · General Knowledge
- India’s record 114 medals at the 2026 Asian Para Games came in which host region? 27 Oct 2026 · General Knowledge
- How many medals did India win at the Paris 2024 Paralympics? 27 Oct 2026 · General Knowledge
- In the code F46 used in para athletics, what does the letter F stand for? 27 Oct 2026 · General Knowledge
June 2026
UPI goes live in Greece through a Eurobank–NIPL partnership
- UPI services went live in Greece on 30 June 2026.
- The launch came through a partnership between Eurobank and NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL).
- Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal witnessed the launch at Eurobank's headquarters in Athens.
Why it matters
[Economy] UPI is spreading abroad as a low-cost payment rail. Each new country widens payment options for Indian travellers and the diaspora. Questions often ask which countries accept UPI.
PFC and REC boards approve merger of REC into PFC
- The boards of PFC and REC approved a scheme to merge REC into PFC.
- The merged entity will have a combined loan book of over ₹11 lakh crore.
- REC shareholders will get 88 PFC shares for every 100 REC shares.
Why it matters
[Policy] Both are state-owned lenders to the power sector under the Ministry of Power. The merged company must stay a Government Company under the Companies Act, 2013. The Government will keep majority control.
General Dhiraj Seth takes over as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff
- General Dhiraj Seth took over as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff on 30 June 2026.
- He succeeded General Upendra Dwivedi, who retired the same day.
- He was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986.
Why it matters
[Appointment] The Army Chief is the professional head of the Indian Army. Exams often ask the name of the current chief and his arm of service. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla.
20th Statistics Day marks P.C. Mahalanobis’s birth anniversary; theme is administrative data
- MoSPI observed the 20th Statistics Day on 29 June 2026.
- Statistics Day marks the birth anniversary of Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis.
- The 2026 theme was 'Unlocking the Potential of Administrative Data'.
Why it matters
[Data] Mahalanobis is called the architect of India's modern statistical system. Exams ask both the date of Statistics Day and whom it honours. The yearly theme is also a common question.
Cabinet adds ₹30,000 crore to NIIF, taking the Centre’s total commitment to ₹60,000 crore
- The Union Cabinet approved an extra ₹30,000 crore commitment to the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund.
- This takes the Government's total commitment to NIIF to ₹60,000 crore.
- NIIF is India's sovereign-anchored fund, run by NIIF Limited.
Why it matters
[Economy] NIIF pulls foreign pension and sovereign funds into Indian infrastructure. Its investors include ADIA, Temasek and AIIB. The new money backs its upcoming funds.
PM Modi gets Seychelles’ first ‘Guardian of the Blue Horizon’ distinction; Seychelles joins CDRI
- Seychelles President Patrick Herminie conferred the 'Guardian of the Blue Horizon' distinction on PM Modi.
- It was the first time this honour was given.
- Seychelles joined the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure during the visit.
Why it matters
[International Relations] Seychelles is a key Indian Ocean partner for India. The honour recognised Modi's work on climate action and the blue economy. CDRI is an India-led coalition launched in 2019.
National Biodiversity Authority issues SOP for States to notify threatened species
- The National Biodiversity Authority released an SOP for notifying threatened species.
- Species are notified under Section 38 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
- So far 159 plant species and 173 animal species have been notified as threatened.
Why it matters
[Policy] Section 38 lets the Centre, with the State, notify species close to extinction. Collection of a notified species can then be regulated or banned. The SOP gives State Biodiversity Boards one common scientific method.
World’s first nuclear process heat-based hydrogen facility opens at IGCAR, Kalpakkam
- A hydrogen production facility using nuclear process heat opened at IGCAR, Kalpakkam, on 26 June 2026.
- It is described as the world's first facility of its kind.
- It uses the Copper-Chlorine thermochemical cycle, developed indigenously by BARC.
Why it matters
[First] The plant is a technology demonstrator for making hydrogen with nuclear heat. It links India's nuclear programme with its clean hydrogen goals. DAE Secretary Ajit Kumar Mohanty inaugurated it.
India hosts 11th BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting in Gurugram; Digital CoE for smart grids launched
- India hosted the 11th BRICS Energy Ministers' Meeting in Gurugram on 25 June 2026.
- It was held under India's BRICS Chairship for 2026.
- The Energy Track theme was 'Sarvesham Urjam' (Energy for All).
Why it matters
[International Relations] India chairs BRICS in 2026. Ministerial meetings under the chairship set up the leaders' summit. The meeting ended with a joint communiqué adopted by all members.
IAF gets Final Operational Clearance for indigenous ‘Netra’ AEW&C system
- DRDO handed the Final Operational Clearance certificate for the Netra AEW&C system to the IAF on 25 June 2026.
- Netra's Initial Operational Clearance came in 2017.
- It was developed by DRDO's Centre for Airborne Systems with the IAF and industry.
Why it matters
[Defence] An AEW&C aircraft is a flying radar that spots enemy aircraft and missiles early. Netra is India's own system, built under the self-reliance push. Exams often ask the difference between IOC and FOC.
56 critical mineral blocks auctioned so far; first-ever Centre auctions in Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Telangana
- The Centre has now auctioned 56 critical and strategic mineral blocks in total.
- The 7th tranche sold 10 blocks, including graphite, rare earths and vanadium.
- It was the Centre's first critical mineral auction in Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Telangana.
Why it matters
[Policy] Critical minerals are needed for batteries, electronics and clean energy. India imports most of them now. Auctions under the MMDR Act, 1957 aim to build a home supply.
India becomes world’s top ship recycling nation in 2025 with 35.4% share: UNCTAD
- India ranked first in global ship recycling in 2025, as per UNCTAD's latest report.
- India's share rose to 35.4% in 2025, up from 30.1% in 2024.
- Ship recycling in India rose about 60%, to 2.99 million gross tons.
Why it matters
[First Largest] India passed every other country in ship recycling. It follows the Hong Kong Convention, which India ratified in 2019. Its yards were upgraded to meet that convention's safety and green rules.
DISHA 2.0 approved with Rs 255 crore for 2026-31; new VIDHI-Sanjeevani component added
- The Law Ministry approved DISHA 2.0 for 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031.
- It is a Central Sector Scheme with an outlay of Rs 255 crore.
- A new component, VIDHI-Sanjeevani, adds a digital platform and the AI chatbot 'Nyaya Setu'.
Why it matters
[Scheme] DISHA stands for Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice. It supports Articles 14, 21 and 39A of the Constitution. Article 39A deals with free legal aid.
PM commissions INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak and INS Agray together in Kolkata
- PM Modi commissioned three indigenous naval ships at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, on 21 June 2026.
- INS Dunagiri is an advanced stealth frigate.
- INS Sanshodhak is a large survey vessel. INS Agray is an anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft.
Why it matters
[Security] Three different ship types joined the Navy on one day. Sanshodhak was commissioned on World Hydrography Day, 21 June. Exams often ask which shipyard built a ship.
Polish documentary ‘Silver’ wins the Golden Conch at the 19th MIFF 2026
- The 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) closed on 21 June 2026.
- Its top honour, the Golden Conch for Best Documentary, went to the Polish film 'Silver'.
- 'Silver' was directed by Natalia Koniarz.
Why it matters
[Data] MIFF is India's festival for documentary, short fiction and animation films. Its awards are the Golden Conch and the Silver Conch. Award-winner questions are common in SSC papers.
PM releases 23rd PM-KISAN instalment of ₹18,880 crore from Tarakeswar, West Bengal
- The 23rd PM-KISAN instalment was released on 20 June 2026 at Tarakeswar, Hooghly, West Bengal.
- About ₹18,880 crore reached over 9.44 crore farmers.
- More than ₹4.46 lakh crore has been paid out since the scheme began in 2019.
Why it matters
[Data] PM-KISAN pays eligible farmers ₹6,000 a year in three instalments by direct benefit transfer. Exams track the instalment number and where it was released.
Foundation stone laid for BCGCL Coal-to-Ammonium Nitrate project at Lakhanpur, Odisha
- The President and PM laid the foundation stone on 20 June 2026 at Lakhanpur, Jharsuguda district, Odisha.
- BCGCL is a joint venture of Coal India (51%) and BHEL (49%).
- It will make about 0.66 million tonnes a year of technical grade ammonium nitrate from coal.
Why it matters
[First] It is India's first commercial-scale coal-to-ammonium nitrate project. It falls under the National Coal Gasification Mission. Gasification turns coal into chemicals instead of burning it.
Health Ministry bans 16 Fixed Dose Combination medicines under Section 26A
- The Health Ministry banned 16 Fixed Dose Combinations (FDCs) for human use on 20 June 2026.
- The ban was issued under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
- An expert committee of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) found them lacking therapeutic justification.
Why it matters
[Policy] An FDC mixes two or more drugs in one pill. Section 26A lets the Centre ban unsafe drugs. FDC bans recur, so the law and the DTAB are worth knowing.
India gets FATF Vice-Presidency for the first time; Vivek Aggarwal appointed
- Vivek Aggarwal, a 1994-batch IAS officer, was elected Vice-President of the FATF.
- This is the first time India holds the FATF Vice-Presidency.
- The FATF is a Paris-based body that sets global anti-money laundering and terror-financing standards.
Why it matters
[First] It is a first for India at the global anti-money laundering body. India became a full FATF member in 2010. Firsts like this are classic exam facts.
Indian Army joins 23rd edition of multinational exercise Khaan Quest in Mongolia
- Exercise Khaan Quest 2026 runs from 20 June to 3 July 2026 at Five Hills Training Area, Ulaanbaatar.
- India sent 40 personnel, led by a battalion of the JAT Regiment.
- It began in 2003 as a US-Mongolia bilateral event and became multinational from 2006.
Why it matters
[Security] Exam papers often ask which country hosts an exercise. Khaan Quest is Mongolia's multinational peacekeeping exercise. This was its 23rd edition.
MNRE launches Green Hydrogen Certification Portal of India (GHCI)
- Union Minister Pralhad Joshi launched the Green Hydrogen Certification Portal of India on 17 June 2026.
- MNRE built it to run the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India.
- Six states have notified dedicated green hydrogen policies.
Why it matters
[Environment] Certification proves hydrogen is truly green before it is sold or exported. The portal supports the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
India and Japan adopt rules for Joint Crediting Mechanism under Paris Agreement Article 6.2
- India and Japan adopted the Rules of Implementation of the Joint Crediting Mechanism on 8 June 2026.
- The JCM works under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement.
- The two countries signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on the JCM last year.
Why it matters
[Environment] Article 6.2 lets countries trade carbon credits bilaterally. Under the JCM, Japanese low-carbon projects in India earn credits counted towards both nations' NDCs.
PM Modi gets Slovakia’s highest honour, the Order of the White Double Cross, First Class
- Slovak President Peter Pellegrini conferred the honour on PM Modi on 15 June 2026.
- The Order of the White Double Cross, First Class, is Slovakia's highest state honour.
- PM Modi dedicated it to the 1.4 billion people of India.
Why it matters
[International Relations] Exams ask which country gave which honour to the PM. Keep a running list of these foreign awards.
New WPI series with base year 2022-23 released; Producer Price Indices launched
- DPIIT's Office of the Economic Adviser released a new WPI series with base year 2022-23.
- It replaces the 2011-12 series. Items rose from 697 to 957.
- Output, Input and Service Producer Price Indices (PPI) were also released.
Why it matters
[Economy] India is moving from WPI to PPI, in line with IMF advice. Solar, wind and nuclear power are now in the basket. Base-year questions are common.
DRDO successfully flight-tests Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM)
- DRDO flight-tested the LRLACM from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off Odisha, on 15 June 2026.
- All test objectives were met.
- The Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru, is the nodal laboratory.
Why it matters
[Security] The LRLACM is an indigenous long-range cruise missile. A cruise missile flies low like an aircraft, unlike a ballistic missile. Nodal labs are asked in defence papers.