Rajasthan and national news for RAS, Patwari, VDO and other exams·38 items·each with its source·published 19 October 2026
Rajasthan
Pali-born Om Prakash Mathur moved from Sikkim to Keralam as Governor in a reshuffle of six Governors
On 12 October 2026 President Droupadi Murmu appointed Governors in six states. Om Prakash Mathur, till then Governor of Sikkim, was moved to Keralam (the official name of Kerala since August 2026) in place of Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who was moved to Tamil Nadu; Dushyant Gautam was named Governor of Sikkim. Mathur was born on 2 January 1952 in Bedal village of Pali district, Rajasthan, and was a Rajya Sabha member for two terms (2008-2014 and 2016-2022).
Exam angleRajasthan-born Governor: Sikkim to Keralam; home district Pali
Pugal Solar Park (Bikaner) auction: 2,450 MW solar with 6,400 MWh battery storage at Rs 3.42-3.54 per unit
On 14 October 2026 Rajasthan Solar Park Development Company Ltd (RSDCL), a subsidiary of Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation, held the e-reverse auction for 2,450 MW of solar power with 1,600 MW/6,400 MWh of battery energy storage (BESS) at Pugal Solar Park in Bikaner district; the results were reported on 15 October. Tariffs ranged from Rs 3.42 to Rs 3.54 per kWh across two lots. Coal India quoted the lowest tariff (Rs 3.42) in Lot 2, while NLC India Renewables won 1,000 MW in Lot 1 at Rs 3.53.
Exam anglePugal Solar Park district (Bikaner); solar + BESS; lowest tariff Rs 3.42
Khelo Rajasthan Games from 1 December 2026 in three phases, from gram panchayat to state level
On 14 October 2026 details were released of the Khelo Rajasthan Games, which, on the lines of Khelo India and including traditional games, will begin on 1 December 2026 at gram panchayat, block, district and state levels, with separate urban rounds. Phase 1 (December 2026-15 January 2027) has volleyball, athletics, tug-of-war and archery; phase 2 (1 April-15 May 2027) kabaddi, football, judo and shooting; phase 3 (15 August-30 September 2027) kho-kho, wrestling, basketball and satoliya. It fulfils a 2024-25 budget announcement; players of all ages register on the Rajasthan State Sports Council portal.
Exam angleKhelo Rajasthan Games start 1 Dec 2026; satoliya among traditional games
Ambedkar DBT Voucher Scheme 2026-27: applications open; Rs 2,000 a month for up to 10 months
On 15 October 2026 Rajasthan's Social Justice and Empowerment Department opened the online portal for the Ambedkar DBT Voucher Scheme for the 2026-27 session; students can apply through e-Mitra or their SSO ID by 30 November. The scheme is for male undergraduate and postgraduate students of government colleges at district headquarters who live away from home on rent. They get Rs 2,000 a month for lodging, food, electricity and water for a maximum of 10 months a year.
Exam angleScheme amount (Rs 2,000/month, max 10 months); department
NRR dialogue in Jaipur: Rajasthan Foundation gets 11 new chapters, taking total from 40 to 51
On 16 October 2026 Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma held a dialogue with Non-Resident Rajasthanis (NRRs) at the Rajasthan International Centre, Jaipur. He announced 11 new chapters of the Rajasthan Foundation, taking the total from 40 to 51 (25 in India, 26 abroad); new ones include Raipur, Lucknow, Patna, San Francisco, Zurich, Milan, Dublin and a Nordic chapter at Stockholm. A coffee table book, 'Vikas ke Sahabhagi', was released, and a District Non-Resident Cell has been set up in every district.
Exam angleRajasthan Foundation chapters now 51; book 'Vikas ke Sahabhagi'
CM launches Housing Board's 'Vishisht Panjikaran Yojana-2026' for journalists at Jagatpura, Jaipur
On 17 October 2026 Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma launched the Rajasthan Housing Board's Vishisht Panjikaran Yojana-2026, a special housing scheme for accredited journalists, at the Constitution Club of Rajasthan, Jaipur. Registration opened for flats in the Indira Gandhi Nagar scheme, Sector 9, Jagatpura, Jaipur, following a budget announcement; in Phase I a 3-BHK flat gets a discount of Rs 15 lakh and a 2-BHK flat Rs 12 lakh on the total cost. The CM also announced a new housing scheme in the satellite city being developed near Poonchhari ka Lautha in Bharatpur.
Exam angleScheme name for journalists' housing; location Jagatpura, Jaipur
Prof. Shiv Singh Sarangdevot appointed Vice-Chancellor (Kulguru) of Govind Guru Tribal University, Banswara
On 17 October 2026 Governor and Chancellor Haribhau Bagade issued orders appointing Prof. Shiv Singh Sarangdevot as Kulguru (Vice-Chancellor) of Govind Guru Tribal University, Banswara. The appointment was made in consultation with the State Government, for three years from the date of taking charge or until the age of 70, whichever is earlier.
Exam angleKulguru of Govind Guru Tribal University (Banswara); appointed by Governor
CM flags off 100 new Kalika Patrolling Units for women's safety on Navratri; fixed travel allowance announced
On 18 October 2026, during Navratri, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma flagged off 100 new Kalika Patrolling Units of Rajasthan Police at the Constitution Club, Jaipur. He announced a fixed monthly travel allowance for Kalika unit personnel on the lines of constables, head constables and ASIs at police stations. He directed regular patrolling and surveillance at schools, colleges, markets, public transport hubs and workplaces; over 28,000 complaints have been resolved through women's helpline 1090 in about two and three-quarter years.
Exam angleNumber of new Kalika units (100); women's helpline 1090
PM GatiShakti National Master Plan completes five years; platform has over 1,800 data layers
The PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, launched on 13 October 2021 for integrated infrastructure planning, completed five years on 13 October 2026. Its digital platform now integrates more than 1,800 data layers and brings together 58 Central Ministries and Departments and all 36 States and Union Territories. More than 400 infrastructure projects worth over Rs 20 lakh crore have been evaluated on PM GatiShakti principles.
Exam angleLaunch date 13 Oct 2021; 1,800+ data layers
DoT orders Calling Name Presentation (CNAP): caller's name to show on phones from 1 November 2026
In a circular dated 13 October 2026, made public on 15 October, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) directed all telecom service providers to launch Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) from 1 November 2026. The receiving phone will show the caller's name, taken from the originating operator's subscriber records, along with the number; calls from international numbers not on record will show 'International Call'. The service will be given automatically, without a request, on 4G and higher networks; 2G, 3G and landlines will be considered separately.
Exam angleFull form of CNAP; start date 1 Nov 2026; issued by DoT
ECI orders Special Summary Revision of rolls in 17 States/UTs incl. Rajasthan; qualifying date 1 Jan 2027
On 15 October 2026 the Election Commission of India announced a Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls in 14 States and three UTs, including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat, with 1 January 2027 as the qualifying date. Being a summary revision, Booth Level Officers will not make house-to-house visits; district help desks will help migrants and vulnerable groups enrol. Advance applications can be made by those who turn eligible on 1 April, 1 July or 1 October 2027.
Exam angleQualifying date 1 January 2027; summary vs intensive revision
MHA notifies Census (Amendment) Rules, 2026 under Census Act, 1948; wider pool of enumerators
On 16 October 2026 the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a gazette notification of the Census (Amendment) Rules, 2026, framed under the Census Act, 1948; it amends the Census Rules, 1990. The amendment widens who can be appointed census enumerators: teachers of government, local-body, aided and unaided private institutions, and clerks and officials of Central and State governments, local authorities, PSUs, statutory bodies, banks and companies, besides others the States or UTs find suitable.
Exam angleParent law: Census Act, 1948; enumerator eligibility widened
IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings 2026 held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 12 to 18 October
The 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group were held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 12 to 18 October 2026. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reached Bangkok on 15 October for the meetings, along with the G20 and G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' meetings and bilateral talks. The IMF released its October 2026 World Economic Outlook during the meetings week.
Exam angleHost city of 2026 IMF-WB Annual Meetings: Bangkok
India hosts first BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi; focus on terrorism and organised crime
India hosted the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi on 13 October 2026, addressed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The agenda covered terrorism, transnational organised crime, narcotics, radicalisation, human trafficking, illicit financial flows and cyber threats; Shah called for real-time intelligence sharing and cooperation on extradition. BIMSTEC, set up in 1997, has seven members: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Exam angleFirst BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Meeting: venue New Delhi; 7 members
7th CICA Summit held in Baku, Azerbaijan; adopts Baku Declaration; MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh leads India
The 7th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 15 October 2026. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh led India, a founding member of CICA, and called for unity against all forms of terrorism and for connectivity projects that respect sovereignty. The summit adopted the Baku Declaration on connectivity, digitalisation and sustainable growth.
Exam angle7th CICA Summit venue (Baku); India a founding member
Retail inflation rises to 5.54% in September 2026; food inflation at 7.74%
Data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on 12 October 2026 showed CPI-based retail inflation rising to 5.54% in September 2026 from 4.83% in August. Food inflation, measured by the Consumer Food Price Index, rose to 7.74% from 5.97%.
Exam angleCPI released by MoSPI (base 2024); September 2026 figure 5.54%
IMF World Economic Outlook (October 2026) raises India's growth forecast to 7% for 2026-27
The IMF's October 2026 World Economic Outlook, released on 13 October 2026, projected India's growth at 7.0% for 2026 and 2027 on a fiscal-year basis (7.4% for calendar 2026). It put global growth at 3.1% in 2026 and 3.4% in 2027. India's consumer inflation is projected to rise to 5.0% in 2026 before easing to 4.4% in 2027.
Cabinet continues NSAP till 2030-31 with Rs 53,428 crore; renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana
On 14 October 2026 the Union Cabinet approved continuing the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an outlay of Rs 53,428 crore, covering about 3.2 crore beneficiaries. NSAP is renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana; its old-age, widow, disability pension and family benefit schemes become PM Vridhavastha Pension, PM Vidhawa Pension, PM Divyangjan Pension and PM Parivar Labh Yojana. For the disability pension, the benchmark disability is lowered from 80% to 40%.
Exam angleNew name of NSAP; disability threshold cut to 40%
Wholesale inflation rises to 11.39% in September 2026; fuel and power at 25.85%
Data released by the Office of the Economic Adviser, DPIIT (Ministry of Commerce and Industry), on 14 October 2026 showed WPI-based wholesale inflation at 11.39% in September 2026, up from 9.92% in August. Fuel and power rose 25.85%, manufactured products 9.76% and the WPI food index 8.66%. The WPI series now uses 2022-23 as its base year.
Exam angleWPI released by Office of the Economic Adviser, DPIIT; base year 2022-23
Piyush Goyal launches National Strategic Trade Command Centre (NSTCC) to monitor India's trade data
On 15 October 2026 Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal launched the National Strategic Trade Command Centre (NSTCC) at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi. It gives policymakers one view of India's trade performance, export promotion schemes and approvals through dashboards for key DGFT functions such as Importer Exporter Code, Advance Authorisation, EPCG, Certificate of Origin and SCOMET. It is meant to support data-driven trade decisions.
Exam angleNSTCC launched by Commerce Ministry; covers DGFT functions
1.93 lakh more houses approved under PMAY-Urban 2.0; total sanctioned crosses 20 lakh
On 16 October 2026 the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry announced that the 10th meeting of the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee had approved over 1.93 lakh more houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban 2.0 for urban EWS families. The houses are in 11 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, under the Beneficiary-Led Construction and Affordable Housing in Partnership verticals. The total sanctioned under the mission now exceeds 20 lakh houses.
NPPA rationalises trade margins of 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs; prices to fall up to 70% from 9 Nov
On 12 October 2026 the Centre told the Supreme Court that trade margins on anti-cancer medicines would be capped at 30% of the MRP. On 17 October the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, announced trade margin rationalisation for 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs, effective 9 November, with MRPs expected to fall by up to 70%. A 2019 pilot had capped trade margins of 42 anti-cancer drugs at 30%.
Exam angleAgency NPPA; 137 anti-cancer drugs; 30% trade margin cap
Navy commissions INS Mangrol, third anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft built by Cochin Shipyard
The Indian Navy commissioned INS Mangrol, an Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, on 12 October 2026. It is the third of eight ASW-SWCs being built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd, Kochi, and is meant to detect and counter underwater threats in coastal waters. The ship is named after the fishing harbour town of Mangrol in Gujarat's Junagadh district; Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, FOC-in-C Western Naval Command, presided.
Exam angleShip type ASW-SWC; builder Cochin Shipyard; named after Mangrol (Gujarat)
Indian Army's Assam Regiment team wins gold at Exercise Cambrian Patrol 2026 in Wales
A team of the Indian Army's Assam Regiment won a gold medal at Exercise Cambrian Patrol 2026, held in Wales, United Kingdom, from 2 to 12 October 2026. More than 100 teams took part in the patrolling exercise, and 10 teams, including the Assam Regiment team, were awarded gold medals. The Indian Army announced the result on 13 October.
Exam angleCambrian Patrol held in Wales (UK); Assam Regiment gold
MoD signs over Rs 4,000 crore contracts: GSAT-7C satellite for IAF and Varunastra torpedoes for Navy
On 15 October 2026 the Ministry of Defence signed two contracts worth over Rs 4,000 crore in New Delhi. A contract of over Rs 2,500 crore with NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), Bengaluru, is for GSAT-7C, an indigenous communication satellite for secure communications of the Indian Air Force. A contract of over Rs 1,500 crore with Bharat Dynamics Ltd, Hyderabad, is for Varunastra heavyweight ship-launched anti-submarine torpedoes for the Navy, developed by DRDO's Naval Science and Technological Laboratory.
Exam angleGSAT-7C for IAF (NSIL); Varunastra torpedo (BDL, NSTL)
Sukhna Wetland (Chandigarh) and Sauj Jheel (Uttar Pradesh) become Ramsar sites; India's total reaches 103
On 15 October 2026 the Union Environment Ministry announced that Sukhna Wetland in Chandigarh and Sauj Jheel in Mainpuri district of Uttar Pradesh had been added to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance, taking India's total to 103. Sukhna is Chandigarh's first Ramsar site (Site No. 2602); Sauj Jheel is part of the Saman Wetland Complex. India had 26 Ramsar sites in 2014.
Exam angleRamsar count 103; Chandigarh's first Ramsar site; Sauj Jheel in Mainpuri
Vice-President commissions INS Samarthak, first of four indigenous multi-purpose vessels, at Karwar
On 16 October 2026 Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan commissioned INS Samarthak into the Indian Navy at INS Kadamba naval base, Karwar, Karnataka. Built by Larsen and Toubro at Kattupalli, Tamil Nadu, it is the first of four indigenous multi-purpose vessels, about 107 metres long with over 75% indigenous content. It will be used for maritime surveillance, patrolling, training and support, and for testing weapons, radars and sensors.
Exam angleINS Samarthak: multi-purpose vessel; built by L&T; Karwar
BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games 2026 inaugurated in Ahmedabad
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games 2026 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on 12 October 2026. The non-competitive games, organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports with the Gujarat government, brought together delegations from BRICS member and partner countries.
Exam angleVenue Ahmedabad; BRICS traditional sports games
Shafali Verma and Shubman Gill named ICC Players of the Month for September 2026; record fifth award for Gill
On 13 October 2026 Shafali Verma and Shubman Gill were named ICC Women's and Men's Player of the Month for September 2026. Shafali helped India win the Women's Asia Cup and the Asian Games and was India's top scorer in the Asia Cup; it is her second monthly award. Gill scored 333 runs in the first two ODIs against the West Indies, including an unbeaten double century, and won the award for a record fifth time, the most by a man (West Indies' Hayley Matthews also has five).
Exam angleICC Player of the Month Sept 2026; Gill's record fifth award
Vishvajit More wins Greco-Roman 55 kg silver at U-23 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas
Indian wrestler Vishvajit Ramchandra More won silver in the men's Greco-Roman 55 kg event at the U-23 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas (12-18 October), as reported on 15 October 2026. He lost the final 12-13 to Georgia's Koba Karumidze. He became the first Indian Greco-Roman wrestler to reach a U-23 world final; it is his third medal at the event, after bronzes in 2024 and 2025.
Exam angleWrestling style Greco-Roman; 55 kg; venue Las Vegas
Kenya's Charles Matata wins Delhi Half Marathon in course-record 58:52; Wudinesh Alemu wins women's race
Kenya's Charles Matata won the men's elite race of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon on 18 October 2026 in 58:52, a course record, beating the 2020 mark of Ethiopia's Amedework Walelegn by one second. Ethiopia's Wudinesh Alemu won the women's elite race in 1:06:35. Shailesh Kushwaha (1:05:05) and Ankita Dhyani (1:12:46) were the fastest Indians.
Exam angleDelhi Half Marathon 2026 winners; course record 58:52
Economics Nobel 2026 to Robert Hall and Michael Woodford for work on macroeconomic stabilisation
On 12 October 2026 the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the 2026 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel to US economists Robert E. Hall (Stanford University) and Michael Woodford (Columbia University) 'for microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilisation'. Their models help central banks and governments time monetary and fiscal policy to smooth booms and busts. The prize, set up by Sweden's central bank, was first given in 1969.
Exam angleEconomics Nobel 2026 laureates; theme: macroeconomic stabilisation
Sunil Bharti Mittal named Knight (Chevalier) of France's Legion of Honour by President Macron
On 12 October 2026 French President Emmanuel Macron named Bharti Enterprises founder and chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal a Chevalier (Knight) of France's National Order of the Legion of Honour. The award recognises his work for India-France economic ties and in telecommunications and digital infrastructure. The insignia is to be presented at the French Embassy in New Delhi on 28 October 2026.
Exam angleLegion of Honour is France's honour; recipient Sunil Mittal
Dr Sudha Yadav sworn in as Governor of Karnataka; second woman to hold the post
On 16 October 2026 Dr Sudha Yadav, appointed on 12 October, was sworn in as Governor of Karnataka at Lok Bhavan, Bengaluru; Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru administered the oath. She succeeds Thaawarchand Gehlot and is the second woman Governor of Karnataka after V. S. Ramadevi (1999-2002). A former MP from Haryana, she is the widow of BSF Deputy Commandant Sukhbir Singh Yadav, killed in the 1999 Kargil War.
Exam angleKarnataka's second woman Governor; first was V. S. Ramadevi
Senior diplomat Sudhakar Dalela appointed India's next Ambassador to Nepal
On 16 October 2026 the Ministry of External Affairs announced that Sudhakar Dalela, a 1993-batch Indian Foreign Service officer and a Secretary in the Ministry, would be India's next Ambassador to Nepal. He was earlier India's Ambassador to Bhutan. He succeeds Naveen Srivastava, who took charge in Kathmandu on 25 June 2022.
Exam angleIndia's new Ambassador to Nepal: Sudhakar Dalela
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (13 October) 2026 theme: 'Resilience starts at home'
The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was observed on 13 October 2026 with the theme 'Resilience starts at home', announced by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). The theme focuses on how homes are planned, built, financed and maintained, and how these choices reduce or create disaster risk. It is rooted in the people-centred approach of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.
Global Hunger Index 2026: India ranked 100th of 122 countries with score 24.1, in 'serious' category
The Global Hunger Index 2026, released on 14 October 2026, ranked India 100th (jointly with Ethiopia) among 122 countries with a score of 24.1, in the 'serious' category. Child wasting in India was 19%. Among neighbours, Nepal (14.5) and Bangladesh (19.2) scored better, while Pakistan (25.5) and Afghanistan (28.6) scored worse. The GHI is published jointly by Concern Worldwide, Welthungerhilfe and the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV).
Exam angleIndia's GHI 2026 rank (100/122) and score 24.1
World Food Day (16 October) 2026 theme: 'Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.'
World Food Day was observed on 16 October 2026 with the theme 'Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.' The day marks the founding of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1945. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan urged people to save food and to ensure that no one nearby goes hungry.
Exam angleWorld Food Day 2026 theme; FAO founded 1945
On 18 October 2026, during Navratri, the Rajasthan Chief Minister flagged off how many new Kalika Patrolling Units for women's safety?
(1)50
(2)100✓ Correct answer
(3)150
(4)200
Answer: (2) 100
Explanation
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma flagged off 100 new Kalika Patrolling Units in Jaipur on 18 October 2026 and announced a fixed monthly travel allowance for their personnel.
Q2
At the Non-Resident Rajasthani dialogue in Jaipur in October 2026, 11 new chapters of the Rajasthan Foundation were announced. What is the total number of its chapters after this?
(1)40
(2)45
(3)47
(4)51✓ Correct answer
Answer: (4) 51
Explanation
The 11 new chapters took the Rajasthan Foundation's chapters from 40 to 51: 25 in India and 26 abroad.
Q3
In October 2026, an e-reverse auction for 2,450 MW of solar power with 6,400 MWh of battery storage was concluded for the Pugal Solar Park. In which district of Rajasthan is this park?
(1)Bikaner✓ Correct answer
(2)Jaisalmer
(3)Barmer
(4)Jodhpur
Answer: (1) Bikaner
Explanation
Pugal Solar Park is in Pugal tehsil of Bikaner district and is being developed by RSDCL, a subsidiary of RRECL; in the 14 October 2026 auction tariffs ranged from Rs 3.42 to Rs 3.54 per kWh.
Q4
In October 2026, the Rajasthan Chief Minister launched a special housing scheme of the Rajasthan Housing Board for accredited journalists. What is the name of the scheme?
On 17 October 2026 the CM launched the Housing Board's Vishisht Panjikaran Yojana-2026 for journalists at Indira Gandhi Nagar, Jagatpura, Jaipur.
Q5
Om Prakash Mathur, born in Pali district of Rajasthan, was moved from Sikkim and appointed Governor of which state on 12 October 2026?
(1)Tamil Nadu
(2)Karnataka
(3)Keralam✓ Correct answer
(4)Uttarakhand
Answer: (3) Keralam
Explanation
In the 12 October 2026 reshuffle, Mathur went to Keralam (Kerala's official name since August 2026), Arlekar to Tamil Nadu, Sudha Yadav to Karnataka and Dhal Singh Bisen to Uttarakhand.
Q6
Under Rajasthan's Ambedkar DBT Voucher Scheme, for which applications for 2026-27 opened in October 2026, an eligible student gets how much assistance?
(1)Rs 2,000 a month for up to 10 months✓ Correct answer
(2)Rs 1,500 a month for up to 12 months
(3)Rs 3,000 a month for up to 9 months
(4)Rs 2,500 a month for up to 10 months
Answer: (1) Rs 2,000 a month for up to 10 months
Explanation
The scheme pays Rs 2,000 a month for lodging, food, electricity and water for a maximum of 10 months a year; applications are due by 30 November.
Q7
In October 2026, the Union Cabinet extended the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) till 2030-31 and renamed it. What is its new name?
On 14 October 2026 the Cabinet continued NSAP with Rs 53,428 crore and renamed it Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana; the old-age pension became PM Vridhavastha Pension Yojana.
Q8
In October 2026, the Department of Telecommunications ordered all operators to launch CNAP from 1 November 2026. What does CNAP stand for?
(1)Central Network Access Protocol
(2)Calling Name Presentation✓ Correct answer
(3)Caller Number Authentication Platform
(4)Consumer Notice and Alert Programme
Answer: (2) Calling Name Presentation
Explanation
Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) shows the caller's name, from the originating operator's subscriber records, on the receiving phone.
Q9
The Census (Amendment) Rules, 2026, notified by the Union Home Ministry in October 2026 to widen the pool of census enumerators, were framed under which Act?
(1)Census Act, 1948✓ Correct answer
(2)Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969
(3)Collection of Statistics Act, 2008
(4)Citizenship Act, 1955
Answer: (1) Census Act, 1948
Explanation
The rules were made under the Census Act, 1948, and allow teachers, clerks and officials of various bodies to be appointed as enumerators.
Q10
The 7th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), held on 15 October 2026, took place in which city?
(1)Astana
(2)Tashkent
(3)Baku✓ Correct answer
(4)Ashgabat
Answer: (3) Baku
Explanation
The 7th CICA Summit was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, and adopted the Baku Declaration; MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh led India, a founding member.
Q11
In October 2026, the first-ever BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Meeting, focused on terrorism and transnational organised crime, was held in which city?
(1)Kathmandu
(2)New Delhi✓ Correct answer
(3)Dhaka
(4)Colombo
Answer: (2) New Delhi
Explanation
India hosted the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi on 13 October 2026; Home Minister Amit Shah addressed it.
Q12
Consider the following statements about the Ramsar sites announced in October 2026:
1. Sukhna Wetland is Chandigarh's first Ramsar site.
2. Sauj Jheel is in Mainpuri district of Uttar Pradesh.
3. With these two, India's number of Ramsar sites reached 103.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(1)1 and 2 only
(2)2 and 3 only
(3)1 and 3 only
(4)1, 2 and 3✓ Correct answer
Answer: (4) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
All three are correct: Sukhna (Chandigarh's first) and Sauj Jheel (Mainpuri, UP) were added on 15 October 2026, taking India's total to 103.
Q13
In October 2026, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract of over Rs 2,500 crore with NewSpace India Ltd for the GSAT-7C communication satellite. It is meant for which service?
(1)Indian Air Force✓ Correct answer
(2)Indian Navy
(3)Indian Army
(4)Indian Coast Guard
Answer: (1) Indian Air Force
Explanation
GSAT-7C will give secure communications to Indian Air Force assets; a separate contract with BDL was for Varunastra torpedoes for the Navy.
Q14
Indian wrestler Vishvajit More won a silver medal at the U-23 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas in October 2026 in which style and weight category?
(1)Freestyle 57 kg
(2)Freestyle 61 kg
(3)Greco-Roman 55 kg✓ Correct answer
(4)Greco-Roman 60 kg
Answer: (3) Greco-Roman 55 kg
Explanation
More won silver in men's Greco-Roman 55 kg, losing the final 12-13 to Georgia's Koba Karumidze; he is the first Indian Greco-Roman wrestler to reach a U-23 world final.
Q15
In October 2026, Bharti Enterprises chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal was named a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. This honour is given by which country?
(1)United Kingdom
(2)France✓ Correct answer
(3)Belgium
(4)Italy
Answer: (2) France
Explanation
French President Emmanuel Macron named Mittal a Chevalier of France's National Order of the Legion of Honour; the insignia is to be presented in New Delhi on 28 October 2026.