15 questions on this news. Think of your answer, then press “Show answer”.
In October 2026, the Rajasthan State Election Commission announced elections to the Panchayati Raj institutions of the state. In how many phases will they be held?
Answer: (3) Four
Explanation
State Election Commissioner Rajeshwar Singh announced on 3 October 2026 that the polls will be held in four phases, starting 23 October.
On 4 October 2026, two captive-bred Great Indian Bustards (Godawan) were released into the wild for the first time. Where were they released?
Answer: (1) Desert National Park, Jaisalmer
Explanation
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav released two males in the Sudasari range of the Desert National Park, Jaisalmer; they were bred at the Sam and Ramdevra centres.
'Octave 2026', held at the Rajasthan International Centre, Jaipur, from 1 to 4 October 2026, was organised by which body?
Answer: (4) West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur
Explanation
Octave 2026, a festival of North-East Indian arts, was organised by the West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur, a centre of the Union Ministry of Culture.
In September 2026, Rajasthan artist Chandra Shekhar Sain was honoured with the National Akademi Award at the Lalit Kala Akademi's 65th National Exhibition of Art. In which category did he win?
Answer: (2) Sculpture (terracotta)
Explanation
Sain, a terracotta artist, won in Sculpture for 'My Entire World-I' and was the only Rajasthan artist among the 20 awardees.
Under the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj election schedule announced on 3 October 2026, elections are to be held for how many Zila Parishads?
Answer: (3) 41
Explanation
The elections cover 41 Zila Parishads, 457 Panchayat Samitis and 14,403 Gram Panchayats, in four phases from 23 October 2026.
The Surat–Udaipur Vande Bharat Express, whose inaugural run was on 2 October 2026, covers the journey in about how much time?
Answer: (1) 7 hours 30 minutes
Explanation
The train (26903/26904) runs six days a week with nine commercial stops and takes about 7 hours 30 minutes; regular service began on 3–4 October 2026.
On 1 October 2026, the UPSC completed 100 years. The Public Service Commission was first set up in 1926 on the recommendation of which commission?
Answer: (2) Lee Commission
Explanation
The Royal Commission on the Superior Civil Services in India, chaired by Lord Lee, led to the Public Service Commission of 1 October 1926; Sir Ross Barker was its first chairman.
In September 2026, five entries were added to India's UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage. Which one of the following was NOT among them?
Answer: (4) Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka
Explanation
The additions were Bagh Cave Paintings, Group of Temples of the Chambal Valley, Udaigiri Caves, Ginnorgarh and 'Sites of Satyagraha'; Bhimbetka is already a World Heritage Site (2003).
In October 2026, which oil terminal was declared India's first plastic-free oil terminal?
Answer: (3) Jawahar Dweep Marine Oil Terminal, Mumbai
Explanation
On 2 October 2026, the Mumbai Port Authority declared Jawahar Dweep (formerly Butcher Island) plastic-free.
The second edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2026), which began in September 2026, was held at:
Answer: (1) Subic Bay, Philippines
Explanation
AIME-2026 began at Subic Bay on 28 September 2026 with INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish, under the theme 'Anchored in Trust, United at Sea'.
In September-October 2026, the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting under the United States' G20 Presidency was held in which city?
Answer: (4) Milwaukee
Explanation
The meeting was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on 30 September and 1 October 2026; Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal represented India.
The Green Energy Corridor Phase-III, approved by the Union Cabinet in September 2026, aims to evacuate up to how much renewable energy by 2032-33?
Answer: (2) 135 GW
Explanation
GEC-III (outlay over ₹1.86 lakh crore) covers up to 135 GW and, for the first time, 50 GWh of battery energy storage.
India's first PRAMAAN certificates under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme were handed over in September 2026. Which institution is the scheme's operating agency?
Answer: (3) Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal
Explanation
IIFM Bhopal operates IFWCS; the first certificates went to the Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation and an Odisha bamboo farmer.
Consider the following statements about hockey at the Asian Games 2026 (October 2026): 1. India's women's team beat China 1-0 in the final to win their first Asian Games gold since 1982. 2. India's men's team beat Malaysia 5-1 in the final, defending their Asian Games title for the first time. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (1) Both 1 and 2
Explanation
Both are correct: the women won on 2 October and the men on 3 October 2026, India's first hockey double at one Asian Games.
In October 2026, the RBI approved the appointment of Anup Bagchi as Managing Director and CEO of which bank?
Answer: (4) HDFC Bank
Explanation
Bagchi will head HDFC Bank for three years from 27 October 2026, succeeding Sashidhar Jagdishan.