1.
India hosted the first meeting of BIMSTEC Home Ministers in New Delhi, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. It ended with the Delhi Declaration, which strongly condemns terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, and calls for full implementation of the BIMSTEC Convention on Combating International Terrorism.
Key facts
- Meeting: 1st BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Meeting, New Delhi, chaired by Amit Shah
- Outcome: Delhi Declaration
- Stress on terror financing and the BIMSTEC Convention on Combating International Terrorism
Why it matters for exams: BIMSTEC members and declarations are frequently asked in international relations.
Practice MCQ
What was the outcome document of the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Meeting (October 2026) called?
- (A) Kathmandu Declaration
- (B) Delhi Declaration
- (C) Bay of Bengal Charter
- (D) Colombo Statement
Show answer
Answer: (B) Delhi Declaration. The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration (PIB, MHA, 13 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Home Affairs (Release ID 2322964), 13 October 2026
2.
The PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, launched in October 2021, completed five years. Its geospatial platform was built by BISAG-N, and the plan is expanding to district-level and social-sector planning.
Key facts
- Launched: October 2021 by PM Narendra Modi
- Platform developer: BISAG-N (Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics)
- Expansion: district-level and social-sector planning
Why it matters for exams: GatiShakti is a high-frequency infrastructure topic.
Practice MCQ
Which institute developed the PM GatiShakti geospatial digital platform?
- (A) ISRO
- (B) BISAG-N
- (C) NIC
- (D) Survey of India
Show answer
Answer: (B) BISAG-N. The PM GatiShakti platform was developed by BISAG-N (PIB, Ministry of Commerce, 13 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Commerce & Industry (Release ID 2322825), 13 October 2026
3.
The National Land Monetization Corporation, under the Department of Public Enterprises, held its first end-to-end e-auction of land parcels of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (Visakhapatnam Steel Plant). On Day 1, 150 plots sold for Rs 366.33 crore against a reserve of Rs 312.48 crore, an average premium of 17.23%.
Key facts
- Seller: National Land Monetization Corporation (NLMC), Department of Public Enterprises
- Land of: Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (Visakhapatnam Steel Plant)
- Day 1: 150 plots, Rs 366.33 crore vs reserve Rs 312.48 crore (17.23% premium)
Why it matters for exams: Asset monetisation bodies and PSU land sales are asked in economy sections.
Practice MCQ
The National Land Monetization Corporation functions under which department?
- (A) DIPAM
- (B) Department of Public Enterprises
- (C) Department of Economic Affairs
- (D) Department of Expenditure
Show answer
Answer: (B) Department of Public Enterprises. NLMC is under the Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Finance (PIB, 13 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Finance (Release ID 2322696), 13 October 2026
4.
Indian Railways loaded 135.35 million tonnes of freight in September 2026, against 127.52 million tonnes a year earlier, a growth of 6.14%. Food grain loading rose 25% and coal 9%.
Key facts
- Freight loaded, Sep 2026: 135.35 MT (Sep 2025: 127.52 MT)
- Growth: 6.14%
- Commodity growth: food grains 25%, clinker 20%, coal 9%
Why it matters for exams: Railway performance data is asked in railway exams and economy GA.
Practice MCQ
By what percentage did Indian Railways' freight loading grow in September 2026 over September 2025?
- (A) 4.25%
- (B) 6.14%
- (C) 9.00%
- (D) 12.50%
Show answer
Answer: (B) 6.14%. Freight loading grew 6.14% to 135.35 MT (PIB, Ministry of Railways, 13 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Railways (Release ID 2322673), 13 October 2026
5.
An Amnesty Scheme in the EPF Scheme 2026 (notified 29 June 2026) offers PF Trusts recognised under the Income Tax Act, but lacking a formal exemption order, a one-time chance to regularise their exempt status. The six-month window closes on 28 December 2026.
Key facts
- Scheme: Amnesty provisions in the EPF Scheme 2026, notified 29 Jun 2026
- Who: PF Trusts without an exemption order under Sec 17 of the EPF&MP Act, 1952 / Sec 143 of the Code on Social Security, 2020
- Deadline: 28 Dec 2026
Why it matters for exams: EPFO rules and the Code on Social Security are tested in banking and labour-economy questions.
Practice MCQ
Until when is the EPFO Amnesty window for regularising PF Trusts open?
- (A) 31 October 2026
- (B) 30 November 2026
- (C) 28 December 2026
- (D) 31 March 2027
Show answer
Answer: (C) 28 December 2026. The six-month Amnesty window expires on 28 Dec 2026 (PIB, Ministry of Labour, 13 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Labour & Employment (Release ID 2322732), 13 October 2026
6.
At a Soybean Harvest Day on 9 October 2026, ICAR-National Soybean Research Institute, Indore, found its improved varieties NRC 268 and NRC 270 yielding about 20 quintals per hectare despite adverse weather, against India's average of about 10-11 quintals per hectare.
Key facts
- Institute: ICAR-National Soybean Research Institute, Indore
- Varieties: NRC 268 and NRC 270; ~20 quintals/hectare
- India's average soybean productivity: ~10-11 quintals/hectare
Why it matters for exams: Crop research institutes and new varieties are asked in agriculture GA.
Practice MCQ
Where is the ICAR-National Soybean Research Institute, which developed NRC 268 and NRC 270?
- (A) Bhopal
- (B) Indore
- (C) Nagpur
- (D) Jabalpur
Show answer
Answer: (B) Indore. The ICAR-National Soybean Research Institute is in Indore (PIB, 13 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (Release ID 2322744), 13 October 2026
7.
DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated the North East Bankers' Conclave 3.0 at Mizoram University, Aizawl, on 13 October 2026. Banking touchpoints now cover 99.93% of villages in the region, with 131 new bank branches and 126 ATMs added; he called for state-wise credit-deposit ratio targets.
Key facts
- Event: North East Bankers' Conclave 3.0, Mizoram University, Aizawl
- Banking touchpoints cover 99.93% of villages in the North East
- 131 new bank branches and 126 ATMs added
Why it matters for exams: Financial inclusion in the North East and credit-deposit ratios are banking awareness topics.
Practice MCQ
Where was the North East Bankers' Conclave 3.0 held in October 2026?
- (A) Guwahati
- (B) Shillong
- (C) Aizawl
- (D) Itanagar
Show answer
Answer: (C) Aizawl. It was held at Mizoram University, Aizawl (PIB, MDoNER, 13 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Development of North-East Region (Release ID 2323021), 13 October 2026
8.
HAL, the National Culture Fund and the Archaeological Survey of India signed a Memorandum of Agreement for conservation and visitor amenities at Hampi (Karnataka), the Taj Mahal (Agra) and Bekal Fort (Kerala). HAL gave in-principle approval for Rs 23.60 crore over 2026-27 to 2028-29.
Key facts
- Parties: HAL, National Culture Fund (NCF) and ASI
- Sites: Hampi (Karnataka), Taj Mahal (Uttar Pradesh), Bekal Fort (Kerala)
- HAL support: Rs 23.60 crore over 2026-27 to 2028-29
Why it matters for exams: Heritage sites by state are a classic culture question; CSR-funded conservation adds a current angle.
Practice MCQ
Bekal Fort, one of three sites in the HAL-NCF-ASI conservation agreement (October 2026), is in which state?
- (A) Karnataka
- (B) Kerala
- (C) Goa
- (D) Tamil Nadu
Show answer
Answer: (B) Kerala. Bekal Fort is in Kerala; the other sites are Hampi and the Taj Mahal (PIB, Ministry of Culture, 13 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Culture (Release ID 2322976), 13 October 2026
