1.
The Union Cabinet approved continuing the National Social Assistance Programme with an outlay of Rs 53,428 crore for 2026-27 to 2030-31. NSAP is renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, and IGNOAPS becomes Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana; divyangjan pension eligibility and rates are revised.
Key facts
- Outlay: Rs 53,428 crore for five years, 2026-27 to 2030-31
- NSAP renamed: Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana
- IGNOAPS -> Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana; IGNWPS -> Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana
Why it matters for exams: Scheme renamings and outlays are prime exam material.
Practice MCQ
What is the new name of the National Social Assistance Programme approved by the Cabinet in October 2026?
- (A) Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana
- (B) Pradhan Mantri Jan Kalyan Yojana
- (C) Pradhan Mantri Samajik Suraksha Yojana
- (D) Antyodaya Sahayata Yojana
Show answer
Answer: (A) Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. NSAP is renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, with an outlay of Rs 53,428 crore (PIB, Cabinet, 14 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Cabinet (Release ID 2323264), 14 October 2026
2.
The Cabinet approved a Productivity Linked Bonus of 78 days' wages, totalling Rs 2,009.61 crore, for 11,40,770 non-gazetted railway employees. The maximum payable per eligible employee is Rs 17,951.
Key facts
- Bonus: 78 days' wages (PLB)
- Total: Rs 2,009.61 crore for 11,40,770 railway employees
- Maximum per employee: Rs 17,951
Why it matters for exams: Railway bonus figures are asked in railway exams almost every year.
Practice MCQ
What is the maximum Productivity Linked Bonus payable per railway employee for 78 days, as approved in October 2026?
- (A) Rs 7,000
- (B) Rs 17,951
- (C) Rs 18,000
- (D) Rs 21,000
Show answer
Answer: (B) Rs 17,951. The maximum amount payable per eligible employee is Rs 17,951 for 78 days (PIB, Cabinet, 14 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Cabinet (Release ID 2323256), 14 October 2026
3.
The CCEA approved the strategic restructuring of IDBI Bank Ltd, under which an aggregate 60.72% of equity is to be sold to a strategic buyer, with the Government's share being 30.48%. RBI had placed IDBI Bank under Prompt Corrective Action in May 2017 and lifted the curbs in March 2021.
Key facts
- Stake to be sold to a strategic buyer: 60.72% in aggregate (Government share 30.48%)
- Approved by: Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
- RBI PCA: imposed 5 May 2017, lifted 10 Mar 2021
Why it matters for exams: IDBI Bank disinvestment is among the most-asked banking current affairs.
Practice MCQ
What aggregate equity stake in IDBI Bank is to be sold to a strategic buyer under the approved restructuring?
- (A) 30.48%
- (B) 45.48%
- (C) 51.00%
- (D) 60.72%
Show answer
Answer: (D) 60.72%. An aggregate 60.72% stake is to be sold, of which the Government's share is 30.48% (PIB, CCEA, 14 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (Release ID 2323468), 14 October 2026
4.
Wholesale Price Index inflation (base 2022-23) rose to 11.39% in September 2026 from 9.92% in August. Fuel and power inflation was 25.85%, primary articles 8.67% and manufactured products 9.76%.
Key facts
- WPI inflation, Sep 2026: 11.39% (Aug 2026: 9.92%)
- Base year: 2022-23
- Fuel & power 25.85%; primary articles 8.67%; manufactured products 9.76%
Why it matters for exams: WPI vs CPI figures and base years are asked in banking mains and prelims.
Practice MCQ
What was WPI inflation in September 2026?
- (A) 9.92%
- (B) 10.25%
- (C) 11.39%
- (D) 25.85%
Show answer
Answer: (C) 11.39%. All-India WPI inflation for September 2026 was 11.39% (PIB, Ministry of Commerce, 14 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Commerce & Industry (Release ID 2323098), 14 October 2026
5.
The Centre approved India's accession to the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA). It will let Indian-flagged vessels carry out authorised fishing of species such as squid and toothfish in the high seas of the southern Indian Ocean, following India's High Sea Fisheries guidelines of December 2025.
Key facts
- Agreement: Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA)
- Benefit: authorised high-seas fishing by Indian-flagged vessels (e.g., squids, toothfish)
- Follows: Guidelines for High Sea Fisheries, December 2025
Why it matters for exams: Blue economy and regional fisheries bodies are new GA topics.
Practice MCQ
What does SIOFA, which India decided to join in October 2026, stand for?
- (A) South India Ocean Fishing Authority
- (B) Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement
- (C) Sustainable Indian Ocean Fisheries Alliance
- (D) South Indian Ocean Fishermen Association
Show answer
Answer: (B) Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement. The Centre approved India's accession to the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (PIB, Ministry of Fisheries, 14 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (Release ID 2323370), 14 October 2026
6.
The Indian Navy completed its maiden command of a Combined Maritime Forces task force, handing over Combined Task Force 154 at a ceremony in Manama, Bahrain, on 14 October 2026, after an eight-month tenure focused on maritime training and capacity building. Cmde Milind M Mokashi relinquished command.
Key facts
- Task force: Combined Task Force 154, Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)
- Handover ceremony: Manama, Bahrain, 14 Oct 2026
- Tenure: eight months; India's first CMF task force command
Why it matters for exams: Multinational naval commands are asked in defence and IR questions.
Practice MCQ
Where was the ceremony for the Indian Navy's handover of Combined Task Force 154 held in October 2026?
- (A) Doha
- (B) Manama
- (C) Muscat
- (D) Djibouti
Show answer
Answer: (B) Manama. The CTF 154 handover ceremony was held in Manama, Bahrain (PIB, MoD, 14 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Defence (Release ID 2323572), 14 October 2026
7.
The Government constituted a committee chaired by Prof. Ramesh Chand, former Member of NITI Aayog, to examine sugarcane farmers' demands, including remunerative returns and a revision of the ex-mill Minimum Selling Price of sugar.
Key facts
- Chair: Prof. Ramesh Chand, former Member, NITI Aayog
- Remit: sugarcane farmers' returns, ex-mill Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar, recovery testing
- Followed a meeting with farmers from Karnataka and Maharashtra
Why it matters for exams: Committee-chairperson pairs are a classic GA question.
Practice MCQ
Who chairs the committee constituted in October 2026 to examine issues of sugarcane farmers and the sugar sector?
- (A) Ashok Gulati
- (B) Ramesh Chand
- (C) V. K. Paul
- (D) Arvind Panagariya
Show answer
Answer: (B) Ramesh Chand. The committee is chaired by Prof. Ramesh Chand, former Member, NITI Aayog (PIB, 14 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution (Release ID 2323450), 14 October 2026
8.
The Ministry of Cooperation mandated the Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Auditor's Report) Order, 2026 (MSCARO, 2026), a standardised audit-reporting framework to detect financial stress early and enable technology-driven, risk-based monitoring through the CRCS portal, with phased implementation.
Key facts
- Order: Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Auditor's Report) Order, 2026 (MSCARO, 2026)
- Issued by: Ministry of Cooperation
- Monitoring via the CRCS Portal; phased implementation
Why it matters for exams: Cooperative sector reforms are increasingly asked, including in banking (cooperative banks).
Practice MCQ
Which ministry mandated MSCARO, 2026 for multi-state cooperative societies?
- (A) Ministry of Finance
- (B) Ministry of Cooperation
- (C) Ministry of Corporate Affairs
- (D) Ministry of Rural Development
Show answer
Answer: (B) Ministry of Cooperation. The Ministry of Cooperation mandated the Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Auditor's Report) Order, 2026 (PIB, 14 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Cooperation (Release ID 2323313), 14 October 2026
