1.
KONKAN-26, the India-UK bilateral maritime exercise, concluded off Plymouth on 15 October 2026. INS Trishul represented India and the Royal Navy deployed HMS Sutherland, a Duke-class anti-submarine frigate; the four-day sea phase ran from 12 to 15 October.
Key facts
- Exercise: KONKAN-26, 8-15 Oct 2026, off Plymouth, UK
- Ships: INS Trishul (India) and HMS Sutherland (Royal Navy)
- Conducted by the Royal Navy's Fleet Operational Standards and Training (FOST)
Why it matters for exams: Exercise participants (ship names) are a common follow-up question.
Practice MCQ
Which Royal Navy ship took part in KONKAN-26 with INS Trishul?
- (A) HMS Sutherland
- (B) HMS Queen Elizabeth
- (C) HMS Daring
- (D) HMS Kent
Show answer
Answer: (A) HMS Sutherland. The Royal Navy deployed HMS Sutherland, a Duke-class ASW frigate (PIB, MoD, 17 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Defence (Release ID 2324800), 17 October 2026
2.
Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said India's space economy, now valued at about US$ 9 billion, is expected to reach US$ 40-45 billion in the next seven to eight years, at a roundtable on 'Space, Sovereignty and New Economy' on 17 October 2026.
Key facts
- India's space economy now: about US$ 9 billion
- Projection: US$ 40-45 billion in 7-8 years
- Forum: media roundtable 'Space, Sovereignty and New Economy', 17 Oct 2026
Why it matters for exams: Space economy size and targets are frequently asked after space-sector reforms.
Practice MCQ
What is the current size of India's space economy, as stated by Dr Jitendra Singh in October 2026?
- (A) About US$ 2 billion
- (B) About US$ 9 billion
- (C) About US$ 20 billion
- (D) About US$ 44 billion
Show answer
Answer: (B) About US$ 9 billion. India's space economy is currently valued at around US$ 9 billion and is expected to reach US$ 40-45 billion (PIB, Department of Space, 17 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Department of Space (Release ID 2324662), 17 October 2026
3.
FSSAI notified draft amendments proposing Maximum Residue Limits for Acetamiprid and Imidacloprid in tea. FSSAI noted that India's average pesticide use is under 0.5 kg per hectare against a global average of 2.38 kg, and that 13 more toxic pesticides were delisted earlier.
Key facts
- Pesticides: Acetamiprid and Imidacloprid in tea (draft MRLs)
- India's average pesticide use: <0.5 kg/ha (global average 2.38 kg/ha)
- Earlier: 13 higher-toxicity pesticides delisted
Why it matters for exams: FSSAI standards are a recurring food-safety question.
Practice MCQ
For which crop did FSSAI propose maximum residue limits for Acetamiprid and Imidacloprid in October 2026?
- (A) Rice
- (B) Tea
- (C) Coffee
- (D) Grapes
Show answer
Answer: (B) Tea. FSSAI proposed MRLs for Acetamiprid and Imidacloprid in tea (PIB, MoHFW, 17 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Release ID 2324656), 17 October 2026
4.
FSSAI published a draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020, in the Gazette on 16 October 2026, proposing to prohibit added sucrose and fructose in products for infants up to six months of age.
Key facts
- Draft: Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026
- Proposal: no added sucrose or fructose in food for infants up to 6 months
- Gazette publication: 16 Oct 2026
Why it matters for exams: Child nutrition regulations are asked in health and FSSAI questions.
Practice MCQ
Up to what age of infants does FSSAI propose to ban added sucrose and fructose in food products?
- (A) 3 months
- (B) 6 months
- (C) 12 months
- (D) 24 months
Show answer
Answer: (B) 6 months. The draft prohibits added sucrose and fructose in food for infants up to six months (PIB, MoHFW, 17 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Release ID 2324637), 17 October 2026
5.
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority carried out Trade Margin Rationalisation for 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs, expected to cut their MRP by up to 70%. They include immunotherapy drugs, Denosumab, Pegfilgrastim and Bevacizumab.
Key facts
- Authority: National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), Department of Pharmaceuticals
- Drugs covered: 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs
- Expected MRP reduction: up to 70%
Why it matters for exams: This implements the 30% margin cap decided on 8 October; NPPA questions are common.
Practice MCQ
How many non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs were covered by the NPPA trade margin rationalisation in October 2026?
- (A) 42
- (B) 97
- (C) 137
- (D) 250
Show answer
Answer: (C) 137. NPPA undertook TMR of 137 identified non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs (PIB, 17 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (Release ID 2324743), 17 October 2026
6.
The National Biodiversity Authority disbursed Rs 1.19 crore under the Access and Benefit Sharing mechanism to 29 State Biodiversity Boards and one UT Biodiversity Council, in proportion to cultivation areas of the agricultural biological resources used by companies.
Key facts
- Amount: Rs 1.19 crore
- Recipients: 29 State Biodiversity Boards and 1 UT Biodiversity Council
- Basis: share of cultivation area of the biological resources used
Why it matters for exams: ABS under the Biological Diversity Act is a recurring environment question.
Practice MCQ
Under which mechanism did the National Biodiversity Authority disburse Rs 1.19 crore to states in October 2026?
- (A) Compensatory Afforestation
- (B) Access and Benefit Sharing
- (C) Green Credit Programme
- (D) CAMPA
Show answer
Answer: (B) Access and Benefit Sharing. The disbursement was under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism (PIB, MoEFCC, 17 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Release ID 2324757), 17 October 2026
7.
The Indian Navy's First Training Squadron, INS Tir, INS Sujata and ICGS Sarathi, left Port Victoria, Seychelles, on 15 October 2026 after a port call from 12 October. The visit included training for the Seychelles Defence Force and a Passage Exercise.
Key facts
- Ships: INS Tir, INS Sujata, ICGS Sarathi (First Training Squadron)
- Port call: Port Victoria, Seychelles, 12-15 Oct 2026
- Activities: training of Seychelles Defence Force, PASSEX
Why it matters for exams: Capitals and ports of Indian Ocean partners are classic map-and-GK questions.
Practice MCQ
Port Victoria, visited by the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron in October 2026, is in which country?
- (A) Mauritius
- (B) Seychelles
- (C) Maldives
- (D) Madagascar
Show answer
Answer: (B) Seychelles. The squadron departed Port Victoria, Seychelles, on 15 Oct 2026 (PIB, MoD, 17 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Defence (Release ID 2324739), 17 October 2026
