1.
INS Sudarshini, the Indian Navy's three-masted sail training ship, left Salalah, Oman, after a visit from 14 to 17 October 2026, continuing its transoceanic deployment Lokayan-2026, now in its tenth month.
Key facts
- Deployment: Lokayan-2026 (transoceanic voyage), in its 10th month
- Ship: INS Sudarshini, three-masted sail training ship
- Port visit: Salalah, Oman, 14-17 Oct 2026
Why it matters for exams: Naval deployments and sail training ships are asked in defence questions.
Practice MCQ
Which ship is undertaking the Indian Navy's transoceanic deployment Lokayan-2026?
- (A) INS Tarangini
- (B) INS Sudarshini
- (C) INS Kaundinya
- (D) INS Tir
Show answer
Answer: (B) INS Sudarshini. INS Sudarshini is on Lokayan-2026 (PIB, MoD, 18 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Defence (Release ID 2324937), 18 October 2026
2.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will represent India at the 25th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on 19-20 October 2026, focused on trade, economy, connectivity and the organisation's financial and institutional functioning.
Key facts
- Meeting: 25th SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG)
- Venue and dates: Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 19-20 Oct 2026
- India represented by: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
Why it matters for exams: SCO meeting venues and India's representatives are frequently asked.
Practice MCQ
Where was the 25th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government held in October 2026?
- (A) Bishkek
- (B) Dushanbe
- (C) Tashkent
- (D) Astana
Show answer
Answer: (B) Dushanbe. The 25th SCO CHG meeting was held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on 19-20 Oct 2026 (PIB, MoD, 18 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Defence (Release ID 2324852), 18 October 2026
3.
The National Capital Region Transport Corporation celebrated Namo Bharat Diwas 2026 on 17 October, marking three years of Namo Bharat (RRTS) operations, in the presence of Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal. NCRTC highlighted initiatives such as a 110 MW captive solar plant.
Key facts
- Occasion: Namo Bharat Diwas 2026 (17 Oct), three years of Namo Bharat operations
- Operator: National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC); event attended by Union Minister Manohar Lal
- Green initiatives: Solar on Track and a 110 MW captive solar power plant being developed
Why it matters for exams: India's first RRTS (Namo Bharat) is a regular infrastructure question.
Practice MCQ
Which corporation operates the Namo Bharat regional rapid trains?
- (A) DMRC
- (B) NCRTC
- (C) RVNL
- (D) IRCON
Show answer
Answer: (B) NCRTC. The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) celebrated three years of Namo Bharat operations (PIB, MoHUA, 18 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (Release ID 2324914), 18 October 2026
4.
ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute has developed nutrient-rich coloured potato varieties, Kufri Neelkanth, Kufri Manik and Kufri Jamunia, rich in anthocyanins, iron and zinc. Kufri Jamunia, with purple flesh, has higher Vitamin C, anthocyanins and carotenoids, to help address hidden hunger.
Key facts
- Developer: ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI)
- Coloured varieties: Kufri Neelkanth, Kufri Manik, Kufri Jamunia
- Kufri Jamunia: purple flesh; higher Vitamin C, anthocyanins and carotenoids
Why it matters for exams: Biofortified varieties and their institutes are asked in agriculture GA.
Practice MCQ
Kufri Jamunia, a nutrient-rich purple potato variety, was developed by which institute?
- (A) ICAR-IARI
- (B) ICAR-CPRI
- (C) ICAR-IIHR
- (D) ICAR-NBPGR
Show answer
Answer: (B) ICAR-CPRI. Kufri Jamunia was developed by ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (PIB Backgrounder, 18 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - PIB Backgrounder (Release ID 2324875), 18 October 2026
5.
Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), under MeitY, and IIT BHU's Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship held a Tech Conclave on 'AI for Health & Assistive Technologies' at IIT BHU, Varanasi, with a keynote by MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan.
Key facts
- Event: Tech Conclave on 'AI for Health & Assistive Technologies'
- Organisers: STPI (MeitY) and CIIE, IIT BHU
- Venue: IIT BHU, Varanasi
Why it matters for exams: STPI and MeitY bodies are asked in IT-sector questions.
Practice MCQ
Software Technology Parks of India functions under which ministry?
- (A) Ministry of Commerce
- (B) Ministry of Electronics and IT
- (C) Ministry of Science and Technology
- (D) Ministry of MSME
Show answer
Answer: (B) Ministry of Electronics and IT. STPI is an S&T organisation under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (PIB, 18 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Electronics & IT (Release ID 2324850), 18 October 2026
