1.
The Ministry of Education approved five Centres of Excellence for studies in Classical Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit, to support research, preservation and digitisation of their literary heritage. Classical Assamese will be housed at Tezpur University and Classical Bengali at Visva-Bharati.
Key facts
- Languages: Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit
- Classical Assamese: Tezpur University; Classical Bengali: Visva-Bharati University
- Classical Marathi: Deccan College, Pune; Classical Pali: Central University of Odisha
Why it matters for exams: Classical languages of India and their institutions are a standard static-plus-current GK topic.
Practice MCQ
Under the October 2026 approval, the Centre of Excellence for Classical Pali will be set up at which institution?
- (A) Nalanda University
- (B) Central University of Odisha
- (C) Banaras Hindu University
- (D) Visva-Bharati University
Show answer
Answer: (B) Central University of Odisha. The CoE for Classical Pali will be at the Central University of Odisha (PIB, Ministry of Education, 3 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Education (Release ID 2318679), 3 October 2026
2.
QNu Labs, with BISAG-N and IIT Gandhinagar, demonstrated India's first free-space Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) link over 5.56 km on the night of 27-28 September 2026. The link kept the quantum bit error rate below 5% and generated secure keys at 230-260 bps, used with BISAG-N's Vedic Kavach post-quantum platform.
Key facts
- Distance: 5.56 km free-space QKD link, between BISAG-N and IIT Gandhinagar
- Partners: QNu Labs, BISAG-N, IIT Gandhinagar
- Quantum Bit Error Rate below 5%; key rate 230-260 bps
Why it matters for exams: National Quantum Mission milestones are rising in science and tech questions.
Practice MCQ
India's first free-space Quantum Key Distribution link, demonstrated in September 2026, covered what distance?
- (A) 1.2 km
- (B) 3.4 km
- (C) 5.56 km
- (D) 10 km
Show answer
Answer: (C) 5.56 km. QNu Labs, BISAG-N and IIT Gandhinagar demonstrated a 5.56 km free-space QKD link (PIB, MeitY, 3 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Electronics & IT (Release ID 2318656), 3 October 2026
3.
NABKISAN Finance Ltd, a NABARD subsidiary, listed India's first social bond dedicated to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) on the NSE on 1 October 2026. The five-year bond, oversubscribed 1.8 times, raised Rs 180 crore at a coupon of 8.10% and is rated CRISIL AAA and CARE AAA.
Key facts
- Issuer: NABKISAN Finance Ltd (subsidiary of NABARD)
- Amount: Rs 180 crore; oversubscribed 1.8 times; listed on NSE on 1 Oct 2026
- Tenure 5 years (matures Sep 2031), coupon 8.10%
Why it matters for exams: NABARD and its subsidiaries, and green/social bonds, are high-yield banking awareness topics.
Practice MCQ
NABKISAN Finance, which listed India's first WASH-focused social bond in October 2026, is a subsidiary of which institution?
- (A) SIDBI
- (B) NABARD
- (C) EXIM Bank
- (D) NHB
Show answer
Answer: (B) NABARD. NABKISAN Finance Ltd is a subsidiary of NABARD; it raised Rs 180 crore through the WASH social bond (PIB, 3 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Finance (Release ID 2318568), 3 October 2026
4.
Wrestler Aman Sehrawat won India's first-ever Asian Games gold in the men's 57 kg freestyle event, after winning bronze at the previous Asian Games.
Key facts
- Athlete: Aman Sehrawat (wrestling)
- Event: Men's 57 kg freestyle, Asian Games 2026
- Record: India's first-ever Asian Games gold in this event; bronze at the previous Games
Why it matters for exams: "First-ever" medals are the most likely sports questions from the Asian Games.
Practice MCQ
Aman Sehrawat won India's first-ever Asian Games gold in which wrestling category?
- (A) Men's 57 kg freestyle
- (B) Men's 65 kg freestyle
- (C) Men's 74 kg freestyle
- (D) Men's 97 kg freestyle
Show answer
Answer: (A) Men's 57 kg freestyle. Aman Sehrawat won India's first-ever Asian Games gold in men's 57 kg freestyle (PIB, PMO, 3 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Prime Minister's Office (Release ID 2318741), 3 October 2026
5.
Golfer Pranavi Sharath Urs won India's first-ever gold medal in women's individual golf at the Asian Games 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the win would draw more young Indians to the game.
Key facts
- Athlete: Pranavi Sharath Urs (golf)
- Event: Women's individual golf, Asian Games 2026
- India's first-ever gold in this event
Why it matters for exams: Historic firsts in less common sports are frequently asked.
Practice MCQ
Who won India's first-ever gold in women's individual golf at the Asian Games (2026)?
- (A) Aditi Ashok
- (B) Diksha Dagar
- (C) Pranavi Sharath Urs
- (D) Tvesa Malik
Show answer
Answer: (C) Pranavi Sharath Urs. Pranavi Sharath Urs won India's first-ever gold in women's individual golf at the Asian Games (PIB, PMO, 3 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Prime Minister's Office (Release ID 2318677), 3 October 2026
6.
An Indian parliamentary delegation led by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh left for Arusha, Tanzania, for the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), held from 5 to 9 October 2026 on good governance and empowering communities.
Key facts
- Event: 153rd IPU Assembly, Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania
- Dates: 5-9 Oct 2026
- Leader of Indian delegation: Harivansh, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha
Why it matters for exams: IPU assemblies, venues and India's delegation leaders are asked in international organisations questions.
Practice MCQ
Where was the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union held in October 2026?
- (A) Geneva, Switzerland
- (B) Arusha, Tanzania
- (C) Nairobi, Kenya
- (D) Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Show answer
Answer: (B) Arusha, Tanzania. The 153rd IPU Assembly was held at Arusha, Tanzania, from 5 to 9 Oct 2026 (PIB, Rajya Sabha Secretariat, 3 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Rajya Sabha Secretariat (Release ID 2318590), 3 October 2026
7.
PM-SETU, the scheme to upgrade 1,000 government ITIs through a hub-and-spoke model with industry partners, completed one year. In its first year, 850 ITIs were identified and 14 ITI clusters approved; the scheme also upgrades five National Skill Training Institutes into National Centres of Excellence.
Key facts
- Scheme: PM-SETU (upgrade of Industrial Training Institutes)
- Target: 1,000 government ITIs via a hub-and-spoke model; 5 NSTIs as National Centres of Excellence
- One-year progress: 850 ITIs identified, 14 ITI clusters approved
Why it matters for exams: Skilling schemes and their targets are frequently asked in government schemes questions.
Practice MCQ
How many government ITIs does PM-SETU aim to upgrade through a hub-and-spoke model?
- (A) 500
- (B) 850
- (C) 1,000
- (D) 1,500
Show answer
Answer: (C) 1,000. PM-SETU focuses on upgrading 1,000 government ITIs through a hub-and-spoke model (PIB Backgrounder, 3 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - PIB Backgrounder (Release ID 2318631), 3 October 2026
