1.
The Union Cabinet approved a government commitment of Rs 10,000 crore to set up the SME Growth Fund, which will make direct equity investments in small and medium enterprises. It was announced in Para 28 of the Union Budget 2026-27 to fill the gap in growth capital for SMEs, as most existing funds back early-stage micro enterprises.
Key facts
- Fund: SME Growth Fund (SGF) for direct equity in small and medium enterprises
- Government commitment: Rs 10,000 crore
- Announced in Para 28 of the Union Budget 2026-27
Why it matters for exams: MSME financing funds and their size are standard banking awareness questions.
Practice MCQ
What is the government commitment to the SME Growth Fund approved by the Cabinet on 6 October 2026?
- (A) Rs 5,000 crore
- (B) Rs 10,000 crore
- (C) Rs 15,000 crore
- (D) Rs 50,000 crore
Show answer
Answer: (B) Rs 10,000 crore. The Cabinet approved a commitment of Rs 10,000 crore towards the SME Growth Fund (PIB, 6 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Cabinet (Release ID 2319532), 6 October 2026
2.
The Union Cabinet approved a Special Purpose Vehicle, the Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority (ITLA), to act as the apex body for integrated transport and logistics planning, research, project appraisal, monitoring and data analytics. It will prepare a long-term National Transport Master Plan to end fragmented planning across ministries.
Key facts
- New body: Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority (ITLA), set up as an SPV
- Role: apex institution for transport and logistics planning, appraisal and monitoring
- Task: prepare a long-term National Transport Master Plan
Why it matters for exams: New statutory and apex bodies are favourite "which body was set up" questions.
Practice MCQ
What is the full form of ITLA, approved by the Union Cabinet in October 2026?
- (A) Indian Transport & Logistics Agency
- (B) Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority
- (C) Infrastructure, Transport & Land Authority
- (D) Integrated Trade & Logistics Agency
Show answer
Answer: (B) Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority. The Cabinet approved the Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority (ITLA) as an SPV (PIB, 6 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Cabinet (Release ID 2319529), 6 October 2026
3.
The Government appointed Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, now Vice Chief of the Air Staff, as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff with effect from the afternoon of 31 October 2026. He succeeds Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who retires that day. Dixit was commissioned into the IAF fighter stream on 6 December 1986.
Key facts
- Next Chief of the Air Staff: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit (29th CAS)
- Takes over: afternoon of 31 Oct 2026, from ACM Amar Preet Singh
- Current post: Vice Chief of the Air Staff; commissioned 6 Dec 1986 (fighter stream)
Why it matters for exams: Service chiefs are among the most frequently asked appointments.
Practice MCQ
Who was appointed the 29th Chief of the Air Staff in October 2026?
- (A) Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit
- (B) Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari
- (C) Air Marshal S P Dharkar
- (D) Air Marshal Tejinder Singh
Show answer
Answer: (A) Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will be the 29th CAS from 31 Oct 2026 afternoon (PIB, MoD, 6 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Defence (Release ID 2319822), 6 October 2026
4.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the first Fleet Support Ship (FSS-1), 'Surya', at Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam, on 6 October 2026. He also laid the keel of the fifth Fleet Support Ship (FSS-5) and opened the upgraded Slipway-4 with a 300-tonne Goliath crane.
Key facts
- Ship launched: Fleet Support Ship-1 'Surya'
- Shipyard: Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL), Visakhapatnam
- Also: keel laid for FSS-5; upgraded Slipway-4 and 300-tonne Goliath crane opened
Why it matters for exams: Ship launches, names and shipyards are a regular defence question.
Practice MCQ
At which shipyard was the Indian Navy's first Fleet Support Ship 'Surya' launched in October 2026?
- (A) Cochin Shipyard
- (B) Mazagon Dock
- (C) Hindustan Shipyard
- (D) GRSE Kolkata
Show answer
Answer: (C) Hindustan Shipyard. FSS-1 was launched at Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam (PIB, MoD, 6 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Defence (Release ID 2319481), 6 October 2026
5.
The Ministry of Defence signed a Rs 661.50 crore contract with BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd for BrahMos Fire Control Systems and launchers for Indian Navy ships, under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category. The project has a minimum of 68% indigenous content.
Key facts
- Contract value: Rs 661.50 crore, with BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd (6 Oct 2026)
- Category: Buy (Indian-IDDM)
- Minimum indigenous content: 68%
Why it matters for exams: Defence procurement under IDDM and the BrahMos programme are frequently asked.
Practice MCQ
What is the minimum indigenous content in the BrahMos Fire Control System contract signed in October 2026?
- (A) 50%
- (B) 60%
- (C) 68%
- (D) 75%
Show answer
Answer: (C) 68%. The contract carries a minimum of 68% indigenous content (PIB, MoD, 6 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Defence (Release ID 2319502), 6 October 2026
6.
HAL's Koraput Division delivered its 2,000th aero-engine, witnessed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 6 October 2026. A second production line for Shakti engines will be set up with Rs 218 crore, raising capacity to up to 100 engines a year.
Key facts
- Milestone: 2,000th aero-engine from HAL Koraput Division (Odisha)
- Second Shakti engine production line: Rs 218 crore; capacity up to 100 engines a year
- Indigenous high-thrust engine programme: about Rs 5,000 crore
Why it matters for exams: HAL divisions and engine programmes appear in defence and PSU questions.
Practice MCQ
Which HAL division delivered its 2,000th aero-engine in October 2026?
- (A) Bengaluru
- (B) Nashik
- (C) Koraput
- (D) Lucknow
Show answer
Answer: (C) Koraput. HAL Koraput Division delivered its 2,000th aero-engine (PIB, MoD, 6 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Defence (Release ID 2319668), 6 October 2026
7.
India's National Telemedicine Service, eSanjeevani, crossed 50 crore teleconsultations on 15 September 2026, with a cumulative 50,00,92,730 consultations across all 36 States and UTs. It is described as the world's largest telemedicine implementation in primary healthcare.
Key facts
- Platform: eSanjeevani, National Telemedicine Service
- Milestone: 50 crore (500 million) teleconsultations, crossed on 15 Sep 2026
- Coverage: all 36 States/UTs
Why it matters for exams: Digital health milestones are asked in health and governance questions.
Practice MCQ
eSanjeevani, which crossed 50 crore teleconsultations in 2026, is a service in which field?
- (A) Telemedicine
- (B) Online education
- (C) Digital land records
- (D) E-courts
Show answer
Answer: (A) Telemedicine. eSanjeevani is India's National Telemedicine Service (PIB, MoHFW, 6 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Release ID 2319427), 6 October 2026
8.
DRDO conducted the first live jump of its Advanced High-Altitude Parachute (AHAP) at the Nyoma (Mudh) drop zone in Ladakh. The jump was made at 16,000 feet above mean sea level. AHAP was developed by ADRDE, Agra, and made by the Ordnance Parachute Factory, Kanpur.
Key facts
- System: Advanced High-Altitude Parachute (AHAP), static-line, for mass paratrooper drops
- Jump altitude: 16,000 ft AMSL; landing at Nyoma (Mudh DZ), 13,700 ft
- Developer: ADRDE, Agra; manufacturer: Ordnance Parachute Factory, Kanpur
Why it matters for exams: DRDO labs and their products are a recurring defence-technology question.
Practice MCQ
Which DRDO laboratory designed the Advanced High-Altitude Parachute tested in October 2026?
- (A) DRDL, Hyderabad
- (B) ADRDE, Agra
- (C) DEBEL, Bengaluru
- (D) TBRL, Chandigarh
Show answer
Answer: (B) ADRDE, Agra. AHAP was designed by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra (PIB, MoD, 6 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Defence (Release ID 2319589), 6 October 2026
