1.
ICAR and Ghana's CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Accra, signed a five-year MoU on joint agricultural research, education and technology transfer, in the presence of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Ghana's Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Key facts
- Parties: ICAR (India) and CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Accra (Ghana)
- Duration: five years
- Areas: joint research, scientific exchange, capacity building, commercialisation of agri-technologies
Why it matters for exams: India-Africa cooperation agreements are a recurring international relations item.
Practice MCQ
ICAR's October 2026 agricultural research MoU was signed with an institute from which country?
- (A) Kenya
- (B) Ghana
- (C) Nigeria
- (D) Ethiopia
Show answer
Answer: (B) Ghana. ICAR signed the MoU with CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Accra, Ghana (PIB, 7 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (Release ID 2320285), 7 October 2026
2.
The fourth UK-India Financial Markets Dialogue was held in London on 29 September 2026, led by the Ministry of Finance and HM Treasury. Regulators including SEBI, RBI, IFSCA, PFRDA and IRDAI from India and the Bank of England and FCA from the UK took part; the joint statement was released on 7 October.
Key facts
- Edition: 4th India-UK Financial Markets Dialogue (FMD), London, 29 Sep 2026
- Led by: Ministry of Finance (India) and HM Treasury (UK)
- Indian regulators present: SEBI, RBI, IFSCA, PFRDA, IRDAI
Why it matters for exams: Financial regulators and bilateral dialogues are core banking awareness content.
Practice MCQ
Where was the fourth India-UK Financial Markets Dialogue held in September 2026?
- (A) New Delhi
- (B) Mumbai
- (C) London
- (D) GIFT City
Show answer
Answer: (C) London. The 4th FMD took place in London on 29 Sep 2026 (PIB, Ministry of Finance, 7 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Finance (Release ID 2320225), 7 October 2026
3.
The third edition of Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue, organised by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways with the Observer Research Foundation, opened on 7 October 2026. PM Modi's message called for a free, open, secure and rules-based maritime order, and Minister Sarbananda Sonowal presented the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
Key facts
- Event: Sagarmanthan - The Great Oceans Dialogue, 3rd edition (opened 7 Oct 2026)
- Organisers: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways with Observer Research Foundation (ORF)
- Vision presented: Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047
Why it matters for exams: Maritime dialogues and visions (Amrit Kaal 2047) are asked in maritime and economy GA.
Practice MCQ
Sagarmanthan, whose third edition opened in October 2026, is organised by the Ports Ministry in partnership with which organisation?
- (A) NITI Aayog
- (B) Observer Research Foundation
- (C) Indian Ports Association
- (D) FICCI
Show answer
Answer: (B) Observer Research Foundation. Sagarmanthan is organised by MoPSW in partnership with the Observer Research Foundation (PIB, 7 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (Release ID 2320424), 7 October 2026
4.
The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) notified regulations under the NCAHP Act, 2021, setting up autonomous boards and a central assessment committee. It also introduced a two-year Diploma in Medical Radiology and Imaging Technology (D.MRIT) with a six-month clinical internship and digital registration with unique IDs and QR-coded certificates.
Key facts
- Body: National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions, under the NCAHP Act, 2021
- New course norms: D.MRIT, two years incl. six-month clinical internship
- Registration: digital, with unique ID numbers and QR-coded certificates
Why it matters for exams: Regulatory commissions in health and their parent Acts are a common polity-health crossover question.
Practice MCQ
The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions was set up under an Act of which year?
- (A) 2019
- (B) 2020
- (C) 2021
- (D) 2023
Show answer
Answer: (C) 2021. NCAHP functions under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021 (PIB, MoHFW, 7 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Release ID 2320314), 7 October 2026
5.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released its 'Strategy for Environmental-Economic Accounts in India 2026-2030'. MoSPI follows the UN System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA), and the new plan follows the 2022-2026 strategy that covered material flow, ocean, energy and biodiversity accounts.
Key facts
- Document: 'Strategy for Environmental-Economic Accounts in India 2026-2030' (MoSPI/NSO)
- Framework: UN System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA)
- Previous strategy: 2022-2026
Why it matters for exams: Official statistics and green accounting are asked in economy and environment sections.
Practice MCQ
Which framework does MoSPI follow for environmental accounting in India?
- (A) SNA 2008
- (B) SEEA
- (C) IFRS
- (D) GRI Standards
Show answer
Answer: (B) SEEA. MoSPI follows the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA), endorsed by the UN Statistical Commission (PIB, 7 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (Release ID 2320063), 7 October 2026
6.
Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, leading India at the UNFCCC Pre-COP31 meeting in Fiji, said COP31 should focus on closing gaps, fulfilling existing commitments and speeding up implementation of the Paris Agreement. The Pre-COP was co-hosted by Australia, Fiji and Tuvalu.
Key facts
- Meeting: UNFCCC Pre-COP31, held in Fiji
- Co-hosts: Australia, Fiji and Tuvalu
- India's delegation led by Bhupender Yadav; stressed implementation of the Paris Agreement (1.5 deg C ambition)
Why it matters for exams: COP venues and hosts are asked every year in environment current affairs.
Practice MCQ
The UNFCCC Pre-COP31 meeting in October 2026 was co-hosted by Australia, Fiji and which other country?
- (A) New Zealand
- (B) Tuvalu
- (C) Papua New Guinea
- (D) Samoa
Show answer
Answer: (B) Tuvalu. The Pre-COP31 meeting was co-hosted by Australia, Fiji and Tuvalu (PIB, MoEFCC, 7 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Release ID 2319890), 7 October 2026
