Daily Current Affairs Question-Answer (Q&A) 16-18 October 2026 with Extra Facts (Special for Competitive Exams)
"Hello friends, and welcome to The Tar Education by Target All Rounder (TAR).
In today’s highly competitive era, staying up to date with current affairs is crucial for clearing any competitive examination. Our goal is to ensure that current affairs never become a hurdle in your preparation, but rather your strongest scoring subject.
To save you time and provide you with the most authentic information, we meticulously collect daily news from top national and international sources, including PIB, The Hindu, AIR News, Indian Express, leading Hindi dailies, and major news channels. We provide Daily, Weekly, Monthly, and Yearly Current Affairs along with additional static facts. This content is highly beneficial for exams like UPSC, SSC, Bank, Railway, Defense, Insurance, and all state-level exams.
To get the most out of this series, make sure you:
- Download the free PDF from the link provided at the end of this article.
- Solve the Daily Quiz based on today's current affairs to test your knowledge.
- Watch our detailed Video Class on YouTube for a unique and comprehensive learning experience.
We hope our efforts mark a milestone in your success journey. Best wishes to all of you! Let's dive into today's current affairs:
1. Which wildlife sanctuary is being developed as the second home for Asiatic Lions in Gujarat?
- Extra Facts:
- This sanctuary is located in the Saurashtra region across Porbandar and Devbhumi Dwarka districts.
- It covers an area of approximately 192.31 square kilometers and was declared a protected area in 1979.
- According to the 2025 census, 17 lions have been recorded here, including 6 adults and 11 cubs.
- The scientific name of the Asiatic lion is Panthera leo persica, and their only natural wild population is found in Gujarat.
2. Which international conference on Ayurvedic pediatrics was inaugurated by Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan in New Delhi on October 15, 2026?
- Extra Facts:
- This conference was organized by the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) and also marked the 10th foundation day of AIIA.
- On this occasion, digital initiatives like the AYUSH Start-up Portal and the Ayurveda Digital Innovation and Venture Acceleration facility (AyuDIVA) were launched.
- Kaumarabhritya is the branch of Ayurveda that deals with pediatrics, nutrition, development, and healthcare.
- The event also highlighted international collaboration with Maharishi International University in the USA.
3. Until which year has the Union Cabinet approved the extension of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) with an outlay of Rs 53,428 crore?
- Extra Facts:
- This program is expected to benefit approximately 3.20 crore people across all 36 States and Union Territories.
- The government plans to reduce the disability pension eligibility threshold from 80% to 40% and extend eligibility from birth.
- The proposed assistance for eligible Divyangjans (persons with disabilities) will be Rs 375 for the 0-79 age group and Rs 625 for those above 80 years of age.
- NSAP supports vulnerable families through centrally sponsored pension and family benefit schemes.
4. From which date has the Supreme Court ordered the extension of travel insurance to eligible tickets purchased from railway station counters?
- Extra Facts:
- This order was issued on October 6 by a bench comprising Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice R. Mahadevan.
- It provides coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh for death or permanent total disability.
- The Railway Board will oversee the implementation of this scheme, while guidelines regarding premiums and claim processes for counter tickets will be issued.
- This step has been taken to provide offline passengers with the same insurance protection as online booked ticket holders.
5. Which state has generated 2.04 crore rural employment person-days under the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural)?
- Extra Facts:
- This achievement was recorded between July 1 and October 13, 2026, which is higher than the 1.71 crore person-days in the corresponding period of 2025.
- Under this program, eligible rural households are provided employment for up to 125 days annually.
- The daily wage recorded under this in Karnataka is Rs 382.
- At the district level, Raichur recorded the highest employment generation of 24 lakh person-days, followed by Bidar and Koppal.
6. Under whose chairmanship has the Central Government constituted a high-level committee to examine the demands and concerns of sugarcane farmers?
- Extra Facts:
- This committee will review farmers' returns, the ex-mill Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar, and recovery tests.
- The committee also includes the Agriculture Commissioner and senior officials from the Department of Food and Public Distribution.
- The panel will consult farmers, sugar mill associations, state governments, and experts before making a decision.
- This step was taken following meetings with sugarcane farmers from Maharashtra and Karnataka.
7. For approximately how many crore rupees has the Ministry of Defence recently signed defense contracts for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army?
- Extra Facts:
- Out of this, a contract worth Rs 2,563 crore has been signed with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), Bengaluru for the GSAT-7C communication satellite.
- This satellite is designed to provide secure and seamless communication for Indian Air Force assets.
- The second contract worth Rs 1,543 crore has been signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Hyderabad for Varunastra heavy-weight torpedoes.
- It has been developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) and is capable of targeting enemy submarines.
8. From which year has the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways proposed implementing the Bharat Stage VII (BS-VII) vehicle emission standards?
- Extra Facts:
- Under this proposal, three phases of implementation have been set for April 1, 2029, April 1, 2031, and April 1, 2035.
- These standards aim to further tighten the limits for nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons (HC), and particulate matter (PM).
- India implemented BS-VI standards nationwide in April 2020, skipping BS-V.
- This is currently a draft proposal, and final requirements will depend on the government's subsequent decisions.
9. How many days' wages worth of Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) has the Union Cabinet approved for eligible railway employees?
- Extra Facts:
- This decision was taken on October 14, 2026, for 11,40,770 eligible railway employees.
- The total expenditure under this will be Rs 2,009.61 crore, with a maximum bonus of Rs 17,951 fixed per eligible employee.
- Eligible employees include track maintainers, loco pilots, station masters, technicians, and other non-gazetted Group C staff.
- Indian Railways recorded a freight loading of 1,670 million tonnes and nearly 7.41 billion passenger traffic during 2025-26.
10. At which place in Spiti Valley did Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurate the state's first solar project with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)?
- Extra Facts:
- This plant is situated at an altitude of about 3,600 meters, with a solar generation capacity of 2 MW and a battery storage capacity of 1 MWh.
- This project is expected to generate approximately 36 lakh units of electricity annually and has been built at a cost of Rs 4.42 crore.
- The construction work of this project began on May 30, 2023, and it was commissioned in December 2024.
- A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) improves the reliability of renewable energy supply by storing excess power.
11. Which meeting of their Joint Trade Committee (JTC) did India and Brunei hold to strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation?
- Extra Facts:
- This meeting was co-chaired by Joint Secretary of India's Department of Commerce Amit Verma and Permanent Secretary of Brunei's Ministry of Finance and Economy Dr. May Fa'ezah Ahmad Ariffin.
- Discussions covered areas such as agriculture, animal product exports, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, energy, tourism, and investment.
- Both countries emphasized improved market access and regular coordination.
- The next meeting of the India-Brunei Joint Trade Committee is scheduled to be held in Brunei Darussalam.
12. Which integrated manufacturing plant was inaugurated in Haldia, West Bengal, with an investment of Rs 6,000 crore?
- Extra Facts:
- This facility has been developed by Adperma Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Haldia Petrochemicals Limited.
- The annual production capacity of this plant is 3.45 lakh tonnes of phenol and 2.15 lakh tonnes of acetone.
- Phenol is used in resins, plastics, and pharmaceutical intermediates, while acetone is used as a solvent.
- The main objective of this project is to reduce import dependence and promote domestic chemical manufacturing.
13. According to the September 2026 bulletin released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, what was the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for persons aged 15 years and above?
- Extra Facts:
- During this period, the Worker Population Ratio (WPR) reached 52.7%.
- The Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) rose to 34.6%, which is 0.5 percentage points higher than the previous year.
- The urban female LFPR increased to 25.9%, its highest level since October 2025.
- The overall Unemployment Rate (UR) remained stable at 5.0%.
14. How many billion dollars in total has the World Bank Group mobilized as private capital in India over the past four years?
- Extra Facts:
- This also includes $9.6 billion mobilized for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
- The $436 million 'Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance' (RAMP) program supports reforms to improve MSME financing.
- Under this initiative, the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) has been strengthened, helping businesses secure finance on unpaid invoices.
- Through TReDS, over 2.5 lakh MSMEs have received quick capital.
15. Who became the first Indian wrestler to win a silver medal in the men's 55kg Greco-Roman category at the U-23 World Wrestling Championships 2026?
- Extra Facts:
- He faced defeat after a tough fight against Georgia's Koba Karumidze in the final match and clinched the silver medal.
- On his journey to the finals, he defeated wrestlers from Mexico, Iran, and Russia.
- He became the first Indian Greco-Roman wrestler in history to achieve this feat.
- His silver medal is India's first silver in the Greco-Roman category at this championship.
16. Which Indian opener broke the record for hitting the most sixes in a calendar year in men's T20 International cricket during a match against the West Indies in 2026?
- Extra Facts:
- He achieved this milestone with his 69th six of the calendar year during the match played in Hyderabad.
- He surpassed Suryakumar Yadav's previous record of 68 sixes set in 2022.
- He is followed in this record list by Ishan Kishan, who has hit 52 sixes in this calendar year.
- This achievement is recorded as a player from an ICC Full Member nation.
17. During the fourth T20 International match against the West Indies, which team became the second team to hit 2,000 sixes in men's T20 International cricket?
- Extra Facts:
- Sanju Samson crossed this historic milestone by hitting a six off West Indies spinner Roston Chase.
- The West Indies was the first team in the world to reach this mark, achieving it in 259 matches, while India completed it in 297 matches.
- Sanju Samson also became the sixth Indian batsman to hit 100 sixes in T20 International cricket.
- Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Abhishek Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli, and Sanju Samson are the Indian batsmen who have smashed 100 T20I sixes.
18. World Students' Day is celebrated annually on October 15 to commemorate whose birth anniversary?
- Extra Facts:
- He was born on October 15, 1931, and made significant contributions to India's space program and missile development.
- He was honored with India's highest civilian award, the 'Bharat Ratna', in 1997.
- His autobiographies 'Wings of Fire' and 'Ignited Minds' are highly inspiring for the youth.
- This day promotes science, education, and youth empowerment, although it is not officially declared as an international day by the United Nations.
19. How many billion dollars has FIFA proposed as a development fund for its 211 member associations for the 2026-2030 cycle?
- Extra Facts:
- Under this proposal, each member association could receive up to $25 million compared to $10 million in the current funding cycle.
- This proposed funding will be based on FIFA's financial reserves and revenues generated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- The 2026 World Cup is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
- FIFA is the international governing body for association football, comprising 211 member associations.
20. At which venue was the national celebration of Women Farmers' Day (Mahila Kisan Diwas) 2026 organized in New Delhi?
- Extra Facts:
- The theme for this year's celebration was "The Role of Women Farmers in Building a Developed Agriculture and a Developed India".
- This day recognizes the contribution of women in crop production, livestock management, natural resource conservation, and agricultural entrepreneurship.
- It also highlights women's participation in agricultural decision-making processes.
- Women Farmers' Day is celebrated annually on October 15, coinciding with the International Day of Rural Women.
21. At what age did the famous paddy conservator of Kerala's Wayanad district, Cheruvayal Raman, also known as 'Nellachan', pass away recently?
- Extra Facts:
- He was known for conserving more than 45 indigenous traditional paddy varieties on his three-acre farm.
- He shared traditional seeds among farmers and promoted chemical-free farming.
- For his outstanding work, he was also honored with the title of 'Living Paddy Gene Bank'.
- He was awarded the 'Padma Shri' in 2023 for his contributions to agriculture and indigenous rice conservation.
22. Which department launched the operations of the 'Kanda Express' train for the first time under the Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) for Agartala, Tripura?
- Extra Facts:
- This consignment carried approximately 440 metric tonnes of onions and was expected to arrive by October 18, 2026.
- Buffer onions will be distributed across seven of the eight districts in Tripura to improve availability ahead of the festive season.
- The government is utilizing a combination of road and rail transport to distribute onion stocks to the Northeastern states.
- Average mandi prices fell from Rs 3,600 per quintal in September to Rs 3,300 in October, while retail prices dropped across 211 cities.
23. To which country did India export its first certified Organic Palmyra Jaggery Powder on October 15, 2026?
- Extra Facts:
- APEDA facilitated the export of 1.755 metric tonnes from Gobichettipalayam in Erode district of Tamil Nadu to Varna via the Chennai port.
- This consignment was supported by Wellbeing Foods and Chetty Exports Private Limited, and distributed by So Life Limited.
- This product complies with India's National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and the European Union's organic standards.
- This initiative covers organic farming spread across 137 acres and improves market access and export opportunities for farmers.
24. On October 15, 2026, the Supreme Court dismissed which state's challenge regarding reservation eligibility following religious conversion?
- Extra Facts:
- This case was related to claims under the Backward Class (Muslim) category based on caste or community status before converting to Islam.
- The court held that previous caste identity does not automatically establish eligibility for another notified backward class category.
- It also clarified that reconverting to Hinduism does not automatically restore reservation benefits.
- Authorities must assess all facts and applicable legal requirements before determining eligibility.
25. India's Ramsar Network has recently reached a total of how many sites after the addition of two new wetlands?
- Extra Facts:
- The new wetlands added to the list are Sukhna Wetland in Chandigarh and Sauj Jheel in Uttar Pradesh.
- Sukhna Wetland supports local and migratory waterbirds, while Sauj Jheel is a shallow lake in the Ganges floodplain.
- Sauj Jheel regularly hosts more than 30,000 waterbirds, highlighting its ecological importance.
- The Ramsar Convention promotes the conservation and wise use of wetlands, adopted on February 2, 1971, in Ramsar, Iran.
26. How many stalls in total were set up at the 'Crafts Samagam Mela 2026' organized by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in Mysuru (Karnataka)?
- Extra Facts:
- In this fair, 80 stalls were exclusively allotted for artisans, featuring participants from 12 States and Union Territories.
- This fair promotes traditional handicrafts, handloom products, and regional goods.
- It supports beneficiaries from Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, and Safai Karamcharis (sanitation workers).
- NSFDC, NBCFDC, and NSKFDC provide financial and livelihood support, while India Tulip aims to expand the market access of artisans.
27. Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Ltd (IMFA) unveiled a greenfield ferro chrome plant worth how many crore rupees in Kalinganagar, Odisha?
- Extra Facts:
- This facility increases the annual production capacity by 100,000 tonnes, bringing the total installed capacity to 534,000 tonnes.
- Spread over 124.26 acres, the plant features two 33 MVA submerged arc furnaces and an 8.7 MW off-gas power generation unit.
- The construction of this plant commenced on May 22, 2025, and the first furnace started production on August 25, 2026.
- Ferrochrome is essential for manufacturing stainless steel as chromium improves corrosion resistance.
28. The Digital India Bhashini Division and which state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on October 14, 2026, to strengthen Multilingual AI?
- Extra Facts:
- This agreement was announced during the Bhashini State Workshop held in Imphal.
- The event demonstrated real-time English-to-Manipuri translation to improve communication and accessibility.
- This initiative will support language datasets, translation tools, and Indian-language solutions in digital public services.
- Bhashini operates under the Digital India Corporation, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
29. After the announcement on October 16, 2026, which region has Ladakh made its eighth district?
- Extra Facts:
- Sankoo is located in the Suru Valley of the Kargil region in Ladakh.
- The aim of this new district is to decentralize administration and improve access to government services.
- Before the 2026 reorganization, Ladakh had only two districts: Leh and Kargil.
- Additionally, on April 27, 2026, five other districts—Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar, and Drass—were also approved.
30. Following discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, in which month is Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to visit Canada to strengthen bilateral ties?
- Extra Facts:
- Both leaders have identified trade, energy, technology, security, and people-to-people exchanges as priority areas.
- India and Canada aim to advance negotiations on the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
- The objective of this agreement is to expand market access and strengthen economic engagement between both countries.
- This was also preceded by Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand's visit to New Delhi and a trade mission led by Maninder Sidhu.
31. Under which act has Bollywood actor Imran Khan, reportedly a US citizen holding an OCI card, received a 'Leave India' notice from the FRRO in Mumbai?
- Extra Facts:
- Under this notice, he has been directed to leave India by October 28, 2026.
- The OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) status provides specified immigration privileges but does not grant Indian citizenship.
- This case raises questions on exit instructions, OCI cancellation procedures, and judicial safeguards.
- The cancellation of OCI registration is separately governed under Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
32. In the second fortnight of September 2026, bank deposits in India surged to approximately how many trillion rupees?
- Extra Facts:
- During the first six months of the current financial year 2026-27, deposits grew by Rs 21.67 trillion.
- The Reserve Bank of India's discounted forex swap window had attracted an inflow of nearly $133 billion before closing on August 31, 2026.
- In the fortnight ending September 30, banks recorded an additional deposit inflow of Rs 7.73 trillion.
- Total deposits witnessed an 8.4% growth between the end of March and the end of September.
33. Whose resignation from the Union Council of Ministers has President Droupadi Murmu accepted on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi?
- Extra Facts:
- He has resigned to focus on strengthening the Bharatiya Janata Party's organization in Tamil Nadu.
- He served as the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs.
- He has been a member of the Rajya Sabha since September 2021.
- Article 75(2) of the Constitution states that ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President, while Article 75(3) provides for collective responsibility to the Lok Sabha.
34. To how many billion dollars did India's Current Account Deficit (CAD) narrow down in August 2026?
- Extra Facts:
- It was $6.1 billion in the corresponding period a year ago.
- The merchandise trade deficit stood at $26.6 billion, while net services receipts reached $16.5 billion.
- Net transfers totaled $12.8 billion, while the income account deficit widened to $8 billion.
- Due to strong capital inflows in August, an overall Balance of Payments (BoP) surplus of $45.4 billion was recorded.
35. As of October 14, 2026, India's Net Direct Tax Collections grew by 13.21% to how many lakh crore rupees?
- Extra Facts:
- Gross collections surged by 14.89% to Rs 16.03 lakh crore, while refunds increased by 24.22% to Rs 2.65 lakh crore.
- Net corporate tax collections rose by 20.6% to Rs 5.99 lakh crore, and non-corporate collections increased by 5.8% to Rs 6.92 lakh crore.
- Securities Transaction Tax (STT) collections jumped by 51.6% to Rs 46,840 crore.
- The Union Budget has set a direct tax revenue target of Rs 26.97 lakh crore for the financial year 2026-27.
36. What percentage of GDP growth rate has Deloitte India projected for India for the financial year 2027 in its Economic Outlook?
- Extra Facts:
- This projection reflects resilient domestic consumption, public infrastructure spending, and an expected recovery in private investment.
- In FY 2027-28, growth is expected to moderate to between 6.6 and 7 percent.
- Gross fixed capital formation grew by 11.9% in the first quarter of FY 2026-27.
- Semiconductors, electronics, defense manufacturing, clean energy, and AI infrastructure could attract additional investments.
37. Effective from October 16, 2026, the Central Government has increased the Windfall Export Duty on petrol from Rs 0.50 to how much per liter?
- Extra Facts:
- Meanwhile, the export duty on diesel has been reduced from Rs 16 to Rs 8.50 per liter.
- The export duty on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) has been kept unchanged at Rs 10.50 per liter.
- This revision applies to exports; duties on petrol and diesel for domestic consumption remain unchanged.
- This measure is taken to balance the domestic and export prices of petroleum products based on global market trends.
38. Which global organization named 35-year-old farmer Mari Lalrithangi from Sangau village in Mizoram's Lawngtlai district among its '100 Women Heroes'?
- Extra Facts:
- This recognition celebrates the contribution of women in agrifood systems and rural development during the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026.
- She started cultivating strawberries with about 1,000 plants in 2024.
- Her farm expanded to over 10,000 plants across two hectares, generating earnings of over Rs 10 lakh in 2025.
- She has also started producing strawberry wine and candies to add value to her harvest.
39. Which vessel was commissioned by the Indian Navy at the INS Kadamba Naval Base in Karwar, Karnataka, on October 16, 2026?
- Extra Facts:
- It has been manufactured by Larsen & Toubro at Kattupalli in Tamil Nadu and supports weapons and sensor trials, surveillance, and operations of unmanned systems.
- It also assists in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions.
- The ship has over 75% indigenous content, reflecting India's efforts towards self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
- Its dynamic positioning system helps it maintain position at sea during special operations.
40. At which location did Tesla CEO Elon Musk showcase a flying Roadster prototype featuring rocket-inspired thrusters on October 15, 2026?
- Extra Facts:
- This prototype features compressed-air thrusters developed with SpaceX and a fan-based suction system.
- This demonstration included brief airborne movements and unconventional maneuvers, drawing attention to the integration of electric-vehicle and aerospace technologies.
- Musk indicated that production is planned for 2028, although final specifications, pricing, and launch dates remain to be confirmed.
- This vehicle is not yet an established flying car for everyday transport, and practical demonstration and regulatory approvals remain critical aspects.
41. Which veteran opening batswoman of the Indian women's cricket team announced her retirement from all formats of international cricket on October 15, 2026?
- Extra Facts:
- She represented India as a top-order batter between 2009 and 2021.
- Her international career includes 4 Tests, 73 ODIs, and 35 T20 Internationals.
- She played a total of 112 international matches for India.
- Punam Raut thanked the Mumbai Cricket Association for supporting her early development and expressed a desire to stay connected to cricket.
42. When is 'World Food Day' observed annually, whose theme for the year 2026 is "Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow"?
- Extra Facts:
- This day is observed to raise awareness about hunger, malnutrition, and sustainable agriculture.
- It marks the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on October 16, 1945.
- Its priorities include reducing food loss and waste, improving water management, and supporting small-scale farmers.
- It supports Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger, which aims to end hunger and improve nutrition by 2030.

Post a Comment
Greetings!!
Thanks to message us. We will reply you soon...