Daily Current Affairs Quiz 17 October 2026: 15 Important GK MCQs for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railways Exams

Question 1

India's total number of Ramsar Sites reached what figure after the addition of Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel?

Accepted Answer

103 - India's Ramsar Site tally reached 103 after Sukhna Wetland in Chandigarh and Sauj Jheel in Uttar Pradesh were designated Wetlands of International Importance. • Sukhna Wetland → Chandigarh • Sauj Jheel → Uttar Pradesh • Ramsar Convention adopted → 1971 • India became a Contracting Party → 1 February 1982 Static GK link: The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands. It was adopted at Ramsar in Iran.

Question 2

Approximately how much were the five development projects inaugurated and dedicated in Ladakh worth?

Accepted Answer

Rs 3,350 crore - Five development projects in Ladakh were reported to be worth approximately Rs 3,350 crore . • Airport project → Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport Terminal, Leh • Airport terminal cost → about Rs 640 crore • Strategic road → 298-km Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road • Road-building agency → Border Roads Organisation • Project Him Sarovar → 40 water bodies in 40 villages Static GK link: The Border Roads Organisation develops and maintains strategic road infrastructure, particularly in border and difficult-terrain regions.

Question 3

India approved accession to SIOFA, which is concerned with which area?

Accepted Answer

Southern Indian Ocean fisheries - SIOFA stands for the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement and deals with conservation and sustainable management of fishery resources in the Southern Indian Ocean. • India's earlier status → Cooperating Non-Contracting Party since 2022 • Nodal ministry → Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying • Target resources include squid, toothfish and alfonsino • Accession enables full decision-making participation as a Contracting Party Static GK link: International fisheries agreements help regulate high-seas fishing and promote sustainable use of marine resources beyond national jurisdiction.

Question 4

Which of the following is one of the purity grades covered under the BIS Silver Refinery Scheme?

Accepted Answer

999.9 - The BIS Silver Refinery Scheme includes purity grades such as 999.9 , 999.5 and 999.0. • Organisation → Bureau of Indian Standards • Product coverage → silver bullion and coins • World Standards Day → 14 October • New standards released → 7 • BIS Digital Standard Reader converts XML standards into interactive SMART standards Static GK link: The Bureau of Indian Standards is India's national standards body and is associated with standardisation, certification and quality assurance.

Question 5

Which anti-abuse mechanism was introduced in the amended India-Mauritius Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement?

Accepted Answer

Principal Purpose Test - The amended India-Mauritius DTAA introduced the Principal Purpose Test (PPT) to curb treaty abuse and tax avoidance. • Protocol signed → 7 March 2024 • Amended treaty entered into force → 10 August 2026 • Indian notification date → 13 October 2026 • Pre-1 April 2017 investments are reported as exempt from PPT Static GK link: Treaty shopping refers to structuring transactions through a jurisdiction primarily to obtain treaty benefits. A Principal Purpose Test can deny benefits where obtaining them is one of the principal purposes of an arrangement.

Question 6

What global merchandise-trade growth forecast did the WTO give for 2026 in its October update?

Accepted Answer

3.9% - The World Trade Organization raised its 2026 global merchandise-trade growth forecast to 3.9% from an earlier estimate of 1.9% . • 2027 merchandise-trade forecast → 4.1% • 2026 global GDP forecast → 2.6% • 2027 global GDP forecast → 2.9% • AI-related investment was cited as one supporting factor Static GK link: The WTO deals with rules governing international trade. Merchandise trade refers primarily to trade in physical goods, unlike services trade.

Question 7

How many banking solutions were introduced by Karnataka Bank under Nava Dhamaka 2026?

Accepted Answer

Nine - Karnataka Bank introduced nine banking solutions under Nava Dhamaka 2026 . • Launch location → Bengaluru • Areas → investments, digital payments, customer engagement and lending • UPI services include eligible NRE and NRO account holders • PIN-less transactions are being introduced through the CBDC platform • An AI-enabled Voice Bot supports customer engagement Static GK link: A CBDC is a digital form of central-bank money. India's retail CBDC is commonly referred to as the digital rupee or e₹.

Question 8

According to the supplied report, India's net direct-tax collection as of 14 October 2026 stood at approximately what amount?

Accepted Answer

Rs 13.38 lakh crore - India's net direct-tax collection was reported at Rs 13.38 lakh crore as of 14 October 2026 . • Year-on-year growth → 13.2% • Major components → corporate and non-corporate taxes • Net collection figures are calculated after refunds Static GK link: Direct taxes are imposed directly on the income or profits of individuals and businesses. They differ from indirect taxes such as GST, which are levied on transactions involving goods and services.

Question 9

What was the combined value of the Ministry of Defence contracts for GSAT-7C and Varunastra torpedoes?

Accepted Answer

Rs 4,106 crore - The Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth approximately Rs 4,106 crore for GSAT-7C and Varunastra Heavy Weight Torpedoes. • GSAT-7C contract → Rs 2,563 crore • Varunastra contract → Rs 1,543 crore • GSAT-7C → secure communications for Indian Air Force assets • Varunastra → indigenous ship-launched heavy-weight anti-submarine torpedo Static GK link: Modern defence communication satellites provide secure and resilient connectivity, while heavy-weight torpedoes are designed primarily for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare.

Question 10

Which organisation received the GSAT-7C contract from the Ministry of Defence?

Accepted Answer

NewSpace India Limited - The Rs 2,563 crore GSAT-7C contract was awarded to NewSpace India Limited . • End user → Indian Air Force • Purpose → secure and resilient communication • The satellite is described as indigenously designed, developed and manufactured • Varunastra's separate contract was awarded to Bharat Dynamics Limited Static GK link: NewSpace India Limited is associated with India's space-sector commercial ecosystem and works with technologies and services emerging from the national space programme.

Question 11

What is the long-term clinical-trial-site target under the Biopharma SHAKTI collaboration involving NIPER Raebareli and AstraZeneca India?

Accepted Answer

1,000 sites - The Biopharma SHAKTI collaboration has a long-term target of 1,000 clinical trial sites . • Partners → NIPER Raebareli and AstraZeneca India • Initial geographies → 25 • Proof-of-concept focus → oncology • NIPER Raebareli will establish a Centre of Excellence for training and certification • The programme is supported by the Department of Pharmaceuticals Static GK link: Clinical-trial infrastructure requires trained personnel, ethical oversight, standard operating procedures and inspection-ready sites to support reliable medical research.

Question 12

Who was elected Chair of UNESCO's IOC Sub-Commission for the Indian Ocean?

Accepted Answer

T. M. Balakrishnan Nair - Dr. T. M. Balakrishnan Nair , Director of INCOIS, was elected Chair of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Sub-Commission for the Indian Ocean. • Body → IOCINDIO • Session → 12-14 October 2026 • Location → Bali, Indonesia • IOCINDIO approved by UNESCO's IOC → 2023 • Formally launched → May 2025 Static GK link: Operational oceanography uses sustained observations, modelling and forecasting to provide practical information on ocean conditions and marine hazards.

Question 13

How many One Day Internationals did Punam Raut play for India before retiring from international cricket?

Accepted Answer

73 - Punam Raut played 73 ODIs for India before announcing her retirement from international cricket. • Tests → 4 • ODIs → 73 • T20Is → 35 • ODI runs → 2,299 • ODI opening partnership with Deepti Sharma against Ireland in 2017 → 320 runs Static GK link: A 50-over ODI innings consists of a maximum of 50 overs per side, subject to match conditions and interruptions.

Question 14

What was the reported theme of World Food Day 2026?

Accepted Answer

Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow. - The supplied article gives the World Food Day 2026 theme as Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow. World Food Day was observed on 16 October 2026 . • Organisation → Food and Agriculture Organization • FAO established → 16 October 1945 • Focus → hunger, nutrition, food security and sustainable agrifood systems Static GK link: World Food Day is observed on the anniversary of the establishment of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations .

Question 15

The Tribal Affairs Capacity Building Platform for Adi Karmayogi Volunteers is being developed on which framework?

Accepted Answer

iGOT Karmayogi - The Tribal Affairs Capacity Building Platform is being developed on the iGOT Karmayogi framework through cooperation between the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Karmayogi Bharat. • Target group → Adi Karmayogi Volunteers and grassroots functionaries • Features → mobile-friendly learning, assessments and certification • Maharashtra, Odisha, Goa and Tripura target → 31 October 2026 • Remaining states target → 31 December 2026 Static GK link: iGOT Karmayogi is a digital capacity-building platform associated with Mission Karmayogi and public-service training.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz 17 October 2026: 15 Important GK MCQs for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railways Exams

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Daily Current Affairs Quiz 17 October 2026: 15 Important GK MCQs for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railways Exams

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