Daily Current Affairs Quiz 21 October 2026: 15 Important GK MCQs for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railways Exams

Question 1

How much investment was approved for five Strategic Investment Plans under PM-SETU?

Accepted Answer

Rs 1,194.92 crore - The National Steering Committee approved five Strategic Investment Plans worth Rs 1,194.92 crore under PM-SETU . • Full form → Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs • Meeting → 6th National Steering Committee meeting • Total sanctioned investment after approval → Rs 3,687 crore • States/UT covered → Odisha, Maharashtra and Jammu & Kashmir • Each cluster → one hub ITI and four spoke ITIs Static GK link: ITIs provide vocational and technical training. The hub-and-spoke model helps standardise infrastructure and industry-linked training across multiple institutes.

Question 2

How many villages had been declared Adarsh Grams under PM-AJAY according to the supplied report?

Accepted Answer

18,093 - 18,093 villages had been declared Adarsh Grams under the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) . • Scheme coverage → more than 47,200 villages • Beneficiaries → more than 47.79 lakh citizens • Grants-in-Aid released from FY22 to FY26 → about Rs 1,730 crore • Completed development works → 46,944 • Village Development Plans prepared → 27,032 Static GK link: PM-AJAY focuses on socio-economic and educational empowerment of Scheduled Caste communities through village development, livelihood support and educational infrastructure.

Question 3

Which city will host the 61st meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology?

Accepted Answer

New Delhi - India is scheduled to host the 61st CIML Meeting in New Delhi from 26-28 October 2026 . • CIML → International Committee of Legal Metrology • International organisation → OIML • OIML established → 1955 • Headquarters → Paris, France • The supplied report describes this as the first time India will host the CIML meeting Static GK link: Legal metrology concerns measurements and measuring instruments used in trade, health, safety and regulation, helping ensure accuracy and consumer protection.

Question 4

On which date was the UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme launched?

Accepted Answer

21 October 2016 - The UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme was launched on 21 October 2016 and completed ten years in 2026. • UDAN → Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik • Ministry → Ministry of Civil Aviation • Objective → affordable regional air connectivity • Focus → unserved and underserved airports Static GK link: Regional-connectivity schemes use incentives and infrastructure support to improve scheduled air services to smaller cities and economically less-connected regions.

Question 5

Which Indian naval ship participated in Exercise INDRA-2026 with Russia?

Accepted Answer

INS Sahyadri - INS Sahyadri represented India in Exercise INDRA-2026 with Russia. • Edition → 15th • Dates → 13-18 October 2026 • Locations → Vladivostok and Sea of Japan • Sea phase → 16-17 October 2026 • Activities included tactical manoeuvres, artillery firing, boarding drills and vessel-rescue simulations Static GK link: INDRA is a bilateral India-Russia military exercise series designed to improve interoperability and operational coordination.

Question 6

From what date will SEBI's revised Closing Auction Session framework become effective?

Accepted Answer

7 December 2026 - SEBI's revised Closing Auction Session framework will become effective from 7 December 2026 . • Session timing → 3:30 PM to 3:40 PM • Duration → 10 minutes • Operational phases → three • From 3:31-3:36 PM → limit and market orders may be placed • From 3:36-3:40 PM → only limit orders can be placed Static GK link: A closing auction is designed to improve price discovery at the end of the trading day by concentrating buy and sell orders around a formal closing-price mechanism.

Question 7

Which wealth-tech company received SEBI's in-principle approval to establish an AMC under the MF Lite framework?

Accepted Answer

1 Finance - 1 Finance Private Limited received SEBI's in-principle approval to establish an Asset Management Company under the MF Lite framework. • MF Lite introduced → 31 December 2024 • Main focus → passive investment products • Proposed offerings → index funds and ETFs • Net-worth requirement → Rs 35 crore initially • Minimum sponsor stake → 40% Static GK link: Passive investment products such as index funds and ETFs generally seek to replicate the performance of a benchmark rather than rely on active security selection.

Question 8

What is the title of the World Development Report 2026 released by the World Bank Group?

Accepted Answer

The Promise of Artificial Intelligence - The World Bank Group's World Development Report 2026 is titled The Promise of Artificial Intelligence . • Indian launch → New Delhi • Launched by → Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw • Organised by → IndiaAI Mission with the World Bank Group • Framework → Adopt, Adapt and Advance • Focus → AI opportunities and challenges for developing economies Static GK link: The report framework stresses affordable AI access, digital infrastructure, skills, public-service applications and risk-based regulation.

Question 9

Japan's MMX mission is designed to collect samples from which Martian moon?

Accepted Answer

Phobos - Japan's Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission is designed to collect material from Phobos , one of Mars's two moons. • Space agency → JAXA • Launch vehicle → H3 rocket • Mars arrival expected → August 2027 • Sample return planned → 2031 • Target sample → at least 10 grams Static GK link: Mars has two small natural satellites, Phobos and Deimos . MMX aims to help scientists study their origin and the early evolution of the Martian system.

Question 10

Which purple potato variety was highlighted by ICAR-CPRI for its nutrient-rich properties?

Accepted Answer

Kufri Jamunia - Kufri Jamunia is the nutrient-rich purple potato variety highlighted by ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute. • Colour → dark-purple skin and flesh • Crop duration → about 90 days • Tubers per plant → around 10-12 • Nutrients highlighted → Vitamin C, anthocyanins, carotenoids, zinc and iron Static GK link: Biofortification seeks to increase the nutritional value of food crops and can help address micronutrient deficiencies or 'hidden hunger'.

Question 11

Where is the fifth edition of Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2026 being conducted?

Accepted Answer

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala - The 5th edition of Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2026 is being conducted at the Foreign Training Node in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala . • Dates → 19 October-1 November 2026 • Participants → India and Australia • Strength → around 120 personnel from each country • Observer → New Zealand delegation, for the first time • Theme → Joint Sub-Conventional Operations in Island and Coastal Environment Static GK link: Bilateral army exercises improve interoperability , joint planning and familiarisation with each other's tactics and procedures.

Question 12

DRDO's newly developed armour panels are approximately how much lighter than conventional systems?

Accepted Answer

20% - DRDO developed indigenous armour panels that are about 20% lighter than conventional systems while retaining certified protection against 30 mm armour-piercing ammunition. • Developer → R&DE; (Engineers), Pune • Organisation → DRDO • Intended platforms → future MBTs, light tanks and infantry combat vehicles • Production route → Transfer of Technology Static GK link: Reducing armour weight can improve mobility, fuel efficiency and mechanical performance while maintaining the required level of battlefield protection.

Question 13

Who was appointed part-time Chairperson of the Financial Services Institutions Bureau in October 2026?

Accepted Answer

Subhas Chandra Lal Das - Subhas Chandra Lal Das was appointed part-time Chairperson of the Financial Services Institutions Bureau on 16 October 2026 . • Tenure → three years • FSIB role → recommends candidates for senior leadership positions in public-sector financial institutions • Positions include Managing Director and Executive Director-level posts Static GK link: FSIB plays an important role in leadership selection and governance across public-sector banks and specified financial institutions.

Question 14

Which Indian para-athlete won women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 gold at the Asian Para Games 2026?

Accepted Answer

Mona Agarwal - Mona Agarwal won the women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 gold medal with 250.0 points at the Asian Para Games 2026. • Silver → Avani Lekhara with 249.6 points • Mona's qualification score → 629.1 • The supplied report states that this was a new Asian Para Games qualification record • Host → Aichi-Nagoya, Japan Static GK link: In para shooting, sport classes group athletes according to functional ability so that competition is structured as fairly as possible.

Question 15

World Osteoporosis Day is observed annually on which date?

Accepted Answer

20 October - World Osteoporosis Day is observed annually on 20 October . • 2026 theme → Build, Protect, Strengthen Your Bones for Life • First observance → 20 October 1996 • Global campaign coordinator → International Osteoporosis Foundation • Focus → prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis Static GK link: Osteoporosis weakens bones and increases fracture risk. Adequate nutrition, weight-bearing physical activity and early diagnosis are important for prevention and management.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz 21 October 2026: 15 Important GK MCQs for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railways Exams

Ready to start?

Bharathi

Recent quizzes

Recent posts

Latest job notifications

Daily Current Affairs Quiz 21 October 2026: 15 Important GK MCQs for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railways Exams

🚀Ready to start?

Bharathi

Recent quizzes

Recent posts

Latest job notifications

Ready to start?