Current Affairs 29th October 2026 : Daily GK Update in English
1. Which cyclone made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast in late October 2026?
A) Cyclone Amphan
B) Cyclone Arnab
C) Cyclone Biparjoy
D) Cyclone Michaung
Answer: B) Cyclone Arnab
Explanation: Reports dated 28–29 October 2026 identified Cyclone Arnab as a severe weather event affecting Andhra Pradesh and parts of Odisha, prompting evacuations and disrupting transport and schools.
2. By how many percentage points did the Union Cabinet approve an increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees?
A) 2 percentage points
B) 5 percentage points
C) 4 percentage points
D) 3 percentage points
Answer: D) 3 percentage points
Explanation: The Union Cabinet approved a three-percentage-point increase in DA for central government employees, with a corresponding increase in Dearness Relief for pensioners, effective from 1 July 2026.
3. What is the total outlay of the Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme approved by the Union Cabinet?
A) ₹5,000 crore
B) ₹7,500 crore
C) ₹10,000 crore
D) ₹15,000 crore
Answer: C) ₹10,000 crore
Explanation: The scheme aims to build a globally competitive container manufacturing industry in India, reduce import dependence, and strengthen the maritime supply chain. It targets annual domestic capacity of 7.5 lakh TEUs.
4. Which scheme was approved to strengthen rural governance and Gram Panchayats?
A) Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
B) Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana
C) Digital India Mission
D) Swachh Bharat Mission
Answer: B) Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana
Explanation: The scheme is intended to support rural governance and the development of Gram Panchayats during 2026–27 to 2030–31, with an outlay of approximately ₹7,395.55 crore.
5. What was India's Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growth rate in September 2026?
A) 4.2%
B) 5.5%
C) 6.7%
D) 8.0%
Answer: C) 6.7%
Explanation: Official provisional estimates released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation showed year-on-year IIP growth of 6.7% in September 2026, compared with 8.0% in August.
6. Which industrial sector recorded 11.2% growth in September 2026, according to the IIP release?
A) Mining and quarrying
B) Manufacturing
C) Electricity and gas supply
D) Water supply and waste management
Answer: C) Electricity and gas supply
Explanation: The official IIP release reported growth of 11.2% in electricity and gas supply. Manufacturing grew by 7.6%, while mining and quarrying recorded a decline of 6.2%.
7. How many brands of anti-cancer medicines were included in the revised maximum retail price list released by NPPA?
A) 543
B) 243
C) 137
D) 753
Answer: A) 543
Explanation: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority released revised maximum retail prices for 543 brands of anti-cancer medicines. The revised prices are scheduled to take effect on 9 November 2026.
8. Which campaign's fourth edition was launched in New Delhi to discourage tobacco use among young people?
A) Fit India Youth Campaign
B) Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 4.0
C) National Health Mission 4.0
D) Youth Wellness India
Answer: B) Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 4.0
Explanation: Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav launched the 60-day nationwide campaign to prevent tobacco initiation among young people.
9. Which political party nominated Hardeep Singh Puri as its candidate for a Rajya Sabha by-election in Madhya Pradesh?
A) Indian National Congress
B) Janata Dal (United)
C) Aam Aadmi Party
D) Bharatiya Janata Party
Answer: D) Bharatiya Janata Party
Explanation: News reports dated 28 October 2026 stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party had nominated Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri for the Rajya Sabha by-election in Madhya Pradesh.
10. Which body issued an advisory on protecting the human rights of female inmates and their children?
A) National Human Rights Commission
B) Election Commission of India
C) NITI Aayog
D) National Commission for Women
Answer: A) National Human Rights Commission
Explanation: The National Human Rights Commission issued an advisory highlighting the need to pay focused attention to the rights and needs of female prisoners and their children.
11. Which country did India invite to attend a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in New Delhi?
A) Bangladesh
B) Pakistan
C) Afghanistan
D) Myanmar
Answer: B) Pakistan
Explanation: India invited Pakistan to attend an SCO meeting in New Delhi. The invitation was reported as a notable diplomatic development following a period of strained bilateral relations.
12. Which two countries began their 10th annual border-force coordination meeting in Kathmandu?
A) India and Bangladesh
B) Nepal and Bhutan
C) India and Nepal
D) India and Sri Lanka
Answer: C) India and Nepal
Explanation: The border-guarding forces of India and Nepal began their annual coordination meeting in Kathmandu to strengthen border security, prevent cross-border crime, and improve intelligence-sharing.
13. Which two countries formally launched negotiations for a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA)?
A) India and Mexico
B) India and Canada
C) India and Japan
D) India and Australia
Answer: A) India and Mexico
Explanation: India and Mexico formally launched PTA negotiations after signing the Terms of Reference. A preferential trade agreement generally reduces tariffs on selected goods rather than eliminating them across all trade.
14. With which country's foreign minister did India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar hold discussions in New Delhi?
A) Austria
B) Brazil
C) Egypt
D) South Korea
Answer: A) Austria
Explanation: S. Jaishankar held discussions with Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger. Their talks covered cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, technology, and education.
15. The 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus was held in which country?
A) India
B) Philippines
C) Indonesia
D) Thailand
Answer: B) Philippines
Explanation: The Philippines hosted the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus. India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral discussions with US and Japanese counterparts on the sidelines of the meeting.
16. Which country was holding a closely contested election in which neither major political bloc had secured a clear parliamentary majority in early reports?
A) Israel
B) Spain
C) Italy
D) Portugal
Answer: A) Israel
Explanation: Preliminary reports on Israel’s election indicated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc was short of a parliamentary majority, with vote counting still underway.
17. In which country did a deadly collision involving two high-speed trains make international headlines in late October 2026?
A) France
B) Germany
C) Spain
D) Switzerland
Answer: C) Spain
Explanation: A collision involving two high-speed trains in Spain was reported on 29 October. Early reports described a major loss of life and injuries; casualty figures may change as official investigations progress.
18. Which country's president conferred the First Class Order of Zayed II on flydubai crew members for their efforts to protect passengers?
A) Qatar
B) Oman
C) Saudi Arabia
D) United Arab Emirates
Answer: D) United Arab Emirates
Explanation: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conferred the honour on flydubai crew members, including Captain Smit Machchhar, in recognition of their efforts to ensure passenger safety.
19. What does the abbreviation IIP stand for in India's economic statistics?
A) Indian Investment Programme
B) Index of Industrial Production
C) International Inflation Parameter
D) Industrial Investment Policy
Answer: B) Index of Industrial Production
Explanation: The Index of Industrial Production measures changes in industrial output over time. In India, it is compiled using data from source agencies and released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
20. What does TEU mean in the context of container shipping and the Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme?
A) Total Export Unit
B) Trade Efficiency Utility
C) Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit
D) Transport Energy Unit
Answer: C) Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit
Explanation: TEU stands for Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit, a standard measure of container capacity based on a container 20 feet long. India's container manufacturing scheme aims to raise annual domestic capacity to 7.5 lakh TEUs.
21. Which government body released revised maximum retail prices for 543 brands of anti-cancer medicines?
A) SEBI
B) National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority
C) NABARD
D) Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India
Answer: B) National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority
Explanation: The NPPA operates under the Department of Pharmaceuticals. Its revised price list for 543 anti-cancer medicine brands is intended to improve affordability and is scheduled to become effective on 9 November 2026.
22. What was the reported year-on-year growth in India's manufacturing sector in September 2026?
A) 4.6%
B) 6.7%
C) 7.6%
D) 11.2%
Answer: C) 7.6%
Explanation: The official September 2026 IIP release reported 7.6% growth in manufacturing. Overall industrial production grew by 6.7% during the same month.
23. Which Indian batter was reported to have scored a century off just 35 balls in a cricket match in late October 2026?
A) Virat Kohli
B) Abhishek Sharma
C) Rohit Sharma
D) Shubman Gill
Answer: B) Abhishek Sharma
Explanation: Reports on 29 October highlighted Abhishek Sharma’s century off 35 balls. The same reports mentioned a contribution from 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during India's successful chase of a 199-run target.
24. On which stock exchange were Jio Platforms shares reported to have made their market debut?
A) Bombay Stock Exchange only
B) New York Stock Exchange
C) London Stock Exchange
D) National Stock Exchange
Answer: D) National Stock Exchange
Explanation: Reports dated 29 October stated that Jio Platforms shares debuted on the National Stock Exchange at ₹1,358 per share, above the reported issue price of ₹1,119.
25. What is the primary purpose of the Khelo India programme?
A) To develop sports and identify athletic talent
B) To promote tourism
C) To provide agricultural loans
D) To expand digital banking
Answer: A) To develop sports and identify athletic talent
Explanation: Khelo India is a national sports-development initiative that supports grassroots participation, talent identification, training, and pathways for athletes to compete at higher levels. The programme is part of India's broader effort to strengthen sporting infrastructure and performance.