Current Affairs 31st October 2026 : Daily GK Update in English
1. ISRO successfully launched which navigation satellite using GSLV-F18 on 30 October 2026?
A) NVS-02
B) NVS-03
C) IRNSS-1H
D) GSAT-31
Answer: B) NVS-03
Explanation: GSLV-F18 placed the second-generation NavIC navigation satellite NVS-03 into the intended orbit from Sriharikota.
2. Where did Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurate ‘Bharat Parv 2026’?
A) New Delhi
B) Ekta Nagar, Gujarat
C) Ahmedabad
D) Statue of Unity complex only
Answer: B) Ekta Nagar, Gujarat
Explanation: The event marked the beginning of the 151st birth anniversary celebrations of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and showcased traditional crafts and regional cuisines.
3. Who has been appointed as the next Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force (as announced on 30 October 2026)?
A) Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit
B) Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia
C) Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari
D) Air Marshal Sandeep Singh
Answer: B) Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia
Explanation: He will succeed Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, who is set to become the next Chief of the Air Staff.
4. A helicopter crash near Joshimath in Uttarakhand on 30 October 2026 killed how many people?
A) 4
B) 5
C) 6
D) 8
Answer: C) 6
Explanation: The AS350B3 helicopter (VT-HCX) operated by Transbharat Aviation, carrying one pilot and five passengers (pilgrims from Badrinath), crashed in a forest area near Chai village; all on board died.
5. The Government of India announced the nationwide population census to be conducted during which period?
A) November–December 2026
B) 25 January – 28 February 2027
C) March–April 2027
D) October–November 2027
Answer: B) 25 January – 28 February 2027
Explanation: The Home Ministry announced the census across states and UTs (with some exceptions for snow-bound and poll-bound states).
6. Which Ministry constituted the National Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers and Gig and Platform Workers?
A) Ministry of Finance
B) Ministry of Labour and Employment
C) Ministry of Social Justice
D) Ministry of Skill Development
Answer: B) Ministry of Labour and Employment
Explanation: The board was constituted on 30 October 2026 to address social security concerns of gig and platform workers.
7. The Supreme Court directed the RBI to include a clear liability clause for which type of fraud victims?
A) Credit card fraud
B) Digital arrest scams
C) UPI phishing only
D) Stock market scams
Answer: B) Digital arrest scams
Explanation: The Court expressed frustration over digital arrest scams and called for banks to fully indemnify victims where institutional diligence was lacking.
8. Who won the gold medal in the 59 kg category at the World Wrestling Championships, becoming only the second Indian wrestler after Sushil Kumar to win a World Championships gold?
A) Vinesh Phogat
B) Manisha Bhanwala
C) Antim Panghal
D) Anshu Malik
Answer: B) Manisha Bhanwala
Explanation: She defeated American wrestler Abigail Nette 8-6 in the final, contributing to India’s best-ever women’s wrestling performance at the event.
9. PM Modi released the 24th instalment of which scheme on 30 October 2026?
A) PM-Awas Yojana
B) PM-KISAN
C) Ayushman Bharat
D) PM-SVANidhi
Answer: B) PM-KISAN
Explanation: Over 9.34 crore farmers received financial assistance under the 24th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.
10. Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the BJP would implement which code in Uttar Pradesh if voted to power again?
A) Uniform Civil Code (UCC)
B) Common Criminal Code
C) Uniform Property Code
D) National Judicial Code
Answer: A) Uniform Civil Code (UCC)
Explanation: He made the statement in Lucknow, expressing confidence about returning to power in the upcoming UP assembly elections.
11. Who became the first men’s player to claim 200 T20I wickets?
A) Rashid Khan
B) Jasprit Bumrah
C) Wanindu Hasaranga
D) Adam Zampa
Answer: A) Rashid Khan
Explanation: The Afghan spinner achieved the milestone around this period.
12. Civilian evacuations began in which Russian-held Ukrainian city under a local ceasefire reportedly brokered by Melania Trump?
A) Mariupol
B) Oleshky
C) Bakhmut
D) Kherson
Answer: B) Oleshky
Explanation: A humanitarian convoy arrived as part of the local ceasefire arrangement in the besieged city.
13. Which prominent independent Russian newspaper announced it would cease operations on 9 November 2026?
A) Kommersant
B) Novaya Gazeta
C) Izvestia
D) Rossiyskaya Gazeta
Answer: B) Novaya Gazeta
Explanation: The newspaper cited pressure from Russian authorities as the reason for closing.
14. Cryptocurrency exchange Binance confirmed a theft of assets worth approximately how much, described as the largest crypto theft in history?
A) $1.2 billion
B) $3.5 billion
C) $6.3 billion
D) $10 billion
Answer: C) $6.3 billion
Explanation: The incident occurred around 30 October 2026 and was confirmed by Binance.
15. At least 69 people were killed in a high-speed train collision in which European country?
A) France
B) Germany
C) Spain
D) Italy
Answer: C) Spain
Explanation: The crash occurred near Toledo province and was one of the deadliest rail accidents in Spain in recent years.
16. In the recent Israeli elections, Benjamin Netanyahu’s political bloc secured how many seats in the 120-member Knesset (short of a majority)?
A) 48
B) 53
C) 61
D) 67
Answer: B) 53
Explanation: The opposition and Arab-led parties together held more seats, leaving no clear majority coalition immediately.
17. Who won an unprecedented fourth term as President of Brazil in the 2026 election?
A) Jair Bolsonaro
B) Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
C) Flávio Bolsonaro
D) Geraldo Alckmin
Answer: B) Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Explanation: Lula secured more than 51% of the votes, defying some pre-election polls.
18. The G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in late October 2026 was held in which city?
A) New Delhi
B) Atlanta
C) Rio de Janeiro
D) Johannesburg
Answer: B) Atlanta
Explanation: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar participated and held bilateral meetings; discussions covered terrorism, maritime security and Global South issues.
19. A glacial lake outburst flood occurred at Shintaphu Tsho in which country, triggering alerts in India?
A) Nepal
B) Bhutan
C) China
D) Myanmar
Answer: B) Bhutan
Explanation: The outburst in Gasa district damaged infrastructure and raised concerns of secondary outbursts downstream into India.
20. Saudi-led coalition intercepted a drone allegedly launched by the Houthis towards which region?
A) Riyadh
B) Mecca region
C) Jeddah port
D) Eastern Province
Answer: B) Mecca region
Explanation: The Houthis denied launching the drone.
21. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri was scheduled to visit which capital to fine-tune details of the Nepal PM’s planned India visit?
A) Thimphu
B) Kathmandu
C) Colombo
D) Dhaka
Answer: B) Kathmandu
Explanation: The visit was planned for early November 2026 along with the newly designated Indian ambassador.
22. Flash floods caused by heavy rainfall killed at least five people (including four children) in which country?
A) Lebanon
B) Syria
C) Iraq
D) Jordan
Answer: B) Syria
Explanation: The disaster was reported on 30 October 2026 with several people missing.
23. Which major Indian event entered the Guinness World Records as the largest innovation solution competition?
A) Smart India Hackathon
B) Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025
C) Atal Innovation Mission contest
D) Digital India Challenge
Answer: B) Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025
Explanation: It received 2,87,967 project submissions; winners were felicitated around this period.
24. Air India and Air India Express extended flight suspensions to Saudi Arabia (Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam) until which date due to security concerns?
A) 5 November 2026
B) 14 November 2026
C) 30 November 2026
D) 15 December 2026
Answer: B) 14 November 2026
Explanation: The decision was taken amid West Asia tensions; other airlines also suspended services.
25. The Supreme Court observed that its orders on firecrackers during Deepavali had been breached “left and right”. What did it primarily ask authorities to do?
A) Impose a complete nationwide ban
B) Ensure strict enforcement against sellers of spurious and banned crackers
C) Allow only green crackers
D) Ban all celebrations
Answer: B) Ensure strict enforcement against sellers of spurious and banned crackers
Explanation: The Court noted that a complete ban could have a “spiralling effect” and focused on enforcement.