Current Affairs 8th October 2026 : Daily GK Update in English
1. Who were awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis (related to molecular “mirror images”)?
A) Susumu Kitagawa and Richard Robson
B) Omar Yaghi and Henri Kagan
C) Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai
D) Kenso Soai and Omar Yaghi
Answer: C
Explanation: French scientist Henri B. Kagan and Japanese scientist Kenso Soai received the prize on 7 October 2026 for work that enables control of chiral (mirror-image) molecules, highly relevant for pharmaceuticals.
2. By how many basis points did the Reserve Bank of India raise the repo rate in its recent monetary policy decision (announced around early October 2026)?
A) 15 bps
B) 25 bps
C) 35 bps
D) 50 bps
Answer: B
Explanation: RBI hiked the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50%, the first increase in nearly four years, citing inflationary pressures while maintaining growth focus.
3. What is the new repo rate after the RBI’s October 2026 hike?
A) 5.25%
B) 5.50%
C) 5.75%
D) 6.00%
Answer: B
Explanation: The key policy rate was raised to 5.50%.
4. How many districts of Andhra Pradesh were declared drought-affected in October 2026?
A) 15
B) 18
C) 21
D) 24
Answer: C
Explanation: The state government declared drought in 21 of 26 districts after a significant rainfall deficit (around 53% between June–August).
5. What is the amount of the SME Growth Fund approved by the Union Cabinet in October 2026?
A) ₹5,000 crore
B) ₹7,500 crore
C) ₹10,000 crore
D) ₹15,000 crore
Answer: C
Explanation: The Cabinet approved a ₹10,000 crore fund to provide equity support mainly to small and medium manufacturing enterprises, including those in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
6. What is the theme of the 10th edition of India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026?
A) Digital India for All
B) Scale Without Boundaries
C) Connect India, Connect World
D) Technology for Inclusive Growth
Answer: B
Explanation: The theme “Scale Without Boundaries” was unveiled earlier and the event (7–10 October 2026 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi) is being inaugurated by the PM on 8 October.
7. Who inaugurated / was scheduled to inaugurate the 10th India Mobile Congress 2026?
A) Union Minister for Communications
B) President of India
C) Prime Minister Narendra Modi
D) Minister of Electronics & IT
Answer: C
Explanation: PM Modi was scheduled to inaugurate the event on 8 October 2026.
8. What is the primary objective of the ‘JOSH’ (Joint Squad for Health) Teams initiative launched around early October 2026?
A) Elimination of vector-borne diseases
B) Youth-led mobilisation for TB elimination
C) Physical fitness screening for students
D) Recruitment of rural nursing personnel
Answer: B
Explanation: The Health Ministry launched JOSH Teams for youth-led community mobilisation towards tuberculosis elimination.
9. Which milestone did Prime Minister Narendra Modi complete on 7 October 2026?
A) 20 years as head of government
B) 25 years as head of government
C) 15 years as Prime Minister
D) 30 years in public life
Answer: B
Explanation: PM Modi marked 25 years as head of government (beginning from his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister).
10. Lionel Messi announced / marked his retirement from international football after which match in early October 2026?
A) Against Brazil
B) Against Uruguay
C) Against Benin
D) Against Colombia
Answer: C
Explanation: Messi scored and provided assists in Argentina’s 3–0 win over Benin, ending his international career with a record number of appearances and goals.
11. Which African country reported its first Ebola-related death in early October 2026?
A) Uganda
B) Kenya
C) Tanzania
D) Rwanda
Answer: B
Explanation: Kenya reported its first Ebola death after a traveller from the Democratic Republic of Congo died in a Nairobi hospital.
12. In which locality of Delhi did a multi-storey residential building collapse in early October 2026, causing fatalities and injuries?
A) Seelampur
B) New Seemapuri
C) Chandni Chowk
D) Karol Bagh
Answer: B
Explanation: A building collapsed in New Seemapuri, leading to deaths and injuries; rescue operations involved NDRF and other agencies.
13. Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, protested in Delhi in early October 2026 primarily against which issue?
A) GST reforms
B) Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls / CEC
C) Farm laws
D) Reservation policy
Answer: B
Explanation: Protests focused on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and demands related to the Chief Election Commissioner.
14. Who won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics for work related to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory?
A) A team of three physicists
B) Francis Halzen
C) A Japanese scientist
D) An Indian scientist
Answer: B
Explanation: Francis Halzen was recognised for contributions involving the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and high-energy neutrinos.
15. Which Indian women’s cricket captain stepped down from captaincy across formats around early October 2026?
A) Smriti Mandhana
B) Harmanpreet Kaur
C) Jemimah Rodrigues
D) Deepti Sharma
Answer: B
Explanation: Harmanpreet Kaur quit captaincy after India’s performance in the T20 World Cup but continued as a player.
16. Shreyas Iyer scored an unbeaten century in which format against West Indies in early October 2026?
A) Test
B) ODI
C) T20I
D) First-class
Answer: C
Explanation: He scored an unbeaten 102 off 43 balls in a T20I as India chased successfully.
17. The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of which authority as a national apex body for unified multi-modal transport planning (around early October 2026)?
A) National Highways Authority
B) Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority (ITLA)
C) Maritime Board of India
D) Rail Logistics Corporation
Answer: B
Explanation: ITLA was approved as a Special Purpose Vehicle for multi-modal transport coordination.
18. India’s first indigenously built Fleet Support Ship, launched around early October 2026, is named?
A) INS Vikrant
B) INS Surya
C) INS Arihant
D) INS Jalashwa
Answer: B
Explanation: Defence Minister launched INS Surya (FSS-1) at Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam.
19. Russia faced international attention in early October 2026 over the death of a laboratory worker linked to which disease research institute?
A) COVID research
B) Plague research (Siberia)
C) Ebola research
D) Anthrax research
Answer: B
Explanation: A worker at a plague research institute in Siberia died of pneumonia of unknown origin; Russia stated no epidemic risk while WHO sought more information.
20. The 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry is significant for which industry primarily?
A) Automobile
B) Pharmaceuticals
C) Textiles
D) Construction
Answer: B
Explanation: Control over chiral molecules helps produce safer and more effective drugs by selecting the desired mirror-image form.
21. RBI also revised its GDP growth forecast for FY27 to approximately?
A) 6.5%
B) 6.8%
C) 7.1%
D) 7.5%
Answer: C
Explanation: Along with the rate hike, RBI raised the FY27 GDP growth forecast to 7.1%.
22. Which major international sports event did India finish fourth in the overall medal tally at (2026 Asian Games)?
A) Commonwealth Games
B) Asian Games (Aichi-Nagoya)
C) Olympics
D) World Athletics Championships
Answer: B
Explanation: India finished fourth with 85 medals (21 gold) at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
23. Which of the following is NOT one of the four key pillars of IMC 2026?
A) Srishti
B) Samvardhan
C) Sashakt
D) Swachh
Answer: D
Explanation: The four pillars are Srishti (Building the Future), Samvardhan (Fueling Growth), Sashakt (Expanding Opportunities), and Suraksha (Strengthening Trust).
24. The India Mobile Congress 2026 is jointly organised by the Department of Telecommunications and which association?
A) NASSCOM
B) Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI)
C) FICCI
D) CII
Answer: B
Explanation: DoT and COAI jointly organise the event.
25. Which Indian actor passed away at the age of 75 due to cardiac arrest around 8 October 2026?
A) Anupam Kher
B) Nana Patekar
C) Naseeruddin Shah
D) Om Puri
Answer: B
Explanation: Veteran actor Nana Patekar died after a cardiac arrest.