UPSC current affairs quiz, 15 October 2026

With reference to the new Wholesale Price Index series with base year 2022-23, consider the following statements:
1. Its basket has more items than the 2011-12 series.
2. Commodity weights are based on gross value of output.
3. Its prices include GST paid at the point of sale.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Consider the following statements about the September 2026 WPI data:
1. Fuel and power was the group with the highest inflation.
2. Food articles inflation fell compared with August.
3. Cumulative WPI inflation for April to September 2026 was higher than in the same period of the previous year.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: In September 2026, WPI inflation was more than double CPI inflation.
Statement-II: The WPI does not cover services and gives fuel and manufactured goods a large weight.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Consider the following statements about the new WPI series:
1. It moved crude petroleum and natural gas from primary articles to fuel and power.
2. It added solar, wind and nuclear power to the electricity group.
3. It will replace the Producer Price Index after five years.
4. It is released on the 14th of the following month.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Which one of the following prices does the Wholesale Price Index use?

1. Purchasers' prices including GST
2. Retail prices paid by households
3. Basic prices excluding net taxes and trade and transport margins
4. Import prices at the port of entry

Consider the following statements:
1. The WPI Food Index combines food articles and manufactured food products.
2. The RBI's inflation target is defined in terms of the WPI.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

With reference to the National Social Assistance Programme as revised in October 2026, consider the following statements:
1. It has been renamed the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.
2. The disability pension now requires 80% benchmark disability.
3. The programme draws on Article 41 of the Constitution.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Consider the following statements about the October 2026 changes to NSAP:
1. The old-age pension rate was raised.
2. The minimum age for the disability pension is now since birth.
3. Guidelines on the revised disability rules are to be issued and implemented within three months.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: The new disability pension of ₹625 a month for persons aged 80 and above is 25% more than ₹500.
Statement-II: The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 requires disability-related assistance to be 25% higher than similar schemes for others.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Consider the following sub-schemes and their new names:
1. Old-age pension: Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana
2. Widow pension: Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana
3. Disability pension: Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana
4. Family benefit: Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Article 41 of the Constitution of India, to which NSAP is linked, is part of which of the following?

1. Fundamental Rights
2. Fundamental Duties
3. Directive Principles of State Policy
4. The Seventh Schedule

Consider the following statements about NSAP:
1. It is fully funded by the Centre.
2. It covers only rural areas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

With reference to the sale of IDBI Bank approved in October 2026, consider the following statements:
1. The stake sold comes from both the Government of India and LIC.
2. After the sale, the Government of India and LIC together will hold 34%.
3. IDBI Bank is classified by the RBI as a public sector bank.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Consider the following statements about the IDBI Bank sale:
1. Fairfax must make an open offer to minority shareholders.
2. Fairfax must merge CSB Bank with IDBI Bank or exit CSB Bank within two years.
3. The government will retain its remaining 15% permanently.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: IDBI Bank is classified by the RBI as a private sector bank.
Statement-II: LIC acquired a 51% controlling stake in IDBI Bank in January 2019.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Consider the following events:
1. LIC acquires a 51% stake in IDBI Bank
2. RBI places IDBI Bank under Prompt Corrective Action
3. CCEA approves strategic sale with transfer of management control
4. Expressions of interest invited for 60.72%
How many of these occurred before 2020?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

In the context of disinvestment, a 'strategic sale' means

1. Sale of a small minority stake through the stock exchange
2. Sale of a block of shares together with transfer of management control
3. Transfer of shares to employees of the enterprise
4. Buyback of shares by the enterprise from the government

Consider the following statements:
1. The winning bid for IDBI Bank was above the independently assessed fair value per share.
2. The winning bid was above the reserve price of the earlier failed round.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

With reference to railway passenger protection in India, consider the following statements:
1. Under Section 124A of the Railways Act, 1989, compensation for an untoward incident is payable whether or not the railway was at fault.
2. Claims for such compensation are filed before the Railway Claims Tribunal.
3. Until the Supreme Court's 2026 order, IRCTC travel insurance was compulsory for all passengers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Consider the following statements about Kavach:
1. It is an automatic train protection system developed through the RDSO.
2. It is certified to Safety Integrity Level 4.
3. It was imported under a technology transfer agreement.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: The Supreme Court has ordered that tickets sold at railway counters be covered by insurance in the same manner as online tickets.
Statement-II: Until the order, the optional IRCTC travel insurance was available only with e-tickets.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Consider the following about the optional IRCTC travel insurance, as reported in 2025:
1. Accidental death: ₹10 lakh
2. Permanent total disability: ₹10 lakh
3. Hospitalisation: up to ₹2 lakh
4. Transport of mortal remains: ₹1 lakh
How many of the above are correctly stated?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

A court keeps a case pending and issues periodic directions to the executive to ensure compliance over time. This approach is known as

1. Res judicata
2. Continuing mandamus
3. Certiorari
4. Prospective overruling

Consider the following statements:
1. The railway insurance order was passed in a matter that began as an appeal over compensation for a railway accident death.
2. The Supreme Court's order applies only to reserved tickets booked at counters in metro cities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

With reference to the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, consider the following statements:
1. It seeks to phase down hydrofluorocarbons.
2. Hydrofluorocarbons are ozone-depleting substances.
3. India's commitment includes an 85% reduction from its baseline by 2047.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Consider the following statements about India's HFC phase-down under the Kigali Amendment:
1. HFC consumption will be frozen in 2028.
2. A 30% reduction is due by 2032.
3. The baseline is the average of 2024 to 2026 levels.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: HFCs are controlled under the Kigali Amendment even though they do not deplete the ozone layer.
Statement-II: HFCs are potent greenhouse gases with global warming potentials up to thousands of times that of carbon dioxide.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Consider the following goals, all for 2037-38:
1. Reduce cooling demand across sectors by 20% to 25%
2. Reduce refrigerant demand by 25% to 30%
3. Reduce cooling energy requirements by 25% to 40%
4. Eliminate all HFC use
How many of the above are goals of the India Cooling Action Plan (2019)?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Which one of the following was the first treaty in UN history to achieve universal ratification?

1. Kyoto Protocol
2. Montreal Protocol
3. Convention on Biological Diversity
4. Paris Agreement

Consider the following statements:
1. The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer predates the Montreal Protocol.
2. India became a Party to the Montreal Protocol only after the Kigali Amendment.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2