UPSC current affairs quiz, 16 October 2026

Under paragraph 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, a person can be deemed a member of a Scheduled Caste only if he or she professes:

1. Hinduism only
2. Hinduism or Sikhism only
3. Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism
4. Any religion, if the caste is listed

Consider the following statements about the Supreme Court ruling of 15 October 2026:
1. It upheld a Madras High Court judgment striking down a Tamil Nadu government order of 2024.
2. It held that a convert from the Hindu social order cannot claim Article 16(4) benefits merely on pre-conversion backwardness.
3. It held that a person who reconverts to Hinduism automatically regains Scheduled Caste status.
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: A person who converts from Hinduism to Islam ceases to be a member of a Scheduled Caste.
Statement-II: Paragraph 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 limits Scheduled Caste status to persons professing Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism.
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:
1. The President specifies Scheduled Castes under Article 341.
2. Parliament can include or exclude castes from the list notified under Article 341.
3. Sikhs were brought within paragraph 3 of the SC Order in 1990 and Buddhists in 1956.
4. The K.G. Balakrishnan Commission was set up in 2022 to examine SC status for converts.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

In the Tamil Nadu case, why was the applicant's claim to be a 'Muslim Lebbai' rejected?

1. He had not registered his conversion in the Gazette
2. Membership of the community could not be acquired by the mere act of conversion
3. Lebbais are not a notified Backward Class Muslim community
4. He was not a resident of Tamil Nadu

Which of the following statements about the Tamil Nadu ruling is/are correct?
1. The Court held that a Jamath may certify a conversion but cannot conclusively decide statutory community status.
2. The Court held that no convert can ever be treated as backward in the new community.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

In India's September 2026 trade data, which of the following export sectors recorded the highest year-on-year growth?

1. Engineering goods
2. Electronic goods
3. Petroleum products
4. Organic and inorganic chemicals

Consider the following statements about India's trade in September 2026:
1. Merchandise exports grew faster than merchandise imports.
2. Estimated services exports were higher than in September 2025.
3. The merchandise trade deficit was smaller than in September 2025.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Consider the following statements about India's trade in April to September 2026-27:
1. Merchandise exports grew by more than 15%.
2. The merchandise trade deficit narrowed compared with the same period of 2025-26.
3. The services trade balance was in surplus.
4. The overall (goods plus services) trade deficit was larger than a year earlier.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: India's overall trade deficit in April to September 2026-27 was much smaller than its merchandise trade deficit.
Statement-II: India earned a large surplus on services trade in the same period.
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

With reference to the current account of India's balance of payments, which of the following are included?
1. Merchandise trade balance
2. Net services trade
3. Foreign direct investment inflows
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Why do analysts track 'non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery' exports?

1. Because these items are not covered by Commerce Ministry data
2. Because petroleum and gems and jewellery values swing with global commodity prices and can mask underlying trends
3. Because these two items are banned from export
4. Because they are counted under services exports

Consider the following statements about elections to the UN Security Council:
1. Non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms.
2. A retiring non-permanent member is eligible for immediate re-election.
3. A candidate needs a two-thirds majority of members present and voting, even if unopposed.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Consider the following statements about India's UN Security Council record:
1. India has served eight terms as a non-permanent member.
2. India has never lost a contested election to the Council.
3. India's most recent term was 2021-22.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Consider the following statements about the UN Security Council:
1. It has 15 members, of which 5 are permanent.
2. It was last expanded in 1965.
3. Elections to non-permanent seats are now held in June.
4. Non-permanent members serve three-year terms.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: If all 193 members vote, India would need at least 129 votes in the 2027 election even if it were the only candidate.
Statement-II: Election to a non-permanent seat requires a two-thirds majority of members present and voting.
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

Ayni and Farkhor, mentioned in the context of India's UNSC bid, are associated with which country?

1. Kazakhstan
2. Tajikistan
3. Kyrgyzstan
4. Afghanistan

Which of the following options does the op-ed lay out for India in the 2028-29 contest?
1. Contest the election against Tajikistan
2. Persuade Tajikistan to withdraw
3. Withdraw India's own candidature
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

The preparation and revision of electoral rolls for Assembly constituencies is provided for mainly under:

1. Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950
2. Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951
3. Article 329 of the Constitution
4. The Delimitation Act, 2002

Consider the following statements about the Special Summary Revision ordered in October 2026:
1. It covers 17 States and Union Territories.
2. Its qualifying date is 1 January 2027.
3. It includes Delhi and Maharashtra.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Consider the following statements:
1. Article 324 vests the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls in the Election Commission.
2. Article 326 provides for elections on the basis of adult suffrage.
3. Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 deals with revision of electoral rolls.
4. A person must be at least 21 years old to be registered as a voter.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: A young person need not wait a whole year after turning 18 to apply for enrolment as a voter.
Statement-II: Since a 2021 amendment, the law provides four qualifying dates in a year for enrolment.
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

Which of the following is a feature of a Special Summary Revision as distinct from a Special Intensive Revision?

1. Fresh house-to-house enumeration of all electors
2. Updating the existing roll through claims and objections on a draft roll
3. Mandatory proof of citizenship from every elector
4. Suspension of Form 6 applications

With reference to the October 2026 SSR order, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Officials connected with the SSR cannot be transferred without the Commission's prior approval until final publication of the rolls.
2. An application for inclusion can be rejected if the applicant does not provide an Aadhaar number.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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