Quiz – 23 October 2026 (Part 1: Q 1–55)

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Quiz – 23 October 2026 (Part 1: Q 1–55) – 54 questions, subject: Current Affairs. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  
The 'Thuli' campaign launched by Tamil Nadu in Oct 2026 is related to?

Correct Answer: A [Rainwater harvesting]

Explanation:

Rainwater harvesting; 'Thuli' = a drop. Its mascot is a blue water-drop carrying a house.

2.  
Which Tamil Nadu department coordinates and monitors the 'Thuli' campaign?

Correct Answer: B [Municipal Admin & Water Supply]

Explanation:

Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department – G.O. No. 184 (16.10.2026). The TWAD Board comes under this department.

3.  
Which was the first Indian State to make rooftop rainwater harvesting compulsory in every house?

Correct Answer: C [Tamil Nadu]

Explanation:

Tamil Nadu – by a 2003 ordinance under CM Jayalalithaa; compliance deadline 31 Aug 2003.

4.  
Which ministry runs the campaign with the tagline 'Catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls'?

Correct Answer: D [Ministry of Jal Shakti]

Explanation:

Ministry of Jal Shakti – 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain', launched by the PM on 22 March 2021 (World Water Day).

5.  
Which monsoon gives Tamil Nadu the largest share of its annual rainfall?

Correct Answer: C [Northeast monsoon]

Explanation:

Northeast monsoon (Oct–Dec) – about 48%. During the Southwest monsoon Tamil Nadu lies in the rain-shadow of the Western Ghats.

6.  
What does 'CII', which gave the Special Awards for FPOs 2026, stand for?

Correct Answer: D [Confederation of Indian Industry]

Explanation:

Confederation of Indian Industry – an industry body founded in 1895, headquartered in New Delhi.

7.  
Under which law are FPOs now registered as 'Producer Companies'?

Correct Answer: B [Companies Act 2013]

Explanation:

Companies Act 2013, Chapter XXIA. Earlier it was Part IXA of the 1956 Act, added by a 2002 amendment.

8.  
Where did the PM launch the 'Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs' scheme in 2020?

Correct Answer: D [Chitrakoot]

Explanation:

Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh (Feb 2020); a ₹6,865 crore Central Sector Scheme.

9.  
The Small Farmers' Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) works under which Union ministry?

Correct Answer: C [Agriculture & Farmers Welfare]

Explanation:

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare – SFAC was set up as an autonomous society on 18 Jan 1994.

10.  
Thencherimalai FPO, ranked first in India in marketing, is in which Tamil Nadu district?

Correct Answer: D [Coimbatore]

Explanation:

Coimbatore (Sultanpet). Isha's first FPO, 'Velliangiri Uzhavan' (2013), is at Thondamuthur, Coimbatore.

11.  
In which city was the World Food Prize Foundation's 2026 International Dialogue (20–22 Oct) held?

Correct Answer: B [Des Moines]

Explanation:

Des Moines, Iowa (USA) – the Dialogue is named after Norman Borlaug, founder of the World Food Prize; 2026 marks the Prize's 40th year.

12.  
Huub Lelieveld of the Netherlands won the 2026 World Food Prize for work in which field?

Correct Answer: A [Food-safety standards]

Explanation:

Science-based international food-safety standards that cut foodborne illness and food loss. Soil carbon was Rattan Lal (2020).

13.  
Norman Borlaug, 'Father of the Green Revolution' and founder of the World Food Prize, won which Nobel Prize in 1970?

Correct Answer: C [Peace]

Explanation:

Nobel Peace Prize 1970 – for fighting hunger with high-yielding semi-dwarf wheat. He worked with M.S. Swaminathan on India's Green Revolution.

14.  
World Food Day (16 October) marks the founding day of which organisation?

Correct Answer: D [Food & Agriculture Org. (FAO)]

Explanation:

FAO – founded on 16 Oct 1945 at Quebec City, Canada; HQ Rome (Italy). The Borlaug Dialogue is held around this day.

15.  
At which institution did C-DOT set up its 6th Centre of Excellence in Oct 2026?

Correct Answer: B [IIT (BHU) Varanasi]

Explanation:

IIT (BHU) Varanasi. The earlier five: IIT Kanpur, Gandhinagar, Roorkee, Hyderabad and IISc Bengaluru.

16.  
The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) is the R&D centre of which department?

Correct Answer: A [Dept of Telecommunications]

Explanation:

Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications. C-DOT has built indigenous 4G/5G technology.

17.  
Which telecom pioneer headed C-DOT when it was set up in 1984?

Correct Answer: B [Sam Pitroda]

Explanation:

Sam Pitroda – adviser to Rajiv Gandhi; drove rural RAX exchanges and the spread of public phones (STD/PCO).

18.  
Which institute led the 8 institutions that built India's indigenous 5G Testbed launched in 2022?

Correct Answer: D [IIT Madras]

Explanation:

IIT Madras – launched by the PM on 17 May 2022 at TRAI's silver jubilee; cost over ₹220 crore.

19.  
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was set up under which law?

Correct Answer: D [TRAI Act 1997]

Explanation:

The TRAI Act 1997. The Telecommunications Act 2023 replaced the Telegraph Act of 1885.

20.  
Which company announced a natural-gas discovery in a KG Basin shallow-offshore block in Oct 2026?

Correct Answer: B [Oil India Ltd]

Explanation:

Oil India – 'Godavari-1' well, Matsyapuri formation; it is the block's sole operator.

21.  
Where is the headquarters of Oil India Ltd?

Correct Answer: C [Duliajan, Assam]

Explanation:

Duliajan (Assam); incorporated in 1959. Digboi, also in Assam, has India's oldest oil refinery (1901).

22.  
The Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) of 2016 replaced which policy?

Correct Answer: D [NELP]

Explanation:

NELP (New Exploration Licensing Policy, 1997-98). HELP brings one licence, revenue sharing and OALP block selection by firms.

23.  
The Krishna–Godavari oil and gas basin lies mainly along the coast of which State?

Correct Answer: B [Andhra Pradesh]

Explanation:

Andhra Pradesh – from the Godavari and Krishna deltas into the Bay of Bengal; Reliance's KG-D6 (2002) is here.

24.  
Which district is wholly covered by the 'Tamil Nadu Protected Agricultural Zone Development Act 2020'?

Correct Answer: D [Thiruvarur]

Explanation:

Thiruvarur (with Thanjavur and Nagapattinam); only some blocks of Cuddalore and Pudukkottai. New oil, gas and methane exploration is banned.

25.  
Which company made the 'Nagastra-2' loitering munition handed over to the Indian Army in October 2026?

Correct Answer: A [Solar Defence & Aerospace]

Explanation:

Nagpur's Solar Defence and Aerospace (SDAL) made it; its 4 kg tandem warhead can strike tanks.

26.  
Which best describes a 'loitering munition'?

Correct Answer: B [Drone that circles, then strikes]

Explanation:

It is a 'kamikaze drone' that circles over a target area and then crashes into the target; many models can also be recovered.

27.  
Which missile was NOT developed under DRDO's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP)?

Correct Answer: C [BrahMos]

Explanation:

IGMDP (1983) produced Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Akash and Nag. BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile of an India–Russia joint venture.

28.  
Where did Abdul Kalam study aeronautical engineering – the institute that now hosts the 'Dr. Kalam Advanced UAV Research Centre'?

Correct Answer: C [MIT, Chromepet, Chennai]

Explanation:

The Madras Institute of Technology (MIT, 1949) was India's first to offer UG aeronautical engineering; it has been an Anna University constituent since 1978.

29.  
In which 2025 military operation did the Indian Army use 'Nagastra-1' loitering munitions?

Correct Answer: D [Operation Sindoor]

Explanation:

Nagastra-1 struck targets in 'Operation Sindoor' (May 2025). Kaveri – Sudan evacuation (2023), Ajay – Israel evacuation (2023); Dost – Türkiye earthquake aid (2023).

30.  
Who released the new 'Land Warfare Doctrine' at the Army Commanders' Conference on 23 October 2026?

Correct Answer: A [Rajnath Singh]

Explanation:

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released it; the twice-yearly conference was chaired by Army Chief Gen Dhiraj Seth.

31.  
Who was India's first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)?

Correct Answer: A [Gen Bipin Rawat]

Explanation:

Gen Bipin Rawat took charge on 1 Jan 2020; the second CDS was Anil Chauhan; N.S. Raja Subramani (3rd CDS) since 31 May 2026.

32.  
Army Day on 15 January commemorates which event?

Correct Answer: D [Cariappa becoming C-in-C]

Explanation:

On 15 Jan 1949 K.M. Cariappa became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief. The 1971 victory is marked as 'Vijay Diwas' on 16 Dec.

33.  
Sam Manekshaw, who died at Wellington in the Nilgiris in 2008, was the first Indian Army officer to hold which rank?

Correct Answer: C [Field Marshal]

Explanation:

Manekshaw became Field Marshal in Jan 1973; the second was K.M. Cariappa (1986). In the IAF, Arjan Singh was 'Marshal of the Air Force'.

34.  
Who heads the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) in the Ministry of Defence as its Secretary?

Correct Answer: D [Chief of Defence Staff]

Explanation:

The DMA was created in 2019 along with the CDS post; the CDS is its Secretary. The President is Supreme Commander of the forces (Art. 53(2)).

35.  
Which MHA body has partnered the Army in the Civil Defence master-trainer pilot?

Correct Answer: B [DG Fire Svcs, CD & Home Guards]

Explanation:

The DGFSCDHG coordinates it; 600 trainers from 12 States get 3 days of training at Army establishments.

36.  
Which is the principal law governing Civil Defence in India?

Correct Answer: C [Civil Defence Act, 1968]

Explanation:

Civil Defence Act 1968 (Act 27); a 2009 amendment added disaster management to its role.

37.  
In which city is the National Civil Defence College (NCDC) located?

Correct Answer: B [Nagpur]

Explanation:

It began in 1957 as the Central Emergency Relief Training Institute (CERTI) and was renamed NCDC in 1968.

38.  
Where were the Home Guards first raised in India in 1946?

Correct Answer: A [Bombay Province]

Explanation:

Raised in Bombay on 6 Dec 1946 under Morarji Desai; 6 Dec is Civil Defence and Home Guards Day.

39.  
The Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS), a site of the May 2025 'Operation Abhyaas' drill, is located at

Correct Answer: D [Kalpakkam]

Explanation:

MAPS is at Kalpakkam, Chengalpattu district; Kudankulam (Tirunelveli) is the Russian-assisted nuclear plant.

40.  
Which body issues Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) on behalf of the Government of India?

Correct Answer: D [Reserve Bank of India]

Explanation:

The RBI issues them; being Government Securities, they carry a sovereign guarantee.

41.  
SGB redemption price is based on the 999-purity gold price published by which body?

Correct Answer: B [India Bullion & Jewellers Assn]

Explanation:

It is the average of IBJA closing prices for the previous 3 business days. BIS sets jewellery hallmarking standards.

42.  
For an individual who buys an SGB at issue and holds it to maturity, the capital gain on redemption is

Correct Answer: A [Exempt from tax]

Explanation:

Capital gains on maturity redemption are exempt; but the 2.5% annual interest is taxed at slab rates.

43.  
Launched with SGB in Nov 2015, which scheme lets idle household gold be deposited in banks?

Correct Answer: C [Gold Monetisation Scheme]

Explanation:

Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) – deposits earn interest; the 'Indian Gold Coin' was released the same day.

44.  
Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar, after whom TN's marriage-aid gold scheme was named, fought against which system?

Correct Answer: A [Devadasi system]

Explanation:

A Self-Respect Movement activist; the Madras Devadasis (Prevention of Dedication) Act, 1947 followed this struggle.

45.  
In which event did Thulasimathi Murugesan win gold at the 2026 Asian Para Games?

Correct Answer: B [Women's doubles SL3–SU5]

Explanation:

Doubles gold with Manasi Joshi; silver in singles SU5 and mixed doubles (with Nitesh Kumar) – 3 medals in one day.

46.  
Tamil Nadu's Nithya Sre Sivan, a silver medallist here, plays 'SH6' para-badminton. SH6 is for players with

Correct Answer: D [Short stature]

Explanation:

SH6 – short stature; SU5 – upper limb; SL3/SL4 – lower limb; WH1/WH2 – wheelchair. Nithya Sre won bronze at Paris 2024.

47.  
Which Pallava king built the Kailasanathar temple at Kancheepuram, Thulasimathi's hometown?

Correct Answer: A [Rajasimha (Narasimhavarman II)]

Explanation:

Rajasimha built structural stone temples (also the Shore Temple, Mamallapuram). Mahendravarman I is known for rock-cut cave temples.

48.  
Where were the first 'Khelo India Para Games' (December 2023) held?

Correct Answer: D [New Delhi]

Explanation:

10–17 Dec 2023 – 7 sports at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi and JLN stadiums and Karni Singh Shooting Range.

49.  
Who won India's first Paralympic gold medal?

Correct Answer: A [Murlikant Petkar]

Explanation:

Gold in the 50 m freestyle with a world record at the 1972 Heidelberg Paralympics; Padma Shri 2018.

50.  
Who took oath as the 29th Governor of Keralam on 23 Oct 2026?

Correct Answer: C [Om Prakash Mathur]

Explanation:

Om Prakash Mathur, a senior BJP leader from Rajasthan; Kerala HC Chief Justice Soumen Sen administered the oath.

51.  
Before Keralam, Om Prakash Mathur was the Governor of which State?

Correct Answer: C [Sikkim]

Explanation:

He was Sikkim's 18th Governor (from July 2024); Dushyant Gautam is Sikkim's new Governor. Rajasthan is his home State.

52.  
Which Article makes it the Chief Minister's duty to communicate Cabinet decisions to the Governor?

Correct Answer: B [Article 167]

Explanation:

Art 167; the CM must also furnish information the Governor seeks. Art 78 is the PM's counterpart; 163 – Council of Ministers to advise; 166 – conduct of government business.

53.  
Which former Chief Justice of India from Erode district served as Governor of Kerala in 2014–19?

Correct Answer: D [P. Sathasivam]

Explanation:

P. Sathasivam (Kadappanallur, near Bhavani) – the first ex-CJI to become a Governor. Fathima Beevi was Tamil Nadu's first woman Governor (1997).

54.  
Kerala was formed on 1 Nov 1956 under which Act?

Correct Answer: C [States Reorganisation Act]

Explanation:

States Reorganisation Act, 1956 (Fazl Ali Commission's recommendation). The same day the Kanyakumari area joined Madras State.

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📰 Read the news behind these questions
› CM Vijay launches 'Thuli' – a State-wide rainwater harvesting awareness campaign › CII Special Awards for FPOs 2026: Isha-guided FPOs win national awards for the 4th year in a row › NAAS showcases Indian agri-research at World Food Prize Foundation's Borlaug Dialogue 2026; Indian student wins GYI award › C-DOT sets up its 6th Centre of Excellence at IIT (BHU), Varanasi for next-gen telecom technologies › Oil India discovers natural gas in a Krishna–Godavari Basin shallow-offshore block › Indian Army receives 'Nagastra-2' anti-tank loitering munitions – made by Nagpur's Solar Defence & Aerospace › Defence Minister Rajnath Singh releases the new 'Land Warfare Doctrine' at the Army Commanders' Conference › MHA and Army launch first-of-its-kind pilot training for Civil Defence master trainers – 12 States/UTs incl. Tamil Nadu › Sovereign Gold Bond 2018–19 Series-II completes its 8-year term on 23 Oct – redemption price ₹14,425 per gram › Asian Para Games: Kancheepuram's Thulasimathi Murugesan wins doubles gold, ends with 3 medals in a day (1 gold, 2 silver)
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