Quiz – 26 October 2026 (Part 1: Q 1–45)

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Quiz – 26 October 2026 (Part 1: Q 1–45) – 45 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.  
Which country contributed the name of Cyclone 'Arnab', formed over the Bay of Bengal in Oct 2026?

Correct Answer: A [Bangladesh]

Explanation:

Bangladesh – 'Arnab' means 'sea' in Bengali. Bangladesh also gave 'Nisarga', the first name on the 2020 list.

2.  
Which of the following cyclone names contributed by India is a Tamil word?

Correct Answer: B [Murasu]

Explanation:

Murasu – the Tamil drum; it is the next name after 'Arnab' in the 2020 list. Gati (speed), Tej and Aag (fire) are Hindi words.

3.  
In IMD's classification, which stage comes immediately after a 'Deep Depression'?

Correct Answer: A [Cyclonic Storm]

Explanation:

Cyclonic Storm (62–88 km/h) – a name is given only at this stage. Next comes the Severe Cyclonic Storm (89–117).

4.  
Which body draws up the list of names for North Indian Ocean cyclones?

Correct Answer: C [WMO/ESCAP Cyclone Panel]

Explanation:

The WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones (1972) – 13 members; 169 names in the 2020 list. RSMC New Delhi (IMD) assigns the names.

5.  
Why do tropical cyclones rarely form within about 5° latitude of the Equator?

Correct Answer: B [Coriolis force is negligible]

Explanation:

The Coriolis force is zero at the Equator, so air cannot be set spinning. Northern Hemisphere cyclones rotate anticlockwise.

6.  
In the HR&CE Department's Oct 2026 list, which temple earned the highest revenue in Tamil Nadu?

Correct Answer: A [Palani Dhandayuthapani]

Explanation:

Palani – ₹233.50 crore. Tiruvannamalai is 2nd, Tiruchendur 3rd and Samayapuram 4th.

7.  
Which Siddhar, by tradition, made the Palani Dandayuthapani idol from 'navapashanam'?

Correct Answer: B [Bogar]

Explanation:

Bogar – one of the 18 Siddhars; navapashanam is a blend of nine herbs/minerals. Thirumoolar wrote the 'Thirumanthiram'.

8.  
Which Sangam work by Nakkeerar refers to Palani as 'Thiruvavinankudi'?

Correct Answer: A [Thirumurugatrupadai]

Explanation:

Thirumurugatrupadai – the first poem of the Pathuppattu; it sings of Murugan's six abodes. Maduraikanchi is by Mangudi Marudhanar.

9.  
Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar temple, 2nd in the list, represents which of the five elements?

Correct Answer: D [Fire]

Explanation:

Fire (Agni) – symbolised by the Karthigai Deepam. Water – Thiruvanaikaval; Earth – Kanchipuram; Air – Srikalahasti.

10.  
According to Palani's temple legend, which asura carried its two hills as a 'kavadi'?

Correct Answer: A [Idumban]

Explanation:

Idumban carried the Sivagiri and Sakthigiri hills at Agastya's bidding – held to be the origin of kavadi worship.

11.  
The Third Launch Pad (TLP) at Sriharikota is mainly designed for which launch vehicle?

Correct Answer: D [Next Generation LV (NGLV)]

Explanation:

NGLV – reusable first stage; up to 30 t to low Earth orbit. The Third Launch Pad will also serve as a standby for the Second Launch Pad.

12.  
Sriharikota island, home of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, lies between the Bay of Bengal and which lake?

Correct Answer: A [Pulicat Lake]

Explanation:

Pulicat – India's second-largest brackish-water lagoon, on the Tamil Nadu–Andhra border. Chilika (Odisha) is the largest.

13.  
What is the main scientific reason India's launch pads are sited on the east coast?

Correct Answer: A [Earth's eastward rotation]

Explanation:

An eastward launch gains extra velocity from the Earth's spin, and spent stages fall safely into the sea.

14.  
'Chandrayaan-5' (LUPEX), mentioned by the ISRO Chairman, is a joint mission with which country's space agency?

Correct Answer: B [Japan (JAXA)]

Explanation:

Japan (JAXA) – ISRO builds the lander, JAXA the rover; launched on Japan's H3 rocket, it will explore the lunar south pole.

15.  
What is the name of the humanoid robot to fly on Gaganyaan's first uncrewed mission (G1)?

Correct Answer: A [Vyommitra]

Explanation:

Vyommitra will monitor module parameters and issue alerts. Pragyan (rover) and Vikram (lander) are Chandrayaan craft.

16.  
Which was declared a '100% organic Union Territory' in Oct 2026?

Correct Answer: C [Ladakh]

Explanation:

Ladakh – declared by LG Vinai Kumar Saxena at Leh on 25 Oct; chemical fertilisers have been banned since July 2026.

17.  
Which UT had its entire land area declared organic under PGS-India in Dec 2020?

Correct Answer: B [Lakshadweep]

Explanation:

Lakshadweep – about 32 sq km, through PKVY; it was then called the first organic UT.

18.  
Which was declared India's first fully organic State in 2016?

Correct Answer: B [Sikkim]

Explanation:

Sikkim – declared by the PM at Gangtok on 18 Jan 2016; the effort began with a 2003 Assembly resolution.

19.  
The 'Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana' (PKVY) is a central scheme to promote:

Correct Answer: A [Cluster-based organic farming]

Explanation:

PKVY (2015) groups farmers into clusters for organic farming, with PGS-India certification and marketing support.

20.  
Who, hailed as the pioneer of Tamil Nadu's organic-farming movement, founded 'Vanagam' at Karur?

Correct Answer: B [G. Nammalvar]

Explanation:

G. Nammalvar (1938–2013), of Elangadu, Thanjavur district; he also started 'Kudumbam' in 1979. M.S. Swaminathan led the Green Revolution.

21.  
Which Union Ministry introduced the 'NMMS' app for recording rural job-scheme attendance in 2021?

Correct Answer: D [Ministry of Rural Development]

Explanation:

Ministry of Rural Development – Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the upgraded version on 23 Oct 2026; it records VB-G RAM G attendance.

22.  
Which academic institution gave technical support for developing the upgraded NMMS app?

Correct Answer: D [IIT Madras]

Explanation:

IIT Madras (Chennai, Tamil Nadu). Tamil Nadu is among the 9 States recording 100% of attendance through the system.

23.  
Which NMMS feature checks that a live person, not a photograph, is in front of the camera?

Correct Answer: A [Liveness detection]

Explanation:

Liveness detection – combined with AI face verification, it stops cheating with pre-recorded photos.

24.  
In which district was the National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme launched on 2 February 2006?

Correct Answer: A [Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh)]

Explanation:

Bandlapalli village, Anantapur district – 200 districts in the first phase. 'Mahatma Gandhi' was added to the name in 2009.

25.  
Under the 2005 rural employment guarantee law, which body conducts the social audit of works?

Correct Answer: B [Gram Sabha]

Explanation:

Gram Sabha – Section 17 of the Act. The Gram Sabha consists of all voters of the panchayat area (Article 243(b)).

26.  
Which region takes the bulk (over 70%) of India's basmati rice exports?

Correct Answer: D [Middle East]

Explanation:

Middle East (West Asia) – over 74% (IREF). African and Asian countries are key markets for non-basmati rice.

27.  
Which of the following States is NOT included in the GI area of basmati rice?

Correct Answer: C [Madhya Pradesh]

Explanation:

Madhya Pradesh – its claim was not accepted. GI area: Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, Delhi, Uttarakhand, western UP and parts of J&K.

28.  
Which statement about rice cultivation is correct?

Correct Answer: B [Needs high heat, 100 cm+ rain]

Explanation:

Rice is a Kharif crop – above 25°C, over 100 cm rain, water-retaining alluvial soil. Black soil suits cotton.

29.  
Which traditional aromatic paddy variety of Tamil Nadu recently received the GI tag?

Correct Answer: C [Thooyamalli]

Explanation:

Thooyamalli rice – applied for by TNSAMB; a 135–140-day samba-season variety. Its batch of five took Tamil Nadu's GI count to 74.

30.  
Where is the headquarters of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)?

Correct Answer: C [Los Baños, Philippines]

Explanation:

Los Baños, Philippines (1960). Cuttack houses India's ICAR-National Rice Research Institute; IRRI's South Asia centre is in Varanasi.

31.  
Ravi Tamta, who built the single-seat electric flying vehicle 'HAPIDA SKYNeX', hails from which State?

Correct Answer: D [Uttarakhand]

Explanation:

Uttarakhand – Kaflikhan village, Almora district (near Jageshwar Dham). Test flight at the Almora Army helipad in August 2026.

32.  
In the flying-car term 'eVTOL', what does 'VTOL' stand for?

Correct Answer: C [Vertical Take-Off and Landing]

Explanation:

e = electric; VTOL = Vertical Take-Off and Landing – an electric aircraft that rises and lands vertically without a runway; suited to urban 'air taxis'.

33.  
The DGCA, which certifies civil aircraft in India, functions under which Ministry?

Correct Answer: D [Ministry of Civil Aviation]

Explanation:

Ministry of Civil Aviation; DGCA is headquartered in New Delhi. Drones are governed by the 'Drone Rules 2021'.

34.  
What is 'e200X', unveiled in July 2026 by IIT Madras-incubated 'The ePlane Company'?

Correct Answer: D [Passenger eVTOL air taxi]

Explanation:

A compact passenger eVTOL air taxi – pilot + 2 passengers, about 110 km range; built at the Discovery Campus, Thaiyur (Chengalpattu).

35.  
A multirotor rises as its propellers push air downward. Which law explains this?

Correct Answer: B [Newton's third law]

Explanation:

Newton's third law – every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Wing lift is explained by Bernoulli's principle.

36.  
Which name for millets, given in Union Budget 2023–24, did the PM use in Mann Ki Baat 139?

Correct Answer: B [Shree Anna]

Explanation:

Shree Anna – the PM said the 'superfood Shree Anna' is deeply rooted in our culture. In 2018 millets were notified as 'Nutri-Cereals'.

37.  
Where is the ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), declared a 'Global Centre of Excellence'?

Correct Answer: C [Hyderabad]

Explanation:

Hyderabad (Telangana) – announced in Union Budget 2023–24. The UN declared 2023 the International Year of Millets on India's proposal.

38.  
On which occasion in 2014 was the PM's radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' first broadcast?

Correct Answer: C [Vijayadashami]

Explanation:

Vijayadashami – 3 Oct 2014, on All India Radio. The 25 Oct 2026 broadcast was the 139th episode.

39.  
Which of the following is NOT a millet?

Correct Answer: A [Barley]

Explanation:

Barley – a rabi cereal like wheat, not a millet. Kodo, sorghum and pearl millet are drought-tolerant millets.

40.  
The five-year 'Tamil Nadu Millet Mission' was announced in which of the following?

Correct Answer: D [TN Agriculture Budget 2023–24]

Explanation:

Tamil Nadu Agriculture Budget 2023–24 (21 March 2023). Namakkal, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Erode and Pudukkottai were added as millet zones.

41.  
In which category did India's Sitaram Raul win at Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026?

Correct Answer: A [Behaviour: Invertebrates]

Explanation:

Behaviour: Invertebrates – a scorpion burrowing into sand ('Shifting Sand'). In 2025 he was 'Highly Commended' in Urban Wildlife.

42.  
The scorpion in Raul's image belongs to which animal class?

Correct Answer: C [Arachnida]

Explanation:

Arachnida – 8 legs, like spiders and ticks. Crabs are Crustacea; insects have 6 legs.

43.  
Under which light do scorpions glow blue-green?

Correct Answer: B [Ultraviolet light]

Explanation:

Ultraviolet (UV) light – chemicals such as beta-carboline in the cuticle cause the fluorescence.

44.  
The Desert National Park in the Thar is a key home of which Critically Endangered bird?

Correct Answer: D [Great Indian Bustard]

Explanation:

The Great Indian Bustard – Rajasthan's State bird. The park spans Jaisalmer and Barmer districts.

45.  
What gives the 'Theri' sand dunes of Thoothukudi district their red colour?

Correct Answer: B [Oxidised iron-rich minerals]

Explanation:

Iron-rich minerals such as ilmenite, magnetite and garnet were oxidised, turning the sand red; the dunes lie near Tiruchendur.

📰 Read the news behind these questions
› Bay of Bengal deep depression intensifies into Cyclone 'Arnab' (named by Bangladesh; means 'sea') – to cross Andhra coast on 28 Oct › Palani Dhandayuthapani temple tops Tamil Nadu's 10 highest-earning temples with ₹233.50 crore (HR&CE list) › India will have four functional launch pads by 2029 – ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan › Ladakh declared India's first '100% organic' Union Territory; complete ban on chemical fertilisers › Shivraj Singh Chouhan launches upgraded NMMS (2.0) app for attendance under the VB-G RAM G job scheme › India's rice export value up 13% (Apr–Sep 2026): global demand keeps rising › Uttarakhand youth Ravi Tamta's electric 'flying car' HAPIDA SKYNeX – test flight succeeds › 'International Year of Millets 2023' drew a very positive global response – PM Modi in the 139th 'Mann Ki Baat' › Indian photographer Sitaram Raul wins 'Behaviour: Invertebrates' category at Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 › Kerala approves India's first cooperative-sector airline ('Co-Keralam', headquartered in Kochi)
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