50 Important Current Affairs MCQs with Answers – 20 October 2026
50 Important Current Affairs MCQs with Answers & Explanations – 20 October 2026
Daily Current Affairs | 20 October 2026 | MCQQUESTIONS.IN
Prepare for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway, Defence, State PSC and other competitive examinations with these 50 multiple-choice questions covering national affairs, international relations, government schemes, environment, science and technology, defence, economy and important general knowledge.
The questions are based on reported developments around 20 October 2026, including the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, the AUSTRAHIND military exercise, Aditya-L1, bird conservation and India’s financial inclusion campaign.
Table of Contents
Section 1: National Current Affairs and Government Initiatives
1. Which Indian scheme completed 10 years in October 2026?
A. Digital India B. UDAN C. Make in India D. Startup India
Correct Answer: B. UDAN
Explanation: UDAN, or Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik, is India’s Regional Connectivity Scheme. It aims to make air travel affordable and improve connectivity to underserved and unserved airports. It was launched on 21 October 2016.
2. UDAN was launched under which policy?
A. National Civil Aviation Policy 2016 B. National Tourism Policy 2015 C. National Transport Policy 2018 D. National Logistics Policy 2022
Correct Answer: A. National Civil Aviation Policy 2016
Explanation: UDAN was introduced under the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016 to promote regional air connectivity and affordable flying.
3. Which city was connected to Delhi by the first UDAN flight in April 2017?
A. Jaipur B. Shimla C. Lucknow D. Bhopal
Correct Answer: B. Shimla
Explanation: The first UDAN flight linked Shimla with Delhi, marking an important milestone in India’s regional aviation programme.
4. The Green Diwali campaign reported for October 2026 focuses on how many NCAP cities?
A. 50 B. 75 C. 100 D. 130
Correct Answer: D. 130
Explanation: The campaign was reported as covering 130 cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), promoting cleaner celebrations and awareness of air pollution.
5. What is the primary objective of the National Clean Air Programme?
A. Increase coal production B. Reduce air pollution C. Expand maritime trade D. Promote international tourism
Correct Answer: B. Reduce air pollution
Explanation: NCAP seeks to improve air quality through coordinated pollution-control measures, monitoring and action by relevant authorities.
6. India’s reported long-term nuclear power capacity target for 2047 is:
A. 25 GW B. 50 GW C. 75 GW D. 100 GW
Correct Answer: D. 100 GW
Explanation: The reported target is to reach 100 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2047, supporting India’s long-term energy security and low-carbon electricity ambitions.
7. What does GW stand for in electricity generation capacity?
A. General Watt B. Gigawatt C. Global Wattage D. Generated Work
Correct Answer: B. Gigawatt
Explanation: One gigawatt equals one billion watts. It is a unit used to express the capacity of power-generation facilities.
8. Which organisation is responsible for India’s civil aviation policy and the UDAN scheme at the central government level?
A. Ministry of Civil Aviation B. Ministry of Rural Development C. Ministry of Home Affairs D. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Correct Answer: A. Ministry of Civil Aviation
Explanation: The Ministry of Civil Aviation oversees civil aviation policy and initiatives intended to improve air connectivity in India.
9. Which of the following is a major benefit of regional air connectivity?
A. Reduced access to remote areas B. Improved access to smaller cities C. Elimination of all road transport D. Closure of regional airports
Correct Answer: B. Improved access to smaller cities
Explanation: Regional aviation can improve access to smaller cities and remote destinations, helping tourism, business and emergency travel.
10. Which of these is the most direct purpose of a clean-air awareness campaign?
A. Encourage pollution-intensive activities B. Promote practices that reduce air pollution C. Increase the use of disposable plastics D. Discourage public transport
Correct Answer: B. Promote practices that reduce air pollution
Explanation: Clean-air campaigns encourage individuals and communities to adopt less polluting practices and support measures that improve air quality.
Section 2: International Relations and Summits
11. Where was the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting held on 20 October 2026?
A. New Delhi, India B. Dushanbe, Tajikistan C. Beijing, China D. Moscow, Russia
Correct Answer: B. Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Explanation: The meeting took place in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. India was represented by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
12. Who represented India at the reported 25th SCO Heads of Government meeting?
A. Amit Shah B. S. Jaishankar C. Rajnath Singh D. Nirmala Sitharaman
Correct Answer: C. Rajnath Singh
Explanation: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh represented India and called for coordinated international action against terrorism.
13. What was one of India’s key concerns at the SCO meeting?
A. Coordinated action against terrorism B. Ending all international trade C. Abolishing air travel D. Restricting agricultural research
Correct Answer: A. Coordinated action against terrorism
Explanation: India emphasised the need for cooperation against terrorism, alongside broader discussions on economic cooperation, connectivity and security.
14. What does SCO stand for?
A. South Cooperation Organisation B. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation C. Strategic Countries Organisation D. Security Council of the Orient
Correct Answer: B. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
Explanation: The SCO is a regional intergovernmental organisation that promotes cooperation among its members on security, economic and other shared concerns.
15. Dushanbe is the capital of which country?
A. Uzbekistan B. Kyrgyzstan C. Tajikistan D. Turkmenistan
Correct Answer: C. Tajikistan
Explanation: Dushanbe is the capital and largest city of Tajikistan, a country in Central Asia.
16. Which country is India’s partner in the AUSTRAHIND military exercise?
A. Australia B. Austria C. Argentina D. South Africa
Correct Answer: A. Australia
Explanation: AUSTRAHIND is a joint military exercise between India and Australia. The fifth edition was reported to have begun in Thiruvananthapuram in October 2026.
17. AUSTRAHIND primarily involves cooperation between which forces?
A. Navies B. Armies C. Coast guards only D. Civil aviation authorities
Correct Answer: B. Armies
Explanation: AUSTRAHIND is a bilateral army exercise designed to strengthen military cooperation, interoperability and joint operational capabilities.
18. In which Indian state is Thiruvananthapuram located?
A. Tamil Nadu B. Karnataka C. Kerala D. Andhra Pradesh
Correct Answer: C. Kerala
Explanation: Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of Kerala and a major administrative and educational centre in southern India.
19. Which country was involved in the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement reported as entering into force on 20 October 2026?
A. Canada B. New Zealand C. Japan D. Singapore
Correct Answer: B. New Zealand
Explanation: The reported agreement was intended to expand trade between India and New Zealand. The current-affairs report stated that Indian exports would receive zero-duty access from day one.
20. What is the primary purpose of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA)?
A. Increase trade barriers between partners B. Reduce or eliminate agreed trade barriers C. Prohibit all foreign investment D. Replace domestic currencies
Correct Answer: B. Reduce or eliminate agreed trade barriers
Explanation: FTAs establish terms under which participating economies reduce or remove specified trade barriers, often improving market access for goods and services.
Section 3: Economy, Trade and Financial Inclusion
21. Under the reported India–New Zealand FTA, what tariff treatment was highlighted for Indian exports?
A. A mandatory 25% tariff B. Zero duty from day one C. A complete export ban D. Duty only after five years
Correct Answer: B. Zero duty from day one
Explanation: The October 2026 current-affairs report highlighted zero-duty access for Indian exports from the agreement’s commencement. Actual product coverage and conditions should be checked against the official agreement.
22. Financial inclusion aims to provide individuals and businesses with:
A. Access to useful and affordable financial services B. Only cash-based transactions C. Access to luxury goods D. Free international flights
Correct Answer: A. Access to useful and affordable financial services
Explanation: Financial inclusion promotes access to services such as bank accounts, payments, savings, credit and insurance, especially for underserved groups.
23. The financial inclusion saturation campaign reported for October 2026 was scheduled to begin on which date?
A. 1 October B. 15 October C. 21 October D. 31 October
Correct Answer: C. 21 October
Explanation: The reported campaign was scheduled to begin on 21 October 2026 across 2.70 lakh panchayats and urban local bodies (ULBs).
24. Approximately how many panchayats and urban local bodies were covered by the reported financial inclusion campaign?
A. 27,000 B. 70,000 C. 1.50 lakh D. 2.70 lakh
Correct Answer: D. 2.70 lakh
Explanation: The reported scale of 2.70 lakh panchayats and ULBs reflects an effort to expand access to financial services across rural and urban communities.
25. What is the full form of ULB in Indian administration?
A. Urban Local Body B. Universal Lending Bank C. United Legal Board D. Urban Land Bureau
Correct Answer: A. Urban Local Body
Explanation: Urban Local Bodies are institutions of urban self-government, such as municipalities and municipal corporations.
26. Agrivoltaics refers to the combined use of land for:
A. Mining and road construction B. Agriculture and solar power generation C. Housing and industrial waste disposal D. Forestry and airport development
Correct Answer: B. Agriculture and solar power generation
Explanation: Agrivoltaics integrates solar panels with agricultural land so that electricity production and agricultural activities can coexist under suitable designs.
27. What capacity target was highlighted in the October 2026 report on India’s proposed agrivoltaics push?
A. 500 MW in 10 years B. 1 GW in 20 years C. 5 GW in 3–4 years D. 50 GW in one year
Correct Answer: C. 5 GW in 3–4 years
Explanation: The reported proposal envisaged a 5 GW agrivoltaics capacity outlook over three to four years. This was presented as a planned initiative rather than an already achieved capacity.
28. Which is a potential advantage of agrivoltaics?
A. Combining electricity production with farming B. Making all crops dependent on coal C. Eliminating the need for agricultural land D. Preventing all rainfall
Correct Answer: A. Combining electricity production with farming
Explanation: Properly designed agrivoltaic systems may generate renewable electricity while allowing compatible crops or other agricultural activities to continue.
29. Which institution is India’s central bank?
A. State Bank of India B. Reserve Bank of India C. NITI Aayog D. Securities and Exchange Board of India
Correct Answer: B. Reserve Bank of India
Explanation: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is India’s central bank. It manages monetary policy and performs key functions relating to currency, banking regulation and financial stability.
30. Which of the following is a renewable source of energy?
A. Coal B. Petroleum C. Solar energy D. Natural gas
Correct Answer: C. Solar energy
Explanation: Solar energy comes from sunlight and is renewable. Coal, petroleum and natural gas are fossil fuels.
Section 4: Environment, Biodiversity and Heritage
31. How many bird species were reported to be under assessment in India’s National Red List initiative?
A. 107 B. 500 C. 1,000 D. 1,211
Correct Answer: D. 1,211
Explanation: The October 2026 report stated that 1,211 bird species were under assessment, with 107 covered in the first review.
32. How many bird species had been covered in the first review, according to the same report?
A. 17 B. 57 C. 107 D. 207
Correct Answer: C. 107
Explanation: The report identified 107 species as covered in the first review. This is a progress figure, not the total number of species being assessed.
33. What is the main purpose of a Red List assessment?
A. Rank birds by flying speed B. Evaluate species’ conservation status C. Measure agricultural production D. Record only migratory routes
Correct Answer: B. Evaluate species’ conservation status
Explanation: Red List assessments evaluate the risk of extinction and help identify species that may require conservation action.
34. Which international organisation maintains the widely recognised global Red List of Threatened Species?
A. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) B. World Trade Organization (WTO) C. International Monetary Fund (IMF) D. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
Correct Answer: A. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Explanation: The IUCN maintains the global Red List, which assesses the conservation status of species around the world.
35. Sirpur, reported as entering UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites in October 2026, is located in which state?
A. Odisha B. Chhattisgarh C. Madhya Pradesh D. Jharkhand
Correct Answer: B. Chhattisgarh
Explanation: Sirpur is a historically significant archaeological site in Chhattisgarh. Its reported inclusion on the Tentative List represents a step in the potential World Heritage nomination process.
36. What does UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List represent?
A. A list of places permanently rejected for heritage status B. Properties a country may consider nominating for World Heritage status C. A list exclusively for modern shopping centres D. A list of endangered animal species
Correct Answer: B. Properties a country may consider nominating for World Heritage status
Explanation: Countries place eligible properties on their Tentative Lists as part of the process of identifying sites they may later formally nominate.
37. Which of the following is an example of cultural heritage?
A. An ancient temple complex B. A stock market index C. A weather forecast D. A bank interest rate
Correct Answer: A. An ancient temple complex
Explanation: Cultural heritage includes monuments, archaeological sites, historic buildings, traditions and other expressions of human history.
38. Which of the following is a major cause of biodiversity loss?
A. Habitat destruction B. Wildlife habitat protection C. Ecosystem restoration D. Establishment of protected areas
Correct Answer: A. Habitat destruction
Explanation: Habitat destruction and fragmentation can reduce populations, disrupt ecosystems and increase the extinction risk of plants and animals.
39. Which activity can help conserve bird populations?
A. Destroying wetlands B. Protecting nesting habitats C. Increasing illegal hunting D. Removing native vegetation everywhere
Correct Answer: B. Protecting nesting habitats
Explanation: Protecting nesting sites, wetlands, forests and other important habitats helps birds breed, feed and survive.
40. Which gas is a major contributor to human-caused global warming?
A. Carbon dioxide B. Helium C. Neon D. Argon
Correct Answer: A. Carbon dioxide
Explanation: Carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas emitted through fossil-fuel combustion, deforestation and industrial processes. It traps heat in Earth’s climate system.
Section 5: Science, Space and Defence
41. Which Indian space mission was in the news for producing Doppler velocity images of the solar corona?
A. Chandrayaan-2 B. Mangalyaan C. Aditya-L1 D. Astrosat
Correct Answer: C. Aditya-L1
Explanation: Aditya-L1 is India’s solar-observation mission. Its Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) is designed to study the solar corona. The October 2026 report highlighted Doppler velocity images produced by VELC.
42. What is the primary scientific focus of the Aditya-L1 mission?
A. Studying the Sun B. Mapping the ocean floor C. Exploring the interior of Mars D. Measuring Earth’s deep-sea currents
Correct Answer: A. Studying the Sun
Explanation: Aditya-L1 is India’s dedicated solar mission, designed to investigate the Sun’s atmosphere and related solar phenomena.
43. What does VELC stand for in the Aditya-L1 mission?
A. Visible Emission Line Coronagraph B. Variable Energy Launch Controller C. Visual Earth Location Camera D. Velocity Exploration and Landing Craft
Correct Answer: A. Visible Emission Line Coronagraph
Explanation: VELC is an instrument on Aditya-L1 designed to observe the solar corona, the outer atmosphere of the Sun.
44. What is the solar corona?
A. The Sun’s outer atmosphere
B. The innermost layer of Earth
C. The Moon’s rocky surface
D. A region inside Jupiter
Correct Answer: A. The Sun’s outer atmosphere
Explanation: The solar corona is the Sun’s outer atmosphere. It is especially visible during total solar eclipses and is a key subject of solar physics research.
45. What is the purpose of studying Doppler velocity in solar observations?
A. To estimate motion along the line of sight B. To calculate the age of the Moon C. To measure ocean salinity D. To count Earth’s mountain ranges
Correct Answer: A. To estimate motion along the line of sight
Explanation: Doppler measurements use shifts in spectral lines to estimate the motion of emitting material toward or away from an observer. This helps scientists study movement in the solar atmosphere.
46. Which country launched the Aditya-L1 mission?
A. Japan B. India C. France D. Russia
Correct Answer: B. India
Explanation: Aditya-L1 was developed and launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), marking a major milestone in India’s solar research programme.
47. What is the primary objective of a joint army exercise such as AUSTRAHIND?
A. Strengthen military cooperation and interoperability
B. Negotiate international currency rates
C. Conduct agricultural surveys only
D. Regulate civilian airline tickets
Correct Answer: A. Strengthen military cooperation and interoperability
Explanation: Joint exercises help participating armies practise coordinated operations, exchange expertise and improve their ability to work together.
48. Which organisation is responsible for India’s national space programme?
A. ISRO B. RBI C. FCI D. SEBI
Correct Answer: A. ISRO
Explanation: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is India’s principal space agency, responsible for space missions, satellite systems and launch-vehicle development.
49. Which of the following best describes nuclear power generation?
A. Electricity produced using energy released from atomic nuclei B. Electricity produced exclusively by wind C. Electricity generated only from moving river water D. Electricity produced through burning wood alone
Correct Answer: A. Electricity produced using energy released from atomic nuclei
Explanation: Nuclear power plants use energy released by nuclear reactions, generally controlled fission, to produce heat and generate electricity.
50. Which combination correctly matches the current-affairs topic with its field?
A. Aditya-L1 — Space science
B. AUSTRAHIND — Agriculture
C. Agrivoltaics — International law only
D. UDAN — Wildlife conservation
Correct Answer: A. Aditya-L1 — Space science
Explanation: Aditya-L1 is a solar research mission. AUSTRAHIND is a joint military exercise, agrivoltaics combines farming and solar energy, and UDAN promotes regional air connectivity.
