Daily Current Affairs — 6 October 2026
· 17 min read · TS Police Hub (Anvil Edtech)
Telangana declares 320 mandals in 18 districts drought-hit; five Centres of Excellence for the newer classical languages (Telugu has been classical since 2008); 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Kolkata; Swiss President Guy Parmelin's state visit and five agreements; Houthis take Turbah in Yemen; Exercise Mountain Guardian with the UAE; Kaveri Derivative Engine beats its thrust target in Russia; FWDA drones to be made in Portugal; Nobel Physics 2026 for IceCube's Francis Halzen; IIT Delhi's quantum-plus-classical fibre link; first captive-bred Great Indian Bustards released; five cheetah cubs take India's count to 60; Odisha's MICE portal; AP tops PMAY-U 2.0 groundings; 'Swayam AP' and the SARAS Mela in Vijayawada; IOA's new best-athlete awards.
1. Telangana Focus
Telangana Declares 320 Mandals in 18 Districts Drought-Hit
Why in news: The Telangana government has declared 320 mandals in 18 districts as drought-affected. The decision followed an assessment based on the Centre's 12 standard parameters. At its 1 October meeting, the State Cabinet had noted drought-like conditions in about 235 mandals; the final assessment raised the number to 320.
Key facts
- Coverage: 320 mandals across 18 districts.
- Basis: The 12 standard parameters of the Centre's Manual for Drought Management.
- Rainfall: The state reported a 17% rainfall deficit at the 1 October Cabinet meeting.
- Assessment: Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju directed the assessment.
- Next steps: A full drought report is due by the end of October so that the state can seek central assistance. An all-party meeting on El Niño and a contingency package are also planned.
Telugu-States Links in Today's News
Why in news: Several national stories in today's digest have a Telangana or Andhra Pradesh angle. Revise them together.
Key facts
- Telugu, a classical language: Telugu got classical-language status in 2008, together with Kannada. Its Centre of Excellence works under the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysuru. Today's news is about new centres for five other classical languages.
- Great Indian Bustard: Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, was created to protect the Great Indian Bustard.
- Urban housing award: Andhra Pradesh was named Best Performing State under PMAY-Urban 2.0 for grounding (starting construction of) houses.
- SARAS Mela: Vijayawada will host the National SARAS Mela for the first time, from 15 to 31 October 2026.
2. Polity, Education & Culture
Five Centres of Excellence for the Five Newer Classical Languages
Why in news: The Union Ministry of Education has approved five Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit, the five languages declared classical on 3 October 2024. The Office Memorandum is reported to be dated 1 October 2026, and the news came out on 4–5 October.
Key facts
- Approved by: The Language Division of the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.
- Work of the centres: Advanced research, documentation, preservation, editing of manuscripts, digitisation, and taking these languages to wider audiences.
- Total: India now has 11 classical languages.
- Criteria (revised 2024): Early texts or recorded history 1,500–2,000 years old; ancient literature treated as heritage; knowledge texts (especially prose) along with poetry and inscriptions; the classical form may differ from the present-day form.
- Education Minister: Pralhad Joshi has held additional charge of the Union Education Ministry since 25 July 2026.
India's 11 classical languages and their Centres of Excellence| Language | Year of status | Centre of Excellence |
|---|
| Tamil | 2004 | Not part of this news |
| Sanskrit | 2005 | Not part of this news |
| Telugu | 2008 | Existing CoE under CIIL, Mysuru |
| Kannada | 2008 | Existing CoE under CIIL, Mysuru |
| Malayalam | 2013 | Existing CoE under CIIL, Mysuru |
| Odia | 2014 | Existing CoE under CIIL, Mysuru |
| Marathi | 2024 | NEW: Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, Pune |
| Pali | 2024 | NEW: Central University of Odisha (Koraput) |
| Prakrit | 2024 | NEW: Central University of Gujarat |
| Assamese | 2024 | NEW: Tezpur University, Assam |
| Bengali | 2024 | NEW: Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan (West Bengal) |
19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Kolkata (7–9 January 2027)
Why in news: It was announced on 4 October 2026 that the 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention will be held in Kolkata, West Bengal, from 7 to 9 January 2027. It is organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) with the Government of West Bengal.
Key facts
- Inauguration: The Prime Minister will inaugurate the convention.
- Awards: President Droupadi Murmu will confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards and preside over the closing (valedictory) session.
- Youth PBD: A special segment for young diaspora leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals and innovators.
- Theme: Not announced yet.
- Previous editions: 18th: Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 8–10 January 2025 (theme 'Diaspora's Contribution to a Viksit Bharat'). 17th: Indore, 2023.
3. International Relations
Swiss President Guy Parmelin's State Visit to India (5–7 October 2026)
Why in news: Guy Parmelin, President of the Swiss Confederation, is on a state visit to India from 5 to 7 October 2026. After talks with the Prime Minister in New Delhi on 5 October, the two countries announced five agreements and outcomes.
Key facts
- Meetings: Talks with the Prime Minister on 5 October. President Droupadi Murmu hosted a banquet for him, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called on him.
- TEPA link: He attended the 2nd India–EFTA Prosperity Summit, held to mark one year of the India–EFTA TEPA (in force since 1 October 2025; covered on 1 October).
- Airport visit: He was scheduled to visit Noida International Airport, where Swiss firms' expertise was used.
- Other areas discussed: Nuclear energy, defence production and military exchanges, and Swiss investment in biotech, life sciences and banking.
The five India–Switzerland agreements and outcomes (5 October 2026)| No. | Agreement / outcome |
|---|
| 1 | Migration and Mobility Partnership |
| 2 | Exchange of Young Professionals |
| 3 | Promotion and Collaboration on Transportation Technologies, Mobility Systems and Infrastructure in Identified Areas |
| 4 | Letter of Intent between India's Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) |
| 5 | Implementation Arrangement for cooperation in innovation, technology transfer and entrepreneurship |
Yemen: Houthis Capture the Strategic Town of Turbah
Why in news: On Sunday, 4 October 2026, Houthi fighters took control of Turbah (At Turbah), a strategic government-held town in the southern part of Taiz province in south-western Yemen. They entered without a fight after government forces withdrew.
Key facts
- Why it matters: Turbah lies on the main route linking Taiz with the port city of Aden, the temporary seat of the internationally recognised government.
- A first: It is the first time the Houthis have held Turbah since the war began in late 2014.
- Government response: Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council, announced a military campaign, Operation 'Yemen Dawn', to retake Houthi-held areas. Saudi Arabia pledged full operational support.
- Background: The Houthis have been advancing since mid-July 2026 and captured Red Sea ports in September.
4. Defence & Security
Exercise Mountain Guardian 2026 (India–UAE Armies)
Why in news: The Indian Army and the UAE Army began Exercise Mountain Guardian on 5 October 2026 at the Foreign Training Node, Chaubattia, in Uttarakhand. The two-week exercise runs till 18 October and focuses on mountain warfare.
Key facts
- Strength: 92 personnel in all, with equal numbers from each side: 46 each.
- Contingents: India: a Bhairav Battalion. UAE: a Mountain Infantry Battalion.
- Women: Women officers and combatants from both armies are taking part in specialist roles.
- Focus: Mountain warfare and sub-conventional operations (such as counter-insurgency).
- Activities: Joint planning, tactical drills, firing, drone operations, an ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) grid, rock climbing and integrated field exercises.
India–UAE military exercises at a glance| Exercise | Service | Remember |
|---|
| Mountain Guardian | Army | Chaubattia, Uttarakhand, 5–18 October 2026; mountain warfare |
| Desert Cyclone | Army | 1st in Rajasthan (January 2024); Desert Cyclone-II ended in Abu Dhabi (December 2025) |
| Desert Knight | Air Force | India–UAE air exercise |
| Zayed Talwar | Navy | India–UAE naval exercise |
Kaveri Derivative Engine Clears High-Altitude and Flight Trials in Russia
Why in news: DRDO's Kaveri Derivative Engine (KDE) has cleared high-altitude and flight trials in Russia, producing a peak dry thrust of 48.5 kN against the expected 46 kN. The result was reported on 1 October 2026; the trials themselves had been completed some time earlier.
Key facts
- Which engine: The KDE, also called the 'dry' Kaveri: the non-afterburning version of the original Kaveri engine.
- Developer: Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), Bengaluru, a DRDO laboratory.
- Test sites: Central Institute of Aviation Motors (CIAM), under altitude-simulation conditions; and the Gromov Flight Research Institute, on board a modified Ilyushin Il-76 flying testbed.
- Thrust: Peak dry thrust of 48.5 kN, above the expected 46 kN.
- Purpose: To power the Ghatak stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV).
- Next steps: Evaluation and certification by CEMILAC, then integration with Ghatak, then flight trials with the IAF; possible induction in about 2–3 years.
Indian Drones to Be Made in Portugal: FWDA–Keydef Agreement
Why in news: Bengaluru-based Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace (FWDA) has signed an agreement with Keydef, the defence and aerospace division of the Portuguese company Sketchpixel LDA, to manufacture FWDA's systems in Portugal for global markets. This was reported on 1 October 2026.
Key facts
- FWDA: An Indian deep-tech defence firm based in Bengaluru; CEO Suhas Tejaskanda.
- Kaalbhairav Lite: An autonomous, long-endurance UAV for precision strikes and ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance).
- YAMA: An interceptor drone that knocks out hostile drones using radar and autonomous navigation (an anti-drone system).
- Investment: Keydef will make an initial investment of EUR 6 million in FWDA. Sketchpixel and Keydef will also contribute electronic components and AI development.
- Certification: NATO certification is planned for all systems built in Portugal.
- Background: The Kaalbhairav platform was unveiled in 2025; the plan for a factory in Europe was first reported in May 2026.
5. Science & Technology
Nobel Prize in Physics 2026: Francis Halzen and the IceCube Neutrino Observatory
Why in news: On 6 October 2026, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics to Francis Halzen alone, 'for decisive contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin'.
Key facts
- Laureate: Francis Halzen, a Belgian-American physicist, born on 23 March 1944 in Tienen, Belgium.
- Works at: University of Wisconsin–Madison, USA. He is the Principal Investigator of IceCube.
- The big idea: In 1988 he proposed using the glacial ice of Antarctica at the South Pole as a neutrino detector. When a neutrino hits an atomic nucleus in the ice, a tiny flash of light is produced, and sensors record it. This opened up 'neutrino astronomy'.
- Prize money: 12 million Swedish kronor (SEK), about USD 1.2 million.
IIT Delhi Sends Quantum and Classical Signals Together over One 50-km Fibre
Why in news: Researchers of the Department of Physics, IIT Delhi, led by Prof. Bhaskar Kanseri, have sent quantum-entangled photons together with ordinary (classical) data over the same 50 km optical fibre. The result was announced around 5 October 2026.
Key facts
- The problem: Strong classical telecom signals create noise that can drown the fragile quantum states.
- The result: Quantum and classical communication can share existing fibre networks. Future quantum networks can then be cheaper and easier to scale up.
- Published in: The journal Optics Communications.
- Funding: IIT Delhi's Institute of Eminence (IoE) grant and the National Quantum Mission (NQM).
- Not the 4 October story: The 4 October item was a free-space link through open air. This one runs through an optical fibre, alongside normal data.
- Earlier: In June 2025, DRDO and IIT Delhi showed free-space, entanglement-based quantum communication over more than 1 km.
6. Environment & Ecology
Two Captive-Bred Great Indian Bustards Released into the Wild in Jaisalmer
Why in news: On 4 October 2026, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav released two captive-bred male Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) into the wild at Sam in the Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. It is the first release of conservation-bred GIBs: the programme is moving from building a breeding stock to rewilding.
Key facts
- Preparation: The birds were trained in a 'rewilding tunnel' before release and will be scientifically monitored.
- Breeding centres: Sam and Ramdevra (Jaisalmer) hold 97 birds: 40 from wild-laid eggs and 57 bred in captivity. Of these, 86 are kept for breeding and 11 are earmarked for release.
- Chicks: 24 chicks in 2025 and 29 in 2026.
- Partners: MoEFCC, the Rajasthan Forest Department and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), with support from the International Fund for Houbara Conservation (Abu Dhabi).
Kuno: Five Cheetah Cubs Born; India's Cheetah Count Reaches 60
Why in news: On 5 October 2026, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav announced that KJP21, an India-born female cheetah about 32 months old, has given birth to five healthy cubs at Kuno National Park in Sheopur district, Madhya Pradesh. The father is a male cheetah from Botswana, so these are the first cubs of the Botswana lineage in India.
Key facts
- Third India-born mother: KJP21 is the third India-born female to give birth, after Mukhi and KGP12.
- India's count: 60 cheetahs: 41 born in India and 19 brought from abroad.
- Be careful: No official country-wise split of the 19 surviving imported cheetahs has been given.
Cheetahs brought to India under Project Cheetah| From | Arrived | Number |
|---|
| Namibia | 17 September 2022 | 8 |
| South Africa | 18 February 2023 | 12 |
| Botswana | 28 February 2026 | 9 (6 females, 3 males) |
| Total brought | — | 29 |
| Alive today | As on 5 October 2026 | 60 (41 India-born + 19 imported) |
7. Economy & Tourism
Odisha Launches India's First State-Level MICE Incentive Portal
Why in news: On 4 October 2026, Odisha launched the country's first state-level MICE Incentive Portal. MICE stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions, the business-travel side of tourism.
Key facts
- Launched by: Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who also holds Tourism, at a Department of Tourism–FICCI roundtable on a MICE policy, held during Odisha Travel Bazaar 2026 in Bhubaneswar.
- What it does: A digital window where event organisers and tour operators apply for financial incentives under the Odisha Tourism (Amendment) Policy, 2026.
- Promotes: Corporate conventions, destination weddings and experiential travel.
- Target hub: The Bhubaneswar–Cuttack–Puri–Paradip region.
8. Andhra Pradesh Focus
PMAY-Urban Awards 2026: Andhra Pradesh Is Best Performing State under PMAY-U 2.0
Why in news: At the PMAY-U Awards 2026, held on World Habitat Day (Monday, 5 October 2026) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, Andhra Pradesh won first position nationally as the 'Best Performing State' under PMAY-Urban 2.0 for grounding houses, that is, starting their construction.
Key facts
- Numbers: 50,122 of 68,309 sanctioned houses grounded across 26 districts, the highest grounding share in the country. Bihar came 2nd and Uttar Pradesh 3rd on groundings.
- Second award: Fastest-completed Affordable Rental Housing (ARH) project, at Naidupeta, under the Tirupati Urban Development Authority.
- Presented by: Tokhan Sahu, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs. It was received by M. Hephsiba Rani Korlapati, AP Special Secretary (Housing).
- Organisers: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and HUDCO.
- Read it precisely: AP's first place is for groundings under PMAY-U 2.0. Arunachal Pradesh also won best-performing-state awards in the hilly and North-East group (for example, 100% timely completion under PMAY-U).
- Unit assistance: ₹2.5 lakh per house in AP, shared 60:40 between the Centre and the State.
'Swayam AP' Brand for SHG Products; Vijayawada to Host the National SARAS Mela
Why in news: On 5 October 2026, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu launched 'Swayam AP', a common brand for products made by DWCRA/self-help group (SHG) women. Vijayawada will also host the National SARAS Mela for the first time, from 15 to 31 October 2026.
Key facts
- What the brand offers: Standard quality, modern packaging, e-commerce, signature stores and integrated marketing.
- Sales: Through signature stores and Flipkart, from 15 October.
- Target: 5 lakh women entrepreneurs; 23,000+ products in food, handicrafts and textiles.
- Credit: Stree Nidhi has lent ₹4,800 crore to 4.73 lakh women.
- SARAS Mela: At Punnami Ghat, Vijayawada; about 600 SHG stalls from across India and about 1 lakh visitors a day expected. President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate it during her Vijayawada visit on 14–15 October, which also covers the Dasara Navaratri Utsavams at the Kanaka Durga temple.
- Implementing bodies: SERP (Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty) for rural areas and MEPMA (Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas) for urban areas.
9. Sports
IOA's New Best-Athlete Awards: Kumkum Mohod and Sujeet Kalkal
Why in news: On 5 October 2026, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) named archer Kumkum Mohod and wrestler Sujeet Kalkal as India's best female and male athletes of the 2026 Asian Games. They are the first winners of two new trophies named after late shooting greats.
Key facts
- Kumkum (Anil) Mohod: Archer, 17, from Amravati, Maharashtra; inaugural Jaspal Rana Award. At Aichi-Nagoya 2026 she won gold in women's individual recurve (India's first Asian Games gold in this event, beating South Korea's Oh Ye-jin), gold in the women's recurve team (with Ankita Bhakat and Kirti) and a silver. She has also earned an LA 2028 quota.
- Sujeet Kalkal: Wrestler, 23, from Imlota village, Bhiwani, Haryana; inaugural Raja Randhir Singh Award. Gold in men's freestyle 65 kg. He beat reigning Olympic champion Kotaro Kiyooka (Japan) in the semifinal and, in the final against Abdulmazhid Kudiyev, came back from 2–9 down to win 10–9.
- Jaspal Rana: Pistol shooter (died June 2026) with 4 Asian Games golds; he coached Manu Bhaker.
- Raja Randhir Singh: Trap shooter (1978 Asian Games gold), long-time sports administrator and Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) official.
- Announced by: IOA President PT Usha.
Practice questions with answers
With reference to India's classical languages, consider the following statements:
- India now has 11 classical languages.
- Telugu and Kannada were given classical status in the same year, 2008.
- The new Centre of Excellence for Classical Pali will be set up at Visva-Bharati University.
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (B) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: the Pali centre goes to the Central University of Odisha (Koraput); Visva-Bharati gets the Bengali centre. The 11 are Tamil (2004), Sanskrit (2005), Telugu and Kannada (2008), Malayalam (2013), Odia (2014) and Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali (2024).
Match the classical language with the institution chosen for its new Centre of Excellence:
| List I | List II |
|---|
| A. Assamese | 1. Central University of Gujarat |
| B. Bengali | 2. Tezpur University |
| C. Marathi | 3. Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, Pune |
| D. Prakrit | 4. Visva-Bharati University |
- A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
- A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1
- A-1, B-4, C-3, D-2
- A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1
Answer: (D) A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1
Explanation: Assamese — Tezpur University (2); Bengali — Visva-Bharati University (4); Marathi — Deccan College, Pune (3); Prakrit — Central University of Gujarat (1). Hence A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1. The fifth centre, for Pali, is at the Central University of Odisha.
With reference to the Nobel Prize in Physics 2026, consider the following statements:
- It was awarded to a single laureate, Francis Halzen of the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
- The IceCube Neutrino Observatory uses the ice sheet of Greenland as its detector.
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (A) 1 only
Explanation: Only statement 1 is correct. IceCube is at the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica and uses about 1 cubic km of Antarctic ice, not Greenland's. Halzen won 'for decisive contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin'.
Consider the Assertion (A) and Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The five cubs born to KJP21 at Kuno National Park are the first cubs of the Botswana lineage in India.
Reason (R): KJP21 is a female cheetah born in India.
- Both A and R are true, and R explains A
- Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
- A is true, R is false
- A is false, R is true
Answer: (B) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
Explanation: Both are true, but R does not explain A. The cubs are of Botswana lineage because their father is a male cheetah brought from Botswana (the Botswana batch arrived on 28 February 2026). KJP21 being India-born does not explain that. With these births India has 60 cheetahs: 41 born in India and 19 brought from abroad.
With reference to Exercise Mountain Guardian 2026, consider the following statements:
- It is a joint exercise of the Indian Army and the UAE Army at Chaubattia, Uttarakhand.
- A total of 92 personnel are taking part, 46 from each side.
- The Indian contingent is drawn from a Parachute (Special Forces) battalion.
- 1 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (C) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: the Indian contingent comes from a Bhairav Battalion (light commando units raised since October 2025); the UAE side comes from a Mountain Infantry Battalion. The exercise runs from 5 to 18 October 2026.
Consider the Assertion (A) and Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Kaveri Derivative Engine tested in Russia is a non-afterburning ('dry') version of the Kaveri engine.
Reason (R): The Kaveri Derivative Engine is meant to power the LCA Tejas Mk2.
- Both A and R are true, and R explains A
- Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
- A is true, R is false
- A is false, R is true
Answer: (C) A is true, R is false
Explanation: A is true and R is false. The KDE, developed by GTRE Bengaluru, is meant for the Ghatak stealth UCAV; the GE F414 engine is planned for Tejas Mk2. In the Russian trials the KDE gave a peak dry thrust of 48.5 kN against the expected 46 kN.
Match the event in the news with its place:
| List I | List II |
|---|
| A. 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention | 1. Chaubattia |
| B. Release of captive-bred Great Indian Bustards | 2. Vijayawada |
| C. Exercise Mountain Guardian 2026 | 3. Kolkata |
| D. National SARAS Mela 2026 | 4. Jaisalmer |
- A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
- A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
- A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
- A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
Answer: (A) A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
Explanation: The 19th PBD Convention will be held in Kolkata, 7–9 January 2027 (3); the GIBs were released at Sam, Desert National Park, Jaisalmer (4); Mountain Guardian is at the Foreign Training Node, Chaubattia, Uttarakhand (1); the National SARAS Mela will be held at Punnami Ghat, Vijayawada, 15–31 October 2026 (2). Hence A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2.
With reference to Swiss President Guy Parmelin's state visit to India in October 2026, consider the following statements:
- Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are the members of EFTA.
- The President of the Swiss Confederation is directly elected by the people for a five-year term.
- One of the outcomes was a Letter of Intent between India's Department of Science and Technology and the Swiss National Science Foundation.
- 1 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (B) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the Swiss President is elected for just one year from among the 7-member Federal Council. Parmelin is President for 2026 (he was also President in 2021). The five outcomes included a Migration and Mobility Partnership and an Exchange of Young Professionals.
The Telangana government has declared how many mandals drought-affected after its October 2026 assessment?
- 235 mandals in 12 districts
- 280 mandals in 15 districts
- 300 mandals in 20 districts
- 320 mandals in 18 districts
Answer: (D) 320 mandals in 18 districts
Explanation: 320 mandals in 18 districts were declared drought-hit, using the Centre's 12 standard parameters. The 1 October Cabinet meeting had noted drought-like conditions in about 235 mandals and a 17% rainfall deficit. A full report is due by the end of October to seek central aid from the NDRF.
Kumkum Mohod and Sujeet Kalkal, the first winners of the IOA's new best-athlete awards for the 2026 Asian Games, belong to which sports respectively?
- Shooting and boxing
- Archery and boxing
- Archery and wrestling
- Shooting and wrestling
Answer: (C) Archery and wrestling
Explanation: Kumkum Mohod is an archer (gold in women's individual recurve and recurve team) and gets the Jaspal Rana Award. Sujeet Kalkal is a wrestler (gold in men's freestyle 65 kg) and gets the Raja Randhir Singh Award. The trophies are named after two late shooters, which is why 'shooting' is a tempting but wrong choice.