Consider the Assertion (A) and Reason (R): Assertion (A): In October 2026 India approved the rollover of the INR 30 billion currency swap drawn by the Maldives. Reason (R): The SAARC currency swap framework provides a backstop for short-term foreign-exchange liquidity needs of member countries.

Both A and R are true, and R explains A

Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A

Consider the Assertion (A) and Reason (R): Assertion (A): Kufri Jamunia, developed by ICAR–CPRI Shimla, has purple flesh. Reason (R): Kufri Jamunia is a genetically modified variety into which foreign pigment genes were inserted.

Both A and R are true, and R explains A

Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A

Daily Current Affairs — 20 October 2026

20 October 2026 · 14 min read · TS Police Hub (Anvil Edtech)

Telangana gears up to roll out the revised Anaemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (7×7×7 strategy, T4 approach, low birth weight infants added); India to host the 61st CIML legal metrology meeting in New Delhi (26–28 October 2026) for the first time; India approves rollover of the INR 30 billion currency swap for the Maldives; 5th AUSTRAHIND India–Australia army exercise begins at Thiruvananthapuram; Japan launches MMX to bring back samples from Phobos; 16 new livestock and dog breeds take the total to 262; Kufri Jamunia purple potato; Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 106 artists; Delhi's ₹50 crore Go-Delhi Foundation. Followed by 10 practice questions.

1. Telangana Focus

Telangana Gears Up to Roll Out the Revised Anaemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (7×7×7, T4)

Why in news: Telangana is preparing to implement the Centre's revised Anaemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (AMBA). Union Health Ministry officials trained State health officials as master trainers (Training of Trainers, ToT); they will now train health staff in all districts (reported 20 October 2026).

⭐ Exam importance: High — Telangana-specific health news plus a flagship national nutrition programme; 6×6×6 → 7×7×7 and T3 → T4 are ready-made one-liners.

Key facts

Revised guidelines: Released by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on 29 June 2026 at the 16th meeting of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare (CCHFW), New Delhi.
New name: Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) is now Anaemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (AMBA).
6×6×6 → 7×7×7: One more beneficiary group, one more intervention and one more institutional mechanism — 7 of each.
7th beneficiary group: Low birth weight (LBW) infants aged 0–6 months — they have low iron stores at birth.
7th intervention: "Eating Right" — regular intake of iron-rich, diverse diets.
7th mechanism: Strengthened monitoring and evaluation with digital tracking of beneficiaries.
T3 → T4: Test, Treat, Talk + Track (digital follow-up, referral, adherence).
IV iron: Intravenous iron (Ferric Carboxymaltose, Iron Sucrose) for pregnant and lactating women with severe anaemia or not responding to oral iron.
In Telangana: Screen, treat, counsel and follow up till recovery; refer to higher centres if needed; ASHAs, ANMs and RBSK teams are the frontline.

Anaemia prevalence — NFHS-5 (2019–21), all-India
Group	Anaemic
Children 6–59 months	67.1%
Adolescent girls 15–19 years	59.1%
Women 15–49 years	57%
Pregnant women 15–49 years	52.2%

Static GK link

Launch: Anaemia Mukt Bharat was launched in 2018 under POSHAN Abhiyaan with the 6×6×6 strategy.
Original 6 groups: Children 6–59 months, children 5–9 years, adolescents 10–19 years, pregnant women, lactating women, women of reproductive age (15–49).
Anaemia: Low haemoglobin; iron deficiency is the commonest cause. Iron is needed to make haemoglobin, which carries oxygen in red blood cells.
Nodal ministry: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; centre of excellence NCEAR-A at AIIMS New Delhi.

2. Economy & Consumer Affairs

India to Host the 61st Meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology (CIML) — a First

Why in news: The Department of Consumer Affairs announced that India will host the 61st CIML meeting in New Delhi from 26 to 28 October 2026 — the first time India hosts it — with the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML).

⭐ Exam importance: High — first-time hosting, organiser, OIML and the new Indian Standard Time rules link to static science and economy questions.

Key facts

Event: 61st meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology (CIML).
Dates & venue: 26–28 October 2026, The LaLiT, New Delhi.
Organiser: Department of Consumer Affairs (Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution) with OIML.
Participants: 100+ delegates and legal metrology experts from OIML Member States, Corresponding Members and international organisations.
Agenda: International recommendations, technical work, capacity building and the OIML Certification System (OIML-CS).
Side events: International seminar on 26 October and an OIML Strategy Workshop on 27 October.
Previous meeting: 60th CIML meeting — Paris, October 2025.

Static GK link

Legal metrology: Legally regulated measurement — weights, measures and measuring instruments used in trade, health and safety — to protect consumers.
OIML: International Organization of Legal Metrology, founded 1955; secretariat BIML in Paris, France; India a member since 1956.
OIML certificates: In 2023 India became the 13th country authorised to issue OIML certificates for measuring instruments.
Indian law: Legal Metrology Act, 2009 — in force from 1 April 2011; administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs.
IST Rules: Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026 — notified August 2026 (draft in 2025); make traceable IST mandatory for official and commercial use ("One Nation, One Time").
IST keeper: CSIR–National Physical Laboratory (NPL), New Delhi, using caesium and rubidium atomic clocks; IST = UTC + 5:30, based on 82.5° E (near Mirzapur, UP).
White Rabbit: Sub-nanosecond time-sync technology over optical fibre, developed at CERN (Geneva, Switzerland); a demonstration network is at the Regional Reference Standard Laboratory (RRSL), Bengaluru.
Metrology Day: World Metrology Day — 20 May (Metre Convention, 1875).

3. International Relations

India Approves Rollover of INR 30 Billion Currency Swap for the Maldives

Why in news: On 16 October 2026 India approved, at Malé's request, the first rollover of the INR 30 billion (₹3,000 crore) drawn by the Maldives under the SAARC currency swap framework; the Maldives Foreign Minister thanked India.

⭐ Exam importance: High — Neighbourhood First, SAARC facts and the swap amounts are frequent international-relations questions.

Key facts

Announced by: High Commission of India in Malé; requested by the Maldives government.
Amount: INR 30 billion = ₹3,000 crore.
First drawdown: 23 April 2026.
Agreement: RBI and Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) signed it on 7 October 2024 during President Mohamed Muizzu's state visit to India.
Limits: Up to USD 400 million (USD/Euro window) plus INR 30 billion (INR window).
Validity: Agreement valid till 18 June 2027 (SAARC Currency Swap Framework 2024–27).
Purpose: Short-term foreign-exchange liquidity and financial stability for the Maldives.

Static GK link

Currency swap: Two central banks exchange currencies now and reverse the deal later at agreed terms — a backstop for balance-of-payments stress.
SAARC swap framework: Operational since 15 November 2012; run by the RBI.
SAARC: Founded 8 December 1985 at Dhaka; Secretariat in Kathmandu; 8 members — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.
Maldives: Capital Malé; currency Maldivian Rufiyaa; President Mohamed Muizzu.

4. Defence

Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2026 — 5th India–Australia Army Exercise Begins in Thiruvananthapuram

Why in news: The 5th edition of the India–Australia joint military exercise AUSTRAHIND began on 19 October 2026 at the Foreign Training Node, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala; it runs till 1 November 2026.

⭐ Exam importance: High — exercise name, partner country, edition and venue are asked almost every year.

Key facts

Edition: 5th edition.
Dates: 19 October – 1 November 2026.
Venue: Foreign Training Node, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Contingents: About 120 personnel each — Indian Army mainly from the Garhwal Rifles; Australian Army from its 13th Brigade.
Theme: Joint sub-conventional operations in island and coastal environments under Chapter VII of the UN mandate.
Drills: Surveillance and reconnaissance, protection of vital installations, HADR; aerial and maritime elements included.
First: New Zealand has sent an observer delegation for the first time.

AUSTRAHIND editions
Edition	Year & venue
1st	2022 — Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan
3rd	November 2024 — Foreign Training Node, Maharashtra
4th	13–26 October 2025 — Irwin Barracks, Perth, Australia
5th	19 October – 1 November 2026 — Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Static GK link

Format: Annual army exercise, held alternately in India and Australia; started in 2022.
UN Chapter VII: Chapter VII of the UN Charter covers action on threats to peace, breaches of peace and acts of aggression (enforcement action).
Other India–Australia: AUSINDEX — bilateral naval exercise; both are Quad members (with the USA and Japan).

5. Science & Technology

Japan Launches MMX — First Mission to Bring Back Samples from Mars's Moon Phobos

Why in news: JAXA launched the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) spacecraft on H3 flight No. 10 from Tanegashima Space Center at 04:41 JST on 20 October 2026 (19 October in UTC); the spacecraft separated and reached its planned orbit.

⭐ Exam importance: High — space missions, agencies and planetary facts (Mars's two moons) are standard science questions.

Key facts

Agency: JAXA — Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
Rocket & site: H3 rocket (flight No. 10), Tanegashima Space Center, Kagoshima Prefecture.
Goal: Study both Martian moons and return at least 10 g of surface material from Phobos — a world first.
Timeline: Reach Mars about August 2027; land on Phobos and collect samples; return capsule to Earth in 2031 (about 5 years).
Partners: NASA (USA), ESA (Europe), CNES (France) and DLR (Germany).
Rover: Small rover "Idefix" (CNES–DLR) to be deployed on Phobos.
Delay: Originally planned for 2024; postponed due to H3 rocket issues.

Moons of Mars
Feature	Phobos	Deimos
Size	Larger	Smaller
Orbit	Inner, closer to Mars	Outer
MMX role	Landing and sample return	Observation only

Static GK link

Mars: The "Red Planet" (iron oxide on the surface); 4th planet from the Sun; has TWO moons — Phobos and Deimos, both discovered by Asaph Hall in 1877.
JAXA's past: Hayabusa2 returned asteroid Ryugu samples to Earth in 2020.
India & Mars: Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) — launched 5 November 2013 on PSLV-C25; India first to reach Mars orbit in its first attempt.

6. Agriculture & Animal Husbandry

16 New Indigenous Livestock and Dog Breeds Registered — Total Now 262

Why in news: ICAR's Breed Registration Committee, at its 14th meeting (7 August 2026), recommended 16 new indigenous breeds; ICAR–National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), Karnal, has given them accession numbers.

⭐ Exam importance: Medium — breed–State–species matching is a favourite pattern; the total (262) is a likely one-liner.

Key facts

The 16 new breeds
Species	Breed	State/UT
Cattle	Koppal	Karnataka
Cattle	Mahakaushali	Madhya Pradesh
Cattle	Periyar	Kerala
Cattle	Umarda	Maharashtra
Buffalo	Gomanchali	Goa
Goat	Battisi	Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh
Goat	Totapuri	Rajasthan
Sheep	Asomi	Assam
Sheep	Kow Debar	Uttarakhand
Sheep	Madgyal	Maharashtra and Karnataka
Sheep	Seemanchali	Bihar
Donkey	Braj	Uttar Pradesh
Horse	Kashmiri	Jammu & Kashmir (UT)
Pig	Nagal	Nagaland
Yak	Sikkimese	Sikkim
Dog	Kombai	Tamil Nadu

Count: 16 breeds of 9 species from 13 States and 1 UT; cattle 4, sheep 4, goat 2, one each of buffalo, donkey, horse, pig, yak and dog.
Total: 262 registered breeds — 258 indigenous + 4 synthetic.

Static GK link

NBAGR: ICAR–National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal (Haryana) — the nodal agency for registering livestock and poultry breeds.
Why register: Official recognition helps conserve native germplasm and brings breeds under government breeding programmes.
Milk: India is the world's largest milk producer.

Kufri Jamunia — India's First Purple-Fleshed Biofortified Potato

Why in news: A government explainer (18 October 2026) highlighted Kufri Jamunia, the anthocyanin-rich purple potato developed by ICAR–Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla, as a tool against hidden hunger.

⭐ Exam importance: Medium — biofortified varieties, the developing institute and pigment names come up in agriculture and science sections.

Key facts

Developer: ICAR–Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
Released: 2024 — India's first purple-fleshed biofortified table potato.
Colour: Purple flesh from anthocyanins — natural pigments with antioxidant properties.
Nutrition: Rich in anthocyanins; also supplies vitamin C, carotenoids, iron and zinc.
Breeding: Conventional breeding — a clonal selection from the cross MS/8-1148 × CP4242; NOT genetically modified.
Crop: Matures in about 90–100 days; suited to the north Indian plains; stores well at ambient temperature.

Static GK link

Biofortification: Raising a crop's nutrient content through breeding or agronomy, unlike fortification, which adds nutrients during processing.
Potato origin: Native to the Andes of South America (Peru–Bolivia); purple potatoes too come from the Andes; brought to India by the Portuguese.
"Kufri" prefix: All CPRI potato varieties carry the name "Kufri", after Kufri near Shimla.

7. Awards & Honours

Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2024 and 2025 Conferred on 106 Young Artists

Why in news: Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat conferred the Sangeet Natak Akademi's Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2024 and 2025 on 106 young artists on 19 October 2026 at Meghdoot, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi.

⭐ Exam importance: Medium — award–institution pairs, age limit and prize are common culture questions.

Key facts

Awardees: 106 young artists for 2024 and 2025, selected by the Akademi's General Council (22–26 March 2026).
Fields: Music, dance, theatre, traditional/folk/tribal arts and puppetry, and overall contribution to performing arts.
Instituted: 2006, in memory of shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan.
Age limit: Artists up to 40 years of age.
Award: ₹25,000, a tamrapatra (copper plaque) and an angavastram.
Annual cap: Normally up to 33 artists a year.

Static GK link

Sangeet Natak Akademi: National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama; set up in 1952; autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture; HQ Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi.
Bismillah Khan: Shehnai maestro from Varanasi; Bharat Ratna 2001.
Sister academies: Sahitya Akademi (literature) and Lalit Kala Akademi (visual arts).

8. States & Startups

Delhi Cabinet Approves ₹50 Crore "Go-Delhi Foundation" for Startups and Innovators

Why in news: The Delhi Cabinet approved the Go-Delhi Foundation with an initial ₹50 crore to help startups, young innovators, researchers and MSMEs take ideas from prototype to market (announced 18 October 2026).

⭐ Exam importance: Low — a State-level scheme; the static startup facts (definition, DPIIT count) matter more.

Key facts

Name: Go-Delhi Foundation.
Initial outlay: ₹50 crore.
Legal form: Not-for-profit company under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013.
Department: Department of Industries, Government of NCT of Delhi.
Support: Product engineering, prototyping, labs and testing, mentorship, incubation and investor links; hub-and-spoke model.
Govt pilots: Government departments can pose real problems; promising solutions get pilot projects.

Static GK link

Startup India: Launched 16 January 2016; 16 January is National Startup Day.
DPIIT count: Over 2.23 lakh DPIIT-recognised startups with more than 23.36 lakh direct jobs (as of 31 March 2026).
Definition (Feb 2026): Up to 10 years from incorporation and turnover up to ₹200 crore (raised from ₹100 crore by DPIIT notification, February 2026).
Deep tech: New category: up to 20 years and turnover up to ₹300 crore.
DPIIT: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Practice questions with answers

With reference to the revised Anaemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan now being rolled out in Telangana, consider the following statements:
1. The earlier 6×6×6 strategy has been expanded to a 7×7×7 strategy.
2. Low birth weight infants aged 0–6 months are the newly added beneficiary group.
3. Anaemia Mukt Bharat was first launched in 2022 under Ayushman Bharat.
1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (B) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: Anaemia Mukt Bharat was launched in 2018 under POSHAN Abhiyaan. The revised guidelines (29 June 2026) also moved from T3 to T4 (Test, Treat, Talk, Track).
Consider the following statements about the 61st meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology (CIML):
1. It will be held in New Delhi from 26 to 28 October 2026, the first time India hosts it.
2. The International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) was founded in 1955.
3. The meeting is organised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (C) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: the organiser is the Department of Consumer Affairs (Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution), along with OIML. Legal metrology in India is governed by the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.
Consider the following statements about Japan's Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission:
1. It was launched on an H3 rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center.
2. It aims to bring back surface samples from Deimos.
3. Mars has two natural satellites — Phobos and Deimos.
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. 1 and 3 only
Answer: (D) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is wrong: MMX will land on and collect samples from Phobos (the larger, inner moon); Deimos will only be observed. Samples are due back on Earth in 2031.
Consider the Assertion (A) and Reason (R):
Assertion (A): In October 2026 India approved the rollover of the INR 30 billion currency swap drawn by the Maldives.
Reason (R): The SAARC currency swap framework provides a backstop for short-term foreign-exchange liquidity needs of member countries.
1. Both A and R are true, and R explains A
2. Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
3. A is true, R is false
4. A is false, R is true
Answer: (A) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
Explanation: Both are true and R explains A: the rollover lets the Maldives keep using the facility to ease short-term liquidity stress. The RBI–Maldives Monetary Authority agreement of 7 October 2024 provides up to USD 400 million plus INR 30 billion under the SAARC framework 2024–27.
Consider the Assertion (A) and Reason (R):
Assertion (A): Kufri Jamunia, developed by ICAR–CPRI Shimla, has purple flesh.
Reason (R): Kufri Jamunia is a genetically modified variety into which foreign pigment genes were inserted.
1. Both A and R are true, and R explains A
2. Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
3. A is true, R is false
4. A is false, R is true
Answer: (C) A is true, R is false
Explanation: A is true, R is false. The purple colour comes from naturally occurring anthocyanins. Kufri Jamunia is conventionally bred — a clonal selection from the cross MS/8-1148 × CP4242 — and is not a GM crop.
Match the newly registered breed with its species:
List I List II
A. Koppal (Karnataka) 1. Dog
B. Gomanchali (Goa) 2. Sheep
C. Madgyal (Maharashtra–Karnataka) 3. Cattle
D. Kombai (Tamil Nadu) 4. Buffalo
1. A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1
2. A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
3. A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
4. A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
Answer: (D) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
Explanation: Koppal — cattle (3); Gomanchali — buffalo (4); Madgyal — sheep (2); Kombai — dog (1). Hence A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1. ICAR–NBAGR, Karnal, now lists 262 registered breeds after these 16 additions.
Match the joint military exercise with India's partner country:
List I List II
A. AUSTRAHIND 1. Japan
B. Yudh Abhyas 2. Australia
C. Mitra Shakti 3. Sri Lanka
D. Dharma Guardian 4. USA
1. A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1
2. A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1
3. A-1, B-4, C-3, D-2
4. A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
Answer: (B) A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1
Explanation: AUSTRAHIND — Australia (2); Yudh Abhyas — USA (4); Mitra Shakti — Sri Lanka (3); Dharma Guardian — Japan (1). Hence A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1. The 5th AUSTRAHIND is under way at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (19 October – 1 November 2026).
What is the upper age limit for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar of the Sangeet Natak Akademi?
1. 40 years
2. 35 years
3. 30 years
4. 45 years
Answer: (A) 40 years
Explanation: The award, instituted in 2006, is for artists up to 40 years of age and carries ₹25,000, a tamrapatra and an angavastram. On 19 October 2026 the 2024 and 2025 awards were conferred on 106 young artists in New Delhi.
The Go-Delhi Foundation approved by the Delhi Cabinet will be set up under which section of the Companies Act, 2013?
1. Section 2
2. Section 25
3. Section 135
4. Section 8
Answer: (D) Section 8
Explanation: Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 covers not-for-profit companies (Section 25 was the equivalent in the old 1956 Act; Section 135 deals with CSR). The foundation has an initial outlay of ₹50 crore and works under Delhi's Department of Industries.
Under DPIIT's February 2026 notification, what is the maximum turnover for an entity to be recognised as a (general category) startup?
1. ₹100 crore
2. ₹200 crore
3. ₹300 crore
4. ₹50 crore
Answer: (B) ₹200 crore
Explanation: The limit was raised from ₹100 crore to ₹200 crore; the age limit stays at 10 years from incorporation. A new deep-tech category allows up to 20 years and ₹300 crore turnover.

తెలుగులో సారాంశం (Telugu summary)

డైలీ కరెంట్ అఫైర్స్ — 20 అక్టోబర్ 2026

సవరించిన అనీమియా ముక్త్ భారత్ అభియాన్ (7×7×7 వ్యూహం, T4 విధానం, తక్కువ బరువు శిశువుల చేర్పు) అమలుకు తెలంగాణ సన్నద్ధం; 61వ CIML లీగల్ మెట్రాలజీ సమావేశానికి (2026 అక్టోబర్ 26–28) తొలిసారిగా న్యూఢిల్లీలో భారత్ ఆతిథ్యం; మాల్దీవులకు INR 30 బిలియన్ కరెన్సీ స్వాప్ రోల్‌ఓవర్‌కు భారత్ ఆమోదం; తిరువనంతపురంలో 5వ AUSTRAHIND భారత్–ఆస్ట్రేలియా సైనిక విన్యాసం ప్రారంభం; ఫోబోస్ నమూనాల కోసం MMXను ప్రయోగించిన జపాన్; 16 కొత్త పశు, శునక జాతులతో మొత్తం 262; కుఫ్రీ జామునియా ఊదా బంగాళాదుంప; 106 మంది కళాకారులకు ఉస్తాద్ బిస్మిల్లా ఖాన్ యువ పురస్కార్; ఢిల్లీలో ₹50 కోట్ల Go-Delhi Foundationకు ఆమోదం. తర్వాత 10 ప్రాక్టీస్ ప్రశ్నలు.

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