Daily Current Affairs Quiz: October 15, 2026

Notes:
Botanists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) discovered a new plant species named Ceropegia tamilnaduensis in Tamil Nadu. The species was found on the hill slopes of Nellai Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Western Ghats. It grows at an elevation of approximately 380 metres above sea level. The plant produces distinctive deep brownish-purple flowers and unusually large seeds measuring up to 14 mm in length. Researchers observed more than 50 flowering individuals during the discovery. The species was provisionally classified as Data Deficient (DD) under IUCN guidelines because further studies are required to determine its population size and geographical distribution.

Notes:
Korattur Lake is undergoing ecological restoration to create a green space for the city. Around four acres of the lake’s western water-spread area have been cleared of the invasive species Prosopis juliflora, locally known as Seemai Karuvelam. Korattur Aeri, also known as Korattur Lake or Vembu Pasumai Thittu, is located in Korattur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The lake covers approximately 990 acres, making it one of the largest lakes in western Chennai. It is situated north of the Chennai–Arakkonam railway line.

Notes:
Anandkumar Velkumar, an Indian speed skater, won a silver medal in the men’s 1000-metre sprint at the 2026 World Skate Games in Paraguay. He clocked 1 minute 21.922 seconds, finishing just 4 milliseconds behind the gold medallist. Velkumar also won a bronze medal in the men’s 500-metre sprint at the same event. With these achievements, he had secured two medals at the 2026 World Skate Games at the time of the report. He was scheduled to compete in the marathon event on Sunday, offering another opportunity to win a medal.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years, from 2026–27 to 2030–31, with a total outlay of ₹53,428 crore.
NSAP has been renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme is now Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana, while the Widow Pension Scheme becomes Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana. The Disability Pension Scheme has been renamed Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana, and the National Family Benefit Scheme becomes Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana. Under the revised disability pension provisions, assistance will be ₹375 for beneficiaries up to 79 years and ₹625 for those aged 80 years and above.

Notes:
Researchers at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, developed a sustainable catalytic filter to treat dye-contaminated wastewater. The technology combines zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles and biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) nanofibres. Turmeric extract was used to synthesise ZnO nanoparticles, with natural compounds acting as reducing and stabilising agents. Light and mechanical vibrations enhance photocatalytic activity by reducing electron–hole recombination and promoting pollutant degradation. The filter achieved 98.6% decolourisation of methylene blue (MB) and 96.7% of Congo red (CR) within 120 minutes under combined light and ultrasonic excitation.