Daily Current Affairs Quiz: October 22, 2026

Notes:
The fifth edition of the India–Australia joint military exercise AUSTRAHIND 2026 commenced at the Foreign Training Node in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The exercise involves approximately 120 personnel each from the Indian Army and the Australian Army and is scheduled to conclude on 1 November 2026. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, jointmanship and operational coordination between the two armies. For the first time, an observer delegation from New Zealand is participating in the exercise. The theme is “Joint Sub-Conventional Operations in Island and Coastal Environment under Chapter VII of the UN Mandate.” The fourth edition was held at Irwin Barracks, Perth, Australia, from 13–26 October 2025.

Notes:
WWF-India (World Wide Fund for Nature–India) has launched a nationwide Green Diwali Campaign to encourage people to celebrate an environmentally friendly Diwali. The campaign promotes the principles of Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and urges citizens to avoid firecrackers. According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the campaign will continue until 8 November 2026. It will reach schools, colleges, educational institutions, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and local communities.

Notes:
Arshi Gupta, a 10-year-old Indian karting driver from Faridabad, Haryana, became the world’s youngest driver to win the Rotax MAX Challenge (RMC) Mini title. She won the Mini Max category of the FMSCI RMC India National Karting Championship 2026, held in Bengaluru. In 2025, she won the Micro Max category, making her one of the rare drivers to win two successive Rotax MAX Challenge categories in consecutive years. Arshi is the youngest driver globally to be selected for the F1 Academy Discover Your Drive programme. She is also a recipient of the FIA President’s Medal and has achieved podium finishes in the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

Notes:
Coconut growers in Tiptur taluk of Tumakuru district, Karnataka, are worried about a Bud Rot disease causing coconut tree crowns to break off and fall. The problem has been reported in Mattihalli, Hosahalli and Halkurike villages, as well as large parts of Nonavinakere and Kasaba hoblis. Bud Rot is a fatal disease of coconut palms characterized by the rotting of the terminal bud and surrounding tissues. The disease is caused by the fungus Phytophthora palmivora. The disease can affect coconut palms of all ages, but young palms are particularly vulnerable. The fungus attacks the growing point of the coconut palm, and once this point is destroyed, the palm cannot recover. The disease becomes more severe during the monsoon because of high relative humidity.

Notes:
Indian para-athlete Deepthi Jeevanji won her second consecutive gold medal in the women’s 400-metre T20 event at the Asian Para Games 2026. She set a new Games record by completing the race in 56.36 seconds. The event was held in Nagoya, Japan. Deepthi belongs to Telangana, and hails from a village in the Warangal region. The T20 category is for athletes with intellectual impairments.