Current Affairs Quiz - October 2026

Notes:
Recently, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) released the Living Planet Report 2026: The Science of Hope, highlighting the continuing decline in global wildlife populations. Africa’s monitored wildlife populations declined by an average of 80% between 1970 and 2022. Globally, the average size of monitored wildlife populations declined by 73% during the same period. The findings are based on the Living Planet Index (LPI), compiled by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). The index tracks 35,803 populations representing 5,790 vertebrate species. Habitat loss, largely caused by agricultural expansion, was identified as the most frequently reported cause of wildlife decline. Other major threats are overexploitation, climate change, invasive species, pollution and disease.

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Recently, Haryana expanded the Chirayu-Ayushman Bharat scheme to provide healthcare coverage to more families, including those with an annual income above ₹1.80 lakh. Chirayu-Ayushman Bharat scheme (Haryana) was launched in November 2022 by the Haryana government. Under the expanded scheme, eligible families can receive free and cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh per year at empanelled hospitals. The new policy period will run from 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2027.

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Recently, the 7th edition of the Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart (MPTM) 2026 was held from 7–10 October 2026 at the Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre (Minto Hall), Bhopal. The Travel Mart brought together more than 100 international delegates from more than 34 countries, along with more than domestic tourism operators from more than States/Union Territories and 355 local stakeholders. More than 10,000 pre-scheduled Business-to-Business (B2B) sessions were conducted to promote tourism partnerships and business opportunities. The event helped secure over ₹1,100 crore in investments in Madhya Pradesh’s tourism sector.

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Recently, Kerala Police launched a dedicated special task force named ‘Speak Up’ to address domestic violence and ensure the safety and empowerment of survivors. An Inspector General (IG)-level officer will be assigned special responsibility to lead the mission. The initiative aims to encourage survivors of domestic violence to report abuse and seek assistance rather than suffer in silence. The campaign’s message is “End endurance, it is time to speak up.” The initiative highlights the importance of protecting survivors, strengthening police intervention and promoting awareness about domestic violence.

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More than 18 mementos from Andhra Pradesh are featured in the PM Mementos collection, showcasing the state’s cultural heritage, traditional crafts and public achievements. The collection includes a Kondapalli wooden bullock cart, representing rural life and traditional craftsmanship. Kondapalli wooden bullock cart is a traditional handcrafted toy and decorative showpiece originating from Kondapalli village near Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. The craft has a history of approximately 400 years and is known for its traditional wooden carving techniques. Kondapalli toys have a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, recognising their regional identity.

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The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has announced a synchronised All-India Sarus Crane Survey on 10–11 October 2026 to estimate the bird’s population and identify conservation priorities. The survey aims to establish a reliable national population baseline, identify important habitats, map breeding and feeding sites, and develop evidence-based conservation strategies. The Sarus Crane (Antigone antigone) is the world’s tallest flying bird, reaching approximately 1.5 metres in height. It is the only resident breeding crane species in India and is closely associated with wetlands, marshes, grasslands and agricultural landscapes. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the Sarus Crane is classified as Vulnerable.

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Kural Tulu Touch, a digital keyboard that enables users to type in the Tulu script, was launched in Bengaluru on 4 October 2026 for Android smartphone users. The keyboard is available as a feature within the Baravu Saravu app, which was developed to promote Tulu language learning. Baravu Saravu provides a Tulu dictionary, language-learning videos and other educational resources. The developers used Kotlin, Flutter software development kit and Firebase backend services to create the keyboard. Currently, Tulu text is shared as stickers rather than directly as text messages, and the developers are working on additional features.

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Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda laid the foundation stone of ICMR Centre for High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Research (ICMR-CHAMP) on 12 October 2026. The centre will established at Keylong, Lahaul and Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh. It operates under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Its primary objective is to strengthen medical research and public healthcare in high-altitude and climate-sensitive regions. The initiative aims to strengthen tribal health, disaster preparedness and climate-resilient healthcare in the Himalayan region.

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Udhayveer Sidhu, an Indian shooter, won the gold medal in the men’s 10-metre air pistol event at the ISSF World Cup Rifle and Pistol in Cairo, Egypt. He scored 240.6 points, defeating Germany’s Christian Reitz by a narrow margin of 0.5 points. Olympic bronze medallists Swapnil Suresh Kusale and Sarabjot Singh were also part of the Indian contingent. India participated with a 24-member contingent, competing in eight individual Olympic disciplines and two mixed-team events. The tournament featured experienced Olympians and emerging Indian shooting talents.

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Veteran Marathi actress and Lavani artiste Madhu Kambikar passed away in Pune at the age of 72 following a prolonged illness. She suffered a stroke in 2016 and had been bedridden since then. Trained in Kathak and Lavani, she made significant contributions to Marathi folk theatre and cinema. She acted in several Marathi films, including Shapit, Ek Hota Vidushak, Zapatlela and Yeshwant. She helped preserve Maharashtra’s folk traditions and popularise Lavani, a traditional folk dance and music form of Maharashtra.