Current Affairs Quiz 17th and 18th October 2026 Quiz

Ans.b

Explanation: The Central Government constituted a high-powered committee led by former NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand to examine sugarcane farmers’ demands, including higher remunerative returns, revision of the minimum selling price of sugar, and concerns regarding mechanically harvested sugarcane.

Ans.d

Explanation: Asiatic lions have returned to Gujarat’s Barda Wildlife Sanctuary after nearly 144 years. According to the supplied news, the sanctuary is now home to 17 Asiatic lions and could serve as a second habitat for the species beyond Gir Forest.

Ans.c

Explanation: The PM GatiShakti National Master Plan completed five years of implementation on 13 October 2026. It was launched on 13 October 2021 to integrate multimodal infrastructure planning and help reduce logistics costs.

Ans.d

Explanation: BISAG-N developed the GIS-based PM GatiShakti platform. It integrates geospatial data from central ministries and state governments to support coordinated planning of infrastructure projects.

Ans.d

Explanation: The three plans mentioned in the news are LIC’s New Jeevan Dhara-II (Plan 892), Health Shield (Plan 907), and New Cancer Cover (Plan 908). Jeevan Umang is not listed among these three plans.

• New Jeevan Dhara-II (Plan 892): A savings deferred annuity plan providing guaranteed, lifelong retirement income after a deferment period of 1 to 15 years. It offers single or joint-life options, regular or single premiums, and a top-up facility during the deferment phase. Entry age ranges from 18 to a maximum vesting age of 65–70 years.
• Health Shield (Plan 907): A pure risk benefit family health plan offering fixed daily hospital cash benefits alongside lump-sum payouts for major surgeries and critical illnesses. It features a fixed 15-year policy and premium term, no-claim coverage enhancements, and dependent premium waivers in case of the principal insured’s demise.
• New Cancer Cover (Plan 908): A pure risk health benefit providing specialized financial support for cancer diagnoses. It pays 25% of the sum assured for early-stage and 100% for major-stage diagnoses without deducting prior early-stage payouts, plus an additional monthly income benefit of 1% for 10 years upon major diagnosis.

Ans.e

Explanation: India’s Ramsar site network reached 103 following the designation of Sukhna Wetland in Chandigarh and Sauj Jheel in Uttar Pradesh. Ramsar sites are wetlands recognised as internationally important under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

Ans.d

Explanation: India’s net direct tax collections increased by 13.21% to ₹13,37,866.98 crore as of 14 October 2026, compared with ₹11,81,786.98 crore during the corresponding period of FY 2025–26. Gross direct tax collections grew by 14.89%.

Key Tax Collection Breakdown

The financial data highlights a significant growth trajectory across both gross collections and individual tax components compared to the previous fiscal year:

Ans.e

Explanation: BMI raised India’s FY 2026–27 economic growth forecast to 7.5%, from 6.8%. Strong growth momentum and investment in artificial intelligence were cited as supporting factors, while rising oil prices and potential El Niño disruptions were identified as risks.

Ans.b

Explanation: Vishvajit Ramchandra More won silver at the U-23 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas. According to the supplied news, he became the first Indian wrestler to reach a Greco-Roman final and win silver at this competition. He lost the final 12–13 to Georgia’s Koba Karumidze.

Ans.b

Explanation: Dr. Alluri Venkata Satyanarayana Raju, popularly known as Dr. A.V.S. Raju, was the founder and Chairman Emeritus of NCC Limited. He founded Nagarjuna Construction Company in 1978 and received the Padma Shri in 2010 for his contributions to trade and industry.

Ans.c

Explanation: World Standards Day is observed annually on 14 October to recognise the importance of international standards in trade, technology, safety, and development. The 2026 theme given in the supplied news is “Shared vision for a better world: Spotlight on SDG 7, Affordable and Clean Energy.”

Ans.d

Explanation: World Students’ Day is celebrated on 15 October, marking the birth anniversary of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, India’s 11th President and a renowned scientist and teacher. The day highlights the importance of education, scientific curiosity, and youth empowerment.

Ans.c

Explanation: “United for Peace and Human Rights” as the 2026–2028 theme. The 2026 observance focuses on “Safe Homes for All,” highlighting the relationship between housing insecurity, poverty, exclusion, and human rights.