1. India's forex reserves hit a record high of US$785.71 billion on which date in 2026?
Answer: C. Business Standard reported the record of US$785.71 billion on September 4, followed by five weekly falls.
2. Which bank is the transferee in the amalgamation involving Emirates NBD's Indian branches that RBI sanctioned in October 2026?
Answer: A. RBL Bank Limited is the transferee bank. Emirates NBD's Indian branches will function as its branches from December 1, 2026.
3. The India–Maldives currency swap was signed under which framework?
Answer: C. The RBI–MMA swap falls under the Framework on Currency Swap Arrangement for SAARC countries.
4. Which of the following was NOT listed by Deloitte India as a risk to its FY27 growth outlook?
Answer: D. Deloitte flagged geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions and energy price volatility; monsoon failure was not among the risks cited.
5. The export duty on petrol was raised on October 16, 2026 from 50 paise to how much per litre?
Answer: D. The Finance Ministry raised the petrol export duty to Rs 2.5 per litre.
6. Besides India, which two countries did Ajay Banga name as leading sources of private capital mobilised by the World Bank Group?
Answer: C. Banga named the US, Britain and India as the leading sources, with investors from 110 countries.
7. The latest PMAY-U 2.0 sanctions were made under Beneficiary-Led Construction and which other vertical?
Answer: D. Houses were approved under the BLC and Affordable Housing in Partnership verticals for EWS families.
8. Census 2027 is which census since India's Independence?
Answer: C. Census 2027 is the eighth census since Independence; it was originally due in 2021.
9. With the creation of Sankoo in October 2026, how many districts does Ladakh UT have?
Answer: D. Two original districts plus five created in April 2026 plus Sankoo give Ladakh eight districts.
10. Whom did Sudha Yadav succeed as Governor of Karnataka in October 2026?
Answer: C. She succeeded Thaawarchand Gehlot, who had been Governor since July 21, 2021.
11. How many artificial intelligence technologies are listed in China's draft export control catalogue update of October 2026?
Answer: D. The draft lists 23 AI technologies, alongside 12 solar and 5 biomedicine technologies.
12. Which multi-year theme (2026-2028) has the UN adopted for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty?
Answer: C. The UN's 2026-2028 theme is 'United for Peace and Human Rights', with 'Safe Homes for All' as the 2026 focus.
13. What quantity of organic palmyra jaggery powder was exported to Bulgaria in APEDA's maiden consignment?
Answer: C. The NPOP- and EU-certified consignment weighed 1.755 metric tonnes.
14. ASPIICS, used in the joint CME study with Aditya-L1, is a coronagraph on which mission?
Answer: D. ASPIICS is the coronagraph on ESA's Proba-3, which PSLV-C59 launched on December 5, 2024.
15. How many personnel did each army field in the 18th edition of Exercise Nomadic Elephant?
Answer: B. India and Mongolia each fielded 45 personnel in the platoon-level exercise.