1. Which major state posted the fastest GST growth (88%) in September 2026?
Answer: D. Assam's collections jumped 88% to Rs 2,415 crore, the sharpest rise among major states.
2. What was the final HSBC India Manufacturing PMI for August 2026?
Answer: C. August 2026 ended at 52.8, the weakest since August 2021, before recovering to 55.1 in September.
3. Which sub-sector recorded the steepest fall (-8.4%) in the ISP for July 2026?
Answer: B. Air transport shrank 8.4%, while repair services fell 5.0%.
4. From when did RBI's simplified approval for subsequent major-stake buys in banks take effect?
Answer: B. The Amendment Directions were issued on 1 October 2026 and came into force immediately.
5. From which date will Anup Kumar Saha become MD & CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank?
Answer: D. Kotak Mahindra Bank said Saha's three-year term as MD & CEO starts on 1 January 2027.
6. What is the maximum MDR payable on a single UPI P2M transaction under NPCI's new framework?
Answer: D. The 0.4% MDR is capped at ₹300, which applies to transactions of ₹75,000 and above.
7. What annual AUM-based PoP charge applies to NPS subscribers from 1 October 2026?
Answer: C. PFRDA's revised structure sets the PoP charge at 0.20% per annum of AUM, adjusted through the NAV.
8. BharatNet is funded through which fund, earlier called the Universal Service Obligation Fund?
Answer: C. Digital Bharat Nidhi, renamed under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, funds BharatNet and other rural telecom schemes.
9. Which ministry coordinates the special Gram Sabhas held on 2 October 2026 for the People's Plan Campaign?
Answer: C. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj coordinates the campaign, with other ministries joining for convergence.
10. According to the PM, what share of UPSC candidates were women in 1952?
Answer: B. Women made up 3% of candidates in 1952, compared with over 30% now.
11. In Manipur, AFSPA extended from 1 October 2026 excludes areas under how many police stations?
Answer: C. The whole of Manipur is covered except 13 police station areas in five districts.
12. How often does the presidency of the UN Security Council rotate among its members?
Answer: E. The UNSC presidency changes every month; Greece holds it for October 2026.
13. Which of the following is NOT one of the five pillars of the Colombo Security Conclave?
Answer: B. The five pillars are security-related; trade liberalisation is not among them.
14. Which body approves the Minimum Support Prices for kharif crops?
Answer: C. The CCEA approved MSPs for 14 kharif crops for 2026-27 on 13 May 2026.
15. Which was the only meteorological subdivision with excess rainfall in the 2026 southwest monsoon?
Answer: C. IMD data showed Odisha as the lone excess subdivision.