This is the current affairs 21 to 23 October 2026. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
1. Which country launched the (MMX) mission to bring back samples of soil and rocks from Mars’ moon ‘Phobos’?
a. Japan
b. India
c. France
d. Germany
Answer: a. Japan
– The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the ‘Martian Moons Exploration’ (MMX) spacecraft aboard an H3 rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center on 20 October 2026.
– In this mission, a spacecraft will travel to Mars.
– It will land a small rover on Phobos, one of Mars’ moons.
– This rover will examine the surface there.
– The spacecraft will return to Earth carrying 10 grams of soil and rock samples.
– The mission aims to reach Earth by 2031.
– Through this mission, scientists want to discover how both of Mars’ moons, Phobos and Deimos, were formed.
– Along with Japan, the United States, France, Germany, and the European Space Agency are also working on this mission.
– Approximately $578 million is being spent on this mission.
About the MMX Spacecraft
– After reaching Mars, it will travel close to its moon Phobos.
– It will then deploy a small rover named IDEFIX onto the surface of Phobos.
– This rover has been jointly developed by France and Germany.
– Several spacecraft have been sent to Mars so far, but none has been able to bring soil and rock samples from a Martian moon back to Earth.
– If Japan’s mission succeeds, samples from a moon of Mars will be brought back to Earth for the first time.
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2. What is India’s rank in the Global Hunger Index 2026?
a. 102
b. 103
c. 104
d. 100
Answer: d. 100
– The Global Hunger Index indicates the level of hunger in a country.
– In the 2026 report, India’s score is 24.1 out of 100, which falls under the ‘serious’ severity category of hunger. On this basis, India is ranked 100th.
– Countries with lower GHI scores also have lower rankings, meaning their populations experience less hunger.
– A total of 24 countries, including China, Russia, the UAE, and Kuwait, share the first rank.
Who Released the Report?
– The Irish aid agency Concern Worldwide and the German organisation Welthungerhilfe jointly released the Global Hunger Index in October 2026.
– This index is used to monitor hunger and malnutrition around the world.
India’s Position by Year
– 2026: 100th rank among 122 countries
– 2025: 102nd rank among 123 countries
– 2024: 105th rank among 127 countries
– 2023: 111th rank among 125 countries
– 2022: 107th rank among 121 countries
Important Figures
– Undernourished population: 9.8%
– Stunting among children under five years of age: 29.3%
– Wasting among children under five years of age: 19.0%
– Percentage of children who die before their fifth birthday: 2.7%
How Is the Global Hunger Index Calculated?
– The index is calculated using the GHI scores of countries.
The Four Indicators of the GHI Score:
1) Undernourishment: A condition of malnutrition in which the nutrients available to the body are insufficient in quality and quantity is called undernourishment.
2) Child Stunting: Children under five years of age whose height is low for their age, indicating long-term malnutrition.
3) Child Wasting: Children under five years of age whose weight is low for their height, indicating acute malnutrition.
4) Child Mortality Rate: The mortality rate of children under five years of age.
Top Countries
– A total of 24 countries have been assigned the same top rank: China, Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Paraguay, Romania, Serbia, Türkiye, the UAE, Uruguay, and Uzbekistan.
– Pakistan is ranked 106th. It is only slightly behind India.
– Nepal ranks 72nd, Sri Lanka 53rd, and Bangladesh 84th. This means that the situation in these countries is better than India’s.
– India’s ranking is behind those of its neighbouring countries Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.
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3. What was the retail inflation rate in India in September 2026?
a. 2.25%
b. 2.33%
c. 3.4%
d. 5.5%
Answer: d. 5.5%
– India’s retail inflation (CPI) rose to 5.5% in September 2026.
– This was the highest level in approximately two years, since October 2024.
– The main reasons for this increase were rising food and fuel prices.
– This retail inflation figure approached the upper limit of 6% set by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
– Inflation in the Food & Beverages category rose from 5.7% in August to 7.4% in September.
– Inflation in the transport sector was recorded at 5%, continuing its upward trend for the past five consecutive months.
– Rising food and transport prices pushed inflation in the ‘Restaurants and Accommodation Services’ category up to 9.4%.
– Inflation in the Personal Care and Miscellaneous Goods category stood at 13.75%.
Who Releases the Retail Inflation Report?
– NSO (National Statistical Office).
– It comes under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
How Is the Retail Inflation Rate Determined?
– It is determined using the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
– It measures inflation in food items, fruits, clothing, footwear, housing, fuel, electricity, and other items.
– The NSO collects real-time price data from selected urban markets (including online markets) and villages, covering all states and Union Territories.
– As consumers, we purchase goods from the retail market. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) shows changes in the prices of these goods. It measures the average prices we pay for goods and services.
– The new base year for CPI-based retail inflation is 2024.
Inflation Limits Set by the RBI
– The inflation target set by the RBI is 4% based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), with a permissible variation of two percentage points in either direction.
– Thus, inflation below 2% and above 6% is not considered favourable for the country’s economic development.
How Does the RBI Control Inflation?
– To control inflation, the flow of money (liquidity) in the market is reduced.
– For this purpose, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) increases or decreases the repo rate.
– When inflation rises, the RBI increases the repo rate. When inflation becomes very low, it reduces the repo rate.
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4. What was the wholesale inflation rate in September 2026?
a. 2.83%
b. 3.81%
c. 11.4%
d. 2.21%
Answer: c. 11.4%
– In September 2026, India’s inflation rate based on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) rose to a record level of 11.4%.
– This is the highest level in the two-and-a-half-year history of the new series (base year 2022–23), while according to the old series, it is the highest level in 49 months.
– Rising prices of food items, fuel, and manufactured goods played a major role in this increase.
Key Figures
– Fuel & Power: Wholesale inflation in this category was recorded at 25.85%.
– Wholesale food inflation rose from 5.7% in August to 8.1% in September.
– Wholesale inflation in the manufacturing sector stood at 9.8%, a record high for the new series so far (it was 8.4% in August).
– Non-food primary articles: Inflation in this category was recorded at 10.3%.
Who Released the Wholesale Inflation Report?
– Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
– It comes under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
(Note: The retail inflation rate is released by the NSO.)
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5. Who became the world’s youngest champion by winning the Mini Max category title at the 2026 Rotax Max Challenge?
a. Raji Doshi
b. Arshi Gupta
c. Konrad Gräther
d. Riya Sharma
Answer: b. Arshi Gupta
– Arshi Gupta is from Faridabad, Haryana.
– The competition took place on 19 October 2026 at the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) RMC India National Karting Championship held in Bengaluru.
– She turned 10 years old on that day.
– She won the ‘Micro Max’ category title in 2025.
– She created a record by becoming a national champion in different categories in two consecutive years.
– She became the world’s youngest driver to win this category and Asia’s only female national karting champion.
– Arshi is scheduled to represent India at the Rotax Max Grand Finals to be held in Portugal in November 2026.
FMSCI?
– FMSCI stands for Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India.
– It is India’s national motorsport federation.
– Micro Max and Mini Max are categories in the Rotax Max Challenge karting series.
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6. Who won the Denmark Open (badminton) women’s singles title for the second consecutive time in 2026?
a. An Se-young
b. Akane Yamaguchi
c. Wang Zhiyi
d. Nozomi Okuhara
Answer: a. An Se-young
– 24-year-old An Se-young is a badminton player from South Korea.
– In the women’s singles match held on 18 October 2026, she defeated Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi by 21–23, 21–14, 21–18.
– The final was held in Odense, Denmark.
– With this victory, An Se-young also set a record for winning the highest number of international titles.
– Her total number of titles reached 47.
– She surpassed the 29-year-old record of Indonesia’s Susi Susanti, who had 46 titles.
– The Badminton World Federation (BWF) confirmed this.
– An Se-young also won the title in 2025.
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7. Who won the 2026 Denmark Open (badminton) men’s singles title?
a. Alex Lanier
b. Anders Antonsen
c. Victor Lai
d. Lakshya Sen
Answer: a. Alex Lanier
– 21-year-old Alex Lanier became the first French player to win the men’s singles title at this tournament.
– He defeated Denmark’s Anders Antonsen in the final held on 18 October 2026 at the Jyske Bank Arena in Denmark.
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8. Who won the 2026 Denmark Open (badminton) women’s doubles title?
a. Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand
b. Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan
c. Hinata Suzuki and Thinaah Muralitharan
d. Hinata Suzuki and Nao Yamakita
Answer: b. Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan
– Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan are players from Malaysia.
– They won the title by defeating Japan’s pair of Hinata Suzuki and Nao Yamakita by 21–18, 21–11 in the final.
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9. Who won the 2026 Denmark Open (badminton) men’s doubles title?
a. Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik
b. Fajar Alfian and Soh Wooi Yik
c. Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri
d. Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Aaron Chia
Answer: c. Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri
– Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri are players from Indonesia.
– They defeated Malaysia’s pair of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik by 21–8, 21–14 in the final.
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10. Who won the 2026 Denmark Open (badminton) mixed doubles title?
a. Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping
b. Hoo Pang Ron and Lai Pei Jing
c. Hoo Pang Ron and Jiang Zhenbang
d. Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin
Answer: d. Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin
– China’s Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin defeated the top pair from their own country, Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping, by 21–18, 8–21, 21–16.
List of Winners
– Men’s Singles: Alex Lanier (France)
– Women’s Singles: An Se-young (South Korea)
– Men’s Doubles: Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri (Indonesia)
– Women’s Doubles: Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan (Malaysia)
– Mixed Doubles: Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin (China)
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11. When is International Chefs Day celebrated?
a. 19 October
b. 20 October
c. 21 October
d. 22 October
Answer: b. 20 October
Theme for 2026
– Food Explorers
– Food Explorers
– The objective of this day is to educate people around the world about healthy eating.
– Dr. Bill Gallagher, a renowned master chef and former president of the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (Worldchefs), established International Chefs Day in 2004.
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12. In which city was the World Health Summit 2026 held?
a. Paris
b. New Delhi
c. Berlin
d. Colombo
Answer: c. Berlin
World Health Summit 2026
– Location: Berlin, Germany
– Dates: 11–13 October 2026
– Theme: From Crisis to Resilience: Innovation for Health
– Number of countries and regions: 130
Major Financial Announcements and Fund Allocations
– $100 million to prevent stillbirths: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Wellcome Leap announced a joint initiative. Its goal is to reduce the stillbirth rate by 50% in developing countries within the next 10 years.
– €250 million for women’s healthcare services in Bangladesh: The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Government of Bangladesh signed an agreement worth €250 million. Its objective is to improve maternal healthcare infrastructure and provide cancer screening and critical care facilities to approximately 47 million women and girls.
Global Health Reports and Warnings
– Risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Nuclear War: The Lancet Commission released a report warning that the misuse of AI and the possibility of nuclear conflict are among the greatest threats to human existence and global health systems in the 21st century.
– Declining Public Trust in Science: The Wellcome Global Monitor report was presented. It stated that public trust in science and scientific information has declined globally since the COVID-19 pandemic.
– Pandemic Preparedness (GPMB Report): The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board issued final guidelines on monitoring future pandemic risks, rapid warning systems, and the equitable distribution of vaccines.
What Is the World Health Summit?
– The World Health Summit is one of the world’s leading international health forums. It is organised to discuss global health problems and formulate policies.
– The World Health Organization (WHO) is its official strategic partner and co-organiser.
– Global Think Tank: Health ministers, scientists, WHO officials, non-governmental organisations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and health researchers from around the world come together on this platform.
– Headquarters/Location: It is primarily held every year in October in Berlin, Germany.
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13. Which countries have been jointly awarded the hosting rights for the 2027 ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup?
a. Bangladesh and Nepal
b. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
c. Pakistan and India
d. Nepal and Sri Lanka
Answer: a. Bangladesh and Nepal
ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2027
– Edition: Third
– From When to When: 21 January to 6 February 2027
– Host Countries: Bangladesh and Nepal
– Participating Teams: 16
– Total Matches: 41
Host Countries and Venues
– Bir Shrestha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Motiur Rahman Cricket Stadium: Chattogram, Bangladesh
– Sylhet International Cricket Stadium: Sylhet, Bangladesh
– TU International Cricket Stadium: Kathmandu, Nepal
– Upper Mulpani International Cricket Ground: Kathmandu, Nepal
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14. Until when did the Union Cabinet approve the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme?
a. 2026-27
b. 2030-31
c. 2035-36
d. 2040-41
Answer: b. 2030-31
– The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, decided to continue the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP).
– The total outlay for this is ₹53,428 crore, and the scheme will remain in operation for five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31.
– The new proposal included (i) renaming the scheme and its sub-schemes, (ii) revising the eligibility criteria, coverage, and assistance rates for disability pensions, and (iii) continuing the pension schemes for senior citizens and widows, as well as the Family Benefit Scheme, in their existing forms.
– With this approval of the proposal submitted by the Department of Rural Development, a total of 3.20 crore people across all 36 States/Union Territories will benefit.
Existing Name Approved Name
Main Scheme – National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP): Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana
Renaming of Sub-Schemes
– Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): Pradhan Mantri Vriddhavastha Pension Yojana
– Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS): Pradhan Mantri Vidhwa Pension Yojana
– Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS): Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana
– National Family Benefit Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana
Note – The name of the Annapurna Scheme has not been changed. (Senior citizens who are eligible to receive a pension under IGNOAPS but are unable to receive it for some reason are provided 10 kilograms of free food grains (wheat/rice) per month.)
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15. What has the central government renamed the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) to?
a. Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana
b. Pradhan Mantri Vidhwa Pension Yojana
c. Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana
d. Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana
Answer: c. Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana
– This scheme provides financial security to poor and helpless citizens.
– Launched on: 15 August 1995
– Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development
– Objective: To provide minimum social security (pensions and financial assistance) to elderly people, widows, and persons with disabilities living below the poverty line (BPL), as well as to families in the event of the death of the primary breadwinner.
– Constitutional Basis: It follows the directive under Article 41 of the Constitution (Directive Principles of State Policy) to provide social assistance to citizens.
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16. What is the new name of the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), as changed by the central government?
a. Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana
b. Namo Parivar Labh Yojana
c. Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana
d. Pradhan Mantri Vriddhavastha Pension Yojana
Answer: d. Pradhan Mantri Vriddhavastha Pension Yojana
– Eligibility: BPL category citizens aged 60 years or above.
Financial Assistance:
= Age 60 to 79 years: ₹200 per month (Central Government) + State Government contribution.
= Age 80 years or above: ₹500 per month (Central Government) + State Government contribution.
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17. The central government has renamed the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS); what is the new name?
a. Pradhan Mantri Vidhwa Pension Yojana
b. Pradhan Mantri Vriddhavastha Pension Yojana
c. Namo Parivar Labh Yojana
d. Namo Divyangjan Pension Yojana
Answer: a. Pradhan Mantri Vidhwa Pension Yojana
– Eligibility: BPL widowed women aged 40 to 79 years.
Financial Assistance: ₹300 per month (Central Government) + State Government contribution. (After the age of 80, ₹500 under IGNOAPS.)
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18. What is the new name of the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS), as changed by the central government?
a. National Family Benefit Scheme
b. Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana
c. Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana
d. Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana
Answer: b. Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana
Some Other Changes Have Been Made to the Scheme
– Disability Percentage: The minimum disability threshold for a pension has been reduced from 80% to 40% under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
– Change in Age Limit: The minimum age limit of 18 years has been removed, and eligibility now applies from birth.
Monthly Pension Amount:
– For ages 0 to 79 years: ₹375 per month
– For ages 80 years and above: ₹625 per month
Number of Beneficiaries
– With this amendment, the number of beneficiaries under the scheme has increased from 8.33 lakh to 27.48 lakh.
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19. What new name has the central government given to the National Family Benefit Scheme?
a. National Social Assistance Programme
b. National Widow Pension Scheme
c. National Disability Pension Scheme
d. Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana
Answer: d. Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana
– Eligibility: In the event of the natural or accidental death of the primary breadwinner of a BPL family, aged 18 to 59 years.
– Financial Assistance: A one-time financial assistance of ₹20,000.
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20. When is International Snow Leopard Day celebrated?
a. 22 October
b. 23 October
c. 24 October
d. 25 October
Answer: b. 23 October
– The snow leopard is found in 12 countries: India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Mongolia, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
– Snow leopards live in high mountainous regions at elevations of up to 18,000 feet, mostly in high-altitude and cold areas.
– The snow leopard is the state animal of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh.
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