Daily Current Affairs 22 October 2026
Daily current affairs for 22 October 2026 — 13 verified news items across Economy, Environment, Appointments & more, with exam-angle notes, keywords and…
Part of October 2026 current affairs: the month's top stories by topic
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In this digest · 13 items
Economy
RBI’s Record Surplus Transfer Highlights Its Growing Fiscal Role
The Reserve Bank of India transferred a record ₹2.87 lakh crore surplus to the Centre, highlighting its growing fiscal significance. Earnings from reserve management and foreign assets support government finances. The trend has also raised questions about central bank independence and fiscal centralisation. Another concern is that such transfers are excluded from fiscal devolution to States. The report frames the transfer as part of a broader discussion about the RBI’s fiscal role and its implications for the relationship between the central bank, the Centre and States.
Source The Hindu
Practice MCQs
Q1 What was the value of the RBI’s record surplus transfer to the Centre?
- A₹2.87 lakh croreCorrect
- B₹2.78 lakh crore
- C₹2.87 crore
- D₹2.78 crore
Explanation The source reports a record ₹2.87 lakh crore surplus transfer to the Centre.
Q2 According to the source, what earnings support government finances through the RBI’s growing fiscal role?
- AEarnings from reserve management and foreign assetsCorrect
- BEarnings from domestic retail lending
- CEarnings from State taxes
- DEarnings from commodity exports
Explanation The source says earnings from reserve management and foreign assets support government finances.
Core Sector Growth Reaches 7.9% in September, Fastest in New Series
Core sector growth reached 7.9% in September, the fastest in the new series, according to the source. Iron ore output recorded the highest listed growth, rising 18.4%. Electricity grew 11.4%, coal 10.7%, refinery products 10.3%, cement 9.8% and steel 4.9%. Output contracted in three sectors: fertilizers fell 11.7%, natural gas declined 4.6% and crude oil decreased 1.4%. The figures show varied performance across the listed sectors during September.
Source Livemint
Practice MCQs
Q1 Which sector recorded the highest listed output growth in September?
- AElectricity
- BIron oreCorrect
- CCement
- DSteel
Explanation Iron ore output grew 18.4%, the highest growth among the listed sectors.
Q2 Which sector registered the largest contraction in September?
- ACrude oil
- BNatural gas
- CFertilizersCorrect
- DSteel
Explanation Fertilizer output contracted by 11.7%, more than the declines in natural gas and crude oil.
India’s Infrastructure Output Rises 7.9% in September on Strong Production
India’s infrastructure output grew 7.9% year-on-year in September, according to data reported on 21 October 2026. The increase was higher than the 3.1% growth recorded in September of the previous year. Higher output of coal, refinery products, steel and iron ore helped drive the growth. The report does not provide further details on the output of individual sectors.
Source Livemint
Practice MCQs
Q1 What was the year-on-year growth in India’s infrastructure output in September?
- A3.1%
- B7.9%Correct
- C6.8%
- D9.7%
Explanation The report states that infrastructure output grew 7.9% year-on-year in September.
Q2 Which of the following was cited as helping drive the growth in infrastructure output?
- ACoalCorrect
- BTextiles
- CTourism
- DAgriculture
Explanation Higher coal output was among the factors cited as helping drive the growth.
India’s Net FDI Falls Despite Strong Gross Inflows, Highlighting Capital Repatriation
India’s net foreign direct investment (FDI) has declined sharply even as gross inflows remain strong. The source attributes the contrast to the impact of disinvestment and capital repatriation, and says aggregate inflow and outflow figures alone do not fully explain the trend. It highlights investor classes, modes of entry and exit strategies as relevant factors, with implications for technology transfer, industrial development and external sustainability.
Source The Hindu
Practice MCQs
Q1 According to the source, what contributes to the contrast between falling net FDI and strong gross inflows in India?
- ADisinvestment and capital repatriationCorrect
- BTechnology transfer and industrial development
- CInvestor classes and modes of entry
- DAggregate inflow and outflow figures
Explanation The source attributes the contrast to the impact of disinvestment and capital repatriation.
Q2 Which set of factors does the source say is relevant to understanding FDI trends beyond aggregate figures?
- AInvestor classes, modes of entry and exit strategiesCorrect
- BGross inflows, net inflows and industrial output
- CTechnology transfer, disinvestment and gross inflows
- DExternal sustainability, aggregate outflows and entry modes
Explanation The source specifically identifies investor classes, modes of entry and exit strategies as relevant factors.
Environment
UN Climate Damages Fund Earmarks $20 Million for Nepal Disaster
The UN climate damages fund has earmarked $20 million for Nepal following an August disaster. Set up in 2022, the Fund has allocated money to a specific country for the first time. The earmarked amount is a fraction of Nepal’s own estimate of $5 billion in losses. So far, the Fund has received pledges worth $820 million, while requests for support total $2.8 billion. The source does not provide further details about the August disaster or the timing of the allocation.
Source The Hindu
Practice MCQs
Q1 How much has the UN climate damages fund earmarked for Nepal?
- A$20 millionCorrect
- B$5 billion
- C$820 million
- D$2.8 billion
Explanation The Fund earmarked $20 million for Nepal.
Q2 What is the total value of pledges received by the Fund so far?
- A$2.8 billion
- B$820 millionCorrect
- C$20 million
- D$5 billion
Explanation The source states that the Fund has pledges worth $820 million.
UNEP Report Sets Emission-Cut Targets to Restore 1.5°C Warming
A United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report says drastic emission cuts can help return warming to 1.5°C by the end of the century. Measured from 2025 levels, the report outlines an 18% cut by 2030, a 45% cut by 2035, and a 69% cut by 2040. These are the emission-reduction targets identified in the report for restoring the 1.5°C level by century’s end.
Source The Hindu
Practice MCQs
Q1 According to the UNEP report, what emission cut is outlined for 2035 from 2025 levels?
- A18%
- B45%Correct
- C69%
- D1.5%
Explanation The report outlines a 45% cut by 2035 from 2025 levels.
Q2 By when does the UNEP report say drastic emission cuts can help return warming to 1.5°C?
- ABy 2030
- BBy 2035
- CBy 2040
- DBy the end of the centuryCorrect
Explanation The report says the cuts can help restore 1.5°C warming by the end of the century.
Environmental Group Questions Kerala’s Sand Extraction Plan for Seventeen Rivers
The Kerala government’s move to permit sand extraction in 17 rivers has drawn criticism from the Society for the Protection of the Environment, Kerala (SPEK). The decision has been presented as a flood-mitigation step, but SPEK says no environmental impact assessment appears to have been conducted. Activists also warn that the move may serve as a pretext for indiscriminate sand extraction from all rivers and streams. The source reports the group’s concerns but does not state that an assessment was definitively not conducted.
Source The Hindu
Practice MCQs
Q1 Which organisation raised concerns about the Kerala government’s sand-extraction move?
- ASociety for the Protection of the Environment, KeralaCorrect
- BKerala government
- CEnvironmental impact assessment
- DFlood mitigation
Explanation The source attributes the concerns to the Society for the Protection of the Environment, Kerala (SPEK).
Q2 What assessment did SPEK say appeared not to have been conducted?
- AFlood-mitigation assessment
- BEnvironmental impact assessmentCorrect
- CRiver-flow assessment
- DSand-extraction assessment
Explanation SPEK said that no environmental impact assessment appeared to have been conducted.
Greens Oppose Revival of Cheekkalloor Airstrip Project in Wayanad
Greens have opposed the move to revive the Cheekkalloor airstrip project in Wayanad, Kerala. A Samiti warned that the proposed airstrip would displace more than 1,000 families and destroy around 500 acres of paddy fields. It also cautioned that the project could threaten water security in Wayanad and adjoining areas of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The source reports the concerns raised about the project and the call for the State government to abandon it.
Source The Hindu
Practice MCQs
Q1 Which group warned about the effects of the Cheekkalloor airstrip project?
- AThe SamitiCorrect
- BThe airstrip project
- CWayanad
- DKarnataka
Explanation The source says a Samiti warned that the airstrip could displace families, destroy paddy fields and threaten water security.
Q2 Approximately how much paddy land did the Samiti warn could be destroyed?
- AMore than 1,000 families
- BAround 500 acresCorrect
- CWater security
- DThe Cheekkalloor airstrip
Explanation The source says the project could destroy around 500 acres of paddy fields.
India Protects All Cetaceans Under Schedule I of Wildlife Act
The Hindu reports that every cetacean in India is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the same level of protection accorded to tigers and lions. The article highlights that people may not recognise a Bryde’s whale stranded on a beach, know whom to contact, or ask what happened to the animal afterwards. Its headline also points to watchers no longer coming to Gujarat’s beaches, although the supplied text provides no further details about that change.
Source The Hindu
Practice MCQs
Q1 Under which schedule of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 are cetaceans in India protected?
- ASchedule ICorrect
- BSchedule II
- CSchedule III
- DSchedule IV
Explanation The source states that every cetacean in India is protected under Schedule I.
Q2 Which whale does the article say people may not recognise on a beach?
- ABryde’s whaleCorrect
- BBlue whale
- CHumpback whale
- DSperm whale
Explanation The source specifically mentions that people may not recognise a Bryde’s whale on the beach.
Appointments
Asirvad Micro Finance Elevates Pasangha as Managing Director and CEO
Asirvad Micro Finance has elevated Pasangha as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. The appointment follows approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The stated focus for the role includes portfolio quality, governance and sustainable growth. The source reports the appointment and these priorities, but does not provide further details about Pasangha or the timing of the change. The development concerns a leadership appointment at Asirvad Micro Finance.
Source BusinessLine
Practice MCQs
Q1 Who was elevated as Managing Director and CEO of Asirvad Micro Finance?
- APasanghaCorrect
- BThe Reserve Bank of India
- CAsirvad Micro Finance
- DPortfolio quality
Explanation The source says Asirvad Micro Finance elevated Pasangha as its MD and CEO.
Q2 Which institution's approval preceded the appointment?
- AAsirvad Micro Finance
- BThe Reserve Bank of IndiaCorrect
- CGovernance
- DSustainable growth
Explanation The source states that the appointment followed RBI approval.
Banking
RBI Raises Repo Rate as Two MPC Members Prefer Neutral Stance
At its October 2026 meeting, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) raised the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50%. All six members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) supported the rate hike. However, members differed over the policy stance: four backed a shift from neutral to calibrated tightening, while two preferred retaining a neutral stance. The MPC minutes disclosed this difference between unanimous support for the rate increase and differing views on the stance.
Source Livemint
Practice MCQs
Q1 What was the repo rate after the RBI’s October 2026 hike?
- A5.50%Correct
- B5.25%
- C25 basis points
- DNeutral stance
Explanation The source states that the RBI raised the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50%.
Q2 How many MPC members supported the repo rate hike?
- AFour
- BTwo
- CSixCorrect
- DOne
Explanation All six Monetary Policy Committee members supported the hike.
Science & Tech
eMudhra to Exit Overseas Web Security Certificate Business
eMudhra is exiting its overseas web security certificate business as its stock takes a beating. The firm is reeling from the exposure of the private keys of eight web security certificates. The incident could leave out-of-date devices vulnerable to websites using forged security certificates. The source does not specify when the exit will take place or provide further details about the exposed keys.
Source The Hindu
Practice MCQs
Q1 How many web security certificates’ private keys were exposed?
- AEightCorrect
- BSix
- CTen
- DTwelve
Explanation The source states that the private keys of eight web security certificates were exposed.
Q2 Which devices could be left vulnerable following the incident?
- AOut-of-date devicesCorrect
- BNewly manufactured devices
- CDevices used only offline
- DDevices without web access
Explanation The source says the incident could leave out-of-date devices vulnerable to sites using forged security certificates.
Sports
SBI Felicitates Nine Athletes Who Won Eleven Asian Games Medals
State Bank of India (SBI) felicitated nine athletes it supported for their contribution to India’s medal tally at the Asian Games 2026. The athletes won 11 medals for India at the Games, according to the report. SBI recognised their achievements, highlighting their contribution to the country’s medal tally. The source does not identify the athletes, specify the medals won, or provide further details about the felicitation. The report was published on October 22, 2026.
Source BusinessLine
Practice MCQs
Q1 How many athletes did SBI felicitate for their contribution to India’s medal tally at the Asian Games 2026?
- ASeven
- BNineCorrect
- CEleven
- DThirteen
Explanation The report states that SBI felicitated nine athletes.
Q2 How many medals did the nine athletes win for India at the Asian Games 2026?
- AEight
- BTen
- CElevenCorrect
- DTwelve
Explanation The report title states that the athletes won 11 medals for India.
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