National Current Affairs, 23 October 2026

National Current Affairs, 23 October 2026 | Quiz4Exam

Finance Minister chairs the 30th meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council

economy · ibps-po, sbi-po, rbi-grade-b, ssc-cgl

The Union Finance Minister chaired the 30th meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council in New Delhi on 23 October 2026.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327596&reg=3&lang=1

The Council took note of the Financial Sector Cyber Security Strategy drawn up by an Inter-Ministerial Group of financial sector regulators and cybersecurity agencies.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327596&reg=3&lang=1

The Council discussed promoting innovation in the Fintech sector and the prospects of tokenisation of financial assets.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327596&reg=3&lang=1

Why this matters

Which body a named official chairs is one of the most repeated prelims questions in banking and SSC papers.

Linked static GK: The Union Finance Minister chairs the FSDC.

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NSO proposes changes to the Periodic Labour Force Survey from January 2027

economy · ssc-cgl, rbi-grade-b, ugc-net

The National Statistics Office proposes to change the sampling design of the Periodic Labour Force Survey from January 2027, when fresh samples for 2027 and 2028 will be drawn.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327153&reg=3&lang=1

A new second stage stratum for digital platform workers is being introduced, giving four such strata in rural areas and five in urban areas.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327153&reg=3&lang=1

The survey has been conducted since 2017 and its sampling design was last revamped from January 2025 to give monthly, quarterly and annual estimates.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327153&reg=3&lang=1

Why this matters

Unemployment figures quoted in every paper come from this survey, so which body runs it and from when its design changes are both askable.

Linked static GK: The National Statistics Office sits under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

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India and Russia conclude the naval exercise INDRA 2026

defence · nda, cds, afcat, ssc-cgl, ssc-gd

Indian Naval Ship Sahyadri left Vladivostok in the Russian Federation on 20 October 2026 after the bilateral naval exercise INDRA 2026 concluded.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327353&reg=3&lang=1

The joint exercise was held between the Indian Navy and the Russian Federation Navy.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327353&reg=3&lang=1

The exercise had two phases, a Harbour Phase and a Sea Phase, the sea phase covering coordinated manoeuvring, helicopter operations and medical evacuation drills.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327353&reg=3&lang=1

Why this matters

Exercise names, the countries in them and the host port are asked directly in defence and SSC papers.

Linked static GK: Vladivostok is Russia's main Pacific port.

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Indian Navy to host the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi

defence · nda, cds, afcat, ssc-cgl

The Indian Navy will hold the 2026 edition of the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi from 03 to 05 November 2026.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327189&reg=3&lang=1

The theme this year is Science, Technology and Academic Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, and the National Maritime Foundation is the principal organiser.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327189&reg=3&lang=1

The dialogue examines the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, which the Prime Minister announced at the 14th East Asia Summit in Bangkok in November 2019.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327189&reg=3&lang=1

Why this matters

The full form of MAHASAGAR and the summit at which the IPOI was announced are both exactly the kind of detail a paper asks for.

Linked static GK: MAHASAGAR stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.

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India sweeps the podium in men's javelin throw at the Asian Para Games

sports · ssc-cgl, ssc-chsl, ssc-gd, rrb-ntpc

India took all three medals in the men's javelin throw at the Asian Para Games, with Sumit winning gold.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327738&reg=3&lang=1

Mahendra Gurjar took silver with a Games Record.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327738&reg=3&lang=1

Sandip Sanjay Sargar took bronze, also with a Games Record.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327738&reg=3&lang=1

Why this matters

Medal winners and the event they won in are standard one-mark questions, and a podium sweep is the version a paper is most likely to pick.

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NHAI issues standards for toilets and parking at national highway toll plazas

infrastructure · ssc-cgl, rrb-ntpc, rrb-group-d

The National Highways Authority of India has issued guidelines for upgrading, maintaining and monitoring public toilets and designated parking areas at toll plazas.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327363&reg=3&lang=1

Every covered toll plaza must provide at least one universally accessible toilet unit with barrier-free access and grab bars.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327363&reg=3&lang=1

Safety measures include lighting, CCTV surveillance of approaches and parking areas, and sanitary napkin vending machines.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327363&reg=3&lang=1

Why this matters

Which authority sets standards on national highways is a direct question, and NHAI is the answer that gets confused with the ministry.

Linked static GK: NHAI works under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

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C-DOT sets up its sixth Centre of Excellence at IIT (BHU), Varanasi

science-and-technology · ssc-cgl, ugc-net, rrb-je

The Centre for Development of Telematics has signed a memorandum of understanding with IIT (BHU), Varanasi to set up its sixth Centre of Excellence.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327317&reg=3&lang=1

The centre will work on 5G Advanced and 6G, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cybersecurity and advanced wireless systems.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327317&reg=3&lang=1

C-DOT is the telecom research centre of the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327317&reg=3&lang=1

Why this matters

C-DOT's parent department is a standing confusion in papers, and the count of centres of excellence is the detail that makes the item askable.

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DARPG holds the 22nd National e-Governance Webinar

governance · ssc-cgl, mpsc-group-c, ugc-net

The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances held the 22nd National e-Governance Webinar on 23 October 2026.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327457&reg=3&lang=1

The webinar showcased TRINETRA, an artificial intelligence based video surveillance system for the area around the Mahakaleshwar Temple at Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327457&reg=3&lang=1

It also showcased the Panchayat Advancement Index, led by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, and both initiatives won Gold at the National Awards for e-Governance 2026.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327457&reg=3&lang=1

Why this matters

Which department runs administrative reform, and the names of award-winning governance initiatives, are both standard questions for state services papers.

Linked static GK: DARPG sits under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

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Committee set up to review pharmaceutical marketing practices

health · ssc-cgl, ugc-net, rbi-grade-b

The Department of Pharmaceuticals has set up a committee to examine the regulatory framework for pharmaceutical marketing practices and to recommend stronger oversight.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327534&reg=3&lang=1

Dr. M. Srinivas, a Member of NITI Aayog, will chair the committee, with former Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan and Dr. Naresh Trehan as members.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327534&reg=3&lang=1

The Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices was introduced in 2015 as a voluntary self-regulatory mechanism and was superseded by a 2024 version.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327534&reg=3&lang=1

Why this matters

A newly constituted committee and who chairs it is the single most common current affairs question format.

Linked static GK: The Department of Pharmaceuticals sits under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

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Third regional review of the Forest Rights Act held in Srinagar

polity · ssc-cgl, mpsc-group-c, ugc-net, zp-bharti

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs held the third regional review conference on the Forest Rights Act of 2006 in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327660&reg=3&lang=1

Officials from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir reviewed progress on pending claims and Community Forest Resource Rights.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327660&reg=3&lang=1

The conference closed the regional review series that began in Bengaluru on 10 September 2026 and continued in Kolkata on 9 October 2026.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327660&reg=3&lang=1

Why this matters

The full name and year of the Forest Rights Act is asked directly, and the ministry that administers it is the part candidates get wrong.

Linked static GK: The Act recognises the rights of Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers.

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Finance Minister chairs the 30th meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council

NSO proposes changes to the Periodic Labour Force Survey from January 2027

India and Russia conclude the naval exercise INDRA 2026

Indian Navy to host the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi

India sweeps the podium in men's javelin throw at the Asian Para Games

NHAI issues standards for toilets and parking at national highway toll plazas

C-DOT sets up its sixth Centre of Excellence at IIT (BHU), Varanasi

DARPG holds the 22nd National e-Governance Webinar

Committee set up to review pharmaceutical marketing practices

Third regional review of the Forest Rights Act held in Srinagar

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