Q1. Who won Brazil’s presidential runoff on 25 October 2026 and became the first person in the country to be elected President four times (non-consecutive)?

(A) Flávio Bolsonaro

(B) Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

(C) Geraldo Alckmin

(D) Jair Bolsonaro

Correct Answer: (B) Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

Explanation: Lula da Silva defeated Flávio Bolsonaro in the runoff with over 51% of the vote. He had trailed in the first round (Lula 45.16%, Flávio 47.03%) but turned it around in three weeks. It is the first time in Brazil’s democratic history that a candidate who finished second in round one went on to win the runoff. Lula is now Brazil’s first four-time elected President.

Q2. Who took charge as the new Managing Director and CEO of HDFC Bank from 27 October 2026?

(A) Kaizad Bharucha

(B) Sashidhar Jagdishan

(C) Anup Bagchi

(D) Aditya Puri

Correct Answer: (C) Anup Bagchi

Explanation: Sashidhar Jagdishan completed his tenure at the close of business on 26 October 2026, as he had chosen not to seek reappointment. After RBI approval, Anup Bagchi was named MD and CEO for three years. He earlier led ICICI Prudential Life Insurance and is considered HDFC Bank’s first external CEO. Approval from the bank’s shareholders is still pending.

Q3. In which Indian state did the Hero Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 (hockey) begin on 27 October?

(A) Haryana

(B) Punjab

(C) Odisha

(D) Tamil Nadu

Correct Answer: (B) Punjab

Explanation: The tournament runs from 27 October to 5 November 2026. League matches are being played at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar, while the semifinals and medal matches will be held in Mohali. Punjab is hosting the event for the first time. India has won the title a record five times and enters as the defending champion.

Q4. Infantry Day, observed on 27 October every year, commemorates which historic event of the Indian Army?

(A) Airlift of the 1st Battalion, Sikh Regiment to Srinagar in 1947

(B) Battle of Rezang La in 1962

(C) Battle of Longewala in 1971

(D) Kargil operations in 1999

Correct Answer: (A) Airlift of the 1st Battalion, Sikh Regiment to Srinagar in 1947

Explanation: On 27 October 1947, the 1st Battalion of the Sikh Regiment, led by Lt Col Dewan Ranjit Rai, was airlifted to Srinagar airfield to stop tribal raiders who had entered Kashmir. It is regarded as India’s first major military operation after Independence. The day honours the Infantry, often called the ‘Queen of the Battle’.

Q5. What was the theme of the Indian Air Force aerial display held at Namo Ghat, Varanasi, to mark the IAF’s 94th anniversary?

(A) Wings Over Ganges

(B) Tarang Shakti

(C) Sky Over Kashi

(D) Gagan Shakti

Correct Answer: (A) Wings Over Ganges

Explanation: ‘Wings Over Ganges’ was the IAF’s first air show held over the Ganga in Varanasi. Around 100 aircraft took part, including the Rafale, Su-30MKI and Tejas, along with the Surya Kiran and Sarang display teams. The shows were held on 22, 24 and 25 October, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the main event on 25 October as chief guest.

Q6. Where in Odisha did the Prime Minister inaugurate RBI’s new Greenfield Data Centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute on 25 October 2026?

(A) Cuttack

(B) Jatni (Khordha), near Bhubaneswar

(C) Puri

(D) Sambalpur

Correct Answer: (B) Jatni (Khordha), near Bhubaneswar

Explanation: The new RBI data centre is located at Info Valley-II, Jatni in Khordha district, close to Bhubaneswar. Spread over about 18.55 acres and costing roughly Rs 170 crore, it will work as a backup to the main data centre in Navi Mumbai. The campus also houses the Enterprise Computing and Cybersecurity Training Institute for training in cyber security and technology.

Q7. How many medals did India win at the 5th Asian Para Games 2026 held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from 18 to 24 October?

(A) 96

(B) 108

(C) 114

(D) 121

Correct Answer: (C) 114

Explanation: India won 114 medals in total, made up of 30 gold, 35 silver and 49 bronze, and finished fourth in the medal table. This is India’s best-ever performance at the Asian Para Games, beating the earlier record of 108 medals from Hangzhou. China topped the table, followed by Japan and Uzbekistan. Around 168 Indian athletes competed across 11 sports.

Q8. At the Army Commanders’ Conference (21-23 October 2026), which document did Defence Minister Rajnath Singh release to replace the 2018 version?

(A) Joint Doctrine of Armed Forces

(B) Land Warfare Doctrine

(C) Maritime Doctrine

(D) Cyber Security Doctrine

Correct Answer: (B) Land Warfare Doctrine

Explanation: The new Land Warfare Doctrine replaces the one issued in December 2018. It focuses on modern warfare themes such as drones, Artificial Intelligence, precision warfare and multi-domain operations. The conference was chaired by Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth. The Defence Minister also urged the Army to build a long-term strategic vision for the next 20 to 30 years. Note: the release took place on 23 October.

Q9. When is United Nations Disarmament Week observed every year?

(A) 1 to 7 October

(B) 24 to 30 October

(C) 10 to 16 November

(D) 24 to 30 November

Correct Answer: (B) 24 to 30 October

Explanation: UN Disarmament Week begins on 24 October, the anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, and runs until 30 October. It was first called for in 1978 in the Final Document of the first UN General Assembly special session on disarmament. The aim is to raise public awareness of disarmament issues, and it is organised by the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA).

Q10. Dakar 2026, the first Olympic event ever held in Africa, begins on 31 October in which country?

(A) Nigeria

(B) Senegal

(C) Kenya

(D) South Africa

Correct Answer: (B) Senegal

Explanation: The 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games, known as Dakar 2026, will run from 31 October to 13 November in Senegal. It is the first Olympic event to be staged on African soil. The opening ceremony will take place at the new stadium in Diamniadio, and around 2,700 young athletes are expected. The official mascot is a lion named ‘Ayo’.

• Lula da Silva became Brazil’s first four-time elected President.

• New MD & CEO of HDFC Bank: Anup Bagchi (from 27 October 2026).

• Asian Champions Trophy 2026: Punjab (Jalandhar and Mohali), 27 Oct to 5 Nov.

• Infantry Day: 27 October, marking the 1947 Srinagar airlift.

• IAF air show theme: Wings Over Ganges (Varanasi).

• RBI’s new data centre: Jatni, Khordha (Odisha).

• Asian Para Games 2026: India won 114 medals, finishing 4th.

• The new Land Warfare Doctrine replaces the 2018 version.

• UN Disarmament Week: 24 to 30 October.

• Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics: 31 Oct to 13 Nov, Senegal.