Today’s Highlights: DA hike for central employees • PM Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana • Container Manufacturing Scheme • Cyclone Arnab • World Wrestling Championships • WPL 2027 Auction • Rajya Sabha bypoll

Q1. On 28 October 2026, the Union Cabinet approved a 3% hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for central government employees and pensioners. After this hike, the DA/DR rate rises from 60% to:

A) 61%
B) 62%
C) 63%
D) 65%

Correct Answer: C) 63%

Explanation: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared a 3 percentage point increase in DA and DR on 28 October 2026, just before Diwali. This takes the rate from 60% to 63% of basic pay or pension. The revised rate applies from 1 July 2026 and benefits more than 1.17 crore central government employees and pensioners. DA is paid to offset inflation.

Exam Tip: DA/DR is normally revised twice a year, with effect from 1 January and 1 July.

Q2. Which Centrally Sponsored Scheme, approved by the Union Cabinet on 28 October 2026 for the period 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an outlay of about Rs 7,395 crore, focuses on village-level planning and Gram Sabha-based governance?

A) Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana (PM VGSY)
B) Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
C) Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan
D) Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana

Correct Answer: A) Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana (PM VGSY)

Explanation: The Union Cabinet approved PM Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an outlay of Rs 7,395 crore. It aims at holistic village planning, coordination between departments, capacity building and informed discussions in Gram Sabhas. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described it as a paradigm change from schemes that prescribe fixed interventions.

Exam Tip: Panchayati Raj Institutions are covered under Part IX (Articles 243 to 243O) of the Constitution, added by the 73rd Amendment Act, 1992.

Q3. The Union Cabinet approved a Rs 10,000 crore scheme on 28 October 2026 to make India a competitive global hub for the manufacturing of which product?

A) Semiconductor chips
B) Shipping containers
C) Electric buses
D) Solar panels

Correct Answer: B) Shipping containers

Explanation: The Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme (CMPS) has an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore up to FY 2039-40. It was first announced in Union Budget 2026-27 and aims to build a globally competitive container manufacturing ecosystem, cut import dependence and create jobs. Support includes interest subvention on term loans and operational expenditure assistance for containers built to global standards.

Quick Facts – Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways – Union Minister: Sarbananda Sonowal.

Exam Tip: Union Budget 2026-27 was presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 1 February 2026.

Q4. Cyclone Arnab, which crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast on 28 October 2026, was named by which country under the North Indian Ocean cyclone naming system?

A) India
B) Bangladesh
C) Myanmar
D) Sri Lanka

Correct Answer: B) Bangladesh

Explanation: Cyclones in the North Indian Ocean are named from a list suggested by eight countries around the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. ‘Arnab’, proposed by Bangladesh, means ‘ocean’ in Bengali. The very severe cyclonic storm crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast early on 28 October and then weakened over land, causing deaths, house damage and large evacuations.

Quick Facts – Country: Bangladesh – Capital: Dhaka | Prime Minister: Tarique Rahman (since 17 February 2026) | President: Mohammed Shahabuddin.

Quick Facts – State: Andhra Pradesh – Formation Day: 1 November (1956) | Capital: Amaravati | Chief Minister: N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Quick Facts – Organization: India Meteorological Department (IMD) – Established: 1875 | Headquarters: New Delhi | Head: Director General Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra.

Q5. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on 28 October 2026, how many Indian nationals have lost their lives in the ongoing West Asia conflict since February 2026?

A) 14
B) 18
C) 22
D) 30

Correct Answer: C) 22

Explanation: MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at the regular briefing that 22 Indians have lost their lives in the West Asia conflict, including 14 seafarers. He also said three Indians died in strikes on Saudi Arabia. The government said it remains deeply concerned and is staying in touch with the Indian community in the Gulf region.

Quick Facts – Country: Saudi Arabia – Capital: Riyadh | King: Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud | Prime Minister: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Quick Facts – Organization: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) – Established: 1947 (at Independence) | Headquarters: South Block, New Delhi | Head: External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.

Q6. Which two Indian women wrestlers won silver medals at the Senior World Wrestling Championships in Astana on 28 October 2026, becoming the first Indian women to reach finals in the same edition?

A) Antim Panghal and Nisha
B) Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi
C) Anshu Malik and Priya
D) Reena and Simran

Correct Answer: B) Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi

Explanation: Kajal Dhochak (76 kg) and Neelam Sirohi (50 kg) lost their title bouts and finished with silver. It was the first time two Indian women reached the finals of the same senior World Championships. Kajal, aged 18 and a two-time U20 world champion, lost 6-8 on her senior debut. Neelam, 26, was beaten by fall.

Quick Facts – Country: Kazakhstan – Capital: Astana | President: Kassym-Jomart Tokayev | Prime Minister: Olzhas Bektenov | Vice President: Erlan Karin (post created under the new 2026 Constitution).

Q7. Which Union Minister has been named by the BJP as its candidate for the Rajya Sabha bypoll from Madhya Pradesh, scheduled for 12 November 2026?

A) Hardeep Singh Puri
B) Jyotiraditya Scindia
C) Shivraj Singh Chouhan
D) Piyush Goyal

Correct Answer: A) Hardeep Singh Puri

Explanation: The BJP picked Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri for the by-election to the Madhya Pradesh seat vacated after L. Murugan resigned from the Rajya Sabha. Voting and counting will take place on 12 November 2026. A by-election fills a mid-term vacancy and the winner serves only the remaining term of the seat.

Quick Facts – State: Madhya Pradesh – Formation Day: 1 November (1956) | Capital: Bhopal | Chief Minister: Mohan Yadav.

Quick Facts – Organization: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – Founded: 1980 | Headquarters: New Delhi | National President: Nitin Nabin (since 20 January 2026).

Exam Tip: The Rajya Sabha can have a maximum of 250 members (238 elected and 12 nominated). One-third of its members retire every two years, and the Vice President of India is its ex-officio Chairman.

Q8. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has capped trade margins on 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs at what percentage of MRP? The revised prices apply from 9 November 2026.

A) 10%
B) 20%
C) 30%
D) 40%

Correct Answer: C) 30%

Explanation: NPPA capped the trade margin at 30% of MRP (excluding GST) for 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs under Paragraph 19 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013. On 28 October the authority released revised prices of 543 brands. New prices apply from 9 November 2026, and the cap is expected to cut some retail prices by up to 70%.

Quick Facts – Organization: National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) – Established: 29 August 1997 | Headquarters: New Delhi | Works under the Department of Pharmaceuticals | Head: Chairman (a senior IAS officer; Arunish Chawla, Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, was given additional charge in August 2024 – please re-check the latest official notice before publishing).

Q9. Which Australian all-rounder became the costliest buy at the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2027 mini auction held in Kochi on 28 October 2026?

A) Sophie Molineux
B) Grace Harris
C) Orla Prendergast
D) Kathryn Bryce

Correct Answer: A) Sophie Molineux

Explanation: UP Warriorz bought Australia’s Sophie Molineux for Rs 1.10 crore after a bidding fight with the defending champions, making her the costliest player of the auction. Her base price was Rs 50 lakh. She was the only player to fetch more than Rs 1 crore. The 2027 WPL season is scheduled from 14 January to 7 February.

Quick Facts – Country: Australia – Capital: Canberra | Prime Minister: Anthony Albanese.

Quick Facts – State: Uttar Pradesh (home of the UP Warriorz franchise) – Foundation Day (UP Diwas): 24 January | Capital: Lucknow | Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath.

Quick Facts – Organization: The WPL is run by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) – Established: 1928 | Headquarters: Mumbai | President: Mithun Manhas.

Q10. Which Indian batter became the most expensive Indian player at the WPL 2027 auction when Delhi Capitals signed her for Rs 75 lakh?

A) Sneh Rana
B) G Kamalini
C) Kiran Navgire
D) Uma Kashvi

Correct Answer: C) Kiran Navgire

Explanation: Kiran Navgire joined Delhi Capitals for Rs 75 lakh against a base price of Rs 40 lakh, making her the highest-paid Indian at the auction. UP Warriorz had released her after four seasons. Navgire is known for a 34-ball century in the Women’s T20 Trophy last year. Other buys: G Kamalini went for Rs 40 lakh and Uma Kashvi for Rs 10 lakh.

Exam Tip: In the WPL 2027 auction, 27 slots were available among five franchises, and Sophie Molineux (Rs 1.10 crore) topped the overall list.