In October 2026, two male Great Indian Bustards from the conservation breeding programme were released into the wild at which place in Rajasthan?
Explanation
On 4 October 2026, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav released two male Great Indian Bustards (Godawan) into the wild at Sam in the Desert National Park, Jaisalmer. The Sam and Ramdevra conservation breeding centres hold 97 birds: 40 from wild-collected eggs, 57 bred in captivity; 11 are earmarked for release. Chicks: 24 in 2025, 29 in 2026. Exam angle: the Godawan is Rajasthan's state bird, Critically Endangered (IUCN) and in Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Q2
What is the total financial outlay of the PM-SETU scheme, which completed one year on 4 October 2026?
Explanation
PM-SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs) has a total outlay of Rs 60,000 crore over five years: Centre Rs 30,000 crore, States Rs 20,000 crore and industry Rs 10,000 crore. Launched on 4 October 2025, this Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Skill Development Ministry upgrades 1,000 government ITIs as 200 hubs and 800 spokes. Exam angle: on 7 July 2026, the 4th National Steering Committee cleared nationwide rollout to all 200 ITI clusters.
Q3
In September 2026, a free-space Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) link between BISAG-N and IIT Gandhinagar was demonstrated over what distance?
Explanation
On 27-28 September 2026, a 5.56 km free-space Quantum Key Distribution link was demonstrated between BISAG-N (Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics) and IIT Gandhinagar, described as India's first at the 5 km scale. QNu Labs equipment gave 230-260 secure key bits per second at 1550 nm, with an error rate below 5%. The keys fed BISAG-N's post-quantum platform Vedic Kavach. Exam angle: free-space QKD is a step towards satellite-based quantum communication.
Q4
In which position did India finish in the final medal tally of the 2026 Asian Games held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan?
Explanation
At the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan (19 September to 4 October 2026), India finished fourth with 85 medals: 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze. Uzbekistan also won 21 gold, but India placed higher on silver count, 27 to 25. China topped the table, followed by Japan and South Korea. Exam angle: 85 is India's second-best Asian Games haul, behind the record 106 medals (28 gold) at Hangzhou 2022, where India also finished fourth.
Q5
Which city is hosting the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), held from 5 to 9 October 2026?
Explanation
The 153rd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly runs on 5-9 October 2026 at the Arusha International Conference Centre, hosted by the National Assembly of Tanzania, a first-time host. Its theme is good governance and empowering communities through inclusivity, trust and opportunity. The Governing Council is to elect a new President there; the outgoing President is Tanzania's Dr Tulia Ackson. Exam angle: IPU is headquartered in Geneva; Arusha hosts the East African Community headquarters.
Q6
The 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave (3-5 October 2026) is an initiative of which institution, in partnership with the Finance Ministry?
Explanation
The Kautilya Economic Conclave (KEC) is an initiative of the Delhi-based Institute of Economic Growth (IEG), organised in partnership with the Union Ministry of Finance. First held in 2022, its 5th edition took place in New Delhi from 3 to 5 October 2026 on the theme 'Resilience in an Age of Flux', with participants from around 30 countries. Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan delivered the inaugural address. Exam angle: the conclave is named after Kautilya (Chanakya), author of the Arthashastra.