Daily Current Affairs — 22 October 2026
Daily Current Affairs · 22 October 2026
10 fully-analysed topics · 30 bilingual MCQs · 3 embedded videos · built for UPSC Prelims & Mains
🎯 30 MCQs
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Indian Economy MCQ Quiz · भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्था प्रश्नोत्तरी
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Environment
Southeast Asia Haze Crisis: Limitations of AATHP
A severe transboundary haze crisis in Southeast Asia in October 2026.
- Unprecedented Scale: Over 1 million wildfire hotspots have scorched approximately 900,000 hectares of land in Indonesia
- The annual dry season fires are significantly intensified this year by an unusually strong El Nio
- Indonesia's President condemned slash-and-burn practices as "ecological terrorism" and suspended 26 companies' licences
- About: Established in 2002 and effective since 2003
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- Second ASEAN Haze-Free Roadmap (2023–2030): Aims to achieve a transboundary haze-free ASEAN by 2030 through improved monitoring
- ASEAN Peatland Management Strategy (2023–2030): Promotes sustainable peatland management, fire prevention and restoration of degraded peatlands.
Which of the following statements about Southeast Asia Haze Crisis: Limitations of AATHP is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
IR
22nd ASEAN-India Summit
The 22nd ASEAN–India Summit, held in Kuala Lumpur, saw India declare 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation.
- ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP): India reaffirmed its commitment to ASEAN Centrality, Unity, and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)
- 2025 announced as the ASEAN–India Year of Tourism.
- The year 2026 was designated as the "ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation" to enhance collaboration in the Blue Economy.
- The ASEAN was established in Thailand's Bangkok in 1967
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- Brunei Darussalam joined ASEAN in 1984, followed by Vietnam in 1995, Laos and Myanmar in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999
- Timor-Leste has officially become the 11th member of ASEAN-the first expansion of the group since 1999.
- Located in Southeast Asia, the island of Timor is part of Maritime Southeast Asia, and is the largest and easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands.
- To the north of the mountainous island are the Ombai Strait
- Economic and Trade Linkages: ASEAN, with a GDP of USD 3.2 trillion and a population of 650 million, is India's 4th largest trading partner
- ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITGA) is a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed in 2009 to boost trade ties.
With reference to 22nd ASEAN-India Summit, consider the following statements:
- ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP): India reaffirmed its commitment to ASEAN Centrality, Unity, and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)
- 2025 announced as the QUAD–India Year of Tourism
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source.
Not quite. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source. The green option is the correct one.
Environment
Wildfires
Wildfires in Albania, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey have resulted in fatalities and forced thousands to evacuate the affected regions.
- About: Wildfire is an uncontrolled fire in forests
- Geography: Mediterranean climate regions are highly susceptible to wildfires
- Climate Change: Dry spells, erratic monsoons, unseasonal heat waves, and El Nio events dry vegetation and increase flammability.
- According to the India State of Forest. Report (ISFR) 2021
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- Forest fire incidents have surged in mountain regions: Himachal Pradesh by 1,339%, Jammu & Kashmir by 2,822%, and Uttarakhand by 293% (ISFR 2023).
- Pink Fire Retardant is a chemical mixture designed to slow or suppress wildfires.
- The Bambi Bucket is a special container hung under a helicopter
- It is especially useful for tackling wildfires in hard-to-reach areas, and helicopters worldwide often use it to fight forest fires.
Which of the following statements about Wildfires is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
Geography
Earthquake Strikes Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula
Recently, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula at a reported depth of 152 km.
- Tectonic Setting: The region is highly earthquake-prone due to the subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Okhotsk microplate
- Mountain Ranges: The two principal mountain ranges are the Sredinny Range and the Vostochny Range.
- Klyuchevskoy Volcano: It is the highest active volcano in Eurasia and one of the most active volcanoes on the peninsula.
- Major River: The Kamchatka River is the peninsula's principal waterway.
Show 1 more facts
- Kuril Archipelago: The Kuril Islands extend from the Kamchatka region towards Japan and are subject to a territorial dispute between Russia and Japan.
Geography
Kamchatka Peninsula
Five earthquakes hit near the east coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, a tectonically active region, with the strongest measuring 7.4 in magnitude.
- The region features two main mountain ranges Sredinny and Vostochny and is drained by the Kamchatka River, its primary waterway.
- Kamchatka is home to over 150 volcanoes, of which 29 are active. Klyuchevskoy is the highest and most active volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula.
- The Kuril Archipelago extends from Kamchatka to Japan and is a disputed territory between Russia and Japan.
Which of the following statements about Kamchatka Peninsula is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
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Geography
Kuril Islands
- Physical Geography: Kuril Islands are stretched from the Japanese island of Hokkaido to the southern tip of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula separating
- It consists of 56 islands and minor rocks. The chain is part of the belt of geologic instability circling the Pacific (Ring of Fire)
- The Kuril Islands dispute between Japan and Russia is over the sovereignty of South Kuril Islands.
- The South Kuril Islands comprise Etorofu island, Kunashiri island, Shikotan island and the Habomai island.
Show 1 more facts
- These islands are claimed by Japan but occupied by Russia as the successor state of the Soviet Union.
With reference to Kuril Islands, consider the following statements:
- Physical Geography: Kuril Islands are stretched from the Japanese island of Hokkaido to the southern tip of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula separating
- It consists of 28 islands and minor rocks. The chain is part of the belt of geologic instability circling the Pacific (Ring of Fire)
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source.
Not quite. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source. The green option is the correct one.
IR
India-US Relations: Strategic Convergence and Energy Diplomacy
The US Secretary of State embarked on a high-profile three-day official visit to India.
- Despite convergence on Indo-Pacific security, defence and technology, tariff disputes, immigration restrictions
- Progress Toward a Bilateral Trade Deal: Both sides signaled that negotiations on a comprehensive trade agreement are in their final stages.
- Defence & Indo-Pacific Reaffirmation: Washington pushed for deeper defence procurement ties
- Foundational Defence Frameworks: Operationalized through the four foundational agreements LEMOA
Show 6 more facts
- Critical and Emerging Technologies: Cooperation is advanced through the US–India TRUST initiative (2025)
- Global South Bridge: Enables Washington to engage constructively with the Global South through New Delhi's diplomatic credibility
- Strategic Autonomy vs. Sanctions Regimes: Friction persists over India's defence and energy ties with Russia and Iran (e.g.
- Divergence on Neighbourhood Geopolitics: Periodic US diplomatic postures regarding Pakistan (including Washington's claims regarding mediation during
- Commercial Hurdles in US and Venezuelan Crude: High trans-oceanic freight rates caused US crude shipments to India to nearly halve in 2026
- Institutionalizing "Sanctions-Proof" Energy Corridors: Establish long-term sovereign waivers
2. What is the significance of the Jamnagar refinery in India–US energy cooperation? Reliance Industries' Jamnagar complex can process a wide range
Which of the following statements about India-US Relations: Strategic Convergence and Energy is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
IR
US Intervention in Venezuela and the Revival of the Monroe Doctrine
The US conducted a military operation in Venezuela,, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, resulting in the capture of President Nicols Maduro, his wife Cilia Flores, and other senior officials.
- For India, the conflict has limited economic impact due to low trade
- About: The Monroe Doctrine, articulated by President James Monroe in 1823, laid down the following principles: Non-colonisation: European powers
- Non-interference: Any attempt by external powers to influence Western Hemisphere nations would be viewed as hostile to the US.
- Roosevelt Corollary (1904): President Theodore Roosevelt
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- Contemporary Phase: Revived selectively to assert US strategic dominance in the Western Hemisphere, as seen in recent actions toward Venezuela
- Oil and Resource Geopolitics: Venezuela possesses the world's largest proven crude oil reserves (over 300 billion barrels or a fifth of the proven
- However, the US–Venezuela conflict has raised serious concerns in Mexico, Colombia
- General Prohibition: Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter prohibits states from using or threatening military force against another state's
- Self-defence: Article 51 of the UN Charter allows force only in response to an armed attack
- Former Enemy States: Article 107 of the UN Charter once allowed force against WWII enemy states, but it is now obsolete.
With reference to US Intervention in Venezuela and the Revival of the Monroe, consider the following statements:
- For India, the conflict has limited economic impact due to low trade
- About: The Monroe Doctrine, articulated by President James Monroe in 3,646 laid down the following principles: Non-colonisation: European powers
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source.
Not quite. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source. The green option is the correct one.
Geography
Strait of Hormuz
Under Operation Midnight Hammer, the US targeted three key Iranian nuclear facilities (Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow). In retaliation, Iran's parliament approved a proposal to close the Strait of Hormuz.
- The US strike utilized B-2 Stealth Bombers, GBU-57 bunker buster bombs (Massive Ordnance Penetrators), and Tomahawk missiles.
- About: It is a narrow sea passage (55–95 km wide) between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula
- Global Energy Dependence: It is a critical artery for global oil transit, carrying about 20-25% of the world's total oil supply
- During the Iran-Iraq War (1980–88), both sides attacked oil tankers and cargo ships in the Gulf region dubbed as Tanker War
Show 2 more facts
- About: It is a US Air Force strategic stealth bomber, renowned for its long range (6,000 miles), low observability, and precision strike capabilities
- A total of 21 B-2 bombers were produced, with 19 currently in active service.
Which of the following statements about Strait of Hormuz is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
S&T
India Joins Artemis Accords
Recently, India's Prime Minister announced India's decision to join the Artemis Accords during the visit to the United States.
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will collaborate to send Indian astronauts
- About: Artemis Accords are established by the U.S
- It builds upon the foundation of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967
- India became the 27th country to sign the nonbinding Artemis Accords.
Show 6 more facts
- Peaceful Purposes: The signatories will implement memorandum of understanding (MOUs) between governments or agencies to conduct space activities
- Registration and Data Sharing: Relevant space objects are registered, and scientific data is openly shared in a timely manner
- Preservation of Heritage: Signatories are expected to preserve historic landing sites, artifacts, and evidence of activity on celestial bodies.
- Utilization of Space Resources: Utilization of space resources should support safe and sustainable activities
- Artemis-I: Unmanned Mission to the Moon The Artemis program began
- Scheduled for 2024, Artemis-II will mark the first crewed mission under the Artemis program.
Which of the following statements about India Joins Artemis Accords is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
Indian Polity MCQ Quiz · भारतीय राजव्यवस्था प्रश्नोत्तरी
A second members-only subject quiz – lock in today's study session
Current affairs alone will not clear Prelims. Close the day on the static syllabus with this members-only quiz.
