Daily Current Affairs — 23 October 2026
Daily Current Affairs · 23 October 2026
10 fully-analysed topics · 30 bilingual MCQs · 3 embedded videos · built for UPSC Prelims & Mains
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Indian Polity MCQ Quiz · भारतीय राजव्यवस्था प्रश्नोत्तरी
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Economy
India’s Accession to Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement
The Central Government approved India's accession to the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA).
- About: SIOFA is a multilateral regional fisheries agreement
- Origin & Enforcement: The agreement was adopted in July 2006 at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters in Rome
- Enhanced Decision-Making Power: India has held Cooperating Non-Contracting Party (CNCP) status since 2022, which limited its role in decision-making
- Expansion of the High-Seas Fleet: Currently, Indian fishing vessels operate largely within 60 to 80 nautical miles of its Exclusive Economic Zone
Show 5 more facts
- SIOFA differs from IOTC in its mandate, as SIOFA manages non-highly migratory fish stocks in the Southern Indian Ocean, while IOTC regulates highly
- It is an agreement among all the Pacific Rim countries except China and Russia.
- It is a strategic alliance for the purpose of maritime security only.
- It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and accidents of oil spills.
- It is an alliance meant for maritime security only.
2. What is the significance of India's accession to SIOFA? It strengthens India's role in fisheries decision-making
Which of the following statements about India’s Accession to Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries 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.
History
World Food Day and 80th Anniversary of FAO
On the occasion of World Food Day and Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) 80th anniversary.
- World Food Day, marks the founding of the UN's FAO on 16th October 1945
- Headquartered in Rome, FAO has 194 countries and the EU as members and aims to achieve food security for all.
- FAO's flagship publications include The State of Food and Agriculture, and The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.
- India and FAO: India has been a FAO member since 1945, demonstrating successful international collaboration to reduce hunger
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- FAO's Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2023–2027 aligns with India's UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023–2027)
With reference to World Food Day and 80th Anniversary of FAO, consider the following statements:
- World Food Day, marks the founding of the UN's FAO on 16th October 1945
- Headquartered in Rome, WHO has 194 countries and the EU as members and aims to achieve food security for all
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.
History
Self-Defence, IHL and UNCLOS in US–Israel–Iran Conflict
The recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran, including the bombing of a girls' school (Minab, Iran), justified as a "pre-emptive" response to an.
- Core Prohibition on Use of Force: The foundation of international peace is Article 2(4) of the UN Charter
- In the exercise of the right of self-defence under Article 51.
- Even under the anticipatory self-defence theory
- Moreover, US-Iran nuclear negotiations, mediated by Oman, were actively underway in Geneva, yet the US
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- Core Principles of IHL: Unlike the UN Charter
- Civilian objects, including schools, may lose their protected status if they are used for military purposes (e.g., as a base or command post)
- Furthermore, the Rome Statute, 1998 defines the intentional targeting of civilians and educational buildings as a war crime.
- Incidental harm to civilians is lawful only if the expected harm is not excessive in relation to the "concrete
- While UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) is the primary framework for maritime governance, it focuses on peacetime activities
- During armed conflicts, the law of naval warfare operates in parallel with UNCLOS
Which of the following statements about Self-Defence, IHL and UNCLOS in US–Israel–Iran Conflict 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.
Economy
Rules for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone
India has notified the Rules for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
- The EEZ Rules aim to unlock India's underused deep-sea resources, especially tuna
- Empowering Cooperatives and Community-Led Models: The rules prioritise Fishermen Cooperative Societies
- The Budget 2025–26 noted India's position as the world's second-largest fish and aquaculture producer with seafood exports of about Rs 60,000 crore
- They set minimum legal size limits for fish and mandate Fisheries Management Plans with states to protect biodiversity and rebuild declining stocks.
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- The rules promote mariculture activities like sea-cage farming and seaweed cultivation to provide alternative livelihoods
- Traditional and small-scale fishers using motorised or non-motorised craft are exempt. Foreign vessels are barred from obtaining passes.
- This prevents such catches from being classified as imports when landed in Indian ports and enables smoother export accounting.
- ReALCRaft is integrated with the Nabhmitra app for safe navigation and transponder use, helping the Coast Guard and Navy strengthen coastal security.
- It is a national online platform of the Department of Fisheries that enables vessel registration
- About: An "EEZ" is an area of the ocean, generally extending 200 nautical miles (230 miles) beyond a nation's territorial sea, within
Which of the following statements about Rules for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the 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
Tuna Export Hub in Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Recently, the Fisheries Department plans to develop the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands as a tuna export hub.
- The global tuna market is worth USD 41.94 billion and the Indian Ocean is considered the second-largest tuna region, producing 21% of the world's tuna
- Due to their vascular system, tunas can uniquely maintain their body temperature above the surrounding water, often between 5 to 12 C (higher than
- This comprises of two island groups (Andman Islands and the Nicobar Islands) which separates the Andaman Sea to the east from the Indian Ocean.
- The Ten Degree Channel is a narrow strait that separates both the group of Islands
Which of the following statements about Tuna Export Hub in Andaman & Nicobar Islands 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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IR
Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) 2026
Recently, the 33rd edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX-2026) commenced at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, with the participation of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) ship RSS Supreme.
- Origin: Initiated in 1994 as Exercise Lion King
- Objective: The exercise aims to enhance operational interoperability, professional cooperation and mutual understanding between the two navies.
Which of the following statements about Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) 2026 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
The Bay of Bengal as India’s SHANTI Anchor
India has proposed the Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity (SHANTI) framework while launching its candidature for the UN Security Council (UNSC) 2028–29 term.
- India has proposed the SHANTI (Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms
- The framework seeks to strengthen India's role as a preferred security partner and first responder by promoting rules-based maritime cooperation
- About: SHANTI builds upon India's evolving maritime vision by carrying forward the principles of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region)
- By promoting inclusive, rules-based maritime governance, it seeks to position India as a preferred security partner
Show 6 more facts
- The "Cooperative Maritime Commons": Unlike the Western Indian Ocean
- India actively strengthens ties with Bay of Bengal littoral states through initiatives such as the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity
- More critically, it guards the western approach to the Strait of Malacca
- No single nation can tackle its defining challenges unilaterally
- By promoting trust-based, non-coercive regional stewardship, SHANTI can position India as a cooperative maritime leader
- It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and accidents of oil spills.
5. What is the significance of SHANTI for India's maritime strategy? It strengthens India's role as apreferred security partner and first responder
Which of the following statements about The Bay of Bengal as India’s SHANTI Anchor 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.
Defence
Anti-Submarine Warfare Launch
Recently, Malpe and Mulki, the fourth and fifth ships of the Eight Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Shallow Water Craft (SWC) project, being built by M/s Cochin Shipyard Ltd, for the Indian Navy, were launched in Kochi.
- INS Mahe, INS Malvan, and INS Mangrol were unveiled in 2023.
- The Mahe-class ASW SWC have been named after strategically significant ports along India's coastline.
- The ASW SWC ships are equipped with indigenously developed
Which of the following statements about Anti-Submarine Warfare Launch 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.
History
INS Tarkash Participates in IBSAMAR IX 2026
The Indian Navy's frontline guided-missile stealth frigate INS Tarkash is on an overseas deployment to South Africa to participate in the ninth.
- About IBSAMAR: It is a biennial trilateral maritime exercise involving the navies of India
- Major Exercise Activities: The exercise covers surface warfare
- About:: INS Tarkash is a Talwar-class guided-missile stealth frigate, built at Yantar Shipyard, Russia, and commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2012.
- Armament and Capabilities: It is equipped with anti-ship missiles
Polity
India's Highest High Court Bench Inaugurated in Leh
Chief Justice of India (CJI) inaugurated the permanent Ladakh Bench of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court in Leh.
- Establishment: The bench was established under the Union Territory of Ladakh (Sitting of Bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir
Indian History MCQ Quiz · भारतीय इतिहास प्रश्नोत्तरी
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