Daily Current Affairs — 29 October 2026
Daily Current Affairs · 29 October 2026
10 fully-analysed topics · 30 bilingual MCQs · 3 embedded videos · built for UPSC Prelims & Mains
🎯 30 MCQs
🎬 3 Videos
🇮🇳 Hindi + English
Indian Geography MCQ Quiz · भारतीय भूगोल प्रश्नोत्तरी
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Polity
Special Executive Magistrates
A Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court in Delhi granted bail to two activists, rejecting the police's request for extended custody over an alleged breach of peace bonds.
- Appointment: Under Section 15 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)
- Police as Magistrates: In commissionerate systems like Delhi
- Nature of Role: SEMs belong to the Executive branch
- Key Powers of SEMs The powers of SEMs are largely preventive and are codified under the BNSS
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- Preventive Inquiry (Section 135, BNSS): The magistrate can conduct an inquiry
- Detention for Breach (Section 141(1)(b), BNSS): If an individual breaks the conditions of their peace bond, the SEM can bypass a normal trial
- Urgent Prohibitory Orders (Section 163, BNSS): SEMs can issue urgent preventive orders against nuisance or apprehended danger to human life, health
- Bail in Preventive Crackdowns: While they do not handle ordinary criminal bail
- Threat to Personal Liberty: Preventive arrests without a formal trial raise severe concerns regarding Article 21 (Right to Life
- Mechanical Orders and "Cyclostyled" Proformas: Courts have repeatedly flagged the indiscriminate use of SEM powers.
Which of the following statements about Special Executive Magistrates 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.
Polity
Right to Protest and Excessive Policing
Violent clashes between protesters and police during the youth-led 'Chalo Sansad' march in New Delhi in July 2026 have reignited debate over the.
- The 'Chalo Sansad' protests (July 2026) reignited debate over balancing the constitutional right to protest
- Right to Protest: The Indian Constitution guarantees the right to protest, though the word "protest" is not explicitly mentioned
- Article 19(1)(b): Grants the right to assemble peacefully and without arms.
- Article 19(1)(c): Ensures the right to form associations or unions.
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- Article 21: Protects the right to life and liberty, which encompasses the right to live with dignity and voice grievances against the State.
- These rights are essential in a democracy to hold the executive accountable, ventilate public grievances, and foster informed public discourse.
- Under Article 19(2): Restrictions on freedom of speech can be imposed in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India
- Under Article 19(3): Restrictions on the freedom of assembly can be imposed in the interests of the sovereignty
- Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)
- Local Police statutes like the Delhi Police Act, 1978 authorise law enforcement to regulate assembly routes, timings, and conditions.
2. What is the significance of the Prakash Singh (2006) judgment? The Supreme Court directed the establishment ofState Security Commissions
Which of the following statements about Right to Protest and Excessive Policing 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.
Polity
Judicial Review
Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) refused to treat the Central Vista project as a unique one requiring greater or heightened judicial review.
- The SC said the government was "entitled to commit errors or achieve successes" in policy matters without the court's interference as long as it
- The Central Vista project of New Delhi includes Rashtrapati Bhawan
- The Indian Constitution adopted the Judicial Review on lines of the American Constitution.
- Judicial Review: It is a type of court proceeding in which a judge reviews the lawfulness of a decision or action made by a public body
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- Concepts of Law: Procedure Established by Law: It means
- Due Process of Law: It is a doctrine that not only checks if there is a law to deprive the life
- Judicial review is considered a basic structure of the constitution (Indira Gandhi vs Raj Narain Case 1975).
- Judicial review is also called the interpretational and observer roles of the Indian judiciary.
- Suo Moto cases and the Public Interest Litigation (PIL)
- Reviews of Legislative Actions: This review implies the power to ensure
Which of the following statements about Judicial Review 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.
Polity
Right to Safe Travel on National Highways under Article 21
The Supreme Court has declared that the safety of commuters against road accidents and the right to safe passage on highways are part of the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.
- Alarming Statistics: National Highways (NHs) comprise merely 2% of India's total road network but account for nearly 30% of all road fatalities
- Constitutional Interpretation: The Court held that Article 21 imposes a positive obligation on the State to ensure a safe environment
- Strict Parking Regulations: Heavy and commercial vehicles are strictly prohibited from parking or stopping on any National Highway
- Enforcement Actions: District Magistrates have been directed to demolish or remove all unauthorized structures within 60 days
With reference to Right to Safe Travel on National Highways under Article 21, consider the following statements:
- Alarming Statistics: National Highways (NHs) comprise merely 3% of India's total road network but account for nearly 30% of all road fatalities
- Constitutional Interpretation: The Court held that Article 21 imposes a positive obligation on the State to ensure a safe environment
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.
Polity
Preventive Detention
Recently, the Supreme Court has held that advisory boards under preventive detention laws should not behave like mere "rubber-stamping authorities" for the government,.
- They should act as safety valves that stand between the capricious use of power by the state and the right to personal liberty.
- Background: Laws authorising preventive detention existed in British colonial rule in India since 1818.
- The Defence of India Act of 1915 was passed on the outbreak of the First World War
- Preventive detention means the detention of a person without trial and conviction by a court
Show 6 more facts
- Grounds for Preventive Detention: State security
- Preventive detention is when a person is held in police custody only on the basis of a suspicion
- Article 22 grants protection to persons who are arrested or detained
- The article makes it mandatory for preventive detention laws to form advisory boards consisting of persons qualified to be High Court judges.
- Under different laws, review boards must assess detention orders every three months to determine if there's enough reason for preventive detention
- A person may be taken to preventive custody only for 3 months
Which of the following statements about Preventive Detention 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.
RISE OF REGIONAL POWER | Modern Indian History
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Defence
Defence Acquisition Council Clears Procurement Proposals Worth ₹2.12 Lakh Crore
Recently, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN).
- Acceptance of Necessity (AoN): It is an initial approval in the defence acquisition process indicating the need for a proposed procurement
- Major acquisition proposals: Indian Army: Proposed acquisitions include High Mobility Vehicles
- India's annual defence production reached a record ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, reflecting 15.6% growth over the previous financial year.
With reference to Defence Acquisition Council Clears Procurement Proposals, consider the following statements:
- Acceptance of Necessity (AoN): It is an initial approval in the defence acquisition process indicating the need for a proposed procurement
- Major acquisition proposals: Indian Army: Proposed acquisitions are limited to High Mobility Vehicles
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.
Economy
DAC Granted Acceptance of Necessity for Defence Acquisition Proposals
Recently, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted acceptance of necessity (AoN) for 10 defence acquisition proposals worth Rs.
- Indigenous sources will account for 99% of the total value of the projects cleared by DAC under the Buy (Indian) and Buy (Indian-IDDM) categories.
- An AoN means the government has accepted the need for the equipment and is the first step towards initiation of the procurement process
- The Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed
- Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs): Forming the centrepiece of the projects cleared by the government
Show 6 more facts
- The Indian Army plans to induct 1,770 FRCVs at a cost of around ₹60,000 crore
- The current procurement follows the earlier import of 66 radars from Israel at Rs 2,500 crore, intended to replace outdated fly-catcher radars.
- The proposal has also been approved for Forward Repair Team (Tracked)
- Dornier-228 Aircraft – to enhance the ICG's surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
- The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is the top decision-making authority in the Defence Ministry for establishing new policies
- The Council is chaired by the Minister of Defence.
Which of the following statements about DAC Granted Acceptance of Necessity for Defence Acquisition 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
Light Combat Helicopter (LCH): Prachanda
Recently, the Indian Air Force formally inducted the indigenously developed multi-role Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), Prachanda which is suitable for operating in high-altitude battlefields.
- About: The LCH is the only attack helicopter in the world which can land
- The helicopter uses radar-absorbing material to lower radar signature and has a significantly crash-proof structure and landing gear
- It was during the 1999 Kargil war that the need was first felt for a homegrown lightweight assault helicopter
- These single engine machines were, primarily, utility helicopters. Indian forces also operate the Lancer, an armed version of Cheetah.
Show 1 more facts
- The LCH has the capabilities of combat roles such as destruction of enemy air defence
With reference to Light Combat Helicopter (LCH): Prachanda, consider the following statements:
- About: The LCH is the only attack helicopter in the world which must land
- The helicopter uses radar-absorbing material to lower radar signature and has a significantly crash-proof structure and landing gear
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
Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS)
Recently, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted two successful test flight of Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS).
- Both the flight tests have completely met the mission objectives.
- About: Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) is a Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD) designed
- VSHORADS missile incorporates many novel technologies including miniaturized Reaction Control System (RCS) and integrated avionics
- The missile, meant for neutralizing low-altitude aerial threats at short ranges, is propelled by a dual thrust solid motor.
Show 6 more facts
- The design of the missile including launcher has been highly optimized to ensure easy portability.
- This new missile equipped with modern technologies will give further technological boost to the Armed Forces.
- A Reaction Control System (RCS) is responsible for attitude control and steering by the use of thrusters.
- The RCS system is capable of providing small amounts of thrust in any desired direction or combination of directions.
- An RCS is also capable of providing torque to allow control of rotation (pitch, yaw, and roll).
- MANPADS are short-range, lightweight and portable surface-to-air missiles
S&T
Counter-Drone Technology and UAV Development
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has made substantial strides in developing a comprehensive counter-drone system.
- Counter-Drone Technology Development: DRDO has developed a comprehensive anti-drone system encompassing detection
- The technology is capable of countering attacks, soft kill and hard kill of all types of drones, including micro drones.
- Also, the technology has been transferred to private companies like BEL, L&T, and Icom for mass production
- Tapas MALE UAV: The Tapas Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV developed for Intelligence
Show 2 more facts
- About: DRDO is the R&D wing of the Ministry of Defence
- It can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads about 7500 km away.
Which of the following statements about Counter-Drone Technology and UAV Development 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 Economy MCQ Quiz · भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्था 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.
