Today Current Affairs Quiz – 4 October 2026
15 UPSC Prelims-Level MCQs
Based on Important Current Affairs of 3 October 2026
Current Affairs + Static Linkage + Explanations
- AIME 2026 was conducted in the Philippines.
- Its theme was “Anchored in Trust, United at Sea”.
- INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish participated in the exercise.
Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Kulish participated in AIME 2026 in the Philippines. The exercise involved both Harbour and Sea phases and sought to strengthen operational coordination and interoperability.
- Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief drills
- Visit-Board-Search-Seizure exercises
- Underway replenishment
- Ballistic-missile interception trials
HADR, VBSS and underway-replenishment drills were part of the exercise. Helicopter operations also included cross-deck landing, vertical replenishment and CASEVAC. Ballistic-missile interception was not listed as part of the exercise.
- The demonstrated link covered 5.56 km.
- It connected BISAG-N and IIT Gandhinagar.
- The trial maintained a Quantum Bit Error Rate below 5%.
The field trial established India's first 5.56-km free-space QKD link between BISAG-N and IIT Gandhinagar. Secure keys were generated at around 230–260 bits per second.
- QKD can be used to establish cryptographic keys between communicating parties.
- An attempt to measure quantum states used in QKD can introduce detectable disturbances.
- Post-quantum cryptography necessarily requires transmission of information through quantum communication hardware.
QKD uses properties of quantum systems for secure key establishment. Interception can alter quantum states and therefore become detectable. Post-quantum cryptography, in contrast, generally refers to classical cryptographic algorithms designed to resist attacks by quantum computers.
- The Great Indian Bustard is classified as Critically Endangered.
- The recent rewilding initiative is being undertaken at Desert National Park, Jaisalmer.
- Two captive-bred birds are involved in the pilot release process.
The initiative marks a shift from building a captive conservation-breeding population towards scientifically managed rewilding of the species in its natural habitat.
- The Great Indian Bustard is the State Bird of Gujarat.
- Conservation-breeding facilities at Ramdevra and Sam were reviewed.
- A related conservation and soft-release initiative has also been undertaken at Naliya in Kutch.
The Great Indian Bustard is the State Bird of Rajasthan, not Gujarat. The programme also includes conservation infrastructure in Rajasthan and a related initiative at Naliya in Kutch, Gujarat.
- It was issued by NABKISAN Finance Limited.
- NABKISAN is a subsidiary of NABARD.
- The bond raised ₹180 crore and was oversubscribed 1.8 times.
The five-year bond was listed on the National Stock Exchange and carries a coupon rate of 8.10%. Its proceeds are intended to expand access to water, sanitation and hygiene services in rural and underserved communities.
- They are debt instruments whose proceeds are intended for eligible projects with specified social outcomes.
- They can be used to mobilise private capital for sectors such as affordable services, health, sanitation or inclusion.
- Purchase of a social bond automatically gives the investor an ownership stake in the issuing company.
A bond represents debt rather than equity ownership. Social bonds earmark proceeds for projects intended to generate identifiable social benefits.
- A Centre for Classical Assamese will be established at Tezpur University.
- A Centre for Classical Bengali will be established at Visva-Bharati University.
- The Centre for Classical Prakrit will be established at Central University of Rajasthan.
The Centre for Classical Prakrit will be established at the Central University of Gujarat. The initiative aims at research, preservation, digitisation and wider dissemination of India's classical-language heritage.
- Classical Assamese — Tezpur University
- Classical Bengali — Visva-Bharati University
- Classical Marathi — Deccan College, Pune
- Classical Pali — Central University of Odisha
All four pairs are correct. The fifth approved Centre is for Classical Prakrit at the Central University of Gujarat.
- More than 1,850 Gram Panchayats/villages observed Jal Arpan.
- Completed rural water-supply schemes are to remain exclusively under State-level departments rather than being handed over to local communities.
- Har Ghar Jal certificates were generated in regional languages through the Jal Arpan module.
Jal Arpan involves formal handover of completed rural water-supply schemes to Gram Panchayats and Village Water & Sanitation Committees for operation, maintenance and long-term sustainability.
A total of 346 Har Ghar Jal certificates were generated in regional languages for eligible Gram Panchayats and villages.
- A VWSC/Paani Samiti may function as a subcommittee of the Gram Panchayat.
- Its suggested composition is 10–15 members with 50% women members.
- The community is envisaged to play a role in planning, implementation, management, operation and maintenance of in-village water-supply infrastructure.
Jal Jeevan Mission follows a decentralised and community-managed approach. VWSCs/Paani Samitis are central to village-level management and sustainability of drinking-water systems.
- The scheme was launched on 4 October 2025.
- It seeks to upgrade 1,000 Government ITIs through a Hub-and-Spoke model.
- It provides for capacity augmentation of ten National Skill Training Institutes.
PM-SETU provides for capacity augmentation of five NSTIs, not ten. It aims to modernise vocational training and strengthen industry-aligned skilling.
- The scheme has a total outlay of ₹60,000 crore.
- Of this amount, ₹20,000 crore is to come from the Centre and ₹30,000 crore from States.
- Industry participation accounts for ₹10,000 crore in the funding structure.
The ₹60,000-crore structure comprises ₹30,000 crore from the Centre, ₹20,000 crore from States and ₹10,000 crore from industry.
The one-year progress report also noted identification of 850 ITIs and approval of 14 ITI clusters.
- The 153rd IPU Assembly is scheduled in Arusha, Tanzania, from 5–9 October 2026.
- The IPU was founded in 1889 as an organisation promoting parliamentary cooperation and dialogue.
- The IPU is a specialised agency of the United Nations.
The IPU is the global organisation of national parliaments. It works closely with the United Nations but is not a UN specialised agency. The 153rd Assembly is being held in Arusha from 5–9 October 2026.
