Daily Current Affairs – 31 October 2026 | ExamCare
✅ Fact-Checked & Verified🏛️ Sources: PIB, RBI, Ministries📰 10 Topics Analyzed✍️ 10 Practice MCQs🖨️ Print / Save PDF
📌 Important-days Item #1 of 10
National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) Observed Across India and Globally
National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) is observed on 31 October. Marks birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (Iron Man of India) who unified over 560 princely states into the Indian Union.
💡 KEY EXAM TAKEAWAYS & FACTS
Date of Observance: 31 October.
Significance: Marks birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (Iron Man of India) who unified over 560 princely states into the Indian Union.
Celebrated nationwide with seminars, community awareness drives, and official government campaigns.
📌 National Item #2 of 10
Ministry of Education Releases NIRF India Rankings: IIT Madras Retains Top Overall Spot
The Ministry of Education released the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras retained the number one position in the 'Overall' category for the sixth consecutive year and 'Engineering' for the ninth year. IISc Bengaluru was ranked top in 'Universities' and 'Research'.
💡 KEY EXAM TAKEAWAYS & FACTS
NIRF was approved and launched by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (now MoE) in September 2015.
Ranks institutions across 5 broad parameters: TLR, RPC, GO, OI, and Perception.
IIT Madras ranked No. 1 Overall; IISc Bengaluru ranked top University.
IIM Ahmedabad ranked top in Management; AIIMS New Delhi top in Medical.
📌 Schemes Item #3 of 10
Ministry of Skill Development & MSME Accelerates Rollout of PM Vishwakarma Yojana
The Central Government reviewed the progress of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, designed to provide comprehensive institutional support to traditional artisans and craftspeople across 18 trades. The scheme provides recognition via PM Vishwakarma Certificate and ID card, basic and advanced skill training, ₹15,000 toolkit incentive, and collateral-free enterprise credit up to ₹3 lakh at 5% interest.
💡 KEY EXAM TAKEAWAYS & FACTS
Scheme launched on Vishwakarma Jayanti (17 September 2023) with ₹13,000 crore outlay.
Provides credit support in two tranches: Tranche 1 of ₹1 lakh (18 months) and Tranche 2 of ₹2 lakh (30 months) at 5% concessional interest.
Includes ₹500 per day stipend during 5-7 days basic skill verification training.
📌 Banking-economy Item #4 of 10
SEBI Introduces Beta Version of Optional T+0 Settlement Cycle for Equity Cash Market
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) expanded the implementation of the optional same-day (T+0) settlement cycle for 25 selected liquid scrips. Under this mechanism, settlement of funds and securities happens on the very same trade execution day, substantially enhancing liquidity and mitigating settlement risk for retail investors.
💡 KEY EXAM TAKEAWAYS & FACTS
SEBI is the statutory market regulator established under the SEBI Act, 1992, headquartered in Mumbai.
India previously transitioned from T+2 to T+1 settlement across all listed stocks in January 2023.
T+0 settlement allows instantaneous transfer of shares and cash upon execution of trade.
Operates alongside existing T+1 cycle as an optional facility through stock exchanges.
📌 Science-tech Item #5 of 10
ISRO Prepares for Gaganyaan Uncrewed Orbital Flight Test (G1) with Humanoid Robot 'Vyommitra'
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) completed integrated testing of the propulsion systems and environmental control life support systems for the first uncrewed Gaganyaan orbital flight test (G1). The mission will carry the female-looking AI-enabled humanoid robot 'Vyommitra' to monitor module cabin parameters, simulate human functions, and test recovery procedures in the Bay of Bengal.
💡 KEY EXAM TAKEAWAYS & FACTS
Gaganyaan: India's Human Spaceflight Programme aiming to demonstrate human spaceflight capability to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at 400 km altitude.
Launch Vehicle: Human-Rated LVM3 (HLVM3).
Robot Name: 'Vyommitra' (derived from Sanskrit words 'Vyoma' meaning space and 'Mitra' meaning friend).
Astronaut designates selected: Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, Angad Prathap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla.
📌 Defence Item #6 of 10
Indian Army Inducts Indigenous 'Zorawar' Light Tank for High-Altitude Warfare
The Indian Army successfully conducted rigorous desert and high-altitude field trials of the indigenous 'Zorawar' Light Tank developed jointly by DRDO and Larsen & Toubro (L&T). Weighing approximately 25 tonnes, Zorawar is specifically tailored for deployment across rugged terrain and extreme freezing temperatures in eastern Ladakh and Sikkim.
💡 KEY EXAM TAKEAWAYS & FACTS
Tank Name: Zorawar (named after legendary 19th-century military general Zorawar Singh Kahluria).
Weight category: 25 tonnes (amphibious and air-transportable via C-17 Globemaster and Il-76).
Developed by: Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE) of DRDO and L&T.
Features: Active protection system, integrated loitering munitions, and artificial intelligence-enabled situational awareness.
📌 Sports Item #7 of 10
India to Host ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 and Asia Cup
The International Cricket Council (ICC) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) confirmed the schedule of major cricketing tournaments, with India set to host the prestigious ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025. Venues across Bengaluru, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata are undergoing world-class upgrades.
💡 KEY EXAM TAKEAWAYS & FACTS
Governing Body: International Cricket Council (ICC), headquartered in Dubai, UAE.
Indian Board: Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), headquartered at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Tournament: ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025 (8 teams, 31 matches).
Defending Champions: Australia.
📌 Environment Item #8 of 10
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Notifies Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla as 56th Tiger Reserve
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) officially notified the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh as the 56th Tiger Reserve of India. Spanning over 2,829 sq km across Koriya, Manendragarh, and Surajpur districts, it provides a vital wildlife corridor connecting Bandhavgarh (MP) and Palamau (Jharkhand).
💡 KEY EXAM TAKEAWAYS & FACTS
Project Tiger was launched on 1 April 1973 at Corbett National Park.
NTCA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, established under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
India hosts 3,682 tigers (over 75% of global tiger population) as per the 5th cycle All India Tiger Estimation.
State with maximum tigers: Madhya Pradesh (785 tigers - 'Tiger State of India'), followed by Karnataka (563).
📌 Awards Item #9 of 10
President Confers Bharat Ratna on Veteran Statesman L.K. Advani and Former PMs
President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, on former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani, socialist icon Karpoori Thakur (posthumous), former Prime Ministers P.V. Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh (posthumous), and agricultural scientist Dr. M.S. Swaminathan (posthumous).
💡 KEY EXAM TAKEAWAYS & FACTS
Bharat Ratna was instituted on 2 January 1954 by first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
First recipients in 1954: C. Rajagopalachari, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and Sir C.V. Raman.
Non-Indians awarded: Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (1987) and Nelson Mandela (1990).
Decorations carry a Sanad (certificate signed by President) and a bronze Peepal leaf-shaped medallion; no monetary grant is attached.
📌 Appointments Item #10 of 10
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi Assumes Command as 26th Chief of the Naval Staff
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi formally assumed command as the 26th Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) of the Indian Navy, succeeding Admiral R. Hari Kumar upon his superannuation. An alumnus of Sainik School Rewa and National Defence Academy Khadakwasla, Admiral Tripathi previously served as Vice Chief of the Naval Staff.
💡 KEY EXAM TAKEAWAYS & FACTS
Designation: 26th Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS).
Headquarters: Integrated Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Navy), New Delhi.
Specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare; commanded INS Vinash, INS Kirch, and INS Trishul.
Key priority: Realizing the Indian Navy's vision of a 100% Atmanirbhar force by 2047.
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Question 1 of 10Important Days & Dates
On which date is 'National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas)' observed annually?
💡 Detailed Explanation & Analysis:
National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) is observed every year on 31 October. Marks birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (Iron Man of India) who unified over 560 princely states into the Indian Union.
🎯 Exam Relevance: SSC CGL, Railway NTPC, Banking
Question 2 of 10Education & National Rankings
Which institution secured the top rank in the 'Overall' category in the latest NIRF Rankings released by the Ministry of Education?
💡 Detailed Explanation & Analysis:
IIT Madras retained the 1st position in the 'Overall' category in NIRF rankings, while IISc Bengaluru was ranked best in 'Universities' and 'Research'.
How many traditional artisanal trades are officially covered under the 'PM Vishwakarma Scheme'?
💡 Detailed Explanation & Analysis:
PM Vishwakarma Scheme covers 18 traditional trades practiced by rural and urban craftspeople, providing training stipends, modern toolkits, and collateral-free concessional loans.
🎯 Exam Relevance: UPSC Prelims, SSC CGL, Banking
Question 4 of 10Capital Markets & SEBI
What does the abbreviation 'T+0' settlement signify in the context of Indian stock market operations regulated by SEBI?
💡 Detailed Explanation & Analysis:
In stock market parlance, 'T+0' means that the trade settlement (transfer of securities and delivery of funds) is finalized on the exact trade day itself (Trade date + zero days).
🎯 Exam Relevance: Banking PO, SSC CGL, SEBI Grade A
Question 5 of 10Space Technology & ISRO
What is the name of the female-looking humanoid robot developed by ISRO to fly aboard the uncrewed Gaganyaan space test mission?
💡 Detailed Explanation & Analysis:
Vyommitra is the AI-equipped humanoid robot developed by ISRO to test life support systems and simulate crew operations aboard the uncrewed Gaganyaan test flight.
🎯 Exam Relevance: UPSC Prelims, SSC CGL, NDA, CDS
Question 6 of 10Indigenous Defence Hardware
The indigenous light tank 'Zorawar' developed by DRDO and L&T is named after which legendary historical military commander?
💡 Detailed Explanation & Analysis:
The light tank is named after General Zorawar Singh Kahluria, the famed military general of Dogra King Gulab Singh who led daring campaigns in Ladakh, Baltistan, and Western Tibet.
🎯 Exam Relevance: CDS, NDA, AFCAT, SSC CGL
Question 7 of 10Cricket & Sports Governance
Where is the headquarters of the International Cricket Council (ICC) located?
💡 Detailed Explanation & Analysis:
The headquarters of the International Cricket Council (ICC) is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (transferred from Lord's, London in 2005).
🎯 Exam Relevance: SSC CGL, RRB NTPC, IBPS Clerk
Question 8 of 10Wildlife Conservation & Project Tiger
Which state in India recorded the highest population of wild tigers as per the latest All India Tiger Estimation census?
💡 Detailed Explanation & Analysis:
Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of tigers in India with 785 tigers, retaining its status as the 'Tiger State of India', followed by Karnataka with 563 tigers.
🎯 Exam Relevance: UPSC Prelims, SSC CGL, State PSCs
Question 9 of 10Civilian Honours & Bharat Ratna
Who among the following was the pioneer of India's Green Revolution conferred with the Bharat Ratna in 2024?
💡 Detailed Explanation & Analysis:
Eminent geneticist and agricultural scientist Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, widely hailed as the Father of India's Green Revolution, was posthumously conferred the Bharat Ratna.
🎯 Exam Relevance: SSC CGL, UPSC Prelims, Banking PO
Question 10 of 10Defence Appointments
Who was appointed as the 26th Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) of the Indian Navy?
💡 Detailed Explanation & Analysis:
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi assumed office as the 26th Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, succeeding Admiral R. Hari Kumar.
🎯 Exam Relevance: CDS, NDA, AFCAT, SSC CGL
⚡ Executive Summary for 31 October 2026
Daily current affairs compilation for 31 October 2026 featuring in-depth analysis of national, banking, defense, and science developments with 10 practice MCQs for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and State PSC exams.
📋 Consolidated High-Yield Facts for Quick Revision
1. National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) Observed Across India and Globally
Date of Observance: 31 October.
Significance: Marks birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (Iron Man of India) who unified over 560 princely states into the Indian Union.
Celebrated nationwide with seminars, community awareness drives, and official government campaigns.
2. Ministry of Education Releases NIRF India Rankings: IIT Madras Retains Top Overall Spot
NIRF was approved and launched by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (now MoE) in September 2015.
Ranks institutions across 5 broad parameters: TLR, RPC, GO, OI, and Perception.
IIT Madras ranked No. 1 Overall; IISc Bengaluru ranked top University.
IIM Ahmedabad ranked top in Management; AIIMS New Delhi top in Medical.
3. Ministry of Skill Development & MSME Accelerates Rollout of PM Vishwakarma Yojana
Scheme launched on Vishwakarma Jayanti (17 September 2023) with ₹13,000 crore outlay.
