Daily Current Affairs 29 October 2026 MCQs

Welcome to the daily current affairs update for 29 October 2026. Today's post covers Cyclone Arnab's landfall in Andhra Pradesh, the Union Cabinet's decisions on dearness allowance and the Khelo India sports goods scheme, Rajnath Singh's talks at the ADMM-Plus in Cebu, and Israel's Knesset election. This edition has four verified items. हिंदी में: आज की खबरों में चक्रवात, केंद्रीय मंत्रिमंडल के फ़ैसले, रक्षा कूटनीति और इज़राइल का चुनाव मुख्य हैं।

Today's Top Headlines at a Glance

Cyclone Arnab Crosses Andhra Pradesh and Yanam Coasts

Cyclone Arnab, a very severe cyclonic storm, crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts on the morning of 28 October 2026. It formed as a cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal on 26 October, after a depression developed on 24 October. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecast winds of 115-125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph, and issued red alerts for Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha. Schools in five southern Odisha districts were ordered closed on 28 and 29 October.

Key Facts for Exams

• Name: Arnab (pronounced "Ornab"), a name provided by Bangladesh.
• Category: very severe cyclonic storm, as forecast by the IMD.
• Landfall: Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts, morning of 28 October 2026.
• Yanam is a part of the Union Territory of Puducherry, located on the Andhra Pradesh coast.
• On the same date one year earlier, Cyclone Montha (named by Thailand) crossed the same coast, on 28 October 2025.
• The IMD works as the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre for cyclone advisories in the North Indian Ocean.

Exam Angle

Questions usually ask who named the cyclone and which coast it crossed. Memory tip: Montha = Thailand (2025), Arnab = Bangladesh (2026), and both hit the Andhra-Yanam coast on 28 October.

हिंदी में: अति गंभीर चक्रवाती तूफ़ान 'अर्नब' 28 अक्टूबर 2026 की सुबह आंध्र प्रदेश और यानम के तट से टकराया। इसका नाम बांग्लादेश ने दिया है। यह 26 अक्टूबर को बंगाल की खाड़ी में चक्रवाती तूफ़ान बना था। भारतीय मौसम विज्ञान विभाग ने आंध्र प्रदेश और दक्षिणी ओडिशा के लिए रेड अलर्ट जारी किया था।

Cabinet Approves 3% DA Hike and Khelo India Sports Goods Scheme

On 28 October 2026, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a 3 per cent increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners, effective from 1 July 2026. The decision came ahead of Diwali and benefits more than 1.17 crore people. The Cabinet also approved the Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme, with an outlay of Rs 1,856.67 crore for the period 2026 to 2033-34.

Key Facts for Exams

• DA hike: 3 per cent for employees; DR hike for pensioners; effective 1 July 2026.
• Beneficiaries: more than 1.17 crore central government employees and pensioners.
• The Cabinet decisions were announced by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
• Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme: outlay Rs 1,856.67 crore, running from 2026 to 2033-34.
• Aim of the sports scheme: to strengthen India in sports equipment manufacturing through investment, production, innovation and exports.
• Reports also say the Cabinet cleared the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme, announced in Budget 2026-27 (Rs 10,000 crore over five years, up to 7.5 lakh TEU capacity).

Exam Angle

DA is revised twice a year, from 1 January and 1 July, to offset the rise in prices. Remember: DA is for serving employees and DR is for pensioners.

हिंदी में: केंद्रीय मंत्रिमंडल ने 28 अक्टूबर 2026 को केंद्र सरकार के कर्मचारियों के महँगाई भत्ते (डीए) और पेंशनभोगियों की महँगाई राहत (डीआर) में 3 प्रतिशत की बढ़ोतरी को मंज़ूरी दी, जो 1 जुलाई 2026 से लागू होगी। मंत्रिमंडल ने 1,856.67 करोड़ रुपये के परिव्यय वाली 'खेलो इंडिया स्पोर्ट्स गुड्स मैन्युफैक्चरिंग स्कीम' को भी मंज़ूरी दी, जो 2026 से 2033-34 तक चलेगी।

Rajnath Singh Holds Talks at 13th ADMM-Plus in Cebu

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is attending the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu, the Philippines, on 28 and 29 October 2026. On 28 October, he held bilateral talks with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, his Australian counterpart Richard Marles and Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi on the sidelines of the meeting. On 29 October, he is due to address the forum on shared regional and international security challenges.

Key Facts for Exams

• Meeting: 13th ADMM-Plus, Cebu, Philippines, 28-29 October 2026.
• Rajnath Singh reached Cebu on the night of 27 October 2026.
• Bilateral talks on 28 October: US (Pete Hegseth), Australia (Richard Marles) and Japan (Shinjiro Koizumi).
• Talks were also scheduled with the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and South Korea.
• Theme of India's address: Exchange of Views on Regional and International Security Issues.
• India links its participation to the Act East Policy and ASEAN centrality.

Exam Angle

Expect questions on the venue, the number of the meeting and the countries India held talks with. Memory tip: the three big bilateral meetings were with the "USA, Australia and Japan".

हिंदी में: रक्षा मंत्री राजनाथ सिंह फिलीपींस के सेबू में 28 और 29 अक्टूबर 2026 को 13वीं एडीएमएम-प्लस बैठक में हिस्सा ले रहे हैं। 28 अक्टूबर को उन्होंने अमेरिका के पीट हेगसेथ, ऑस्ट्रेलिया के रिचर्ड मार्ल्स और जापान के शिंजिरो कोइज़ुमी से द्विपक्षीय बातचीत की। 29 अक्टूबर को वे क्षेत्रीय और अंतरराष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा पर मंच को संबोधित करेंगे।

Israel Votes in 26th Knesset Election

Israel held its 26th Knesset election on 27 October 2026. It was the sixth national vote since 2019 and the first in 38 years to come at the natural end of a full Knesset term. A party or bloc needs 61 of the 120 seats to form a government, and the counting of votes, including "double envelope" ballots, was still going on. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stays on as caretaker prime minister until a new government is sworn in.

Key Facts for Exams

• Election date: 27 October 2026; 26th Knesset.
• The Knesset is Israel's unicameral parliament with 120 seats.
• Seats needed for a majority: 61.
• It is the sixth election since 2019 and the first full term completed since 1988.
• Netanyahu continues as caretaker prime minister until the new government is sworn in.
• Final results were not announced when this post was prepared.

Exam Angle

Questions often ask for the number of seats, the majority mark and the name of the parliament. Memory tip: Knesset = 120 seats, 61 to rule. Do not write a winner until the official results are out.

हिंदी में: इज़राइल में 27 अक्टूबर 2026 को 26वीं नेसेट (संसद) के लिए चुनाव हुए। यह 2019 के बाद छठा चुनाव है और 1988 के बाद पहली बार नेसेट ने अपना पूरा कार्यकाल पूरा किया। सरकार बनाने के लिए 120 में से 61 सीटें चाहिए। अंतिम नतीजे आने तक बेंजामिन नेतन्याहू कार्यवाहक प्रधानमंत्री बने रहेंगे।

Important Days

• 28 October (previous date): International Animation Day (observed).
• 29 October (today): World Stroke Day.
• 30 October (next date): Birth anniversary of Homi Jehangir Bhabha (born 30 October 1909), the scientist known as the father of India's nuclear programme.
• 31 October (coming soon): Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day), the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Vocabulary from Today's News

Important Terms in Hindi and English

One-Minute Revision Table

Practice MCQs (Hindi + English)

1. Which country provided the name "Arnab" for the cyclone that hit the Andhra Pradesh coast in October 2026?

   अक्टूबर 2026 में आंध्र प्रदेश तट से टकराने वाले चक्रवात का नाम 'अर्नब' किस देश ने दिया?

   1. Thailand / थाईलैंड
   2. Bangladesh / बांग्लादेश
   3. Sri Lanka / श्रीलंका
   4. India / भारत

   Answer / उत्तर: B - Bangladesh. / बांग्लादेश।

2. Cyclone Arnab crossed which coasts on 28 October 2026?

   28 अक्टूबर 2026 को चक्रवात अर्नब किन तटों से टकराया?

   1. Tamil Nadu and Puducherry / तमिलनाडु और पुदुचेरी
   2. Odisha and West Bengal / ओडिशा और पश्चिम बंगाल
   3. Andhra Pradesh and Yanam / आंध्र प्रदेश और यानम
   4. Gujarat and Maharashtra / गुजरात और महाराष्ट्र

   Answer / उत्तर: C - Andhra Pradesh and Yanam. / आंध्र प्रदेश और यानम।

3. How was Cyclone Arnab classified by the IMD at landfall?

   आईएमडी ने चक्रवात अर्नब को तट से टकराते समय किस श्रेणी में रखा?

   1. Cyclonic storm / चक्रवाती तूफ़ान
   2. Severe cyclonic storm / गंभीर चक्रवाती तूफ़ान
   3. Very severe cyclonic storm / अति गंभीर चक्रवाती तूफ़ान
   4. Super cyclonic storm / सुपर चक्रवाती तूफ़ान

   Answer / उत्तर: C - Very severe cyclonic storm. / अति गंभीर चक्रवाती तूफ़ान।

4. Yanam, which was in the cyclone's path, is part of which Union Territory?

   चक्रवात के रास्ते में आने वाला यानम किस केंद्र शासित प्रदेश का हिस्सा है?

   1. Puducherry / पुदुचेरी
   2. Lakshadweep / लक्षद्वीप
   3. Ladakh / लद्दाख
   4. Chandigarh / चंडीगढ़

   Answer / उत्तर: A - Puducherry. / पुदुचेरी।

5. Which cyclone crossed the same Andhra-Yanam coast on 28 October 2025?

   28 अक्टूबर 2025 को कौन-सा चक्रवात इसी आंध्र-यानम तट से टकराया था?

   1. Montha / मोंथा
   2. Fani / फोनी
   3. Amphan / अम्फान
   4. Tauktae / ताउते

   Answer / उत्तर: A - Montha, named by Thailand. / मोंथा, जिसका नाम थाईलैंड ने दिया था।

6. By how much did the Cabinet raise the Dearness Allowance on 28 October 2026?

   28 अक्टूबर 2026 को मंत्रिमंडल ने महँगाई भत्ता कितना बढ़ाया?

   1. 1 per cent / 1 प्रतिशत
   2. 2 per cent / 2 प्रतिशत
   3. 3 per cent / 3 प्रतिशत
   4. 5 per cent / 5 प्रतिशत

   Answer / उत्तर: C - 3 per cent. / 3 प्रतिशत।

7. From which date does the new DA and DR rate apply?

   नया डीए और डीआर किस तारीख़ से लागू होगा?

   1. 1 January 2026 / 1 जनवरी 2026
   2. 1 April 2026 / 1 अप्रैल 2026
   3. 1 July 2026 / 1 जुलाई 2026
   4. 1 October 2026 / 1 अक्टूबर 2026

   Answer / उत्तर: C - 1 July 2026. / 1 जुलाई 2026।

8. What is the outlay of the Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme?

   खेलो इंडिया स्पोर्ट्स गुड्स मैन्युफैक्चरिंग स्कीम का परिव्यय कितना है?

   1. Rs 856.67 crore / 856.67 करोड़ रुपये
   2. Rs 1,856.67 crore / 1,856.67 करोड़ रुपये
   3. Rs 2,856.67 crore / 2,856.67 करोड़ रुपये
   4. Rs 10,000 crore / 10,000 करोड़ रुपये

   Answer / उत्तर: B - Rs 1,856.67 crore. / 1,856.67 करोड़ रुपये।

9. Which Japanese leader held bilateral talks with Rajnath Singh in Cebu on 28 October 2026?

   28 अक्टूबर 2026 को सेबू में राजनाथ सिंह से द्विपक्षीय बातचीत किस जापानी नेता ने की?

   1. Shinjiro Koizumi, Defence Minister / शिंजिरो कोइज़ुमी, रक्षा मंत्री
   2. Fumio Kishida / फुमियो किशिदा
   3. Shinzo Abe / शिंज़ो आबे
   4. Yoshihide Suga / योशिहिदे सुगा

   Answer / उत्तर: A - Shinjiro Koizumi, Japan's Defence Minister. / शिंजिरो कोइज़ुमी, जापान के रक्षा मंत्री।

10. Rajnath Singh held talks with which US official at the ADMM-Plus?

    एडीएमएम-प्लस में राजनाथ सिंह ने किस अमेरिकी अधिकारी से बातचीत की?

    1. Lloyd Austin / लॉयड ऑस्टिन
    2. Pete Hegseth / पीट हेगसेथ
    3. Marco Rubio / मार्को रुबियो
    4. Antony Blinken / एंटनी ब्लिंकन

    Answer / उत्तर: B - Pete Hegseth, US Secretary of War. / पीट हेगसेथ, अमेरिकी सचिव (युद्ध)।

11. Who is Rajnath Singh's Australian counterpart he met in Cebu?

    सेबू में राजनाथ सिंह के ऑस्ट्रेलियाई समकक्ष कौन थे जिनसे वे मिले?

    1. Peter Dutton / पीटर डटन
    2. Richard Marles / रिचर्ड मार्ल्स
    3. Penny Wong / पेनी वोंग
    4. Anthony Albanese / एंथनी अल्बनीज़

    Answer / उत्तर: B - Richard Marles. / रिचर्ड मार्ल्स।

12. On which date did Israel hold its 26th Knesset election?

    इज़राइल ने 26वीं नेसेट का चुनाव किस तारीख़ को कराया?

    1. 25 October 2026 / 25 अक्टूबर 2026
    2. 26 October 2026 / 26 अक्टूबर 2026
    3. 27 October 2026 / 27 अक्टूबर 2026
    4. 28 October 2026 / 28 अक्टूबर 2026

    Answer / उत्तर: C - 27 October 2026. / 27 अक्टूबर 2026।

13. How many seats are needed for a majority in the 120-member Knesset?

    120 सदस्यों वाली नेसेट में बहुमत के लिए कितनी सीटें चाहिए?

    1. 59
    2. 60
    3. 61
    4. 65

    Answer / उत्तर: C - 61. / 61।

14. This was Israel's how many national election since 2019?

    2019 के बाद यह इज़राइल का कौन-सा राष्ट्रीय चुनाव था?

    1. Fourth / चौथा
    2. Fifth / पाँचवाँ
    3. Sixth / छठा
    4. Seventh / सातवाँ

    Answer / उत्तर: C - Sixth. / छठा।

15. When was the last time before 2026 that a Knesset completed its full term?

    2026 के चुनाव से पहले आख़िरी बार नेसेट ने अपना पूरा कार्यकाल किस वर्ष पूरा किया था?

    1. 1988
    2. 1998
    3. 2008
    4. 2019

    Answer / उत्तर: A - 1988. It is the first full term since 1988. / यह 1988 के बाद पहला पूरा कार्यकाल है।

16. Who announced the Union Cabinet decisions on 28 October 2026?

    28 अक्टूबर 2026 को केंद्रीय मंत्रिमंडल के फ़ैसलों की जानकारी किसने दी?

    1. Rajnath Singh / राजनाथ सिंह
    2. Nirmala Sitharaman / निर्मला सीतारमण
    3. Ashwini Vaishnaw / अश्विनी वैष्णव
    4. Amit Shah / अमित शाह

    Answer / उत्तर: C - Ashwini Vaishnaw, Information and Broadcasting Minister. / अश्विनी वैष्णव, सूचना एवं प्रसारण मंत्री।

Sources Checked

This post was prepared from reports by the India Meteorological Department as reported by All India Radio (News on AIR), UNI, ANI, PTI, The Hans India, Outlook, Siasat, Al Jazeera, The Times of Israel, TNI, Vajiram and Ravi, The Tribune and Indian Opinion, dated 24 to 29 October 2026.

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How to Use This Daily Update

Read the headlines table first, then study the key facts and the exam angle of each item, and test yourself with the MCQs. For more questions, visit the MCQ practice section, and for notes and PDFs, see our free study material. More resources are listed in the Study Resources section above. Revise this post again after two days, because dates, places and names are the most commonly asked facts.

News items are based on reports available on 29 October 2026 and 28 October 2026. Please check the official announcements for any later updates.