Daily Current Affairs 18-October-2026 – Latest MCQs & News Analysis for UPSC, SSC & Banking Exams.
1. Which institution recently launched the Quantum-Secure Communication Network initiative for national security applications?
A) ISRO
B) DRDO
C) CSIR
D) BARC
Correct answer: B) DRDO
Notes: The Defence Research and Development Organisation recently successfully tested a domestic quantum key distribution system to secure strategic military communications against advanced decryption threats. According to a PIB release, this deployment fortifies cryptographic infrastructures across sensitive army command nodes. For UPSC aspirants tracking emerging technology, understanding quantum mechanics principles in cryptography is essential for internal security papers. This test establishes sovereign technical capabilities, reducing reliance on foreign hardware vendors while insulating critical defence assets from emerging cyber espionage tactics employed by hostile state actors globally.
2. The Namdapha Flying Squirrel, recently making headlines for conservation efforts, is endemic to which Indian state?
A) Assam
B) Sikkim
C) Arunachal Pradesh
D) Uttarakhand
Correct answer: C) Arunachal Pradesh
Notes: Forest departments have initiated targeted nocturnal surveys within the Namdapha National Park to document the elusive flying squirrel population. A recent survey report published by The Hindu highlights growing threats from habitat fragmentation and illegal logging in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. Ecology questions in civil services examinations frequently test endemic species distributions, protected area networks, and wildlife corridors. Protecting this critically endangered rodent requires balancing indigenous community rights with stringent ecological safeguards, making community reserve models vital for regional conservation frameworks.
3. What is the primary objective of the PM-Vikas scheme, which received a fresh financial outlay approval recently?
A) Boosting digital literacy in rural schools
B) Skill development for traditional artisans and craftspeople
C) Providing subsidized solar pumps to marginal farmers
D) Expanding maternal healthcare access in aspirational districts
4. The International Solar Alliance recently admitted which region as its newest member state during the General Assembly?
A) Latin America
B) Eastern Europe
C) Central Asia
D) Pacific Islands
5. Under the Reserve Bank of India framework, what does the newly introduced Utkarsh 3.0 roadmap primarily target?
A) Phasing out legacy paper currency denominations
B) Strengthening regulatory and supervisory mechanisms
C) Mandating net-zero lending targets for commercial banks
D) Merging regional rural banks into apex cooperative entities
Daily Current Affairs FAQs on Today’s Current Affairs
Q1. Which organization developed the quantum key distribution system tested for military communications?
The Defence Research and Development Organisation designed and tested the indigenous quantum-secure communication network to protect strategic military data.
Q2. In which protected area is the Namdapha Flying Squirrel primarily found?
This critically endangered rodent is endemic to the Namdapha National Park located in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Q3. What is the core focus of the RBI Utkarsh 3.0 roadmap?
Utkarsh 3.0 focuses on strengthening institutional regulatory frameworks, improving banking supervision standards, and enhancing consumer protection protocols across financial institutions.
