Current Affairs 29 October 2026

Cyclone Arnab 2026

Cyclone Arnab, a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS), developed over the Bay of Bengal on 26 October 2026 and approached the Andhra Pradesh coast on 28 October. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast its crossing of the Andhra Pradesh–Yanam coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to the south of Yanam. The cyclone’s name, Arnab, was contributed by Bangladesh and means ocean in Bengali.

Tropical Cyclone Naming

Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS)

The Government of India is promoting Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technologies to reduce industrial carbon emissions and achieve its net-zero emissions target by 2070. According to a Press Information Bureau (PIB) backgrounder released on 27 October 2026, CCUS is particularly important for decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, cement, power generation, refineries and chemicals.

CCUS involves three major processes: capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from industrial emissions, transporting it through pipelines or other means, and either using it in industrial applications or permanently storing it underground. Captured CO₂ can be utilised in producing urea, green methanol, synthetic fuels and construction materials. Geological storage can take place in depleted oil and gas reservoirs, deep saline aquifers and suitable basalt formations.

The Union Budget 2026–27 announced ₹20,000 crore over five years to promote CCUS across five major industrial sectors: power, steel, cement, refineries and chemicals. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) released its CCUS Research and Development Roadmap in December 2025, while NITI Aayog had earlier published its CCUS Policy Framework and Deployment Mechanism in November 2022.

In May 2026, India’s first Integrated CCUS Field Laboratory was inaugurated at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. The indigenous pilot-scale facility can capture up to 3 tonnes of CO₂ per day from industrial emissions and ambient air and convert it into useful carbonate and bicarbonate products. The facility also supports research into permanent geological storage in the Deccan Trap basalt formations.

Exercise Garuda Shakti 2026

The 11th edition of Exercise Garuda Shakti, a bilateral joint Special Forces military exercise between India and Indonesia, commenced on 27 October 2026 in Banyuwangi, Indonesia. The exercise is scheduled to continue until 6 November 2026, with the participation of Special Forces personnel from both countries.

12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum 2026 Held in New Delhi

The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum (BRICS PF) was held in New Delhi, India, on 26–27 October 2026, under the theme “Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centered Development.” The forum brought together Presiding Officers and parliamentary representatives from the 10 BRICS member countries to strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation and promote inclusive development.

Janjatiya Gaurav Divas 2026

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has announced nationwide celebrations of Janjatiya Gaurav Pakhwada (Tribal Pride Fortnight) from 1 to 15 November 2026, culminating in Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (Tribal Pride Day) on 15 November. The celebrations commemorate the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda, popularly known as Dharti Aaba, and aim to strengthen tribal welfare, cultural preservation and awareness of government schemes.

The Government of India declared 15 November as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas in 2021 to recognise the contributions of tribal communities to India’s freedom struggle. The 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda was commemorated during 2024–25 as Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh (Tribal Pride Year).

Q1. What was the theme of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum held in New Delhi on 26–27 October 2026?
A. Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centered Development
B. Ensuring Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
C. Building a Just Global Order through Inclusive Multilateralism
D. Promoting Sustainable Growth through Parliamentary Diplomacy

Q2. The 11th edition of the joint Special Forces Exercise ‘Garuda Shakti’, which commenced in October 2026, is conducted between India and which country?
A. Malaysia
B. Indonesia
C. Thailand
D. Singapore

Q3. With reference to Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, consider the following statements:
1. Janjatiya Gaurav Divas is observed annually on November 15 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
2. The Government of India first declared November 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas in 2021.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2

Q4. With reference to Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), consider the following statements:
1. CCUS technology involves capturing carbon dioxide from industrial sources and either utilising it for productive purposes or storing it in suitable geological formations.
2. India’s first Integrated CCUS Field Laboratory was inaugurated at IIT Bombay in May 2026.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2

Q5. How much funding was allocated in the Union Budget 2026–27 to promote Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technologies over five years?
A. ₹10,000 crore
B. ₹15,000 crore
C. ₹20,000 crore
D. ₹25,000 crore

Q6. Which country proposed the name ‘Arnab’ for the cyclonic storm that affected the Andhra Pradesh coast in October 2026?
A. India
B. Bangladesh
C. Myanmar
D. Sri Lanka