Here is today’s **Daily Current Affairs Digest (29 October 2026)**, exam linkages across all target exams (UPSC, State PCS, RRB, BPSC, SSC, Banking, and Teaching), and practice MCQs with collapsible answer keys.
Daily Current Affairs Digest & PIB Summary – 29 October 2026
📌 High-Yield Exam Index Today
- UPSC & State PCS (GS-2 Governance & Health): Expansion of PM-ABHIM – Establishment of Critical Care Blocks (CCBs) & Integrated Public Health Labs (IPHLs).
- Railways & Tech (RRB NTPC / JE / Section Controller): Electronic Interlocking (EI) & Digital Axle Counters deployment across High-Density Networks (HDN).
- BPSC State Special (Bihar Civil Services / TRE): Bihar Mukhyamantri Udyami Yojana 2026 & Startup Seed Capital Subsidy Expansion.
- Banking & SSC (IBPS / RBI / SSC CGL): RBI Framework on Alternative Authentication Mechanisms for Digital Payment Transactions (beyond SMS OTP).
GS-2: Social Justice & Health
1\. PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM): Critical Care Expansion
Context: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released a progress evaluation report on PM-ABHIM (Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission), highlighting the operationalization of over 600 district-level Critical Care Blocks (CCBs).
🔍 PIB Fact File: Key Parameters of PM-ABHIM Infrastructure Scheme
Primary Component 1Establishing Critical Care Hospital Blocks (CCBs) in 602 districts with populations > 5 lakhs.Primary Component 2Setting up Integrated Public Health Labs (IPHLs) in all 730+ districts for diagnostic self-reliance.Epidemic PreparednessOperationalizing 20 Metropolitan Surveillance Units and 5 regional branches of NCDC (National Centre for Disease Control).
| Feature Parameter | Scheme Specification | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheme Type & Outlay | Centrally Sponsored Scheme with an all-India outlay of ₹64,180 Crore. | ||||||||||
Key Exam Takeaways:
- Focus Area: Strengthening primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare systems to build resilience against future pandemics.
- Rural Health Units: Support for 17,788 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (formerly Health & Wellness Centres) in rural areas.
RRB Ops & Tech Focus
2\. Electronic Interlocking (EI) & Digital Axle Counters: Modernizing Railway Signaling
Context: Indian Railways achieved 100% Electronic Interlocking (EI) conversion across all major junction stations on the Golden Quadrilateral and Golden Diagonals, eliminating legacy mechanical lever frames.
⚙️ Technical Notes for RRB NTPC, JE & Section Controller
- Microprocessor-Based EI System: Uses software-controlled logic circuits to operate points and signals, ensuring fail-safe train route locking.
- High-Availability High-Purity Axle Counters (HASSDAC): Counts wheels entering and exiting a block section to verify track clearance automatically.
- Interface with Kavach 4.0: EI provides direct digital data feeds to Station-Kavach units, removing signal latency during high-speed operation.
BPSC State Special
3\. Bihar Mukhyamantri Udyami Yojana 2026: Youth & Women Entrepreneurship Incentive
Context: The Department of Industries, Government of Bihar, released the application framework for the Mukhyamantri Udyami Yojana 2026, providing financial assistance to young entrepreneurs, women, SC/ST, and OBC beneficiaries.
🎯 High-Yield Points for BPSC Prelims & Mains
- Financial Package: Up to ₹10 Lakhs assistance provided per unit—comprising 50% grant/subsidy (₹5 Lakhs) and 50% interest-free/low-interest loan (₹5 Lakhs).
- Sub-Categories: Divided into Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami, Mahila Udyami, SC/ST Udyami, and EBC Udyami schemes.
- Repayment Terms: Loan amount payable in 84 easy monthly installments following a 1-year moratorium period.
Banking & Economy
4\. RBI Principle-Based Framework for Alternative Authentication in Digital Payments
Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued finalized directions for Alternative Authentication Mechanisms for digital payment transactions, transitioning beyond traditional SMS-based One-Time Passwords (OTPs).
- AFA Principle: Mandates Additional Factor of Authentication (AFA) for all digital transactions, encouraging biometric tokens, hardware tokens, and in-app push notifications.
- Risk-Based Exemption: Small-value contactless card payments (up to ₹5,000) and recurring auto-debits (e-mandates up to ₹15,000) remain exempt from additional friction steps.
📝 Target Practice Questions
Q1\. Under the PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), Critical Care Hospital Blocks (CCBs) are established in districts having a population exceeding which threshold?
(a) 1 Lakh (b) 2 Lakhs (c) 5 Lakhs (d) 10 Lakhs
View Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (c) 5 Lakhs
Explanation: PM-ABHIM mandates setting up dedicated Critical Care Hospital Blocks in districts with a population greater than 5 lakhs across all states and UTs.
Q2\. Under the Bihar Mukhyamantri Udyami Yojana, what is the maximum assistance amount provided per selected beneficiary unit?
(a) ₹5 Lakhs (b) ₹10 Lakhs (c) ₹15 Lakhs (d) ₹20 Lakhs
View Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (b) ₹10 Lakhs
Explanation: The scheme provides up to ₹10 Lakhs total assistance per unit, comprising a 50% grant (₹5 Lakhs) and a 50% soft loan (₹5 Lakhs).