Current affairs
News for UPSC, SSC and defence exams, with the reason it matters.
Maritime State Development Council meets as a statutory body for the first time under Ports Act 2025
- The 21st Maritime State Development Council met in Mumbai on 13 October 2026. It was chaired by Sarbananda Sonowal.
- This was its first meeting since it became a statutory consultative body under the Indian Ports Act, 2025. The Council began in 1997.
- All ports must adopt One Nation One Port Process reforms and join the Maritime Single Window (Sagar Setu) by March 2027.
Why it matters
[Policy] A body set up by executive order in 1997 now has a legal base. It links the Centre with coastal states on ports, a subject shared across Union and State lists. States must notify rules under Section 77 within three months. The deadlines make this a test of cooperative federalism. Use it in GS-2 on Centre-State relations and GS-3 on infrastructure.
First BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting in Delhi adopts Declaration on terrorism and scam centres
- The first BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Meeting was held in New Delhi on 13 October 2026. All seven member states took part.
- It adopted the Delhi Declaration. The text condemns terrorism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism.
- The declaration backs full use of UN Security Council sanctions, including the 1267 Sanctions Committee.
Why it matters
[First] BIMSTEC had only National Security Advisers' meetings on security before this. The 6th Summit in Bangkok on 4 April 2025 welcomed a Home Ministers' mechanism. Delhi has now started it. The declaration links security to development. It also names the BIMSTEC Convention on Combating International Terrorism, Transnational Organised Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking, in force since March 2021. Use it in GS-2 answers on neighbourhood policy and regional groupings.
Supreme Court directs that peaceful gatherers in Delhi not be illegally detained and movement stay unhindered
- On 11 October 2026, the Supreme Court told authorities not to illegally detain people gathering peacefully.
- It said free movement must be allowed, subject to traffic regulations. Lawyers must not be obstructed from their work.
- It asked for a review of barricading in Delhi.
Why it matters
[SC Ruling] Article 19(1)(b) gives citizens the right to assemble peacefully and without arms. Article 19(3) allows reasonable restrictions. This order shows how the Court balances the two. It treats detention without legal basis as a violation of Article 21. Compare it with the 2018 ruling against a blanket ban on protests at Jantar Mantar and Boat Club. Link this to GS-2 fundamental rights and policing.
RBI tightens rupee derivative rules, raises daily CRR maintenance to 99% and opens dollar window for oil firms
- In October 2026, the RBI cut the limit for forex derivative deals with no underlying exposure from $100 million to $5 million.
- It also created a Foreign Exchange Risk Reserve (FERR). Banks must hold cash equal to 20% of qualifying hedge contracts above $2 million.
- From 16 October 2026, banks must maintain 99% of the required CRR every day, up from 90%.
Why it matters
[Policy] These steps defend the rupee and drain surplus liquidity. They follow the repo rate hike of 7 October 2026. The CRR is the share of deposits banks must keep with the RBI. A higher daily CRR requirement leaves banks with less money to lend. The FERR makes speculative hedging costlier. Link this to GS-3 monetary policy, exchange rate management and the RBI's toolkit.
Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses completes one year: output 274 lakh tonnes, imports down 31.5%
- The ₹11,440 crore Mission was launched on 11 October 2025. It runs from 2025-26 to 2030-31.
- Pulse output rose to 274.09 lakh tonnes in 2025-26 (3rd Advance Estimates) from 256.83 lakh tonnes in 2024-25.
- Pulse imports fell 31.52% to ₹31,793.59 crore in 2025-26.
Why it matters
[Data] India is the world's largest pulses producer, yet it still imports pulses. The Mission aims to end that dependence by 2030-31. It uses certified seeds, 1,000 dal mills and cluster farming in 489 districts. Assured procurement protects farmers from price falls. Link this to GS-3 food security, MSP and import substitution.
Andhra Pradesh accepts Dedicated Commission report on local-body BC quota, total capped at 50%
- On 10 October 2026, the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet accepted the Dedicated Commission's report on Backward Classes reservation in local bodies.
- The Commission is headed by Rajeev Ranjan Mishra. It was set up to follow the Supreme Court's triple test.
- SC, ST and BC quotas together may not exceed 50% in any rural or urban local body.
Why it matters
[Precedent] This is the State's response to the Supreme Court refusal of 9 October 2026. The triple test needs a dedicated commission, local-body-wise data, and the 50% cap. Andhra Pradesh now follows the test instead of its earlier 34% quota. Link it to GS-2 local self-government and Article 243T.
Madhya Pradesh High Court strikes down the 2019 law raising OBC quota from 14% to 27%
- On 9 October 2026, the Madhya Pradesh High Court struck down the 2019 law raising the OBC quota from 14% to 27%.
- The Bench said the State had not shown the exceptional circumstances needed to cross the Supreme Court's 50% ceiling.
- It found OBCs adequately represented in higher education and public jobs. One study it cited put OBCs at 28.16% of government posts.
Why it matters
[Precedent] The 50% ceiling comes from Indra Sawhney (1992). A State can cross it only in extraordinary situations, backed by data. This High Court asked for proof of inadequate representation and found none. It also said unfilled reserved posts cannot justify a higher quota. Link it to GS-2 reservation policy and the Andhra Pradesh ruling of 9 October 2026.
Supreme Court refuses to restore Andhra Pradesh’s 34% Backward Classes quota in local bodies
- On 9 October 2026, the Supreme Court dismissed Andhra Pradesh's appeal. The High Court had struck down its 34% Backward Classes quota in local bodies.
- The High Court ruled on 1 October 2026 that the State lacked the empirical data needed to cross the 50% ceiling.
- The Bench said a unified family survey could not justify the higher quota without a specific assessment of backwardness and representation.
Why it matters
[SC Ruling] The 50% ceiling on total reservation is settled law. A State can cross it only with specific empirical data on backwardness and representation. This ruling shows that a general population survey is not enough. It links to GS-2 reservation policy and local self-government.
Election Commission caps Form 7 objections per voter during Special Intensive Revision
- On 9 October 2026, the Election Commission capped the number of Form 7 applications one voter can file during the Special Intensive Revision.
- During the claims and objections period, an individual elector may file at most 10 Form 7 applications.
- During continuous updation of electoral rolls, the cap is five Form 7 applications per month.
Why it matters
[Precedent] The Election Commission acts under Article 324, which gives it superintendence over electoral rolls. It issued the cap to discourage bulk objections seeking deletion of voter names. Bulk filing inconveniences the voter objected to and burdens field staff. This follows the Supreme Court's May 2026 ruling upholding the Bihar SIR. It links to GS-2 elections and electoral reforms.
RBI raises repo rate 25 bps to 5.50% and shifts stance to ‘calibrated tightening’
- On 7 October 2026, the MPC voted unanimously to raise the repo rate by 25 bps to 5.50%.
- The SDF rate is now 5.25%. The MSF rate and Bank Rate are 5.75%.
- The stance changed to calibrated tightening. Two members, Nagesh Kumar and Ram Singh, wanted to keep it neutral.
Why it matters
[Policy] This is a clear change of direction. Rate cuts are now off the table, and the next move can only be a hike or a pause. Inflation is rising because of a deficient monsoon, El Niño and high energy prices. Exams ask about the repo rate, SDF, MSF and Bank Rate corridor. Mains answers can use the supply-shock debate: the MPC mainly curbs second-round effects. This links to GS-3 inflation and monetary policy.
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit appointed 29th Chief of the Air Staff from 31 October 2026
- On 6 October 2026, the government appointed Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff.
- He takes over on the afternoon of 31 October 2026, in the rank of Air Chief Marshal.
- He succeeds Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who retires on 31 October 2026.
Why it matters
[Appointment] The Chief of the Air Staff is the professional head of the Indian Air Force. Exams often ask who heads each service. Dixit is an experimental test pilot who has flown the Tejas, Mirage-2000 and Jaguar. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy.
Cabinet commits ₹10,000 crore to an SME Growth Fund for equity in small and medium firms
- On 6 October 2026, the Union Cabinet approved a ₹10,000 crore commitment to the SME Growth Fund (SGF).
- The money goes to an Alternative Investment Fund that makes direct equity investments in SMEs.
- Most of the fund will go to small and medium manufacturing firms.
Why it matters
[Policy] Most existing equity funds back early-stage and micro firms. Small and medium firms that want to scale find little long-term risk capital. The SGF fills this gap with patient growth equity, as promised in Para 28 of Union Budget 2026-27. Since April 2025, a small enterprise means investment up to ₹25 crore and turnover up to ₹100 crore. This links to GS-3 MSMEs and industrial policy.
Cabinet approves Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority to plan all transport modes together
- On 6 October 2026, the Union Cabinet approved setting up the Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority (ITLA).
- ITLA is a Special Purpose Vehicle and will be the apex body for transport and logistics planning.
- It will prepare a National Transport Master Plan with a horizon of ten years or more.
Why it matters
[Policy] Roads, railways, ports, airports and waterways are planned by separate ministries today. ITLA is meant to end this fragmented planning with one multimodal master plan. It will build a National Transport Data Repository from e-way bill, FASTag and Vahan data. It complements PM GatiShakti and the National Logistics Policy, 2022. This links to GS-3 infrastructure and logistics costs.
VB-G RAM G: Centre notifies 375 permissible rural works, 41% more than under MGNREGA
- On 6 October 2026, PIB said the Rural Development Ministry had notified 375 permissible works under the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025.
- That is 41% more than the 266 works allowed under the previous framework.
- The works sit under four pillars: Water Security (128), Core Rural Infrastructure (111), Livelihood (98) and Disaster Preparedness (38).
Why it matters
[Policy] This schedule is the list of assets that wage work can build under the law that replaced MGNREGA on 1 July 2026. Disaster preparedness and extreme-weather works get their own category for the first time. Every work must come from a Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan approved by the Gram Sabha. Works will be tracked on the Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack. This links to GS-2 welfare schemes and GS-3 rural development.
Asked before: CDS I 2020 asked which of the given options is not an objective of MGNREGA, the scheme VB-G RAM G replaced.
First international cargo voyage from Dibrugarh since Independence to sail to Dhaka via NW-2
- A methanol cargo was set to be flagged off from Bogibeel Terminal, Dibrugarh, on 5 October 2026.
- It will sail to Pangaon Port in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- The route uses National Waterway-2 (the Brahmaputra) and the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route.
Why it matters
[First] Before Independence, the Brahmaputra was Upper Assam's main trade link to world markets. This voyage restores that link for the Northeast. NW-2 is the 891 km stretch of the Brahmaputra from the Bangladesh border to Sadiya. It was declared a National Waterway in 1988 (IWAI). Inland waterways are a cheaper, greener way to move freight. Waterway numbers and routes are asked often in SSC and UPSC Prelims.
2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine goes to Deisseroth, Hegemann and Nagel for optogenetics
- On 5 October 2026, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel.
- It honours their discoveries on light-gated ion channels and optogenetics.
- Hegemann and Nagel found channelrhodopsin, a light-sensitive protein, in the single-celled alga Chlamydomonas.
Why it matters
[Milestone] Optogenetics lets scientists turn chosen nerve cells on or off with light. Older methods could map brain areas but could not prove cause and effect. Now researchers can link specific circuits to memories, feelings and behaviour. Doctors are testing the method to restore sight in people with visual impairment. Nobel prizes are a regular GK question in SSC, CDS and NDA papers.
India and Japan launch Operational Manual for their Article 6.2 Joint Crediting Mechanism
- On 30 September 2026, India and Japan launched the Operational Manual for their Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) in New Delhi.
- The JCM is a bilateral carbon-credit framework under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement.
- The Memorandum of Cooperation was signed on 7 August 2025. The Rules of Implementation were adopted on 8 June 2026.
Why it matters
[Policy] The manual moves the India-Japan JCM from paperwork to real projects. Japan can now deploy low-carbon technology in India and share the resulting emission credits. Article 6.2 lets countries trade emission reductions directly with each other. Do not confuse it with India's domestic Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS). This is GS-3 environment and climate-finance material.
Foundation laid for a 177-house 3D concrete-printed rural housing pilot in Andhra Pradesh
- On 4 October 2026, the foundation was laid for a 3D concrete-printed housing pilot in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh.
- The pilot will build 177 houses at a cost of ₹14 crore, within about six months.
- The Rural Development Ministry called it the country's first pilot housing project using 3D concrete printing.
Why it matters
[First] 3D concrete printing builds walls layer by layer from a digital design. The Ministry says it cuts construction time, cost and labour. If the pilot works, it could speed up rural housing under PMAY-Gramin. India has had 3D-printed buildings before, so read 'first' as the Ministry's claim for this housing pilot. Rural housing schemes and new construction technology are GS-2 and GS-3 topics.
National Supercomputing Mission reaches 40 supercomputers with 68 petaflops of capacity
- As of September 2026, 40 supercomputers had been deployed under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM).
- Their combined capacity is 68 petaflops. Thirteen of them are high-end systems above 1 petaflop.
- The Mission plans 50 supercomputers with more than 123 petaflops in total.
Why it matters
[Data] NSM was launched in April 2015 with an outlay of about ₹4,500 crore. It is steered jointly by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and MeitY. C-DAC Pune and IISc Bengaluru implement it. India's journey began with C-DAC's PARAM 8000 in 1991. The Rudra servers show the shift from assembling imports to building indigenous hardware. This is GS-3 science and technology and Aatmanirbhar Bharat material.
Two captive-bred Great Indian Bustards released into the wild at Desert National Park
- On 4 October 2026, two male Great Indian Bustards were released at Sam, Desert National Park, Jaisalmer.
- The breeding centres at Sam and Ramdevra hold 97 birds; 11 are earmarked for release.
- Of the 97, 40 came from wild-laid eggs and 57 were bred in captivity.
Why it matters
[First] The programme now moves from captive breeding to rewilding. It is run by the Environment Ministry, Rajasthan Forest Department and the Wildlife Institute of India. National CAMPA funds it. About 200 sq km of fenced grassland enclosures inside the park serve as breeding habitat. The Supreme Court's GIB judgment guides the conservation work.
INS Sahyadri and Kulish join second ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME 2026) in the Philippines
- The second ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME 2026) was held at Subic Bay, Philippines, from 28 September to 2 October 2026.
- India sent stealth frigate INS Sahyadri and missile corvette INS Kulish.
- Its theme was 'Anchored in Trust, United at Sea'.
Why it matters
[Data] AIME is India's only naval exercise with ASEAN as a group. The sea phase covered disaster relief, boarding drills, underway replenishment and casualty evacuation. The Navy linked it to the Act East Policy and the MAHASAGAR vision. Exercise names, hosts and editions are asked often in defence and SSC papers.
Asian Games 2026: India wins 85 medals; both hockey teams take gold and qualify for LA 2028
- India won 85 medals at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan: 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze.
- That is down from 106 medals at the previous edition in Hangzhou.
- India's men's and women's hockey teams both won gold, securing direct berths at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Why it matters
[First] The women's hockey team beat China 1-0 for India's first Asian Games women's hockey gold since 1982 (Indian Express). Asian Games hockey champions qualify directly for the next Olympics. As of 3 October 2026, India was fourth on the medal table. It was level with Uzbekistan on 21 golds, ahead on silvers. Equestrian events on 4 October could still change that order.
India’s first 5.56 km free-space quantum key distribution link demonstrated in Gandhinagar
- QNu Labs, BISAG-N and IIT Gandhinagar demonstrated India's first free-space QKD link at a 5.56 km scale.
- The field trial ran on the night of 27-28 September 2026, between BISAG-N and IIT Gandhinagar.
- It kept the quantum bit error rate below 5% and generated secure keys at 230-260 bits per second.
Why it matters
[First] Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) shares encryption keys using single particles of light. Any attempt to eavesdrop disturbs them and shows up as errors. Free-space QKD needs no optical fibre, so it can work through open air. The team says this paves the way for longer links and satellite-based quantum communication.
Five Centres of Excellence approved for Classical Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit
- On 3 October 2026, the Education Ministry approved five Centres of Excellence for Classical Language studies.
- They cover Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit.
- Hosts: Tezpur University, Visva-Bharati, Deccan College Pune, Central University of Odisha and Central University of Gujarat.
Why it matters
[Policy] These five languages got classical status on 3 October 2024. That took India's total to 11 classical languages. The new centres give each of them a dedicated research home. Earlier centres for Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam and Odia run under the Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysuru. (PIB, 2024)
Asked before: UPSC Prelims 2015 asked which language was given classical language status most recently.
First captive-bred Great Indian Bustards set for pilot release into the wild in Jaisalmer
- Two captive-bred male Great Indian Bustard chicks are set for a pilot wild release on 4 October 2026.
- They will go into enclosures in Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, fitted with radio tags.
- The release starts the 'rewilding' phase of Project GIB, running since 2013.
Why it matters
[First] This is the first time captive-bred Great Indian Bustards will enter the wild. The bird is critically endangered, with about 140 left in the wild. Collisions with power lines from renewable projects are a major threat. The Supreme Court has ordered such lines outside the park buried by December 2027.
Asked before: UPSC Prelims 2020 asked a statement question on India's Desert National Park.
India gives standardised names to 28 places in Ladakh on the Survey of India map
- In October 2026, the Centre gave standardised names to 28 places and features in Ladakh.
- The names were fixed with the Ladakh UT administration and shown on the Survey of India map.
- The list includes 11 peaks, five mountains, two glaciers, two passes, a valley, a river and a lake.
Why it matters
[Policy] Naming places on official maps is a way to assert sovereignty. The move came days after India standardised place names in Arunachal Pradesh. Both respond to China's cartographic claims along the 3,488-km LAC. It links to India-China relations in GS-II.
Centre resumes pending post-facto green clearances after SC’s Vanashakti ruling
- On 30 September 2026, the Environment Ministry told expert bodies to resume pending post-facto clearance cases.
- No fresh post-facto proposals will be accepted.
- The order implements the Supreme Court's 29 July 2026 judgment in Vanashakti vs Union of India.
Why it matters
[SC Ruling] Under the EIA Notification, 2006, a project needs clearance before work starts. Post-facto clearance lets a project that broke this rule seek approval later. The court kept prior clearance mandatory, but let old pending cases be decided. Expect EIA questions in GS-III and prelims.
Asked before: UPSC Mains 2024 (GS-III) asked how NGOs and activists shape EIA outcomes.
Law Ministry notifies rules for the new National Tribunals Commission
- On 30 September 2026, the Law Ministry issued rules for the National Tribunals Commission.
- The Commission will appoint chairpersons and members to 16 tribunals and appellate bodies.
- It has a chairperson and four members: two judicial and two technical.
Why it matters
[Policy] These rules put the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026 into action. The Supreme Court had struck down parts of the 2021 Act for hurting judicial independence. It also asked for an independent body to select tribunal members. Tribunals and judicial independence are a regular GS-II theme.
Asked before: UPSC Mains 2025 (GS-II) asked candidates to assess the 2021 tribunal reforms.
Cabinet approves Green Energy Corridor Phase-III with 50 GWh battery storage
- The Union Cabinet approved Green Energy Corridor Phase-III (GEC-III) on 30 September 2026.
- It will strengthen intra-state transmission to carry up to 135 GW of renewable power.
- It also adds 50 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for grid flexibility.
Why it matters
[Policy] Solar and wind power is useless if it cannot reach consumers. GEC-III builds the state-level wires and adds battery storage for non-solar hours. It supports the 900 GW non-fossil target for 2035. Expect questions on GEC phases and BESS.
Ministry of Power notifies new CAFE fuel-economy norms for cars from April 2027
- The Ministry of Power notified new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) norms on 30 September 2026.
- They apply to new passenger vehicles from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2032.
- The fuel benchmark tightens from 3.996 to 3.3273 litres per 100 km, about 16.7% better.
Why it matters
[Policy] CAFE sets one fuel-economy average for each carmaker's whole fleet. The final rules now replace the July 2026 draft. They reward EVs, hybrids and biofuels inside the compliance maths. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency runs the credit buyout.