NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. West Bengal launched Bhagini Nivedita Scheme for
Women’s Education: The West Bengal Cabinet has approved the Bhagini
Nivedita Scheme, which aims to support unmarried women pursuing higher
education. Announced by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on 5 October 2026, the
scheme is scheduled to begin across the state in January 2027. Under the
announced structure, each eligible beneficiary will receive ₹50,000 over three
years through three annual installments. The assistance is intended to help
women continue their education and reduce financial barriers to further
studies.
2. India targets 100 GW of wind capacity by 2030: India is targeting 100
gigawatts (GW) of installed wind power capacity by 2030, up about 70 percent
from 59.20 GW currently in place through to September 30, 2026, building on
record installations and a growing project pipeline. India had added the
largest amount of new capacity ever seen in the sector at 6.05 GW. The minister
expects this record number to be surpassed in FY27 thanks to a robust pipeline
of upcoming projects along with government support policies.
3. Chhattisgarh signs skill development MoU in Singapore: Chhattisgarh has signed a
memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Singapore-based ITE Education Services
for skill development and received a fresh investment proposal of Rs 350 crore
in the agro and food processing sector. The MoU between the Chhattisgarh
government and ITE Education Services was signed in the presence of CM Sai to
promote technical and vocational education and training.
4. Prakash Rajpurohit Appointed Deputy Election
Commissioner: The
Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointment of senior
bureaucrat Prakash Rajpurohit as Deputy Election Commissioner. His tenure will
continue until 8 April 2030, replacing Sanjay Kumar. Prakash Rajpurohit is a
2010-batch IAS officer belonging to the Rajasthan cadre. Before his
appointment, he served as Joint Secretary in the Department of Defence
Production under the Ministry of Defence.
5. NPCI
Defers Proposed UPI Merchant Fee Until After Diwali: The Unified Payments
Interface (UPI) is an instant payment system operated by the National Payments
Corporation of India (NPCI). As of 13 October 2026, NPCI had deferred the
proposed 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on selected Person-to-Merchant (P2M)
UPI transactions exceeding ₹2,000 until after Diwali 2026. UPI transactions
include Person-to-Person (P2P) payments between individuals and
Person-to-Merchant (P2M) payments for goods or services. P2P transactions, such
as transfers between friends or family, remain free for customers regardless of
transaction amount. Most bank-account-based merchant payments of up to ₹2,000
also remain free of customer charges. The proposed MDR applies to eligible P2M
transactions above ₹2,000, rather than to transfers between individuals. MDR is
a charge associated with processing a merchant payment, and merchants typically
bear this cost. The proposed framework was initially scheduled to take effect
on 15 October 2026.
6. Prime
Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Completes One Year: The Prime
Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) completed its first year of implementation on 11 October 2026.
The Union Cabinet approved the scheme on 16 July 2025, and Prime Minister Narendra
Modi launched it on 11 October 2025. It is a six-year initiative covering
financial years 2025–26 to 2030–31. PMDDKY covers 100 selected “Aspirational
Agricultural Districts” across India. It aims to address district-level gaps in
farm productivity, irrigation, agricultural credit and post-harvest
infrastructure. The scheme’s interventions are tailored to the agricultural
needs identified in each district. The programme brings together 36 Central
schemes administered by 11 Ministries and Departments, as well as State schemes
and private-sector participation. This convergence framework links existing
programmes with district-specific action plans rather than treating the scheme
as a standalone intervention.
7. India
Hosts First BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting: India is hosting the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’
Meeting in New Delhi on 13 October 2026. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is
chairing the meeting, attended by delegations from all seven BIMSTEC member
states. Its agenda covers regional cooperation against terrorism, transnational
organized crime, narcotics radicalization, trafficking, illicit financial flows
and cyber threats. The seven participating member states are Bangladesh,
Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Bangladesh’s Home
Minister, Salahuddin Ahmed, is not attending; a delegation led by Home Affairs
Senior Secretary Manzur Morshed Chowdhury is representing Bangladesh. The
meeting’s stated aim is to strengthen coordination among member states on
shared security challenges. On 12 October 2026, Amit Shah said the meeting
aimed to advance cooperation for regional security.
8. IMD
Launches Cyclone Warning and Marine Weather DSS: The India Meteorological
Department (IMD) launched its public-facing Cyclone Warning and Marine Weather
Services Decision Support System on 12 October 2026. The launch took place
during the IMD’s pre-cyclone exercise meeting for the October–December 2026
post-monsoon season. The interactive platform uses WebGIS, a web-based
geographic information system for displaying data on digital maps. It brings
together cyclone tracks, forecast intensity, wind information, rainfall
warnings and storm surge information on a map. A storm surge is an abnormal
rise in sea level caused mainly by a cyclone’s winds and atmospheric pressure.
The DSS also provides rainfall forecasts for river catchments and
district-level rainfall warnings. Its features include a “cone of uncertainty”,
which presents the forecast area within which a cyclone’s track is expected to
remain. The platform is available through the IMD and Regional Specialised
Meteorological Centre (RSMC) New Delhi websites.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. 9 October : World Sight Day: World
Sight Day is traditionally observed on the second Thursday of October every year.
In 2026, it falls on Thursday, 8 October. The day encourages people to
understand their eye health, schedule regular eye check-ups, recognise warning
signs early and support better access to quality eye care. Theme 2026: “Love
Your Eyes.”
2. 5 October: World Habitat Day: World Habitat Day is marked on
the first Monday of October each year and is recognized by the United Nations
to reflect on the state of towns and cities, and on the basic right of all to
adequate shelter. The day is also intended to remind the world that everyone
has the power and the responsibility to shape the future of towns and cities. Theme
2026: “Adequate Housing for All”
3. 13 October: Breast Cancer Awareness Day: Breast Cancer Awareness Day on
October 13 is a crucial time to elevate understanding and support for
metastatic breast cancer. This day sheds light on the realities of stage four
cancer, where it has spread beyond the breast. Discover ways to get involved,
advocate for research, and stand with those fighting for scientific advances.
4. John
Urschel Addresses a 30-Year-Old Mathematics Problem: Former Baltimore Ravens
offensive lineman John Urschel, now a tenure-track assistant professor of
mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has published
research addressing a conjecture about Gaussian elimination that dates to the
1990s. His paper, “On the Growth Factor of Random Matrices,” provides a proof
concerning the behaviour of the algorithm for random matrices. Gaussian
elimination is a method for solving systems of linear equations by applying row
operations to a matrix. It transforms the coefficient matrix into an upper
triangular form, after which the solution can be found through back
substitution. The method is also used to calculate matrix inverses and
determinants. In computer calculations, rounding errors can affect numerical
results. The growth factor measures the largest element generated during
elimination relative to the largest element in the original matrix.
5. Bangladesh
and China Sign Mongla Port Expansion Loan: On 10 October 2026, Bangladesh signed a concessional
loan agreement worth $335.78 million with China’s Export-Import Bank to expand
and modernise Mongla Port. The loan is equivalent to RMB 2.404 billion or Tk
3,592.8975 crore. The project, titled “Expansion and Modernisation of Mongla
Port Facilities”, will be implemented by the Mongla Port Authority under the
Ministry of Shipping. Mongla Port is in Bagerhat district in southwestern
Bangladesh, on the Pashur River and near the Sundarbans. It is one of
Bangladesh’s principal seaports and provides the country with access to
maritime trade through the Bay of Bengal. Seaports support international trade
by handling imports and exports, including containerised and bulk cargo. The
loan agreement was signed by Alia Meher, Joint Secretary at Bangladesh’s
Economic Relations Division, and Fengjun Tian, Assistant General Manager of
China Exim Bank.
6. India
and UK Inaugurate Genomics Centre: The BRIC-CDFD–ONT India Genomics Centre of Excellence
was jointly inaugurated in New Delhi on 12 October 2026 by Dr Jitendra Singh,
India’s Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and
Technology, and Jonathan Reynolds, the UK Secretary of State for Business, Innovation,
Science and Trade. The inauguration took place during the 8th India–UK Science
and Innovation Council meeting. Genomics is the study of an organism’s complete
genetic material, including the structure, function and interactions of its
genes. DNA sequencing determines the order of nucleotide bases in a DNA
molecule. Oxford Nanopore Technologies develops sequencing technology that
analyses changes in electrical current as nucleic acid molecules pass through
nanopores. The centre is a collaboration between the Biotechnology Research and
Innovation Council’s Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (BRIC-CDFD)
and Oxford Nanopore Technologies. It is intended to advance genomic research,
support the translation of technologies into practical applications and
facilitate the commercialisation of scientific discoveries.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. INS Sahyadri Arrives in Russia for India-Russia Naval
Exercise INDRA 2026: Indian Naval ship Sahyadri has arrived at
Vladivostok in Russia to participate in the exercise INDRA 2026. Participation
of INS Sahyadri is in consonance with the Government of India’s vision of
MAHASAGAR and builds upon the longstanding defence and maritime partnership
between India and Russia. The exercise will include a range of professional
interactions and maritime evolutions aimed at enhancing mutual understanding,
operational coordination and interoperability between the participating navies.
Exercise INDRA 2026 is a bilateral exercise between the Indian Navy and the
Russian Federation Navy scheduled from13th to 18th of October.
2. India,
Czech Republic Expand Defence Industrial Cooperation: India and the Czech Republic agreed to
expand defence industrial cooperation on 13 October 2026 to promote India’s
Make in India and Aatmanirbhar
Bharat initiatives. The agreement
followed a meeting in New Delhi between India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
and Czech First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel
Havlíček. The two ministers reviewed existing defence industrial cooperation
and acknowledged ongoing joint ventures between the countries. They agreed to
expand cooperation under the India-Czech Joint Defence Committee, the bilateral
mechanism for discussions on defence cooperation. Their talks also covered
peace and security, with both sides recognising the need for greater
cooperation to maintain regional stability. The partnership is associated with
historical and cultural ties, as well as mutual trust and respect. Havlíček’s
four-day visit includes meetings with Indian ministries, trade representatives
and businesses, and visits to industrial facilities in Bengaluru and Mumbai.
3. Indian
Coast Guard Team Summits Mount Mukut: A 17-member Indian Coast Guard (ICG) mountaineering
team summited Mount Mukut, at an elevation of 7,045 metres, on 7 October 2026.
The expedition was named “Tat Se Parwat”, meaning “From Sea to Summit”, and
formed part of the ICG’s preparation for a proposed Mount Everest expedition in 2027. Mount Mukut is a
Himalayan peak with an elevation above 7,000 metres. Mountaineering at this
altitude involves exposure to thin air and low temperatures, and requires
acclimatisation and specialist training. The Mount Mukut climb was the fifth and
final phase of an 18-month preparatory programme for the proposed ICG Mount Everest expedition. Mount Everest, at 8,848.86
metres, is the world’s highest mountain above sea level. The ICG plans to
undertake the Everest expedition in 2027, the year of its Golden Jubilee, also
known as Swarnim Jayanti.
SPORTS
1. Max Verstappen won the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix: Red
Bull’s Max Verstappen delivered a commanding performance to win the Singapore
Grand Prix, securing his second straight victory of the season after a perfect
weekend that included a sprint race triumph. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc who
finished second while Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli was third to close in on a
first title.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. IIT
Kharagpur Launches AI Tutor for GATE and JAM: On 12 October 2026, IIT Kharagpur launched the
NDLI-FERMI AI Tutor and a free online preparation platform for the Graduate
Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) and the Joint Admission Test for Masters
(JAM). Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar inaugurated both
initiatives at IIT Kharagpur’s Research Park in Rajarhat, Kolkata, during the
institute’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The NDLI-FERMI AI Tutor was
developed by IIT Kharagpur in collaboration with Fermi AI and integrated with
the National Digital Library of India (NDLI). It provides personalised academic
assistance at no cost to registered NDLI users. The tutor uses guided learning
through questions, hints and contextual explanations rather than providing only
direct answers. Its “Scan & Ask” function allows learners to submit
problems in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology. The tool can assist
with identifying mistakes and improving problem-solving approaches.
2. Antarctic
Sea Ice Reaches Third-Lowest Winter Maximum: Antarctic sea ice reached an annual maximum extent of 17.59
million square kilometres on 14 September 2026, the third-lowest maximum in the
satellite record. Scientists from NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data
Center (NSIDC) confirmed the measurement. The 2026 maximum was about one
million square kilometres below the long-term average maximum. Sea ice is
frozen ocean water, unlike the Antarctic ice sheet, which is formed from
accumulated snow on land. Antarctic sea ice forms and expands during the Southern
Hemisphere autumn and winter, then melts during spring and summer. Its annual
maximum generally occurs in September, while its annual minimum usually occurs
in February. Sea-ice extent is calculated by adding the area of ocean grid
cells that meet a specified sea-ice concentration threshold. The NSIDC uses a
threshold of at least 15 per cent sea-ice concentration for this calculation.
Satellite observations have provided a continuous record of polar sea ice since
1979.
3. BHASHINI
Uses Voice-First Multilingual AI in Mussoorie: The Digital India
BHASHINI Division (DIBD), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information
Technology (MeitY), deployed BHASHINI’s Shrutlekh platform at a National Centre
for Good Governance (NCGG) capacity-building programme in Mussoorie. The
programme on urban service delivery for civil servants from multiple countries
runs from 12 to 23 October 2026. Shrutlekh facilitated real-time, two-way
translation between English and Spanish during an introductory session.
BHASHINI’s voice-first approach uses speech-based language technologies to
facilitate communication across languages. Relevant technologies include
automatic speech recognition, machine translation and text-to-speech
conversion. Automatic speech recognition converts spoken language into text,
while machine translation transfers text or speech from one language to
another.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. RBI Opens Special Dollar Window for Three State-Owned
Oil Companies: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), on October 10, announced
a special window to meet the entire daily dollar requirements of three public
sector oil marketing companies (OMCs), as the central bank moves to ensure
orderly functioning of the foreign exchange market. The facility will be
available to Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation and Bharat
Petroleum Corporation from October 12 and will remain in place until further
notice. Under the arrangement, the RBI will sell US dollars to the three
companies through designated banks. The central bank said the decision was
taken after assessing current market conditions.
2. Federal Bank Launches ‘Verto Premium Savings Account’
for Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs: Federal Bank launched the Verto Premium Savings
Account in October 2026 to cater to young professionals, entrepreneurs,
salaried executives, and growth-focused resident individuals. Perks &
Rewards: Offers 5% cashback on food, fashion, and flight debit card spends,
complimentary domestic airport lounge access, and up to ₹35 lakh in insurance
coverage. Privileges & Insights: Includes locker concessions, remittance
benefits, family banking privileges, and curated financial insights. Eligibility:
Tailored for resident individuals based on specific balance, salary, or
relationship criteria.
3. NLMC
Raises ₹366.33 Crore in RINL Land E-Auction: The National
Land Monetization Corporation (NLMC) raised ₹366.33 crore on 12 October 2026 by auctioning land
parcels owned by Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL). The first phase sold 150
plots, against an aggregate reserve price of ₹312.48 crore, at an average
premium of 17.23% over the baseline valuation. Land monetisation involves
realising value from land assets through mechanisms such as sale or lease. NLMC
is a wholly owned Government of India company under the Ministry of Finance
that facilitates the monetisation of surplus land and other non-core assets
held by public sector entities. The auction concerns 459 land parcels in
Visakhapatnam. The parcels include residential plots in HB Colony and
Maddilapalem, and commercial or residential plots in Auto Nagar and Gajuwaka.
Bids for select locations in Visakhapatnam exceeded ₹1.80 lakh per square yard.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Sunil Bharti Mittal to Receive France’s Legion of
Honour: Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder and chairman of Bharti
Enterprises, has been named a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of
Honour (Chevalier de l’Ordre national de la Légion d’Honneur), France’s highest
civilian distinction, by French President Emmanuel Macron. Reason for Award:
Recognizing his three-decade contribution to strengthening India-France
economic ties, telecommunications, digital infrastructure, and space/satellite
cooperation (via Eutelsat).
2. Shubman Gill Wins Record Fifth ICC Player of the Month Award: Shubman Gill won his fifth ICC Player of the Month award on 13 October 2026 for his performances in September 2026. He received the award after scoring heavily in India’s One Day International (ODI) series against the West Indies. Gill’s previous awards came in January 2023, September 2023, February 2025 and July 2025. The International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced its Player of the Month awards in 2021 to recognise performances by international cricketers during each calendar month. The awards have separate categories for men and women. Gill’s fifth award set a record among male recipients; his total matched the overall tally of West Indies captain Hayley Matthews, who has won five women’s awards. India also secured the women’s award for September 2026. Shafali Verma won it for her performances in the Asia Cup and Asian Games.
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