Daily GK Update- 14th Oct, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Lakshadweep Achieves 100% Literacy Under ULLAS Scheme: Lakshadweep was officially declared a 100% literate Union Territory by Administrator Praful Patel under the ULLAS–Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram. ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (New India Literacy Programme / NILP) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to empower adults aged 15 and above who missed formal schooling with functional literacy and life skills. To cover non-literate citizens aged 15 years and above across all States and UTs, targeting 5 crore learners (1 crore learners annually) between FY 2022–27. To deliver an integrated curriculum built on five core pillars: Foundational Literacy & Numeracy, Critical Life Skills (financial, digital, legal, healthcare), Basic Education (formal equivalence), Vocational Skills, and Continuing Education.

 

2. National SARAS Mela 2026 to Promote Rural Women Entrepreneurs in Vijayawada: President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the National SARAS Mela 2026 in Vijayawada on October 15, with more than 1,500 women entrepreneurs from over 30 states and Union Territories expected to participate in the event. The mela, being organised for the first time outside the Delhi-NCR region, will be held at Punnami Ghat from October 13 to 31 in collaboration with the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), Andhra Pradesh. It will coincide with the Dasara Sharannavaratri Utsavams and Vijayawada Utsav 2.0, providing a platform for women from self-help groups to showcase and sell traditional crafts, handloom products and regional food items.

 

3. BFI Suspends Pramod Kumar Pending Inquiry: The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) President Ajay Singh suspended Secretary General Pramod Kumar with immediate effect on 13 October 2026. The suspension is pending an inquiry into alleged financial irregularities, non-cooperation with investigations and misuse of authority. The suspension order describes the action as an interim protective measure, not a final determination of the allegations. The Boxing Federation of India is the national governing body for boxing in India. National sports federations administer their respective sports and organise or oversee competitions in accordance with their constitutions and applicable sports governance requirements. The National Sports Development Code of India, issued in 2011, sets out guidelines relating to the functioning and recognition of national sports federations.

 

4. Maharashtra Declares Drought in 305 Talukas: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on 14 October 2026 that the state had expanded its drought declaration to 305 talukas, from 265 talukas declared drought-affected on 26 September. The government cited weak monsoon rainfall and an 18.8% rainfall deficit recorded between June and 18 September 2026. The El Niño phenomenon, which involves abnormal warming of central and eastern equatorial Pacific waters, was expected to continue through February 2027. The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare’s Manual for Drought Management sets out procedures for assessing drought using rainfall, soil moisture and crop-sown area indicators. Rainfall data are commonly assessed against the long-period average, but a rainfall deficit alone does not determine drought status; agricultural and hydrological conditions are also considered. The India Meteorological Department classifies seasonal rainfall deficits of 20% to 59% as “deficient” and deficits of 60% or more as “large deficient”.

 

5. HAL, NCF and ASI Sign Heritage Conservation Agreement: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the National Culture Fund (NCF) and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) signed a Memorandum of Agreement on 13 October 2026. The agreement covers conservation and development works at Hampi in Karnataka, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, and Bekal Fort in Kerala. HAL has granted in-principle approval for financial support of ₹23.60 crore, to be provided over the financial years 2026–27 to 2028–29. The projects include conservation, preservation and improvements to visitor amenities at the three heritage sites. The agreement was signed at Kartavya Bhawan-02 in New Delhi in the presence of Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture. Pradeep Kumar, HAL’s Executive Director (HR), signed the agreement on behalf of the company. HAL’s financial commitment is spread across three financial years, from 2026–27 to 2028–29. The ASI will provide technical guidance and supervision for project implementation. 

 

6. Indian Embassy in Indonesia Launches AI Avatar Dewi: The Indian Embassy in Jakarta launched an artificial intelligence (AI) avatar named Dewi in October 2026 for public outreach. The virtual guide is designed to share information on Indian culture, travel, scholarships, business, investment opportunities and consular services. Dewi is intended to provide updates to people following the embassy’s public channels. Its stated purpose includes improving access to embassy services and strengthening engagement between India and Indonesia. Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Sandeep Chakravorty announced the initiative on the social media platform X. He introduced Dewi in connection with Navaratri and Durga Puja, describing the launch as taking place on an auspicious occasion. The embassy invited users to follow its account and greet the avatar.

 

7. Ministry of Ayush Releases Skin Disorder Treatment Guidelines: The Ministry of Ayush released Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) titled “Management of Dermatological Disorders for Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy” on 13 October 2026. The guidelines were prepared by the Ayush Vertical of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Their public release coincided with the 11th Ayurveda Day. The guidelines provide practical recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and rehabilitation of skin disorders. They cover psoriasis, vitiligo, dermatitis, urticaria and dermatophytosis, a group of fungal skin infections. Yoga is also included in the guidance for managing skin disorders. The guidelines are intended to support more uniform clinical practice, quality assurance and evidence-informed care across the four Ayush systems. They retain the fundamental principles of each system while providing clinical protocols. Preparation involved interdisciplinary work and field-level validation of protocols in clinical settings.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 13 October: International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction: The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction observed the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on October 13, 2026. Aims: Safe, affordable, and hazard-resilient housing as the first line of defense against disasters like floods, fires, and earthquakes. Theme 2026: “Resilience Starts at Home”

 

2. 5 October: World Architecture Day: World Architecture Day falls on the first Monday of October, so this year’s observance is today, October 5, 2026. The International Union of Architects (UIA) established the day to draw attention to how buildings and cities affect daily life. Marking it with a review of modern architecture makes sense, since most of what we build today still follows rules set during that movement. Theme: “Housing is a Human Right. Build It.”

 

3. 6 October 2026: World Cerebral Palsy Day: World Cerebral Palsy Day 2026 will be observed on 6 Octob The annual movement brings together people with cerebral palsy, families, healthcare professionals and communities to promote awareness, equal opportunities and meaningful change. The day is an opportunity to learn about cerebral palsy, recognise developmental concerns early and consider how schools, workplaces and public services can become more accessible. Theme 2026: “Unique and United”

 

4. TDB Funds ideaForge’s YETI Autonomous Logistics Aircraft: ideaForge Technology Limited secured a ₹151-crore long-term debt facility from the Government of India’s Technology Development Board (TDB) for engineering and developing its YETI autonomous aerial logistics vehicle. The loan agreement was signed on 9 October 2026 and formally executed on 11 October 2026. The funding is provided under the Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Scheme. The Technology Development Board is a statutory body of the Government of India that provides financial assistance for developing and commercialising indigenous technology. The ₹151-crore facility is long-term debt financing at a nominal interest rate. It is secured by a first-ranking charge over project-specific plant, machinery and equipment. Its terms include commercial covenants, limits on promoter share transfers and matching-funding obligations. ideaForge received a Letter of Intent for financing of up to ₹151 crore on 15 August 2026. The facility is designated for the YETI project and forms part of support under the Government’s RDI Scheme.

 

5. Google Launches Gemini 4 Argon AI Model: Google launched Gemini 4 Argon globally on 13 October 2026 after an earlier limited release to testing partners. The artificial intelligence model is designed for complex tasks in software engineering, finance, legal services, cybersecurity and scientific research. Developers and businesses can access it through the Gemini API, AI Studio and Google Antigravity; eligible Google AI Ultra and Pro subscribers can use it through the Gemini app and AI Mode in Search. The introductory API price is 2 per million input tokens and 10 per million output tokens. Cached input tokens receive a 95 per cent discount. The introductory prices apply until 30 November 2026, after which standard rates are set to double. A token is a unit of text processed by an AI model; a cached input token is input reused from an earlier request.

 

6. IBM and MeitY Partner to Support India’s Deep-Tech Startups: IBM and MeitY Startup Hub (MSH), an initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Mumbai on 13 October 2026. The partnership was announced at the IBM Think 2026 conference and is intended to expand Indian deep-tech startups’ access to enterprise technology and innovation platforms. MSH will work with IBM to connect selected high-potential startups with expertise in enterprise artificial intelligence (AI), hybrid cloud and quantum computing. IBM will provide technical guidance on IBM watsonx, IBM Bob, IBM Sovereign Core, and its security and automation solutions. IBM describes watsonx as an enterprise AI and data platform for building, training, deploying and governing AI models. IBM Bob is an AI coding agent that automates stages of the software development lifecycle.

 

7. India Operationalises Resident Mission in Costa Rica: India operationalised its resident diplomatic mission in San José, Costa Rica, with effect from 10 October 2026. The Ministry of External Affairs announced the mission’s operationalisation on 13 October 2026. Before its opening, India managed diplomatic engagement with Costa Rica through its mission in Panama and an honorary consular presence in San José. A resident diplomatic mission is a country’s permanent official representation in another country. It enables regular political contact and supports bilateral cooperation. India’s new mission is intended to expand its diplomatic presence in Central America and strengthen relations with Costa Rica. It will also support engagement on regional and multilateral issues.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. INS Trishul Arrives in UK for India-UK Maritime Exercise KONKAN-26: Indian Navy ship INS Trishul has arrived at Plymouth in the United Kingdom to participate in the India-UK bilateral maritime exercise KONKAN-26 with the Royal Navy. Exercise is being conducted off Plymouth in two phases. Over the past two decades, KONKAN has evolved significantly in scale and complexity, enhancing interoperability and mutual understanding between the two Navies. The exercise reaffirms the shared commitment of India and the UK to ensuring secure, open and free seas. It also reflects the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership outlined in the India-UK Vision 2035. KONKAN-26 aims to strengthen the ability of both Navies to operate seamlessly in complex maritime scenarios, reinforcing their enduring partnership and shared commitment to maritime peace and security.

 

2. DRDO Tests Quantum Key Distribution Platform: On 14 October 2026, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) configured and tested its Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) platform on the live network of the dynamic test ranges at Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE), Chandipur, Odisha. The system is intended to secure real-time observations and telemetry from artillery and armoured weapon tests. Quantum Key Distribution is a method of generating and sharing cryptographic keys using quantum states. It is distinct from encryption: the generated keys are used with encryption methods to protect data. In QKD, attempts to intercept quantum signals can disturb their states, allowing the communicating parties to detect possible eavesdropping. The DRDO platform was designed and developed under its Microelectronic Devices, Computational Systems & Cyber Security (MCC) cluster. Taqbit Labs, a Bengaluru-based technology company, is the production partner. The platform is designed to provide eavesdropping detection and unconditional security.

 

3. Navy to Commission Indigenous Multipurpose Vessel INS Samarthak: The Indian Navy is scheduled to commission INS Samarthak at the Naval Base in Karwar, Karnataka, on 16 October 2026. It is the first of four indigenously built Multi-Purpose Vessels (MPVs) planned for induction into the Navy. Larsen & Toubro built the vessel under the Make in India initiative, with more than 75 per cent indigenous content. INS Samarthak is designed for surveillance and patrol, low-intensity maritime operations (LIMO), and support for trials of naval systems. It can deploy targets used in trials and serve as a mothership for unmanned and autonomous systems. These functions combine conventional maritime tasks with support for testing naval equipment and operating autonomous platforms. The vessel can undertake humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations. It can also be converted into a limited-capacity hospital ship and support salvage operations. These capabilities allow the platform to perform specialised roles during emergencies at sea.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Sunil Gavaskar launches book titled ‘Rag Rag Mein Cricket’ on Sanjay Jagdale’s life and cricket journey: Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar launched ‘Rag Rag Mein Cricket’, a book chronicling the life and career of former cricketer, BCCI selector and administrator Sanjay Jagdale. This is the complete life story of Sanjay Jagdale. You could say from his early days of playing cricket right up to today—he was a cricketer, and then he came into coaching. Then he became a selector; he was the BCCI’s junior selector and senior selector, and he came into the administration of the MPCA, even though he had no interest in administration.

 

2. Punjab to Host Men’s Asian Champions Trophy: Punjab will host the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy from 27 October to 5 November 2026 in Jalandhar and Mohali. It will be the first international hockey tournament in Punjab since the 2009 Punjab Gold Cup. India will host the competition for the second time and enter as defending champions and five-time winners. The six participating teams are India, Malaysia, South Korea, China, Japan and Bangladesh. Each team will play every other team once in the league stage, and the top four teams will qualify for the semifinals. India’s title wins came in 2011, 2016, 2018, 2023 and 2024. India will begin its campaign against Bangladesh on 27 October in Jalandhar. The Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium at Burlton Park in Jalandhar will host the opening ceremony and league-stage matches from 27 October to 2 November. The stadium is named after Surjit Singh, an Indian defender and member of the 1975 World Cup-winning team.

 

3. Kolkata to Host Barcelona and Real Madrid Legends on November 25: Kolkata is scheduled to host an exhibition match between Barcelona Legends and Real Madrid Legends on November 25, 2026. The match will be played at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, also known as Salt Lake Stadium. West Bengal Sports Minister Indranil Khan announced the event on October 13, 2026. Luis Figo, Carles Puyol and Iker Casillas are among the former players expected to feature; the official squads have not been confirmed. Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan is a multi-purpose stadium in Bidhannagar, Kolkata. It is commonly called Salt Lake Stadium and has hosted football matches, including international fixtures and club games. The venue staged the final of the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, which England won against Spain. In October 2026, it hosted international friendlies involving the Indian men’s football team against Brazil on October 3 and Uruguay on October 6.

 

4. Subhash Tamang to Become First Nepali Golfer in DP World Tour Event: Nepal’s Subhash Tamang is scheduled to become the first Nepali golfer to compete in a DP World Tour event at the DP World India Championship. The tournament is scheduled for 15–18 October 2026 at Delhi Golf Club in New Delhi, with a US$4 million prize fund, the largest for a golf tournament held in India. Tamang secured a place in the championship after finishing 23rd in the Race to DP World India Championship standings on the domestic DP World-PGTI Tour. He is scheduled to tee off at 7:55 am local time on 15 October alongside Manoj S and Mohammed Azhar. His participation will bring the number of nations represented in DP World Tour history to 120. Professional golf tournaments commonly use stroke play, in which a player’s score is the total number of strokes taken over the competition. A standard full round of golf consists of 18 holes, and a four-round event covers 72 holes. Players compete to complete the course in the fewest strokes.

 

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Archaeologists Identify Early Bronze Age Shipwreck near Kekova Island: Archaeologists announced the discovery of an ancient shipwreck off Kekova Island in Antalya, Turkey, on 14 October 2026. The wreck is estimated to be 4,400–4,700 years old and is considered the oldest known shipwreck, older than a 4,200-year-old wreck near Dokos Island in Greece. The ship’s wooden structure has disintegrated, so archaeologists used the style of ceramic vessels recovered from the seabed to estimate its age. More than 30 storage pots, known as amphorae, have two handles, a central ridge and a flat base. These design features correspond to pottery styles found in Egypt and the Middle East during the Early Bronze Age. The estimated period overlaps with the era of construction of Egypt’s Great Pyramid. The vessel is believed to have been a cargo ship about 10 metres long, engaged in trade across the Mediterranean Sea. Its wooden remains have not survived, and the cargo and associated objects provide the principal archaeological evidence reported from the site. Professor Hakan Öniz of Akdeniz University led the Mediterranean Archaeology Association expedition. Archaeologist Dr Karin Sowada of Macquarie University examined the recovered vessels.

 

2. Sentinel-3C Sends First Earth Images After Launch: Europe’s Copernicus Sentinel-3C satellite was launched on 15 September 2026 aboard a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. In late September, it returned its first images and measurements from two instruments, about two weeks after launch. The Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI) captured images of Italy, the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and the Caribbean, including Cuba and the Bahamas, on 29 and 30 September 2026. The synthetic aperture radar altimeter began measuring ocean-surface height and the elevation of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Its Greenland observations were taken between 30 September and 4 October. Sentinel-3 satellites carry instruments for systematic observations of the oceans, land, atmosphere and cryosphere, the frozen parts of the Earth system. Sentinel-3 measurements include sea-surface temperature, ocean colour and height, sea-ice thickness, inland water levels, vegetation conditions and polar ice-sheet elevation.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Retail inflation rises to 5.54% in September from 4.82% in August as food prices climb: Retail inflation in India rose to 5.54% in September 2026, while food inflation climbed to 7.74%, according to provisional data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). The figures show that food prices continued to put pressure on household budgets. Retail inflation stood at 6.08% in rural areas in September, compared with 4.88% in urban areas. This indicates that price pressures were higher in rural India than in cities.

Food inflation was also higher in rural areas at 8.06%, while the urban rate stood at 7.18%. The all-India food inflation rate was 7.74% during the month.

 

2. IMF raises India’s FY27 growth forecast to 7% from 6.4%: India’s economy is projected to grow 7 percent in FY27, higher than the 6.4 percent estimated earlier, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in its October World Economic Outlook (WEO), as strong domestic demand and services activity helped the country withstand global economic disruptions. The IMF also raised its FY28 growth forecast to 7 percent from 6.7 percent, suggesting that India’s growth momentum could extend beyond the current financial year. India remains among the fastest-growing major economies, with economic activity performing better than previously expected.

 

3. Shipping Ministry Launches Credit Insurance for Shipbuilders: On 13 October 2026, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways launched two credit risk insurance products for India’s shipbuilding industry. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced the policies at the 21st Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) meeting in Mumbai. Credit risk insurance covers specified losses arising from a buyer’s or debtor’s failure to pay. The Shipbuilding Project Credit Risk Insurance Policy (SbPCP), developed by ECGC Ltd, is intended for export shipbuilding projects. The Business Credit Shield Policy Shipbuilders (BCSPS), developed by The New India Assurance Co Ltd, is intended for domestic shipbuilding projects. The central government will subsidise premiums for the policies and provide direct support to insurers if shipyards make claims. The products were developed under the Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS) and are designed to address payment risks in large shipbuilding projects.

 

4. Oman Replaces US as India’s Largest LNG Supplier: Oman became India’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplier in September 2026, replacing the United States. India imported 2.17 million tonnes of LNG that month, 14% less than the 2.5 million tonnes imported in August. Oman shipped 585,000 tonnes of LNG to India in September 2026, an 11.6% increase from August. Its shipments made up 27% of India’s total LNG imports for the month. Nigeria ranked second, supplying 351,000 tonnes, despite a 35% month-on-month decline. The United States fell from first place in August, when it supplied 848,000 tonnes, to third place in September. Its LNG exports to India declined by 59%. Qatar, previously a dominant supplier to India, ranked sixth, supplying about 94,000 tonnes. India’s supplier mix in September was shaped by efforts to diversify energy imports during geopolitical disruptions in West Asia. Competition from European importers for US cargoes also affected the availability of American LNG for India. Qatar’s shipments were partly affected by disruptions following an Iran strike on Ras Laffan Industrial City in March 2026.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Oscar Whitfield Wins Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026: On 14 October 2026, 14-year-old British photographer Oscar Whitfield was named Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026. He lives in Zimbabwe and won with a black-and-white photograph titled “Labour of Love”, which captures a dung beetle pushing a ball of dung. Whitfield made the photograph in Zimbabwe by lying on the ground to photograph the beetle at eye level. The Natural History Museum in London runs the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. The competition received 65,403 entries from 121 countries and territories in 2026, a record total. It includes an overall young photographer award as well as an adult overall award. The 2026 edition marked the competition’s 62nd year.