Daily GK Update- 15th Oct, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Environmental Impacts of Mining in Forest Areas of India: Mining in forest areas can generate minerals and support industry, but it may also damage habitats, water systems and local livelihoods. Effective environmental assessment, protection of forest rights and restoration of mined land are central to balancing mineral development with ecological conservation. India’s major mineral-bearing regions include the Chhotanagpur and Odisha plateaus and parts of Chhattisgarh. They contain coal, iron ore, manganese, bauxite and mica. Jharkhand holds about 40% of the country’s mineral resources, including substantial coal, iron and bauxite reserves. Both opencast and underground mines can transform forest land; more than 0.8 million hectares in India are used for mining, predominantly in forest areas. Opencast mining typically requires clearing land for excavation, overburden dumps and infrastructure. Underground mining has a smaller surface footprint in some cases, but can still affect forests, soil and water through associated operations.

 

2. Sources and Mechanisms of MSME Finance in India: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) rely on a mix of institutional lending, government-backed credit support and digital finance. Understanding these channels—including guarantees and invoice financing—helps explain how India seeks to improve credit access for smaller businesses. India classifies MSMEs using a composite criterion of investment in plant and machinery or equipment and annual turnover. The revised limits took effect on April 1, 2025, removing the earlier distinction between manufacturing and service enterprises. As of January 2026, the sector contributed approximately 31.1% of India’s GDP, 35.4% of manufacturing output and 48.58% of merchandise exports. It employed more than 38.9 crore people, making it the country’s second-largest source of employment after agriculture. These figures underline why timely working capital and investment finance matter to both production and employment.

 

3. Important Branches of Ayurveda and Their Functions: Ayurveda is traditionally organised into eight specialised disciplines known as Ashtanga Ayurveda. Together, these branches address general medicine, surgery, child health, mental well-being, toxicology, rejuvenation and reproductive health. Ayurveda means “the science of life” and is a system of medicine that considers health through the relationship between the body and mind. Its traditional framework includes three Doshas—Vata, Pitta and Kapha—which are used to describe physiological functions, mental states and individual constitution. It also recognises seven bodily tissues, or Dhatus, and three waste products, or Malas. The central aim is to preserve the health of healthy people (Swasthasya Swasthya Rakshanam) and to treat illness in those who are unwell (Aturasya Vikara Prashamanam). The Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Hrudayam are foundational Ayurvedic texts covering therapeutic principles, surgical methods and medicinal formulations. 

 

4. Asiatic Lions in India: Habitat, Distribution and Conservation: The Asiatic lion is a distinctive subspecies whose only surviving wild population occurs in Gujarat, India. Its recovery from near extinction reflects sustained conservation efforts, while its concentration in one state makes habitat expansion, connectivity and conflict management important priorities. The Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica), also known as the Indian or Persian lion, is one of five big cat species found in India, along with the Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, snow leopard and clouded leopard. Its wild population is confined to Gujarat, with the Gir landscape as its principal habitat. The Gir Forest landscape in Gujarat’s Saurashtra region is the core habitat of the Asiatic lion. It includes Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding forest areas. The protected landscape’s dry deciduous forests, scrub and grasslands support the lions and their prey.

 

5. Vice-President Inaugurates KAUMARACON-2026 and Launches AIIA Digital Initiatives: On 15 October 2026, Vice-President of India C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated KAUMARACON 2026 at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Sarita Vihar, New Delhi. The third International Conference on Kaumarabhritya is scheduled from 15 to 17 October and focuses on Ayurveda-based child healthcare, research and clinical practice. The event also marked the institute’s 10th Foundation Day. Kaumarabhritya is the branch of Ayurveda concerned with paediatrics and child health. KAUMARACON 2026 brings together experts from India and other countries for discussions on the field. Its programme is scheduled to run for three days. The inauguration was attended by Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Ayush; Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush; Dr Maneesha Upendra Kothekar, Chairperson of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM); and Professor P. K. Prajapati, Director of AIIA.

 

6. Asiatic Lions Return to Barda Wildlife Sanctuary After 144 Years: Barda Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat’s Saurashtra region is home to 17 Asiatic lions as of October 2026, after the species returned following an absence of approximately 144 years. The sanctuary covers 192.31 sq km across Porbandar and Devbhumi Dwarka districts. The Asiatic lion (“Panthera leo persica”) is a subspecies of lion whose surviving wild population is found in Gujarat, India. The Gir landscape is its principal natural habitat. Dispersal beyond Gir has contributed to the establishment of a lion population in Barda. Recolonisation of Barda began naturally in January 2023, when a male lion dispersed into the sanctuary. The Gujarat Forest Department later introduced five female lions. By October 2026, the population in Barda had reached 17 animals. Barda is a protected area in Gujarat that includes forests and grasslands used by the lions. A study titled “Beyond Gir: Barda Wildlife Sanctuary as a Potential Stronghold for Asiatic Lions” was published in “PLOS One” on 9 September 2026. 

 

7. Solar Defence Delivers 450 Nagastra-1R Loitering Munitions: Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), a subsidiary of Solar Industries India, delivered 450 Nagastra-1R loitering munitions to the Indian Army on 13 and 14 October 2026. The supply is the largest single-batch delivery of loitering munitions to the Army by a manufacturer. The Indian Army placed an order worth approximately ₹158 crore with SDAL under an emergency procurement contract in June 2025. The contract followed technical trials held in March 2025, in which four companies participated. SDAL was the only company to demonstrate all the required operational parameters. The delivery follows an earlier contract for 480 Nagastra-1 loitering munitions. Solar Industries completed that supply to the Indian Army by December 2024. The Nagastra-1R is a subsequent version with a higher stated level of indigenous content.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. High Seas Governance and the Law of the Sea: High seas governance is the international legal and institutional framework for activities in ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction. UNCLOS sets out maritime zones, state rights and duties, and principles for using ocean resources. Cooperation is particularly important in managing shared fisheries and the deep seabed. UNCLOS was adopted in 1982 and entered into force in 1994. Often called the “Constitution of the Oceans,” it establishes the legal framework for the seas and oceans, including the rights and obligations of states in different maritime zones. Comprises the seabed and subsoil extending beyond the territorial sea along the natural prolongation of a state’s land territory to the outer edge of the continental margin, or to 200 nautical miles where the margin does not extend that far. Coastal states have sovereign rights over its natural resources.

 

2. Important Rock Art and Petroglyph Heritage Sites in India: India’s rock art ranges from engravings on river stones and open rock surfaces to paintings in natural shelters. These sites preserve evidence of artistic expression, human activity and changing environments across different periods, making their documentation and conservation important for archaeological research and heritage management. Ladakh has extensive prehistoric engravings, particularly along the Indus and its tributaries. Petroglyphs are images or designs carved, pecked or engraved into rock surfaces. The spread of carvings across river valleys and mountain regions makes systematic documentation important for archaeological study. Conservation efforts must also protect vulnerable carvings while ensuring that access and visitor activity do not damage the rock surfaces.

 

3. Border Roads Organisation and Major Border Roads in India: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) develops and maintains strategic road infrastructure in India’s border regions and friendly neighbouring countries. Its work supports military mobility, connects remote communities and strengthens national security. Major corridors include routes to Ladakh and roads in strategically important border states. The BRO was established on May 7, 1960, and operates under the Ministry of Defence. Its mandate is to construct and maintain roads, bridges and related infrastructure in border areas, including regions with difficult terrain, high altitudes and severe weather. The organisation’s work has both strategic and developmental significance. Border roads enable the movement of personnel and supplies and support access to remote locations. They also connect border communities with wider economic activity and public services. Reliable access in difficult terrain can contribute to disaster response capacity, where the condition of roads and bridges affects the movement of people and essential supplies.

 

4. Pakistan Tests Extended-Range Fatah-II Missile: Pakistan test-launched an extended-range version of its Fatah-II missile on 13 October 2026. The missile has a stated range of up to 400 kilometres. The launch was attended by Lieutenant General Nauman Zakaria, Commander of the Army Rocket Force Command, as well as senior military officers, scientists and engineers. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan’s armed forces, stated that the extended-range Fatah-II has advanced navigation and avionics. It is described as capable of engaging targets with high precision and overcoming missile defence systems through its trajectory and manoeuvrability. These are stated capabilities; the supplied facts do not specify the test’s flight distance or accuracy results. Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, and service chiefs congratulated the teams involved in the test.

 

5. Mining Project Threatens Jeypore Ground Gecko Habitat: A proposed opencast bauxite mine by Kalinga Alumina Ltd, an Adani-linked group, is planned across 147 hectares of forest in the Nageswari reserve forest, Koraput district, Odisha. The Balda hills site is habitat of the endangered Jeypore ground gecko, of which only four individuals were documented there in the past year, as of October 2026. The Jeypore ground gecko, scientifically named Cyrtodactylus jeyporensis, is a gecko species native to Odisha. It was presumed extinct for 130 years before Indian scientists Ishan Agarwal and Aniruddha Datta-Roy rediscovered it in 2010. The species is associated with rocky habitats in the Eastern Ghats region. Geckos are reptiles in the infraorder Gekkota. Many gecko species are nocturnal, and their adhesive toe pads enable movement across surfaces. The Jeypore ground gecko’s known habitat has been affected by land-use changes, including coffee plantations, hydropower projects and mining.

 

6. World Bank Group Mobilises $36 Billion in India: The World Bank Group mobilised a cumulative 36 billion in private capital for India over four years, including 9.6 billion for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Private capital mobilisation rose from about 3 billion in fiscal year 2022 (FY22) to 14.5 billion in fiscal year 2026 (FY26). The figures were noted on 14 October 2026 by Manuel Reyes-Retana, Division Director for South Asia at the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The World Bank Group comprises five institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Development Association, the International Finance Corporation, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes. The IFC provides financing and advisory services to private-sector businesses in developing countries. MIGA offers political risk insurance and credit enhancement to investors and lenders.

 

7. India Approves Accession to Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement: On 14 October 2026, the Central Government of India approved the country’s accession to the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA). The agreement provides a regional framework for managing fisheries resources in the Southern Indian Ocean. SIOFA covers fish, molluscs, crustaceans and other sedentary species within its area of application. It excludes highly migratory species and sedentary species that fall under the jurisdiction of coastal states. The agreement was signed in Rome on 7 July 2006 and entered into force in June 2012. Before the approval, India had held Cooperating Non-Contracting Party (CNCP) status since 2022. That status limited India’s participation in decision-making processes. The agreement has ten existing contracting parties, including Australia, China, Japan, South Korea and Spain.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Ballistic Missile Range Classifications and Key Features: Ballistic missiles are classified chiefly by the maximum distance they can travel. Their powered flight is followed by an unpowered trajectory largely governed by gravity, making range and guidance key features for understanding their capabilities. A ballistic missile is a rocket-propelled weapon designed to deliver a payload to a predetermined target. Unlike a cruise missile, which remains powered during flight and uses aerodynamic lift, a ballistic missile receives thrust mainly during its initial powered, or boost, phase. It then follows a trajectory governed chiefly by gravity and atmospheric drag. A missile’s range is its maximum operational distance. Classification thresholds are widely used, but definitions can vary between countries and organisations. Range alone does not describe a missile’s accuracy, payload or flight profile.

 

2. Types of Missiles Used in Modern Warfare: Missiles are guided, self-propelled weapons designed to deliver a warhead to a target. They are classified by trajectory, range, guidance and propulsion, launch platform, and intended target. These categories help explain their operational roles and their significance for defence preparedness, regional security and military modernisation. Range is an important measure of a missile’s strategic utility. Thresholds can vary between references, so the categories below are commonly used guides rather than universal definitions. Guidance directs a missile towards its target, while propulsion provides the thrust needed for flight. Together, these systems shape a missile’s reach, accuracy and ability to adjust its course. These labels identify the platform from which a missile is launched and, in many cases, the target it is intended to engage.

 

3. Defence Procurement Policies and Procedures in India: India’s defence procurement framework seeks to equip the armed forces while strengthening domestic design, manufacturing and sustainment. The Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) sets the rules for capital acquisitions, including procurement categories and indigenous-content requirements, with the broader aims of transparency, defence preparedness and self-reliance. DAP 2020 is the current framework for capital defence acquisitions and replaced the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016. It aligns procurement with the ‘Make in India’ initiative and treats acquisition as a wider process encompassing design, development, manufacturing, procurement and sustainment. It applies to the Army, Navy, Air Force and Indian Coast Guard. A draft DAP 2026 proposes further changes to strengthen self-reliance, accelerate acquisition timelines and expand the domestic defence industrial base. 

 

4. Indian Navy Completes Maiden Command of Combined Task Force 154: The Indian Navy completed its maiden command of Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154) on 14 October 2026. It assumed command on 11 February 2026, at the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) headquarters in Manama, Bahrain. Commodore Milind M. Mokashi formally relinquished command at a ceremony in Manama. The CMF is a multinational maritime partnership of 47 countries, headquartered in Manama. It conducts maritime security operations and training across key international waterways. Its five task forces are CTF 150, CTF 151, CTF 152, CTF 153 and CTF 154. CTF 154 was established in May 2023 as the CMF’s dedicated multinational maritime training task force. Its mandate centres on professional training and capacity building. The other CMF task forces conduct maritime security operations in areas including the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Major Wrestling Styles and Their Rules: Wrestling is a grappling sport in which competitors use techniques such as throws, takedowns and pins. The international styles most relevant to competition are Greco-Roman and Freestyle, which differ chiefly in whether wrestlers may attack the legs. Greco-Roman is an international wrestling style in which holds and attacks below the waist are prohibited. Wrestlers use their upper bodies to execute holds, throws and other legal techniques, making upper-body strength, balance and technical control central to the contest. Greco-Roman wrestling was included in the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Its restriction on lower-body attacks gives the style a distinctive technical character and is an important point of comparison with Freestyle.

 

2. Vishvajit More Wins India’s First U23 Greco-Roman Silver: Indian wrestler Vishvajit Ramchandra More won silver in the men’s 55kg Greco-Roman event at the U23 World Wrestling Championships on 15 October 2026. He became the first Indian wrestler to win a Greco-Roman silver medal at the U23 championships. The final took place in Las Vegas, United States, where More lost 12–13 to Georgia’s Koba Karumidze. More reached the final after defeating Iran’s U20 World Champion Shamsipour 8–1 in the quarter-finals and Russia’s Malik Gigiev 7–4 in the semi-finals. The narrow one-point margin in the final gave Karumidze the gold medal and More the silver. More’s silver was India’s first medal at the 2026 U23 World Wrestling Championships. It was also his third medal at the competition: he had won bronze in 2024 in Albania and in 2025 in Serbia.

 

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Major Indigenous Defence Technologies and Systems in India: India’s indigenous defence ecosystem spans missiles, aircraft, naval platforms, radars and artillery. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), public-sector manufacturers and private industry contribute to this effort. Defence indigenisation strengthens research and development and supports strategic autonomy by reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. DRDO, established in 1958 under the Ministry of Defence, is India’s principal military research and development agency. Its network of about 50 laboratories works across fields including aeronautics, armaments, electronics, missiles and naval systems. Major programmes include the Agni and Prithvi missiles, Tejas Light Combat Aircraft and Arjun Main Battle Tank. Launched in 1983 under Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) sought self-reliance in missile technology. Its five missile systems were:

 

2. Important Types of Unmanned Aerial Systems Used in India: Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) combine an aircraft without an onboard pilot with ground control and communications systems. In India, they support military surveillance, reconnaissance, strike and logistics, as well as civilian security and disaster-response operations. Their expansion also raises questions of defence modernisation and effective regulation. A UAS includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a ground-based controller and a communication system. UAVs may be remotely operated or autonomous, and range from man-portable platforms to long-endurance aircraft. Their roles include intelligence gathering, border monitoring, target designation, search and rescue, and delivery of supplies. UAS are classified by factors such as altitude, endurance, size and mission. Military platforms are used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), air-defence support, special operations, logistics and precision strikes. Civilian systems are used by security and disaster-response agencies.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Audit and Accountability Frameworks for Cooperatives in India: Cooperative audit frameworks support financial transparency, protect members’ funds and strengthen governance. For multi-state cooperative societies, the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act and the 2026 Auditor’s Report Order provide the legal and reporting framework for oversight and accountability. The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011, brought cooperatives into the constitutional framework. It added the right to form cooperative societies to Article 19(1)(c), introduced Article 43B on promoting cooperative principles, and added Part IXB (Articles 243-ZH to 243-ZT). In 2021, the Supreme Court held Part IXB applicable to multi-state cooperative societies, while striking it down in relation to state cooperatives for want of ratification by the states. Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) operate across state boundaries and are registered under central legislation. The Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002, is their central legal framework and is based on Parliament’s legislative competence over inter-state cooperative societies. The Ministry of Cooperation, formed in 2021, provides a dedicated administrative and policy framework for the cooperative sector.

 

2. Key Institutions Regulating Cooperative Societies in India: Cooperative societies operate across sectors such as agriculture, credit, housing and consumer goods, under a regulatory framework shared by the Union and state governments. Different laws and institutions govern their registration, banking functions, audits and supervision, making coordination and clear accountability important. The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011 introduced constitutional provisions concerning cooperative societies. It added Article 43B to the Directive Principles of State Policy, supporting their voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control and professional management. It also added the right to form cooperative societies under Article 19(1)(c) and inserted Part IXB, which deals with cooperatives. The governing legislation depends on a society’s jurisdiction and activities:

 

3. NovaFusion Capital Receives RBI NBFC Approval: On 14 October 2026, Astranova Mobility announced that its lending subsidiary, NovaFusion Capital, had received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC). The New Delhi-based company is targeting ₹5,000 crore in assets under management over five years, with financing focused primarily on electric vehicles (EVs) used by commercial operators. An NBFC is a company engaged in financial activities such as lending, leasing or investment, but it is not a bank. The RBI regulates NBFCs under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. Section 45-IA of the Act requires an NBFC to obtain a certificate of registration from the RBI and meet prescribed conditions to commence or carry on business as an NBFC. NBFCs do not form part of the payment and settlement system and cannot issue cheques drawn on themselves. Deposit-taking powers are available only to eligible NBFCs that meet RBI conditions.