Daily GK Update- 2nd Oct, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Jharkhand’s traditional musical instrument Mandar gets Geographical Indication tag: The traditional musical instrument Mandar, deeply rooted in the folk culture and tribal life of Jharkhand, has received official recognition with a Geographical Indication tag. The traditional folk instrument Mandar of Jharkhand has been accorded a GI tag, giving legal recognition to its distinctive geographical and cultural identity. The Geographical Indications Registry of the Government of India, based in Chennai, has granted the GI tag to ‘Mandar of Jharkhand’.

 

2. Important Marriage Laws and Family Law Provisions: Marriage and family law in India combine religion-based personal laws with secular statutes that apply across communities. These rules cover marriage, divorce, maintenance, guardianship, adoption, child marriage, dowry, domestic violence, and the broader constitutional idea of a Uniform Civil Code. India recognizes separate personal laws for major religious communities, alongside secular laws for civil marriage and family matters. These laws draw authority from religion, custom, and legislative reform. The Hindu Marriage Act lays down the basic legal requirements for a valid Hindu marriage and also provides remedies for matrimonial disputes. The Special Marriage Act is the main secular law for marriage in India. It is especially important for civil marriages and for couples from different religions.

 

3. Important Sectors in India’s Creative Economy: India’s creative economy brings together culture, technology, talent, and intellectual property to generate economic value. It spans traditional arts as well as digital media, making it an important source of jobs, exports, and innovation. For Prelims, the sector is best understood through its major industries, policy support, and recent institutional developments. The creative economy comprises industries where value is created primarily through creativity, culture, design, technology, and intellectual property. It includes cultural, artistic, and innovative goods and services, with creative inputs as the core resource. In India, this space connects heritage-based activities with modern digital platforms, allowing traditional skills and new-age content to contribute to national growth. It is often referred to as the Orange Economy because of the distinct economic value generated by cultural and creative activities. The sector is also important for preserving cultural identity while expanding India’s global creative presence.

 

4. APEDA Facilitates Frozen Food Export from Haryana to Canada: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the flag-off of a consignment of frozen food products from Sonipat in Haryana to Canada on 1 October 2026. The export was led by Aterna Foods Producer Company Limited, a Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO), and the shipment weighed 24 metric tonnes with 2,295 boxes of frozen food products. APEDA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. It was established under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985, for the development and promotion of exports of scheduled agricultural and processed food products. APEDA supports exporters through market development, quality improvement, infrastructure support, and financial assistance for export-related activities. The authority also works with producer groups, exporters, and food processing units for access to overseas markets.

 

5. Saffron Cultivation Begins in Ladakh: Saffron cultivation began in Ladakh on 2 October 2026 as a pilot project in Leh district. Around 90,000 premium Iranian saffron corms, weighing about 800 kg, were planted over 4,000 square metres at Command Area Gate No. 27 in Spituk Pharka. The project uses restored barren land and forms part of agricultural diversification in the Union Territory of Ladakh. Saffron is obtained from the dried stigmas of Crocus sativus, a perennial flowering plant. It is one of the costliest spices in the world because each flower produces only a small quantity of stigma threads. Iran is the largest producer of saffron globally, and saffron cultivation in India is traditionally associated with Jammu and Kashmir. The pilot site at Spituk Pharka was previously barren and was restored under Project Him Sarovar. The plantation is linked to the restoration of about 800 acres of land in Leh through water from the Igoo-Phey irrigation canal. The initiative also follows earlier high-value floriculture efforts in Leh, including Lilium and Gladiolus cultivation.

 

6. First Tigress Released in Buxa Tiger Reserve: A three-year-old Royal Bengal tigress weighing 150 kg was released into the Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal on 2 October 2026. The release marked the launch of the state’s first tiger reintroduction project and involved translocation from the Valmiki Tiger Reserve in Bihar. Buxa Tiger Reserve is located in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal and forms part of the eastern Himalayan foothill landscape. It is a protected area in the Dooars region and is known for its forested habitat and wildlife corridors. Tiger reintroduction is the planned release of tigers into an area where the species has declined or disappeared. In this case, the objective is to restore a resident tiger population in Buxa Tiger Reserve, where no tiger was recorded in the 2018 Tiger Census and only rare sightings were reported after 2012. The Forest Department plans to introduce more tigers in phases over the next two years. The long-term target is the establishment of a viable breeding population in the reserve.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India Adds Five Cultural Sites to UNESCO Tentative List 2026: Five new sites and serial and transnational proposals have been included in India’s UNESCO Tentative List, increasing India’s count to 78. The newly added sites include the Buddhist murals of Bagh Cave Paintings, Group of Temples of the Chambal Valley, the Gupta-era Udaigiri Caves, and the tribal legacy of Ginnorgarh.

It also includes the Sites of Satyagraha, which is a serial transnational proposal connecting India and South Africa.

 

2. Skytrax World Airline Awards 2026: Singapore Airlines Tops; Air India Tops Indian Airlines (57th globally): Singapore Airlines won the title of the world’s best airline at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards announced in Passengers rated airlines on areas including cabin service, airport service, seat comfort, cleanliness, meals, entertainment, Wi-Fi and value for money. The survey received participation from customers of more than 100 nationalities. Air India: Ranked 57th globally (up from 84th) and took the 1st spot in the India and South Asia regional ranking. IndiGo: Ranked 61st globally (down from 39th) and placed 2nd in the regional ranking, while also winning Best Low-Cost Airline in India and South Asia.

 

3. Journalist Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I Crowned New King of Uganda’s Tooro Kingdom: Former television journalist and news anchor Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma was officially crowned as Omukama Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I, the 14th king of Uganda’s historic Tooro Kingdom, on September 29, 2026. Traditional kingdoms were banned in the 1960s, after Uganda’s independence from British colonial rule.

 

4. 1 October : International Day of the Older Persons: The International Day of Older Persons is celebrated globally on October 1 each year to honor the contributions, wisdom, and lifelong dedication of senior citizens. On December 14, 1990, the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish October 1 as the International Day of the Elderly, The holiday was observed for the first time on October 1, 1991. Theme 2026: “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives”

 

5. Rogun Dam Nears World’s Tallest Height: The Rogun Hydropower Project in Tajikistan is a large hydroelectric scheme on the Vakhsh River. The dam is designed to reach 335 metres, which would make it the world’s tallest dam after completion. The Rogun Dam is a rockfill dam with a clay core. By August 2026, construction had raised the structure to about 190 metres in height and to an elevation of 1,155 metres above sea level. The reservoir water level is planned to rise to 1,140 metres above sea level after the latest stage of construction. The project has six planned generating units of 600 MW each. Two units are already operational, and the completed plant is expected to have an installed capacity of 3,600 MW. The project is also associated with a designed generation capacity of 3,780 MW in some project documents.

 

6. Important Marine Fish Species of India: India’s marine fisheries are a major source of food, employment and export earnings. The country’s long coastline and broad Exclusive Economic Zone support a wide range of pelagic, demersal and oceanic species. For prelims revision, it is important to remember the leading fish groups, key institutions, conservation laws and the pressures shaping marine biodiversity. India has a coastline of 8,118 km and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.02 million sq km. This vast marine area supports commercially important fish species and makes marine fisheries central to nutrition, livelihoods and the coastal economy. India is the second-largest fish producer globally after China. Total fish production was 14.1 million tonnes in 2021, of which marine fish production was about 3.2 million tonnes. The marine fishery potential in Indian waters is estimated at 5.31 million tonnes. Of this, pelagic resources account for about 49.5%, demersal resources 43.3%, and oceanic groups 4.3%.

 

7. Major International Groupings in Asia: Asian regional groupings shape cooperation on trade, security, connectivity, and diplomacy. For India, they are important not only for neighbourhood outreach but also for wider Indo-Pacific engagement, maritime partnerships, and strategic balancing. The following groups are frequently asked in Prelims for their founding year, headquarters, membership, and key institutional features. ASEAN was established on 8 August 1967 through the Bangkok Declaration in Bangkok, Thailand. Its five founding members were Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Later, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia joined, taking the membership to 10 states. The permanent secretariat is in Jakarta, Indonesia. ASEAN aims to accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development, while promoting peace and stability in Southeast Asia. It is guided by the principle of the ASEAN Way, which stresses non-interference, consensus-building, and quiet diplomacy.

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. BrahMos Exports to Cross $600 Million: India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missile exports are projected to exceed 600 million, with contracts and agreements linked to the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia. The Philippines has already received BrahMos systems worth about 330 million, while initial exports to Vietnam and Indonesia are estimated at about 100 million and 200 million respectively. BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile developed as a joint venture between India and Russia. It is used in land-based, sea-based and air-launched configurations, and the air-launched version has been integrated with Sukhoi fighter jets. The Philippines became the first foreign customer for BrahMos in January 2022. It signed a contract for a Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile System covering three batteries, which marked the first overseas sale of the missile system.

 

2. Lt Gen Akhilesh Kumar Takes Charge as General Officer Commanding of 1 Corps: Lieutenant General Akhilesh Kumar assumed charge as the General Officer Commanding of the Indian Army’s 1 Corps on 1 October 2026. The corps is also known as Strike One Corps and is headquartered at Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. He succeeded Lieutenant General V Hariharan in this appointment. 1 Corps is one of the Indian Army’s principal offensive formations. It is also called a strike corps, a type of formation maintained for rapid offensive operations and high operational readiness. The corps headquarters is located at Mathura, which is a major military station in Uttar Pradesh. Lt Gen Akhilesh Kumar served as the Additional Director General, Discipline & Vigilance, in the Adjutant General’s Branch before taking command of 1 Corps. He studied at Sainik School, Tilaiya, and the National Defence Academy. He was commissioned into the 4th Battalion of the Rajputana Rifles in 1992.

SPORTS 

 

1. Indian-Origin Bodhana Sivanandan Becomes Youngest Woman Grandmaster at 46th Chess Olympiad 2026: Indian-origin chess prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan has created history by becoming the youngest Woman Grandmaster. The 11-year-old, who represents England, achieved the milestone at the 46th Chess Olympiad which concluded yesterday at Samarkand in Uzbekistan. Bodhana played all 11 rounds on England’s top board and finished the tournament with eight points.

 

2. Important Sports Venues and Host Cities in Asia: Asia has become one of the world’s busiest sporting regions, with cities hosting major multi-sport events, football tournaments, cricket championships and motorsport races. These events have created globally recognised venues, improved urban infrastructure and turned several Asian cities into permanent fixtures on the international sports map. The Asian Games, organised by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), is a continental multi-sport event held every four years. It is one of Asia’s most important sporting stages and has repeatedly pushed host cities to develop large-scale stadiums, athlete villages and transport networks. Several Asian cities have hosted both Summer and Winter Olympic Games, reflecting their ability to stage events of the highest international standard. These hosts are often remembered for landmark stadiums, transport systems and long-term sports legacies.

 

3. Ganesh Mani Ratnam Wins Bronze in Asian Games Archery: Indian archer Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru won the men’s individual bronze medal in compound archery at the Asian Games 2026 on 1 October 2026. He defeated Cong Duc Dang of Vietnam 149-144 in the bronze-medal match at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square in Aichi, Japan. Compound archery is an archery discipline that uses a compound bow with a levering system of cables and pulleys. The compound bow is used in target archery events at major multi-sport competitions, including the Asian Games. Ganesh Mani Ratnam scored 149 out of 150 points in the bronze-medal playoff. In the semi-final, he lost 144-148 to Kim Jongho of the Republic of Korea. In the quarter-finals, he defeated Chen Chieh-Lun of Chinese Taipei 148-138. Ganesh Mani Ratnam won his second medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Games on 30 September 2026. He won gold in the men’s compound team event with Sahil Jadhav and Kushal Dalal after India defeated China 238-237.

 

4. Parveen Hooda Wins Asian Games Women’s 65 kg Gold: Parveen Hooda won the women’s 65 kg boxing gold medal at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on 2 October 2026. She defeated Chen Nien-Chen of Chinese Taipei in the final by a 3-2 split decision. Boxing at the Asian Games is conducted under the Olympic-style amateur format and includes weight categories for men and women. The women’s 65 kg division is one of the middleweight categories in international boxing competitions. Hooda had earlier lost her Asian Games 2023 bronze medal and a Paris 2024 Olympic quota after a 22-month suspension by the International Testing Agency. The suspension was announced on 21 May 2024 for three whereabouts failures between April 2022 and March 2023.

 

5. India Wins Maiden Asian Games Gold in Women’s Recurve Archery: India won its maiden Asian Games gold medal in the women’s recurve archery team event on 2 October 2026 at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The Indian team of Ankita Bhakat, Kirti Sharma, and Kumkum Mohod defeated South Korea 5-3 in the final at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square in Okazaki. Recurve archery is an Olympic discipline in which archers use bows with curved limbs that store and release energy efficiently. In the team event, three archers from each country compete in a set-based format, and the combined score decides the result of each set. Archery at the Asian Games includes recurve and compound events for men and women. Recurve archery is the only bow style used in the Olympic Games, while compound archery is not part of the Olympic programme.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. India Identifies 28 Places on Ladakh Official Map: India formally identified 28 places and geographical features on the official Survey of India maps of Ladakh on 2 October 2026. The updated map was prepared in consultation with the Union Territory administration and was made available on the official Survey of India website. The Survey of India is the national mapping agency of India and functions under the Department of Science and Technology. It prepares topographical maps, geodetic data, and official cartographic records used by government institutions. Official maps are used for administrative records, public reference, and standardised naming of geographical features. In India, place names on government maps are part of formal geographic documentation.

 

2. SpaceX Launches Transporter-18 Smallsat Rideshare Mission: SpaceX launched the Transporter-18 rideshare mission on 1 October 2026 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The mission deployed 130 payloads into low Earth orbit, and the launch occurred at 2:32 p.m. EDT, which was 11:32 a.m. local time in California. A rideshare mission carries multiple small satellites on a single launch vehicle. Such missions reduce launch costs by sharing rocket capacity among different payloads and operators. SpaceX uses the Transporter series for dedicated smallsat rideshare flights to low Earth orbit. Falcon 9 is a two-stage orbital launch vehicle developed by SpaceX. Its first stage booster completed its 25th flight on Transporter-18 and landed at Landing Zone 4 at Vandenberg Space Force Base about 7.5 minutes after liftoff. Booster reuse is a standard feature of Falcon 9 operations.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IndusInd Bank Launched ‘GCC Banking Vertical’ with Five Core Capabilities: IndusInd Bank announced the launch of its dedicated GCC Banking vertical, a pioneering proposition for India’s Global Capability Centre ecosystem. By bringing together corporate and employee banking capabilities under a dedicated GCC relationship model, the Bank offers a more integrated and specialised approach to serving the unique requirements of GCCs. Supported by digital-first platforms, responsive service and India-focused advisory expertise, the offering delivers a seamless banking experience, giving GCCs access to a comprehensive suite of solutions through a single banking partner. India’s GCC ecosystem has grown 32% since FY2021 and now comprises 2,117 GCCs, underscoring the country’s growing importance as a global capability hub and the increasingly sophisticated banking requirements of the sector.

 

2. Government halves sugar stockholding limits: The Government of India revised sugar stockholding norms for dealers on 1 October 2026 to regulate sugar distribution during the festive season. The new order applies from 15 October 2026 to 30 November 2026 and limits dealer stock to 15 days from the date of receipt. The general stockholding cap for sugar dealers has been fixed at 1,000 quintals at any given time and place across India. This limit replaces the earlier cap of 4,000 quintals, which was notified on 28 July and came into force on 1 August. The holding period has also been reduced from 30 days to 15 days. A higher stockholding limit of 2,000 quintals has been set for Kolkata, its extended metropolitan areas, and Assam. The revised limit takes into account market requirements, geographical constraints, and transportation logistics in these areas. Sugar season 2026-27 began on 1 October 2026.

 

3. Important Agricultural Biotechnology Applications: Agricultural biotechnology uses scientific tools to improve plants, animals and microorganisms for farming. It supports higher yields, better nutrition, pest resistance and more sustainable production, while biological control offers a natural way to manage crop pests and reduce dependence on chemicals. Agricultural biotechnology covers modern biological techniques used to develop products and processes for agriculture. It draws on molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry and microbiology to improve efficiency, cut environmental impact and strengthen food security. Biological control is a pest-management method that uses living organisms to reduce pest populations. These agents, known as biological control agents or natural enemies, help lower dependence on synthetic pesticides and reduce residue in food.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. US Navy Awards $24.4 Billion SM-6 Missile Contract: The United States Navy awarded a multi-year production contract to RTX subsidiary Raytheon for the Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) interceptor missile on 1 October 2026. The contract is valued at up to $24.4 billion and covers five years with an additional two-year extension option. The Standard Missile-6 is a multi-role interceptor used by the United States Navy. It can engage aircraft, surface targets, and ballistic missiles, and it forms part of the Navy’s layered air and missile defence architecture. The agreement is a multi-year production contract, which is a procurement model used for large-scale defence manufacturing. The stated purpose of the contract is to accelerate SM-6 production, maintain a stable supply, and strengthen the defence industrial base.

 

Daily GK Update- 1st Oct, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Important Sectors in India’s Creative Economy: India’s creative economy brings together culture, technology, talent, and intellectual property to generate economic value. It spans traditional arts as well as digital media, making it an important source of jobs, exports, and innovation. For Prelims, the sector is best understood through its major industries, policy support, and recent institutional developments. The creative economy comprises industries where value is created primarily through creativity, culture, design, technology, and intellectual property. It includes cultural, artistic, and innovative goods and services, with creative inputs as the core resource. In India, this space connects heritage-based activities with modern digital platforms, allowing traditional skills and new-age content to contribute to national growth.

 

2. IICT Signs Five MoUs to Boost AVGC-XR Ecosystem: The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) signed five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on 30 September 2026 at FICCI FRAMES 2026 in Mumbai. The agreements were signed at the Grand Hyatt during the second day of the two-day event held on 29 and 30 September 2026. The five partner organisations are the Motion Picture Association (MPA) India, Centre for Development of Imaging Technology (C-DIT) Kerala, E-Sports Games Federation (ESGF), RioWood, and Warm Up Ventures. Maharashtra Minister for Electronics, Information Technology, AI and Cultural Affairs Ashish Shelar was present at the signing ceremony. AVGC-XR stands for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality. The term covers digital content creation, immersive media, and interactive entertainment technologies used in film, gaming, training, and simulation.

 

3. Narendra Bhooshan Assumes Charge as Environment Secretary: Narendra Bhooshan, an Indian Administrative Service officer of the 1992 batch from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, assumed charge as Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on 1 October 2026. He was appointed to the post on 30 September 2026 and succeeded Tanmay Kumar, an IAS officer of the 1993 Rajasthan cadre, who superannuated on the same date. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is a Union ministry of the Government of India that deals with environmental policy, forest administration, wildlife conservation, and climate-related matters. The ministry functions under the Government of India’s allocation of business and is headed administratively by a Secretary.

 

4. UPSC Marks Centenary Celebrations with Manthan: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) held its centenary celebrations titled Manthan on 30 September 2026 and 1 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The Commission was established in 1926, and the centenary programme marked 100 years of its existence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the event on 1 October 2026. The centenary celebrations concluded a year-long programme that began on 1 October 2025. During the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a UPSC Centenary Commemorative Coin, a Commemorative Stamp, and a book titled 100 Landmark Judgements – Shaping the Policies of UPSC and Public Service Commissions in India.

5. Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027: The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 were published on 30 September 2026 and covered 2,297 institutions across 118 countries and territories. The rankings assess research-intensive universities on five core missions: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook, and industry. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings use a methodology based on performance indicators across teaching, research, citations, international outlook, and industry income. The 2027 edition introduced more granular ranking bands for institutions outside the precisely ranked top tier. The University of Oxford retained the number one position globally for the 11th consecutive year. UC Berkeley was ranked as the top public university in North America and tied with Yale University for ninth place globally.

 

6. Uttarakhand Installs First Glacial Lake Early-Warning System: Uttarakhand began installing its first glacial lake early-warning system at Vasundhara Tal in Chamoli district on 29 September 2026. The project is being carried out by a 22-scientist team led by the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, with support from the Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, under the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority and the National GLOF Risk Mitigation Programme. Vasundhara Tal is one of the glacial lakes identified as high-risk in Uttarakhand. The National Remote Sensing Centre identified 344 glacial lakes in the State in 2023, and the National Disaster Management Authority classified 13 of them as high-risk. The early-warning system will use sensors to measure water levels, weather conditions, snow depth, sub-surface temperatures, ground movement, and water flow. The system will transmit data through satellite links because the site has no mobile network connectivity.

 

7. India’s Kaveri Engine Programme Reaches Milestone: India’s Kaveri dry engine programme reached a major development stage in September 2026 when the engine recorded a peak dry thrust of 48.5 kilonewtons during high-altitude and flight trials in Russia. The engine, also called the Kaveri Derivative Engine, is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment in Bengaluru for the planned Ghatak stealth Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle. The Kaveri programme is India’s indigenous aero-engine development effort for military aviation. The dry variant is a non-afterburning turbofan engine, while the afterburning version is designed to provide higher thrust for combat aircraft applications.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Key Indicators of Glacier Change: Glacier change is one of the clearest indicators of climate variability and long-term warming. Scientists track it through changes in ice gain or loss, glacier size, thickness, length, and meltwater output. These measures help assess climate trends, water availability, and hazards such as glacial lake outburst floods. Glacier mass balance is the most important measure of glacier health. It shows whether a glacier is gaining ice through sMass balance is widely used because it links glacier behaviour directly to climate conditions. A negative balance over several years indicates persistent shrinkage, while a positive balance suggests glacier growth. For exam purposes, it is the standard scientific indicator of ice gain or loss and a key tool for climate trend analysis

 

2. Brazil Expands Biological Control in Agriculture: Brazil is expanding biological control technologies for tropical agriculture through the Advanced Research Center on Biological Control, known as SPARCBio, in Piracicaba. The centre works with the University of São Paulo’s Luiz de Queiroz School of Agriculture, the São Paulo Research Foundation, and Koppert on biological agents, new products, and knowledge for Integrated Pest Management. Biological control is the use of living organisms such as predators, parasitoids, pathogens, and parasites to reduce pest populations. Integrated Pest Management combines biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods to manage pests in a coordinated manner.

 

3. Switzerland’s Largest Glacier Records Biggest-Ever Melt in 2026: Switzerland’s glaciers lost more than 5% of their total ice volume in 2026 after a winter with very little snow and a summer with record-breaking heatwaves. The Aletsch Glacier, which is Switzerland’s largest glacier, recorded its biggest melt on record in 2026, while the Rhône Glacier and Clariden Glacier also recorded their greatest melt ever in the same year. Switzerland has about 1,400 glaciers, and most of them are located in the Alps. The Aletsch Glacier lies in the Bernese Alps and is the largest glacier in the country by area and ice volume. Glacier thickness in Switzerland is measured through field surveys, aerial observations, and remote sensing methods used by glacier monitoring services. Between the 2025 and 2026 seasons, the volume of glacial ice in Switzerland shrank by 5.5%. Average glacier thickness across the country decreased by 2.5 to 4 metres in 2026, and some glacier tongues lost up to 10 metres of ice. Nearly 20% of Switzerland’s total glacier volume has vanished in the past five years.

 

4. California Becomes First US State to Ban Child Marriage: California became the first state in the United States to ban child marriage through Assembly Bill 1267, which sets 18 years as the minimum age for marriage and domestic partnerships with no exceptions. The law was signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom on 30 September 2026 and will take effect on 1 January 2027. Before AB 1267, California was one of three US states, along with New Mexico and Mississippi, that had no fixed minimum age for marriage. In such cases, minors could marry under state law with parental consent and court approval. With this law, California becomes the 18th US state to completely prohibit marriage below 18 years.

 

5. Ganesh Mani Ratnam Wins Bronze in Asian Games Archery: Indian archer Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru won the men’s individual bronze medal in compound archery at the Asian Games 2026 on 1 October 2026. He defeated Cong Duc Dang of Vietnam 149-144 in the bronze-medal match at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square in Aichi, Japan. Compound archery is an archery discipline that uses a compound bow with a levering system of cables and pulleys. The compound bow is used in target archery events at major multi-sport competitions, including the Asian Games. Ganesh Mani Ratnam scored 149 out of 150 points in the bronze-medal playoff. In the semi-final, he lost 144-148 to Kim Jongho of the Republic of Korea. In the quarter-finals, he defeated Chen Chieh-Lun of Chinese Taipei 148-138.

 

6. Bathymyrus perplexus Identified as New Fish Species in Bay of Bengal: Bathymyrus perplexus is a newly identified fish species from the Bay of Bengal, with scientific identification completed by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) unit at Gopalpur on 30 September 2026. The species was first represented by a specimen collected off Paradip in 2021, and 32 specimens were recorded between 2021 and 2025 from Paradip, West Bengal, the Godavari region, and Kakinada. The research was carried out by a joint team from ZSI Gopalpur that included Dr. Anil Mohapatra, Dr. Smrutirekha Acharya, Dr. Deepanjan Ray, Dr. Swarup Ranjan Mohanty, Shubhendu Sekhar Mishra, and Dr. Jitendra Kumar Sundaray. The findings were published in the Bulletin of Marine Science, a marine science journal based in the United States, on 24 September 2026.

 

7. ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise 2026 Begins in Subic Bay: The second edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2026) began on 28 September 2026 at Subic Bay in the Philippines. Indian Naval Ships INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish are participating with maritime forces from all ASEAN Member States. AIME is a bilateral and multilateral maritime exercise framework involving India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The 2026 edition is the second iteration of the exercise and is being conducted under the theme “Anchored in Trust, United at Sea.” AIME-2026 has two phases, namely a Harbour Phase and a Sea Phase. The Harbour Phase includes professional, operational, and social engagements, while the Sea Phase includes coordinated maritime exercises and operational serials. The exercise aims to improve mutual understanding, cooperation, and interoperability among participating maritime forces through practical training.

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. IAF’s 17 Squadron ‘Golden Arrows’ Marks 75 Years: The Indian Air Force’s No. 17 Squadron, known as the Golden Arrows, completed 75 years on 1 October 2026. The squadron was raised on 1 October 1951 at Air Force Station Ambala, and Flight Lieutenant D. L. Springett served as its first commanding officer. No. 17 Squadron began as a tactical reconnaissance unit in 1951. It first operated 12 American Harvard-II B aircraft and later converted to British de Havilland Vampires in 1955. The Vampire was among the early jet aircraft inducted by the Indian Air Force. The squadron has served in major Indian military operations since the 1960s. Its operational record includes the 1961 Liberation of Goa, the Indo-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971, the Kargil conflict of 1999, the Balakot strikes, and Operation Sindoor in May 2025.

 

2. Army Conducts Exercise Jai Se Vijay on NH-911: The Indian Army conducted Exercise Jai Se Vijay on 29 September 2026 near the India-Pakistan International Border in Rajasthan. The drill used a stretch of National Highway-911 near Dantour as a temporary military runway for helicopter operations. The exercise took place on NH-911, a road corridor in Rajasthan that runs close to the border area. The location near Dantour placed the drill in a strategically sensitive sector under the South Western Command, also known as Sapta Shakti Command. National Highway-911 is part of India’s road network and was used as a dual-use infrastructure asset for military aviation activity. Such road-runway arrangements are relevant in border regions where fixed airfields may not be available for rapid deployment.

 

3. US Launches FORTRESS America Defence Security Initiative: The United States Department of War launched the FORTRESS America initiative on 30 September 2026 through a memorandum. FORTRESS America stands for Federal Operations for Resilience, Troop Resources, Energy, Supply, and Survivability. The initiative covers American defence infrastructure, military operations, and domestic military installations. The initiative seeks to make major domestic military installations independent of the civilian power grid. This arrangement is intended to support uninterrupted operations during cyberattacks, sabotage, and other emergencies. U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth described the initiative as a national insurance policy for the American homeland.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. India Wins First Athletics Gold at 2026 Asian Games: India won its first athletics gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya on 29 September 2026. The gold medal came in the women’s 4x400m relay, and the Indian team finished in 3:29.69 minutes at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium. The 4x400m relay is a track event in which four athletes run 400 metres each and pass a baton within designated exchange zones. The Indian quartet in this event comprised Kiran Pahal, Poovamma Machettira, Prachi, and Vithya Ramraj. Vithya Ramraj won her third medal of the 2026 Asian Games through this relay gold. She had earlier won a bronze medal in the women’s 400m hurdles at the same edition of the Games.

 

Chikitha Taniparthi, Sahil Jadhav Win Compound Mixed Team Gold: Indian archers Chikitha Taniparthi and Sahil Jadhav won the gold medal in the compound mixed team event at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on 30 September 2026. The pair also secured India a qualification quota for the compound mixed team event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, where compound archery will make its Olympic debut. Compound archery uses a bow fitted with a levering system of pulleys and cables. The compound bow allows archers to hold less draw weight at full draw than a recurve bow, and it is used in target archery competitions at world and continental level. The mixed team format in archery pairs one male and one female archer from the same country. In the compound mixed team final at Aichi-Nagoya 2026, Taniparthi and Jadhav faced Park Jeong-yun and Choi Yonghee of South Korea.

 

 

 

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. SatLeo to Launch TAPAS-1 Thermal-Imaging Payload: Ahmedabad-based spacetech startup SatLeo Labs will launch its thermal-imaging satellite TAPAS-1 on 1 October 2026. The 3-kilogram payload will fly on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-18 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, United States, through Dhruva Space’s LEAP-2 platform. Long-wave infrared sensing is used for thermal data collection that is not visible in conventional optical imagery. The mission has planned uses in climate monitoring, agriculture, urban heat mapping, water stress monitoring, industrial monitoring, disaster monitoring, and forest-fire detection. SatLeo Labs was founded in Ahmedabad in 2023 by Shravan Singh Bhati, Dr. Ranendu Ghosh, and Urmil Bakhai. The company plans to launch eight more satellites of the same type by 2029 and aims to build a constellation of 10 to 15 thermal-imaging satellites. TAPAS-2 is already under manufacture for a mid-2027 launch.

 

2. New Penguin Species Identified in Gentoo Reclassification: Scientists have identified a previously unrecognised penguin species, Pygoscelis kerguelensis, also called the southeastern gentoo penguin. The finding came from DNA analysis of gentoo penguin populations and led to the reclassification of one former species into four distinct evolutionary lineages. Penguins belong to the family Spheniscidae, which includes flightless seabirds found mainly in the Southern Hemisphere. The gentoo penguin was earlier treated as a single species, Pygoscelis papua, before genetic studies separated it into multiple species-level lineages. The study was published in Communications Biology in April and involved an international team of 22 researchers. Scientists from the University of Chile and the University of California, Berkeley, participated in the multiyear genetic analysis that used DNA evidence to identify the new species.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. People’s Plan Campaign 2026-27 ‘Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas’ to Launch on October 2: The People’s Plan Campaign (PPC) 2026-27, with the theme “Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas”, will begin across India on October 2, 2026. The campaign will start the process for Gram Panchayats to prepare Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) for the financial year 2027-28. The People’s Plan Campaign is a national exercise for decentralised planning at the Gram Panchayat level. It has been implemented since 2018 and supports the preparation of inclusive, participatory, and evidence-based development plans. More than 2.55 lakh Gram Panchayats have already prepared and uploaded plans on eGramSwaraj. Special Gram Sabhas will be held nationwide on October 2, 2026, for the formal launch of the campaign. Gram Sabhas are statutory village assemblies under the Panchayati Raj system, and they provide a forum for citizens and elected representatives to discuss local needs, governance reforms, and development priorities.

 

2. NSE Gets SEBI Nod for Corporate Bond Index Futures: The National Stock Exchange of India received a No Objection Certificate from the Securities and Exchange Board of India on 1 October 2026 to launch futures contracts linked to a corporate bond index. The proposed product remains subject to approval from the Reserve Bank of India and will enter India’s exchange-traded fixed-income derivatives segment after the required clearances. Corporate bonds are debt securities issued by companies to raise funds from investors for business operations, refinancing, or expansion. In India, the outstanding value of corporate bonds stood at 61.05 trillion rupees, or 636.07 billion US dollars, as of August 2026. Corporate bond index futures are derivative contracts whose value is linked to a corporate bond index. Such contracts are used for price discovery, portfolio hedging, and risk management in fixed-income markets.

 

3. Kotak Mahindra Bank appoints Anup Kumar Saha as MD and CEO: Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd received approval from the Reserve Bank of India on 1 October 2026 for the appointment of Anup Kumar Saha as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. His three-year tenure will begin on 1 January 2027, and he will succeed Ashok Vaswani, whose term ends on 31 December 2026. The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer is the top executive position in a company and combines board-level leadership with day-to-day management. In Indian listed companies, the appointment of a Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer generally requires approval from the board, the shareholders, and the relevant regulator in regulated sectors such as banking.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. India Women’s Compound Archery Team Wins Asian Games Gold: India’s women’s compound archery team won the gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on 30 September 2026. The team of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Prithika Pradeep, and Chikita Taniparthi defeated China 238-234 in the final at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park. Compound archery is an archery discipline that uses a compound bow with a levering system of cams and pulleys. The Asian Games include compound team events for men and women, and the women’s team event has been part of the programme since 2014. India’s final score of 238 equalled the existing world and Asian record set by South Korea at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. India also beat South Korea 234-233 in the semi-final to reach the gold medal match.

 

Daily GK Update- 30th Sept, 2026

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India Co-Hosts OneSCD Global Partnership at UNGA 81: India co-hosted the launch of the OneSCD Global Partnership on September 23, 2026, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) in New York. Co-hosts & Organizers: India co-hosted the launch alongside the Government of Nigeria, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Africa CDC, the World Coalition on Sickle Cell Disease, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Indian Representation: Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, represented India. Goal: Advance equity and transform care for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) globally. Mechanism: Act as a multilateral coordination network to strengthen existing country-led programs and scale proven medical approaches. Equity: Improve global access to prevention, screening, early diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care, especially in heavily impacted regions. India’s Target: Eliminate Sickle Cell Disease as a public health problem in India by 2047.

 

2. India’s electrification rate could rise to 32% by 2035: IEA report: The electrification rate in India could rise from 19 per cent today to 32 per cent by 2035, with transport electrification playing a major role, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has said in its latest Electrification special report. It also stated that the energy import bills of fuel-importing countries around the world could fall by more than $400 billion by 2035 compared with 2025 levels if they substantially accelerate the electrification of their economies. For India, reduced imports could yield savings of nearly 30 per cent of its 2025 import bill In Southeast Asia, the electrification rate could rise from 25 per cent to 37 per cent. Electric two- and three-wheelers and cars are now cheaper on average in these countries over their usual ownership period than internal combustion engine alternatives.

3. Uttarakhand Installs First Glacial Lake Early-Warning System: Uttarakhand began installing its first glacial lake early-warning system at Vasundhara Tal in Chamoli district on 29 September 2026. The project is being carried out by a 22-scientist team led by the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, with support from the Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, under the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority and the National GLOF Risk Mitigation Programme. A Glacial Lake Outburst Flood, or GLOF, is a sudden release of water from a glacial lake. Such events can occur when moraine dams, ice dams, or unstable slopes fail in high-altitude Himalayan terrain. Vasundhara Tal is one of the glacial lakes identified as high-risk in Uttarakhand. The National Remote Sensing Centre identified 344 glacial lakes in the State in 2023, and the National Disaster Management Authority classified 13 of them as high-risk. The early-warning system will use sensors to measure water levels, weather conditions, snow depth, sub-surface temperatures, ground movement, and water flow. The system will transmit data through satellite links because the site has no mobile network connectivity.

 

4. Jharkhand’s Mandar Gets Geographical Indication Tag: Mandar, a traditional folk percussion instrument of Jharkhand, received a Geographical Indication tag from the Geographical

Indications Registry in Chennai on September 28-29, 2026. The registration links the instrument with its geographical origin, traditional craftsmanship, and cultural identity in Jharkhand’s tribal and folk traditions. A Geographical Indication tag is a form of intellectual property protection used for goods that have a specific geographical origin and qualities, reputation, or characteristics linked to that origin. In India, GI registration is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, and the registry functions under the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks.

 

5. India Sets Foodgrain Production Target for 2026-27: India fixed a foodgrain production target of 373.93 million tonnes for the 2026-27 crop year on 29 September 2026. The target is lower than the record output of 376.56 million tonnes achieved in 2025-26. The announcement was made by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Foodgrain production in India covers cereals and pulses grown in the kharif and rabi seasons. Major cereals include rice, wheat, maize, jowar, bajra and barley, while major pulses include gram, tur, urad, moong and lentil. The crop year in India is commonly divided into kharif, rabi and summer seasons.

6. India and Qatar Step Up BIT and FTA Talks: India and Qatar agreed on 30 September 2026 to accelerate discussions on a Bilateral Investment Treaty and a Free Trade Agreement. The talks took place in Doha during the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank 2026 Annual Meeting and covered trade, investment, payments, and maritime connectivity. A Bilateral Investment Treaty, or BIT, is an agreement between two countries that sets rules for the protection and promotion of cross-border investments. India is reviewing its Model BIT framework, and a revised draft is awaiting Union Cabinet consideration in 2026. India and Qatar discussed a new investment framework after Qatar reiterated its commitment to invest USD 10 billion in India. The discussions also included plans for a Qatar Investment Authority office in India.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Bhutan Named Earthshot Prize Finalist for Protecting and Restoring Nature: Bhutan has been named a 2026 finalist for The Earthshot Prize, placing the country among 15 environmental initiatives selected from around the world for their potential to address major environmental challenges. Bhutan is one of three finalists in the Protect & Restore Nature category, alongside Australia’s Indigenous Desert Alliance and the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative in Canada. The category focuses on protecting biodiversity, restoring damaged ecosystems and finding ways to meet human needs while protecting nature.

2. 28 September: International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) : The International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) is marked globally on 28 September 2026, highlighting the necessity of public access to transparent and reliable information. The International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) was proclaimed on 15 October 2019

at the 74th UN General Assembly to be held on 28 September. Initially the day (commonly called the Access to Information Day) was designated by the UNESCO General Conference. It was inaugurated in November 2015 and was first held on 28 September 2016. Theme 2026: “Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The role of access to Information in addressing Information Disorder.”

3. 30 September: International Translation Day: International Translation Day 2026 will be observed on September 30, highlighting the important role of translators, interpreters and other language professionals in bringing people and cultures closer together. The annual observance recognises the contribution of language professionals to communication, international cooperation and understanding between different communities. Theme 2026: “Linguistic Diversity and Language Rights: The Power of Being Understood”

 

4. UN Adopts First Declaration on Sea-Level Rise: The United Nations General Assembly adopted its first declaration on sea-level rise on 24 September 2026 at a high-level meeting in New York during its 81st session. The declaration states that countries threatened by rising oceans do not automatically lose statehood if their territory becomes submerged, and it supports the stability of maritime zones such as territorial seas and exclusive economic zones. Sea-level rise is the long-term increase in the average level of the world’s oceans, and it affects low-lying coastal and island states. The declaration addresses the legal position of states whose land territory may be reduced or submerged because of coastal inundation. Territorial seas and exclusive economic zones are maritime zones recognised under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The declaration supports the continuity of these zones even when coastlines change because of sea-level rise.

 

5. Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri Becomes Morocco’s First Woman Prime Minister: Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri was appointed Prime Minister of Morocco on 29 September 2026 by King Mohammed VI. She became the first woman to hold the office of prime minister in Morocco and the second woman prime minister in the Arab world after Tunisia’s Najla Bouden. Her appointment followed the parliamentary election of 23 September 2026, in which the Authenticity and Modernity Party won 97 of 395 seats. Morocco is a constitutional monarchy in North Africa with a bicameral parliament and a prime minister who heads the government. The king retains powers over foreign policy, defence, and other strategic state functions. The prime minister is responsible for forming a cabinet and managing day-to-day government administration.

 

6. India Adds Five Sites to UNESCO Tentative List: India added five new properties to the UNESCO Tentative List for World Heritage on 29-30 September 2026. The addition raised India’s total number of properties on the Tentative List to 78. The UNESCO Tentative List is the inventory of properties that a State Party intends to nominate for World Heritage status in the future. A property must first be placed on the Tentative List before a formal nomination dossier can be submitted to UNESCO. The fifth addition is a serial transnational proposal titled Sites of

Satyagraha. This proposal links India and South Africa and contains nine components in total. The Indian components of Sites of Satyagraha include Mahatma Gandhi Satyagraha Smarak, Sabarmati Ashram, Mani Bhavan complex, Harijan Sevak Sangh complex, Sevagram Ashram, Aga Khan Palace, and Gandhi Smriti residence. The South African components include Pietermaritzburg station and Phoenix Settlement.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. India, Kazakhstan to hold joint counter-terrorism exercise KAZIND in Oskemen, Kazakhstan: The ninth edition of the India-Kazakhstan joint military exercise KAZIND-2026 began on September 28, 2026, in Oskemen, Kazakhstan. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and strengthen the joint capability of both forces to undertake joint counter-terrorism operations in a sub-conventional environment under a United Nations mandate.

2. Indian Navy to host second edition of commanders’ conference 2026 in New Delhi: Indian Navy will host second edition of commanders’ conference 2026 in New Delhi. Ministry of Defence said that the three day conference will provide an avenue for senior naval leadership, including outstation Operational and Area Commanders. It will undertake a comprehensive review of operational preparedness at the military strategic level and engage with senior government functionaries through an institutionalised mechanism.

 

3. Second Edition of Naval Commanders’ Conference 2026 Begins in New Delhi: The Second Edition of the Naval Commanders’ Conference 2026 is scheduled from 29 September to 1 October 2026 at Nausena Bhawan in New Delhi. The conference is the apex-level forum of the Indian Navy and brings together senior naval leadership, including operational commanders and area commanders. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh C Tripathi and the Commanders-in-Chief will review operations, materiel, logistics, human resources, and training. The conference will also cover maritime security challenges, force modernisation, and preparedness in the context of conflicts in West Asia. The agenda includes niche technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data analysis, autonomous and uncrewed systems, and cyber operations. The Indian Navy’s maritime security role includes safeguarding energy supplies and conducting Operation Urja Suraksha during West Asia-related disruptions.

 

SPORTS

1. Uzbekistan Clinches Gold on Home Soil as Team India Secures Silver at the 46th Chess Olympiad: India defended the prestigious Nona Gaprindashvili Trophy at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, finishing as the best overall nation after picking up a silver

in the Open section and a bronze in the Women’s event. The Uzbekistan team regained the gold medal in the open section after winning the final round game against Ukraine. In the women’s section, China annexed the gold with another fine performance against Vietnam. Indian team managed to secure a silver medal in the Open and bronze in the Women’s section.

2. India Wins First Athletics Gold at 2026 Asian Games: India won its first athletics gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya on 29 September 2026. The gold medal came in the women’s 4x400m relay, and the Indian team finished in 3:29.69 minutes at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium. The 4x400m relay is a track event in which four athletes run 400 metres each and pass a baton within designated exchange zones. The Indian quartet in this event comprised Kiran Pahal, Poovamma Machettira, Prachi, and Vithya Ramraj. Vithya Ramraj won her third medal of the 2026 Asian Games through this relay gold. She had earlier won a bronze medal in the women’s 400m hurdles at the same edition of the Games.

 

3. India Women’s Compound Archery Team Wins Asian Games Gold: India’s women’s compound archery team won the gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on 30 September 2026. The team of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Prithika Pradeep, and Chikita Taniparthi defeated China 238-234 in the final at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park. Compound archery is an archery discipline that uses a compound bow with a levering system of cams and pulleys. The Asian Games include compound team events for men and women, and the women’s team event has been part of the programme since 2014.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. India’s Kaveri Engine Programme Reaches Milestone: India’s Kaveri dry engine programme reached a major development stage in September 2026 when the engine recorded a peak dry thrust of 48.5 kilonewtons during high-altitude and flight trials in Russia. The engine, also called the Kaveri Derivative Engine, is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment in Bengaluru for the planned Ghatak stealth Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle. The Kaveri programme is India’s indigenous aero-engine development effort for military aviation. The dry variant is a non-afterburning turbofan engine, while the afterburning version is designed to provide higher thrust for combat aircraft applications. The trials were conducted at the Central Institute of Aviation Motors and the Gromov Flight Research Institute in Russia. Flight testing used a modified Ilyushin Il-76 flying testbed, with one standard engine replaced by the Kaveri engine for evaluation in actual flight conditions.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Government Plans New National Steel Policy with 600 MT Target: India is preparing a new National Steel Policy with a target of more than 600 million tonnes of steelmaking capacity and over 500 million tonnes of steel consumption by 2047. The draft policy is intended to replace the

National Steel Policy, 2017, which had a horizon up to 2030 and a capacity target of 300 million tonnes. The National Steel Policy is a sectoral policy document for the steel industry in India. The proposed new policy will provide a roadmap up to 2047, which is the centenary year of India’s Independence. As of fiscal year 2026, India’s crude steel capacity stood at 220 million tonnes.

2. CAQM Revises GRAP Schedule for NCR Pollution Control: The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) approved revisions to the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the National Capital Region (NCR) on 28 September 2026. The revised schedule contains 48 actions across four stages and applies to vehicle emissions, dust control, and other pollution-control measures in the NCR. The revised GRAP includes 25 actions in Stage I, 8 actions in Stage II, 10 actions in Stage III, and 5 actions in Stage

IV. Measures related to the operation of diesel generator sets and the entry of BS-IV and below buses from NCR and adjoining states have been shifted from Stage II to Stage I. Under the revised schedule, restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel or below-standard light motor vehicles under Stage III now extend to Sonipat, along with Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar. The exemption for BS-IV and below goods vehicles carrying essential commodities has been removed for Stage III light and medium goods vehicles and Stage IV heavy goods vehicles.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Indian scientists Roxy Mathew Koll and Neelima Satyam among American Geophysical Union 2026 awardees: Indian scientists Roxy Mathew Koll and Neelima Satyam are among the American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2026 awardees for excellence and leadership in research, education, and innovation in advanced earth and space sciences. Roxy Mathew Koll, a Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (Yuva) awardee and climate scientist at the Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, has been selected for the AGU’s Pavel S. Molchanov Climate Communications Prize. Roxy Mathew Koll has been recognised for documenting the Indian Ocean’s warming, its reshaping of monsoons, marine heatwaves, cyclones, extreme rainfall, and the impact on lives and livelihoods across South Asia. Neelima Satyam whose research focuses on geotechnical engineering, seismic hazards, resilient infrastructure, and geohazard mitigation, will receive an engraved medal and lifetime AGU membership.

 

2. Chikitha Taniparthi, Sahil Jadhav Win Compound Mixed Team Gold: Indian archers Chikitha Taniparthi and Sahil Jadhav won the gold medal in the compound mixed team event at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on 30 September 2026. The pair also secured India a qualification quota for the compound mixed team event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, where compound archery will make its Olympic debut. Compound archery uses a bow fitted with a levering system of pulleys and cables. The compound bow allows archers to hold less draw weight at full draw than a recurve bow, and it is used in target archery competitions at world and continental level.