Daily GK Update- 23rd Oct, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. DoT Sets SIM-Binding Rules for Messaging Apps from 2027: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has introduced SIM-binding rules for messaging applications in India, with mandatory compliance from 1 January 2027. The rules require an active physical SIM linked to an account to remain in the device for the messaging application to function. SIM-binding links a messaging account to the active SIM used during registration. Under the new requirements, platforms must integrate accounts with the live SIM used for registration by 31 December 2026. From 1 January 2027, the physical SIM must remain present in the user’s device while the application is in use. The rules cover WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Arattai, ShareChat, Josh and JioChat. Snapchat is exempt from the requirements. Apple released an iOS software patch in September 2026 to help detect when an iPhone operates without a physical SIM card.

 

2. Sunil Kumar named next ONGC Chairman: The government appointed Sunil Kumar, an Executive Director at Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), as the company’s next Chairman on 22 October 2026. Kumar is the Executive Director and Asset Manager of ONGC’s Mehsana Asset. He will succeed Arun Kumar Singh, whose extended tenure ends on 6 December 2026. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by the Prime Minister, approved Kumar’s appointment after a recommendation from a search-cum-selection committee of the petroleum ministry. Kumar is to assume charge on or after 7 December 2026. His combined tenure is three years, including contractual service after his superannuation on 31 December 2028. ONGC is a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise and India’s largest exploration and production company. Exploration and production, often abbreviated as E&P, covers the search for and extraction of oil and natural gas. ONGC’s operations include offshore and onshore hydrocarbon assets.

 

3. Major Zoonotic Diseases and Their Modes of Transmission: Zoonotic diseases are infections that pass naturally between vertebrate animals and humans. Their prevention depends on understanding how pathogens move between animals, people and the environment, and on coordinating public-health and veterinary responses. Zoonoses are caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites or fungi originating in animals. They range from mild illnesses to life-threatening disease. More than 60% of known human infectious diseases can spread from animals, while about 75% of new or emerging human infectious diseases are estimated to originate in animals. The One Health approach recognises the close links between human, animal and environmental health. It brings together human medicine, veterinary science and environmental expertise to address risks at the human-animal health interface. This coordination supports outbreak prevention, surveillance and timely responses to threats affecting both people and animals.

 

4. Important Works of Classical Tamil Literature: Classical Tamil literature records the language, society, ethical thought and poetic traditions of Tamil-speaking regions across successive periods. Its major bodies include the Sangam anthologies, post-Sangam ethical works and epic narratives, making it a significant source for cultural and historical study. Composed primarily after the Sangam period, approximately 100–500 CE, the Pathinenkilkanakku works are chiefly didactic. They address moral conduct and social responsibilities. The post-Sangam epics incorporate religious and philosophical themes, including Jain and Buddhist traditions. They are conventionally grouped as five great epics and five minor epics. The group comprises Udayanan Vasavadatta Kaviyam, Nagakumara Kaviyam, Yashodhara Kaviyam, Neelakesi and Perunkathai. Neelakesi is a Jain philosophical work that refutes other faiths; Perunkathai is a Jain epic based on a Sanskrit work.

 

5. Researchers Find Two Subterranean Fish in Assam: Two previously unknown subterranean fish species were discovered in wells in Assam’s Goalpara district. The species, “Gitchak nakana” and “Rakthamichthys anchi”, were announced by Assam’s Environment and Forests Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah on 21 October 2026. “Gitchak nakana” is a blind loach measuring about two centimetres. Its transparent body exposes blood and internal organs, giving it a reddish appearance. Researcher Wimarithy K. Marak collected its first specimen in March 2021 after noticing an unusual creature in a well and sharing a photograph with her supervisor. “Rakthamichthys anchi” is a slender, transparent, eel-like fish in the swamp eel family Synbranchidae. Its approximately 310-millimetre holotype—the name-bearing specimen used to describe a species—was collected in May 2024 while a well was being drained.

 

6. Andaman Natural Sites Added to UNESCO Tentative List: The Karst-Mud-Volcano Complex of Baratang and the Andaman Subduction Volcanoes have reportedly been added to UNESCO's Tentative List, recognising their geological significance. The Andaman region is geologically significant because of its location near an active tectonic boundary. Subduction occurs when one tectonic plate moves beneath another. This process can contribute to volcanic activity and the formation of distinctive geological features.

 

7. NSTFDC, NSIC and Rourkela Steel Plant Sign MoU for Tribal Youth: The National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC), the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) and Steel Authority of India Limited’s Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 22 October 2026. The agreement aims to expand livelihood and entrepreneurship opportunities for Scheduled Tribe (ST) youth through the Livelihood Business Incubation Centre at Rourkela, Odisha. NSTFDC functions under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, NSIC under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, and RSP under the Ministry of Steel. The MoU links these institutions to support livelihood promotion and entrepreneurship development for local ST youth. Its stated focus includes capacity building, financial literacy and connecting skills and knowledge with funding structures. NSIC is a Government of India enterprise that operates under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Rourkela Steel Plant is a unit of Steel Authority of India Limited, a central public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Steel.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India and Uzbekistan Strengthen Counter-Terrorism Cooperation: India and Uzbekistan held the 10th meeting of their Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism in New Delhi on 22 October 2026. The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation through information sharing, capacity building and exchanges of best practices. The meeting was co-chaired by Dr Suhel Ajaz Khan, Additional Secretary (Counter Terrorism) in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Pirimkulov Gulomjon Shodmonkulovich, a senior official of Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Discussions covered global and regional terrorist threats, including extremism, radicalisation, terrorism financing and the misuse of technology for terrorist purposes. The sides also discussed links between transnational organised crime and terrorism. The 9th meeting of the Joint Working Group took place in Tashkent on 30 September 2025. At that meeting, India and Uzbekistan condemned the 22 April 2025 terrorist attack targeting civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The next meeting is scheduled to take place in Uzbekistan on a mutually convenient date.

 

2. India and Poland Set $12 Billion Trade Target for 2030: India and Poland have set a target of doubling bilateral trade from about 6 billion to 12 billion by 2030. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited India from 21 to 23 October 2026 and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on 22 October. The two countries identified trade, transport, renewable energy and technology as areas for cooperation. Business representatives from Poland held discussions with Indian businesses in Delhi and Bengaluru, including on rail transport, clean coal and mining technologies. The anticipated India-European Union Free Trade Agreement, expected to be signed in December 2026, could provide a wider trade framework for India and Poland as members of the two respective parties. Poland is a member of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. India proposed an India-Poland start-up bridge and technology hackathons focused on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and financial technology. Other areas identified for collaboration include space, critical minerals, semiconductors, green technologies, rare-earth processing, battery recycling, nuclear energy, coal gasification and quantum technologies.

 

3. National Geographic Names Jaipur to Best of the World 2027 List: National Geographic released its annual “Best of the World 2027” list on 20 October 2026. The list features 25 destinations across six continents, including Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Jaipur will mark 300 years since its foundation in 2027. The “Best of the World” list selects places for factors including new openings, cultural revivals and milestone celebrations. Jaipur’s 2027 listing refers to its 300th anniversary and cultural events, including the Jaipur Literature Festival. The Jaipur Literature Festival is scheduled to hold its 20th edition from 14 to 18 January 2027. The event is expected to draw around 400,000 attendees and is among the world’s largest literary festivals. The Jaipur Literature Festival is held annually in Jaipur and brings authors, publishers and readers together for literary discussions and events. The Kite Festival takes place in mid-January, around the Makar Sankranti period.

 

4. France Confirms First Human Case of Shamonda Virus : French health authorities confirmed the country’s first human case of Shamonda virus on 22 October 2026. The patient died after contracting the virus. Shamonda virus is an insect-borne virus primarily associated with livestock, particularly cattle, and is transmitted by biting midges. The confirmed case was the first reported human infection in France. Before this case, Shamonda virus was considered non-transmissible to humans. French authorities stated on 22 October 2026 that they saw no risk to the general population at that stage. The leading hypothesis was that the patient had been infected in eastern France, where the virus had circulated among animals during spring and summer 2026.

 

5. VOC Port Declares Tuticorin Terminal a Green Terminal: The Tuticorin International Container

Terminal (TICT) at VO Chidambaranar Port (VOC Port), Tamil Nadu, was designated a green terminal on 22 October 2026 after all its operational equipment was electrified. The Union Shipping Secretary made the designation during a review of port projects. VOC Port has an annual cargo-handling capacity of 82 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). TICT began operations on 16 September 2024 with all-electric cranes and reach stackers. On 20 October 2026, 13 electric Internal Transfer Vehicles (E-ITVs) were flagged off for container handling. Internal Transfer Vehicles move containers within a port terminal between operational areas, such as quays and storage yards. Electrifying terminal equipment replaces machinery powered by conventional fuels with electric equipment; the terminal’s green designation followed the electrification of 100 per cent of its operational equipment.

 

6. Nepal Becomes First Beneficiary of Loss and Damage Fund: On 22 October 2026, the board of the UN’s Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) agreed to set aside 20 million for Nepal’s recovery from floods in August 2026. This is the fund’s first allocation since its establishment, making Nepal its first beneficiary. The approved total for Nepal is 21.6 million, including $1.6 million for oversight fees. The FRLD is a financial instrument mandated under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It was established at the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) in 2022 and operationalised at COP28 in 2023. The World Bank hosts the fund. In climate negotiations, loss and damage refers to climate-related impacts that occur despite mitigation and adaptation efforts. The fund is intended to support developing countries facing such impacts. Its board agreed to earmark the Nepal allocation at an extraordinary online meeting. Nepal’s government has been invited to submit a proposal detailing how it would use the 20 million. The proposal will be considered at a future board meeting, so the agreed allocation is not yet a completed disbursement. Under the current mechanism, a country can request a maximum of 20 million in one application.

 

7. Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan Reaches Over 35 Crore People: The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) had reached over 35 crore people across India by 22 October 2026. Its recorded outreach included more than 13.94 crore young people and 10.86 crore women, while over 32 lakh educational institutions had been engaged in activities to prevent substance abuse. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the NMBA on 15 August 2020 under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR). The campaign initially covered 272 districts identified as vulnerable to substance abuse. Its coverage expanded across India from August 2023. The NMBA is a national awareness and community-mobilisation campaign focused on preventing substance abuse. Its outreach involves young people, women, educational institutions and communities. Awareness activities include public messaging and engagement with groups at the community level. On 22 October 2026, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment cited Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s target of eliminating the drug trade from India by 31 December 2029. The target concerns the drug trade, while the NMBA and NAPDDR focus on preventing substance abuse and reducing drug demand.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Army Receives Nagastra-2 Loitering Munitions: Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd. (SDAL), based in Nagpur, is delivering its indigenous Nagastra-2 anti-tank loitering munition system to the Indian Army as of 23 October 2026. The system has day-and-night surveillance cameras, a 4 kg tandem shaped-charge warhead and an endurance of up to 60 minutes. A loitering munition can remain airborne while searching for a target before being directed to attack it. Nagastra-2 has a stated operational range of 25 km in recover-and-reuse mode and 50 km in fire-and-forget mode. In recover-and-reuse mode, the munition can be recovered for another use; fire-and-forget mode refers to operation without continued operator guidance after launch. The system’s tandem shaped-charge warhead is designed to penetrate targets protected by up to 650 mm of Rolled Homogeneous Armour (RHA). RHA is a standard reference material used to describe armour protection. The system also has Electronic Counter-Countermeasures (ECCM) capability, which is designed to maintain operational effectiveness against electronic-warfare measures such as communication and GPS jamming.

 

2. Pentagon Authorises Heat-Ray Test for Possible Border Use: On 22 October 2026, the Pentagon authorised the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to test an Active Denial System (ADS) for possible use along the US–Mexico border. A memo signed by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in September 2026 permits DHS to borrow one unit for seven months, starting in September. The ADS is a directed-energy system that emits an invisible beam of electromagnetic energy. The beam heats the skin’s surface and creates an intense burning sensation without physical contact. Its intended effect is to make people move away from the beam; the sensation typically lasts 10 to 15 minutes. The system has a reported range of slightly more than half a mile. The US military briefly deployed the ADS to Afghanistan nearly two decades ago, but it was not used in combat. US officials also considered the system for crowd control at facilities abroad holding terrorist detainees, but did not proceed with that use.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Ahmedabad Hosts Inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship: Ahmedabad is hosting the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship from October 23 to 31, 2026. The competition is being held at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex and features 23 squads from 13 nations. More than 400 athletes are competing in 62 matches: 39 men’s matches and 23 women’s matches. The Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) is organising the event with the approval of the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF). The participating nations are India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Uganda, England, Scotland and Australia. The championship was formally unveiled at a curtain-raiser event on October 21, 2026. The event included the unveiling of the official jersey, team captains, anthem, logo and mascot. The semifinals are scheduled for October 30, followed by the finals on October 31. India’s women are scheduled to play Malaysia at 6:45 pm on October 23, while India’s men are scheduled to play England at 8:30 pm that day.

 

2. Sandeep Sets T44 400m World Record at Asian Para Games: Indian para-athlete Sandeep won gold in the men’s 400m at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on 23 October 2026. He clocked 52.28 seconds, setting a T44 world record and surpassing the previous record held by Saudi Arabia’s Nour Alsana. The race combined athletes in the T44 and T64 classes. In para-athletics, the letter “T” denotes track events, while the number identifies an athlete’s sport class. T44 and T64 are classes for athletes with lower-limb impairments, but they represent distinct classifications. Athletes in different classes may compete in a combined race, while results and records are recorded by classification. Sandeep’s 52.28-second performance was recognised as a T44 world record. The Asian Para Games are a multi-sport event for para-athletes from Asian countries and territories. The Asian Paralympic Committee is the continental body associated with the Games. The 2026 edition is being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Track events at the Games include sprint races such as the 400m.

 

3. Haney Sets Javelin World Record at Asian Para Games: Indian para-athlete Haney won gold in the men’s javelin throw F37/38 event at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan, on 23 October 2026. His final-attempt throw of 60.49 metres set a world record. Haney’s event combined athletes from the F37 and F38 sport classes, with final standings determined by Raza points. Iran’s Hormoz Seidikazpounji won silver with a throw of 50.68 metres. China’s Yu Chengjie won bronze with an Asian-record throw of 53.66 metres. Haney’s 2026 Asian Para Games results also included a bronze medal in the men’s F37 discus throw. Javelin and discus are field events in para athletics, while track events include running and wheelchair racing.

 

4. United States to Host Inaugural Women’s Club World Cup: The United States will host the inaugural FIFA Women’s Club World Cup from 5 to 30 January 2028. FIFA announced the host nation on 22 October 2026. The competition will bring together 19 top-tier women’s clubs from the six continental football confederations. The tournament is a global competition for women’s football clubs, rather than national teams. The inaugural edition will feature 19 clubs drawn from the six continental confederations: the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Confederation of African Football (CAF), Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). The allocation provides three places each to AFC, CAF, CONCACAF and CONMEBOL, one place to OFC, and six places to UEFA. These allocations total 19 participating clubs. Seven clubs have already secured places: Arsenal of England, Club America Femenil of Mexico, Barcelona of Spain, Gotham of the United States, Naegohyang of North Korea, Corinthians of Brazil and Wuhan Jiangda of China.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Emerging Technologies Used in Border Security: Emerging technologies combine surveillance, identification, data analysis and deterrence to help authorities monitor complex border environments. They can improve situational awareness and response, but their adoption also raises governance and human-rights questions, particularly where systems affect people’s movement or physical safety. Surveillance systems collect information across large or difficult-to-access areas, helping border agencies detect and assess activity. Sensors and cameras can send alerts to control centres, where officers decide whether and how to respond. Biometrics support identity verification and screening at ports of entry. They use physiological or behavioural characteristics to compare a person’s identity with available records or watchlists. Their use in border operations makes the accuracy and appropriate handling of identity information important considerations.

 

2. Centaurus X-3 Shows Structured Accretion Disk: Centaurus X-3 is a high-mass X-ray binary containing a highly magnetised neutron star and a companion star with more than ten times the Sun’s mass. Located about 24,000 light-years away in the constellation Centaurus, it is among the brightest X-ray pulsars. In October 2026, researchers at the Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru, led by Kinjal Roy, reported findings on its accretion dynamics. Accretion is the process by which a compact object gathers gas from a surrounding star or its environment. In a rotating neutron star, magnetic fields can channel incoming matter towards the magnetic poles, producing X-ray pulses. RRI researchers reported that Centaurus X-3 accretes matter through a structured accretion disk and a co-rotating accretion stream. The study also reported stable disk accretion alongside secular spin-up and orbital decay. Pulse phase-resolved spectroscopy analyses X-ray spectra at different phases of a pulsar’s rotation and can examine changes in the emitting system.

 

3. PHP2Shell Flaws Trigger Global Cybersecurity Alerts: PHP2Shell is the name given to two critical vulnerabilities, CVE-2026-109618 and CVE-2026-109619, affecting PHP versions 5.4 through 8.5. Public disclosure took place on 20 October 2026. The flaws received a severity score of 9.2 out of 10 on the CVSS v4.0 scale and allow unauthenticated remote code execution on vulnerable servers. PHP is a server-side scripting language used to process web requests and run functions on servers. Remote code execution (RCE) allows an attacker to run code on a targeted system from another location. In PHP2Shell, attackers do not need login credentials to attempt to execute code on an affected server. A successful intrusion could expose data or give an attacker access to parts of a vulnerable system. The PHP Foundation released emergency updates on 21 October 2026, one day earlier than planned. The patched releases are PHP 8.2.35, 8.3.36, 8.4.27 and 8.5.12. The early release followed information leaks and the accidental publication of a proof-of-concept exploit video. The National Security Agency, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and CERT-EU advised organisations to apply the patches or take vulnerable systems offline.

 

4. Microsoft Develops AI Tool for Complex Medical Diagnosis: Microsoft researchers published a study of the Diagnostic Orchestrator (DxO), also called Microsoft AI Diagnostic Orchestrator (MAI-DxO), in Science on 22 October 2026. The system coordinates diagnostic steps for complex medical cases, including asking questions, ordering tests and revising possible diagnoses. Clinical decision-support systems use patient information to assist healthcare professionals with decisions such as diagnosis and treatment. MAI-DxO simulates a panel of physicians by carrying out a sequence of diagnostic actions rather than producing a diagnosis in a single step. Its orchestration layer can work with large language models, including OpenAI’s GPT-5 and GPT-5.5. In reported testing, the orchestration layer raised GPT-5.5’s diagnostic accuracy from 72% to nearly 87%. The study tested DxO on 304 complex clinicopathological conference cases from the New England Journal of Medicine. It achieved 83.2% diagnostic accuracy, compared with 36.1% for generalist physicians using search and reference tools. 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Government Revises SOP for NPS-to-OPS Migration: The Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO), under the Ministry of Finance, issued a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on October 19, 2026, for migrating eligible government employees’ pension cases from the National Pension System (NPS) to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) in cases of death or disability. The revised procedure supersedes guidelines issued on September 17, 2025. The National Pension System is a defined-contribution pension system. It became applicable to most Central Government employees joining service from January 1, 2004, excluding personnel of the armed forces. The NPS was opened to all Indian citizens in 2009. The Old Pension Scheme is a defined-benefit pension arrangement. The revised SOP concerns the transition to OPS for eligible cases involving death or disability; it does not describe a general migration option for all NPS subscribers.

 

2. Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana: According to the supplied information, an outlay of ₹53,428 crore has been approved for the period 2026–27 to 2030–31, and the disability threshold for pension eligibility has been reduced from 80% to 40%. Social assistance programmes aim to provide financial support to eligible and vulnerable sections of society. Lowering a disability threshold, where officially approved, can potentially expand eligibility for assistance and improve access to social security benefits. The scheme's exact official name, approved outlay and eligibility amendment should be verified against the relevant government notification before publication.

 

3. PM-SETU Scheme for ITI Modernisation: An amount of ₹1,194.92 crore has reportedly been approved under PM-SETU to modernise five ITI clusters across Maharashtra, Odisha and Jammu and Kashmir. Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) provide vocational education and practical training to prepare candidates for employment in technical and industrial occupations. Modernising ITI infrastructure and training facilities can help align vocational education with evolving industry requirements and improve workforce readiness. Verify the official expansion of PM-SETU, the approved amount and the five selected clusters against the relevant government release before publication.