October 2026 Current Affairs for Government Banking, SSC, Railways, Law Entrance, UPSC, MPSC & Other relevant Exams

1. National current affairs – India

A. Government schemes and policy decisions

1. Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana

• Cabinet approval reported in October 2026.

• Outlay: ₹7,395.55 crore.

• Implementation period: 2026–2031.

• Exam focus: rural development and village-level governance.

2. National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)

• Cabinet approved continuation up to 2030–31.

• The programme was reported to have been renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.

• Important for social security and welfare policy.

3. PM-KISAN

• The 24th instalment was reported on 29 October 2026.

• Remember the scheme’s basic objective: direct income support to eligible farmer families.

4. National Strategic Trade Command Centre

• Reported launch on 15 October.

• Intended to provide integrated monitoring of DGFT schemes and SCOMET-related trade matters.

5. PM-SETU

• ITI clusters were approved in Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

• Pune cluster: approximately ₹241 crore.

• Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar cluster: approximately ₹238.01 crore.

6. National Shipbuilding Mission

• Two insurance products were reported:

  • Shipbuilding Project Cost Protection (SbPCP).

  • Builder’s Comprehensive Shipbuilding Policy (BCSPS).

• Associated organisations: ECGC and New India Assurance.

B. Important national developments

C. Important infrastructure and transport

• The UDAN regional connectivity scheme completed 10 years in October 2026.

• Three Mumbai flyovers were reported inaugurated on 22 October:

  • Sion railway station area.

  • Vidyavihar railway station area.

  • Goregaon–Mulund Link Road.

• The Ladakh Bench of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court opened at Leh.

• India’s maritime reforms continued to focus on the One Nation One Port initiative and Maritime Single Window integration.

2. Banking, finance and economy

A. RBI and monetary policy

The October banking roundup reports the following monetary-policy decision:

Exam concepts to revise:

• RBI Monetary Policy Committee consists of six members.

• One basis point = 0.01 percentage point.

• Repo rate: rate at which RBI lends to banks against eligible collateral.

• SDF: facility for absorbing liquidity without collateral.

• MSF: overnight borrowing facility for banks from RBI.

B. Banking and financial-sector developments

1. IDBI Bank strategic disinvestment

• Fairfax’s arm was reported as the winning bidder for a 60.72% stake.

• Reported transaction value: ₹52,878 crore.

• Important concepts: strategic disinvestment, government stake sale and banking privatisation.

2. RBI Central Board

• RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra chaired the 625th Central Board meeting in Mumbai on 30 October.

3. GST Standing Committee

• Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu were reported to receive permanent representation in the new 12-state committee.

4. September 2026 inflation

• Reported Wholesale Price Index inflation: 11.39%.

• Fuel and food were identified as major contributing categories.

5. India’s merchandise exports

• September 2026 exports were reported at US$44.40 billion.

• Reported year-on-year growth: 23%.

C. Important economic concepts for exams

D. Important GST and taxation updates

• 57th GST Council meeting: Monthly reporting highlighted recommendations concerning prosecution thresholds and arrest powers.

• Proposed prosecution threshold: ₹5 crore.

• GST-related reforms are important for Banking, SSC and UPSC.

E. Important agricultural economy updates

Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Rabi Marketing Season 2027–28

• Cabinet approved MSP increases for six Rabi crops.

• Wheat MSP was reported at ₹2,610 per quintal.

• Important distinction: MSP is announced by the Union Government, while procurement is undertaken through designated agencies.

F. International economic developments

1. India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement reportedly entered into force on 20 October 2026.

2. India’s September merchandise exports were reported at US$44.40 billion.

3. IMF-related reporting highlighted an upward revision of India’s growth forecast to 7%.

4. India’s trade deficit for September was reported at US$30.2 billion.

3. International current affairs

A. India and other countries

Important treaty: Ganga Waters Treaty

• Signed: 1996.

• Countries: India and Bangladesh.

• Subject: Sharing of Ganga waters at Farakka.

• Reported expiry date: 12 December 2026.

• The renewal issue was an important diplomatic development in October.

B. Important international organisations

C. Important international developments

1. The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum was reported in October.

2. The BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ meeting adopted the Delhi Declaration.

3. India approved accession to the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA).

4. India and Canada continued diplomatic engagement on trade, energy and critical minerals.

5. The Quad continued cooperation in trusted artificial intelligence, maritime security and critical minerals.

Remember:

• BRICS: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, with additional members.

• BIMSTEC: Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation.

• Quad: India, USA, Japan and Australia.

• SIOFA: Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement.

4. Nobel Prizes 2026

The 2026 Nobel Prize announcements took place in October.

5. Important reports and rankings

Important report: UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2026

• Title reported: The Point of Return.

• Released: 21 October 2026.

• Organisation: United Nations Environment Programme.

• Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya.

• Key concern: Global warming and the gap between current emission commitments and the Paris Agreement temperature goals.

• The report warned that current policies could result in approximately 2.8°C of warming.

Important environmental concepts:

• Paris Agreement: Adopted in 2015.

• COP21: Paris, France.

• Main objective: Keep global temperature rise well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.

• UNFCCC: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Important coral reef assessment

• Released: 22 October 2026.

• Organisation: IUCN.

• Reported assessment: 122 out of 127 coral reef ecosystems were classified as Critically Endangered.

• Main threats: Ocean warming, marine heatwaves and coral bleaching.

6. Science and technology

Important developments

1. TAPAS-1: Featured in October’s science and technology current-affairs discussions.

2. Agrivoltaics: The 7th AgriVoltaics World Conference was held in New Delhi on 21 October.

3. Digital Court Technology Office: Inaugurated by the Supreme Court’s eCommittee on 16 October.

4. Artificial Intelligence: India and international partners continued discussions on trusted AI and digital infrastructure.

5. Coral reef monitoring: IUCN’s new ecosystem assessment highlighted the importance of marine biodiversity monitoring.

Important concept: Agrivoltaics

Agrivoltaics refers to the combined use of the same land for agriculture and solar electricity generation.

Benefits:

• Efficient land utilisation.

• Renewable energy generation.

• Potential reduction in water evaporation.

• Additional income opportunities for farmers.

Digital Court Technology Office

• Inaugurated: 16 October 2026.

• Institution: eCommittee, Supreme Court of India.

• Purpose: Centralised planning, implementation and monitoring of technology initiatives under the eCourts Project.

• Exam relevance: E-governance and judicial reforms

7. Defence and security

Important developments

Important defence exercises – revision

• SIMBEX: India and Singapore.

• AUSTRAHIND: India and Australia.

• KONKAN: India and United Kingdom.

• MALABAR: India, USA, Japan and Australia.

• VARUNA: India and France.

• GARUDA: India and France.

• INDRA: India and Russia.

Important appointments

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit was reported as the new Chief of the Air Staff in the October monthly roundup. Verify the formal appointment and effective date against the Indian Air Force announcement before using this as a final examination fact.

8. Sports current affairs

A. Asian Para Games

• The October sports roundup reported India’s record performance at the Asian Para Games.

• Reported medal tally: 114 medals.

• Location: Aichi–Nagoya, Japan.

B. Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026

• Competition: First Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship.

• Dates: 23–31 October 2026.

• Venue: Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, Ahmedabad.

• Participating nations: 13.

• Organiser: Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India.

• Categories: Men’s and women’s kabaddi.

C. Important sports facts

9. Maharashtra current affairs – October 2026

A. Maharashtra government initiatives

1. Invest Maharashtra

• Launched: 3 October 2026.

• Chief Minister: Devendra Fadnavis.

• Purpose: Investment promotion and facilitation.

• Maharashtra’s stated economic ambition: US$1 trillion economy by 2030.

2. Invest Maharashtra Summit

• Reported MoUs: 67.

• Total investment commitments: ₹8.57 lakh crore.

• Expected employment: Approximately 2.91 lakh jobs.

• Important sectors: Data centres, IT and semiconductors.

3. Chief Minister’s Shaurya Medal

• Approved by Maharashtra Cabinet.

• Intended to recognise courageous police personnel.

• Reported cash award: ₹50,000.

• Announced annually on the eve of Maharashtra Day.

4. Annapurti Grain ATM

• Maharashtra’s first Grain ATM was launched in Nashik on 21 October.

• Developed with the United Nations World Food Programme.

• Objective: Round-the-clock access to Public Distribution System foodgrains.

• Further locations planned: Nagpur and Thane.

5. Mission Murghas

• Reported launch: 25 October.

• Focus: Fodder support for dairy farmers.

• Coverage: 19 drought-affected districts of Marathwada and Vidarbha.

• Reported subsidy: ₹3 per kg of silage.

B. Maharashtra infrastructure developments

C. Maharashtra environment and wildlife

• Maharashtra’s State Board for Wildlife reportedly approved 14 new conservation reserve proposals across seven districts.

• Kolamarka in Gadchiroli and the expanded Tansa area were highlighted in the conservation decisions.

• A clean-air action programme for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region was announced.

• A state-level Maharashtra Clean Air Programme was also reported.

D. Maharashtra rankings and achievements

Gadchiroli – Aspirational Districts Programme

• Gadchiroli reportedly ranked first in the overall Delta Ranking for April–June 2026.

• It also ranked first in agriculture and water resources.

Important exam connection: NITI Aayog is the institution associated with the Aspirational Districts Programme.

E. Maharashtra welfare schemes

F. Other Maharashtra developments

• Marriage certificates issued digitally since 2023 were linked with DigiLocker.

• Fourth list under the farm loan waiver initiative was reported.

• Three flyovers were inaugurated in Mumbai.

• Maharashtra approved assistance for traditional stone excavation by the Vadar community.

• The Bombay High Court upheld the Bhendi Bazaar cluster redevelopment scheme, according to the state monthly roundup.

10. Legal current affairs – CLAT, AILET, JMFC and Judiciary

A. Important Supreme Court developments

1. Legislative privilege and freedom of the press

• A seven-judge Supreme Court Bench closed a 2003 reference concerning legislative privilege and freedom of speech as infructuous.

• The larger legal question was left open.

• Relevant constitutional provisions: Articles 105 and 194.

2. Religious conversion and reservation eligibility

• Supreme Court upheld the Madras High Court decision concerning the eligibility of converts to Islam for the Backward Class Muslim category under the challenged Tamil Nadu order.

• Important subjects: Reservation, religious conversion and constitutional equality.

3. Election Commission of India

• Supreme Court issued notice on petitions concerning the functioning and collective decision-making of the Election Commission.

• The Court did not grant interim suspension of the Chief Election Commissioner.

• Important constitutional provision: Article 324.

4. Special Intensive Revision (SIR)

• Karnataka published its final electoral roll on 27 October 2026.

• Reported total electors: approximately 4.55 crore.

• Reported net reduction: approximately 99.32 lakh.

5. Digital Court Technology Office

• Inaugurated on 16 October 2026.

• Institution: Supreme Court eCommittee.

• Purpose: Technology implementation and monitoring in the judiciary.

B. Important constitutional provisions

C. Important legal terminology

• Judicial review: Power of courts to examine the constitutional validity of laws and executive actions.

• Natural justice: Principles of fair procedure.

• Infructuous: A matter that no longer requires an effective judicial determination.

• Suo motu: Action initiated by a court on its own motion.

• Constitutional remedy: Legal remedy available for enforcing constitutional rights.

D. Important laws for revision

1. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

2. Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

3. Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023.

4. Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

5. Representation of the People Act, 1950.

6. Representation of the People Act, 1951.

7. Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026.

11. Important days in October 2026

Important static GK:

• Gandhi Jayanti: Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

• Indian Air Force Day: Commemorates the establishment of the Indian Air Force on 8 October 1932.

• World Food Day: Associated with the establishment of FAO in 1945.

• United Nations Day: Marks the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945.

• National Unity Day: Birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

12. Important one-liner current affairs – October 2026

These are useful for last-minute revision.

1. First Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 – Ahmedabad.

2. PM-KISAN’s 24th instalment – Released on 30 October 2026.

3. First Annapurti Grain ATM in Maharashtra – Nashik.

4. Invest Maharashtra – Launched on 3 October.

5. PM Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana – Outlay ₹7,395.55 crore.

6. National Social Assistance Programme – Reported continuation up to 2030–31.

7. RBI Governor – Sanjay Malhotra.

8. Reported October repo rate – 5.50%.

9. Nobel Peace Prize 2026 – Navi Pillay.

10. Nobel Chemistry Prize 2026 – Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai.

11. Nobel Physics Prize 2026 – Francis Halzen.

12. Nobel Literature Prize 2026 – Anne Carson.

13. Nobel Medicine Prize 2026 – Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel.

14. Nobel Economics Prize 2026 – Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford.

15. UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2026 – The Point of Return.

16. Digital Court Technology Office – Supreme Court eCommittee.

17. India–New Zealand FTA – Entered into force on 20 October.

18. First AgriVoltaics World Conference in India – New Delhi.

19. SIOFA – Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement.

20. Quad members – India, USA, Japan and Australia.

21. India’s first Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship – Ahmedabad.

22. Mission Murghas – Maharashtra.

23. Gadchiroli – Aspirational Districts Programme ranking.

24. Invest Maharashtra Summit – 67 MoUs.

25. World Food Day – 16 October.

13. Practice MCQs – October 2026

Important for Banking, SSC, Railways, CLAT, UPSC and MPSC