National:
- On 22 October 2026, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment reported that 1,87,305 candidates were trained and 96,162 were placed under PM-DAKSH during 2020–21 to 2023–24. Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi was launched in 2020–21 to provide skill training to disadvantaged groups, including Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, De-notified Tribes and Safai Karamcharis. It supports wage employment and self-employment.
- Reporting on 23 October 2026 highlighted the preservation and digitisation of 100 historic Buddhist palm-leaf manuscripts at Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka, under the SAMHiTA project. SAMHiTA stands for South Asian Manuscript Histories and Textual Archive. The initiative involves the India International Centre, New Delhi, with support from the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, following an MoU signed in July 2026. Digitisation and cataloguing aim to preserve fragile manuscripts and improve research access. Completion was targeted for the end of November 2026, making the October development a progress update.
International:
- On 27 October 2026, the US Federal Communications Commission, FCC, approved Amazon Leo’s US$11.57 billion agreement to acquire Globalstar, according to Reuters. Globalstar operates in satellite communications, and the proposed combination supports Amazon’s expansion in satellite connectivity. The transaction would add Globalstar’s assets and communications capabilities to Amazon’s satellite business, which competes in a market that includes SpaceX’s Starlink. The development concerns regulatory approval; completion of the acquisition and integration of the businesses are separate stages.
Summits and Conferences:
- The 19th Urban Mobility India Conference and Exhibition was held on 23–24 October 2026 at Hotel Mayfair Sanctuary, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, under the theme Urban Accessibility and Liveability in Digital Age. Inaugurated by Union Minister of State Tokhan Sahu, it was organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs through the Institute of Urban Transport (India), with Odisha’s support. Approximately 1,500 delegates and experts participated, while 28 exhibitors showcased transport solutions. Discussions covered sustainable public transport, multimodal integration, first- and last-mile connectivity and digital technologies for safer, more accessible cities.
MoUs:
- On 26 October 2026, L&T Technology Services, LTTS, announced a five-year contract with Nokia to support engineering and research-and-development activities in India. The engagement includes establishing a dedicated Offshore Development Centre and an engineering team supporting Nokia’s global technology programmes. Activities cover product engineering, embedded systems, software development, system integration and ongoing support, including work involving 5G networks, intelligent automation and AI infrastructure. The partnership aligns with LTTS’s Lakshya 31 strategy and its focus on next-generation computing.
- On 27 October 2026, AM Green Ammonia (India) Private Limited and Japan’s JERA announced a binding Heads of Agreement for approximately 70,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually over five years, with potential extension. Supply is planned from AM Green’s Kakinada facility in Andhra Pradesh, expected to be commissioned by 2028–29. The ammonia would support maritime decarbonisation, including fuel supply to ammonia-powered car carriers through infrastructure near Hekinan Thermal Power Station in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The announcement establishes future supply arrangements, with production and delivery dependent on the relevant facilities becoming operational.
Appointments:
- On 9 October 2026, Milton Dick, Speaker of Australia’s House of Representatives, was elected the 32nd President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, during its 153rd Assembly in Arusha, Tanzania. He secured 56% of the vote and succeeded Tulia Ackson of Tanzania for a three-year term. Founded in 1889 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the IPU promotes parliamentary cooperation, democracy and dialogue. Its President chairs statutory meetings and represents the organisation internationally. The election occurred on 9 October, although the headline appears in this later compilation.
Sports:
- On 26 October 2026, Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas won the Women’s Ballon d’Or at the ceremony in London, securing the award for the third time after 2021 and 2022. Her recognised performances included seven goals and seven assists during Barcelona’s successful 2025–26 UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign, for which she was named Player of the Season. Putellas joined London City Lionesses ahead of the 2026–27 season. The award, presented by France Football in partnership with UEFA, recognises individual footballing achievement during the assessed period.
- On 25 October 2026, Christo Popov of France and An Se-young of South Korea won the men’s and women’s singles titles respectively at the French Open badminton tournament. The BWF World Tour Super 750 event took place from 20–25 October at Arena Grand Paris in Tremblay-en-France. Popov defeated Indonesia’s Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah, while An Se-young defeated India’s P. V. Sindhu in their respective finals. The results concern the badminton competition, with Sindhu finishing as the women’s singles runner-up.
- Indian Grandmasters Nihal Sarin and Koneru Humpy won individual Board 2 gold medals at the European Chess Club Cup, which concluded on 23 October 2026 in Budva, Montenegro. Sarin topped the Board 2 standings in the Open section, representing Novy Bor Chess Club of the Czech Republic. Humpy achieved the corresponding distinction in the Women’s section, representing Cercle d’Echecs de Monte-Carlo. Novy Bor secured Open team silver, while Monte-Carlo won Women’s team gold. Their individual honours were board-specific awards, separate from the overall club standings.
Books:
- On 26 October 2026, Arif Mohammad Khan released the English translation of The Story of Vande Mataram at the Deputy Speaker Hall, Constitution Club of India Annexe, New Delhi. The original Malayalam work was written by Ranga Hari, translated into English by Dr. Mercy Jill, and published by Indus Scrolls Press. The book examines the national song’s origins, historical journey and role in India’s freedom movement. The English edition makes the work accessible to a wider readership and encourages discussion of the song’s cultural and historical significance.
Important Days:
- World Day for Audiovisual Heritage was observed on 27 October 2026 under UNESCO’s theme Your Window to the World. The observance highlights the importance of preserving films, sound recordings, radio programmes and other audiovisual materials that document cultural and social history. It commemorates the adoption of the 1980 Recommendation for the Safeguarding and Preservation of Moving Images. Preservation efforts include conservation, digitisation, cataloguing and migration to accessible formats. These measures address threats such as physical deterioration, obsolete equipment and disasters, helping protect collective memory for future generations.
- October 2026 is observed as Dyslexia Awareness Month, promoting understanding, early identification and appropriate educational support. In India, CIET-NCERT organised awareness activities for teachers, parents and other stakeholders. Dyslexia affects skills involved in accurate and fluent reading and spelling, but does not indicate low intelligence. The Maharashtra Dyslexia Association’s campaign theme was Dyslexia: Catch Early. Support Strongly., while Dyslexia Ireland used Effective teaching changes lives. These are organisation-specific themes, with the wider observance encouraging inclusive education and evidence-informed literacy teaching.
Questions:
Q1. Who was elected the 32nd President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in October 2026?a) Tulia Ackson
b) Sahiba Gafarova
c) Milton Dick
d) Anda Filip
Answer: c) Milton Dick. The Australian House Speaker was elected on 9 October 2026 at the 153rd IPU Assembly in Arusha, Tanzania.
Q2. AM Green’s agreement with JERA envisages supplying green ammonia from which location?a) Paradip, Odisha
b) Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh
c) Mundra, Gujarat
d) Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu
Answer: b) Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. The agreement envisages approximately 70,000 tonnes annually for five years, from a facility expected to be commissioned by 2028–29.
