National:
- On 8 October 2026, the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026 came into force following a notification by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Act, which received presidential assent on 9 April 2026, establishes a common framework for recruitment, promotion and service conditions of Group A officers in five CAPFs. It reserves 50% of Inspector General posts, at least 67% of Additional Director General posts and all Special Director General and Director General posts for IPS officers on deputation.
- On 5 October 2026, the National Statistics Office (NSO) under MoSPI released findings from India's first National Household Travel Survey, conducted from July 2025 to June 2026. Covering 4,92,023 households and over 20.34 lakh persons, it found that 42.6% of workers use two-wheelers to commute to fixed workplaces. Buses accounted for 55.8% of household overnight journeys and railways for 17.7%. The findings will support transport and infrastructure planning.
- On 6 October 2026, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) granted environmental and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearances for the proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport at Sipasarubali in Puri, Odisha. The greenfield airport is planned over approximately 471.35 hectares and aims to improve connectivity for pilgrims and tourists visiting Puri. The project still requires certain additional approvals before construction can proceed.On 6 October 2026, the Kerala Government launched WOMN (Women on the Move & Menstrual Needs) to improve menstrual hygiene facilities for women travelling through public transport terminals. The initiative provides sanitary napkin vending machines and disposal incinerators at 14 KSRTC terminals and depots, with three sanitary napkins available for ₹10. Inaugurated by Minister Bindhu Krishna at Thampanoor, Thiruvananthapuram, the programme is expected to expand to tourist destinations and other public spaces.
- On 6 October 2026, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu launched healthcare initiatives under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan at Thyagraj Stadium, New Delhi. The monthly incentive for 6,690 ASHA workers was increased from ₹3,000 to ₹6,000. The government expanded the ANMOL newborn-screening programme to 63 congenital conditions, inaugurated the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO) facility and introduced an online Nursing Home Management System.
- On 7 October 2026, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena launched India's first high-altitude Snow Leopard Wildlife Safari, flagging off six specially designed vehicles. The safari initially covers areas such as Rumbak, Shang and Uley, using trained local drivers and guides. Implemented with the involvement of local communities, the initiative promotes responsible wildlife tourism, conservation of fragile Himalayan ecosystems and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
- On 7 October 2026, Akie Abe, widow of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, attended the inauguration of the Shinzo Abe Memorial Corridor at the Rudraksh International Cooperation and Convention Centre in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The corridor honours Abe's contribution to strengthening India–Japan relations and displays photographs from his association with India. Shinzo Abe visited Varanasi with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015, symbolising the cultural relationship between Kashi and Kyoto.
- On 8 October 2026, the United States suspended several major technology companies, including Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services and Capgemini, from submitting or processing applications under the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) programme. PERM is an important step in employment-based green-card sponsorship, requiring employers to demonstrate that suitable US workers are unavailable. The administration cited suspected misuse of the programme, raising concerns about permanent-residency pathways for skilled foreign workers, particularly Indians.
- On 5 October 2026, New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State Disaster Emergency following a measles outbreak in the United States. New York had recorded 108 cases in 2026 as of 3 October, with most recent infections concentrated in under-vaccinated communities. The emergency order expanded the categories of healthcare professionals authorised to administer the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine and strengthened testing and public-health response measures.
- On 8 October 2026, the 57th GST Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, recommended removing arrest provisions under GST and increasing the monetary threshold for prosecution from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore. It also proposed reducing the general penalty from ₹25,000 to ₹10,000, improving input tax credit and refund procedures, and simplifying compliance for small businesses. The Council made no changes to GST rates. These recommendations require the applicable legal implementation.
- On 2 October 2026, New Zealand's Department of Conservation reported the successful recovery of the wētāpunga (Little Barrier giant wētā), regarded as the world's heaviest insect, following a 15-year conservation programme. Breeding efforts at Auckland Zoo and Butterfly Creek enabled 45 translocations involving about 11,000 insects to 10 new wild sites. Its conservation status improved from Threatened – Nationally Endangered in 2004 to Threatened – Nationally Increasing in 2022.
- On 10 September 2026, Nameri Tiger Reserve in Assam received Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards (CA|TS) Approved status, following an assessment by the CA|TS International Executive Committee. With this recognition, all four tiger reserves in Assam, Kaziranga, Manas, Orang and Nameri, have achieved CA|TS approval. Nameri is located in Sonitpur district and covers approximately 464 sq. km, including a 200 sq. km core area. CA|TS evaluates wildlife protection, habitat management, conservation monitoring and community participation.
- On 7 October 2026, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced that Henri B. Kagan of France and Kensō Soai of Japan had won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for discovering nonlinear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis. Their research advanced understanding of molecular chirality, in which molecules exist as different mirror-image forms. The discoveries have important applications in pharmaceuticals and chemical manufacturing. The winners share 12 million Swedish kronor in prize money.
- In October 2026, Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar was selected to receive Israel's Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism for his bravery during a serious security incident aboard a flydubai flight on 30 September. Despite sustaining injuries during an alleged cockpit attack, he helped prevent a major aviation disaster. Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced the honour in recognition of his courage and efforts to protect passengers and crew.
- On 7 October 2026, Bengaluru-based Hical Technologies signed a Memorandum of Understanding with France's Safran Aerosystems to explore establishing a joint venture for manufacturing complex systems for Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft in India. The proposed venture would manufacture advanced fluid and fuel systems and related aerospace assemblies. The collaboration supports India's Make in India initiative and aims to strengthen domestic aerospace manufacturing and integration into international defence supply chains.
- On 5 October 2026, Philip Morris India Trading Private Limited partnered with civic technology company Litterati to begin a 12-month anti-littering initiative in Delhi under Project Unmesha. The programme uses community-based data collection and AI-enabled image recognition to identify littering hotspots, analyse waste composition and establish measurable baselines. The findings will help develop and evaluate solutions for cleaner urban public spaces, with possible expansion to other cities.
- On 30 September–1 October 2026, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal participated in the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. India emphasised the importance of a fair, rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its centre. Goyal also met US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss progress towards an interim India–US trade agreement, although no immediate conclusion was announced.
- World Post Day was observed on 9 October 2026 to commemorate the establishment of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in 1874 in Bern, Switzerland. The 2026 theme is World Post Day: One Postal Network, Infinite Possibilities, highlighting the role of postal networks in connecting people, businesses and communities. In India, National Postal Week is being celebrated from 9 to 15 October 2026, focusing on inclusive and modern postal services.
- On 5 October 2026, renowned Kathak dancer and Padma Shri awardee Roshan Kumari passed away in Mumbai at the age of 82. She was a distinguished exponent of the Jaipur gharana of Kathak, known for rhythmic precision, expressive performances and contributions to Indian classical dance. Born in Ambala, she was the daughter of percussionist Fakir Mohammed and singer Zohrabai Ambalewali. Her work helped preserve and promote the Jaipur gharana tradition.
- On 7 October 2026, the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, established an FTA Utilisation Cell to help Indian businesses benefit from the country's Free Trade Agreements. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said the cell would work with industry associations, Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) and state governments to explain tariff preferences, market access opportunities and other provisions under trade agreements. The initiative aims to improve FTA utilisation and increase Indian exports
Questions:
Q1. Under the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026, what percentage of Inspector General posts is reserved for IPS officers on deputation?
a) 25%
b) 50%
c) 67%
d) 100%
Answer: b) The Act provides for 50% of Inspector General posts to be filled by IPS officers on deputation.
Q2. Which organisation established the FTA Utilisation Cell to help Indian businesses benefit from trade agreements?
a) Reserve Bank of India
b) Directorate General of Foreign Trade
c) Department of Commerce
d) Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Answer: c) The Department of Commerce created the cell to increase awareness and utilisation of India's FTAs.
