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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

Reserve Bank of India Issues Consolidated Master Direction on Note Sorting Machines to Update Banknote Sorting and Cash Handling Rules

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued revised guidelines for Note Sorting Machines (NSMs) under Sections 35A and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
• The revised framework aims to strengthen the authentication, fitness sorting and proper recycling of banknotes handled by banks.
• A “fit note” means a genuine banknote that is sufficiently clean and physically suitable for recycling and reissue.
• An “unfit note” is a banknote that cannot be reissued due to physical deterioration or because it belongs to a banknote series phased out by RBI.
• The guidelines apply to NSMs and Note Processing Machines operated by banks either directly through bank employees or indirectly through agents.
• Note Processing Machines/Note Sorting Machines are capable of checking both authenticity and fitness, while Note Authentication Machines determine whether individual notes are genuine or suspect.
• RBI has prescribed denomination-wise soiling standards for banknotes ranging from ₹5 to ₹500, including parameters such as maximum density difference and minimum reflectance.
• Banknotes exceeding the prescribed soiling levels must be sorted as unfit and should not be reissued.
• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), after consultation with the RBI and other stakeholders, published the Note Sorting Machines standard IS 18663:2024 in the Gazette of India on 19 March 2024.
• The revised framework ensures that only genuine and physically fit banknotes are recycled or reissued, while counterfeit, damaged and phased-out notes are systematically segregated.

Reserve Bank of India Allows Bank Boards to Delegate Monitoring of ATM Cassette-Swap Implementation

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), through its Department of Currency Management, issued a circular on 1 October 2026 partially modifying the earlier instructions on “Cassette – Swaps in ATMs” issued on 31 March 2022.
• The major revision concerns the governance mechanism for monitoring ATM cassette-swap implementation by banks.
• Under the revised instructions, the Board of a bank may delegate the responsibility of monitoring the progress of cassette swaps to a “Committee of Executives” of the bank.
• The revised instructions became effective from 1 October 2026, allowing banks to align their internal governance arrangements with the new delegation provision.
• The change follows the 2026 amendments to governance directions applicable to Commercial Banks, Small Finance Banks, Payments Banks and Local Area Banks.
• A cassette swap refers to the use of lockable cash cassettes in ATMs, where a filled cassette can be replaced with another cassette during cash replenishment.
• The cassette-swap system helps improve cash handling, security and operational efficiency in ATM cash management.

Indian Banks’ Association Forms 12-Member Panel to Examine Five-Day Banking Week

• The Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) has constituted a 12-member high-level committee to examine the implementation of a five-day banking week following discussions with the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU).
• The committee was formed on 29 September 2026, following an understanding reached between the IBA and UFBU on 27 September 2026.
• Rajneesh Karnatak, MD & CEO of Bank of India, has been appointed as the Chairman of the committee.
• Ashok Chandra, MD & CEO of Punjab National Bank (PNB), has been nominated as the Alternate Chairman.
• Other IBA representatives on the committee include Binod Kumar, MD & CEO of Indian Bank; Rakesh Sharma, MD & CEO of Bank of India; and S. Rana, Chief General Manager (HR & CDO) of SBI.
• The proposal seeks to declare all Saturdays as bank holidays, thereby creating a five-day working week from Monday to Friday.
• The five-day banking demand has been under discussion for several years, with the proposal involving adjustments to daily working hours to compensate for the additional weekly holiday.
• In January 2023, the IBA proposed increasing daily banking hours by 45 minutes, while bank unions had earlier suggested a 30-minute increase to facilitate a five-day working week.
• The committee’s formation followed the deferral of a planned three-day nationwide bank strike by bank unions after an agreement was reached with the IBA to examine the five-day banking demand.
• The first meeting of the high-level committee has been held, and the UFBU has expressed hope that the committee will develop a clear roadmap for introducing a five-day banking system.
• The committee will examine the concerns of different stakeholders and explore ways to address them before the proposed system can be implemented.
• The formation of the committee does not mean that five-day banking has been approved; it is currently at the discussion and examination stage.

India's first bank rate hike since 2023 signals growing inflation concerns  

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) increased the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.5%.
• The latest repo rate hike was undertaken by the RBI to contain rising inflation amid geopolitical tensions and higher energy prices.
• Sanjay Malhotra is the current Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.
• The RBI had last increased the repo rate in February 2023.
• The RBI indicated that rate cuts are off the table for now, while further rate hikes or maintaining the existing rate remain possible.
• The RBI raised its CPI inflation forecast for FY 2026–27 to 5.2%, compared with the earlier estimate of 5%.
• The higher inflation projection was attributed to weather disruptions, a weak monsoon and volatility in international oil prices.
• Crude oil prices were reported to be above $100 per barrel, increasing India's import costs.
• India imports around 90% of its crude oil requirements and 50% of its natural gas requirements.
• The RBI raised its GDP growth projection for FY 2026–27 to 7.1%, which was 40 basis points higher than its earlier estimate.

Key Policy Rates (Effective October 7, 2026)

• Policy Repo Rate:50% (up by 25 bps from 5.25%)
• Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) Rate:25% (up from 5.00%)
• Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) Rate:75% (up from 5.50%)
• Bank Rate:75% (up from 5.50%)

Reserve Bank of India Sets Floating Rate Bond 2028 Interest Rate at 6.45% for October 2026–April 2027

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) fixed the interest rate on the Government of India Floating Rate Bond 2028 (FRB 2028) at 45% per annum for the six-month period from 4 October 2026 to 3 April 2027.
• The 45% coupon rate is higher than the previous 6.17% rate applicable from 4 April to 3 October 2026.
• The coupon rate of FRB 2028 is linked to short-term Government borrowing rates and is reset every six months.
• The base rate for FRB 2028 is the average Weighted Average Yield (WAY) of the last three auctions of 182-day Treasury Bills, calculated from the rate-fixing day.
• A fixed spread of 0.64 percentage point is added to the base rate to determine the coupon rate of the FRB 2028.
• The FRB 2028 has a maturity period of 7 years.
• Premature redemption is available only to eligible senior citizens, subject to a penalty, with redemption permitted after 6 years for ages 60–70, 5 years for ages 70–80, and 4 years for investors aged 80 years and above.
• The bonds are non-transferable, cannot be traded in the secondary market, and cannot be used as collateral for loans.
• The interest income is taxable, and Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) is applicable as per the prevailing rules.
• Eligible investors include resident individuals, joint individual holders, parents/legal guardians on behalf of minors, and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs).
• Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are not eligible to invest in FRB 2028.

Securities and Exchange Board of India Launches “Samajh Se Investing Simple” Investor Awareness Campaign Under Project Jagrook

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched the nationwide investor awareness and education campaign “Samajh Se Investing Simple” under Project Jagrook on 5 October 2026 at Panjab University, Chandigarh.
• The campaign was launched during World Investor Week 2026, with India observing its 10th edition from 5–11 October 2026 under the theme “Samajh Se Investing Simple.”
• SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey unveiled the campaign in Chandigarh on 5 October 2026.

Key Highlights :

• Project Jagrook aims to protect investors from fraudulent financial advice, anonymous stock tips and misleading claims by social-media finfluencers.
• The campaign encourages investors to rely on SEBI-regulated entities and make investment decisions based on financial literacy rather than online trends.
• The initiative seeks to simplify investment concepts and help investors understand different investment products, features and associated risks before making investment decisions.
• Project Jagrook will run until March 2027 through multiple platforms, including television, digital media, OTT, WhatsApp, print, radio and cinema.
• The campaign will be conducted in English, Hindi and 11 regional languages to widen investor outreach.
• SEBI launched the “Mentoring of University/College Students by Trainers (MUST)” initiative as part of its investor-education efforts.
• Under MUST, selected faculty members, staff and senior students will be trained and certified as Partner Trainers to promote financial literacy among students.
• SEBI is collaborating with the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) to expand Project Jagrook and MUST across universities and colleges.
• Securities-market partners supporting the initiative include NISM, BSE, NSE, MCX, CDSL, NSDL and AMFI.
• The campaign also involves outreach through Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs), depositories and AMFI/NISM, along with rural outreach partnerships involving the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
• The campaign responds to concerns highlighted by SEBI’s Investor Survey 2025, which identified a gap between market access and investor understanding.
• According to the survey data provided, demat accounts had increased to 8 crore, while unique individual investors reached 15.1 crore and mutual fund AUM stood at ₹87 lakh crore.
• The survey showed that 63% of households were aware of securities products, but only 5% actively participated in the securities market.
• Only 36% of respondents demonstrated moderate-to-high financial knowledge, highlighting the need for stronger investor education.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

Indian Parliamentary Delegation Participates in 153rd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly

• An Indian Parliamentary Delegation, led by Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh, departed for Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, to participate in the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and related meetings.
• The meetings are being held from 5 to 9 October 2026.

Key Highlights

• The theme of the 153rd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly is “Enhancing good governance and empowering communities through inclusivity, trust and opportunities for all.”
• The Indian delegation comprises:
• Harivansh, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha and Leader of the Delegation
• Anurag Singh Thakur, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
• Aparajita Sarangi, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
• Dr. Sasmit Patra, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
• Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
• Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
• Dr. Lata Wankhede, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
• Bijuli Kalita Medhi, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
• N. K. Premachandran, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
• Harivansh will participate in the Governing Council, General Debate, debate on the emergency item and hearing with candidates for the position of Inter-Parliamentary Union President.
• The delegation will also discuss maritime security, climate change and the protection of mountain and ocean ecosystems, among other issues.
• India’s participation reflects its continued engagement with the Inter-Parliamentary Union and commitment to parliamentary diplomacy, multilateral dialogue and cooperation among parliaments.
• The participation also highlights India’s commitment to addressing issues related to global peace, development, democracy and community empowerment.

India Mobile Congress 2026 to Be Held in New Delhi

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 10th edition of India Mobile Congress 2026 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi and address the gathering.
• The four-day event is being organised jointly by the Department of Telecommunications and the Cellular Operators Association of India from 7 to 10 October 2026.

Key Highlights

• The theme of India Mobile Congress 2026 is “Scale Without Boundaries”, highlighting India’s growing capabilities in digital innovation, next-generation connectivity and technology-led growth.
• The event is centred on four key pillars:
• Srishti – Building the Future
• Samvardhan – Fueling Growth
• Sashakt – Expanding Opportunities
• Suraksha – Strengthening Trust
• These four pillars focus on innovation and next-generation digital infrastructure, technology-led economic growth, inclusive digital access, and secure and resilient digital ecosystems.
• IMC 2026 will bring together global technology leaders, policymakers, industry experts, startups, investors and innovators to explore emerging opportunities across the digital ecosystem.
• The 2026 edition will cover nine established anchor sectors:
• 5G and 6G
• Next-generation Artificial Intelligence networks
• Semiconductors
• Non-Terrestrial Networks
• Cybersecurity
• Quantum communication
• Enterprise transformation
• Circular economy and Environmental, Social and Governance
• Electronics manufacturing
• The event will also expand into four new domains: smart mobility, stadium experiences, industrial robotics and transport technology.
• The 10th edition of India Mobile Congress is expected to attract more than 1.5 lakh attendees from over 100 countries.
• The event is expected to feature participation from more than 500 partners and exhibitors, 600 startups and 900 thought leaders.
• IMC 2026 will showcase more than 2,000 technology use cases and host over 120 sessions.
• The event will provide a platform for discussions on emerging technologies, digital infrastructure and the future of connectivity.

Delhi Government Doubles Incentives for Accredited Social Health Activist Workers and Launches New Health Initiatives

• The Delhi Government doubled the monthly incentives for 6,690 Accredited Social Health Activist workers from ₹3,000 to ₹6,000 recognising their role in delivering healthcare services and government schemes at the grassroots level.
• The announcements were made at the ASHA Sammelan 2026 and ASHA Samman Samaroh held at Thyagraj Stadium, Delhi, and were jointly launched by Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
• Accredited Social Health Activist workers are community health workers under the National Health Mission who support maternal health, child health, immunisation and household-level public health outreach.

Key Highlights

• The Delhi Government expanded Mission ANMOL (Advanced Newborn Monitoring for Optimal Lifecare) to screen newborns for 63 congenital, genetic and metabolic disorders within 24 to 72 hours of birth.
• Under Mission ANMOL, the Government aims to increase annual newborn screening coverage from around 1,50,000 to 2,50,000 newborns.
• More than 75,000 newborns had been screened under the programme during 2026, while more than 700 children had received timely treatment following early diagnosis.
• Early screening under Mission ANMOL is aimed at enabling timely diagnosis and treatment of newborn disorders.
• The Delhi Government launched the Nursing Home Management System portal for the online registration and renewal of private nursing homes.
• The portal is intended to reduce paperwork, improve transparency and simplify regulatory processes for private nursing homes.
• A new building for the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation was inaugurated at Guru Ram Pant Hospital, Delhi, to strengthen coordination related to organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
• The Chief Minister urged residents to promote awareness about organ donation, describing it as an expression of humanity, compassion and respect for life.
• The initiatives collectively focus on strengthening healthcare delivery through technology, public health interventions and community-level participation.

About Delhi (National Capital Territory):

• Chief Minister: Rekha Gupta
• Lieutenant Governor: Taranjit Singh Sandhu
• Capital: New Delhi
• National Parks: None
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Asola Bhatti (Indira Priyadarshini) Wildlife Sanctuary

Uttarakhand Becomes India’s Sixth Fully Literate State

• Uttarakhand has become India’s sixth fully literate state under the National Education Policy 2020 and the ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society) – New India Literacy Programme.
• The state achieved the prescribed adult literacy benchmarks, marking a significant milestone in its educational journey.
• After fulfilling the literacy standards prescribed by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India, the Governor of Uttarakhand, Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (Retired), approved the official declaration of Uttarakhand as a fully literate state on 8 July.

Key Highlights

• Before Uttarakhand, Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim had achieved the status of fully literate states.
• With this achievement, Uttarakhand has joined the list of six fully literate states in India.
• Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami described the declaration as a landmark achievement resulting from sustained government efforts and the active participation of the people of Uttarakhand.
• He stated that collective efforts towards literacy would contribute significantly to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
• The achievement resulted from the coordinated efforts of the Uttarakhand Government, School Education Department, Samagra Shiksha, district administrations, volunteer teachers, literacy motivators, local bodies and the general public.
• Through public participation, regular monitoring and effective implementation across all districts, the ULLAS programme was successfully implemented in the state.
• The ULLAS programme aims not only to make non-literate adults literate, but also to connect them with lifelong learning, digital literacy, financial literacy, life skills and continuous education.
• The milestone represents a significant step towards achieving the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020 and reflects Uttarakhand’s contribution to the vision of a Viksit Bharat.
• On the occasion, all education directorates, State Council of Educational Research and Training, Samagra Shiksha and the New India Literacy Programme Cell expressed their happiness over Uttarakhand being declared a fully literate state.

About Uttarakhand:

• Chief Minister: Pushkar Singh Dhami
• Governor: Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh
• Capital: Dehradun (Winter), Gairsain (Summer)
• National Parks: Jim Corbett National Park, Rajaji National Park, Valley of Flowers National Park, Nanda Devi National Park, Gangotri National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Askot Musk Deer Wildlife Sanctuary, Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary, Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary, Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary, Mussoorie Wildlife Sanctuary

Union Cabinet Congratulates Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Completing 25 Years as Head of Government

• The Union Cabinet passed a resolution congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 25 years as the head of government.
• Narendra Modi first became the Chief Minister of Gujarat on 7 October 2001 and later became the Prime Minister of India in 2014.
• 7 October 2026 marks the completion of 25 years since Narendra Modi first assumed the position of head of a government.

Key Highlights

• Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25-year tenure is a testimony to the strength of Indian democracy.
• The resolution highlighted the emphasis of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on public service, national service and the principle of putting the nation first and above all.
• The Union Minister highlighted 10 major points covered in the Cabinet resolution.
• The first major point was the expansion of the development vision from Gujarat to the entire country.
• As Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi introduced several changes through various programmes and policies, for which he received recognition internationally.
• The Gujarat model of development was recognised and appreciated globally and was subsequently implemented across India.

Government Launches JOSH Teams to Strengthen Grassroots Tuberculosis Elimination Efforts

• The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Defence, will launch JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) Teams at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, to strengthen community participation in India’s fight against tuberculosis.
• In the first phase, JOSH Teams will be rolled out across 55 districts in 11 States to strengthen youth-led community mobilisation and take the TB Mukt Bharat message to grassroots communities.
• Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers Jagat Prakash Nadda will lead the national launch in the presence of Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Labour and Employment and Youth Affairs and Sports; Sanjay Seth, Minister of State for Defence; and Rekha Gupta, Chief Minister of Delhi.

Key Highlights

• The launch event will bring together senior officials and stakeholders from the participating Ministries, elected representatives, Class-I Officers, MY Bharat Volunteers and National Cadet Corps Cadets, along with others involved in India’s tuberculosis elimination efforts.
• The programme will showcase an achievement video covering key milestones of the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, followed by the formal launch of the JOSH Teams.
• New Information, Education and Communication materials for the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan will also be released.
• The event will also launch Khushi Avatar, an Artificial Intelligence-powered chatbot designed to strengthen public awareness, community engagement and participation in tuberculosis elimination efforts.
• JOSH Teams have been designed as a structured mechanism to channel the energy and reach of India’s youth into organised community action for tuberculosis elimination.
• The teams will consist of Class-I Officers, MY Bharat Volunteers and National Cadet Corps Cadets, combining administrative leadership with the youth networks and community outreach capabilities of MY Bharat and the National Cadet Corps.
• During the first phase, JOSH Teams will focus on Block, Ward and community-level engagement, taking tuberculosis-related messages beyond healthcare facilities and closer to people in their places of living, working and interaction.
• The participation of Class-I Officers, MY Bharat Volunteers and National Cadet Corps Cadets is expected to strengthen the connection between government programmes and grassroots communities.
• JOSH Teams build on the Government’s growing focus on Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation) as an important pillar of India’s tuberculosis elimination efforts.
• In 2025, 67,933 Panchayats across 697 districts were recognised as TB Mukt, reflecting the combined efforts of health workers, elected representatives, community members and volunteers.
• This achievement highlights the importance of local leadership, community ownership and sustained participation in taking the tuberculosis elimination message to the last mile.
• JOSH Teams will further build on this spirit of Jan Bhagidari by using the energy, outreach and social networks of young people to strengthen awareness, mobilisation and community participation.
• The initiative reflects a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach by bringing together the institutional strengths and outreach networks of the health, youth and defence sectors.
• The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will provide the overall public health and tuberculosis elimination framework, while the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Defence will facilitate the participation of MY Bharat Volunteers and National Cadet Corps Cadets respectively in community mobilisation and outreach.
• The initiative demonstrates continued inter-Ministerial convergence, enabling different institutional and community networks to work towards a common national goal.
• The launch of JOSH Teams marks another step towards building a people-centred, participatory and community-driven response to tuberculosis, involving Ministries, States and Union Territories, health workers, elected representatives, youth and citizens.
• Through stronger grassroots engagement and greater Jan Bhagidari, JOSH Teams aim to reinforce India’s collective resolve to build a TB Mukt Bharat.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India and Japan Unveil Operational Manual for Joint Crediting Mechanism

• India and Japan jointly launched the Operational Manual for the India–Japan Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) in New Delhi.

Key Highlights :

• The JCM is a bilateral carbon cooperation framework between India and Japan that promotes advanced low-carbon technologies, mobilises climate finance, facilitates technology cooperation, and supports high-integrity emission reductions and removals.
• The Operational Manual was jointly launched by E. Keiichi Ono, Ambassador of Japan to India, and Tanmay Kumar, then Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• The JCM operationalises India–Japan cooperation under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, which provides a framework for cooperative approaches to greenhouse-gas emission reductions.
• The Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) for the JCM was signed on 7 August 2025, while the Rules of Implementation (RoI) were adopted on 8 June 2026.
• The launch of the Operational Manual marks the transition of the JCM from institutional preparation to implementation and establishes a clear, transparent and comprehensive procedural framework.
• The Manual covers the entire JCM project cycle, from Project Idea Note (PIN) submission to JCM credit issuance and authorisation.
• Under the JCM, projects that reduce or avoid greenhouse-gas emissions can generate JCM credits after verification, which can be issued and transferred according to the mechanism’s rules.
• A Joint Committee consisting of representatives from India and Japan oversees methodologies, project approval, credit issuance, third-party verification and national registries.
• The JCM governance framework includes measures to prevent double counting of emission reductions and strengthen transparency and integrity in international carbon markets.
• The JCM covers key sectors including renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste management, compressed biogas, renewable hydrogen and ammonia, and carbon capture and storage (CCS).
• The crediting period for JCM projects is capped at 10 years, including renewals, and any extension requires approval from India’s competent authority.
• The mechanism is intended to attract Japanese investment and facilitate the transfer of low-carbon technologies and infrastructure to India.

About Japan :

• Capital: Tokyo
• Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY)
• Prime Minister: Sanae Takaichi

India Showcases Advances in Forest Cover, Restoration and Climate Action at COFO 28

• India highlighted significant progress in forest cover, forest restoration and climate action at the 28th Session of the FAO Committee on Forestry (COFO 28) held in Rome, Italy, from 28 September to 2 October 2026.
• India’s forest and tree cover has reached 74 million hectares, accounting for 25.17% of India’s geographical area.
• COFO 28 is a biennial session, held every two years, bringing together 128 member countries, along with ministers, heads of forest services, senior government officials and partner organisations.
• The session was held alongside the 10th World Forest Week, organised under the theme “Forests for food, resilience and prosperity.”
• COFO 28 was chaired by Pierre Taty of the Republic of the Congo.
• India participated through the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and presented its national statement on forest and landscape restoration.
• During the session, the FAO released its flagship report titled “The State of the World’s Forests 2026: Restoring Forests and Landscapes – The Way Forward for a Sustainable Future.”
• The FAO 2026 report provides a global assessment of land degradation and outlines practical strategies for scaling up high-quality Forest and Landscape Restoration (FLR).
• The report revealed that nearly 56 billion hectares of land has been degraded globally, representing around 10% of the world’s total land area.
• The degraded land area of 56 billion hectares is approximately 5.2 times the size of India.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Ministry of Law and Justice Announces Appointment of Three High Court Chief Justices as Supreme Court Judges

• The Ministry of Law and Justice (MoL&J) notified the appointment of 3 High Court Chief Justices as Judges of the Supreme Court.
• Justice Sunita Agarwal, Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court, was appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
• Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, was appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
• Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh, Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court, was appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
• The three judges were appointed by President Droupadi Murmu under Article 124(2) of the Constitution of India, which deals with the appointment of Supreme Court judges.
• The Supreme Court Collegium had recommended the elevation of the three Chief Justices on 28 September 2026, and they were scheduled to be sworn in on 6 October 2026.
• With the appointment of the three judges, the Supreme Court’s working strength increased to 37 judges, against the sanctioned strength of 38, leaving one vacancy.
• Justice Sunita Agarwal originally served in the Allahabad High Court and became Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court in July 2023; she is due to retire from the Supreme Court in April 2031.
• Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya became a judge in 2011 after serving as Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Standing Counsel, became Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court in July 2023, and was transferred to the Delhi High Court in January 2025.
• Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh practised before the Patna and Jharkhand High Courts, became a judge in 2012, served as Chief Justice of the Tripura High Court, and became Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court in July 2025.
• Gurvinder Pal Singh, a Judicial Officer, was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Delhi High Court under Article 224(1), with his tenure continuing until June 2028 from the date he assumes charge.
• Following the elevation of the three Chief Justices to the Supreme Court, Justice Puthichira (P.) Sam Koshy was appointed Acting Chief Justice of Telangana High Court under Article 223.
• Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak was appointed Acting Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court, while Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre was appointed Acting Chief Justice of Delhi High Court.
• The appointments of the Acting Chief Justices were made by President Droupadi Murmu under Article 223 of the Constitution.

Appointments Committee of the Cabinet Approves One-Year Re-employment of Dhirendra Ojha as Press Information Bureau Principal Director General

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the re-employment of Dhirendra Ojha as Principal Director General (PDG), Press Information Bureau (PIB), on a contract basis for one year after his superannuation.
• Dhirendra Ojha, a 1990-batch Indian Information Service (IIS) officer, will continue as Principal Director General, PIB, the principal spokesperson of the Central Government.
• His re-employment is effective from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
• Ojha’s superannuation was on 30 September 2026, after which he was re-employed for another year.
• Dhirendra Ojha was originally appointed as Principal Director General of PIB in July 2024.
• The re-employment will follow the usual terms and conditions applicable to re-employed Central Government officers.
• The Recruitment Rules (RRs) have been kept in abeyance for the purpose of his re-employment.
• The ACC approval was conveyed to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, under which the Press Information Bureau (PIB)

Rajeshwari Kumari Elected as South Asia Representative to Olympic Council of Asia Athletes Commission

• Rajeshwari Kumari, former Indian trap shooter, was elected to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Athletes Commission to represent South Asia for the 2026–2030 term.
• Her election followed the conclusion of the Athletes Committee elections held during the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
• She became the 2nd Indian to serve on the OCA Athletes Commission, after Indian luger Shiva Keshavan, who is the Vice-Chairman of the Commission.
• Rajeshwari Kumari began her trap shooting career before 2014 and won a bronze medal at the 2014 National Shotgun Championship in Patiala, Punjab.
• At the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, which were held in 2023 after postponement, she won a silver medal in the Women’s Trap Team event.
• She represented India in Women’s Trap at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and finished 22nd with a score of 113/125.
• In 2023, she secured India’s first-ever women’s trap quota place for the Paris 2024 Olympics by finishing 5th in the individual final at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Championship in Baku, Azerbaijan.

About Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) :

• Established : 16 November 1982 in New Delhi, India
• Permanent headquarters : Kuwait City, Kuwait.
• Current OCA President : HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Mahesh Kakde of Indian Institute of Science Receives Ramanujan Prize 2026

• Professor Mahesh Kakde of the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru has been awarded the Ramanujan Prize 2026 for his contributions to algebraic number theory.
• The award recognises his research in an important area of modern mathematics.
• The Ramanujan Prize is awarded by the International Centre for Theoretical Physics in association with the International Mathematical Union.
• The prize recognises outstanding mathematicians from developing countries.

Key Highlights

• Mahesh Kakde is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.
• His research focuses on algebraic number theory, a branch of mathematics that applies algebraic methods to study the properties of numbers and mathematical structures.
• Kakde completed his Bachelor of Mathematics from the Indian Statistical Institute, Bengaluru.
• He subsequently completed his master’s degree and PhD in pure mathematics at the University of Cambridge.
• After completing his PhD in 2008, he worked at leading institutions including Princeton University, University College London and King's College London.
• He joined the Indian Institute of Science as a Professor in 2019.
• The Ramanujan Prize is awarded annually to a mathematician from a developing country, who is below 45 years of age and has made outstanding contributions to the mathematical sciences.
• The prize carries a cash award of US$10,000.
• Mahesh Kakde previously received the Infosys Prize in Mathematical Sciences in 2022 and has also received international recognition for his research.
• His latest achievement highlights India's contribution to advanced mathematics research, particularly the work being carried out at the Indian Institute of Science.

Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai Awarded Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026

• The 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to French chemist Henri B. Kagan and Japanese chemist Kenso Soai for their pioneering discoveries of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.
• The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences stated that their discoveries helped solve a century-old mystery concerning how molecular asymmetry, or homochirality, can emerge spontaneously in nature.
• Many molecules, including amino acids, exist in two mirror-image forms. Although these forms are chemically similar, living organisms overwhelmingly use only one of the two forms.
• For decades, scientists sought to understand how this natural molecular selectivity emerged.

Key Highlights

• Traditionally, chemists obtained approximately equal amounts of both mirror-image molecules during laboratory synthesis.
• The discoveries of Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai demonstrated how chemical reactions can be controlled to produce predominantly, or even exclusively, one mirror-image form.
• Their work has major implications for modern chemistry, particularly pharmaceutical development, where obtaining the correct molecular form can be crucial for therapeutic effectiveness.
• Henri B. Kagan achieved a major breakthrough in 1986 by developing a method to influence chemical reactions so that they produced a greater excess of one molecular mirror image.
• Kenso Soai built upon this work through a groundbreaking reaction in 1995.
• In 2003, Soai demonstrated a reaction capable of producing only one of the two possible mirror-image forms, representing an important development in asymmetric organic synthesis.
• Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai will share the Nobel Prize monetary award of 12 million Swedish kronor.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

India and Ghana Strengthen Cooperation in Scientific Research, Agriculture and Education

• India and Ghana exchanged two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen cooperation in scientific research, academics, capacity building, agricultural research and education.
• The agreements were exchanged during External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar’s visit to Ghana, as both countries sought to further deepen their South-South cooperation.
• Dr. S. Jaishankar witnessed the exchange of the agreements with Ghana’s Foreign Minister Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa.

Key Highlights

• The first agreement covers cooperation between the Zoological Survey of India and the University of Ghana in academics, scientific research and capacity building.
• The second agreement focuses on collaboration between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Ghana’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research–Crops Research Institute in agricultural research and education.
• The exchange followed wide-ranging discussions between Dr. S. Jaishankar and Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa on strengthening the India-Ghana Comprehensive Partnership.
• The two ministers discussed ways to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, development, pharmaceuticals, capacity building, defence, technology and people-to-people ties.
• They also discussed strengthening multilateral cooperation and deepening India’s engagement with the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States.
• Earlier in the day, Dr. S. Jaishankar met Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama.
• Dr. S. Jaishankar is undertaking a three-nation visit to Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Ethiopia, scheduled from the 1st to 10th of the month.
• During the visit, he is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts and meet the leadership of all three countries to review and further strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

Ministry of Defence Signs ₹661.5 Crore Deal with BrahMos Aerospace for Navy Fire Control Systems and Launchers

• The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a ₹661.50 crore contract with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) on 6 October 2026 for the procurement of BrahMos Fire Control Systems and launchers for Indian Navy warships.
• The contract was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
• The procurement has been placed under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category, with a minimum of 68% Indigenous Content (IC).
• The contract aims to strengthen the Indian Navy’s maritime strike capability, maritime security architecture and indigenous defence technology.
• The systems are reportedly intended for two Veer-class missile corvettes and two Ranvir-class destroyers.
• The BrahMos is the Indian Navy’s primary Surface-to-Surface Missile (SSM) system for maritime strike operations.
• BrahMos can engage both land and sea targets from extended ranges with pinpoint accuracy at supersonic speeds.
• The Navy is progressively equipping more warships with BrahMos as its principal long-range anti-ship and land-attack weapon, while older vessels are also being retrofitted.
• The Veer-class corvettes, which were originally equipped with Soviet-era P-15 Termit missiles, are being considered for BrahMos upgrades.
• The Ranvir-class destroyers are among the Indian Navy’s oldest frontline combatants, and INS Ranvir became the first Indian warship to conduct a vertical BrahMos launch from a moving platform in 2008.
• The latest contract is part of the broader BrahMos build-up aimed at expanding the missile’s deployment across the Indian Navy’s surface fleet.
• In March 2024, the Defence Ministry signed a contract worth around ₹20,000 crore for BrahMos missiles to meet the Navy’s operational and training requirements.
• In March 2024, another ₹988 crore contract was signed for shipborne BrahMos systems, covering the missile, launcher and fire-control architecture.
• The Navy is also pursuing greater indigenous content in BrahMos, including efforts to reduce dependence on imported components.
• In March 2024, India test-fired a BrahMos missile equipped with an indigenous seeker and booster, marking progress towards greater self-reliance.
• BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, and the BrahMos missile is deployed by all three Indian Armed Forces.

Defence Research and Development Organisation Successfully Tests Indigenous High-Altitude Platform for Long-Endurance Stratospheric Operations

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the flight trial of an indigenously developed High-Altitude Platform (HAPS), marking a significant milestone in India’s development of long-endurance stratospheric airship technology.
• The indigenous HAPS reached an altitude of 21 km above mean sea level (AMSL) and maintained 20 km AMSL for more than 30 minutes during the experimental flight.
• After completing the high-altitude flight, the HAPS was commanded to descend and successfully recovered, followed by analysis of its flight performance data.
• The platform transmitted real-time video data and vehicle parameters to the Ground Control Station (GCS) throughout the flight, demonstrating its intended performance.
• The HAPS carried key instrumentation and control systems, including an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), GPS receiver, onboard cameras and altitude-control mechanism, along with other subsystems.
• The trial was conducted in coordination with the Indian Air Force (IAF), Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC),Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other civil authorities.
• The High-Altitude Platform (HAPS) is a lighter-than-air system designed to operate as a long-endurance stratospheric aerial surveillance platform.
• The HAPS is being developed by Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra, a laboratory under the DRDO.
• The successful trial is an important milestone for Aatmanirbhar Bharat, as it advances India’s capability to develop indigenous long-endurance stratospheric airship technology.

Embraer and Mahindra Identify Nagpur for Proposed C-390 Millennium Assembly Line

• Brazil’s Embraer and India’s Mahindra Group have identified Nagpur, Maharashtra, as the potential location for a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft in India.
• The proposed FAL is part of the companies’ plan to create an industrial and support ecosystem for the C-390 Millennium as they jointly pursue the Indian Air Force (IAF) Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme.
• The Nagpur FAL is currently only a proposed facility and will be established only if the Government of India selects the C-390 Millennium and places an order under the IAF’s MTA programme.
• Embraer and Mahindra are working with the Maharashtra Government to complete the necessary processes and enable the required industrial infrastructure if the programme is awarded to their partnership.
• The partnership plans to progressively integrate Indian aerospace companies into the C-390 ecosystem for manufacturing, aftermarket services, training and lifecycle support.
• The IAF MTA programme aims to procure 60 Medium Transport Aircraft initially to replace the ageing AN-32 aircraft and IL-76 aircraft, with the requirement potentially increasing later.
• The C-390 proposal faces competition from the Tata Group–Lockheed Martin partnership, which is offering the C-130J-30 aircraft for the IAF’s MTA requirement.
• Embraer and Mahindra entered into a Strategic Cooperation Agreement in October 2025 to jointly advance the C-390 Millennium for the IAF’s MTA programme.
• The October 2025 agreement built on an earlier MoU signed in February 2024 between Embraer and Mahindra.
• The partnership’s industrial plans include local manufacturing, aircraft assembly, supply-chain development, industrialisation and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) activities in India.
• In February 2026, Embraer and Mahindra also announced plans to establish C-390 Millennium MRO capability in India, subject to the aircraft being selected under the MTA programme.

Defence Research and Development Organisation Successfully Conducts First Live Jump of Advanced High-Altitude Parachute

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the maiden live jump of the Advanced High-Altitude Parachute (AHAP) at Nyoma (Mudh DZ), one of the highest-altitude drop zones.
• The AHAP live jump was executed from an altitude of 16,000 feet above mean sea level (AMSL), demonstrating its capability in extremely high-altitude terrain.
• The AHAP parachute was deployed at 15,500 feet AMSL, while the landing was carried out at Nyoma (Mudh DZ) located at 13,700 feet.
• The successful jump demonstrated the efficacy and tactical employability of the AHAP system for high-altitude military operations.
• The Advanced High-Altitude Parachute (AHAP) has been designed and developed by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra, a DRDO laboratory.
• AHAP is a static-line parachute system designed for the mass drop of paratroopers.
• The AHAP system has been manufactured by the Ordnance Parachute Factory (OPF), Kanpur.
• The parachute system was inspected by the Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA) and certified by CEMILAC, RCMA Kanpur.
• AHAP offers multiple deployment modes and has a wide operational altitude range of up to 18,000 feet.
• The parachute provides a safe rate of descent, making it particularly suitable for the tactical requirements of the Indian Defence Forces operating in high-altitude terrain.
• Static-line parachute jumps at very high altitudes are complex and inherently risky because of high opening shock and increased rate of descent, making the successful AHAP trial significant for military operations.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Launches IndiaAI Centre of Excellence ‘CAIK’ in Thiruvananthapuram

• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), under the IndiaAI Mission, launched the MeitY-IndiaAI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Artificial Intelligence, known as the Centre for AI in Keralam (CAIK), in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
• CAIK aims to strengthen applied AI research, innovation, startups and entrepreneurship in India.
• Digital University Kerala will serve as the Implementing Agency for CAIK, while Innovation Incubator Advisory Private Limited will be its Industry Partner.
• CAIK will focus on key areas including healthcare, climate and disaster resilience, sustainability, e-governance, public systems and agriculture.
• The centre will support applied AI research, AI startups, datasets and infrastructure, public-sector AI and talent development.
• CAIK announced its first cohort of 15 AI startups under Pre-incubation, Incubation and Acceleration Programmes.
• The 15 AI startups cover areas such as Healthcare and MedTech, Climate and AgriTech, Legal Technology, Enterprise and Document AI, Industrial Applications, Edge AI and Intelligent Camera Technologies.
• The CAIK initiative is being established under the IndiaAI Mission of MeitY to strengthen India’s AI ecosystem and promote practical AI applications.
• K. Kunhalikutty, Minister for Industries, IT and AI, was scheduled to formally launch the MeitY-IndiaAI Centre of Excellence in AI, Thiruvananthapuram (CAIK) on 30 September 2026.
• P. John, Transport Minister, was scheduled to preside over the inaugural session.
• Separately, Adani Skills & Education (ASE) and Kachchh University launched a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Green Energy at the university campus in Bhuj, Gujarat.
• The Green Energy CoE aims to train local youth for renewable-energy employment, address skilled manpower requirements, and train more than 10,000 students annually.

Adani Power, Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation Ink Agreement for 770 MW Chamkharchhu-I Hydropower Project

• Adani Power Limited (APL) and Bhutan’s state-owned Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) signed a Shareholders Agreement (SHA) to develop the 770 MW Chamkharchhu-I Hydroelectric Project.
• The Chamkharchhu-I Hydroelectric Project will be developed on the Chamkharchhu River in Zhemgang District, Bhutan.
• The project will follow a 49:51 equity partnership, with Adani Power holding 49% and DGPC holding 51%.
• The project will be developed under the Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) model with a 30-year concession period.
• Construction of the project is expected to begin in the first half (H1) of 2027, with commissioning targeted within six years of groundbreaking.
• Chamkharchhu-I is the second major hydropower collaboration between Adani Power and DGPC, after the 570 MW Wangchhu Hydroelectric Project agreement signed in September 2025.
• The Chamkharchhu-I and Wangchhu projects are part of a broader 5,000 MW hydropower development MoU signed between the Adani Group and DGPC in May 2025.

About Adani Power Limited (APL) :

• Incorporated : 1996
• Headquarters : Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
• Managing Director (MD) : Anil Sardana

Indian Institute of Technology Ropar Launches ‘AVNI – Grow with Nature’ AI-Based Agricultural Learning Platform

• The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar launched AVNI – Grow with Nature on 6 October 2026 through its Centre of Excellence in AI for Digital Agriculture, ANNAM.AI.
• AVNI is a digital learning initiative that combines Artificial Intelligence (AI) with experiential learning to build agricultural and nature awareness among children from an early age.
• AI is the Centre of Excellence for AI in Agriculture/Digital Agriculture at IIT Ropar, supported by the Union Ministry of Education.
• Mukesh Saini, Co-project Director of ANNAM.AI, developed AVNI – Grow with Nature.
• AVNI is available as a web and mobile application that helps children explore plants, crops, food and agriculture through their surroundings using AI-powered tools.
• The app enables children to identify and learn about crops, fruits, vegetables, spices, cereals and millets through AI-powered identification and hands-on activities.
• AVNI provides learning content in Hindi and English and also offers audio content for younger children.
• Key features of AVNI include Daily Challenges, Nature Points, Digital Nature Book, Nature Gallery and Crop Compare.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Novak Djokovic Wins China Open 2026 Men’s Singles Title

• Novak Djokovic won the China Open 2026 men’s singles title in Beijing, People’s Republic of China.
• In the final, Australia’s Alex de Minaur retired due to a groin injury early in the second set, with Djokovic leading 7-6(3), 0-1.
• The China Open is an Association of Tennis Professionals Tour event held in Beijing and is classified as an ATP 500 tournament.

Key Highlights

• The ATP 500 category was introduced in 2009, with the champion receiving 500 ranking points.
• The China Open title was Djokovic’s 102nd tour-level trophy, moving him within one title of Roger Federer’s 103 and seven titles behind Jimmy Connors’ Open Era record of 109.
• Djokovic extended his unbeaten record at the China Open to 34-0 across seven appearances.
• At 39 years of age, Djokovic became the oldest ATP 500 champion since the category was introduced in 2009.
• Jimmy Connors holds the Open Era record for most tour-level titles with 109, while Roger Federer finished his career with 103 tour-level titles.
• On his way to the final, Djokovic defeated Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals.
• He then advanced through the semifinals against Daniil Medvedev, after Medvedev was disqualified for hitting a spectator.
• The China Open victory was Djokovic’s first Association of Tennis Professionals Tour title of the 2026 season.
• The title ended an 11-month title drought for Djokovic, which had begun after his previous title in November 2025.

Carlos Alcaraz Wins Japan Open for Second Consecutive Year

• Carlos Alcaraz of Spain won the Japan Open 2026 title for the second consecutive year, defeating Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic 7-6(4), 6-4 in the final in Tokyo.
• The victory marked Alcaraz’s first title after returning from a four-and-a-half-month injury layoff caused by a wrist injury.

Key Highlights

• The 23-year-old Alcaraz captured his 27th career title with the victory.
• Alcaraz described the title as particularly special because of his successful return from injury and his consecutive victories at the Japan Open.
• The match against World No. 19 Jiri Lehecka lasted 1 hour and 36 minutes, with Alcaraz controlling the match throughout.
• Alcaraz won 85% of his first-serve points and allowed Lehecka to convert only one break point.
• Alcaraz considered his performance in the final to be his best performance of the tournament.
• The tournament recorded an attendance record for the second consecutive year, with Alcaraz’s presence contributing to the increased interest.
• The Spaniard acknowledged that he had struggled with consistency since returning from injury at the United States Open, but produced a stronger performance in Tokyo.
• The Japan Open was Alcaraz’s second official tournament since his injury, and he expressed hope that the title would not be his last of the season.

Smriti Mandhana Appointed Captain of Indian Women’s Cricket Team

• Smriti Mandhana has been appointed the new captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, succeeding Harmanpreet Kaur.
• The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced Mandhana’s appointment, shortly after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down as captain across all formats.
• Harmanpreet Kaur will continue to represent India as a player after relinquishing the captaincy.

Key Highlights

• Harmanpreet led India to its maiden Women’s Cricket World Cup title in 2025 and most recently guided the team to Asian Games gold in Nagoya.
• Harmanpreet’s captaincy began with her taking charge of the Twenty20 International side in 2016, followed by becoming the full-time One Day International and Test captain in 2022.
• During her tenure, Harmanpreet led India to two Asian Games gold medals, including the latest gold medal in Nagoya.
• She also became the most-capped player in women’s international cricket in 2026.
• Smriti Mandhana, who has been part of the Indian team since 2013, will now serve as the full-time captain.
• Before receiving the full-time captaincy, Mandhana had already led India in 18 Twenty20 Internationals and 4 One Day Internationals.
• Mandhana’s appointment marks the beginning of a new phase of leadership for Indian women’s cricket.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

World Habitat Day 2026 is observed on 5 October

• World Habitat Day is observed annually on the first Monday of October to highlight the importance of adequate housing and sustainable human settlements.
• In 2026, World Habitat Day is observed on 5^th October.
• The theme of World Habitat Day 2026 is “Adequate Housing for All.”
• A habitat refers to the natural environment or place where plants, animals and other organisms live, grow and reproduce.
• In ecology, a habitat is an area that provides the resources and physical and biotic factors required for the survival and reproduction of a particular species.
• The word “habitat” is derived from Latin.
• In 1985, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 40/202, establishing World Habitat Day on the first Monday of October.
• World Habitat Day has been observed since 1986 and is celebrated every year in different countries with a specific theme.
• The first World Habitat Day was celebrated in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1986, with the theme “Shelter is my right.”

World Space Week 2026 observed from 4 to 10 October 2026

• World Space Week 2026 is being observed from 4 to 10 October 2026, highlighting developments in space science, space technology and human space exploration.

• The 2026 theme is “Rocket Revolution”, focusing on the transformation of space launches through reusable rockets, private space companies, startups and emerging space powers.
• The theme highlights how these developments are expanding access to orbit, reducing launch costs and creating new opportunities for space exploration.
• The United Nations has observed World Space Week since 1999 to highlight the contribution of space science and technology to human welfare and promote education and international cooperation.
• The dates of World Space Week commemorate two major milestones in space history:
• 4 October 1957: The Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite to orbit Earth, marking the beginning of the Space Age.
• 10 October 1967: The Outer Space Treaty entered into force, establishing principles governing the peaceful exploration and use of outer space.
• World Space Week was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999 to emphasise the role of space science and technology in improving human welfare and to encourage education and global cooperation.
• According to an analysis using the 100-kilometre Kármán line as the benchmark, at least 746 people from 52 countries have travelled to space. The figure includes professional astronauts and paying space tourists.
• The total also includes people with dual nationalities and individuals representing countries that no longer exist, such as the Soviet Union.
• The United States leads with 369 people sent to space, while the Soviet Union and Russia together account for 138.
• China, which became the third country to independently send humans into space, has sent 29 people.
• Of the 746 space travellers, 112 are women, accounting for approximately 15% of the total.
• Valentina Tereshkova, a Soviet cosmonaut, became the first woman in space in June 1963.
• Sally Ride became the first American woman in space in 1983.

Daily CA One- Liner: October 8

• An Indian Parliamentary Delegation, led by Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh, departed for Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, to participate in the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and related meetings
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 10th edition of India Mobile Congress 2026 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi and address the gathering
• The Delhi Government doubled the monthly incentives for 6,690 Accredited Social Health Activist workers from ₹3,000 to ₹6,000 recognising their role in delivering healthcare services and government schemes at the grassroots level
• Uttarakhand has become India’s sixth fully literate state under the National Education Policy 2020 and the ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society) – New India Literacy Programme
• The Union Cabinet passed a resolution congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 25 years as the head of government
• The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Defence, will launch JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) Teams at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, to strengthen community participation in India’s fight against tuberculosis
• Professor Mahesh Kakde of the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru has been awarded the Ramanujan Prize 2026 for his contributions to algebraic number theory
• The 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to French chemist Henri B. Kagan and Japanese chemist Kenso Soai for their pioneering discoveries of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis
• India and Ghana exchanged two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen cooperation in scientific research, academics, capacity building, agricultural research and education
• Novak Djokovic won the China Open 2026 men’s singles title in Beijing, People’s Republic of China.
• Carlos Alcaraz of Spain won the Japan Open 2026 title for the second consecutive year, defeating Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic 7-6(4), 6-4 in the final in Tokyo
• Smriti Mandhana has been appointed the new captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, succeeding Harmanpreet Kaur
• World Habitat Day is observed annually on the first Monday of October to highlight the importance of adequate housing and sustainable human settlements
• World Space Week 2026 is being observed from 4 to 10 October 2026, highlighting developments in space science, space technology and human space exploration.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued revised guidelines for Note Sorting Machines (NSMs) under Sections 35A and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), through its Department of Currency Management, issued a circular on 1 October 2026 partially modifying the earlier instructions on “Cassette – Swaps in ATMs” issued on 31 March 2022.
• The Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) has constituted a 12-member high-level committee to examine the implementation of a five-day banking week following discussions with the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU).
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) increased the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5%.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) fixed the interest rate on the Government of India Floating Rate Bond 2028 (FRB 2028) at 45% per annum for the six-month period from 4 October 2026 to 3 April 2027.
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched the nationwide investor awareness and education campaign “Samajh Se Investing Simple” under Project Jagrook on 5 October 2026 at Panjab University, Chandigarh.
• India and Japan jointly launched the Operational Manual for the India–Japan Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) in New Delhi.
• India highlighted significant progress in forest cover, forest restoration and climate action at the 28th Session of the FAO Committee on Forestry (COFO 28) held in Rome, Italy, from 28 September to 2 October 2026.
• The Ministry of Law and Justice (MoL&J) notified the appointment of 3 High Court Chief Justices as Judges of the Supreme Court.
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the re-employment of Dhirendra Ojha as Principal Director General (PDG), Press Information Bureau (PIB), on a contract basis for one year after his superannuation.
• Rajeshwari Kumari, former Indian trap shooter, was elected to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Athletes Commission to represent South Asia for the 2026–2030 term.
• The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a ₹661.50 crore contract with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) on 6 October 2026 for the procurement of BrahMos Fire Control Systems and launchers for Indian Navy warships.
• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the flight trial of an indigenously developed High-Altitude Platform (HAPS), marking a significant milestone in India’s development of long-endurance stratospheric airship technology.
• Brazil’s Embraer and India’s Mahindra Group have identified Nagpur, Maharashtra, as the potential location for a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft in India.
• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the maiden live jump of the Advanced High-Altitude Parachute (AHAP) at Nyoma (Mudh DZ), one of the highest-altitude drop zones.
• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), under the IndiaAI Mission, launched the MeitY-IndiaAI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Artificial Intelligence, known as the Centre for AI in Keralam (CAIK), in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
• Adani Power Limited (APL) and Bhutan’s state-owned Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) signed a Shareholders Agreement (SHA) to develop the 770 MW Chamkharchhu-I Hydroelectric Project.
• The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar launched AVNI – Grow with Nature on 6 October 2026 through its Centre of Excellence in AI for Digital Agriculture, ANNAM.AI.