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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

Reserve Bank of India Raises Minimum Daily Cash Reserve Ratio Maintenance Requirement for Banks from 90% to 99% Effective 16 October 2026

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) increased the minimum daily Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) maintenance requirement for scheduled banks from 90% to 99%, effective from the reporting fortnight beginning 16 October 2026.
• The decision was announced through an RBI notification following a review of prevailing liquidity conditions.
• CRR is the percentage of a bank’s Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL) that it must maintain as cash with the RBI.
• The prescribed CRR rate remains unchanged at 3%, and banks must continue to meet the full CRR requirement on an average daily basis over the reporting fortnight.
• Under the revised rule, banks must maintain at least 99% of their prescribed CRR on each day of the reporting fortnight, compared with the earlier minimum of 90%.
• Banks do not earn interest on CRR balances maintained with the RBI.
• The RBI also announced an Open Market Operation (OMO) bond sale worth ₹25,000 crore, scheduled for 13 October 2026, to absorb excess liquidity from the banking system.
• The OMO sale comprises six Government of India securities maturing between 2030 and 2034, to be conducted through the multiple-price auction method.
• The last time the RBI imposed a 99% minimum daily CRR maintenance requirement was in July 2013, amid foreign-exchange market volatility following the US Federal Reserve’s tapering signals.
• The minimum daily CRR maintenance requirement was subsequently reduced to 95% in September 2013 and 90% in April 2016.
• The RBI notification was signed by Manoranjan Padhy, Chief General Manager in the RBI’s Department of Regulation.

International Monetary Fund’s October 2026 World Economic Outlook Projects India’s Gross Domestic Product Growth at 7% for FY 2026–27

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released its October 2026 World Economic Outlook (WEO) titled “Resilience Under Strain, Urgent Choices.”
• The IMF raised India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for FY 2026–27 (FY27) to 7%, up from 4% projected in its July 2026 WEO update, marking an increase of 60 basis points (bps).
• The upward revision in India’s growth forecast was attributed to stronger-than-expected domestic demand and robust services activity, despite the Middle East crises and elevated global oil prices.
• The IMF raised India’s GDP growth forecast for FY 2027–28 (FY28) to 7%, up from its previous estimate of 7%, an increase of 30 basis points (bps).
• India’s GDP growth for FY 2025–26 (FY26) was estimated at 8%, reflecting stronger-than-expected economic performance.
• The IMF noted that India remains one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies.
• India’s retail inflation is projected to reach 5% in FY27 and ease to 4% in FY28.
• The IMF raised its global GDP growth forecast for calendar year 2026 (CY26) to 1%, an increase of 10 basis points (bps).
• The IMF retained its global GDP growth forecast for calendar year 2027 (CY27) at 4%.
• Global headline inflation is projected to reach 7% in CY26 before easing to 4.1% in CY27.
• The projected rise in global inflation is driven largely by higher food and energy prices.

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Forecasts India’s Economic Growth at 7.3% in 2026, Leading Major Economies

• The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released the Trade and Development Report 2026, titled “The Geoeconomics of Development.”
• According to the report, India’s economy is projected to grow by 3% in 2026.
• The report projected global economic growth at 6% in 2026, down from 2.9% in 2025.
• Developing economies are projected to grow by 4% in 2026, compared with 7% in 2025.
• Asia is expected to contribute 59% of global economic growth in 2026.
• Country-wise growth projections for 2026 include Kyrgyzstan at 8.8%, Uzbekistan at 7.9%, Viet Nam at 7.8%, Mongolia at 7%, Tajikistan at 6.6%, Indonesia at 5.2%, and China at 4.5%.
• Global trade reached a record USD 35 trillion in 2025.
• Global trade in goods and services is projected to grow by around 4% in 2026 at constant prices, compared with 4% in 2025.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) products, particularly semiconductors and advanced computing equipment, are major drivers of merchandise trade, with East Asia playing a central role in manufacturing.
• UNCTAD’s study on AI server racks found that post-tax profits accounted for 68% of traced value added, while workers received less than 15%.
• The report highlighted that the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure and investment could also create financial stability risks.
• During 2020–2025, developed economies captured around 70% of announced greenfield project value in semiconductors, energy-transition technologies, and AI infrastructure.
• Developing economies attracted 60% of new foreign direct investment (FDI) in critical minerals and strategic materials.

World Trade Organization Raises Global Merchandise Trade Growth Forecast for 2026 to 3.9%

• The World Trade Organization (WTO) raised its forecast for global merchandise trade volume growth in 2026 to 9%, up from 1.9% projected in its March outlook.
• The WTO projected global merchandise trade growth of 1% in 2027.
• Global merchandise trade grew by 5% in the first half of 2026, despite the West Asia conflict.
• The growth in merchandise trade was supported by supply-chain adaptation, changes in suppliers, rerouting shipments through alternative ports and trade corridors, and strong investment in Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Asia is expected to lead regional merchandise export growth at 9% in 2026.
• West Asia’s merchandise exports are projected to decline by 2%, while its services exports are projected to fall by 10.3%.
• The WTO lowered its forecast for global commercial services trade volume growth in 2026 to 3%, from 4.8% in its March outlook, due to the impact of the Middle East conflict.
• Global services trade volume growth is projected to reach 4% in 2027, depending on a timely resolution of the Middle East conflict.
• The WTO projected global GDP growth at 6% in 2026 and 2.9% in 2027.
• The forecasts were published in the WTO’s Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report.

About WTO :

• The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the principal international organization responsible for regulating and facilitating international trade between nations.
• The WTO was established on 1 January 1995, following the 1994 Marrakesh Agreement, and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is the Director-General of the WTO.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

World Wide Fund for Nature Report Reveals a 73% Decline in Average Wildlife Population Sizes from 1970 to 2022

• The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), in partnership with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), released the 2026 Living Planet Report (LPR) titled “The Science of Hope.”
• The Living Planet Report (LPR) is a biennial report that monitors changes in global wildlife populations and biodiversity.
• According to the 2026 Living Planet Report, the average size of monitored wildlife populations declined by 73% between 1970 and 2022, over a period of 52 years.
• The Living Planet Index (LPI) tracks changes in the relative abundance of monitored vertebrate populations, including mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish.
• The 2026 LPR assessed 35,803 population trends across 5,790 vertebrate species between 1970 and 2022.
• Among ecosystems, freshwater wildlife populations experienced the steepest average decline of 85%, followed by terrestrial populations at 69% and marine populations at 59%.
• Region-wise, Latin America and the Caribbean recorded the steepest decline in monitored wildlife populations at 95%, followed by Africa at 80% and Asia-Pacific at 49%.
• Habitat loss and degradation emerged as the most frequently reported threats to monitored wildlife populations.
• Other major threats to wildlife populations include overexploitation, climate change, pollution, invasive species, and disease.
• The report identified the global food and agriculture system as the single largest driver of biodiversity loss because it contributes to habitat destruction, overharvesting of resources, and greenhouse gas emissions.
• The 73% decline represents the average change in the relative abundance of monitored populations and does not mean that 73% of all individual animals or species disappeared.
• The report noted that approximately half of the populations included in the Living Planet Index were stable or increasing, despite the overall negative trend.
• Recoveries in populations of green turtles, bluefin tuna, tigers, and southern African elephants demonstrate that targeted conservation measures can produce positive results.
• Global wild tiger numbers increased from approximately 3,200 in 2010 to 5,700 in 2025, highlighting progress in tiger conservation.
• The Living Planet Index (LPI) is produced by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).

 CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

Prime Minister GatiShakti National Master Plan Completes Five Years

• The Prime Minister GatiShakti National Master Plan completed five years on 13 October 2026, marking progress in integrated infrastructure planning and development in India.
• It was launched on 13 October 2021 to transform the country's infrastructure landscape.
• The plan enables planners to view infrastructure networks, geographical features, economic zones and other relevant data on a single platform, supporting data-driven planning and decision-making for infrastructure projects.

Key Highlights

• The Prime Minister GatiShakti digital platform integrates more than 1,800 data layers, covering 58 Central Ministries and Departments and all 36 States and Union Territories.
• The platform has evaluated more than 400 infrastructure projects worth over ₹20 lakh crore based on Prime Minister GatiShakti principles.
• The initiative promotes a whole-of-government approach to infrastructure planning by facilitating coordinated decision-making and strengthening multimodal connectivity and last-mile connectivity.
• Prime Minister GatiShakti provides a framework for coordinated infrastructure planning, multimodal connectivity and improved logistics efficiency, supporting India's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

First Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation Home Ministers’ Meeting Adopts Delhi Declaration

• The first Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Home Ministers’ Meeting concluded in New Delhi with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration, under the chairmanship of the union home minister.
• The seven BIMSTEC member countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand—reaffirmed regional security cooperation based on sovereign equality, territorial integrity, non-interference and peaceful coexistence.
• The declaration strongly condemned terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, and called for effective implementation of United Nations Security Council sanctions, particularly those imposed by the 1267 Sanctions Committee.

Key Highlights

• Member countries emphasised efforts to combat radicalisation, terrorist recruitment, money laundering and terror financing, while preventing the misuse of emerging technologies for terrorist activities.
• The declaration called for coordinated action against human trafficking, cyber slavery, online scams and forced criminality, following a victim-centred approach.
• Member countries urged the implementation of BIMSTEC conventions on combating international terrorism, transnational organised crime and illicit drug trafficking, with the relevant conventions in force since March 2021, and the Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed in March 2022.
• The meeting called for the early finalisation of conventions on extradition, transfer of sentenced persons and combating trafficking in persons. It also called for a Standard Operating Procedure to rescue, repatriate and reintegrate victims of human trafficking.
• The declaration called for developing the BIMSTEC Drug Offences Monitoring Desk, exploring regional information-sharing mechanisms and strengthening training and capacity-building to combat transnational crimes.
• The meeting recognised the role of the Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime and welcomed BIMSTEC’s observer status in the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering. It also encouraged cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, International Criminal Police Organization and Financial Action Task Force, along with regular Home Ministers’ Meetings.

About BIMSTEC

• BIMSTEC was established on 6 June 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration. It serves as a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia, and its Secretariat is located in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

3rd International Bharat 6G Symposium 2026 Inaugurated in New Delhi

• The 3rd International Bharat 6G Symposium 2026 was inaugurated by Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi.
• Organised by the Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA), the symposium was held from 7 to 9 October 2026 to promote collaboration among policymakers, global technology alliances, telecommunications operators, industry leaders, academia and research institutions for next-generation communication technologies and India's 6G ambitions.

Key Highlights

• During the inaugural ceremony, the Bharat 6G Alliance exchanged five new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with GSMA, one6G Association, GTI Alliance Limited, 6G Industry Forum and VoICE to strengthen international cooperation in research, innovation, standardisation, technology development and deployment.
• With these additions, the Alliance's broader partnership network increased to 17 collaborations, building on its existing 10 international and 2 domestic Memoranda of Understanding and Memoranda of Intent.
• The Bharat 6G Alliance released nine Working Group white papers covering key technological and policy aspects of India's 6G development:
1. 6G Technology Landscape Survey and Roadmap for Research and Development, Platforms and Trials in India
2. Integrated Sensing and Communication for 6G: Technologies, Architectures, Applications, and Future Directions
3. Fixed Wireless Access: Bharat's Broadband Backbone from 5G to 6G
4. Role of Optical Technologies for 6G
5. A Perspective on International Mobile Telecommunications Spectrum Readiness towards 2030 and Beyond
6. Sustainable 6G: Designing Networks for a Carbon Net Zero Future
7. Cellular and Wi-Fi Synergy: Global Pathways to Inclusive Connectivity
8. Captive Non-Public Network
9. Security for 6G
• The white papers address 6G technology development and trials, spectrum readiness, integrated sensing and communication, broadband connectivity, optical technologies, sustainability, enterprise networks, cellular and Wi-Fi convergence, and network security.
• The Alliance released the joint report titled “Progress towards the 6G Principles of the New Delhi Declaration: Actions, Outcomes and Outlook – First Edition, October 2026”, marking one year since the New Delhi Declaration was endorsed at the International Bharat 6G Symposium 2025.
• The Bharat 6G Alliance will continue collaborating with its members and international partners to develop a secure, inclusive, sustainable and globally interoperable 6G ecosystem, strengthening India's contribution to next-generation telecommunications.

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

Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Completes One Year with Progress Across 100 Agricultural Districts

• The Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) completed its first year, with all 100 identified agricultural districts preparing District Action Plans.
• The average score across six key objectives increased from 18.85 in April 2026 to 46.89 in August 2026.
• The scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet on 16 July 2025, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 11 October 2025, and commenced in the financial year 2025–2026. It is a six-year initiative.

Key Highlights

• The scheme aims to improve agricultural productivity, irrigation infrastructure, crop diversification, post-harvest storage, access to agricultural credit and governance through district-specific interventions.
• It brings together 36 Central Government schemes across 11 Ministries and Departments, along with State Government schemes and private-sector participation, to address local agricultural challenges.
• The scheme covers 100 Aspirational Agricultural Districts, selected based on low agricultural productivity, low cropping intensity and low agricultural credit disbursement. Selection also considered the share of net cropped area and operational landholdings in each State and Union Territory, ensuring that every State has at least one selected district.
• Implementation follows a three-tier structure involving district-, State- and national-level committees. District Action Plans are prepared using baseline assessments and diagnostic analysis, with targets, annual milestones and interventions linked to relevant government schemes.
• The District Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Samiti, headed by the District Collector or District Magistrate, prepares and implements the district action plan. State-level committees headed by the Chief Secretary review and monitor the plans, while national-level committees oversee implementation.
• Progress is monitored through 121 indicators across 36 schemes, comprising 74 output indicators and 47 outcome indicators. The scheme's dashboard became operational in the last week of October 2025, and monthly rankings based on output indicators began in November 2025.
• Between April and August 2026, the scores for all six objectives improved: agricultural productivity from 1.50 to 8.08; crop diversification and sustainable agricultural practices from 4.08 to 10.18; post-harvest storage from 2.14 to 5.19; irrigation infrastructure from 1.38 to 4.91; agricultural credit access from 2.40 to 6.53; and governance and service delivery from 7.41 to 12.05. These scores reflect progress in monitored indicators but do not independently establish equivalent increases in farm output or farmers' incomes.
• The PMDDKY FPO Sangam, held in December 2025, brought together more than 72 Farmer Producer Organisations from 15 States and 33 PMDDKY districts. Discussions covered natural farming, oilseeds, beekeeping, protected cultivation, micro-irrigation, institutional finance and digital agriculture.
• In Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, Desaiganj Farmers Producer Company Limited, with 800 farmer members, operates a rice-processing unit with a capacity of 3 tonnes per hour and a warehouse with a capacity of 900 metric tonnes. It recorded a turnover of ₹1.24 crore in the financial year 2025–2026.
• In Tumakuru, Karnataka, Tiptur Farmer Producer Company Limited, with 750 farmer members, supplies ball copra to a French multinational company. It recorded a turnover of ₹1.60 crore in the financial year 2025–2026 and had aggregated more than 138 tonnes of copra worth over ₹1.9 crore as of 12 September 2026.
• In Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, Jaisalmer Krishi Fed Producer Company Limited promotes Integrated Pest Management-based cumin cultivation across 2,000 acres and uses solar-powered sprinkler irrigation across 500 acres, supporting efficient water use, renewable energy and agricultural productivity.
• The Department of Public Enterprises has included the adoption of PMDDKY districts by Central Public Sector Enterprises for corporate social responsibility activities during the financial years 2026–2027 and 2027–2028.

Nameri Tiger Reserve in Assam Receives Conservation Assured Tiger Standards Approval

• Nameri Tiger Reserve in Assam received Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards (CA|TS) Approved status in September 2026 for meeting prescribed standards for tiger conservation and protected area management.
• With this recognition, all four tiger reserves in Assam—Kaziranga, Manas, Orang and Nameri—have received Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards Approved status.
• Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards is a global framework used to assess the effectiveness of tiger reserve management and protection.

Key Highlights

• The framework was launched at the First Asian Parks Congress in Japan in 2013 to establish standards for effective tiger conservation.
• The framework assesses key areas, including wildlife protection, habitat management, community involvement, tourism management and tiger population monitoring.
• Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards comprises 7 pillars and 17 elements, which provide standards and criteria for managing tiger conservation areas. Its seven pillars are Importance and Status, Management, Community, Tourism (optional), Protection, Habitat Management and Tiger Populations
• The Global Tiger Forum and World Wide Fund for Nature–India are the implementing partners of the National Tiger Conservation Authority for Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards assessments in India.

About Assam:

• Chief Minister: Himanta Biswa Sharma
• Governor: Lakshman Prasad Acharya
• Capital: Dispur
• National Parks: Kaziranga, Manas, Nameri, Orang, Dibru-Saikhowa, Dihing Patkai, Raimona National Parks
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Pobitora, Hollongapar Gibbon, Chakrasila, Sonai Rupai, Amchang Wildlife Sanctuaries

Nagaland Launches Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana to Support 4,000 Extremely Vulnerable Households

• Nagaland launched the Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana (SAY-SOBLOK) through a three-year Memorandum of Understanding between the Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM) and BRAC International.
• The agreement was signed in Kohima by Moa Sangtam, Mission Director of the Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission, and Shweta S. Banerjee, India Country Lead of BRAC International, in the presence of Thavaseelan K, Commissioner and Secretary of the Rural Development Department, and other officials.

Key Highlights

• The programme operates under the Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission and aims to support 4,000 extremely vulnerable households in Nagaland to move out of poverty.
• The initiative will adopt BRAC International’s Graduation Approach, which uses a sequenced and time-bound model to help vulnerable households achieve sustainable livelihoods and improve their economic conditions.
• The programme combines household-level coaching, livelihood development, financial inclusion, access to government entitlements and services, social empowerment, and resilience-building.
• The Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission will lead implementation in the state, while BRAC International will provide technical assistance, knowledge support, implementation support, monitoring and evidence generation.
• The programme will use existing community institutions, including Village Level Organisations and Cluster Level Federations, to identify beneficiaries and provide need-based support.
• SAY-SOBLOK derives its name from the Nagamese phrase “Sob manu logot dangor kaam kora,” which conveys the idea of inclusive and collective growth.

About Nagaland:

• Chief Minister: Neiphiu Rio
• Governor: Nand Kishore Yadav
• Capital: Kohima
• National Parks: Ntangki National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary, Puliebadze Wildlife Sanctuary, Rangapahar Wildlife Sanctuary, Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Oscar Whitfield Named Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026

• Oscar Whitfield, a 14-year-old British photographer living in Zimbabwe, was named Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 for his black- and-white photograph titled “Labour of Love”, featuring a dung beetle pushing a ball of dung.
• Whitfield captured the winning photograph in Zimbabwe by lying on the ground and positioning his camera at the beetle’s eye level to photograph its behaviour.

Key Highlights

• The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is organised by the Natural History Museum in London, United Kingdom. Its 62nd edition in 2026 received a record 65,403 entries from 121 countries and territories.
• The competition recognises both an overall adult winner and an overall young photographer winner.
• For the first time in the competition’s 62-year history, both the adult and young overall winners were recognised for black-and-white photographs.
• Dung beetles, many of which belong to the subfamily Scarabaeinae of the family Scarabaeidae, feed partly or entirely on dung. Some species roll dung into balls, while others bury it underground or store it in underground chambers.

United States President Donald Trump Presents National Science and Technology Medals to Elon Musk and Other Technology Leaders

• United States President Donald Trump presented the National Medal of Science to Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX and Tesla, at a ceremony held in Washington, United States, under the summit titled “Science: A New Golden Age.”

Key Highlights

• Musk was among six technology leaders who received prestigious national awards. Trump described Musk as a “national treasure” and compared him to American inventor Thomas Edison.
• Along with Elon Musk, Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google; Jensen Huang, Chief Executive Officer of Nvidia; and Lisa Su, Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Micro Devices, received the National Medal of Science.
• Michael Dell, founder of Dell Technologies, and Satya Nadella, Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft, received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the United States' top award in the field of technology and innovation.
• Musk, a major donor to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, had worked with the administration on efforts to reduce federal government spending and the workforce.
• Their subsequent dispute involved Trump's threat to deport Musk and Musk's allegations concerning Trump's links to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
• During the ceremony, Trump received a framed National Medal of Science awarded posthumously to his late uncle, John Trump, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who died in 1983.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

The ePlane Company Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Noida International Airport to Develop Electric Air Taxi Infrastructure

• The ePlane Company and Noida International Airport signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop infrastructure and operational frameworks for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft and future Advanced Air Mobility services.
• The agreement covers the development of vertiports, charging facilities, regulatory procedures and operational systems required to support electric aircraft operations.

Key Highlights

• Under the agreement, Noida International Airport will provide space within its premises for proof-of-concept trials, vertiports and charging stations. The airport will also work to align its Standard Operating Procedures with electric aircraft operations.
• The partnership aims to support potential airport-to-airport travel, intra-city commutes, air ambulance services and urban cargo transportation using the ePlane Company's e200X aircraft.
• The two organisations will collaborate with regulatory authorities, Air Traffic Control authorities and state governments to develop safety frameworks, Vertiport Management Systems and artificial intelligence-assisted fleet scheduling systems that can connect with smart city infrastructure.
• The agreement comes as The ePlane Company continues developing its full-scale e200X PT-01 prototype, unveiled in July 2026. The prototype is currently undergoing ground testing.
• According to the company, its prototype development follows more than 10,000 kilometres of cumulative flight testing conducted using its technology demonstrators.
• The ePlane Company will seek the required clearances from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security while continuing its prototype development and flight-testing programme.
• Founded in 2019, The ePlane Company was incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras Incubation Cell and is based at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras Discovery Campus in Thaiyur, Chennai.
• It operates a facility spanning more than 60,000 square feet for electric aircraft prototyping, manufacturing and testing.
• The company became the first private Indian entity to receive Design Organisation Approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
• The authority formally accepted its e200X Type Certification application in 2024, and the company is targeting commercialisation in 2028.

ReNew Wind Energy Private Limited Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Maharashtra Government to Develop ₹70,000 Crore Green Data Centre Park

• ReNew Wind Energy Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of clean energy company ReNew, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maharashtra Government to develop an integrated green data centre park worth ₹70,000 crore in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
• The proposed data centre park will have a planned capacity of 750 megawatts and will be developed across locations including Panvel, Khalapur, Taloja and Bhokharpada, covering Navi Mumbai and the wider Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Key Highlights

• The project is expected to begin operations in phases from 2028, combining digital infrastructure development with renewable energy utilisation.
• The facility is expected to use at least 51% green power to support its operations, reduce its carbon footprint and promote the integration of clean energy with energy-intensive digital infrastructure.
• Plans include facilitating two incoming electricity feeders from independent sources to the data centre park's substation to improve electricity supply reliability and operational resilience.
• The Maharashtra Government will facilitate the required permissions, registrations, approvals, clearances and applicable fiscal incentives, subject to prevailing policies and regulations.
• The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by P. Anbalagan, Principal Secretary of the Industries, Investment and Services Department and Chief Executive Officer of Invest Maharashtra, along with ReNew's Maharashtra state head.
• The project is expected to generate around 7,000 employment opportunities, including more than 2,000 direct jobs, across construction, engineering, information technology, data management, cybersecurity, facilities management and related sectors.
• The investment supports Maharashtra's ambition to become a United States dollar 1 trillion economy by 2030 and its efforts to attract investment in data centres, semiconductors, information technology and clean energy.
• ReNew has approximately 2.5 gigawatts of power capacity across its operations in Maharashtra, including commissioned and under-construction wind and solar energy projects. The company has invested around ₹15,000 crore in the state to date.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

India and the United Kingdom Begin Joint Naval Exercise KONKAN-26 off the Coast of Plymouth

• The Indian Navy (IN) and the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN) commenced the bilateral maritime exercise KONKAN-26 from 8 to 15 October 2026.
• Exercise KONKAN-26 is being conducted off the coast of Plymouth, United Kingdom (UK), to strengthen maritime cooperation between India and the UK.
• The Indian Navy participated in the exercise with INS Trishul, a guided-missile stealth frigate, which arrived at Plymouth, UK.
• The main objective of KONKAN-26 is to enhance interoperability, operational coordination, maritime cooperation, and the exchange of best practices between the two navies.
• The exercise is conducted in two phases: Harbour Phase and Sea Phase.
• The Harbour Phase includes professional interactions, cross-deck visits, sports fixtures, and cultural engagements, and INS Trishul is open to visitors during this phase.
• The Sea Phase involves complex maritime operational drills across the air, surface, and sub-surface domains.
• The Sea Phase includes flying operations with cross-deck landings, firing serials, air-defence exercises, complex seamanship evolutions, and anti-submarine warfare exercises.
• KONKAN is the annual bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the UK’s Royal Navy, and it has grown in scale and complexity over the past two decades.
• The exercise strengthens mutual understanding and interoperability and supports cooperation in maritime security.
• KONKAN-26 reaffirms the shared commitment of India and the UK to maintaining secure, open, and free seas.
• The exercise supports the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UK, as outlined in India–UK Vision 2035.
• KONKAN-26 aims to improve the ability of both navies to operate seamlessly in complex maritime scenarios and contribute to maritime peace and security.

Indian Army Introduces ‘Bharat Rice’ Initiative for Troops in the Presence of Defence and Consumer Affairs Ministers

• The Indian Army (IA) launched the Bharat Rice initiative on 12 October 2026 in New Delhi, Delhi, to provide superior-quality rice directly to defence personnel.
• The initiative was launched in the presence of Rajnath Singh, Union Minister of Defence, and Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
• The Directorate General of Supplies and Transport (DGST) is spearheading the Bharat Rice initiative, incorporating continuous feedback from troops to improve ration quality.

Key Highlights :

• Under the initiative, rice will be delivered directly to Army Supply Depots, including remote locations in Ladakh and the North East, instead of requiring Army depots to collect supplies from local FCI
• During Financial Year 2026–27 (FY27), the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) will procure and supply rice for defence requirements.
• Bharat Rice will be supplied in 10 kg and 30 kg bags to facilitate easy handling and transportation, particularly across difficult terrain and at forward posts.
• The rice will be milled according to prescribed defence specifications and undergo the required quality-control checks, with minimal broken, damaged and discoloured grains and no foreign matter or impurities.
• The Indian Army signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to utilise its infrastructure during operational contingencies; the agreement is extendable by mutual consent.
• The FCI MoU provides the Indian Army access to identified warehousing infrastructure, trained labour and material-handling equipment to strengthen military logistics preparedness.
• Lessons from Operation Sindoor highlighted the need for resilient logistics arrangements to manage sudden and prolonged operational contingencies.
• The agreement enables additional storage, rapid mobilisation, dispersion and forward positioning of rations, stores and equipment closer to operational areas.
• Coordination under the MoU will take place between the Army’s Supply and Transport elements and FCI’s Regional and Divisional Offices, with arrangements integrated into operational logistics plans.
• The initiative follows approximately 18 months of coordination among the Indian Army, FCI, NAFED and the Department of Food and Public Distribution.
• The Bharat Rice initiative reflects a whole-of-government approach and aligns with the vision of PM Gati Shakti, while making better use of existing national infrastructure.
• The Indian Army has introduced other ration-related measures, including additional rations for Agniveer recruits, greater commonality in ration scales across the three Services, and a proposal to introduce organic rations.

About Food Corporation of India (FCI) :

• Established : 1965 under the Food Corporations Act, 1964
• Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi.

Indian Coast Guard Successfully Completes High-Altitude Mount Mukut Expedition

• A 17-member Indian Coast Guard (ICG) mountaineering team successfully scaled Mount Mukut, at an elevation of 7,045 metres, on 7 October 2026.
• The expedition was named “Tat Se Parwat”, meaning “From Sea to Summit”, and was part of the ICG’s preparations for a proposed Mount Everest expedition in 2027.
• Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami flagged in the successful mountaineering team at a ceremony held in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, on 12 October 2026.
• The expedition marked Phase V and the final phase of an 18-month preparatory training programme for the proposed Everest expedition.
• The expedition commenced on 15 September 2026, and the team established Base Camp-I on 1 October 2026 before reaching the summit on 7 October 2026, despite extreme weather conditions.
• The team received expert guidance from the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), Darjeeling, West Bengal, which was established in 1954 and provides mountaineering training.
• The Mount Mukut expedition marked the first time ICG personnel completed a flag expedition to a peak above 7,000 metres.
• The proposed Mount Everest expedition is planned for 2027, coinciding with the Indian Coast Guard’s Golden Jubilee (Swarnim Jayanti) celebrations, marking 50 years since its establishment in 1977.
• Mount Everest, at 8,848.86 metres, is the world’s highest mountain above sea level.
• Director-General of the Indian Coast Guard Paramesh Sivamani flagged off the expedition on 15 September 2026.
• The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) was established in 1977 and serves as India’s maritime law-enforcement and search-and-rescue force.

Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026 Comes into Effect on 8 October 2026

• The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026 came into force on 8 October 2026, following a notification issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Act on 9 April 2026.
• The Act establishes a common legal framework for regulating the recruitment and service conditions of Group A General Duty officers and other officers in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
• Under the Act, 50% of posts at the Inspector General (IG) rank and a minimum of 67% of posts at the Additional Director General (ADG) rank are to be filled by Indian Police Service (IPS) officers on deputation.
• The Act applies to five Central Armed Police Forces: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
• On 23 May 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that Group A officers of the CAPFs constitute Organised Services and directed the government to progressively reduce IPS deputation to senior posts up to the Inspector General (IG) rank within an outer limit of two years.
• The Supreme Court also directed a time-bound review of CAPF cadre structures and service rules within six months of its May 2025 judgment.
• The constitutional validity of the CAPF (General Administration) Act, 2026 has been challenged before the Supreme Court, with the connected writ petitions and contempt proceedings scheduled to be heard together on 15 October 2026.
• The contempt proceedings concern allegations that the Union Government has not fully implemented the Supreme Court’s 23 May 2025 judgment on CAPF cadre management and IPS deputation.
• According to an affidavit filed by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, 46 IPS officers had been deputed to CAPFs up to the Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) level after the May 2025 judgment.
• The cadre dispute affects approximately 13,000 serving and retired CAPF officers, according to the Alliance of All Ex-Para-Military Forces Welfare Association.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

India and UK Strengthen Science and Innovation Ties at 8th Council Meeting Led by Dr. Jitendra Singh and Jonathan Reynolds

• The 8th India–UK Science and Innovation Council (SIC) Meeting was held in New Delhi, co-chaired by Jitendra Singh, India’s Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, and Jonathan Reynolds, the UK Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Trade.
• The meeting reviewed India–UK bilateral science and innovation cooperation, focusing on research partnerships, emerging technologies and the commercialisation of scientific research.
• Jitendra Singh and Jonathan Reynolds jointly inaugurated the BRIC-CDFD–ONT India Genomics Centre of Excellence.
• The India Genomics Centre of Excellence involves the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC)–Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT).
• India–UK science cooperation is guided by the India–UK Research and Innovation Memorandum of Understanding, the Technology Security Initiative, and India–UK Vision 2035.
• The Department of Science and Technology (DST) collaborates with Innovate UK to support joint industrial research and development projects that develop new intellectual property, technologies, processes and prototypes.
• Eight joint industrial R&D projects have been agreed for support in areas including advanced manufacturing, power electronics and net-zero technologies.
• Key areas of India–UK collaboration include Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum technologies, semiconductors, critical minerals, advanced materials, biotechnology, telecommunications and net-zero technologies.
• Joint research also covers antimicrobial resistance, healthcare, agriculture, climate and weather science, geohazards, advanced manufacturing and fundamental science.
• India–UK cooperation in weather and climate science focuses on natural hazards associated with the South Asian monsoon, improved modelling and risk-based forecasting.

Research, Development and Innovation Fund Selects First Batch of 19 Second-Level Fund Managers to Boost India’s Research and Innovation

• The Research, Development and Innovation Fund (RDIF) announced its first cohort of 19 Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs) as a major milestone in implementing India’s ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme.
• On 8 October 2026, the Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) approved 19 SLFMs, comprising 14 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) and 5 Focused Research Organisations (FROs).
• The total RDIF commitment to the first cohort is ₹7,131 crore.
• The ₹1 lakh crore RDI Scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2025 to transform India from a technology consumer into a global technology developer and provider.
• The RDIF aims to provide long-term, patient capital for high-risk, high-impact research and development (R&D) and address the financing gap that limits private-sector investment in emerging and strategic technologies.
• The RDIF is managed by an Independent Business Unit housed within the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology.
• The first call for applications from prospective Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs) was launched in January 2026.
• Applications underwent a multi-stage evaluation process, including objective assessment, interactions with an Expert Advisory Committee, and consideration by the ANRF Executive Council before approval by the EGoS.
• The approved 19 SLFMs will channel RDIF capital to Eligible Technology Enterprises (ETEs) undertaking research, development, and innovation activities at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above.
• The selected SLFMs are expected to mobilise private capital equivalent to the RDIF contribution, helping increase private-sector participation in research and innovation.
• The Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) also approved five additional technologies for coverage under the RDI Fund.
• The RDIF aims to strengthen India’s technological sovereignty, reduce dependence on imported technologies, and build a globally competitive, innovation-led economy.
• The scheme supports private-sector-led R&D in “Science 4 Technology” and aligns with the national visions of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047.
• The RDIF will continue inviting applications and onboarding additional cohorts of SLFMs to expand public–private partnerships and investment in India’s research, development, and innovation ecosystem.

Indian Institute of Creative Technologies and YouTube Launch Four AI-Powered Short Films Under the Create with AI Programme

• The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) and YouTube unveiled the first four AI-enabled short films under the “Create with AI” programme in October 2026.
• The Create with AI programme was announced in November 2025 to promote AI-led creative projects and strengthen India’s capabilities in emerging technologies and AI-assisted filmmaking.
• The four short films were unveiled at the IICT Theatre in Mumbai, Maharashtra, and released simultaneously on the filmmakers’ YouTube channels.
• The four films explore history, mythology, human emotions, and space exploration, demonstrating the creative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in filmmaking.
• Chekavar, produced by Avium Studios, is a fictional cinematic story inspired by the historic Battle of Colachel (1741).
• CHANAKYA – The Mind of an Empire, produced by Eleventh Door Studio, is a historical epic about Chanakya, the strategist and architect of the Mauryan Empire.
• DEVI: The Nine Astras, produced by Kalpanik Films, portrays the divine manifestation of Shakti and her battle to restore cosmic balance.
• Laika, produced by Karthik Kult Kreations, explores the emotional journey of a dog sent into space, highlighting courage, sacrifice, and the bond between humans and animals.
• The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) is India’s National Centre of Excellence for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR).
• IICT was established through collaboration among the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, Government of Maharashtra, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
• IICT’s first campus began functioning at the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) Complex in July 2025.
• A permanent 10-acre IICT campus is being developed at Film City, Goregaon, Mumbai.
• IICT currently offers 18 courses and has partnerships with leading global technology and media companies.

Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences,Physical Research Laboratory, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and IIT Roorkee Researchers Investigate the Sun’s Microwave Polar Brightening

• Researchers from ARIES, Udaipur Solar Observatory (USO)/Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, and IIT Roorkee investigated the mystery of microwave polar brightening in the Sun.
• The study used nearly three decades of observations from the Nobeyama Radioheliograph (NoRH) operating at 17 GHz.
• The research combined radio observations with extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) observations from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and magnetic-field measurements from the Wilcox Solar Observatory (WSO).
• The study found a strong relationship between microwave polar brightening and the size of polar coronal holes, with an even stronger relationship observed with the strength of the Sun’s polar magnetic field.
• Researchers identified a clear north–south difference in the long-term evolution of microwave polar brightening and the area of polar coronal holes.
• Many localized microwave-bright regions coincided with coronal bright points, which are small, bright features formed by small-scale magnetic loops within polar coronal holes.
• Some bright regions were also associated with coronal jets, indicating continuous small-scale magnetic activity in the Sun’s polar atmosphere.
• The study concluded that both large-scale magnetic processes and small-scale magnetic structures influence microwave polar brightening.
• The findings improve understanding of the Sun’s polar magnetic field, atmospheric temperature conditions, solar activity, and the origin of the solar wind.
• The research findings were published in The Astrophysical Journal.
• ARIES stands for Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, located in Nainital, Uttarakhand.

Technology Development Board-Department of Science and Technology Provides ₹86 Crore Research, Development and Innovation Fund Support to Peptris to Accelerate AI-Driven Drug Discovery and Development

• The Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, signed an agreement with Peptris Technologies Private Limited, Bengaluru, Karnataka, to provide ₹86 crore in financial support under the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund.
• The project is titled VIGOR: Advancing AI-Discovered Molecules from Bench to Clinic.
• The total project cost is ₹172 crore, with TDB providing ₹86 crore through Optionally Convertible Debt (OCD).
• The primary objective of VIGOR is to advance four AI-discovered drug candidates from Technology Readiness Level (TRL)-4 to TRL-6.
• The project aims to accelerate the development of next-generation therapeutics using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and bridge the gap between computational drug discovery and clinical development.
• The four drug candidates under the VIGOR programme are PEPR111, targeting neuromuscular disorders and oncology; PEPRX101, targeting alopecia; PEPR202, targeting neuropathy; and PEPR112, targeting Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).
• All four drug candidates are currently at TRL-4, and the project aims to advance them to TRL-6 through further development and validation.
• The programme is planned over three years and includes advanced preclinical studies, Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies, formulation development, clinical trial preparation and initiation activities, subject to scientific and regulatory requirements.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) supports drug discovery by helping researchers identify promising molecules, investigate disease mechanisms and accelerate the search for potential treatments.
• The VIGOR programme addresses the challenge of converting AI-generated discoveries into viable drug candidates through experimental validation, preclinical studies and clinical development.
• Peptris Technologies will use its proprietary AI-driven drug discovery platform to advance drug candidates towards clinical development.
• The programme combines AI-enabled drug discovery, scientific validation and established drug-development processes, supported by global Contract Research Organisation (CRO)
• The initiative focuses on therapeutic areas with significant unmet medical needs, aiming to develop novel treatments for conditions where effective treatment options remain limited.
• The project seeks to strengthen the translation of AI-led research into potential therapeutic products and accelerate innovation in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.

 CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Shafali Verma and Shubman Gill Named International Cricket Council Players of the Month for September 2026

• Indian opener Shafali Verma was named the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s Player of the Month for September 2026, following her contributions to India’s title-winning campaigns in the Women’s Asia Cup and the Asian Games.
• Indian captain Shubman Gill was named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for September 2026 for his performance in the One-Day International (ODI) series against the West Indies.

Key Highlights

• Shafali won the monthly award for the second time. Her previous win came in November 2025, when she helped India win the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup on home soil.
• She was also India’s highest run-scorer in the Women’s Asia Cup.
• Gill scored 333 runs in India’s first two One Day Internationals against the West Indies, including a century in the first match and an unbeaten double century in the second. India won both matches by eight wickets.
• Gill received the award ahead of fellow nominees Abhishek Sharma of India and Sikandar Raza of Zimbabwe.
• This was Gill’s fifth ICC Men’s Player of the Month award, following his earlier wins in January 2023, September 2023, February 2025 and July 2025, extending his record for the most wins in the men’s category.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2026 Observed on 13 October

• The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) is observed annually on 13 October to raise awareness about disaster risk reduction and recognise efforts to reduce disaster vulnerability and losses of life, livelihoods, the economy and health.
• The theme for International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2026 is “Resilience Starts at Home”.
• The day recognises individuals and groups working in communities worldwide to reduce their vulnerability to disasters and highlights the importance of increasing public awareness of disaster risks and the need to address them.
• The United Nations General Assembly established the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction in 1989 through a resolution.
• On 21 December 2009, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 13 October as the observance date and renaming it the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Department of Posts Observes National Postal Week 2026 from 9 to 15 October

• The Department of Posts is observing National Postal Week 2026 from 9 to 15 October, commencing with World Post Day on 9 October 2026.
• The theme of World Post Day 2026 is “World Post Day: One Postal Network, Infinite Possibilities.”
• National Postal Week 2026 focuses on making postal services more convenient, accessible and responsive to citizens’ changing needs.
• Initiatives such as N-Gen Post Offices and Jan Sewa Connect Post Offices aim to create modern and inclusive service spaces, while the Dak Sewa App and Dak Mitra App improve access to postal services through digital platforms.
• The week-long celebrations highlight the Department of Posts’ contribution to financial inclusion, digital empowerment, mail and parcel services, philately, technology and innovation, promoting a modern and citizen-centric postal ecosystem.
• World Post Day – 9 October 2026 (Friday): Highlights the importance of postal services in connecting people, communities and businesses and improving communication and access to essential services.
• Fun with Philately Day – 12 October 2026 (Monday): Promotes the cultural, educational and historical significance of stamp collecting and postal heritage, encouraging the preservation of India’s diverse heritage.
• Financial Inclusion and Customer Contact Services (CCS) Day – 13 October 2026 (Tuesday): Highlights the Department’s role in expanding access to financial services through its extensive postal network, particularly among people from diverse geographical and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Mails and Parcels Day – 14 October 2026 (Wednesday): Focuses on reliable, efficient and accessible mail and parcel services that connect individuals, businesses and institutions and facilitate the movement of communications and goods.
• Technology and Innovation Day – 15 October 2026 (Thursday): Showcases the adoption of technology and innovative solutions to improve postal operations, enhance service delivery and increase convenience and accessibility for citizens.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Apollo Software Pioneer Margaret Hamilton Passed Away at 90

• Margaret Hamilton, a pioneering American computer scientist who helped develop software for National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Apollo missions, Passed away at the age of 90.
• She led the Software Engineering Division of the MIT Instrumentation Laboratory, which developed and tested the onboard flight software for NASA’s Apollo missions.
• Hamilton led a team of approximately 100 engineers responsible for designing software that guided NASA’s Apollo spacecraft, including the command modules and lunar landers.
• Her team’s software played a crucial role in the successful Apollo 11 Moon landing in 1969, which carried astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the lunar surface.
• Margaret Hamilton is recognised as one of the pioneers of software engineering and helped establish it as a professional discipline.
• In 2016, then-US President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour in the United States, for her contributions to science and space exploration.
• Hamilton was born in 1936 in Paoli, Indiana, USA, and earned a degree in mathematics from Earlham College, Indiana, after studying at the University of Michigan.
• She joined MIT in 1959 and worked there until the mid-1970s, contributing to the development of critical software for NASA’s Apollo programme.
• Her work helped make spacecraft software more reliable, robust and resistant to errors, improving the safety of Apollo missions.
• In 2003, she received NASA’s Exceptional Space Act Award in recognition of her contributions to space exploration.

 Daily CA One- Liner: October 15

• The Prime Minister GatiShakti National Master Plan completed five years on 13 October 2026, marking progress in integrated infrastructure planning and development in India
• The first Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Home Ministers’ Meeting concluded in New Delhi with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration, under the chairmanship of the union home minister
• The 3rd International Bharat 6G Symposium 2026 was inaugurated by Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi
• The Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) completed its first year, with all 100 identified agricultural districts preparing District Action Plans
• Nameri Tiger Reserve in Assam received Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards (CA|TS) Approved status in September 2026 for meeting prescribed standards for tiger conservation and protected area management
• Nagaland launched the Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana (SAY-SOBLOK) through a three-year Memorandum of Understanding between the Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM) and BRAC International
• Oscar Whitfield, a 14-year-old British photographer living in Zimbabwe, was named Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 for his black- and-white photograph titled “Labour of Love”, featuring a dung beetle pushing a ball of dung
• United States President Donald Trump presented the National Medal of Science to Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX and Tesla, at a ceremony held in Washington, United States, under the summit titled “Science: A New Golden Age.”
• The ePlane Company and Noida International Airport signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop infrastructure and operational frameworks for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft and future Advanced Air Mobility services
• ReNew Wind Energy Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of clean energy company ReNew, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maharashtra Government to develop an integrated green data centre park worth ₹70,000 crore in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region
• Indian opener Shafali Verma was named the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s Player of the Month for September 2026, following her contributions to India’s title-winning campaigns in the Women’s Asia Cup and the Asian Games
• The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) is observed annually on 13 October to raise awareness about disaster risk reduction and recognise efforts to reduce disaster vulnerability and losses of life, livelihoods, the economy and health
• The Department of Posts is observing National Postal Week 2026 from 9 to 15 October, commencing with World Post Day on 9 October 2026.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) increased the minimum daily Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) maintenance requirement for scheduled banks from 90% to 99%, effective from the reporting fortnight beginning 16 October 2026.
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released its October 2026 World Economic Outlook (WEO) titled “Resilience Under Strain, Urgent Choices.”
• The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released the Trade and Development Report 2026, titled “The Geoeconomics of Development.”
• The World Trade Organization (WTO) raised its forecast for global merchandise trade volume growth in 2026 to 3.9%, up from 1.9% projected in its March outlook.
• The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), in partnership with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), released the 2026 Living Planet Report (LPR) titled “The Science of Hope.”
• The Indian Navy (IN) and the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN) commenced the bilateral maritime exercise KONKAN-26 from 8 to 15 October 2026.
• The Indian Army (IA) launched the Bharat Rice initiative on 12 October 2026 in New Delhi, Delhi, to provide superior-quality rice directly to defence personnel.
• A 17-member Indian Coast Guard (ICG) mountaineering team successfully scaled Mount Mukut, at an elevation of 7,045 metres, on 7 October 2026.
• The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026 came into force on 8 October 2026, following a notification issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• The 8th India–UK Science and Innovation Council (SIC) Meeting was held in New Delhi, co-chaired by Dr. Jitendra Singh, India’s Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, and Jonathan Reynolds, the UK Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Trade.
• The Research, Development and Innovation Fund (RDIF) announced its first cohort of 19 Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs) as a major milestone in implementing India’s ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme.
• The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) and YouTube unveiled the first four AI-enabled short films under the “Create with AI” programme in October 2026.
• Researchers from ARIES, Udaipur Solar Observatory (USO)/Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, and IIT Roorkee investigated the mystery of microwave polar brightening in the Sun.
• The Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, signed an agreement with Peptris Technologies Private Limited, Bengaluru, Karnataka, to provide ₹86 crore in financial support under the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund.
• Margaret Hamilton, a pioneering American computer scientist who helped develop software for National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Apollo missions, Passed away at the age of 90.