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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange Introduces NDEX and FINNDEX Indices, Expanding into Equity Markets

• National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) launched two rule-based equity indices, NDEX and FINNDEX, on 22 October 2026, marking its entry into the equity and equity derivatives markets.
• NDEX comprises 20 large and liquid Indian equities selected from the top 60 NSE-listed companies.
• FINNDEX tracks 15 financial-sector stocks, excluding insurance companies, selected from the top 40 eligible companies.
• The indices use a multi-factor selection and weighting methodology comprising free-float market capitalisation (30%), average daily traded value (30%), beta (20%) and volatility (20%).
• The maximum weight of an individual stock in either index is capped at 15%.
• NCDEX Ltd owns the indices, while NSE Indices Ltd calculates and maintains them.
• The indices are reviewed and rebalanced twice a year, in March and September.
• The base month for both indices is January 2010, and their base value is 10,000.
• The index values are disseminated in real time during market hours.

India’s First Maritime Non-Banking Financial Company,Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited, Disburses ₹5,107 Crore and Targets ₹60,205 Crore by FY 2030–31

• Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the corporate office of Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL) on 23 October 2026 at the Institute for Studies in Industrial Development (ISID), New Delhi.

Key Highlights :

• Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL) is India’s first dedicated Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) for the maritime sector.
• SMFCL provides long-term financing for port-led development, shipbuilding, coastal connectivity and maritime infrastructure.
• SMFCL began its lending operations on 31 December 2025, with an initial loan sanction of approximately ₹4,300 crore.
• SMFCL set a loan-book target of ₹8,000 crore for FY 2025–26.
• As of 30 September 2026, SMFCL had sanctioned ₹11,563 crore in financing and disbursed ₹5,107 crore.
• In 2026, SMFCL disbursed its first loan of ₹150 crore to the Dredging Corporation of India and a loan of ₹110 crore to Goa Shipyard.
• SMFCL aims to achieve cumulative disbursements of ₹60,205 crore by the end of FY 2030–31, subject to adequate equity support and compliance with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) norms, including applicable debt-to-equity requirements.
• The Maritime Development Fund (MDF) has two components: the Maritime Investment Fund (MIF) and the Interest Incentivisation Fund (IIF).
• SBI Ventures Limited has been appointed as the Fund Manager for the Maritime Investment Fund (MIF).
• Registration of the MIF as an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is expected by the end of November 2026.
• The MIF targets its first close of ₹5,000 crore by January 2027.
• The Interest Incentivisation Fund (IIF) provides interest support to eligible borrowers in the maritime sector.
• The IIF’s online portal, iifmdf.in, is operational and supports loans worth ₹4,500 crore.
• Approximately ₹25 crore has been released as interest subvention under the IIF against interest paid by borrowers.
• A Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) is a company that undertakes financial activities such as lending and is subject to RBI regulation.
• Unlike banks, NBFCs cannot accept demand deposits or issue cheques drawn on themselves.

 CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Inaugurate Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav Global Sammelan in New Delhi

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav Global Sammelan at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, and address the gathering.
• The three-day Global Sammelan, scheduled from 23 to 25 October 2026, will bring together more than 9,000 participants from India and abroad.
• It marks the culmination of the year-long celebrations commemorating 75 years of the Chinmaya Mission.

Key Highlights

• The Chinmaya Mission was founded by Swami Chinmayananda in 1951 to make the teachings of Vedanta and the Bhagavad Gita accessible to people worldwide. Its activities include spiritual education, cultural preservation, youth empowerment and community service.
• The year-long celebrations began in 2025 with the Prime Minister releasing a Tamil versification of the Bhagavad Gita, produced by the Chinmaya Mission with music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, at Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Tamil Nadu.
• Other initiatives during the celebrations included mass havans at multiple locations and the consecration of the Maa Soundarya Chinmayi Temple in Tripura.
• Under Chinmaya Gita Samarpanam, more than 1 lakh people worldwide chanted the 15th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita together online.
• Another major initiative, Gita Panchamrit, focused on five selected verses from the Bhagavad Gita to communicate its teachings.
• As part of the Chinmaya Amrit Yatra, 15 young members of Chinmaya Yuva Kendra travelled more than 40,000 kilometres across India to spread the message of the Bhagavad Gita.
• The Sammelan highlights the Chinmaya Mission’s contribution to spiritual learning, cultural heritage and the dissemination of Indian philosophical traditions in India and abroad.

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

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Inaugurate Garment Manufacturing Facility, Air Force Day Aerial Display and Reserve Bank of India Facilities

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Uttar Pradesh and Odisha to inaugurate a garment manufacturing facility in Varanasi, witness the Indian Air Force Day Aerial Display–2026, and inaugurate the Reserve Bank of India’s Data Centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute in Bhubaneswar.

Key Highlights

• Prime Minister will inaugurate Arvind Limited’s garment manufacturing facility in Varanasi.
• The facility is expected to strengthen India’s textile and apparel manufacturing ecosystem, attract industrial investment, and create employment opportunities, particularly for women.
•  It is also expected to connect garments manufactured in Varanasi with international markets.
• Narendra Modi will attend the Indian Air Force Day Aerial Display–2026 at Namo Ghat, Varanasi, as the Chief Guest. The event will commemorate the 94th anniversary of the Indian Air Force under the theme “Wings over Ganges.”
• The aerial display will feature aircraft such as Tejas, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, Su-30MKI and Rafale, along with transport aircraft. Aircraft from the Indian Navy and Indian Army will also participate, highlighting jointness among the armed forces.
• The Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team and Sarang Helicopter Display Team will demonstrate precision flying, coordination and operational capabilities.
• Prime Minister will inaugurate the Reserve Bank of India’s Data Centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and address the gathering.
• The data centre infrastructure is designed to provide secure, resilient, scalable and future-ready computing capabilities for the Reserve Bank of India and the wider financial sector. According to the source, four state-of-the-art data centres will host mission-critical payment and settlement systems and other key initiatives.
• The data centre infrastructure has received Tier IV certification from the Uptime Institute, the highest tier in its data centre certification classification, indicating a high level of infrastructure resilience.
• The Cybersecurity Training Institute will support training, research and capacity building in cybersecurity and enterprise technology. Its focus areas will include emerging technologies such as quantum computing and artificial intelligence, along with technologies relevant to the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector.

About Uttar Pradesh:

• Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath
• Governor: Anandiben Patel
• Capital: Lucknow
• National Parks: Dudhwa National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary, Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary, Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary, Okhla Bird Sanctuary

About Odisha:

• Chief Minister: Mohan Charan Majhi
• Governor: Braj Mohan Ram
• Capital: Bhubaneswar
• National Parks: Simlipal National Park, Bhitarkanika National Park, Nandankanan National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary, Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary, Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary, Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary, Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary, Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary

 India’s Chemicals and Petrochemicals Sector Targets $1.6 Trillion Market Size by 2047

• Union Minister J. P. Nadda stated that India’s chemicals and petrochemicals sector needs to expand from its current market size of approximately $220 billion to $1 trillion by 2040 and $1.6 trillion by 2047.
• Addressing the three-day India Chem-2026 event in Mumbai, Nadda described the chemicals and petrochemicals industry as a sunrise sector with significant potential to drive economic growth and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Key Highlights

• Japan was the partner country for India Chem-2026, reflecting the established trade relations between India and Japan in the chemicals and petrochemicals sector.
• The Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) Forum, chaired by Nadda, focused on strengthening industrial competitiveness and positioning India as a globally competitive chemicals and petrochemicals hub.
• Discussions under the India–Japan, India–United States and India–European Union Chemicals and Petrochemicals Forums explored opportunities to expand trade, investment, technology cooperation and international partnerships.
• The event witnessed participation from Japan, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, European Union member states, Latin American countries, the Republic of Korea and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.
• According to the organisers, more than 5,000 visitors attended the three-day event.
• India Chem-2026 was jointly organised by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), bringing together government representatives and industry leaders to discuss investment opportunities, regulatory frameworks and strategic challenges.
• The event was held under the theme “Advantage Bharat: An Emerging Global Chemicals Hub.”
• Roundtable discussions covered specialty chemicals, chemicals and petrochemicals infrastructure, agrochemicals, environmental issues, plant machinery, pumps and valves, with a focus on addressing industry challenges and identifying measures to accelerate sectoral growth.

India Creates 11 Crore Farmer IDs Under the Digital Agriculture Mission Five Months Ahead of Deadline

• The Government of India has created 11 crore Farmer IDs across the country under the Digital Agriculture Mission, achieving the target five months ahead of the March 2027 deadline.
• Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, announced the achievement through a video message.
• He stated that the target set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for creating 11 crore Farmer IDs by March 2027 was achieved a day before the announcement.

Key Highlights

• The Farmer ID initiative provides farmers with a unique digital identity to enable transparent, efficient and timely access to government schemes, bank credit, crop insurance and disaster relief, while reducing paperwork and repeated verification.
• Farmer IDs will help farmers access bank loans, crop insurance, disaster relief assistance and agricultural markets to sell their produce. The initiative is intended to ensure that government benefits reach eligible farmers.
• The Digital Agriculture Mission was approved by the Union Cabinet on 2 September 2024 and aims to strengthen digital public infrastructure for agriculture.
• More than 6 crore farmers have already received direct benefits under various government schemes through the Farmer ID-based service delivery system.
• Linking verified farmer records with agricultural services helps reduce fraud and duplicate verification, improves coordination among government departments, and strengthens policy formulation and the monitoring of schemes.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

France Reports Its First-Ever Human Infection with Shamonda Virus

• France confirmed its first human case of Shamonda virus on 22 October 2026; the patient, who was severely immunocompromised, died earlier that month.
• The infection was described by French authorities as an exceptional case, and there was no identified risk to the general population at the time of the announcement.
• The suspected route of infection was a bite from an infected biting midge in eastern France, where the virus had circulated among animals during spring and summer 2026.
• Shamonda virus belongs to the genus Orthobunyavirus and the family Peribunyaviridae.
• Shamonda virus is an insect-borne virus primarily associated with livestock, especially cattle, and is transmitted by biting midges.
• The virus was first identified in Nigeria in the mid-1960s and has since been detected in cattle in parts of Africa and Japan.
• The virus was detected in Europe for the first time in late July 2026, including on cattle farms in France.
• By the time of the report, Shamonda virus had been detected in 14 Western European countries, according to an epidemiological bulletin from France’s national animal-health research institute.
• In France, the virus was also detected in smaller livestock and horses, although cattle remain its main animal hosts.
• In cattle, the main symptoms include acute diarrhoea, fever, lethargy and reduced milk production.
• The investigation into the human case is ongoing, and the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have been notified.
• Arboviruses are viruses transmitted between hosts by arthropods, such as insects and ticks. Biting midges are the identified vector for Shamonda virus.

United Nation’s Loss and Damage Fund Approves $21.6 Million for Nepal, Marking Its First-Ever Country-Specific Allocation

• The Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) has provisionally earmarked funds for Nepal to support recovery from the devastating August 2026 flash floods, marking the first time the Fund has allocated money for a specific disaster in a specific country.

Key Highlights :

• The FRLD Board approved a $21.6 million payout for Nepal, comprising $20 million for the disaster response and $1.6 million in oversight fees for organisations implementing and supervising the projects.
• The decision was taken at the FRLD Board’s first extraordinary meeting, held virtually on 22 October 2026.
• Nepal has been invited to submit a formal funding request, which will be considered at the Board’s 10th meeting in Manila in December 2026, and the money will be released only after approval.
• The Nepal allocation is significant because it represents the first country-specific funding decision by the Loss and Damage Fund and demonstrates an effort to provide rapid financial assistance after climate-related disasters.
• The FRLD was established at the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2022, and its Governing Instrument was adopted at COP28 in Dubai, UAE, in 2023.
• The FRLD operates under the financial mechanism of the UNFCCC and aims to support developing countries, particularly climate-vulnerable nations, in addressing economic and non-economic losses and damages caused by climate change.
• The Fund covers losses arising from extreme weather events and slow-onset climate impacts, including floods, sea-level rise, glacial melt, biodiversity loss and desertification.
• The World Bank was selected to host the FRLD Secretariat and serve as its trustee, while the Philippines was selected to host the FRLD Board.
• As of 15 March 2026, 27 countries had pledged approximately $822.06 million, including $629.70 million in grant contributions, to the Fund.
• The FRLD’s start-up allocation was $342 million, with at least half reserved for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
• The Fund’s first call for funding requests received 176 requests from 119 countries, collectively seeking around $2.8 billion, while the Board had earlier deferred decisions on these requests to December 2026.
• The August 2026 disaster in Nepal was triggered by an ice-and-rock avalanche on 26 August 2026, which caused severe flooding along the Bhotekoshi–Trishuli–Narayani river system.
• Nepal estimated the disaster’s economic losses at least $2.69 billion and its recovery needs at least $4.71 billion.
• The FRLD also agreed to pilot an exceptional funding-request mechanism during its start-up phase, allowing Nepal to submit its request outside the normal closed submission window; any similar requests in future will require separate Board approval.
• The FRLD’s Nepal decision comes shortly before COP31, which is scheduled to open in Türkiye.
• The Fund has faced the broader challenge of converting financial pledges into actual funding for climate-affected countries, making the Nepal allocation an important early operational milestone.
• The United States had previously pledged $17.5 million to the Fund under President Joe Biden, but the Trump administration withdrew U.S. representatives from the Fund’s Board in January 2025 as part of the wider U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Wins Fourth Non-Consecutive Presidential Term

• Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the incumbent President of Brazil and leader of the Workers’ Party (Partido dos Trabalhadores – PT), was re-elected for a fourth non-consecutive presidential term in the 2026 Brazilian Presidential Election, held on 25 October 2026.
• Lula defeated Flávio Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party (PL) in the second-round presidential runoff.
• Lula secured 79% of the votes, receiving over 51.49 million votes, while Flávio Bolsonaro received 48.21% of the votes.
• Lula became Brazil’s first President elected to four terms, having previously won the presidential elections in 2002, 2006 and 2022.
• Lula is scheduled to be sworn in for his fourth presidential term on 5 January 2027.
• At the age of 80, Lula is set to become the oldest President to assume office since Brazil’s return to democracy in 1989.
• Lula became the first candidate in Brazil’s democratic era to win the presidency after finishing behind his opponent in the first round of voting.

About Brazil :

• Capital : Brasília
• Currency : Real

Dr. Sajjan Singh Yadav Appointed as Jammu and Kashmir’s New Chief Secretary by Ministry of Home Affairs

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) appointed Sajjan Singh Yadav, a 1995-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre, as the new Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
• His appointment will take effect from 1 November 2026, or the date he assumes charge, whichever is later.
• Sajjan Singh Yadav will succeed Atal Dulloo, a 1989-batch IAS officer, whose tenure is scheduled to end on 31 October 2026.

About Dr. Sajjan Singh Yadav :

• Sajjan Singh Yadav was born on 5 January 1969 in Haryana, India.
• He holds a PhD in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Minnesota, USA.
• He previously served as Mission Director of the National Nutrition Mission (POSHAN Abhiyaan) and Director of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).
• His previous positions include Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Delhi Jal Board, Commissioner of the East Delhi Municipal Corporation, and Commissioner of Food and Civil Supplies, Trade and Taxes, and Excise in Delhi.
• In 2026, he also served as Additional Chief Secretary in Delhi and CEO of the Delhi Jal Board.
• He held senior responsibilities in the Department of Expenditure and the administration of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
• He was assigned additional charge as Additional Chief Secretary (Industries) and Chairperson of the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC).
• Yadav authored the books Scaling Mount UPSC: Inspiring Stories of Young IAS Officers and India’s Vaccine Growth Story: From Cowpox to Vaccine Maitri.
• He received the National Award for e-Governance 2017–18 for outstanding performance in citizen-centric service delivery.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

Defence Acquisition Council Approves ₹2.12 Lakh Crore Worth of Capital Procurement Proposals for Armed Forces

• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals worth approximately ₹2.12 lakh crore (₹2,12,000 crore) on 26 October 2026.
• The approvals cover the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force (IAF) to strengthen their operational capabilities, combat preparedness, mobility and modernisation.
• Approximately 82% of the total procurement value will be sourced from the Indian domestic defence industry, boosting indigenous defence manufacturing.

Key Highlights :

• For the Indian Army, approval was granted for the procurement of High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs), Self-Propelled Tracked Gun Systems, Gun Shot Response Systems (GSRS), Light Multi-Role Helicopters (LMRH), Very Short-Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORADS), Platform-Based Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS), Long-Range Unmanned Aerial Systems, Surveillance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Integrated Surveillance and Strike Systems, and Long-Range Kamikaze Drone Systems.
• High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) will enhance the Indian Army’s mobility, operational capabilities and logistical support in challenging terrains.
• Self-Propelled Tracked Gun Systems will provide matching mobility and firepower to mechanised formations.
• Gun Shot Response Systems (GSRS) will act as a force multiplier by providing real-time situational awareness of forces.
• Light Multi-Role Helicopters (LMRH) will be used by the Indian Army and Indian Air Force for reconnaissance, surveillance, combat operations, search and rescue, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)
• Very Short-Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORADS) will strengthen the Indian Army’s capability to counter new-generation, small-sized aerial threats.
• Platform-Based Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) will improve the survivability of tanks against unmanned aerial threats on the modern battlefield.
• Surveillance UAVs, Long-Range Unmanned Aerial Systems, Integrated Surveillance and Strike Systems, and Long-Range Kamikaze Drone Systems will enhance the Indian Army’s surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting capabilities.
• For the Indian Navy, the DAC approved the procurement of Active Offboard Decoy Systems (AODS) and other major naval platforms.
• Active Offboard Decoy Systems (AODS) will strengthen the Navy’s anti-missile defence capabilities, particularly against modern anti-ship missiles.
• The indigenously designed and constructed naval platforms will incorporate modern warfare capabilities and enhance the Indian Navy’s overall combat capability.
• For the Indian Air Force (IAF), approval was granted for the procurement of helicopters, air defence systems, weapons and Mobile X-Band Doppler Weather Radar Systems.
• Special Utility Helicopters will help meet the Indian Air Force’s essential air transport requirements.
• Mobile X-Band Doppler Weather Radar Systems will provide high-resolution, localised weather surveillance in forward areas, supporting operational planning and flight safety.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Unveils Revised Land Warfare Doctrine at Army Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi

• Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the Land Warfare Doctrine to provide an overarching framework for preparing the Indian Army (IA) to address evolving warfare challenges and future conflicts.
• The Land Warfare Doctrine was released during the Army Commanders’ Conference held in New Delhi, Delhi.
• The revised doctrine replaces the earlier Land Warfare Doctrine of December 2018 and incorporates advanced technologies, drones, Artificial Intelligence (AI), precision warfare and multi-domain operations.
• The revised doctrine aims to strengthen the Indian Army’s operational preparedness, technological capabilities and readiness for future conflicts.
• The Army Commanders’ Conference is a biannual apex-level forum of the Indian Army that reviews operational preparedness, capability development and military modernisation.
• The conference was chaired by General Dhiraj Seth, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS).
• During the conference, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also unveiled the annual United Nations (UN) Journal.
• He felicitated Indian Army personnel who served as UN peacekeepers, recognising their exemplary service, professionalism and contributions to global peace and security.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh Inaugurates Atmospheric Chemistry and Aerosol Toxicity Analysis Laboratory at Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Delhi

• Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) and Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), inaugurated the Atmospheric Chemistry and Aerosol Toxicity Analysis Laboratory (AATAL) at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in New Delhi, Delhi.
• AATAL is a world-first integrated laboratory designed to analyse atmospheric chemistry and aerosol toxicity and identify the real-time sources of air pollution in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).
• The laboratory was established under Mission Mausam, launched in 2025 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
• AATAL analyses atmospheric gases, aerosols, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), metals, toxic elements and other pollutants to determine the sources of air pollution.
• The laboratory helps distinguish pollution sources, including vehicular emissions, industrial activities, biomass burning, crop-residue burning, construction dust, road dust and pollution transported from neighbouring regions.
• AATAL is integrated with IITM’s AIRWISE, which stands for Air Quality Warning and Integrated Decision Support System for Emissions.
• AIRWISE combines air-quality forecasts, pollution observations and source-apportionment information to support effective air-pollution monitoring and management.
• AIRWISE provides air-quality forecasts for the next 72 hours at a spatial resolution of 400 metres, enabling authorities to assess variations in pollution levels and their likely sources across different parts of Delhi.

Ukraine Signs Letter of Intent with Nokia and ICEYE to Develop Sovereign Satellite Communications

• ICEYE, Nokia, and the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to explore cooperation in sovereign satellite communications.
• The announcement was made during the visit of Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo to Ukraine, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.
• The partnership aims to strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities and reduce its dependence on foreign-controlled satellite networks, including Starlink.
• The proposed system will use Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology to provide secure, high-performance broadband communications for defence, border security, emergency services and disaster response.
• ICEYE and Nokia announced their separate partnership to develop sovereign satellite communications systems on 1 October 2026, with the first satellite planned for launch in 2028.
• The proposed system aims to give governments ownership and control of satellites, ground infrastructure and user terminals.
• The Letter of Intent is non-binding and exploratory; no final procurement or deployment contract has been announced.
• LEO satellites operate at altitudes of up to approximately 2,000 kilometres above Earth, while geostationary satellites orbit approximately 35,786 kilometres above the equator.
• During the visit, Finland and Ukraine signed seven additional agreements covering defence, unmanned systems, transport and construction, with a stated combined value of approximately €300 million to €330 million.

Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology Scientists Discover DZIP3 Protein That Triggers the Body’s Antiviral Defences

• CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, identified DZIP3, a protein that detects viral RNA and activates the body’s innate antiviral immune response.
• The research was led by Santosh Chauhan, Senior Principal Scientist at CSIR-CCMB, and Dr. Rinku Sahu was the first author of the study.
• The study was published in The EMBO Journal and the research was funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India.
• DZIP3 detects viral RNA, changes its shape to become activated, and moves to the mitochondria, where it tags and activates key immune defence proteins.
• This process triggers the production of Type-I interferons, which help prevent viruses from multiplying inside cells.
• The researchers demonstrated the protective role of the DZIP3-mediated immune pathway against SARS-CoV-2, chikungunya virus and Japanese encephalitis virus.
• The discovery could support the development of broad-spectrum antiviral therapies by strengthening the body’s natural immune defences.
• The research team is developing small-molecule drug candidates to boost DZIP3 activity against emerging viral threats.
• Innate immunity is the body’s rapid, first-line defence against pathogens, while mitochondria are cellular organelles responsible for producing most of a cell’s energy and also participate in cellular signalling.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

India and Sri Lanka Launch SAMHiTA Project to Preserve Shared Buddhist Manuscript Heritage

• India and Sri Lanka are strengthening cultural cooperation through the SAMHiTA Project (South Asian Manuscript Histories and Textual Archive), launched at Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to preserve their shared Buddhist and civilisational heritage.
• The project aims to digitise ancient manuscripts and preserve their historical, religious and cultural knowledge for future generations.
• The initiative is being implemented by the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi, with grant assistance from the Government of India. Gangaramaya Temple has become the first institution in Sri Lanka to partner with the project.

Key Highlights

• Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in July 2026, a team of local experts is digitising 100 ancient manuscripts preserved at Gangaramaya Temple. The work is expected to be completed by the end of November 2026, with support from India.
• The manuscripts contain valuable information on religious traditions, philosophy, languages and cultural practices, providing insights into South Asia’s intellectual and spiritual heritage.
• The project seeks to safeguard historical records in digital form, improve their preservation and accessibility, and encourage more institutions across Sri Lanka to participate.
• The initiative highlights the longstanding Buddhist and civilisational links between India and Sri Lanka and the role of cultural cooperation in preserving South Asia’s shared heritage.

NLC India Limited Signs ₹37,000 Crore Investment Agreements with Odisha

• NLC India Limited (NLCIL) and the Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Limited (IPICOL) signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in Mumbai to undertake major industrial projects in Odisha with a proposed investment of ₹37,000 crore.
• The MoUs were signed by I. S. Jasper Rose, Executive Director (Mines and Land) of NLC India Limited, and Aboli Sunil Naravane, Managing Director of IPICOL, in the presence of Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha; Hemant Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary for the Industries and Energy Departments; and Prasanna Kumar Acharya, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of NLC India Limited.

Key Highlights

• NLC India Limited will develop a 3,200-megawatt coal-based ultra-supercritical thermal power plant, comprising four units of 800 megawatts each, with a tentative investment of ₹35,000 crore.
• The project is expected to generate employment for approximately 4,000 people and strengthen Odisha’s power infrastructure and economic growth.
• The company will establish a beach sand mineral processing facility with a proposed investment of ₹2,000 crore.
• The facility is expected to generate employment for around 500 people, supporting regional industrial development and socioeconomic growth.
• NLC India Limited will also explore a coal gasification and fertiliser project in Odisha by assessing the technical feasibility of producing synthesis gas (syngas) from coal for potential applications in the fertiliser sector.
• A separate investment amount and employment estimate for this initiative have not been specified.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Renowned Tamil Chef and Padma Shri Recipient K. Damodaran (Chef Damu) Passed away at 72

• Damodaran, popularly known as Chef Damu, was a renowned Tamil chef and Padma Shri awardee who passed away at the age of 72 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on 25 October 2026, following a brief illness.
• He was born in September 1954 in West Mambalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, to Kothandaraman, who worked at the Secretariat, and Kothainayaki, a homemaker.
• He received the Padma Shri in 2025 for his outstanding contributions to the culinary arts.
• He began his professional career as a management trainee at the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) in 1977.
• He completed a diploma in Hotel Management and Catering Technology from the Institute of Hotel Management, Taramani, Chennai, followed by a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
• In 2004, he earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Hotel Management and Catering Technology from the University of Madras, becoming the first Indian chef to receive a doctorate in this field.
• In December 2010, he entered the Guinness World Records for the Longest Cooking Marathon by an Individual after preparing 617 dishes weighing 190 kg in 24 hours, 30 minutes and 12 seconds.
• He hosted cooking programmes on several television channels and became widely popular as a judge on Vijay TV’s Cooku with Comali, where his culinary expertise and humour made him a household name.
• He authored 17 cookbooks, including Damu’s Home Free Style Cook, and conducted culinary workshops to promote traditional South Indian cuisine.
• He was particularly passionate about Tamil Nadu cuisine, especially Chettinad food.
• He worked with the Government of Tamil Nadu on the implementation of the mid-day meal (noon meal) scheme between 2008 and 2011, helping improve the quality of food provided to schoolchildren.
• He served as a judge for The Hindu’s “Our State Our Taste” cookery competition across Tamil Nadu for several years, promoting the State’s regional culinary traditions.

Daily CA One-Liner: October 28

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav Global Sammelan at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, and address the gathering
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Uttar Pradesh and Odisha to inaugurate a garment manufacturing facility in Varanasi, witness the Indian Air Force Day Aerial Display–2026, and inaugurate the Reserve Bank of India’s Data Centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute in Bhubaneswar.
• Union Minister P. Nadda stated that India’s chemicals and petrochemicals sector needs to expand from its current market size of approximately $220 billion to $1 trillion by 2040 and $1.6 trillion by 2047
• The Government of India has created 11 crore Farmer IDs across the country under the Digital Agriculture Mission, achieving the target five months ahead of the March 2027 deadline
• India and Sri Lanka are strengthening cultural cooperation through the SAMHiTA Project (South Asian Manuscript Histories and Textual Archive), launched at Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to preserve their shared Buddhist and civilisational heritage
• NLC India Limited (NLCIL) and the Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Limited (IPICOL) signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in Mumbai to undertake major industrial projects in Odisha with a proposed investment of ₹37,000 crore.
• National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) launched two rule-based equity indices, NDEX and FINNDEX, on 22 October 2026, marking its entry into the equity and equity derivatives markets.
• Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the corporate office of Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL) on 23 October 2026 at the Institute for Studies in Industrial Development (ISID), New Delhi.
• France confirmed its first human case of Shamonda virus on 22 October 2026; the patient, who was severely immunocompromised, died earlier that month.
• The Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) has provisionally earmarked funds for Nepal to support recovery from the devastating August 2026 flash floods, marking the first time the Fund has allocated money for a specific disaster in a specific country.
• Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the incumbent President of Brazil and leader of the Workers’ Party (Partido dos Trabalhadores – PT), was re-elected for a fourth non-consecutive presidential term in the 2026 Brazilian Presidential Election, held on 25 October 2026.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) appointed Sajjan Singh Yadav, a 1995-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre, as the new Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals worth approximately ₹2.12 lakh crore (₹2,12,000 crore) on 26 October 2026.
• Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the Land Warfare Doctrine to provide an overarching framework for preparing the Indian Army (IA) to address evolving warfare challenges and future conflicts.
• Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) and Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), inaugurated the Atmospheric Chemistry and Aerosol Toxicity Analysis Laboratory (AATAL) at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in New Delhi, Delhi.
• ICEYE, Nokia, and the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to explore cooperation in sovereign satellite communications.
• CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, identified DZIP3, a protein that detects viral RNA and activates the body’s innate antiviral immune response.
• K. Damodaran, popularly known as Chef Damu, was a renowned Tamil chef and Padma Shri awardee who passed away at the age of 72 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on 25 October 2026, following a brief illness.