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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

State Bank of India Launches CyRIS Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence in Mumbai to Tackle Emerging Digital Threats

• State Bank of India (SBI) inaugurated CyRIS (Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence) in Mumbai on 26 October 2026 to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities and address emerging digital threats.
• The centre was inaugurated by Sanjay Lohiya, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS), in the presence of SBI Chairman Challa Sreenivasulu Setty.
• CyRIS aims to strengthen digital banking security, fraud prevention and cyber resilience across the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI)
• The centre operates through three pillars: THINK, INNOVATE and DEFEND.
• THINK focuses on cyber policy, cyber training, the cyber academy and awareness initiatives to develop cybersecurity talent and improve public awareness.
• INNOVATE focuses on research, innovation and benchmarking to assess cybersecurity maturity against evolving global practices.
• DEFEND focuses on cyber defence, threat intelligence and cyber resilience to identify threats early and improve response capabilities.
• The centre’s key focus areas include threat intelligence, digital forensics, malware analysis, ethical hacking, fraud analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) security and quantum-safe technologies.
• CyRIS will collaborate with government and regulatory bodies, financial institutions, fintech companies, academic institutions and technology partners to address cybersecurity threats across organisational boundaries.
• The initiative aims to shift SBI from a reactive cybersecurity approach to a proactive threat-prevention strategy, strengthening the security of India’s digital banking ecosystem.

About SBI :

• Founded : July 1, 1955
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Chairman : Mr. Challa Sreenivasulu Setty

PhonePe Introduces Tatkal NPS to Enable Pension Account Opening with a Minimum ₹250 Contribution

• PhonePe, a Walmart-owned fintech company, launched ‘Tatkal NPS’, a digital facility that enables users to open a National Pension System (NPS) account with a minimum initial contribution of ₹250.
• Tatkal NPS is an initiative developed by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) to simplify digital access to retirement savings.
• The service enables users to open an NPS account through a fully digital and paperless process, eliminating the need to upload fresh documents or complete a separate KYC process.
• The facility reuses users’ existing bank KYC details through secure One-Time Password (OTP) authentication.
• To open an account, users can select a linked bank account, verify it through OTP, contribute at least ₹250 via PhonePe UPI, and receive a Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN).
• PhonePe has partnered with banking institutions to provide the service and plans to expand its coverage to more banks; the names of the banking partners have not been disclosed.
• The service aims to make government-backed pension savings more accessible to first-time investors, millennials and Generation Z (Gen Z).
• Tatkal NPS is intended to encourage early and disciplined retirement planning among gig economy workers, independent freelancers and small business owners, who may lack access to mandatory corporate retirement schemes.

International Financial Services Centres Authority Grants Final Payment Service Provider Authorisation to Skydo at GIFT City, Gujarat

• Skydo, a cross-border payments platform serving Indian businesses, received final authorisation from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) to operate as a Payment Service Provider (PSP) at GIFT City, Gujarat.
• The final authorisation followed the in-principle approval granted in May 2026, allowing Skydo to develop cross-border payment products from the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at GIFT City.
• Skydo plans to offer multi-currency accounts that will enable eligible Indian exporters to receive and hold foreign currencies, pay overseas suppliers, and convert foreign currency into Indian rupees, subject to regulatory guidelines.
• The company’s planned services include merchant acquiring, collection services, and cross-border payment infrastructure for exporters, investment platforms, trade finance providers, and businesses operating within the IFSC ecosystem.
• The IFSCA authorisation will support payment infrastructure for overseas investments, including US equities, and collection and settlement services for export factoring and trade finance providers, where permitted.
• In India, Skydo holds final authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as a Payment Aggregator–Cross Border (PA-CB) for export collections and has approval for outward payments under the same framework.
• Skydo also operates as a Money Services Business (MSB) in Canada, supported by registrations and approvals from Canadian regulators.
• To support its expansion at GIFT City, Skydo strengthened its team through leadership appointments focused on compliance and operations, while expanding its risk and compliance, product, and business development

Securities and Exchange Board of India Allows Early Pay-in Shares to Be Used for Margin Requirements on Subsequent Trades

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) introduced a real-time margin waiver framework allowing clients to use the value of shares delivered through Early Pay-in (EPI) towards margin requirements for subsequent buy and sell positions in the cash market.
• The revised framework will come into effect on 22 February 2027, four months after the issuance of the circular.

Key Highlights :

• Early Pay-in (EPI) refers to the delivery of securities to the Clearing Corporation (CC) before the prescribed settlement deadline.
• Under the new framework, Clearing Corporations will not collect margins from trading or clearing members on a client's subsequent buy or sell positions, up to the value of securities for which the EPI request has been accepted.
• The facility will apply when a client has a net sell obligation in a settlement.
• The available EPI value will be calculated by the Clearing Corporation on the trade date and will be the lower of the value of securities delivered through EPI and the value of securities sold.
• When a client takes a subsequent position in the cash market using the EPI benefit, the Clearing Corporation will assess the client's available margin after deducting the available EPI value.
• If a client squares off the sale position in securities for which the EPI benefit was used, the EPI value will be removed.
• Any resulting margin shortfall at the client level will be blocked from the proprietary collateral of the Trading Member or Clearing Member.
• The margin-shortfall blocking condition will not apply to trade-for-trade securities, as these transactions are settled on a gross basis.
• SEBI has directed Trading Members to ensure that their risk-management systems permit clients to square off EPI-backed positions or take new positions only when the required client margins are available.
• Clearing Corporations must make the necessary changes to their rules and systems and publish the circular on their websites.
• The decision followed proposals from the Broker Industry Standards Forum (ISF), recommendations of SEBI's Risk Management Review Committee (RMRC), and internal deliberations.

About SEBI :

• Established : 12 April 1988 as a non-statutory body and became a statutory body on 30 January 1992 under the SEBI Act, 1992.
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra.

 CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

Union Cabinet Approves Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana with an Outlay of ₹7,395.55 Crore

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana (PM VGSY), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) aimed at transforming grassroots governance and supporting the national vision of Viksit Bharat.
• The scheme will be implemented from 2026–27 to 2030–31, coinciding with the period of the Sixteenth Finance Commission.
• The total financial outlay is ₹7,395.55 crore, comprising a Central share of ₹4,869.48 crore and a state share of ₹2,526.07 crore.

Key Highlights

• The scheme will cover all States and Union Territories, including traditional rural local government institutions in areas outside Part IX of the Constitution where Panchayats do not exist.
• Around 32 lakh elected representatives, Panchayat functionaries and other stakeholders across more than 2.55 lakh Gram Panchayats and traditional local bodies will directly benefit. Each coordinated awareness-generation exercise will reach at least 1 crore citizens.
• The scheme will support the preparation of 2.55 lakh holistic Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) annually through the eGramSwaraj Portal. These plans will combine village priorities, relevant interventions of Central and State departments, and available resources through participatory and evidence-based planning.
• Building on eGramSwaraj and existing e-Panchayat systems, the scheme will provide a common digital view of government schemes, beneficiaries, benefits, community assets and available resources in each Gram Panchayat. This will support local planning, coordination and monitoring.
• The scheme will use existing training, digital and outreach platforms, including PANCHAM, an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled, multilingual, two-way communication platform available in 17 Indian languages, to explain government schemes and national initiatives in accessible language. Gram Sabhas and other Panchayat forums will facilitate informed community discussions on local development priorities.
• Around 32 lakh elected representatives and other Panchayat stakeholders will receive annual capacity-building support and digital assistance to strengthen holistic planning, communication with citizens, resource management and progress towards locally relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• PM VGSY will support the preparation of at least 2.55 lakh online audit plans annually and timely completion of the corresponding audits through AuditOnline.
• Improved accounting, public disclosure and mobilisation of Own Source Revenue (OSR) will strengthen financial accountability and help Panchayats become more self-reliant.
• The scheme will help Panchayats take advantage of national development initiatives and increased financial resources at the grassroots level.
• The Sixteenth Finance Commission has recommended approximately ₹4.35 lakh crore in grants for Rural Local Bodies for 2026–27 to 2030–31. PM VGSY will help connect these resources with village priorities through integrated planning, coordination and Gram Sabha deliberations.
• No permanent posts will be created under the scheme. However, need-based contractual personnel may be engaged at the State, District and Block levels to provide technical assistance and support implementation.
• The scheme will be implemented through State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, which will submit Annual Action Plans specifying activities, priorities and requirements in accordance with the scheme’s guidelines.
• A designated Central Empowered Committee will appraise and approve the Annual Action Plans under the applicable procedures and norms.
• The Central Government and State and Union Territory administrations will carry out activities within their respective responsibilities, supported by coordination, technical assistance, monitoring and review.
• Existing institutional arrangements, capacity-building mechanisms, digital platforms and communication systems will be used to implement the scheme at the grassroots level, strengthening Gram Panchayats as centres of local governance and linking the Viksit Bharat vision with rural communities’ needs and aspirations.

Supreme Court Seeks to Raise Retirement Age of District Judicial Officers from 60 to 62 Years

• The Supreme Court of India expressed satisfaction that 14 states had agreed to increase the retirement age of district judicial officers from 60 to 62 years and expressed hope that other states would follow.
• A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana declined to list separate urgent petitions filed by judicial officers nearing retirement or who had recently retired, stating that the matter concerned the Supreme Court and the states.
• Senior advocate Ranjit Kumar sought an urgent hearing, pointing out that judicial officers were retiring every day. The bench said the main petition had been listed but did not approve the listing of individual pleas.

Key Highlights

• On 4 September 2026, the Supreme Court had directed states that agreed to the proposal to amend their service rules and raise the retirement age of judicial officers to 62 years, subject to a suitability assessment by the concerned High Court. The amendments were to be completed preferably within two months.
• Until the service rules are amended, judicial officers in the consenting states who reach the age of 60 years must not retire before turning 62, subject to an assessment of their suitability and performance by the concerned High Court.
• The Court had also directed that judicial officers in Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, who retired on or after 31 March 2026, be given an option to rejoin judicial service, provided they had not already taken up other employment.
• The Supreme Court asked the following states and Union Territories to reconsider their decisions on increasing the retirement age: Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, the National Capital Territory of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry.
• The bench stated that financial burden cannot be cited as a reason to oppose an increase in the retirement age of judicial officers and asked state governments to revisit the issue.
• The case concerns a petition seeking a uniform increase in the retirement age of district judiciary judges from 60 to 62 years across India.
• The retirement age of Supreme Court judges is 65 years, while High Court judges retire at 62 years.
• The issue dates back to a 2002 Supreme Court judgment, which declined to accept the recommendation of the Justice K. Jagannatha Shetty Commission to raise the retirement age of district judges to 62 years. Since then, some states, including Telangana and Madhya Pradesh, have moved towards increasing the retirement age.

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Amends Rules to Permit Ethanol-Blended Fuel up to E100 in Flex-Fuel Vehicles

• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) notified amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, allowing flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) specifically designed and certified for ethanol blends of up to E100, or nearly 100% ethanol.
• Fuels containing more than E20 (20% ethanol and 80% petrol) and up to E100 can be used only in vehicles specifically designed and certified for those blends. Vehicles designed for E20 or conventional petrol are not suitable for E85 or E100 unless approved for such use.

Key Highlights

• The amendments also revise certain vehicle classification thresholds, fuel specifications, technical references in emission-related tables and testing provisions. The vehicle weight threshold for light petrol and diesel vehicles covered by the changes has increased from 3,000 kilograms to 3,500 kilograms.
• E100 is a bioethanol fuel intended primarily for specially designed flex-fuel vehicles. It typically contains 93–95% ethanol, 5–7% petrol and additives. Ethanol is produced from agricultural feedstocks such as sugarcane, maize and biomass.
• The government expects wider use of suitable flex-fuel vehicles and domestically produced ethanol to help reduce dependence on imported crude oil and potentially lower emissions.
• The Ministry clarified that compatibility with E10 or E20 alone does not establish suitability for E85. The notification does not require owners of existing vehicles to switch to E85 or modify their vehicles. Motorists should check the vehicle’s fuel-compatibility sticker and follow the manufacturer’s instructions in the owner’s manual.
• Flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) can operate on a range of petrol–ethanol blends using a single fuel tank. Depending on their design and certification, they may run on blends ranging from E20–E25 to E85 or E100. Their fuel-system components are designed for approved blends, while engine controls adjust operation according to the fuel composition.
• Brazil has the world’s largest fleet of flex-fuel vehicles. Vehicles there can use blends ranging from E20–E25 to E100, and nearly all new light vehicles, along with several motorcycle models, have flex-fuel engines. FFVs are also used in the United States, Canada and parts of Europe.
• The West Asia conflict has highlighted India’s vulnerability to energy-supply disruptions, increasing the significance of alternative fuels. Greater use of domestically produced ethanol could help reduce reliance on imported crude oil.
• In suitably designed vehicles, ethanol may reduce certain exhaust pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions over the fuel’s production and use. The extent of these benefits depends on the feedstock and production process.
• NITI Aayog classifies ethanol-based FFVs, including those using high-ethanol blends such as E85, as zero-emission vehicles. The source also states that E85 produces near-zero particulate matter emissions, presenting flex-fuel technology as a potential option for addressing air pollution.
• In June 2026, Maruti Suzuki India launched the Wagon R Flex Fuel, described in the source as India’s first flex-fuel passenger vehicle. It can run on petrol–ethanol blends ranging from E20 to E100.
• India has already rolled out E20 petrol, comprising 20% ethanol and 80% petrol, as part of its efforts to reduce crude oil imports and the associated pressure on the current account deficit.
• Major automakers, including Toyota Motor Corporation, Tata Motors and Hyundai Motor Company, are developing flex-fuel vehicles for the Indian market as the government seeks to reduce the country’s fossil-fuel import bill.

Omar Abdullah Expands Jammu and Kashmir Council of Ministers with Four National Conference Legislators

• Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expanded the Council of Ministers by inducting four legislators from the National Conference (NC), nearly two years after the NC-led government assumed office in October 2024.
• Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office to Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shamima Firdous and Altaf Ahmad Wani, popularly known as Altaf Kaloo, at Lok Bhawan in Srinagar.
• Independent Member of the Legislative Assembly Satish Sharma was dropped from the Council of Ministers.
• Following the reshuffle, the council reached its maximum permitted strength of nine members, including the Chief Minister, under the applicable 10% limit for the Union Territory’s 90-member Assembly.

Key Highlights

• Of the nine members, seven represent the Kashmir Valley, while Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chaudhary and Javed Rana represent the Jammu region. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised the composition, alleging regional and cultural imbalance.
• Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma called for representation of every region, community and area.
• The reshuffle triggered discontent among senior NC leaders who were not included in the cabinet. Mubarak Gul, a six-time Member of the Legislative Assembly from Eidgah, expressed disappointment and said he had been left out repeatedly despite attending 30 oath-taking ceremonies.
• His supporters protested outside the NC headquarters at Nawa-e-Subah in Srinagar.
• NC president Farooq Abdullah appointed Mubarak Gul as the party’s general secretary, replacing Ali Mohammad Sagar following Sagar’s induction into the cabinet.
• Another senior NC leader, Abdul Majid Bhat Larmi, expressed hurt over his exclusion and questioned the decision to induct Altaf Kaloo instead, citing his own seniority and experience. However, he said he would remain loyal to the party and accept the leadership’s decision.
• The Indian National Congress, an ally of the ruling alliance, continued to stay out of the Council of Ministers, stating that it would not join the government until statehood is restored to Jammu and Kashmir.
• Ali Mohammad Sagar, 73, is a seven-time legislator and senior NC leader. He was first elected from Batamaloo in 1983 and retained the seat in 1987. He later shifted to Khanyar, which he won in 1996 and retained in the 2024 Assembly elections. He defeated independent candidate and former Srinagar Deputy Mayor Sheikh Imran by 9,912 votes. Sagar served as Minister of State in Farooq Abdullah’s government from 1996 to 2002 and as a cabinet minister in Omar Abdullah’s government from 2009 to 2014. He took his oath in Urdu.
• Mir Saifullah, 66, represents Trehgam in Kupwara district. He represented the erstwhile Kupwara constituency three times between 1996 and 2014 and won Trehgam in the 2024 Assembly elections following delimitation. A lawyer by profession, he served as Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs in Omar Abdullah’s government from 2009 to 2014.
• Shamima Firdous, 60, represents Habbakadal in Srinagar and was elected to the Assembly for the third time in 2024, having previously won the seat in 2008 and 2014. She heads the NC’s women’s wing and previously chaired the State Commission for Women in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. She is the second woman in the current Council of Ministers, after Sakina Itoo.
• Altaf Ahmad Wani, 74, popularly known as Altaf Kaloo, represents Pahalgam in Anantnag district. He won the seat in 2014 and 2024. After losing the 2008 Assembly election to a People’s Democratic Party candidate, he was nominated to the Legislative Council in 2009.
• Shamima Firdous and Altaf Kaloo have become ministers for the first time. Before the expansion, the Council of Ministers had six members, and all sitting ministers had submitted their resignations to Omar Abdullah to facilitate the reconstitution of the council.
• The portfolios of the four newly inducted ministers are yet to be announced.

About Jammu and Kashmir:

• Chief Minister: Omar Abdullah
• Lieutenant Governor: Manoj Sinha
• Capitals: Srinagar (Summer), Jammu (Winter)
• National Parks: Dachigam National Park, Kazinag National Park, Kishtwar National Park, Salim Ali National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary, Lachipora Wildlife Sanctuary, Limber Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajparian Wildlife Sanctuary, Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary, Ramnagar Rakha Wildlife Sanctuary, Trikuta Wildlife Sanctuary

Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan Releases ‘Advantage India: Reshaping the Future for an Equitable World’

• Vice-President of India C. P. Radhakrishnan released the book ‘Advantage India: Reshaping the Future for an Equitable World’, authored by Anil K. Antony, at Uprashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi.
• The book was published by Rupa Publications.
• The book examines India’s transformation, emerging strengths and expanding role in the international order, drawing on the author’s experience in technology, business and public policy.

Key Highlights

• Under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, India has strengthened indigenous manufacturing across sectors. The Vice-President cited the commissioning of INS Samarthak, an indigenously developed multipurpose vessel, as an example of growing domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.
• Highlighting India’s expanding global role, he recalled the country’s leadership during its Group of Twenty (G20) Presidency and its promotion of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, meaning the world is one family. He also highlighted India’s contribution to the inclusion of the African Union in the G20 and its role as a voice for the Global South.
• Emphasising that “Advantage India is Advantage to Humanity,” he called for sovereign countries to be treated equally and for technological innovations to benefit all humanity rather than remain the exclusive property of individual countries.
• He described the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 as both an aspiration and a responsibility, highlighting the principle of “Rashtra Pratham” (Nation First) and the need for every citizen to participate in nation-building.
• Other dignitaries present included Professor Ajay Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India; Dr. Shamika Ravi, economist and Member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council; Kapish Mehra, Managing Editor of Rupa Publications; and author Anil K. Antony, along with diplomats and other dignitaries.

Government Introduces Concessional FASTag Annual Pass for Local Residents from 1 November 2026

• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notified a concessional annual FASTag local pass under the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2026.
• The scheme will take effect on 1 November 2026 and benefit eligible owners of non-commercial vehicles residing within 20 kilometres of a National Highway toll plaza.

Key Highlights

• The annual fee will be ₹1,500 for eligible toll plazas outside municipal or local town limits and ₹3,000 for plazas within these limits. These rates are lower than the standard FASTag annual pass fee of ₹3,075 for 2026–27.
• To qualify, vehicle owners must reside within the prescribed 20-kilometre radius and have a valid, functional FASTag registered for non-commercial use.
• The local pass will be valid only at the designated toll plaza and cannot be used at other toll plazas. It will not apply to National Highways or expressways operating under a closed user-fee collection system.
• The scheme will also be unavailable at toll plazas where a service road or alternative road is available for commuters.
• Eligible vehicle owners can choose between the concessional local pass and the existing monthly pass.
• The government may revise the annual fees, with any revised rates taking effect from 1 April each year.
• The pass will be available at eligible toll plazas from 1 November 2026 and through the Rajmargyatra mobile application from 1 December 2026.

National Capital Region Transport Corporation Wins Passenger Service Award for Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor

• The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) received the award for Metro Rail with the Best Passenger Service and Satisfaction for the Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat corridor at the 19th Urban Mobility India  (UMI) Conference and Expo 2026, held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Key Highlights

• Manohar Lal, Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs and Power, presented the award to Shalabh Goel, Managing Director of NCRTC.
• Since the phased commencement of operations in October 2023, the Namo Bharat corridor has recorded more than 4.8 crore passenger journeys and now serves over 1.1 lakh commuters daily.
• The corridor has recorded its highest-ever single-day ridership of more than 1.68 lakh passengers, reflecting the growing use of regional rail for daily travel.
• The Prime Minister cited the corridor as a benchmark for good governance, highlighting its adherence to project timelines, an operational speed of 160 kilometres per hour (kmph) and 99.9% punctuality.
• NCRTC also secured first prize for its exhibition at UMI 2026, marking its second consecutive year of winning the Best Exhibitor award.
• The exhibition showcased the development of the Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat corridor and its role in transforming regional mobility, highlighting its modern infrastructure, advanced technology, multimodal integration and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) initiatives.

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

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Greece Approves Ban on Social Media Use by Children Under 15

• Greece’s Parliament approved legislation on 23 October 2026 banning children under 15 years of age from using social media platforms.
• The ban will come into force on 1 January 2027 and applies to both existing accounts and new users.
• The restriction covers platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.
• Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated that social media platforms had 5 months to develop age-verification systems that protect users’ privacy.
• Parental consent will not exempt children under 15 from the social media restriction.
• The legislation aims to protect children’s health and safety by addressing excessive scrolling, sleep disruption, reduced concentration, cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content.
• The age-verification system is linked to the KidsWallet app, which uses privacy-preserving methods, including zero-knowledge proofs, to verify age without disclosing unnecessary personal information.
• A zero-knowledge proof is a cryptographic method that verifies a claim without revealing the underlying information used to prove it.
• Greece is among seven European Union (EU) countries working with the European Commission to develop a common age-verification solution.
• Australia was the first country to pass legislation restricting minors’ access to social media, doing so in 2025.
• A similar law in France was struck down by the French Constitutional Council in August 2026.

About Greece :

• President : Konstantinos Tasoulas
• Prime Minister : Kyriakos Mitsotakis
• Capital : Athens
• Currency : Euro

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Centre Extends Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh’s Tenure by One Year Until 31 October 2027

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved a one-year extension for Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh until 31 October 2027.
• Rajesh Kumar Singh is a 1989-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer belonging to the Kerala cadre.
• His scheduled tenure was due to end on 31 October 2026, but it has been extended until 31 October 2027, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
• The extension order was issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
• Rajesh Kumar Singh serves as the Secretary of the Department of Defence under the Ministry of Defence and is responsible for defence policy and administration.
• The extension was granted by relaxing Fundamental Rule 56(d) and Rule 16(1A) of the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar Receives the United Arab Emirates’ First-Class Order of Zayed II for Bravery

• Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar received the First Class Order of Zayed II, a high-level civilian decoration of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), for protecting 174 passengers aboard a Flydubai flight during an alleged attack by his co-pilot.
• UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conferred the honour on Captain Machchhar and other Flydubai crew members on 27 October 2026.
• Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum presented the awards in recognition of their actions during the incident on 30 September 2026.

Key Highlights

• Machchhar was reportedly seriously injured when his Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked him with a cockpit axe aboard a flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft reportedly plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.
• Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, enabling others to overpower the co-pilot.
• The aircraft subsequently landed safely in western Saudi Arabia.
• Captain Machchhar was not the first Indian to receive the decoration. Two former Indian ambassadors to the UAE, Navdeep Singh Suri and Sunjay Sudhir, had previously received the same honour for their contributions to India–UAE relations.
• Navdeep Singh Suri, who served as India’s Ambassador to the UAE from December 2016 to September 2019, received the award in September 2019.
• It was conferred by then UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and presented by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who was then the UAE Foreign Minister. Suri was recognised for strengthening cooperation between India and the UAE.
• Sunjay Sudhir, who served as India’s Ambassador to the UAE from November 2021 to September 2025, received the award on 17 September 2025.
• UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conferred the honour, which was presented by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, now the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
• Sudhir was recognised for strengthening the India–UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, particularly cooperation in the economic and educational sectors.
• The First-Class Order of Zayed II is a high-level UAE civilian decoration awarded to foreign diplomats, senior officials and other distinguished individuals for their contributions. It is distinct from the Order of Zayed, the UAE’s highest civilian honour, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi received in August 2019.
• The award is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s founding president, who ruled from 1971 until his death in 2004.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

Canada–India Trade Mission Announces 34 Commercial Agreements Worth Nearly $300 Million

• As part of the Team Canada Trade Mission, Minister Sidhu announced 34 commercial agreements, partnerships and foreign direct investment  (FDI) outcomes between Canadian and Indian organisations, with a combined estimated value of nearly $300 million.
• The agreements included 11 signings in Mumbai and 23 signings in Bengaluru, covering aerospace and space, clean technology and energy transition, education, information and communications technology, infrastructure, life sciences and tourism.

Key Highlights

• Aerospace and Space: Partnerships included CANEUS International and AMFTI for aerospace, advanced manufacturing, clean and digital technologies; Comtech Satellite Network Technologies Corporation and Rangsons Aerospace for advanced satellite communications; and Logic Air Inc. with Genser Aerospace and Information Technologies Private Limited, GMR Aero Technic, and Max Aerospace and Aviation Private Limited for aircraft engineering, modification, certification, support services and military aviation modernisation. MDS Aero Support Corporation and Tata Projects will collaborate on aero-engine testing infrastructure. RSAT Space Canada partnered with JAIN University on an innovation incubator focused on artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and satellite systems, and with Lamhas Space on Earth observation capabilities.
• Clean Technology and Energy Transition: ASAsoft (Canada) Inc. and Aditya Birla Insulators will pursue commercialisation of composite insulator technologies. eLeapPower Limited and Napino Auto and Electronics Limited will establish a joint venture to manufacture integrated power electronics solutions in India. Ceres BioSystems Limited partnered with Bioxgreen on soil-enhancement products and with Grassroots Energy on biogas projects. Hygge Energy Inc. partnered with Atria Renewable on rooftop solar deployment, Fibe on rooftop solar financing, and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) on platform commercialisation. Zen Energy and Nsure Energy will collaborate on battery-cell manufacturing technologies and energy storage.
• Education: Dalhousie University, Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati established a joint doctoral programme under the Global Innovation Campus initiative. Humber Polytechnic and ITM Group of Institutions will explore mechatronics and advanced manufacturing education. The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and Symbiosis University’s Centre for International Training will collaborate on applied education, skills development and workforce training. Niagara College and Apollo Health Resources Limited signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering academic programmes and healthcare workforce development. The University of Calgary and Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee established a jointly supervised doctoral programme in civil engineering and water-related research.
• Information and Communications Technology: Autnhive Corporation formed strategic alliances with KPMG India and Youngsoft to support secure, trusted artificial intelligence solutions, including security, governance and compliance. Deepspatial Inc. partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation on geospatial technologies and spatial artificial intelligence, and with OneIndia on digital learning content. DynaWise AI Labs and Relanto will collaborate on enterprise artificial intelligence solutions. Tangentia partnered with Brysk to introduce autonomous retail technology in Canada and with Enmovil to pursue manufacturing and automotive opportunities. ZeroKey Inc. and Microntech Group will collaborate to introduce smart-factory technology to India’s automotive sector.
• Infrastructure: The Port of Montreal and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone renewed their MoU for five years, strengthening cooperation in logistics, supply-chain innovation and trade through the Mundra–Montreal shipping corridor.
• Life Sciences: SinoVeda CHP Inc. signed an MoU with GCV Life Private Limited and Inovae Nutra Care Private Limited to introduce Canadian-developed Cordyva® ingredients to India. Thoracic Medical Systems Inc. (THORASYS), Yashoda Hospitals and Carna Medicare finalised an MoU to establish a Centre of Excellence in Oscillometry in India, focusing on clinical education and practical training for healthcare professionals.
• Tourism: Destination Canada, Air Canada and Lufthansa Group launched a strategic marketing partnership to promote Canada as a travel destination for visitors from South India, with the aim of supporting tourism and travel demand.
• Foreign Direct Investment: Happiest Minds formalised an investment in New Brunswick, Canada, as part of its expansion into the country. The first phase includes opening its first office in the province and is expected to create more than 50 information technology services jobs.
• The agreements reflect efforts by Canada and India to expand bilateral trade, encourage investment, strengthen technology partnerships and create opportunities for businesses, educational institutions and other organisations in both countries.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

Border Roads Organisation Marks the 19th Raising Day of Project Arunank in Arunachal Pradesh

• Project Arunank of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) celebrated its 19th Raising Day on 24 October 2026 at Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh.
• Project Arunank was raised in 2008 to strengthen strategic infrastructure and improve connectivity across the challenging terrain of Arunachal Pradesh.
• The project develops and maintains vital border infrastructure amid rugged mountains, dense forests and difficult climatic conditions, enhancing the operational preparedness of the Armed Forces.
• Project Arunank uses modern technologies and innovative construction practices, including geocells, alternative construction materials and slope-protection measures, to improve infrastructure durability and resilience.
• The project supports the welfare of Casual Paid Labourers (CPLs) by providing improved shelters, protective clothing, sanitation facilities and regular medical camps.
• Under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, Project Arunank planted 25,815 trees, demonstrating its commitment to environmental sustainability.
• Other community-welfare initiatives include cycling and yoga events, cleanliness drives and cyber-awareness programmes.
• Project Arunank contributes to national defence, border connectivity, community welfare and sustainable infrastructure development in remote areas of Arunachal Pradesh.

Indian Navy’s Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Srishti’ (Yard 1283) Launched in Goa

• Yard 1283 (Srishti), a Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV), was launched on 27 October 2026 at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), Goa.
• The launch ceremony was conducted by Sandeepa Sahay in the presence of Shri Vishvajit Sahay, Secretary (Defence Finance).
• The event was attended by senior dignitaries from the Indian Navy, Ministry of Defence and Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).
• Srishti is an indigenously designed and built vessel that will strengthen the Indian Navy’s maritime operational capabilities.
• The NGOPVs will augment the existing Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) and New Offshore Patrol Vessels (NOPVs) for multidomain operations.
• The vessels will undertake maritime surveillance, Search and Rescue (SAR), protection of offshore assets, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), and anti-piracy missions.
• The construction of NGOPVs is being undertaken simultaneously at two shipyards: Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), Goa, and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
• The vessel is named Srishti, a Sanskrit word meaning “Creation” or “Act of Creating”, reflecting India’s rich cultural heritage.
• The launch supports the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives, strengthening indigenous warship and shipbuilding capabilities.

Indian Navy Launches First Sullage Barge and Lays Keels for Two Barges at Thane

• On 26 October 2026, the Indian Navy conducted the launch of the first Sullage Barge (Yard 142), the keel laying of the third Sullage Barge (Yard 144), and the keel laying of the first Bottom Opening Dumb Barge (Yard 148).
• The ceremonies were held at M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt. Ltd., Thane, Maharashtra, an MSME shipyard.
• Rear Admiral Kapil Mehta, Assistant Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition (ACWP&A), was the chief guest at the launch and keel-laying ceremonies.
• The contract for constructing four 300-tonne Sullage Barges was concluded with Suryadipta Projects Pvt. Ltd. in November 2024.
• The contract for constructing three Bottom Opening Dumb Barges was concluded with the shipyard in January 2026.
• The barges have been indigenously designed and built by the shipyard in collaboration with an Indian ship-design firm and the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
• The barges will support the operational requirements of Indian Navy platforms and help ensure compliance with MARPOL regulations, which address the prevention of pollution from ships.
• The projects promote the Government of India’s Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives by strengthening indigenous shipbuilding capabilities.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Scientists Discover Centaurus X-3 Accreting Matter Through a Rare Accretion Disk

• Centaurus X-3 is one of the brightest X-ray pulsars and is a high-mass X-ray binary (HMXB) located approximately 24,000 light-years away in the constellation Centaurus.
• Scientists from the Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru, an autonomous institution under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), investigated the accretion process in Centaurus X-3.
• The research was led by Kinjal Roy, a researcher at RRI, and revealed evidence of material being accreted through a structured accretion disk and a co-rotating accretion stream.
• Centaurus X-3 consists of a highly magnetised neutron star and a companion star with more than 10 times the mass of the Sun.
• The system was discovered by the Uhuru X-ray observatory in 1971 and was the first X-ray pulsar identified.
• Accretion is the process by which a compact celestial object gathers matter from a companion star or its surrounding environment, producing X-ray emissions in systems such as Centaurus X-3.
• An X-ray binary consists of a compact object, such as a neutron star or black hole, and a companion star from which it receives matter.
• A pulsar is a rapidly rotating, highly magnetised neutron star that emits beams of radiation from its magnetic poles.
• Researchers studied four secondary emission lines and found that the structure responsible for their variations must be co-rotating with the pulsar.
• Secondary radiation is produced when primary radiation from the pulsar is absorbed and re-emitted by surrounding structures, such as the companion star, stellar wind and accretion stream.
• Pulse phase-resolved spectroscopy analyses X-ray spectra at different phases of a pulsar’s rotation to investigate the physical conditions of the system.
• Earlier research using nearly 14 years of MAXI/GSC data examined variations in X-ray absorption in Centaurus X-3. MAXI is an X-ray instrument aboard the International Space Station (ISS), and GSC stands for Gas Slit Camera.
• A March 2026 study using XRISM data investigated fluorescent matter in the system and reported energy shifts in iron K-shell (Fe-K) fluorescence lines.
• XRISM (X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission) is an X-ray astronomy mission launched in 2023.

L&T Technology Services Limited and Nokia Enter into Five-Year Agreement to Strengthen Engineering and R&D Operations in India

• L&T Technology Services Limited (LTTS), an Indian Engineering Research and Development (ER&D) services company, signed a five-year contract with Nokia to support its engineering, R&D, and global technology operations.
• Under the agreement, LTTS will establish a dedicated Offshore Development Centre (ODC) in India to support Nokia’s global engineering and R&D activities.
• The collaboration will integrate LTTS’ engineering capabilities with Nokia’s global R&D teams through a unified operating model.
• The partnership aligns with LTTS’ Lakshya 31 strategy, which focuses on next-generation computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure.
• LTTS will support Nokia’s R&D programmes in research, product engineering, new product development, embedded systems, software development, system integration, and ongoing product support.
• A dedicated engineering team in India will support Nokia’s global Technology Center and its technology development activities.
• The key focus areas include next-generation telecommunications, computing, AI infrastructure, AI-driven operations, Fifth-Generation (5G) networks, and intelligent automation.
• The ODC will combine data-centre-grade computing and AI-infrastructure engineering with next-generation telecommunications solutions.

About Nokia :

• Nokia is a Finland-based telecommunications technology company established in 1865, with its headquarters in Espoo, Finland.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Renowned Indian Painter and Former Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Jogen Chowdhury Passed Away at 87

• Jogen Chowdhury, a renowned Indian painter and former Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP), passed away at the age of 87 in Kolkata, West Bengal, on 25 October 2026.

About Jogen Chowdhury :

• He was born on 15 February 1939 in Faridpur, Bengal Presidency, British India (now part of Bangladesh).
• During the Partition of India, he moved to Kolkata with his family.
• He developed an interest in drawing at a young age; his father, Pramathanath Chowdhury, was a landlord, and his mother practised Alpana, a traditional Bengali folk art form.
• Career: He worked as an art teacher at Howrah Zilla School, a designer at the Handloom Board in Kolkata from 1962, and Keeper of Art at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
• In 1987, he joined the faculty of Kala Bhavana, Visva-Bharati University, at Santiniketan, West Bengal.
• In his later years, he was associated with the design of art installations for Durga Puja
• He represented West Bengal in the Rajya Sabha as a member of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) from 3 April 2014 to 2 April 2020.
• Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee nominated him to the Rajya Sabha on a TMC ticket.

Awards and Honours:

• He received the Prix de la Jeune Peinture, France (1966), the Kalidas Samman (2001), the Banga Bibhushan (2012), and the Zainul Samman (2016).
• He was honoured at the Second Biennale of Havana, Cuba, in 1986.
• Rabindra Bharati University, West Bengal, conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) on him in 2010.
• The Banga Bibhushan, one of West Bengal’s highest civilian honours, was conferred on him by the Trinamool Congress-led state government in 2012.

Japanese Novelist and Filmmaker Ryū Murakami Passed away at 74

• Japanese novelist and filmmaker Ryū Murakami Passed away at the age of 74.

About Ryū Murakami :

• Ryū Murakami was born on 19 February 1952 in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan.
• Murakami made his literary debut with the novel Almost Transparent Blue, published in 1976, which sold more than 3.5 million copies.
• Almost Transparent Blue explores drug use, violence, sex and youth culture among young people living near a United States military base in Japan.
• He received both the Gunzo Prize for New Writers and the Akutagawa Prize in 1976 for Almost Transparent Blue.
• The novel Almost Transparent Blue was adapted into a film directed by Murakami and released in 1979.
• His other notable literary works include Coin Locker Babies (1980), The World in Five Minutes From Now, Kyoko, Tokyo Decadence and Audition (1997).
• Murakami’s novel Love and Pop: Topaz II (1996) inspired the 1998 live-action film Love & Pop, directed by Hideaki Anno (known for Neon Genesis Evangelion).
• The film Love & Pop was screened in North American theatres by GKIDS in February 2025 and later announced for home-video release in 2026.
• His novel Audition (1997) was adapted into a 1999 film directed by Takashi Miike.
• His film works also included Tokyo Decadence (1992).
• Murakami explored urban life and youth culture in contemporary Japan through his literary works.
• He also worked as an interviewer on the economic talk show The Cambrian Palace.
• The Akutagawa Prize, established in 1935 by Kan Kikuchi, recognises works of serious literature by new or emerging writers and is named after Japanese author Ryūnosuke Akutagawa.
• The Gunzo Prize for New Writers is a Japanese literary award for debut literary works, established by publisher Kodansha.
• The Naoki Prize recognises popular fiction and is presented alongside the Akutagawa Prize.

Daily CA One- Liner: October 29

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana (PM VGSY), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) aimed at transforming grassroots governance and supporting the national vision of Viksit Bharat
• The Supreme Court of India expressed satisfaction that 14 states had agreed to increase the retirement age of district judicial officers from 60 to 62 years and expressed hope that other states would follow
• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) notified amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, allowing flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) specifically designed and certified for ethanol blends of up to E100, or nearly 100% ethanol
• Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expanded the Council of Ministers by inducting four legislators from the National Conference (NC), nearly two years after the NC-led government assumed office in October 2024.
• Vice-President of India C. P. Radhakrishnan released the book ‘Advantage India: Reshaping the Future for an Equitable World’, authored by Anil K. Antony, at Uprashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi
• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notified a concessional annual FASTag local pass under the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2026
• The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) received the award for Metro Rail with the Best Passenger Service and Satisfaction for the Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat corridor at the 19th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference and Expo 2026, held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha
• Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar received the First Class Order of Zayed II, a high-level civilian decoration of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), for protecting 174 passengers aboard a Flydubai flight during an alleged attack by his co-pilot.
• As part of the Team Canada Trade Mission, Minister Sidhu announced 34 commercial agreements, partnerships and foreign direct investment (FDI) outcomes between Canadian and Indian organisations, with a combined estimated value of nearly $300 million.
• State Bank of India (SBI) inaugurated CyRIS (Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence) in Mumbai on 26 October 2026 to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities and address emerging digital threats.
• PhonePe, a Walmart-owned fintech company, launched ‘Tatkal NPS’, a digital facility that enables users to open a National Pension System (NPS) account with a minimum initial contribution of ₹250.
• Skydo, a cross-border payments platform serving Indian businesses, received final authorisation from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) to operate as a Payment Service Provider (PSP) at GIFT City, Gujarat.
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) introduced a real-time margin waiver framework allowing clients to use the value of shares delivered through Early Pay-in (EPI) towards margin requirements for subsequent buy and sell positions in the cash market.
• Greece’s Parliament approved legislation on 23 October 2026 banning children under 15 years of age from using social media platforms.
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved a one-year extension for Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh until 31 October 2027.
• Project Arunank of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) celebrated its 19th Raising Day on 24 October 2026 at Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh.
• Yard 1283 (Srishti), a Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV), was launched on 27 October 2026 at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), Goa.
• On 26 October 2026, the Indian Navy conducted the launch of the first Sullage Barge (Yard 142), the keel laying of the third Sullage Barge (Yard 144), and the keel laying of the first Bottom Opening Dumb Barge (Yard 148).
• Centaurus X-3 is one of the brightest X-ray pulsars and is a high-mass X-ray binary (HMXB) located approximately 24,000 light-years away in the constellation Centaurus.
• L&T Technology Services Limited (LTTS), an Indian Engineering Research and Development (ER&D) services company, signed a five-year contract with Nokia to support its engineering, R&D, and global technology operations.
• Jogen Chowdhury, a renowned Indian painter and former Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP), passed away at the age of 87 in Kolkata, West Bengal, on 25 October 2026.
• Japanese novelist and filmmaker Ryū Murakami Passed away at the age of 74.