Dear Readers, Here we have given the list of Important Weekly Current Affairs of October 08th & 14th October 2026. Candidates those who are preparing for Upcoming SBIClerk 2026 and other competitive exams can make use of it.

Weekly Current Affairs October 08th & 14th PDF Download

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

• World Habitat Day is observed annually on the first Monday of October to highlight the importance of adequate housing and sustainable human settlements. In 2026, World Habitat Day is observed on 5^th October.
• World Space Week 2026 is being observed from 4 to 10 October 2026, highlighting developments in space science, space technology and human space exploration.
• World Cotton Day is observed every year on 7 October to recognise the importance of cotton and its contribution to livelihoods, trade, economic development and the textile sector.
• World Cerebral Palsy Day is observed every year on 6 October to raise awareness about cerebral palsy and promote greater inclusion, rights and opportunities for people living with the condition.
• The International Day of Science, Technology and Innovation for the South is observed annually on 16 September.
• The International Day for Interventional Cardiology is observed annually on 16 September to raise awareness about cardiovascular diseases and the importance of interventional cardiology in addressing the global burden of non-communicable diseases.
• India celebrates the 94th Indian Air Force Day on 8 October 2026 to commemorate the establishment of the Indian Air Force and raise awareness about its role in safeguarding India's national security.
• World Egg Day is observed annually on the second Friday in October This year, World Egg Day is on 9^th October 2026, marking the 30th anniversary of the global observance.
• World Post Day is celebrated annually on 9 October to highlight the importance of postal services in global communication.
• World Mental Health Day is observed annually on 10 October to raise awareness of mental health issues and promote efforts to support mental well-being worldwide.
• World Sight Day is observed annually on the second Thursday of October to raise awareness about eye health and the prevention of vision impairment.
• The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually on 11 October to promote girls’ rights and address the challenges they face worldwide.
• World Arthritis Day is observed annually on 12 October to raise awareness about arthritis and its impact on people’s lives.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

• An Indian Parliamentary Delegation, led by Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh, departed for Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, to participate in the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and related meetings.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 10th edition of India Mobile Congress 2026 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi and address the gathering.
• The Delhi Government doubled the monthly incentives for 6,690 Accredited Social Health Activist workers from ₹3,000 to ₹6,000 recognising their role in delivering healthcare services and government schemes at the grassroots level.
• Uttarakhand has become India’s sixth fully literate state under the National Education Policy 2020 and the ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society) – New India Literacy Programme.
• The Union Cabinet passed a resolution congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 25 years as the head of government.
• The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Defence, will launch JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) Teams at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, to strengthen community participation in India’s fight against tuberculosis.
• The proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri, Odisha, is set for a fresh start after the Airports Authority of India agreed to undertake its development and investment.
• The Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment, Union Territory of Ladakh marked the beginning of Wildlife Week 2026 with a series of community-focused activities under the theme “Connecting Habitats, Thriving Wildlife.”
• India’s first national-level pilot project for rural housing using Three-Dimensional (3D) Concrete Printing has been launched in Andhra Pradesh under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin.
• India’s transition towards electric mobility is gaining momentum under the Pradhan Mantri Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement Scheme, with 59 lakh electric vehicles sold as of June 2026, against an incentive-supported target of around 28.30 lakh electric vehicles.
• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has reconstituted several Parliamentary Committees related to different Ministries, with new chairpersons appointed to various Departmentally Related Standing Committees.
• The Odisha Government has launched what it described as India’s first dedicated incentive portal for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions, aimed at attracting investment and promoting business tourism in the State.
• According to the Annual Survey of Industries 2024-25 released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, India’s registered manufacturing sector recorded broad-based growth in industrial output, employment, wages, invested capital and Gross Value Added during 2024-25.
• The Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded (PM-SETU) Industrial Training Institutes has completed one year, with the Government focusing on modernising Industrial Training Institutes, strengthening industry participation and aligning vocational training with emerging workforce requirements.
• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has released the ‘Strategy for Environmental-Economic Accounts in India: 2026-2030’.
• Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri launched National PNG Drive 3.0 to accelerate the adoption of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and support the Government’s goal of increasing natural gas’s share in India’s primary energy mix from around 6%.
• Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve (VDTR) in Sagar district of the Bundelkhand region, Madhya Pradesh, has become the third habitat for cheetahs in the state, after Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.
• GIFT City improved by nine places to rank 37th globally in the latest Global Financial Centres Index 40, compared with 46th position in Global Financial Centres Index 39.
• The Ministry of Commerce has proposed increasing the allocation for the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products scheme to ₹23,000 crore for Financial Year 2026–27, compared with the current allocation of ₹10,000 crore.
• The Government of India has proposed the creation of a National Destination Digital Knowledge Grid to strengthen India's tourism and hospitality infrastructure and help travellers plan and execute their trips.
• The Ministry of Rural Development notified the Schedule of Permissible Works under the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB–G RAM G Act), providing for 375 permissible works under the new rural works framework.
• The Supreme Court of India dismissed a plea seeking an investigation into the First Information Reports (FIRs) registered against student protesters who participated in the 20 July protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
• Ladakh has launched India’s first high-altitude wildlife safari, with six specially designed open-back vehicles flagged off for operations in three initial locations: Rumbak, Shang and Uley.
• The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) revised the procedure for updating names in Aadhaar through a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) uploaded on 18 September 2026.
• The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, approved a proposal to rename Noida International Airport, located at Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, as Narendra Modi International Airport, Noida-Jewar.
• West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the recruitment of 14,454 government employees within six to eight months and approved the Bhagini Nivedita Scheme, which will provide ₹50,000 in financial assistance to unmarried women pursuing higher education for three years.
• Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu launched several healthcare initiatives under the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’.
• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has certified Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, as an ‘Eat Right Place of Worship’ for maintaining adequate food safety and hygiene standards.
• The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, is celebrating its 33rd Foundation Day on 12 October 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan.
• Ambaji Mohanthal Prasad, the traditional sweet offering of Ambaji Temple in Gujarat, received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
• Chief Justice of India Surya Kant constituted a Standing Committee on Judicial Well-being under the aegis of the Supreme Court of India on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, observed on 10 October.
• Lakshadweep was declared a 100% literate Union Territory by Administrator Praful Patel at a function held in Kavaratti, the capital of Lakshadweep.
• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) selected ai to develop a unified agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform for government services, with DigiLocker chosen as its first implementation.
• The Central Government approved a ₹65 crore project under DRISHTI (Delhi Revenue and Imaging Survey, Spatial Technology Initiative) to modernise property surveys and mapping in Delhi’s unauthorised colonies under the Pradhan Mantri-Unauthorized Colonies in Delhi Awas Adhikar Yojana (PM-UDAY).
• The Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses completed its first year, advancing India’s goal of achieving self-sufficiency in pulses by 2030–31 by increasing domestic production, reducing import dependence and improving farmers’ incomes.
• Protests in New Delhi, including demonstrations against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), reportedly resulted in the detention of young people, journalists and activists.
• The Kerala Government launched WOMN (Women On the Move & Menstrual Needs) to improve access to sanitary napkins for women and girls in public places and during travel.
• Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan moved a resolution in the Kerala Legislative Assembly seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, describing it as a historic moment for the state.

 CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

• External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar, Union Minister for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), undertook a 5-day official visit to three African countries — Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ethiopia — from 6 to 10 October 2026.
• Guy Parmelin, President of Switzerland, undertook a 3-day official state visit to India from 5 to 7 October 2026 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• India and Japan jointly launched the Operational Manual for the India–Japan Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) in New Delhi.
• India and Singapore are exploring a proposed 2,000-megawatt (MW) cross-border electricity interconnection project as part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Power Grid
• India highlighted significant progress in forest cover, forest restoration and climate action at the 28th Session of the FAO Committee on Forestry (COFO 28) held in Rome, Italy, from 28 September to 2 October 2026.
• The United States (US) announced a new “Super Intelligence Force” (SI Force) Task Force on 4 October 2026 to coordinate the US federal government’s response to Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Union Minister Piyush Goyal, from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), attended the Group (G20) Trade Ministers’ Meeting held from 30 September to 1 October 2026 in Milwaukee, United States of America (USA).
• According to the Trade and Development Report 2026, published by the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD), India accounted for 7% of global greenfield investment during 2020–2025, more than double China’s share of 2.8%.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING AND BUSINESS NEWS

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued revised guidelines for Note Sorting Machines (NSMs) under Sections 35A and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), through its Department of Currency Management, issued a circular on 1 October 2026 partially modifying the earlier instructions on “Cassette – Swaps in ATMs” issued on 31 March 2022.
• The Institute of Economic Growth (IEG), in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, successfully organised the Fifth Kautilya Economic Conclave (KEC 2026) from 3–5 October 2026 in New Delhi.
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) notified the Settlement Regulations, 2026, on 6 October 2026 to simplify settlement procedures and make them more transparent, predictable and less discretionary.
• Federal Bank Limited launched ‘Verto’, a premium savings account offering integrated financial solutions for young professionals and entrepreneurs.
• The World Bank (WB) supported the Government of Kerala’s proposal to establish a Carbon Credit Cell under the Department of Agriculture to promote sustainable farming and increase farmers’ income.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) sold ₹50,000 crore worth of Government Securities (G-Secs) through an Open Market Operation (OMO) sale auction to absorb surplus liquidity from the banking system.
• According to SBI Research, Indian banks mobilised approximately USD 127 billion through the Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) [FCNR(B)] deposit scheme, potentially generating a notional profit of around ₹5 trillion over five years.
• According to a report by CRIF High Mark, India’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) credit portfolio grew 5% year-on-year to ₹47.4 trillion as of June 2026.
• The Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) has constituted a 12-member high-level committee to examine the implementation of a five-day banking week following discussions with the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU).
•    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) increased the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.5%.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) fixed the interest rate on the Government of India Floating Rate Bond 2028 (FRB 2028) at 45% per annum for the six-month period from 4 October 2026 to 3 April 2027.
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched the nationwide investor awareness and education campaign “Samajh Se Investing Simple” under Project Jagrook on 5 October 2026 at Panjab University, Chandigarh.
• The World Bank (WB) raised India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for FY27 to 7.1%, up from its April 2026 projection of 6.6%.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) excluded Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) from the Second Schedule of the RBI Act, 1934, following the cancellation of its banking licence and the court-directed winding-up process.
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) eased the mandatory appointment of merchant bankers for certain eligible listed issuers raising funds through the private placement of debt securities.
• The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Generali Central launched the UNDP–Generali Insurance Innovation Challenge to develop and scale insurance solutions that strengthen the resilience of India’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
• The 57th Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council Meeting was held in New Delhi under the chairpersonship of Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced a new foreign exchange reporting framework, effective 1 October 2026, to improve monitoring of India’s non-software services exports.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced interoperability among Non-Banking Financial Companies–Account Aggregators (NBFC-AAs) on 7 October 2026 to improve customer convenience and enable seamless sharing of financial information.
• According to the Department of Commerce, India’s merchandise trade deficit eased to a five-month low of USD 26.86 billion in August 2026, compared with USD 27.22 billion in August 2025 and USD 32 billion in July 2026.
• According to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), India’s net direct tax collection increased by 13% to over ₹12.12 lakh crore between 1 April and 17 September 2026 in the current financial year.
• According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), India recorded a Current Account Deficit (CAD) of USD 7 billion in July 2026, compared with a deficit of USD 3.2 billion in July 2025, according to preliminary Balance of Payments (BoP)
• Airtel Money, the mobile payments and financial services business of Airtel Africa, began trading on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) on 9 October 2026 through an Initial Public Offering (IPO).
• The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) unveiled the Finance Model for India (FiMi) Banking, India’s first sovereign compact model designed for Indian retail banking use cases, at the Global Fintech Festival (GFF) 2026.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) opened a special foreign exchange (forex) window to meet the entire daily US dollar requirements of three public sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) amid evolving forex market conditions.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) extended its Benchmark Issuance Strategy (BIS) framework to seven additional states and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, increasing the total coverage to 26 states and Union Territories.
• Ageas Federal Life Insurance (AFLI) launched the Aurum Advantage Plan, a multi-currency Unit-Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP), at GIFT City, Gujarat.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recorded a record net purchase of USD 18.65 billion in July 2026, compared with USD 561 million in June 2026, according to its monthly bulletin.
• According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) September 2026 Bulletin, private-sector capital expenditure (capex) is projected to rise to ₹3.2 trillion in FY2026–27 (FY27), compared with ₹2.6 trillion in FY2025–26 (FY26).
• According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, inflows into Non-Resident Indian (NRI) deposit schemes surged by 2% to USD 36.24 billion during April–July FY2026–27, compared with USD 4.66 billion in the corresponding period of FY2025–26.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) advisory committee has recommended increasing the aggregate Ways and Means Advances (WMA) limit for state governments by 2% to ₹67,839 crore, from the existing ₹61,008 crore.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) clarified its directions on the novation of Over-the-Counter (OTC) derivative contracts following feedback on its draft directions.
• The Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) disposed of appeals filed by five foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) named in the Hindenburg Research report concerning the Adani Group.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

• Professor Mahesh Kakde of the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru has been awarded the Ramanujan Prize 2026 for his contributions to algebraic number theory.
• The 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to French chemist Henri B. Kagan and Japanese chemist Kenso Soai for their pioneering discoveries of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.
• Canadian poet and writer Anne Carson has won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature.
• Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, a South African jurist of Indian Tamil origin, was announced as the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize winner by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo, Norway.
• Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced that Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot working for flydubai, will receive the State of Israel’s Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism, Israel’s highest bravery award for civilians.
• Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, has been conferred Chevalier de l’Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur (Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour), the highest civilian honour of France, by French President Emmanuel Macron.
• American economists Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford won the 2026 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel for their work on the microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilisation.

 CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

• The Ministry of Law and Justice (MoL&J) notified the appointment of 3 High Court Chief Justices as Judges of the Supreme Court.
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the re-employment of Dhirendra Ojha as Principal Director General (PDG), Press Information Bureau (PIB), on a contract basis for one year after his superannuation.
• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) reconstituted the Press Council of India (PCI) on 8 October 2026 by nominating 13 journalists, comprising six editors and seven other working journalists.
• Dilip Asbe, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), was appointed as an independent director on the 15-member Supervisory Board of SWIFT.
• Rajeshwari Kumari, former Indian trap shooter, was elected to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Athletes Commission to represent South Asia for the 2026–2030 term.
• The Government of India (GoI) appointed Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF), effective from 31 October 2026.
• The Government of India appointed Prakash Rajpurohit, a 2010-batch IAS officer of the Rajasthan cadre, as Deputy Election Commissioner (DEC), replacing Sanjay Kumar, with his tenure until 8 April 2030.
• Meta appointed Chirantan “CJ” Desai to lead its Meta Enterprise Platform, reporting directly to Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta.
• President Droupadi Murmu appointed Governors in six States as part of a major gubernatorial reshuffle.
• Achyuta Samanta, founder of the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), was elected the first President of the Indian UniSport Federation (IUSF).

 CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

• India and Ghana exchanged two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen cooperation in scientific research, academics, capacity building, agricultural research and education.
• The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies has signed five Memoranda of Understanding with industry and technology organisations to strengthen India’s talent pipeline and the country’s Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality ecosystem.
• Pondicherry University and National Institute of Technology Nagaland have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen academic and research collaboration between the two institutions.
• Nālandā University and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–Traditional Knowledge Digital Library Unit signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish structured cooperation in academics, research and capacity building.
• The Ministry of Coal signed Coal Mine Development and Production Agreements with successful bidders of six coal mines auctioned during earlier commercial coal mine auction rounds.
• The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has partnered with quick-commerce platform Blinkit to help artisans and craftspeople covered under the PM Vishwakarma scheme access a wider customer base and expand their market reach.
• The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in athlete development, high-performance sports and sports administration.
• The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) to promote Indian art, culture and heritage at Namo Bharat stations.
• The National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Pahle India Foundation (PIF), New Delhi, to strengthen cooperation in official statistics, research, data analysis, capacity building and knowledge sharing.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND REPORTS

• According to the World Bank’s report India and Artificial Intelligence: Seizing the Development Opportunity, India ranks among the top 10 emerging-market performers in Artificial Intelligence (AI) readiness.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: ACQUISITION AND MERGERS

• SBI Mutual Fund increased its shareholding in Swiggy from approximately 7% to 5.1% by purchasing shares worth around ₹300 crore.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DEFENCE NEWS

• The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a ₹661.50 crore contract with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) on 6 October 2026 for the procurement of BrahMos Fire Control Systems and launchers for Indian Navy warships.
• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the flight trial of an indigenously developed High-Altitude Platform (HAPS), marking a significant milestone in India’s development of long-endurance stratospheric airship technology.
• Brazil’s Embraer and India’s Mahindra Group have identified Nagpur, Maharashtra, as the potential location for a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft in India.
• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the maiden live jump of the Advanced High-Altitude Parachute (AHAP) at Nyoma (Mudh DZ), one of the highest-altitude drop zones.
• SAREX-2026 is the 12th National Maritime Search & Rescue Exercise, organised by the Indian Coast Guard and conducted off Paradip, Odisha, on 8 October 2026.
• Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh approved the revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for utilisation of MoD Proof Ranges, Field Firing Ranges and Laboratory Test Facilities by the Indian Defence Industry.
• Hical Technologies Private Limited, a Bengaluru-based Indian aerospace and defence manufacturer, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with French aeropace and defence company Safran Aerosystems to explore establishing a Joint Venture (JV) in India.
• Yard 3040, named ‘Shreyas’, a Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV), was launched on 10 October 2026 at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
• The Defence Correspondents Course, comprising 24 journalists, concluded at Tezpur after completing its Navy, Air Force, and Army training legs.
• Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh presented the SIDM Champion Awards 2026 at the 8th Annual Session of the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) in New Delhi on 9 October 2026.
• General NS Raja Subramani, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, inaugurated residential accommodation and critical utility and amenity infrastructure under Project Seabird Phase IIA at Naval Base, Karwar, Karnataka, on 8 October 2026.

 CURRENT AFFAIRS: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), under the IndiaAI Mission, launched the MeitY-IndiaAI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Artificial Intelligence, known as the Centre for AI in Keralam (CAIK), in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
• The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under the aegis of Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DAR&PG), is implementing Special Campaign 6 for cleanliness, reducing pendency, record management and e-waste disposal.
• Scientists from N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS), Kolkata, Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, and SRM University, Amaravati developed a metal-free catalyst for next-generation clean-energy technologies.
• India’s first offshore wind farm prototype is planned off the coast of Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, marking an important step towards developing the country’s offshore wind-energy sector.
• University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) has received a Letter of Intent (LoI) from India’s University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish a degree-granting campus in Hyderabad, Telangana.
• Scientists announced the first direct detection of radio signals from an exoplanet, marking a major breakthrough in exoplanetary radio astronomy.
• Bharat Forge Limited (BFL) signed a long-term contract with Pratt & Whitney Canada on 5 October 2026 to supply mission-critical aerospace engine components.
• CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) scientists developed an India-specific disease severity score for Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA).
• Adani Power Limited (APL) and Bhutan’s state-owned Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) signed a Shareholders Agreement (SHA) to develop the 770 MW Chamkharchhu-I Hydroelectric Project.
• The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar launched AVNI – Grow with Nature on 6 October 2026 through its Centre of Excellence in AI for Digital Agriculture, ANNAM.AI.
• CERVAVAC®, India’s first indigenously developed gender-neutral quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (qHPV) vaccine, developed by the Serum Institute of India (SII), received prequalification from the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) and Fuselage Flying Club Private Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand drone pilot training and promote entrepreneurship in agriculture.
• EyeROV (IROV Technologies Private Limited), a Kochi, Kerala-based marine robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) startup, delivered two EyeROV TROUT military-grade underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) systems to the Indian Navy (IN).
• Philip Morris India Trading Private Limited (PM India) partnered with Litterati, a global civic technology company, to launch the first phase of a 12-month anti-littering initiative in Delhi under Project Unmesha on 5 October 2026.
• Dixon Technologies (India) Ltd. signed a Joint Venture (JV) agreement with Taiwan-based Gemtek Technology Co. Ltd. to manufacture and supply telecom and optical connectivity products in India.
• The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) saved 255 elephants from potential train collisions between January and September 2026 using Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based alerts, speed restrictions, enhanced patrolling, and the Plan Bee system.
• Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T) and the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), launched the redeveloped websites of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Ministry of Science and Technology.
• Tata Power Company Limited partnered with Ocean Sun, a Norway-based renewable energy technology company, to introduce membrane-based floating solar technology in India.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

• Novak Djokovic won the China Open 2026 men’s singles title in Beijing, People’s Republic of China.
• Carlos Alcaraz of Spain won the Japan Open 2026 title for the second consecutive year, defeating Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic 7-6(4), 6-4 in the final in Tokyo.
• Smriti Mandhana has been appointed the new captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, succeeding Harmanpreet Kaur.
• Max Verstappen, the Dutch-Belgian racing driver representing Oracle Red Bull Racing, won the 2026 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• Pramod Bhagat (para badminton) and Bhavina Patel (para table tennis) will lead the Indian contingent as flag bearers at the opening ceremony of the 5th Asian Para Games, scheduled in Nagoya, Japan.
• The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) India appointed Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana as a Celebrity Advocate, coinciding with the International Day of the Girl.

 CURRENT AFFAIRS: OBITUARIES

• Professor Palle Rama Rao, a renowned Indian metallurgist, scientist, and science administrator and Padma Vibhushan awardee, passed away in Hyderabad, Telangana, on 3 October 2026 at the age of 89.
• Eva Marie Saint, an Oscar-winning American actress and one of the last surviving stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age, passed away at the age of 102 in Los Angeles, United States of America (USA).
• Veteran Indian actor and filmmaker Nana Patekar passed away at the age of 75 at his home in Goa.
• Veteran freedom fighter P. Vasu, popularly known as ‘Socio Vasu’, passed away on 8 October 2026 at his residence in Cheruvannur, Kozhikode, Keralam, at the age of 103.
• Renowned Indian classical dancer, choreographer and Padma Shri awardee Roshan Kumari passed away at the age of 82 in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• Jeffrey Archer, the bestselling British novelist and former politician, died at the age of 86 at his home in London, shortly before the global release of his latest novel.
• Renowned Mridangam maestro Guruvayur Dorai, a distinguished exponent of Carnatic classical music, passed away in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN), at the age of 91.